Greece Travel Tips
CAPITAL:
Athens is the capital; the second largest city is Thessaloniki.
CLIMATE
If a temperate climate is ideal, then late spring and early autumn are the best times to visit. The summer sun is quite hot, but it’s a dry, tolerable heat cooled by the seasonal breezes called “Meltemia”, and the water is never far. The temperature in Athens ranges from 55F in January to 92F in July and August. The country averages more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.
CURRENCY
The currency of Greece is the EURO. It is not necessary to exchange your money prior to your arrival in Athens. There are banks open where you can exchange your money at the baggage claim area in Athens airport. There are also money exchange centers at all major hotels.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50 Hz with the outlets made for 2 round poles.
TOPOGRAPHY
Greece’s terrain is on of its most compelling attributes. Despite it’s aridity, there is no place in the entire country that is more than 65 miles from the sea. There are 1400 islands (2,000 at low tide) 169 which are inhabited.
POPULATION
Just over 10 million.
PEAK TRAVEL SEASON
Most of the tourists come in June, July and August. Hotels can be tough to reserve on popular islands.
TIME ZONE
Seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
TIPPING
Like the rest of Europe, service is usually included in the bill, however good service should always be rewarded!
VISAS
Many visitors to Greece will not need to obtain a visa for visits to Greece of up to 90 days. This includes citizens of all other European Union countries, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the United States. For more update information on your country please contact your local Greek Embassy, consulate or Mission
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
Metric System
Dress tends to be casual, but there are limits. Sleeveless dresses and shorts may not be worn in monasteries and churches, and women should be sure that arms and shoulders are covered. Jackets for men and cocktail dresses for women are required in the posher of restaurants and in the casinos.
Visiting the Greek ruins often means traversing over irregular stony terrain that can present a double hazard. Thus, shoes worn on such excursions should be sturdy and absolutely comfortable. Do not wear high heel shoes on these excursions.
The favorite buys in Athens are furs, leather goods (especially shoes), hand woven and hand-embroidered clothing and linen, ceramics, handbags, jewelry and traditional Flokati rugs. The most elegant shopping area is the Kolonaki district where you will find the latest European styles.
All major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and most shops. However, they are not used as extensively as they are in the U.S. Traveler’s checks are widely accepted throughout Greece. They can be exchanged easily at almost all banks and post offices.
There is a seven-hour (+7) difference when New York is on Eastern Standard Time Greece, along with the rest of the European Community, observes daylight savings time from April to October.