Promising statistics were recently revealed by Greece's Civil Aviation Authority, regarding international air travel to the nation.

I believe there is not one person who does not recognize the site of the Parthenon, one of the oldest symbols of the cradle of civilization, that stands timeless on a mountain that dates back over 5,000 years at the center of one of the most renowned cities of the world, Athens, Greece. Athens should not just be a city you travel through before heading to the islands. Athens is one of my favorite destinations in Greece, and I am sure will be yours, once you discover all that it has to offer.

Myth has it that a battle between the Goddess Athena and the God Poseidon took place for who would be the ruler and protector of the city. The first king of Athens, Cecrops resolved the difference by asking the gods to offer gifts to the citizens and they would decide. Between the sea water spring of Poseidon and the olive tree of Athena the Athenians chose the symbol of peace and prosperity, the olive tree. Hence the legendary city was named Athens after the Goddess of wisdom.

It is only when one visits the beautiful island of Ithaca that they understand the reason Odysseus longed for his return. Ithaca is part of the 7 Ioanian Islands and lies east of Kefalonia.