Remarkable Greece - in pictures

As well as typical Greek dishes fragrant with local herbs, most islands also have their own local speciality such as Alonissos with its traditional doughnut, thyme honey from Zakynthos or tasty savoro fish from Ithaca. Photograph: Maria Toutoudaki/Photodisc

The whitewashed town of Oia in Santorini is considered one of the most picturesque in Greece. Perched on the cliffside with a maze of twisting streets, domed roofs and this spectacular windmill. The island is famed for its beautiful sunsets and is a favourite for romantic getaways. Photograph: Murat Taner/Corbis

The island of Santorini is part of the crater rim – or ‘caldera’ – of a huge volcano that erupted 3,500 years ago. Sheer cliffs rise almost 1,000 feet from the sea, gently curving in a four-mile wide circle and offer the visitor impressive views to the other caldera islands. Photograph: Orchestra

This tiny chapel was built at the end of a long walkway, almost in the sea, specifically for asking God for protection for sailors. Counting on the sea for your livelihood is a dangerous profession and accounts for the large number of similarly isolated chapels on clifftops and hillsides all over the Greek islands. Photograph: Orchestra

These caves on the island of Zakynthos are one of its most visited natural attractions. Locals say the best time to go is early morning when the sun’s rays bounce off the submerged white rock on to the roof of the caves, creating dramatic shades of blue in the sea. Photograph: Sunvil

Dessimi Beach on Lefkas lies at the foot of lush green hillside and is a quiet little beach with beautiful views out to other islands. Day trips and motorboats for-hire are a popular way to explore the different bays, scenery and tavernas of your island. Photograph: Orchestra

Many Greek homes are effortlessly stylish. They feature strong natural colours that reflect the landscape around and everybody grows vibrant native plants in their courtyards. It’s a photographer’s dream. Photograph: Orchestra

A chair on the streetfront might signal a cafe or it could just be outside a private house. People love to watch the world go by and catch up with their fellow townsfolk. And they won’t mind you sitting down to pass the time of day either. Photograph: Sunvil

With its fantastic light, great colours and endless subject matter, Greece has long been a popular haunt for painters – Chagall and Picasso were frequent visitors. Take your watercolours on a painting holiday and find inspiration in vistas of islands, the splendour of ruins or quiet town corners. Photograph: Paul Lewis

The Greeks have been making pottery for more than 5,000 years and much of what we know about ancient Greek civilisation comes from the images depicted on pottery. Today’s earthenware takes on a variety of styles but it is just as elegant and useful to modern-day Greeks as it always has been to their predecessors. Photograph: Orchestra

There’s no better way to avoid the midday sun in Corfu, or anywhere in Greece for that matter, than to take a long leisurely lunch at a rustic taverna. Many of the islands produce their own wines – don’t write them all off as retsina, some are better than others. Photograph: Orchestra

The small town of Skopelos is home to more than 120 churches and chapels, many of them dating back to Byzantine times. Some are large and some so small you could mistake them for a house. It’s a hard slog wandering the steep, narrow streets but the traditional atmosphere and spectacular views make it all worthwhile. Photograph: Orchestra