Why TESOL in Greece?

The word "Greece" conjures up images of azure blue waters of the Mediterranean, sun-kissed days, vibrant nights; white washed building glistening in the sun, Adonis like men and Venus like women.

An ancient culture that has withstood the test of time. It has given the world Aristotle's philosophy, Herodotus' History, education of the Spartans, democracy of Athens, the Helen of Troy, great literature and of course the Olympic games.

Greece is a treasure trove of history, philosophy, art, architecture and culture waiting to be explored and unfolding something new and fascinating at every turn or corner.

What is in it for you?

If you are thinking "Greece" then one can assume that you are interested in History. Corinth is all about the past. Ancient Corinth, founded in the 10th Century BCE, had been the richest port and the largest city in ancient Greece. Strategically located on the narrow isthmus that connects the Peloponnesus (as southern Greece is called) to the mainland, it was a powerful commercial center near two seaports. Corinth is approximately 78 kilometres southwest of Athens.

Corinth is now the capital of the prefecture of Corinthia. The city is surrounded by the coastal townlets of (clockwise) Lechaio, Isthmia, Kechries, and the inland townlets of Examilia and the archaeological site.

In 1858, the old city of Corinth was totally destroyed by an earthquake. The new city of Corinth was founded on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth. It has all the trappings of a modern city, restaurants, cafes and an idyllic beach which gives it a hedonic ambience.

What is the attraction?

The real appeal here is Ancient Corinth. Ancient Corinth is a sprawling site of major archaeological interest. Highlights include the fifth century BC Temple of Apollo and remains of a Roman city.

Ancient Corinth's crowning glory is the Acrocorinth, which guards over the lower town. It's a longish walk from Ancient Corinth's lower town to the Acrocorinth, but it's definitely worth the exertion. It's packed full of remains of buildings erected by various inhabitants. Chapels and mosques provide some of the most striking evidence of the fortress's many former inhabitants, though there are countless examples of antiquity here. And for those who can't make it by foot, there are taxis for hire.

On the tourist map

Commentators usually assume that Corinth was an especially licentious city, a reputation it seems to have had in ancient times. Indeed, one of the Greek verbs for fornicate was korinthiazomai,a word derived from the city's name. Apparently this estimation was based on Strabo's report of 1,000 sacred prostitutes in the temple of Aphrodite on the Acrocorinth, an 1886-foot hill that rises above the city to the south. Nothing is left of the fabled temple to Aphrodite, but remains of the medieval fortifications, which were built on earlier foundations, may still be seen from the western side.

On the way to ancient Corinth from Athens is the Corinth Canal which had been cut through the isthmus.

What finally killed ancient Corinth was the earthquakes, but it has been extensively excavated. The museum contains many intriguing artifacts found there, e.g., a room of items used in healing ceremonies and a room of sculptures, including the beautiful Corinth sphinx and a portrait of the young Nero.

Evening and Nightlife

Corinth is unique in its concept of amalgamation of the ancient with the modern. Against the backdrop of its ancient history it is also a center for nightlife, with lots of cafes, restaurants, bars and night clubs.

Weekend excursions

Weekends can be well spent exploring the neighboring ancient locations. The most visited of them all is Athens. The spirit, the pace, and the hubbub of Athens are all spellbinding. Despite the fact that so much of Athens' glory lies in the past, today's Athens is unstoppably dynamic, verging on hectic.

The next destination can be Kifissia. Though Kifissia is a suburb of Athens, it provides a definite escape from the hubbub and pace of Greece's biggest city. Kifissia sits at the end of the green metro line about fifteen kilometers from the center of Athens. It has a relaxed, genteel pace. For a suburb of Athens, Kifissia is remarkably well shaded. Kifissia's park is inviting and cozy, and its narrow, leafy streets are quaint.

One must visit Kifissia for its cafés and the pleasant ambiance. To find the most appealing cafés, one must walk along the park across from the metro stop. Kifissia is also home to the Goulandris Museum of National History, a fabulous investigation of Greek wildlife.

Aegina, the closest sizeable island to Athens, makes for a fantastic day trip. The island's main settlement, Aegina Town, manages to be lively and relaxing, very much at odds with the hectic pace of the big city. Pistachios are the trademark local food, and if you're not offered a bowl of the local delicacy at a café, be sure to request a handful of nuts. It features a lovely beach, Avra Beach, which is well serviced by beach vendors and tavernas alike. About five kilometers south of Aegina Town is the village of Marathonas, which has two great beaches of its own. To reach Marathonas, catch a bus in Aegina Town. Buses depart every hour from morning until late afternoon. Farther down is the Temple of Aphaia, which was constructed in the fifth century BC.

Weather

The Mediterranean climate is the most sort after climatic conditions and therefore lying on the coast Corinth too has sunny days and cool evenings. Spring and autumn weather is the most pleasant, while the summer is hot and dry. The prevailing winds of summer are northerly. It blows at its strongest in July and August. Violent storms occur only in winter, February being a particularly bad month, but overall the weather is pleasant and extreme conditions are rarely known.