1. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell .
What do you know about the real-life Durrells and their life on the island of Corfu?
My Family and Other Animals is Gerald Durrell’s memoir of his relocation from England to Corfu with his family in the years before World War II. Sweet and smart, the novel describes the flora and fauna of British naturalist’s new home in Greece in an exaggerated and funny way. He describes life in Corfu so vividly that the reader immediately wants to follow his example and relocate to a sunnier climate. Do you love binge watching TV series too? Don’t miss out on the highly recommend TV series The Durrells, based on the novel and the real-life events of the Durrell family when they resettled Greece .
If you become inspired to visit Corfu after watching the series or reading the book, you can create your very own Durrell trip to Corfu with us or experience one of our very special experiences in Corfu.
2.Walking in Athens by Nikos Vatopoulos
Discover Athens with an insider in this unique book of eclectic essays about the architecture of the city, stories of regenerating derelict buildings, and their hidden histories. All photos published in this book are part of the author’s lonely wanderings in various neighborhoods. Vatopoulos explores the changing architectural history of the city.
Enjoy a walk in Athens through our very popular walking tour, Faces of Athens.
3. It’s all Greek To Me:
From Homer to the Hippocratic Oath, How Ancient Greece Has Shaped Our World by Charlotte Higgins
The absolute guide in preparation for your trip to Greece and a brilliant textbook for beginners of Greek studies.
The author captures the essence of Ancient Greece in an accessible style. She engaged the audience with the Ancient Greeks whose timeless material in the arts, philosophy, politics, theater, Olympic Games, architecture and mathematics still strongly influence the world. Want to learn more on myths and wonders of Ancient Athens next time you visit Greece?
Click here to discover Athens with our incredible tour experiences at the Parthenon, the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
4. The Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller
Henry Miller, who was living in Paris at the time, ignoring the beginning of World War II decided to visit Greece in 1939, having secured the hospitality of the English writer Lawrence Durrell, who was living in Corfu.
Miller initially moved all around Greece without any specific schedule. He was impressed by his meetings with Greek intellectuals such as Katsimbalis, Seferis, Antoniou, Hatzikyriakos-Gikas, and Tsatsos. and ended up extending his stay. He only left Greece under the pressure of the US Embassy at the onset of World War II.
His impressions from the trip became The Colossus of Maroussi.
5. Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
This book is one of the most famous works of Nikos Kazantzakis, receiving an award for best foreign novel published in France in 1954 and has been named one of the 100 Best Books of All Time.
The plot of the play takes place in Crete, while the real Giorgis Zorbas transforms into the fictional face of Alexis Zorbas.
The story begins when the author and Zorbas, the two main heroes of the book, meet in Piraeus. The author, after being impressed by Zorba’s unconventional character and his constantly philosophizing passion for life, decides to hire him as a caretaker in his business.
While in Crete, they settle in the hotel of Madame Hortense, who soon becomes the mistress of Zorba – one of the many women of his turbulent life.
Zorba the Greek explores the beauty and pain of existence, inviting readers to reevaluate the most important aspects of their lives and live to the fullest.
After reading this book you will definitely be eager to create your very own itinerary in Crete by consulting our specialist tour designers team!
