Travel tips for Greece - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. The hot climate in Greece influences the daily routine. During the daytime, many shops and restaurants are closed for a siesta. You can’t do shopping at the height of the day.

2. Greece is conditionally divided into 3 parts. These are the mainland, the Peloponnese, and the islands located In the Aegean Sea. Beach tourism in these parts may be very different. The air temperature is usually much higher on the islands. If you are going to dedicate a trip to excursions and travel, it’s better to choose the Peloponnese and stay in inexpensive hotels.

3. The Greeks call their country Hellas. The word Greece is of Latin origin and is not used. The Greeks are very proud of their origin and rich history of the country. Guests should also treat it with great respect.

Best visiting periods - the climate of Greece

Conditionally, the entire territory of Greece can be divided into three climatic zones. The Mediterranean climate dominates in the south of the …
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4. During tours, you should not try to take a piece of marble or a stone from some historical structures, even if it just lies on the road. It will necessarily cause a problem while crossing a border.

5. The Greeks speak Modern Greek, but in restaurants and hotel staff speaks fluent English. All inscriptions are also translated for the convenience of tourists.

6. Restaurants that specialize in seafood, are known as fish taverns. They use the freshest products delivered in the same day.

7. Even if you just order a coffee in a cafe, you will definitely be served a glass of drinking water. Since ancient times, water and bread are indispensable attributes on the table. That’s due to a very hot climate. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. The Greeks are very emotional. They talk loudly and gesture actively. Local gestures can be different from traditional European ones. A slight nod shows negation.

9. Walks in the most popular tourist destinations bring a risk of pickpocketing. Travelers should be more careful.

10. All beaches in the country are state property, and therefore only state can charge for use.

11. It’s not accepted to shake hands with each other. The handshake can only be part of an acquaintance. In other cases, men and women kiss each other in the cheek twice.

Greece sightseeing - top places to visit

Athens is known as the most famous tourist destination in Greece. The city is included in the list of the oldest settlements in the world. It’s a …
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12. The Greeks are characterized by non-punctuality. They may be late even for a business meeting.

13. Negotiate on the cost of a taxi ride in advance. Otherwise, a taxi driver will be able to cheat, greatly inflating the price.

14. Greece has a tax free system, which allows you to refund the tax on purchases. However, it does not apply to the purchase of fur items. During the daytime, life is very calm here. On the contrary, you can even get into a traffic jam on the main streets at night. Cities feature a huge number of nightclubs that open after 11-12 pm.

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Greece guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Greece

Colorful and unique places in Greece

Santorini Volcano

From the series “Volcanoes and Traps That Changed the Face of the Planet”

Located on the Greek island of the same name, Santorini is one of the oldest and most powerful volcanoes of our planet. According to the researchers, it could cause the disappearance of the Minoan civilization. As scientists suggest, its most powerful eruption happened in the 17th century BC. The explosion, which took place during the eruption, was so strong that it could be compared with the one-time explosion of several hundred nuclear bombs.

It’s needless to say that such a destructive element led not only to breaking the landscape, but also to serious climate changes. The eruption of the Santorini volcano triggered a series of tsunamis. Clouds of ash and smoke were thrown to the air. For a long time, the Earth was concealed from sunrays, so the global cooling has came. However, … Read all

Acropolis of Athens

From the series “Top 15 Unesco Sites in Europe”

The Acropolis of Athens can be called the most famous and recognizable landmark of Greece without a share of doubt. That’s the rocky fort that is 156 meters high. Unique ancient structures are set on the top of a flat hill. The first fortifications were built there during the reign of the first king of Athens, Cecrops, after whom it was named. Later, in the Mycenaean period, the Acropolis became a royal residence. In that time, its scale has been significantly expanded and the construction was fortified as much as possible.

Construction on the territory of the acropolis has being conducted continuously for hundreds of years. The ancient monument drawn the special attention of historians and specialists in cultural studies in the 19th century, after the proclamation of the independence … Read all

Balos Beach

From the series “Most Fabulous and Magic Beaches”

The favorite vacation spot among fans of beach activities in Greece is the island of Crete. Here, you can find the world-famous beach of Balos. This fabulous stretch of coast is characterized by unique landscapes. White sand with lots of multi-colored stones covers the beach. The color palette of the water is impressive too; it varies from bright blue to deep blue.

Those who like to relax at comfortable and well-equipped beaches have to consider that at Balos the infrastructure is almost non-existent. This place is attractive for its natural pristine beauty. A few cafes are open here at the high season, while services typical for many crowded beaches are completely absent. The Greek island of Agria, which is a popular tourist attraction, is perfectly visible from the coast.

If believe … Read all

All unique sightseeing Greece

Advices for popular cities of Greece

Athens

1. Guests are encouraged to find out the time of work of the local museums and exhibitions in advance, as it can vary depending on the season. On holidays (including religious ones) some of the cultural and entertainment facilities can be closed. 2. Local drivers often do not have good knowledge of traffic rules, so even if you cross a street in the right place, you should be very careful. 3. Prices for local taxi can be called the highest ones in Greece without any exaggeration. If … Read more

Naxos

1. The resort features favorable weather for recreation all the year round. The hottest month of the year is considered to be August with an average temperature being 29C. Hiking and touring enthusiasts should better visit the resort in may when the destination features an amiable weather with a temperature rarely exceeding 24C. 2. Regular ferry service connects Naxos to the neighboring islands. Tourists who are not limited in time for entertainment and resort exploration should put a visit … Read more

Chania

1. It is convenient to call other cities and countries from street payphones; they can be found literally on any city street. Payphones accept a special plastic card that can be purchased at any post office or newsstand. It should be noted that this way is the most budget-conscious; calls from the hotel would be a lot more expensive. 2. Tourists have to pay for goods and services exclusively in euro; any other currency won’t be accepted here. It is more profitable to exchange currency in … Read more

Rethymno

1. The most expensive eating houses and shops are located at the seaside, so prudent travelers are recommended to choose among the places to eat located far from the city center. Remote areas of the city offer a number of attractive gastronomy establishments, which will treat guests with perfect quality of dishes and service as well as with attractive pricing policy. 2. The most popular souvenir shops are located near the most remarkable sites and landmarks. A nice souvenir shop is located next … Read more

Mykonos City

1. The only means of public transport available on the island is a bus which routes cover almost the entire territory of Mykonos. However in evening buses are not convenient for trips as the intervals between routes are considerable and one will need to wait rather long. 2. Between the islands tourists can migrate by scooters or small Turkish boats named kaiki. These can be rented almost on every beach, the cost of transportation service is rather high. 3. The island lacks taxis as well. … Read more

Thessaloniki

1. Tourist can choose either public bus or a taxi to cruise the city. The taxi service features rather attractive prices. The taxi will be the most profitable way to explore the city for tourists travelling with a big company of mates. A taxi can be called either by phone or taken from a specialized parking lot or just catch in the street. 2. Tourists aged 25 to 70 years old can rent a car in one of the rental centers of the city. A cost of rental service will totally depend on a class of a … Read more

Hersonissos

1. Beach lovers can go for a trip at any time of the year; there is extremely hot and sunny weather at the resort. Be sure to take some sun protectors, as you can burn even during a casual walk around the city or during excursions. 2. All beaches of the resort are public, so they can be attended free of charge. Charges may be applied only for use of beach accessories, but rent is not necessary. Those who expect to spend a lot of time on the coast are recommended to buy the necessary beach … Read more

Agios Nikolaos

1. The city is very convenient to travel by bus, but drivers should by extremely cautious. There are quite many road accidents in the city. 2. Taxi is better to be called to a hotel or a restaurant. “Catching" a free car on a street is virtually impossible. 3. You should leave tips in local restaurants and cafes. The typical size of tips is 10 - 15% of the total bill. Taxi drivers and hotel employees should also be provided with a small fee. 4. Almost all shops and supermarkets … Read more