Vacations Blog

Greece is one of the top 20 tourist spots in the world, due to the more than 15 million people who go on holiday to Greece a year. The Greek Islands are the most popular tourist destinations, but many people forget that mainland Greece has quite a bit to offer too. Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Crete and Rhodes are all major destinations. There are still many rewarding areas in the country free of large-scale tourism, for those who are looking for a quieter time away from the bustle. Greece offers many and varied experiences, landscapes, and activities. It is famous for the reliable sunny weather, the nightlife, historical sites, famous beaches and, of course, its natural beauty.

The Mediterranean climate is alive and well in Greece. The winters are short and mild. The summers run from April through November and boast hot, dry weather and days and days of sunshine. Occasionally there will be rain showers, but these are short-lived and infrequent. May and June and September and October are the very best months to see Greece as the weather is at its most comfortable and pleasant. From the middle of July to the middle of August, Greece is under the spell of the hottest summer weather.

If you are planning a holiday destination to Greece then you will want to travel between the months of April and October. Most of the vacationers begin to arrive in April and it usually hits its zenith in the month of July. If you decide to travel at any other time, you may find that accommodations are not as plentiful since the other times of the year most places are closed down. The cities of Athens and Thessaloniki are the main hubs of international transportation, but there are many cities on the islands which handle chartered flights during the major portion of the holiday season.

When you do find accommodations in Greece do not be surprised at the simplicity. Most rooms will be small and they should have air conditioning. Generally, there is a balcony overlooking a plaza so you can continue to enjoy all the Greek ambiance. Most hotel accommodations are very clean and well taken care of. You can find more expensive hotel accommodations in the main cities, but honestly, you are not getting anything more than what you would pay for at a smaller hotel or inn, and you miss out on all the atmosphere. You can easily get a hotel room online, via email or by using your telephone and fax. There are also many different companies that you can go through that will help you plan your Greek holiday getaway.

Greece is not known for its major cosmopolitan flair. You usually will not be able to do major shopping while on the islands. What you can expect is specialty products from local artisans which can not be beat. These things include hand-made lace and jewelry, leather goods, pottery, local wines, hand woven rugs and much more. When you are in Greece, expect to eat very well since eating out is a major way of life. Most restaurants are called “Taverna” or “Estiatorio” and they are easily found in any area you visit. And if you speak English, then you will not have any issues with a language barrier since most people speak the language.

In this part of our guide to holidays in Greece we focus on the cuisine you’ll experience there…

Dining out is common in Greece, and restaurants there (locally referred to as Taverna or Estiatorio) are widespread. Excellent restaurants can be found in even highly touristed areas, particularly areas that are popular with Greek tourists as well. Try eating in the same places that the locals are dining at to ensure a real Greek culinary experience.

The best restaurants will offer not only authentic traditional Greek cuisine and regional specialties, but also Greece’s latest culinary trends as well. Therefore, it’s easy to sample a rich and extensive range of Greek dishes, traditionally cooked, during your stay.

Greek cooking has similarities with the cuisines of neighboring regions, such as the Balkans, Italy and the Middle East. Common ingredients include lamb, pork, bread and grains, olive oil and olives, vegetables and yogurt. Garlic, onion, oregano, mint, dill and bay leaves are typical flavorings.

Fish is a specialty in Greece’s islands and mainland coastal districts and often the fish you eat for dinner will have been caught that same day. The country also has a wide variety of traditional cheeses. These come in distinct local flavors and most of these are homemade on family farms dotted throughout Greece.

Another important part of Greek culture is coffee. Join the locals and drink it while relaxing in one of the many outdoor cafes that line the streets. Greek coffee tends to be thick, strong and black; it is served in a small cup, moderately sweetened, with the grounds left in.

Greece also offers a broad choice of wine and beer. Local wines are made from both indigenous and imported grape varieties and restaurants often have a barrel or two of locally produced house wine, which is usually good. Beer is also popular – local varieties, such as Mythos and Alpha, are widely available, and Northern European beers, most notably Heineken and Amstel, are available almost everywhere.

In this part of our guide to holidays in Greece we focus on the basic tourist information that visitors should know…

Greece offers a wide range of experiences, landscapes and activities. It is famous for its natural beauty, historical sites and nightlife, and of course for its reliably sunny summers and the many beautiful beaches on its islands and coastline, which stretches along the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean Seas.

These features attract more than 15 million visitors each year, making this southern European country one of the world’s top 20 tourist destinations. While 90% of its tourists come from other European countries, in recent years there have been growing numbers of visitors from other parts of the world too.

Athens and islands such as Corfu, Crete and Rhodes are the major destinations, but other parts of Greece are also rewarding. Travelers wanting a quieter holiday can escape large-scale tourism in many attractive places.

The vast majority of visitors arrive during tourism season, which is April through October, with the peak of the season being July through to August. Outside of this time, most of the country’s tourist infrastructure goes into hibernation, particularly on the islands.

While Athens and Thessaloníki handle most scheduled international flights, during tourism season charter and low-budget flights from a range of European cities arrive daily at many islands and smaller mainland cities.

Travellers need a valid passport to enter Greece. Citizens of EU countries don’t require a visa, citizens of some non-EU countries (including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) are permitted to stay for up to 90 days visa-free, but citizens of other non-EU countries need to obtain a visa.

It’s considered a safe country to visit (in terms of occurrences of theft and violence against visitors) and no immunization vaccinations are required or advised prior to traveling there.