Going Greek

Most of the European airlines serving South Africa offer connecting flights to Athens, as do the airlines from the Middle East (Emirates, Etihad and Qatar).

You will get the best fares when the airlines are offering specials on the SA-Europe leg of the journey. Your best bet is to find a good travel agent who will check all the carriers for special fares. You can also check the British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways sites for Internet-only specials. The budget carrier easyJet offers low-cost fares from London and Paris to Athens, so you could combine an easyJet ticket with a discounted fare from South Africa to London or Paris.

Greek travel and safety tips

Although the clear blue water and whitewashed buildings give one a sense of tranquility, there are dangers to be avoided in certain locations and certain times of year. Greece is a very safe country for tourists, but it's best to be aware of the hotspots that exist for both travelers and locals.

Places that might prove to be unsafe for American travelers include football (soccer) games where the rivalry between fans of the two teams is at a peak. Greeks take their football very seriously. It's not uncommon for the fans of the losing team to pull up stadium seats, throw them onto the playing field, set fires, and in general, behave worse than a 3 year old who has been denied a toy in the supermarket. Innocent spectators have been killed and injured in this sort of riotous behavior at games and in the vicinity of the stadium.

The Island of Santorini, Greece

Greece without Santorini is like a Greek salad without Kalamata olives – it just doesn’t taste the same. Santorini’s breathtaking Caldera, a sea-filled crater, and its vineyards and unbeatable nightlife make it a popular vacation destination. Hit the beaches or just explore. An island rich in ancient treasures, Santorini’s ruins from the Minoan period at Akrotiri and the wall paintings of Thera reveal one of the most fascinating prehistoric settlements of the Aegean. I toured the wineries and art galleries and bought an official hand-painted “Exact Copy” of a 7th-century B.C. pot with octopus design.

Our top 10 guide to Greece's best unspoilt islands and undeveloped villages

The makers of Mamma Mia! chose to film the movie on Skopelos because the island looks much as it did a generation ago. Skopelos Town is the prettiest port in the Sporades, with a harbour where you can watch the boats land their catch. The island is almost completely wooded with trails through pine, olive and plum groves that run down to the shore. The only downside is the shortage of sandy beaches, although Velanio is attractive and wider than more popular Stafylos near Skopelos Town.