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Planning Greek holidays
your travel tips
What to expect from Greek holidays? I would say from holidays in Greece you expect to find
- blue skies
- peace of mind
- bright sunshine
- a clear blue sea
- laid-back lifestyle
- incredible beaches
- small fishing villages
- white washed houses
- Mediterranean kitchen
- narrow, cobbled streets
- comfortable accommodation
- candle light dinners on the beach
... and you will. This is actually a very brief description of the Greek islands. Greek holidays are the ultimate relaxation from the first moment on.
Even if you bring some stress with you and are running the streets in the first hours after your arrival, you will soon understand, you are the only one running, together with your fellow travelers that also just arrived. But very soon you will understand, that the laid-back attitude is contagious.
Greek holidays can be spent in absolute harmony. And it is safe! Nobody is asking about your religion, color, origin,... Wrong, they are asking, but of interest, not to question you. Greece is a country with low crime rates compared to most other countries. It is safe also for single women to travel alone.
Sure the choice of the right island is of importance. Do you prefer a busy environment or a small society? Do you prefer the green islands of the Ionian islands and North Aegean or Dodecanese? The Cycladic islands are very dry with the charm of a desert flower. Here each Bougainvillea and every Jasmine tree takes double effect as no other plants are naturally taking the attention. Their scents seem to spread even more easy.
Islands that have many possibilities and are easily reached are Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Samos, Skiathos and Lefkada.
Hydra, Poros and Spetses and Kea have less or even no traffic in the case of Hydra, and have beautiful sights. They are easy to reach from Athens.
Islands you could still call secret tips are Andros, Antiparos, Skopelos, Folegandros, Skyros, Paxos, Ithaka, Ikaria, Amorgos and Alonissos.
On the Web site of Donna Dailey and Mike Gerrard, both successful journalists and travel writers that have published several travel books, you find descriptions of many islands and several island groups, that will help you to decide on where to spend your Greek holidays. Find their detailed information and overviews at Greece Travel Secrets.
To start planning your trip you could have a look at this detailed road map of Greece.| When to go best for your Greek holidays? |
Greece is well known as a summer destination, Greek holidays usually spent in the sun. Some people prefer the quiet period of spring, even Easter. Greek Orthodox Easter is interesting to experience at least once in a lifetime. At most islands May and June are good months to travel, all hotels and shops are open, everyone full with expectations whom to meet during the coming summer season, but not many tourists yet. High season is July, August and September, 15th of July to 15th of August being the absolute peak, as most of the Greeks are traveling during this month. September again is a lot like June, moderate in temperature and visitors, a good traveling time.
There is an informative Web site for Weather and Climate in Greece, you just choose the city closest to your holiday destination to see statistics of Average temperature over the year, monthly rainfall and hours of sunshine.
To arrange for Greek holidays in winter is for the more advanced and imperturbable Greece fans. The islands more North like the Sporades collect their water for the whole year during the colder period, so rain is to expect once or twice a week, and the temperatures range between 8 and 16 degrees Celsius. The islands in the South, like the Cyclades, you might find quite deserted, as shop owners are many times not locals, but living in Athens or Thessaloniki during the winter.
Most hotels all over the islands are closed, but you will always find one or two open, usually in easy reach from the waterfront. Should you play with the idea of getting local, buying a house or rent for a longer time, it is a good idea to see your chosen island in winter. Contact to locals is so easy to establish, there is lots of time available during the winter months, and the Greeks are curious for new stories from people from other countries.
| What do you need to pack for your Greek holidays? |
Guests from some countries like the US should take a universal plug adapter if you are planning to use your electrical device. Greece's voltage is 220V. You will be able to find one on many islands, but if you don't want to start looking for an electro shop straight away or risk not to find it, take one with you. Many devices are compatible for 110 and 220V, but you should check if you need a full converter or just a plug adaptor to fit the outlets to recharge your camera or mobile phone.
If you come in summer time, pack only light cotton cloths. Temperatures until 43 degrees Celsius can occur during the hot months. More likely you will face an average temperature of 32 degrees Celsius, which also calls for light clothing. On most of the islands you are not expected to dress specifically fancy, casual wear is always right. Except for Mykonos maybe, which is considered more chic or if you are planning to visit the more fashionable clubs.
Take open, flat shoes and it is hot in summer and there are so many cobbled streets, difficult to walk with high heels. Best you take flip-flops. You can buy them here as well in any shoe shop of course.
Rubber beach sandals, but you can easily find them everywhere.
A hat to shelter you from the sun.
A light sweater or a shawl, as evenings can be cool.
Your favorite insect repellent, Mosquitos are usually to find. Or better, they will find you...
Medication in the original packaging.
Maybe you have a small dictionary, take it with. It is unlikely you should meet people who do not speak English, it is taught in the schools from early age, but you might find it interesting and useful many times.
Have some cash on you, as your will always encounter small shops, that are not able to process all cards.
| What do you need to do before starting your Greek holidays? |
As Greece is a member of the European Union, it is easy to travel from Europe. For US and Canadian citizens visiting Greece, there is no visa required for periods less than three months, only a valid passport. Consult your closest Greek Embassy if you intend to stay longer.Look up the ferry schedules at Danae Travel or Greek Reservation Services if the island of your choice does not have its own airport. If you are to come during peak season, July and August for most of the islands, you should book your ferry ticket in advance. Some travel agencies offer this service, you can also book online with the Web site above with the schedules.
The same counts for cars, specifically if you are to come peak season, and if you are on an island where a car is essential as maybe your accommodation is out of town, you better book in advance. A good idea might be, to book one directly with your travel agency. If they do not offer car rentals, get an office from the island you want to go directly on the phone.
Greeks love personal contact, it is so important, that words sometimes count more than papers around here. I have seen people ending up without a car in high season, as they have booked over some Internet companies, have paid, but the local agency never got the information.
Make sure, you really are booked with a LOCAL car rental company and all will be settled for your Greek holidays. With Skopelos island I can help you anytime, just use my Contact Form.
| Learn your first Greek phrases |
If you wish to be on specifically friendly terms with the waiter of the taverna next door, surprise him with a Greece phrase! This is so much appreciated by everyone. From my experience, the Greeks like it so much when they understand that someone is trying to communicate even just some bits.
When I came the first time to work for the summer season on the Greek island Santorini, I was searching the Internet back and forth to find some useful phrase tutorial. I could not find anything I really loved, but I found it for you. Go to this fabulous complimentary Web site of the BBC and learn your first Greek phrases.
You will find it useful and I am sure you will have fun with it. If you think, that you cannot remember anything right away, just bookmark it and go back another time. It helps to get an ear for the language as it is so different from others, and you will understand some basics after.
I also created a page with basic and vital Greek phrases for you. You will be surprised about the effect it has on people during your Greek holidays; only to are able to understand a few words shows interest that will be acknowledged.
You are set now, pack your personal essentials and take off,
Greece will be ready for you!
Return from Greek holidays to the Skopelos-Greee-Vacations Home Page
There is lots of information about Greece in general to retrieve from greeka.com.
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