Steven Sklifas - Writer Photographer

Images in this gallery are from the remarkably unspoiled and historic Greek island of Aegina, which is 35 minutes from the port of Piraeus and part of the popular archipelago known as the Saronic Gulf Islands.

Images in this photo gallery are of the Sacred Greek islands of Delos, the birthplace of the Greek God Apollo and his twin sister the Greek Goddess Artemis. Located near the Greek island of Mykonos, the small barren windswept island of Delos is one of the most important ancient sites in the Mediterranean and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Images in this gallery are from Delphi, which is perhaps the world’s most breathtaking and evocative sanctuary or ruin from the ancient world. Nestled amidst the pine-forested slopes of the sacred peak of Mount Parnassos, the sanctuary of Delphi continues to reach out as the oracle of the god of light Apollo. Believed to be the 'navel' of the world' by the ancient Greeks, Delphi was the largest spiritual centre in the ancient Mediterranean world and attracted pilgrims from all over the Hellenic world to seek the priestess's wise prophecy. and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The images in this gallery are from the sophisticated and unique island of Hydra, which sparkles brightly in the warm blue waters as the undisputed jewel of the Saronic Gulf archipelago.

Images in this photo gallery are from Kastoria, a picturesque lake town in the Northern Greece region of western Macedonia, 220km from Thessaloniki.

The Marathon Battlefield site contains the burial mound or tumulus of the 192 Athenian hoplites that died in battle here against the Persians in 490 BC in the famous Battle of Marathon. The massive mound (soros) contains the ashes of the 192 Athenians (cremated and buried immediately after the battle) who were part of a small Greek force of around 8,000 free citizen soldiers who won a decisive victory over the 23,000 strong Persian army in 490 BC. 

Images in this photo gallery are from the Greek island of Mykonos, part of the distinctive Cycladic group of islands in the centre of the Aegean and one of the most popular islands in the Mediterranean. Mykonos is chic, sleek, and pleasure-seeking and yet offers countless echoes of a traditional Cycladic Greece. Only a 30-minute flight from Athens, the island is famous for its quintessential vistas and images of Greece, its cosmopolitan atmosphere and exciting nightlife, its magnificent sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets, whitewashed cuboid houses, churches crowned by blue domes, Venetian windmills and its picturesque Cycladic capital with a dazzling labyrinthine of twisting narrow whitewashed cobbled streets bursting with bougainvillea, white houses and vaulted passageways.

Rhamnous has the ruins of the Temples of Nemesis and Themis and the fortress. All date from around the 5th century BC. The larger Temple of Nemesis has a few marble column drums remaining and dedicated to Nemesis, goddess of punishment and divine retribution. The smaller Temple of Themis has a small section of its wall made of polygonal blocks still standing and dedicated to the Themis, goddess of Justice. Ancient Athenians were permanently manned at the fortress, which was used to protect the northeast coastal border of Attica and watch over shipping.

Sounion - Images of the Temple of Poseidon, which stands on the southernmost cape of the Attic landmass, providing a commanding view of the Aegean Sea and the Cyclades beyond. Dating from 444 BC and dedicated to the God of the sea, the Temples Doric peristyle comprised 34 Doric columns (13x6) of which 15 stand today.

Images in this photo gallery are from Thessaloniki, also known as Salonika or Salonica, principal city of the northern Greek region of Macedonia and the 2nd largest city in Greece. It's a vibrant cosmopolitan city with spacious avenues, exciting nightlife, rich history and diverse attractions. Several Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments in Thessaloniki are included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 516 km north of Athens and built on the edge of the Thermaic gulf, Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC and is named after King Phillips II's oldest daughter (the half-sister of Alexander the Great. It is the city that St Paul spread the world of Christianity in 50 AD. The Roman Emperor Galerius made the city his headquarters in 300AD and Demetrious, a Roman officer, was martyred here, thus becoming Thessaloniki's patron Saint in 303 AD.  Thessaloniki is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Many Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman ruins, monuments and churches are scattered in and around the city. On its seafront, the best known and most imposing monument is the 16th-century Venetian circular White Tower, built in the time of Ottoman Empire as part of the city's defences. Sitting beside it is a magnificent statue of Alexander the Great. Churches that are definitely worth seeing include the 4th-century Rotunda, Agios Dimitrios with its 7th-century mosaics, and the 8th-century Agia Sofia. The main ancient sites were built during the Roman occupation and they are the Arch of Galerius built in AD 297, and the ruins of the Roman Agora. A must see is the archaeological museum, which is one of finest in Europe.

Images in this photo gallery are from the archaeological site of Vergina, in the northern Greek region of Macedonia. The ancient city and site is 80 kilometres south-west of Thessaloniki and 20 kilometres south of Pella. The archaeological site of Vergina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vergina is Ancient Aigai, capital of ancient Macedonia prior to being transferred to Pella at the end of the 5th century BC. Aigai remained a sanctuary and summer retreat and a royal burial place. Vergina is a must see not only for the wonderful royal tombs museum but also for the beautifully situated ruins of the Macedonian king's palace and the theatre in which young Alexander viewed his father's death. This is also where Alexander was anointed at 20 years of age, the new King of Macedonia, ruler of Greece. The vast 4th century Palace of Palatitsia is one of the largest buildings of ancient Greece. The building was entered via a monumental propylon on a two-storied east side, which led to a large square open court with a Doric colonnaded. Rooms around the courtyard included the tholos, dedicated to the cult of Herakles Patroos, the mythical ancestor of the Macedonian Kings. Several splendid pebble mosaics have been unearthed here as well. The 4th century BC ancient theatre at Vergina is a timeless witness to the 336 BC assassination of Macedonian King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It was here that one of Phillip’s bodyguards turned against him and was murdered in full view of the audience during the wedding celebrations of his daughter Cleopatra.

Vravrona. - Images of the re-erected Stoa colonnade at the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauron in the Attic hills. Dating from the 5th century BC, the Stoa enclosed contained the Parthenon of Bear Maidens or courtyard where, every 4 years, young girls aged between 5 and 10 took part in festivals and performed a unique bear dance dedicated to the Goddess of Artemis.