Greece Country Dossier

"I had always wanted to go to the Greek Islands so the chance to experience a variety of them was something I couldn't refuse. The reality was a dream come true!"

"We began on the mainland by exploring the streets of Athens and the Acropolis, before heading off to the islands. Each island is quite different, yet each has that wonderful 'Mediterranean feel'. I loved every moment but I would have to say that Naxos and Santorini were my favourite islands. Why? Because Santorini is so dramatic in its volcanic setting and Naxos is definitely THE most beautiful island of the Cyclades. I really would urge you to go to Greece – especially the islands – I had the time of my life!"

Janey Wallace, Traveller

Factfile

Capital: Athens
Official Language: Greek
Others: Turkish
Religions: Greek Orthodox 97%, other 3% (Muslim, Roman Catholic).
Voltage: 220 volts. Sockets are of the European, two-pronged variety.

Preparing to go

Visas

Many nationalities are allowed to stay in Greece for up to three months without a visa; most others can enter Greece for up to two months without a visa. For the latest information on your specific visa requirements you should contact the local Greek Embassy or Consulate near your planned date of travel.

Money

Local Currency

The monetary unit in Greece is the Euro (Eu). Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows:

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that a visitor may bring into Greece, however very large sums should be declared on arrival.

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

Banks and ATMs can be found almost everywhere in Greece. Credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels. We recommend that you take either Euros or US$ currency and traveller's cheques. The Pre-Departure Information that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains general information about organising your spending money. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise you on local facilities.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Information contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Greece.

Entrance Fees

Although Traveller trips include entrance fees to all sites specified in your itinerary there are additional ancient sites that you may like to visit. Adventurer trips do not include any entrance fees. The average entrance fee is approx Euro 3, with the most expensive being Euro 10.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: Remember to bring your student card if you have one or are entitled to one as you can save as much as 50% at many of Greece's ancient sites and museums.

Optional Excursions

All of our itineraries include some free time, the amount of which usually depends on the style of tour you are travelling on (Adventurer trips generally have more than Traveller). If you wish to take optional excursions your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the possibilities in each area.

Meals

You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. Breakfast is provided on most days, but lunches and dinners are rarely included to give you more freedom. Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below;

For a guide to the type of food you will find in Greece see the Local Food & Drink section of this dossier.

Drinks
Tea and Coffee is always provided with breakfast. All other drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense.

Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below.

Note: Prices in restaurants, hotels, and cruise boats can be as much as double those specified.

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Greece however bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country.

Local Transport

As our hotels are located in central Athens, most of the main sites such as the Acropolis and Plaka area are within easy walking distance. For longer distances or if you prefer not to walk taxis and trams are also available. There are tram stations close to our meeting point hotel and tickets are approx. US$ 1 per trip. On the Greek Islands the most effective way to get around is usually on foot or by bicycle.

Approximate taxi fares (All prices are per taxi) from our hotels in Athens to:

What to Take

The Pre Departure Booklet that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. There are certain items of equipment (e.g. sleeping bags, towels) that you will need on some tours and not on others. Please note that you DO NOT need a mosquito net on any of our tours in Greece. Check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

Clothing

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In Greece's hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon.

Greece has fairly relaxed attitudes about dress and for the most part shorts and short sleeved tops are perfectly acceptable. However if you intend to visit churches and monasteries it is important to dress more conservatively (i.e. cover shoulders and knees).

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas (i.e. head, legs) to prevent sunburn or respect local sensitivities. It also doesn’t go amiss to bring along a set of smart/casual clothes for the occasional night out.

Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in the summer, night-time and early morning temperatures can be cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

The Environment

Toilet
Wherever you go to the toilet remember to place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided – DO NOT flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You will almost always find a rubbish bin next to the toilet however you may find it useful to carry a supply of small plastic bags to put your toilet paper in if a rubbish bin is not provided. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not all toilets will supply it.

Haggling

In most shops you do not need to haggle as the prices are fixed. However there may sometimes be an opportunity for a little gentle bargaining with the shop keeper.

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport please look for our representative who will be holding an Imaginative Traveller sign. He/she should be waiting for you after passport control and customs.

Making Your Own Way

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers.

At Athens International Airport, you will find a 24 hour metered taxi service. The cost of a taxi from the airport to our hotels in Athens should be approx. US$30-35 during day rate and US$35-40 during night rate. Also you can take a metro from the airport to the town and it will cost approx. US$10-12

On Tour

Safety

Most people find that Greece is a very friendly and hospitable country and feel quite comfortable wandering around alone during the day. However, as with any country you are not familiar with (and in particular in large cities such as Athens), it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night and generally take taxis rather than walk.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leaders role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advise on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

Our main criterion for choosing hotels is cleanliness. On Adventurer tours hotels are simple, but comfortable. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multi share rather than twin. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms and bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement*). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room. Single supplements are also only available on Traveller tours and are not applicable on overnight boats, trains and while camping.

Laundry

A laundry service is available in most of the hotels that we use in Greece.

Local Food & Drink

Food
Greek food relies heavily on fresh ingredients and olive oil and is reputedly one of the world’s healthiest cuisines. Greek restaurants fall into two basic categories: estiatorias which offer a variety of prepared casseroles and stews (such as moussaka – a meat, potato, and béchamel sauce casserole, or yemista - stuffed vegetables baked in stock) and tavernas which generally have an ‘a la carte’ menu with salads, hors d’oeuvres and a range of lamb, veal, pork, chicken or fish dishes which are prepared to order.

Most meals begin with a mezedhes, a selection of cold or hot ‘starters’ including dips, vegetable starters and salads, and are accompanied by one of the many kinds of locally made bread.

Snacks are easy to come by and you are almost certain to try tost, a toasted sandwich with melted cheese, and processed meat or tomato, a shish kebab called souvlakia, or yiros which is similar to a Turkish doner kebab.

Drinks
The usual collection of bottled water and soft drinks - coke, lemonade, orangeade - can be found almost anywhere, but there are also a few that are Greek specialties. The traditional Greek kafenio (coffee shop) is quite an institution. Naturally, Greek coffee is served here, along with instant coffee.

All of the hotels and restaurants we use do serve alcoholic drinks. Locally produced spirits (the main one is aniseed flavoured Ouzo) and beer are available everywhere. A variety of local wines (some very good) can also be ordered bottled or sometimes straight from the barrel.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Although meat is often not the main feature of a meal, it can be found in many dishes, even if only as a stock. Therefore, if you are a vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available at meal times. Your Tour Leader will do their best to offer a vegetarian alternative, but your patience and understanding is requested.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Communications

Email
Internet cafes can now be found everywhere in Greece. The cost for an hour is approx Euro 4.

Phone
The Greek phone system is fairly good. A 3 minute call (to the UK) will cost approx. Euro 10 from a hotel and approx. Euro 5 from a telephone centre or with a pre paid phone card which you can buy from post offices or a kiosk by the phone booths.

Post
The postal service is good and stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp will cost approx. Euro 1.

Cameras

Availability of Film
Camera film can be found everywhere in Greece.

General Information

Weather

The climate in Greece is surprisingly diverse. In winter, many parts of the mainland experience snow, whilst in summer they wilt in the dry heat. On the islands the proximity to the sea ensures cooler temperatures but also, unfortunately, high humidity. The Aegean is famous for its winds, often resulting in high seas and, therefore, disruption to ferry schedules. In this case any itinerary including journeys by ferry may need to be altered.

The following shows average daily max temperatures (in degrees celsius):

City / Temp Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Athens 13 14 16 20 25 30 33 33 29 24 19 15
Santorini 12 13 12 17 19 25 27 27 24 21 17 13

Greece Meteorological Authority

Holidays

Religious Holidays

National Holidays

Greece Public Holidays

Suggested Reading

Guidebooks

Background Reading

Useful Phrases

Greek Numbers

Contact Details

UK Office

The Imaginative Traveller
1 Betts Avenue
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP5 3RH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1473 667337
Fax: +44 (0)1473 614566

Affordable Adventures
search 275 holidays
Advanced search
need help & expert advice?
+44 1728 885561
Sign-up for our newsletter

tailor-made adventure trips

Our tailor made adventure holidays will truly inspire and delight the senses and will live in your memory for ever.

more info

Last Minute Specials - 20% Off

Join us on one of our worldwide adventures coming up over the next few months - all guaranteed to depart, all at 20% off.

more info