Ask any Greek and we’ll tell you philosophy started with Thales in 624BCE (just about predating Confucius and Buddha). It’s important to have a philosophy on life, especially when trying to get a perspective on life’s big questions like ‘why are we here?’ So, with World Travel Market just around the corner, we thought it was time to deeply consider how various philosophies might be applied to the biggest travel event on the planet.

WTM AND HEDONISM

Many would argue that travel and holidays are all about hedonism and that is the true purpose and outcome of WTM. In which case approach the three days in total party mode, eating, drinking and being merry. Caution though, following this path has been known to lead to a hangover.

WTM AND TAOISM

More passive than active Tao simply means ‘the way’. It requires minimal effort – Toaists at WTM will simply be there because ‘that is what we do’. You’ll find them drinking green tea in a corner of the Asian Pavilion.

WTM AND CONFUCIANISM

Those who walk in the footsteps of Confucius to ExCel will be there because it is their duty to be there, as told to them by their mother and father, who almost certainly owned a travel agency back in the days when airlines paid commission.

WTM AND BUDDHISM

Of all philosophies, few align with travel so much as Buddhism – after all the journey of continual birth and rebirth very much informs the transmogrification from a short haul coach trip to Benidorm in the 1970s to an examination of the temples of Angkor Wat last summer. Eventually, given time, what goes around will come around (hopefully on an open-jaw ticket).

WTM AND STOICISM

Stoics hardly ever put in an appearance at WTM – with the belief that they have no control over anything they spend their time patiently waiting with fortitude to receive the new biometric passport that is forever ‘in the post’.

WTM AND SCEPTICISM

Yeah, yeah, yeah Socrates – nothing is for certain. Does Bali High really exist? Is the earth round? Does Bernoulli’s theorem really show that aircraft can fly? Isn’t travel really just a figment of somebody’s website? (That’s enough scepticism for now!).

WHAT’S OUR PHILOSOPHY FOR BEING AT WTM?

WE HAVE A BLENDED PRAGMATIST, FREUDIAN AND EXISTENTIALIST APPROACH!

On the one hand we’re pragmatists – we are enablers, doing what we can do to make travel and exploration happen in Greece and elsewhere in the world. The experience is everything and for us at WTM our approach is Freudian – let’s talk about it until we get things resolved and remove all the angst.

But most of all we’re existentialists. If we had one mantra it would be:

I TRAVEL, THEREFORE I AM

Whatever your philosophy at WTM if you would like to discuss exploring Greece by land or sea, or about exploring French Polynesia, or chartering a yacht, we’d love to spend some time with you on stand S12-430 and talk travel.

WHENEVER YOU WANT TO EXPLORE GREECE, WE’RE HERE TO HELP

We are your local expert in Greece. If ypou want to set up a meeting at WTM to discuss how we can help simply email:
diogenis@egh.travel

NB: there was a famous Diogenis, at the time of Alexander the Great,  who was a cynic. Just on a small point of philosophical clarification, our man Diogenis has a much more ‘I travel therefore I am’ approach to life.

Or call us on +(30) 21620 20021.

We love September in Greece. Most of the world is back to work, and the families and crowds that cause long queues at our World Heritage sites seem to have evaporated. The tight heat of July and August is past and you get the feeling there is room to breathe again. Having said that the evenings are still balmy and warm and eating al fresco at the pavement tavernas and restaurants, whether in the city or at an island waterfront, is a lot more laid back. The great news is that it will stay this way until at least the end of October – Greece may be cool (in every sense of the word) but summer lingers longer.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GREECE

We’re often asked ‘what is the best month to visit Greece?’ The answer very much depends upon what you want to do when you get here. For those who are young and want to come for a beach holiday, or who have a family and are tied to school holidays, the obvious choice is July and August. Those are the hot ‘dog days’ of summer when the daytime highs rise to about 33°c (mid 80s f) and evening temperatures hover around the low 20s c (70s f).

ALL THE CULTURE – NO SWEAT!

Older visitors and, in particular, culture vultures tend to come either side of ‘high summer’. The moveable feast that is Easter is traditionally the start of the tourist season, especially for cruising. The seas are pretty calm, you get a lovely cooling breeze as your vessel cuts through the deep blue Aegean sea and the next stop on your island-hopping adventure appears over the horizon. Upon arrival you’ll find the ancient sites and sights less crowded and less steamy. April and May offer the best climate for exploration and a lot of greenery and flowers into the bargain. June is a lovely month but due to climate change it’s been getting warmer year on year – some years we have a late spring, others an early summer.

BUT NOW IS OUR FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR

September and October may not be as green as early spring but by now the olive boughs and orange trees are laden with fruit, and grapes hang heavy on the vines. This is the best time of year to swim in seas which have been warmed steadily through the hot months until the water is almost skin temperature. It’s generally a mellow time as people relax after the busy tourist season. It’s also a time of industry – the olive oil and wine presses start to turn out the liquid gold and ruby red that runs through every Greek’s veins. This is the season of village festivals and dancing as life slows down, the nights get longer, and we prepare for winter.

WHENEVER YOU WANT TO EXPLORE GREECE, WE’RE HERE TO HELP

YOUR INBOUND AGENT FOR ALL THINGS GREEK

For more information about our wide range of holidays & trips in Greece get in touch with our experienced team on our contact us page.

Or by calling +(30) 21620 20021.