Greece

From MaxTravelz

Greece is a country in Southern Europe with Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, Lybian Sea, and Mediterranean Sea coasts. Its surrounding countries are Albania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the east.

Greece has an ancient culture that has had a significant influence on western society. The country has a number of famous archeological sites with contemporary documented histories. It is also the birthplace of the Olympic games.

Greece gets fewer tourists than other European countries. For backpackers, it is out of the way from the popular France-Spain-Italy route, and still has a lot of untouched charm. The Acropolis may never be deserted, but there will never be as many tourists as there are at the Eiffel Tower. Ever. It is easy to get off-the-beaten track as most of Greece is off-the-beaten track. It is common to be in areas where all you see is locals, a thing which is hard to come by these days in the travel scene. However, the Greek islands are always teeming with tourists. While the greek islands are definitely something to experience, with beautiful white-washed houses, relaxed lifestyles and spectacular beaches, don't lose sight of mainland Greece which has a lot to offer.

Greeks take living leisurely very seriously. They work-to-live, not live-to-work. Don't take perceived laziness or rudeness harshly. They do it to everyone, locals and tourists alike. Rather than fight it, just go along with it and laugh at the situation. It can be very frustrating at times but also appreciate their "enjoy life" attitude. They do take politics and soccer very seriously.

Contents 1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 History 4.2 Climate 5 Get in 5.1 By plane 5.2 By train 5.3 By car 5.4 By bus 5.5 By boat 6 Get around 6.1 By bus and train 6.2 By car 6.3 By ferry 6.4 By plane 6.5 By thumb 7 Talk 8 Buy 9 Bargaining 10 Eat 10.1 Popular local dishes 10.2 Cover fee 10.3 Just-in-time 10.4 Fast food 11 Drink 11.1 Wines 11.2 Beer 11.3 Liquor 11.4 Coffee 11.5 Iced tea 11.6 Water 12 Sleep 13 Learn 14 Work 15 Stay safe 16 Stay healthy 17 Respect 17.1 Rude Gestures 17.2 Cabbies 17.3 Smoking 18 Contact

Regions

• Attica
• Central Greece
• Crete
• Epirus
• Ionian Islands
• Macedonia
  • Central Macedonia
  • East Macedonia
  • West Macedonia
• North Aegean Islands
• Peloponese (incl. Napfplion)
• Saronic Gulf Islands
• South Aegean Islands
• Thrace
• Thessaly
• West Greece

Cities

Major cities include:

• Athens - the capital city
• Heraklion - the capital of the island of Crete
• Nafplion - coastal city near Epidaurus
• Patra
• Thessaloniki - the second biggest city after Athens
• Volos

Other destinations

Many of the popular sights in Greece are the sites of ancient cities. On Peloponnese you'll find ancient Olympia (sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, site of the original Olympics), Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth, Mystras. Sparta, Gytheion and Monemvassia are also popular. North of the gulf of Korinth ancient Delphi can be found.

In Central Greece you can visit the monasteries of Meteora, Volos (ancient Iolkos, beginning of the Argonautic Expedition) and the mountain villages in Pelion (Land of the Centaurs, popular greek summer and winter tourist resort). From Alexandropolis you can go to the beautiful Island of Samothraki.

Understand

History

Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories with Greek-speaking populations. Following the defeat of communist rebels in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. Democratic elections in 1974 and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992).

Climate

Greece enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate.

It is hot and dry in the summer, with mostly sunny days with temperatures from 30-40 degrees celsius. There is no need for an umbrella. Becareful, because it gets scorching hot quite often, especially in Athens. Spring is pleasant with minimal rain and comfortable temperature. Winter it gets cooler and wetter, with temperatures dipping to average of 8 with rare chance of snow. Fall is also pleasant.

The islands are always slightly cooler than the mainland, due to breezes and the moderating effect of the surrounding sea. Take a light jacket or pull-over for going out at night.

The latest weather and climatic information for Greece can be accessed via the Hellenic National Meteorological Service website.

August is high season in Greece. This is when all locals get their holiday and take time off work due to the religious holiday on August 15th, Panagias. In Greece they refer to it as their diakopes. The islands get filled with Greeks, with most ferries at over-capacity. Expect headaches. It is also scorching hot and there are higher prices. Athenians leave Athens for their hometown villages and the city "empties-out" so to speak. Traffic is noticeably lighter in the city. Best to travel in Greece in the other spring/summer months. Note also that the highways leaving Athens are congested on Fridays and highways coming into Athens are congested on Sundays. This phenomena continues throughout the summer.

Get in

As Greece is a member of the European Union, most European and North American nationals do not need a visa. EU citizens may enter with a valid identity card. You normally won't need to show any ID entering via ferryboat from Italy or by air from countries that are members of the Schengen Agreement.

Prior to Cyprus's entry into the European Union, persons carrying a passport with a stamp from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (which is not internationally recognized) were denied entry to Greece, but EU officials say this should not be expected any more.

By plane

In summer charter flights to most islands arrive weekly from many European cities. Scheduled flights all the year round fly to Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete, with Athens being the main destination. The national airline is Olympic Airlines; domestic flights are also operated by Aegean.

By train

The typical train journey from Western Europe involves a train to Venice or Brindisi in Italy, followed by a ferry to Patra. Trains from Sofia and Istanbul arrive in Thessaloniki daily.

By car

Driving to Greece from Western Europe usually involves driving to Venice or Brindisi and catching a ferry. Routes via the former Yugoslavia aren't dangerous any more if you keep away from Kosovo, but condition of roads can be worse than you're used to. On the other hand, driving through the Balkans is still a kind of adventure as you have to show your passport quite often which has become unusual in Western and Central Europe. You will also face another culture and another kind of living as for example Serbia and Montenegro's standard of living is still not as high as Western European countries'.

By bus

ΚΤΕΛ -- Κοινό Ταμείο Είσπραξης Λεωφορείων: Confederation of Motorbus Operators -- is the principal inter-urban bus service of Greece. Tickets may be purchased at their website, or at bus stations in Greece. If you can't find the bus station, just ask Πού είναι ο σταθμός ΚΤΕΛ; : Poo EE-nay o stath-MOS KTEL?

By boat

Ferries to Igominitsa and Patra leave throughout the year from the Italian ports of Venice, Trieste, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi. For the Ferry form Ancona to partra you will pay for a single person about €40 winter/ €60 summer. See also http://www.greekferries.gr/. There are also ferries from Egypt and Cyprus.

From Turkey there are ferries from Marmaris to Rhodes and from Kusadasi to Samos.

Get around

By bus and train

Most people in Greece get around by KTEL which is efficient and cheap with extensive route systems. Trains are an inexpensive way to get around but serve limited areas, due to the country's extensively mountainous terrain.

By car

Renting a car is easy, but be warned: Greece has the highest traffic fatality rate in Europe. There are two reasons for this: 1) They drive FAST, and 2) There are lots of mountains, making conditions difficult for those inexperienced with the road. Greece is served by one main highway, the National Highway, and most others are two lane roads which twist and turn and swerve through the mountains. If one gets car sick easily, have Gravol on hand. Also, note that a lot of the tar pavement is slick due to over-use, so tires my slide easily.

By ferry

To get to the islands you will mostly have to take a ferry. There are extensive connections from Athens and in-between islands for "hopping." Ferries are about the one thing in Greece that leave on time so BE PROMPT. In August, ferries fill up due to the National Holiday (Aug 15) so plan ahead. New "fast ferries" are cutting distance times in half but prices are slightly more expensive. Sometimes, it is more practical to fly, especially to Crete or Rhodes. However, flights are usually more expensive. Santorini is 8 hour slow boat from Athens but the entrance view from the boat is spectacular.

There are two ports in Athens: the main port Piraeus and outlying Rafina. These serve all islands, but northern islands such as Lesvos, it is better to leave from Rafina.

Typical travel times, slow boat from Piraeus: Athens-Paros = 4 hours, Athens-Mykonos = 5.5 hours, Athens-Santorini = 8 hours, Athens-Hraklion = 12 hours,

See also Continental Greece in ten days

By plane

Olympic airways serves most cities and is great for getting to far-reaching areas like Kerkira, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, etc.

Aegean Airlines offers E-tickets, which only exist as an e-mail or a web page with booking confirmation. It should be provided printed at the check-in desk at the airport (no need to visit airline office).

By thumb

Crete is good for hitchhiking, specially in village areas. There you can take the first coming car sometimes, but traffic isn´t so busy.

On the National Highway is it worse, but hitchhiking is also possible. It is mainly done by tourists, because Greek people are afraid of problems. You can hitchhike directly on the National Highways, it isn´t forbidden.

Talk

While Greeks are very proud of their Greek language, English is widely spoken, along with basic French. Basic knowledge of English can be expected from most personnel in cafes and hotels; exceptions happen only in distant villages.

Although "Greek" is sometimes used in English as slang for "unintelligible", the Latin alphabet was based on the Greek alphabet, and about half of the letters look like their counterparts, so with a bit of study it's not too hard to decipher written place names and such.

Buy

Since 2001, Greece's official currency has been the euro (€). Euro notes and coins replaced the drachma in 2002. Although Greece is in the EU you will hardly find any ATMs excepting EC carts (except Athens). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

Bargaining

Always bargain in touristy shops, such as Plaka in Athens and the islands. Offer to pay by credit card to save the handling fee. Never be embarrased to bargain, it is expected. However, use your discretion as established "local" stores do not bargain.

Eat

Popular local dishes

The traditional fast foods are gyros (γύρος, "HEER-ohs"), roast mutton and fixings wrapped in a pita); souvlaki (σουβλάκι, "soov-LAH-kee"), broiled meat on a skewer); Greek dips such as tzatziki (τζατζίκι), made of strained yoghurt, olive oil, garlic and finely chopped vegetables (like cucumbers and dill); and skordhalia (σκορδαλιά), a garlic mashed potato dip which is usually served with deep fried salted cod.

With its extensive coastline and islands, Greece has excellent seafood. Try the grilled octopus.

Greek salad (called "country salad" locally, "HorIAtiki"), a mix of tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese and onion – all sliced – plus some olives.

Also consider: moussaka; pastitsio, a variety of lasagna; bekri meze, small pieces of pork in white wine sauce; spetzofai, grilled sausage with onion and pepper; and saganaki, fried semi-hard cheese. Rack of lamb is also popular, known as Paidakia.

For dessert, ask for baklava, paper-thin layers of pastry with honey and chopped nuts; or galaktobouriko, a custard pie similar to mille feuille. Other pastries are also worth tasting. Another must-try is yoghurt with honey: yoghurts in Greece are really different from what you used to see at Danone stores.

For breakfast, head to local bakeries (fourno) and try fresh tiropita, cheese pie; spanakopita, spinach pie; or bougatsa, custard filled pie. All are delicious and famous among Greeks for quick breakfast eats. Each bakery does own rendition and you are never disappointed. Have this with a greek coffee to be local.

Cover fee

It's common to charge cover fee in cafes, such as €0.4 to €1.5 per person.

Just-in-time

For things such as bread and fresh orange juice, the just-in-time principle is often used: bread or oranges are purchased by the cafe right after the first order is taken. So don't be surprised if your waiter returns to the cafe with a bag of oranges after accepting your order. And this is how fresh bread is guaranteed in most places.

Fast food

The very popular alternative to McDonalds in Greece is Goody's. A lot of taxi drivers use them as landmarks as well so it is handy to know where they exist.

Drink

Wines

Greece produces a rich variety of local wines, including table and fortified varieties. Greek wines are not known well on the international market, as production costs are higher in Greece due to the terrain.

Wine is most Greek's drink of choice, "Krasi" (oinos: οίνος) and traditional spirits like ouzo, tsipouro, raki and tsikoudia (produced in Crete and is simmilar to the Italian grappa). Retsina is a 'resinated wine' with a strong, distinctive taste that can take some getting used to; the flavor comes from pine resin, which was once employed as a sealant for wine flasks and bottles. Most well-known and cheap'n'dirty is "Kourtaki Retsina".

Local producers include:

• Boutari (regions: Peloponnese, Crete, Goumenissa, Santorini, Naoussa). http://www.boutari.gr
• Skouras (region of Peloponnese). http://www.skouraswines.com
• Gentilini (region of Crete). http://www.gentilini.gr. Recommended by Dorling Kindesley's Eyewitness Travel Guides: Greek Islands, 2001;
• region of Santorini:
  • Volcan Wines. http://greekproducts.com/volcanwines/. Also, a Volcan Wine Museum.
  • Santo Wines. http://www.santowines.gr
• Tsantali

Beer

Beer (bira: μπύρα) is consumed all around the country. Excellent local varieties like Mythos and Alpha, as well as Western European beers produced in Greece like Heineken and Amstel, are readily available mostly everywhere. (North American beers generally are not.) Heineken is affectionally known as "green"; order it by saying "Mia Prasini."

Liquor

Imported scotches, bourbons, gins, etc. are usually available in bars and kapheneia, especially in urban areas or places frequented by tourists. A speciality is ouzo (ούζο) an anise-flavoured spirit; another is Metaxa (Μεταξά), a variety of brandy. The quality of Metaxa is rated with stars, and as with hotels and restaurants, "you get what you pay for". Metaxa Ephta (seven stars) is considered superb. Other spirits include the Cretian tsikoudia (or Raki). The Greek name for your favorite spirit is often close to its native name: ουίσκι is whiskey.

Coffee

Coffee (kafes: καφές) is an important part of Greek culture. Kafeneia (coffee houses) are ubiquitous, found even in the smallest village (where they traditionally served a function similar to that of the village pub in Ireland). There are also many cafes that offer coffee, beer, wine, spirits - at night most of them function as bars. Coffee is prepared in the traditional manner with the grounds left in - but don't dare call this coffee 'Turkish' unless you want to start a heated political discussion! No local refers to it as Turkish so they probably won't know what you are asking for.

It is also made espresso-style, French press (mainly at hotels), and with modern filter technology (the latter is sometimes known as Γαλλικός: Gallikos - French - which can lead to some confusion with the press method. It is best to ask for φίλτρου: filtrou, which refers unambiguously to filter coffee).

In the summer especially, most people consume Frappe: Iced Greek Coffee (Φραπέ) . It is really refreshing. Have with or without milk and to be of the young and hip-type sip on it for an hour or more. Recently in the summer Espresso or cappuccino freddo are also very popular . Espresso Fredo is simply espresso + ice (no milk or foam); Cappuccino Fredo may be served from mousse containers, not prepared just-in-time -- be careful to check it.

Iced tea

In mass-sector taverns and cafe, iced tea typically means instant; ask twice if you prefer real brewed ice tea.

Water

A glass of water is normally served with any drink you order; one glass for each drink. Some cafes which cater to tourists charge extra for water, especially if it's served in a bottle, even if you didn't ask for it. This is not included in the cover charge, which is normally a separate line item.

Sleep

If you enjoy the local traditions and charm, unhurried rhythm of living, small, family-run pensions are the best way to enrich your experience. Owners and personnel there are friendly and open-minded, compared to stand-offs you normally meet in large hotels.

If you have a larger budget renting a villa is a luxurious and splendid idea. They are normally near or on the beach and provide more space and a great view.

Learn

Students from EU countries may enter many sites for free. Students from other countries have their entrance fees reduced. So take your International Student Identity Card with you.

Work

Stay safe

• It is strictly forbidden to take photos of military installations or other strategic locations. The Greek military will take violations quite seriously, and the unwary tourist can get into a lot of trouble.
• According to car rentals in Athens, you can safely leave luggage and other stuff in a car anywhere in continental Greece. Same applies to a car radio.
• Greece is one of the safest nations in Europe as both crime and theft rates are very low. However it is always advisable for foreign tourists to exercise basic precautionary measures.

Stay healthy

Hospitals can be quite a distance away if in a remote area and care might be slightly off, so be careful. Main cities have excellent health care.

Respect

Greeks rate politeness with a person's behaviour and not with words. Furthermore, there is an air of informality; everybody is treated like a cousin. They use their hands to gesture a lot. Have fun with this. Sometimes over-emphasizing politeness in spoken language will only make the person dealing with you think you are pretentious. It's nice to learn basic words like "thank you" or "please."

Rude Gestures

To "swear" at someone using their hands, Greeks put out their entire hand, palm open, like signalling someone to stop. Sometimes they will do this by saying "Na" as well. It is basically telling someone to screw off or that they did something totally ridiculous.

Cabbies

Cab drivers may try to rip you off if you flagrantly look like a tourist; take the bus if you're concerned about this. Athens has a great urban transport system, including trams, a metro, and an affordable bus system.

Smoking

Greeks smoke tremendously, and they see cigarettes as a birth right. For example, the government has only recently outlawed smoking in hospitals! However new laws are putting restrictions on smoking, and awareness is growing about the risks of second-hand smoke. Don't be afraid to tell a cab driver or someone to put out the butt if it is bothering you... but they might bite back!

Contact

This is a usable article. It has information about the country and for getting in, as well as links to several destinations. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!