Greece Faq

These are questions I am frequently asked about traveling to Greece. This page is meant to be helpful in planning a trip to Greece. It is by no way to serve as a guide book. I have a list of recommended guide books that you can order from Amazon.com to assist you. I do have information about thinks you should see in Greece, places to visit and things to look out for. I also have just updated it for the up coming Olympics in Athens (Greece 2004)

1.0 Where do you suggest going?

2.0 Getting Around.
3.0 Money/Is Greece still as cheap as it once was
4.0 Swimming.
5.0 Eating out.
6.0 When to go.
7.0 Accommodations
8.0 Cultural Differences.
9.0 What guide books do you recommend?
10.0 What is your favorite place in Greece?
11.0 What should I bring?
12.0 What should I watch out for? 13.0 How do I get from the air port to Athens
14.0 Will Athens be ready for the Olympics? What are they doing to get ready.?

1. Where do you suggest going.

2.0 Getting around.
    Greek is the land with over 700 islands. Therefore, if you want to do serious exploring, abandon your car and catch the always dependable ferry boats and flying dolphins (hydrofoils). They almost always come and leave on schedule. If you are exploring the main land, a rental car may be the answer, though watch the small print. Some charge per day AND per kilometer! Busses can get you from point A to point B, though they are cramped. Greece has a fledgling train service that is infamous for having problems.
         If you are island hopping, it may be cheaper to rent motor bikes on each island. Rental is cheap, I paid between 10 and 20 dollars per day for them. Some of the islands require you to have a scooter license though. If you get an "International Driver's License" you tend not to run into a problem renting mopeds. When you rent a moped be sure you get a helmet and wear it. As my guide book says, the cult of the motorcycle has a vendictive god which demands blood sacrifices to it. (Rough Guide). Drive carefully and not to fast. Also, don't try to double up the mopeds unless you rent one for 2 people. They tend to be under powered to begin with and one person may half to get off and walk up some of the hills.
         The mainland is best done by rental car or bus. The trains are very bad, though they have gotten better. My cousin was amazed when I told him that the trains I had ridden on one trip were on time.
3.0 Money
    (22 June 2003) Greece went over to the Euro in 2002. Talking to people in Greece this past spring, merchants took it as an opportunity to raise prices about 50 to 150 percent. For a frappe I spent 3 Euros instead of about 2 dollars or so. For a pastry, I paid 1 euro instead of .25 cents. I was taken out for a dinner and the cost was 44 Euros for a meal, for four, which would have cost 20 dollars in years past. I guess compared to Switzerland, Germany or the Scandinavian countries, Greece still is fairly cheap but, you can not eat out as often as well as in years past.
4.0 Swimming.
    Greece is surrounded on all sides by beautiful water. It draws you to swim. So go swimming. There are no official nude beaches. On the major tourist islands it is O.K. to be topless and a few ignore it if you are nude. Look around first to be sure it is all right to be nude first! Also, never go topless or nude near a church, chapel or shrine!
5.0 Eating Out.
    Greece is loaded with scenic, tavernas. I found the more hole in the wall, the better the food, though this may not always be true. If you order American style, it could be a bit pricey. But if you order a few dishes for a group of people you can eat a lot for very cheap(at least in years past.) Also, you are automatically brought bread. In years past it was about the cost of around 50 cents to a dollar. but now it is as high as 2 or 3. This raise in charges came with conversion to the Euro. This cover is their form of a tip. I noticed that they have started to list this cover charge on the menus though. Even if you refuse the bread, you are still charged the cover.

       I use to check how expensive a place was by the price of their Greek (country) salad. On the touristy islands, they have figured out this trick and make the price reasonable, but then have 5 dollar sodas. I have noticed that the cover starts to make up with cheap prices.

6.0 When to Go.
    Greece is extremely hot in July and August. The major island are also packed with tourists at that time. If you must go at that time do, but stick to the islands. Athens is unbearably hot (the smog helps). You will want to be near water to go swimming. I went last June to the Aegean islands and found that there were not as many people as in July. I was on Crete at the very end of May and there was no one there.- The best time is May and September. There are lest Tourists and still nice weather.
7.0 Accommodations.
    Though not the rule in all cities, such as Athens and Corinth, proprietors of hotels, hostels and villas meet boats as they arrive in cities. All offering you great deals for places to stay. Ask around to find the best deal. Most will even drive you to their lodgings. I arrived in Athens from the port of Zea and this did not happen, though I saw people advertising hotels in the main port. THe only problem I had was on Kos where this person lied to me so I made him take me back to the port. I wasted an hour but got a better place to stay. My book warned about people on Rhodes offering to good of a deal. I chose to stay at the hostel. Furthermore, on Santorini and Paros I made advanced reservations, just because I knew where I wanted to stay and wanted to be sure I had a spot.
8.0 Culture shock and customs.
    As I mentioned earlier tavernas automatically bring you bread when you sit down to eat. This is their version of a tip. I have met Americans (people from Canada ARE included in this) who refuse to pay because they did not order the bread. This is rude, so if you don't want it, tell the person you do not want bread...but leave a tip. Also Greeks sit down to eat for a long time, though in Athens they may try to rush you through. Greeks also go out to eat late at night (10 or so). If you want to eat with the Greeks, wait to eat.
         Secondly, Greece is an extremely hot place. Often between 1 and 5 everything is closed down for a siesta. This is because Greeks eat large lunches, its to hot, and they stay up late at night. In Athens things remain open, elsewhere, they do not. Sleep during this time, your body will thank you.
        Greeks also tend to stay up late at night (3 A.M. easily) because of this siesta. In small towns, some shops may not open the next day till ten or eleven, especial on weekends.
9.0 Guide books 10.0 Where is your favorite place in Greece.
    1. LesbosI am ethnocentric though.
          
    2. Santorini Words do not describe
          
    3. Corfu, North west still contains Gerrelle's magic
          
    4. Patomos:Scenic and relaxing
    5. Ermioni, Charming little town that I keep going back to.
    These are my top five sites. However, there is a lot more that I loved.
11.0 What should I bring.
    1. Sun block, sun block and more sun block. (I tend to bring one bottle and buy another there.)
          
    2. A hat that covers your face.
          
    3. A good pair of sunglasses that block U.V. rays.
    4. 2 sets of "day clothes" that are cool and comfortable. Can be shorts (nice) and a decent t-shirt. Should be cotton. Many women travelers wear sun skirts, but this may get you stared at.
    5. a set of "evening" clothes that include pants and a nice shirt. How you look is important. Also you want to wear pants if you go into a major church.
          
    6. Good walking shoes. Acropolises tended to be on high peaks (surprise surprise) and they tend to have a lot of rocks. Many of the island villages have cobble stone streets.
          
    7. A Day bag that you can carry a 1.5 L bottle of water in, your guide books, sun screen and towel in.
          
    8. A decent camera that you can hide in your pocket or bag. I leave my expensive one at home.
          
    9. 200 or speed film. All purpose most of your pictures will be outside. Can even get by with 100.
          
    10. A guide book.
          
    11. Toothbrush, razor, etc. (Can be bought over there)
          
          Sun block is a key thing. Also drink lots of water. You can buy cold water from just about any corner in Greece. I tend to go through 1 bottle a day. There are places you can do laundry there. Hostels do not like you to do Laundry (they will do it for you). Some hotels will also post signs about it. I tend to do it in my room.
12.0 What should I watch out for?