Skip the crowds in Mykonos and Santorini and visit these 6 gems on the Greek mainland instead

It's not difficult to see why Meteora was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List back in 1988.

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• Greece is known for its beautiful islands, but the mainland has plenty to offer, too.
• Meteora's gravity-defying monasteries rival some of the country's most iconic destinations.
• Thessaloniki is one of my favorite places in the world, thanks to its great food and laid-back vibe.

As a child, I spent many happy summers in Greece on the rather beautiful ...