Greece

As the cradle of Western civilization, Greece has no shortage of history and monuments that will take your breath away. Athens is a must-see when visiting the country. A third of the population inhabits the Greek capital, and sites such as the magnificent Acropolis, the Parthenon and the National Archeological Museum will leave you in awe. Skateboard at bars with EDM blasting in the background (check out the Latraac Skate Cafe) and devour the best souvlaki for only a few Euros. Athens has a life and personality of its own and some of the most kind-hearted and welcoming residents I’ve come across in Europe.

The world-renown Cyclades are easy to island hop across and will live up to the picture-perfect images you have seen on postcards. Walk among the flowering bougainvillea trees of Santorini, swim in the azure waters of Milos, windsurf in Naxos and party in Mykonos. You can find plenty of islands that are less visited by tourists if you want a quieter retreat, and don’t forget to try the local wine! Although Greece has been hit hard economically in recent years, you will still feel the rich and fast-changing cultural landscape of Greece when you visit and see how much the country has to offer.