Travel writer Rebecca Hall shares her favorite experiences and Guide to Greece which led her to pen the novel, ‘Girl Gone Greek’, on this most enchanting country.

Greece is one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations, and with its 100’s of inhabited islands to visit, historical landmarks, its discourse throughout political history…after all, the country is the birthplace of democracy. A guide to greece must include their renowned gastronomy and the philoxenia that exudes from its citizens towards strangers (the word is literally translated as ‘friendliness towards strangers’).  For these and countless other reasons, it’s no wonder that the country repeatedly attracts 1000’s of tourists every year.

The captivating culture, people, and lands of Greece are beguiling. So much so that a forlorn British travel writer, Rebecca Hall,  fell in love with the country and has been smitten ever since. The result has been years of return holidays, fond memories, countless travel articles sharing her guide to Greece, and finally a book and soon to be film, Girl Gone Greek.

Guide to Greece

Some of her favorite haunts are the Parthenon in Athens and many others such as the 5^th Century BC Temple of Poseidon at Sounion along the Athenian Riviera, approx. 40 minutes from Athens centre – a temple built on a clifftop 200ft above sea level with sea views around, a spectacular place to be at sunset.

Venture further out for a day trip to visit the ‘Navel of the Universe’ at the archeological site of Delphi.   Located near the ski resort of Arachova, Delphi is the sanctuary to the Greek god Apollo, God of Music, Light, Sun and the Future.  It’s surrounded by beautiful mountainous scenery – yes, how could I forget to mention that Greece also offers mountain destinations as well as beach – making it a perfect day or weekend trip from the capital.

Even further afield in central Greece you’ll come to Meteora, the unique geological rock formations with the Meteora monasteries atop, looking as if they’re floating in the clouds.

The beaches of Greece in destinations such as Crete – also known for its Samaria Gorge hike, White Mountains and port towns with Venetian architecture – to the azure waters of the Ionian islands such as Kefalonia and Zakynthos, not to mention the small lesser known island of Lefkada that have been compared to Caribbean islands in their beauty – are plentiful, and one could spend a lifetime coming back year after year to visit this unique country that has it all.  Why go anywhere else?

Indeed, when Rebecca would go to Greece often from her youth on family holidays which left quite the impression.  Rebecca recalls: “I remember the Greek salads oozing with olive oil and feta – the deliciousness of Greek food stemming from its simplicity.  I remembered the Greek people and how they would treat me as a child; welcoming me into the community, I never felt in anyone’s way – as if I should be ‘seen and not heard’ as is so often the way in Western cultures.

When deciding on where she’d take her first post as a teacher, she quickly though of Greece and off she went. She was based in a small Greek village not far from the ancient site of Delphi, a mere 1.5 hour bus ride from Athens. Over time she adjusted to her environment and adapted to the local culture.

Her love for Greece led to her website,  LifeBeyondBorders, to provide her guide to greece and  showcase the beauty and richness of Greece. This passion eventually segued into a desire to share the positive side of her adopted country  though her travel memoir/travel fiction novel about one woman’s life in Greece.  And with that she set about writing her debut novel Girl Gone Greek, self-publishing it in 2017

Synopsis

“Rachel is finding it increasingly difficult to ignore her sister’s derision, society’s silent wagging finger and her father’s advancing years. She’s travelled the world, but now finds herself at a crossroads at an age where most people would stop globetrotting and settle. She’s never been one to conform to the nine-to-five lifestyle, so why should she start now? Was it wrong to love the freedom and independence a single life provided, to put off the search for Mr Right and the children? Perhaps she could find the time for one last adventure.  With sunshine in mind, Rachel takes a TEFL course and heads to Greece after securing a job teaching English in a remote village. She wasn’t looking for love, but she found it in the lifestyle and history of the country, its culture and the enduring volatility of its people. Girl Gone Greek is a contemporary women’s fiction novel. When Rachel moved to Greece to escape a life of social conformity, she found a country of unconventional characters and economic turmoil. The last thing she expected was to fall in love with the chaos that reigned about her.”

In short, Girl Gone Greek is a fictionalized version of her first year in the village learning about the Greek culture, the food, exploring my surrounds and Delphi and understanding what makes Greece Greece – a lesson in intercultural relations and communications that is so very lacking in today’s world within a ‘fun’ novel.

Script

2018 was a big year for Girl Gone Greek.  It had been adapted into a movie script in 2017 and won Best Feature Fiction Script at the 2018 London Greek Film Festival. Since then it’s also been shortlisted for the Best Script Category in the 2020 Santorini Film Festival.

More about the film version for Girl Gone Greek can be read here.

When it is time, come and visit Greece and enjoy all this beautiful country has to offer.  In the meantime, Girl Gone Greek is sure to give you a great insight into this multifaceted country.