The Greeks have been partying since the dawn of Western civilisation. Take Epicurus – he dedicated his life to seeking out pleasure, creating a philosophy now known as Epicureanism. As you travel through Greece you’ll encounter religious celebrations – Greek Orthodox is the main player here – that span the nation, as well as smaller celebrations that are regional affairs or isolated to particular islands. Expect food, drink, dancing and music, and plenty of throwbacks to the ancient Greeks. The only Greek tragedy is that you can’t fit every festival in

In Greece, Easter activities start a week before Easter and, in the lead up to Good Friday, church services are held each night. More and more people attend throughout the week, with the largest turnout for the Anastasi mass on Holy Saturday, which marks the night of Christ’s resurrection. The mass is timed to finish at midnight and there is a definite feeling of anticipation

Each year in Athens, the ancient port of Piraeus sees this religious day celebrated in an extraordinary way. A local priest flings a crucifix into the sea and young men dive into the cold water to retrieve it. This ritual is echoed throughout Greece in small villages and on islands. This special ceremony is performed for locals, by locals, but tourists are welcome to watch and learn.

It’s not just romance that’s erupting in gorgeous Santorini. The annual Ifestia Festival, which is held every September, is dedicated to the volcano that shaped Santorini’s famous landscape after its eruption in 1646 BC. The explosion is estimated to have been 100 times more powerful than the eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii. The Ifestia Festival features live music and a fantastic fireworks display coming out of the volcano, complete with sound and light effects to represent the lava flow and explosions.