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ON LINE EUROPEAN TOURIST GUIDEGREECE |
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EUROPE INDEX
Athens Aegina Agistri Kefalonia (Cephalonia) Chios Corfù Crete Ios Kos Lesvos Mykonos Naxos Paros Rhodes (Rodos) Samos Santorini Karpathos Skiathos Syros Tinos Zakynthos (Zante)
Tourist Guide and Information about Greece
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Climate: The climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a limited amount of rainfall. Due to the country's geographical position, its rugged relief and its distribution between the mainland and the sea, there is great variation in Greece's climate. In summer, the dry hot days are cooled by seasonal winds called the meltemi, while mountainous regions have generally lower temperatures. The winters are mild in lowland areas, with a minimum amount of snow and ice, yet, mountains are usually snow-covered. Moreover, a common phenomenon is the occurrence of different climactic conditions during the same season (for instance, mild heat in coastal areas and cool temperatures in mountainous regions). Touristic attractions: Greece has an abundance of resources that tourists with ecological and cultural interests will find attractive. Greece is full of archaeological sites and monuments, the monuments of the Classic Antiquity attract tourists from all the world, the archaeological areas still today continue to carry to the light the splendid Greek past. The sea and the beauties of the hundreds of Greek islands complete the reasons for a visit of this most interesting country, cradle of the civilization. The Greek coast has a total length of approximately 16,000 km, half this length is found around the thousands of Greek islands, while the rest extends along the mainland. Most islands lie in the Aegean Sea and are divided in seven groups (from north to south): The Northeastern Aegean Islands: Agios Efstratios, Thasos, Ikaria, Lesvos, Limnos, Inousses, Samos, Samothrace, Chios, Psara. The Sporades: Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros Evia The Argo-Saronic Islands: Angistri, Aegina, Poros, Salamina, Spetses, Hydra and the coastal area of Methana. The Cyclades: A group of 56 islands, its most important ones being Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros, as well as the “Minor Cyclades” comprising Donousa, Irakleia, Koufonisia and Schinoussa. The Dodecanese: Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Halki. Crete. The Ionian Sea is home to one sole island group: The Ionian Islands: Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corfu, Cephallonia, Lefkada, Paxi, Antipaxi, Ereikoussa, Mathraki, Meganissi, Othoni, Strofades. These islands, together with Kythira, which is however cut-off from the rest, opposite the southern Peloponnese (Lakonia), as well as neighbouring Antikythira, they constitute the Eptanissa. The islands of Gavdos (situated south of Crete), Elafonissos (in the Gulf of Laconia) and Trizonis (in the Gulf of Corinth), although not forming part of any group, are of unparalleled natural beauty. Unesco has inscribed 17 Greek sites in the World Heritage List: Acropolis, Athens (1987), Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina) (1996), Archaeological Site of Delphi (1987), Archaeological Site of Mystras (1989), Archaeological Site of Olympia (1989), Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns (1999), Delos (1990), Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint John "the Theologian" and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos (1999), Medieval City of Rhodes (1988), Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios (1990), Old Town of Corfu (2007), Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika (1988), Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos (1992), Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus (1988), Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (1986), Meteora (1988), Mount Athos (1988). Between the properties submitted on the Tentative List are: The Palace of Knossos (2003), Archaeological Site of Nikopolis (2003), Archaeological site of Philippi (2003), Lavrio (Ancient Laurion) (2003), The broader region of Mount Olympus (2003), The Area of the Prespes Lakes: Megali and Mikri Prespa which includes Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments (2003), National Park of Dadia - Lefkimi - Souflion (2003), Gorge of Samaria National Park (2003). | ||||||||
Travel Documents: For citizens of European Union countries, a current valid identity card is sufficient. However, if you are a citizen of an other country, a passport is obligatory, with a visa for certain countries. Minors travelling alone must carry authorization for travelling signed by their parents. No vaccinations are required for entering Greece. Health: In order to have access to necessary health care, tourists from member states of the European Union (EU) wishing to visit Greece must be holders of the European Health Card (EHIC) or any other legal Community document issued by their competent social security agency. In these cases, the necessary treatment in Greece is provided by: - the IKA (Social Security Institute) Health Units (polyclinics) or doctor’s offices in the region; - Regional clinics (former rural clinics) or the Health Centres of the National Health System; and - the outpatients’ departments of the hospitals on contract In order to have access to necessary health care, tourists from countries other than the member states of the European Union wishing to visit Greece must consult their social security agency for information before travelling. Shopping hours: Shops are open Monday through Friday from 09.00 till 14.30 and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday also from 17.30 through 20.30. On Saturday shops open from 09.00 till 15.00, while they are closed on Sunday. Supermarkets and kiosks may stay open till 22.00. More specifically, in the centre of large urban areas as well as in tourist areas, tourist shops and kiosks are open from early in the morning till late at night, seven days a week. Electricity: 220-volt service is common, although 110-volt service still exists in some areas. The Continental two-round-pin plug is standard. Cuisine: Greek cuisine is based on olive oil, herbs and spices. Greek cuisine is not only moussaka, souvlaki and choriatiki salata, but has a wide variety of dishes that can meet the culinary demands of both meat-eaters and vegetarians in an extremely satisfying way. The most characteristic and ancient element of Greek cooking is olive oil, which is present in almost every dish. The Mezedes are little dishes, commonly seafood dishes such as "little fishes" or grilled octopus and often small salads, typically served with wine or ouzo (Greek anise-flavored liqueur). Feta is a semi-soft, crumbly, well-salted white cheese made from goat or sheep milk. Used in pies, added to salads and served with meals. A typical Greek meal is formed by: mezedes (black olive, anchovy, cold meat, Feta cheese, Dolmádhes (rolled steffed slices of meat or rice), Taramosalata (sauce of fish eggs), Tzatziki (yoghurt with cucumber, garlic, cetriolo, and olive oil)) and by a main courses, usually meat based (lamb or pork), fish (grilled or fried). GREEK CUISINE RECIPES. WHERE TO STAY: Accommodations in Greece: Search for Hotels and Accommodation in Greece. Search for Budget Hotels and Hostels in Greece.
Sea travel: The country boasts a particularly extensive coastal transportation network serving all Greek islands , the majority of coastal destinations in mainland Greece and certain international ports. Modern ferries doing routes between Greek ports and those of neighbouring Italy, ferries depart from italian ports of Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, Venezia and Trieste to the greecian ports of Patras, Igoumenitsa and Corfù. About domestic connection ferries and speedy vessels carry out numerous and regular connections between the central harbours of Attica, Piraeus and Rafina and the islands, in addition, other harbours of Attica and continental Greece, as Patras, Kyllini, Thessaloniki, Igoumenitsa, Alexandroupolis, Kavala, Volos, etc. are connected by ship with the islands. Most domestic routes take place every day and throughout the year. Airports and Flights: The main Greece airport is Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. The 15 State International Airports accommodate airplanes of scheduled and non- scheduled airlines from every countries in Europe. Regarding Domestic Connections, apart from the 15 State International Airports, which cater for domestic flights as well, there are also 25 State Domestic Airports all over the country handling domestic flights. Domestic flights are conducted by Olympic Airlines , Aegean Airlines and Sky Express.
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