Couples fortunate enough to take an extended honeymoon trip may find the mainland of Greece and the Greek Isles a perfect combination of romance, history, relaxation, adventure and excitement. Many couples choose to spend a few days in Athens, reserving the remainder of their time for the islands or other parts of the mainland.

Athens offers the amenities and entertainment opportunities of a modern European city while retaining a sense of place and time. The elegant ruins of the Parthenon sit atop the sacred rock of the Acropolis. A museum, the Herodio theatre and the ancient Agora, marketplace, are all adjacent to the site.

At Syndagma Square, the Greek National Parliament is housed in a royal palace before which the Evzones, colorfully dressed guards, ceremonially parade. From here, short walks lead to the National Gardens and the Olympic Stadium, a 19th-century reconstruction built on Roman foundations. Within the modern city, designer fashions may be found around Kolonaki Square, the city's most exclusive residential area. A bazaar district is located around Athinas and Eolou Streets. The flea market district is in the area of Monastiraki. Plaka is one the most romantic parts of the city offering great food, shopping and entertainment.

Those seeking a "prophesy" for the new millennium may try an ancient technique and travel a short distance to Delphi. In ancient times, oracles would breath the fumes emanating from a sacred chasm in the rocks and read the future. A museum as well as the Sacred Precinct, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Marmaria, the Sanctuary of Athena and the Castalian Springs may be visited. The romantic will want to stroll the golden sand, black sand or pebble beaches of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, two island groups in the Aegean Sea. "Nothing is more romantic than a full moon and a quiet walk along the beaches at Santorini," reminisced Harisa Kapos who had visited Athens and the Greek Isles on her honeymoon with her husband, Peter.

Santorini has been associated with the legend of Atlantis and contains the remains of an ancient Minoan city destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1500 BC. The well-preserved site with its beautiful mosaics is frequently compared to Pompeii. The island of Rhodes with its Venetian influences is one of the more cosmopolitan Greek islands. The island of Crete holds a beauty of its own. Along the northern coast lie most cities while the archeological sites of Festos and Gortys lie to the south. The palace of Knossos, site of the legendary Minotaur, is itself laid out like a labyrinth. Its extensive restoration makes it visually appealing to even casual visitors. On the eastern end of the island are popular resorts and attractions like Ayios Nikolaos, Khersonisos, Malia, Stalidha, the Palace of Malia, the Gorge of Samaria and the Skotino and Dhiktean Caves. All the islands are connected by ferry, some have airstrips. Luxury overnight accommodations are also found on the modern resort islands of Mykonos, Paros and Syros.

Some couples may wish to combine a trip to Greece with a visit to other exciting Mediteranean destinations such as Italy. What better way to enjoy a honeymoon in the new millennium than to visit lands whose culture, and history has been captivating visitors for thousands of years.