GREECE
From crystal-clear seas and sun-soaked beaches to ancient wonders and some of the best nightlife in the Mediterranean, Greece is awash with magnificent playgrounds that have captivated travelers for generations. Its storied history spans thousands of years and has produced the Olympic Games, a fabulous mythology, and philosophies that still make the world go round. Its vibrant culture is rich in enchanting traditions, lively festivals, colorful art and passionate music. Anyone who visits can expect adventures galore.
Overview
Most of tourists come for the simple pleasures of Greece's delicious food, gorgeous beaches and quaint villages. The ever-popular islands, in particular, are custodians of the country's traditional ways, with black-clad women still delivering vegetables to island tavernas on donkeys, while bronzed, weather-beaten fishermen sit in the sun drinking thick coffee and playing Tavli (backgammon).
The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides has been retained. The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, Athens' historic harbour, and many of the larger ones have airports with connections to Athens or major European cities.
On the mainland, the capital Athens is sprawling, polluted and overcrowded, but nevertheless enthralls visitors. It's dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon, though the remains of other Classical Greek wonders are found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula. Thessaloniki lies in the north and is modern and spirited with a Byzantine flavor. Visitors are sure to love this ancient and sun-filled country.
Climate & Weather
Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days are often relieved by stiff breezes known as Meltemia, especially in the north and coastal areas. Winters are mild in the south but much colder in the north. November to March is the rainy season.
The best time to visit is mid-May to mid-June and mid-September to the end of October. Late June to September is hot. Winter months are generally fine for touring, but usually too cold to swim or lie on the beach. Greece has fairly little rain year-round.
| AVERAGE TEMPS HIGH/LOW: | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|
| ATHENS | 59/45 | 90/72 |
| THESSALONIKI | 53/37 | 87/67 |
| MYKONOS | 57/50 | 82/72 |
| CRETE | 61/49 | 83/70 |
PACKING TIPS
When packing, please keep in mind that transfer and touring vehicles in your destination have limited space for luggage. Typical allowance is one bag per passenger with maximum total dimensions (height + width + depth) of 62 inches and 50lbs in weight plus a small carry-on (purse, backpack, day bag).
For airline baggage policies, please check with each carrier for specific guidelines.
Pack for comfort. Clothing of easy-wash, quick-dry, wrinkle-resistant fabric is practical for travel. For the most part, you’ll need only casual clothing. Bring items that can be layered for touring days when it may be cool in the morning and hot in the afternoon.
For dinners and/or evenings out, pack a few smart-casual items that can be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits. If visiting any churches or monasteries, please be ready to cover your shoulders and knees. A large scarf and/or a pair of long pants packed in your day bag may come in handy.
In the winter (November to March), you might encounter some rain and wind. You could even see snow in areas of higher elevation. We suggest packing a few warm top layers, a water resistant coat and a collapsible umbrella.
It’s likely your tour will involve a lot of walking on cobblestones and uneven ground. Bring quality, well-tested walking shoes with rubber soles (leather heels and soles are slippery on rocks).
Geography
Greece is located in southeastern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey.
The terrain is mostly mountainous with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands. Between the mountain peaks and fertile plains are pine covered highlands and dusty, scrubby foothills. The highest point in Greece is Mount Olympus at 2,917 meters (about 9,570 feet).
One fifth of the land area of Greece is made up of islands. Most of the islands lie in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey. However, the Ionian islands are in the Ionian Sea, off the west coast.
The Aegean islands include several groups. The Dodecanese islands lie just off the Turkish coast with Rhodes being the most prominent. The Northeast Aegean group includes Lemnos, Lesbos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria. The Sporades are situated off the central mainland and the 39 islands in the southern Aegean, including Mykonos and Santorini, comprise the Cyclades.
The island of Crete is by far the largest of the Greek islands and is not included with any of the groups above.
Money & Currency
As a member of the EU, Greece’s currency is the Euro. Money can be exchanged at banks and hotels as well as money changers and ATM’s. Banks are open from 8:00am to 2:00pm, Monday - Friday.
Bring a travel money pouch or belt. Our destinations are generally quite safe, but pickpocketing happens. Keep valuables close to the body when out and about, especially in crowded tourist areas.
U.S. dollars are accepted in some shops but change will be given in the local currency. In this case, smaller USD denominations are more convenient than larger ones. We recommend carrying at least $30.00 in $1.00 single bills for incidental tipping.
Credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express are widely accepted. A service charge may be added to
credit card purchases.
It is customary to tip your guides and drivers. Please see your itinerary for recommended tipping amounts. A tip is often included on restaurant bills, usually reflected in a separate column, if the tip is not included when dining, it is customary to leave 10%-15% of the bill.
Things To Do
Greece, a crossroads of civilizations, invites you to explore its diverse landscapes, 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, iconic cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, and renowned islands such as Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini. Explore the iconic Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and the labyrinthine Plaka neighborhood in Athens for an immersion into Greece’s ancient past. Discover the cultural treasures at the Acropolis Museum and the National Archeological Museum before venturing to Cape Sounion for a mesmerizing sunset over the Aegean Sea. Visit the birthplace of the Olympic Games in Olympia before exploring the monasteries in Meteora.
You don't want to miss these highlights!
- Spend a few days marvelling at the ruins of the Parthenon and the Acropolis in Athens, and wandering through the archaeological museums nearby.
- Visit the site of the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, where there are still ruins of arenas, gymnasiums and changing rooms.
- See the tomb of King Leonidas in Sparta, along with other relics of the famous warriors of the Peloponnese Peninsula.
- Explore the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos, where the Apostle John is said to have written the Book of Revelation.
- Take a cruise to Crete and lounge on the beaches in Hania, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos.
- Follow the trail of Homer's Odyssey with a visit to Ithaca, and enjoy the lively village of Vathy.
- Let loose in the trendy tavernas and nightclubs of Mykonos.
- Watch a stunning sunset off the coast of Santorini.
Did You Know?
- Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world.
- More than 16 million tourists visit Greece annually, which is more than the country's whole population.
- Nearly 80 percent of Greece is mountainous.
