WHILE on a two-month vacation here in Greece, I was dining alone in a fine dining Greek restaurant when I thought I saw Britney Spears. The lady’s back was facing me and she was talking to a good looking hunk in a suit. I had to twirl around their table to get a good look at her face. Yeah, she was pretty but she ain’t Britney. With that starting anecdote, I would like to introduce you to Greek cuisine. Greek food is one of the most delicious in the world but that’s just me. I don’t know if you’d agree with me but I found Greek food very sumptuous and very satisfying indeed. And sweet delicious food doesn’t just stop at the fine dining restaurants. Even in street corners, Greek food is really cool.

Let me tell you first that Greek food is a combination between tradition mixed with a dash of Italy and Turkey influences. A Mediterranean diet delves hardly on seafood and there are various kinds of fish catch from the Mediterranean which are favorites among the Greeks. Greeks would also love to incorporate grains and vegetables in their viands. Lamb is also a key element in their food and recipes from lamb that I’ve tasted are really yummy. Aside from olive oil, the Greeks love to include lemon and tomato paste in their food. They then serve the viand with bread and wine, which I find romantic. Other delicacies you can find in Greece which I’ve tasted fine are roast pork, roast chicken and grilled meat. Greece is also popular with their dips which are made of yoghurt, cucumbers, garlic and olive oil. Greeks love dipping their deep fried fish in those sauces. Aside from those mentioned above, specifically served in Greek restaurants are kalamari or deep fried squid rolls, grilled octopus, horiatiki salad and lamb fricassee. Food served in Greek restaurants are not spicy too so people who hate spicy food will certainly welcome this. Most dining areas in Greek restaurants are located outdoors especially between May and October.

In Greece, enjoy an abundance of holidays all year round. Assumption of Our Lady in Heaven, an Orthodox holiday in Greece, is flamboyant. Take a tour to the islands and Assumption Day every August 15 is a festival of gayness, parades and just every fun that you can think of. Easter Sunday is another day to watch out for since the celebration is akin to that of New Year’s Eve in the rest of the world – there are fireworks everywhere. And prior to Easter Sunday, Greeks celebrate so-called pre-Lent festivities, which are more prominently displayed in Patras. Other notable holidays are New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Shrove Monday or Holy Monday, Independence Day every March 5 which also doubles as The Annunciation, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Pentecost Monday (instead of a Sunday according to Orthodox tradition), World War II Day every October 28 and Feast of St. Stephen every December 26. Follow me and you’ll surely enjoy your stay here in Greece.