New Year Tours In Greece

Greece is a very sought after holiday destination in case you are planning for a holiday in the Mediterranean region, and New Year Tours in Greece are a popular option for tourists, and New Year revellers. The country of Greece is located in the extreme south eastern region of Europe, and enjoys the best of the Mediterranean climate. The orchards, the vineyards, the magnificent beaches, and the flora and fauna of the region attract tourists from all over the world. In addition to this, the rich literary and historical past of this region, the great poets like Homer, the rich archaeological heritage of the region, also serve as major tourist attractions.

The Mediterranean climate is one of the best climates, and so this region can be visited all around the year. On the whole the region experiences a pleasant climate. In the month of January, the mainland region of Greece is usually cold and wet. It snows in the mountainous regions.

In the coastal regions of Greece, the weather is cold, windy and wet. You may, also, experience a rare snowfall. The bright, cheerful sunny days of spring are rare. The main activity of this season is skiing on the snow capped peaks.

The main attractions of the winter season, in Greece, are the New Year celebrations. The magnificent fire works displays that accompany the New Year celebrations, the various art related events, and the celebration of Epiphany on the sixth day of the month of January. Basically, the New Year Tours in Greece, cover a span of about seven days so that the New Year celebrations as well as the Epiphany celebrations are covered. Numerous plays and concerts are held in the ancient cities of Thessaloniki and Athens.

A major advantage of the New Year Tours in Greece, is that the month of January is an 'off season' month. Quite a few of the hotels are closed during this period, and you will be able to avoid the crowds. There are special discounts that are offered by a number of cruise and yacht travel companies, during this period. However, the not so attractive aspect is that due to rough weather, certain ports may be closed and your cruise tour may undergo some sudden changes. However, the New Year Tours in Greece give you a different glimpse of Greece.

The biggest attraction during this period are enchanting fire works displays that herald the New Year in Athens, and the Epiphany Celebrations at Pireaus. The arrival of Christmas heralds the beginning of the twelve day celebrations that culminate in the Epiphany celebrations.

According to Christianity, the sixth of January is the day when Jesus Christ was baptized. This is taken as a very auspicious day. This day, completes the celebration of the twelve days of Christmas. In fact, William Shakespeare' play “The Twelfth Night” is based on the Epiphany celebrations.

The Epiphany celebrations are taken very seriously by the Greeks. Though these attract tourists, the rituals are not performed for the tourists. A priest throws a large cross into the waters of a river, or if it is a beach town, then, into the sea. The young men of the town plunge into the ice cold water to retrieve the crucifix. After the cross is retrieved, the local fishermen take their blessings from the priest.

Sociologists think that this festival may be a Christianized version of some pagan ritual to appease the gods of the rivers and the seas. However, pagan or not, the Epiphany celebrations mark the end of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Piraeus, in Athens, is an ancient port city that is famous for the Epiphany celebrations, and is usually included in the New Year Tours in Greece.

Click on the links of holidayhub.com to learn more about numerous international holiday options.