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Greece is a country where the past and the present are merged, where the ancient and the modern exist side by side. Here one also finds many other contrasts - bustling cities and quiet hillsides, snowcapped mountains and sandy beaches, ancient ruins and busy holiday resorts.
Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is a state on the Mediterreanean Sea, on the very tip of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders Albania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the north, and Turkey to the east. Its beaches overlook the Ionian and Aegean seas. There are some 3,000 islands under the Greek flag, which comprise about 19% of Greece’s total area. The sun-soaked coastline stretches over 13,676 km (8,498 miles), providing some of the most magnificent and attractive beaches in the world. Greece is a relatively underdeveloped country agriculturally. Only 23% is arable, and, although in the past Greece boasted some of the most wonderful forests in the world, now only some 20% of the country’s area is covered in woodlands and forest.
Greece’s capital city, Athens, is also its largest, and is served by Piréas, which is the country’s main port. Climate differs marginally from north to south. In the north winters are mild with some very cold weather in the mountains and summers are very warm to very hot. In the south winters are mild to warm, and summers hot to very hot and humid on the islands. The offical language is Greek, although English and French are widely spoken as second languages, as is a bit of German.
When to go: July, August and the first week of September are high season, when Greece is crawling with tourists and prices are at their highest. On the plus side, extra ferry and hydrofoil routes are added to facilitate inter-island travel and all sites have extended visiting hours during these months. For less crowds and cheaper prices, consider visiting in Spring or Fall when the weather is pleasant and warm (Greece averages 73 degrees F in October) and vacation spots are not overrun with tourists.
Where to go: For ruins, head to the Peloponnese (Ancient Corinth, Epidavros, Mycenae among others), for beaches and nightlife head to popular islands (Mykonos, Ios, Rhodes, Santorini), for quiet and winter sports head to the mountains. The great thing about Greece, however, is that, on a smaller scale, each of these elements can be found almost anywhere in the country. Get some guidebooks to familiarize yourself with possible destinations and map out a tentative itinerary the is feasible given available transportation.
How to get around: Eurrail passes are not valid in Greece but the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) which runs inter-city trains from Athens to other major cities, sells touring cards of its own. A more practical and inexpensive option is traveling by bus. The KTEL buses run almost everywhere but schedules are not always reliable. Ask at the bus station (in small towns bus tickets are sold out of cafes) when the next bus will depart and be sure to arrive 15 minutes early as buses may leave early if they fill up It's always a good idea to verify your destination with the driver in order to ensure you're both going to the same place.
Travelling by car is a more comfortable option and allows you to make your own schedule and reach out of the way places. Car travel is particularly pleasant in the Peloponnese and in Northern Greece where the scenery is spectacular and bus schedules may be infrequent. I highly recommend it if you have the means. Foreign drivers are must have an International Driver's License and International Insurance Certificate and can rent cars at agencies like Just, InterRent, Retca, and the more expensive, more reliable, Avis, Hertz, Eurocar and Budget, located in all major cities. All drivers should be comfortable with a tick shift and aggressive fellow motorists. You can take your car Island hopping with you by paying a transport fee on the ferry. For smaller islands, however, this arrangement is not worth the hassle and island-hoppers should be carless and free to hop on a ferry, the cheapest way to cross the Mediterranean, or the faster, more expensive but still affordable hydrofoils, also known as Flying Dolphins or the even sexier Flying Cats.
Mopeds are eminently rentable at at least 2500drachma per day, but they can be very dangerous, particularly on rocky terrain. Make sure to check your bike before you set off. IF you have the cash to spare and are covering a long distance, a domestic flight on Olympic Airways may be your best option. Most domestic flights are under $100 an one hour long and are convenient in getting from Athens to other mainland cities like Thessaloniki or Ioannina, and major islands like Santorini, Crete and Corfu.
Where to stay: Hotel prices, like everything else, are higher in peak season. Hotels are assigned seemingly random classifications of A through E, with D and E class hotels being cheaper, at an average of 3000-5000dr a night for a double in high season. This is just a guideline, however. Try to get a list of hotels and prices at the local tourist office (the GNTO) before you choose a room; some A, B and C class hotels are as affordable as their D and E counterparts, and some D and E class hotels are as nice as their alphabetically superior counterparts. Classification can depend on items like a swimming pool or fax machine which you may or may not consider a necessity.
Youth hostels, where available, are an alternative to hotels. Greek youth hostels usually have fewer restrictions than other European hostels and remain open from about 6 to 10 am and 1pm to midnight. Hostelling International ID cards are not always a necessity and are available in Athens at the Hostel and the Hostel Association office. While Greece has a number of unofficial hostels, there are only 14 official hostels in the country. Book ahead in summer for the hostels in Athens, Santorini and Nafplion. All hostels have a maximum stay of five days.
Another alternative are rooms-to-let, also known as dhomatia or pensions. While pension owners often crowd incoming boats or buses to solicit customers, a more reliable option is going to the tourist office for names and numbers of rooms to let. Prices and conditions vary; ask to look before you commit to staying. Most rooms are cheap and perfectly dependable, and some could turn out to be the accommodations highlight of your trip.
Greece also has a number of traditional settlements that have been converted into guesthouses. Among these are settlements on Mt. Pelion, Chios, Psara Island, Cephalonia, Areopolis, Papingo-Zaghoria, Vathia in Mani and the Kastro in Monemvassia. Private preservationist companies like Cycladic Environments rents a variety of homes (some seen in the 1982 classic film Summer Lovers) in Oia on Santorini. Traditional Settlements tend to be somewhat expensive but not outrageous.
Camping is available in a variety of incarnations from basic to luxurious disco-private beach-owning campgrounds. The Tourist Guide of Greece and the GNTO put out lists of campsites, which range in price from 800-1500 drachmas. Illegal freelance camping has been known to happen although it is illegal and invites fines and arrests.
Bargaining: It is appropriate to bargain politely for accommodation prices and in certain stores (tourist shops and farmers markets, not boutiques and grocery stores). Try asking for a better price, a discount if you stay more than one night or buy more than one item and leaving if not offered a better price--you may be followed with a new offer. Don't be rude, however. In certain countries bargaining consists of insulting the merchandise and saying you wouldn't pay that much for it. In Greece, say how nice something is and you wish it were more affordable.
Travelling in Groups or Alone: The combination of historical sights, outdoor activities, beaches and nightlife available in Greece make accommodating the preferences of individuals travelling in a group easy. Group travel is cheaper than solo travel as single rooms often cost far more per person than doubles. Other than that, solo travelers in Greece will find it easy to meet people and should feel relatively safe. Solo women travelers should not wander on beaches and city walls or other remote, poorly lit areas alone at night. Women are not at increased risk in Greece, but may receive unwanted attention which wearing modest clothing and a wedding ring may help avoid. Most Greeks adore children and welcome them into restaurants, sights and hotels, often at a discount.
Customs and Taboos: Don't wave at anyone with the palm of your hand towards them, and don't make excessive noise during the Quiet Hours (2-5pm) or you'll wake everyone up. Ignore aggressive come-ons (unless, of course, you're interested). Otherwise, you should be fine. Feel free to try out your broken Greek. Everyone will think you're cute (especially if you are), although they may want to practice their English in responding.
Time
Greece is two hours ahead of standard Greenwich time, and seven hours ahead of New York. From March to September (daylight-saving time), Greece is three hours ahead of Greenwich time.
Tourist Offices
The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), otherwise known as Ellinikos Organismos Tourismou (EOT), as well as the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (HATTA) has many offices around the globe. In Greece you can recognise these offices by a sign portraying the contour of a Greek’s face (look for the Greek nose).
Visas & Passports
To enter Greece one needs a valid passport or, for EU nationals, travel documents (ID cards). When registering in a hotel or pension in Greece, your passport or EU travel documents must be shown. Nationals of Australia, Canada, all EU countries, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and the USA can stay in Greece for up to three months without a visa. Greek embassies have a list of other nationalities allowed in without a visa. The list changes, but includes nationals of the European principalities of Monaco and San Marino and most South American countries. Those not on the list, such as South Africans, can expect to pay about USD 20.00 for a three-month visa. For an updated list of these nationalities, contact your nearest Greek embassy.
Take note that Greece will refuse entry to people whose passport indicates that they have visited Turkish-occupied North Cyprus since November 1983. This can be overcome if, upon entering North Cyprus, you ask the immigration officials to stamp a piece of paper (loose-leaf visa) rather than your passport. If you enter North Cyprus from the Greek Republic of Cyprus (only possible for a day visit), an exit stamp is not put into your passport.
Greek embassies can provide assistance to travellers and are usually the best places to contact for the most recent information.
All foreign embassies in Greece are in Athens and its suburbs. There are consulates of various countries in Thessaloníki, Pátra, Corfu, Rhodes and Iráklio.
Customs
Duty-free allowances in Greece are the same as for other EU countries. Within the EU, however, there are no longer duty-free restrictions. Non-EU visitors may bring in 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tabacco, 1 l of spirits, 2 l of wine or liqueurs, 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml of cologne. Importation regulations for medicines are strict. When taking medication, get a statement from your doctor before you leave home. It is illegal, for instance, to take codeine into Greece. It is forbidden to export antiquities and works of art found in Greece.
Import of foreign currency is free, subject to declaration of amounts greater than USD 1,000.00 (non-appliance will result in fines, confiscation and confinement). Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import. The import of local currency is limited to GRD 100,000.00 for foreign nationals and GRD 40,000.00 for Greek nationals and the export to GRD 20,000.00.
Money
The unit of currency is the Greek Drachma (GRD). Notes are in denominations of GRD 5,000.00, GRD 1,000.00, GRD 500.00, GRD 100.00 and GRD 50.00. Coins are in denominations of GRD 100.00, GRD 50.00, GRD 20.00, GRD 10.00, GRD 5.00, GRD 2.00, and GRD 1.00.
Business Hours
There are slight differences in business hours from place to place. Crete’s business hours differ considerably from the business hours on Mainland Greece and other islands, because it is such a popular tourist destination.
Dress Custom
If visiting churches and monasteries, it is important that women wear long skirts and conservative blouses, while men must wear long pants. Everywhere else, dress as you please, even go stark naked on some of the beaches.
Public Holidays
All banks and shops and most museums and ancient sites close during public holidays.
Peak Seasons
During winter most of Greece’s tourist infrastructure goes into hibernation. From the end of November until the beginning of April most hotels and restaurants are closed and bus and ferry services are either drastically reduced or completely cancelled.
From April until mid-June the conditions are perfect. The weather is pleasantly warm in most places, but not too hot. Beaches and ancient sites are relatively uncrowded, public transport operates on close to full schedules and accommodation is cheap and easy to find.
Mid-June until the end of August is the peak season. It is very hot during this time - the temperatures can soar to 40 °C (104 °F) in the shade just about anywhere in the country. During this time the beaches are crowded, the ancient sites are swarming with tour groups and in many places accommodation is fully booked. After August the season starts to wind down once again and conditions are ideal until the end of November.
Electricity
The power supply in Greece is 220 V AC at 50 Hz. You may require an adaptor for the round two-pin sockets in use in Greece. Power cuts are not uncommon.
Disabled Travellers
Most hotels, museums and ancient sites in Greece are not accessible by wheelchair. This is partly due to the uneven terrain of much of the country which, with its abundance of stones, rocks and marble, presents a challenge even for able-bodied people. It is not, however, impossible for disabled people to come to Greece, the trip just needs careful planning. Get as much information as possible before you go. The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) publishes a useful guide called ‘Holidays & Travel Abroad: A Guide for Disabled People’, which gives a good overview of facilities available to disabled travellers in Europe. Lavinia Tours specialises in arranging travel for disabled travellers.
Budget Travel
The International Student & Youth Travel Service sells tickets for air, sea and road travel. It also issues student cards if you have documents proving that you are a student. The Athens International Youth Hostel is affiliated with the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF). You may buy an IYHF card here, although you can stay at most Greek youth hostels without a card.
History
Greek history extends back to beyond 4,000 BC. Primitive people inhabited the Southern Aegean area at this time. Around 3,000 BC two major areas of civilization developed: Crete and Peloponnesus. The Mediterranean area was dominated by the Cretan culture and trade until around 1,500 BC when it was succeeded by Mycenaenian control. The Iron Age reached Greece courtesy of the Dorians, who left the mountainous area of Epirus and, with their superior iron weapons, conquered the Acheans in Crete and Peloponnesus. The cities of Sparta and Corinth were soon born in the Dorian’s new conquered territory.
The people of Greece became so numerous that they were forced to migrate beyond its borders into the Mediterranean and the Black seas. Here they found colonies, and started referring to themselves as Hellenes. Some went as far as the Atlantic Ocean. Greek settlements were founded throughout the Mediterranean, in Asia Minor, and along the coast of North Africa. Between 800 and 650 BC the petty monarchies in Greece were overthrown by wealthy noble families, which established the first oligarchies. However, these were in turn overthrown about 650 BC by rich commoners and members of the landed class, ushering in the period known as the ‘time of tyrants’.
Despite the illegal manner in which they established power, the tyrants were not always tyranical. Many were benevolent dictators, and trade, industry and culture flourished. The Parthenon was erected, Sophocles produced the masterwork ‘Oedipus the King’, Socrates and Plato broadened the minds of fellow Athenians, engaging in mental fencing with the Sophists, and even the the young concept of democracy was introduced. This golden age ended with the military expansion of the Spartan war machine, which defeated Athens in 404 AD during the Peloponnesian wars, teaching the world that the pen was definitely not mightier than the sword.
In 336 BC, Alexander the Great inherited the Macedonian crown from King Philip, who had by this stage gathered a large portion of Greece under his banner. Alexander quickly consolidated power in his first two years as king, and, with the unified might of the Greeks, swept aside the Persians and most of the known world in the expansion of his empire. However, empires come and empires go, and Alexander’s was no different. In 146 BC Greece fell to the military might of the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine established the Eastern Roman Empire (later the Byzantine Empire) in Constantinople in 330 AD. But, as is the way of things, the Byzantine Empire fell toTurkey in 1453 and the Greeks were subjugated to Ottoman rule until 1821, when they successfully revolted against the Turks to win their independence. After independence, Otto of Bavaria was sworn in as king in 1833, an event orchestrated by leading European powers. Although the republic was initially small, it grew when other formerly Greek areas were returned to its control: the Ionian islands in 1864, portions of Epiros and Thessaly in 1881, Crete, the islands of the Eastern Aegean and Macedonia in 1913, and Western Thrace in 1919. The Dodecanese islands were also returned to Greece after World War II.
In 1941 Greece was overrun by Axis troops and various resistance movements developed. By the end of World War II these resistance groups had polarised into royalists and communists. Civil war ensued and continued until 1949 when the Royalists claimed control.
Language
The predominant language in Greece is Modern Greek (Demotike), with its origins dating back 3,500 years. English and French are also used, and, to an even lesser degree, German is spoken. Tourism is one of the largest trades in Greece, so visitors should get by with a basic understanding of any of these languages.
Religion
The majority of the population are Greek Orthodox (almost 98%), although there are also Muslims, Roman Catholics, Protestants and Jews.
Population
Estimates differ, but there are roughly 10.5 million people living in Greece. This gives the country an overall poluation density of approximately 80 people per square kilometer, or about 207 people per square mile. About 63% of the population is urban.
Government
The monarchy was rejected by referendum on 8 December 1974, establishing a parliamentary democracy under the guidance of a president (currently Kostis Stephanopoulos), who is elected by the members of parliament. The vouli, or chamber parliament, controls legislation, while executive powers are the domain of the government and president. There is also a prime minister (currently Costas Simitis) as well as an independent judiciary divided into three different courts: civil, criminal, and administrative. The republic’s consititution makes provision for civil, political and human rights. Although general elections are held every four years, the president remains in office for five years. The president may continue for no more than two terms in office.
The current ruling party is the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). Other influential parties are the New Democracy, Progressive Left Coalition, Democratic Renewal (DIANA), Communist Party (KKE), Ecologist-Alternative List, and Political Spring.
The country is divided into thirteen administrative regions, called diamerismata, which are in turn divided into fifty-two departments, or nomoi, each controlled by a monarch. The diamerismata are: Northern Aegean, Southern Aegean, Attica, Crete, Epiros, Central Greece, Western Greece, Ionian Islands, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, Peloponnese, and Thessaly. Mount Athos is considered an autonomous district in terms of the constitution.
Prime Minister Simitis has recently promised closer ties with Europe since he has come to power. It seems, however, that his attentions should be predominantly centered on relations with Turkey. Only in February 1996, Greece and Turkey fell foul of one another over the Turkish occupation of two strategic outcrops in the Turkish Bodrum Peninsula. Other problems face Greece: the unending Cyprus problem, the recalcitrant classification of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, escalating inflation, and the highest national debt in the European Commonwealth.
Economic Overview
Greece has received many cash advances from the European Union (EU) and this gave new force to the Greek economy, particularly the industrial sectors of textiles, clothing and shoes, cement, mining and metals, chemicals, steel and processed agricultural products. Despite this artificial boost, Greece’s economy remains the most problematic in the EU. After Portugal, Greece has the second-lowest income per capita of all the EU countries. Privatisation of the public sector was suspended with the election of Andreas Papandreou’s opposition party PASOK in 1993, and business is burdend by inefficient bureaucracy.
Greece traditionally was and still is an agricultural country. Despite all the efforts of the EU, 20% of the population still work the land. Tourism has been the most important service industry in Greece since the 1980s, with over ten million tourists visiting the country in 1994. Shipping is also an important source of income, because Greece has one of the largest merchant fleets in the world. However,Greek enterprises have consistently had difficulty penetrating European markets because of the comparatively small size of the majority of the businesses. Despite this the country exports large quantities of wheat, barley, maize, tobacco and fruit. The EU takes about 65% of Greek trade. Outside the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the USA are the country’s major trading partners. The Gross Domestic Product per year is USD 77 billion.
Art & Culture
There are few places in the world which have so rich and diverse an artistic and cultural history as Greece. In terms of archaeology, there are artifacts dating back 200,000 years, while architecturally, Greece boasts Minoan and Dorian ruins dating back almost four millennia. Greece’s violent history left the country with diverse architectural origins, so that most cities have buildings from at least two epochs in history. There are literally hundreds of museums scattered throughout Greece. Of particular importance is the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Greece is the source of all drama, and there are plenty of ancient theatres to pick your way through. Alternatively, if live theatre is your preference, there are plenty of shows all year round, some mainstream, others traditional, and other very avant garde.
Food & Drink
Restaurant and taverna food tend to be very simple, rarely involving sauces but with full use of local olive oil and charcoal grills. Dishes like Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), Moussaka, Kebabas and Avgolemono (soup) can be found everywhere. Taramosalata and a variety of seafood dishes, especially squid (Kalamari) or octopus, are excellent. Salads are made with the local Feta cheese and fresh olive oil. Olives are cheap and plentiful. Greek food is traditionally served only warm, because of the climate, although visitors may request it to be served hot if they prefer. Fish is fairly expensive due to vast overfishing of the Mediterranean. However, calamari is still relatively affordable.
All restaurants have a standard menu which includes the availability and price of each dish. A good proportion of the restaurants will serve international dishes, but these are mostly geared to tourist, so they will be more expensive.
One of the best-known Greek drinks is Retsina wine, made with pine-needle resin. Local spirits include Ouzo, an aniseed-base clear spirit to which water is added. Local brandy is sharp and fiery. Greek coffee is served thick and strong and sugared according to taste. Greek beer is a light Pilsner type. Visitors may be required to pay for each drink if seated some way from the bar.
Entertainment
Greece’s main towns and resorts have an exciting nightlife, with several concerts, cinemas, theatres, classical concerts, rock gigs discos and jazz clubs. Nightclubs featuring Greek Bouzouki music are extremely popular. There are some casinos in Greece, such as the Mont Parnes csino in Athens, the Corfu Casino in Corfu and the Casino at the Grand Hotel Astir in Rhodes.
Besides the vigorous eating and drinking, cinemas are also an important aspect of Greek entertainment. There are many cinemas throughout the country, predominantly in the cities. There are a fair number which run English language films. There are even open-air cinemas where you can gaze at the stars during the kissing scenes.
Shopping
Although there are shopping malls, markets are very popular with visitors and offer the best bargains. The ceramic trade is large in Greece, and, if you are prepared to risk posting such goods, you can pick up some very good deals. Rhodes and Athens are good mainstream sources for ceramics. Remember never to buy or ‘pick up’ anything which could be an antiquity (over 100 years old), for it is a serious criminal offence to be is possession of something removed from an archaeological site, or to export antiquities without a permit. The other remarkable Greek craft is metalwork, either gold of filigree silver. The best place to buy the latter, which is also much cheaper than gold, is Ioánnina.
Sport
All sorts of sport are popular in Greece, with perhaps some more obscure ones like Gaelic football and Hurley. Of particular popularity are the watersports, such as waterskiing, windsurfing, skin diving, and scuba diving. Climbing and trekking are also common ways to see the unspoilt mountains, villages and beaches in Greece and its islands. Other sports for visitors include skiing, tennis, golf, running, yachting, caving and hang-gliding.
Festivals
Greece has a rich variety of festivals and cultural events. The dates of many of these Greek festivals are set by the Orthodox calendar and most of them celebrate one of the hundreds of Orthodox saints, some of them familiar in the West, some of them unique to the Orthodox Church. Many of the festivals are more or less private family affairs, with church services followed by a special meal served at home, but some are bigger and more public celebrations with parades, fireworks and public feasts in which the whole community may join.
Parks & Reserves
Greece does not have a great ecological record, although some changes are occuring. This is evident in their few national parks. Yet the ones which remain are indeed worth seeing. The Evros Delta near Alexandroupolis is one of the most important wetland in Europe, and is home to the last of the royal eagles. Other parks are: Prespa National Park, Parnasson National Park, Olympus National Park, Iti National Park, Parnitha National Park, Vikos-Aoös and Samaria National Park. All these parks have refuges and some have marked hiking trails. Greece also has a National Marine Park off the coast of Alonnisos in the Sporades.
Climate
Greece is the perfect place for those who like a lot of sun. For over two thirds of the year visitors are treated to clear, sunny skies. Temperatures do vary, however. Winters are mild and rainy, with temperatures sometimes dropping to freezing point, especially in the north. Summers are long and dry, with extremes of 37 °C (99 °F), making the yearly mean temperature about 17 °C (63 °F). For those not overly fond of the heat, the mountainous areas provide some respite as they receive more rain in summer, and even snow in winter.
Rainfall figures vary, depending on the region. Thessaly is very dry, receiving around 38 mm (1.5 in). Portions of the western coast paint a different picture, however, receiving about 1,270 mm (50 in) of rain.
Geography
Greece covers an area of 131,944 km² (50,944 miles²) and the capital is Athens. Greece is situated in southeast Europe near the Mediterranean Sea. The northern mainland has high mountains, such as the Pindus, fertile plains, pine-forested uplands and craggy, scrub-covered foothills. The islands account for one fifth of the land area of the country. The majority of the islands lie in the Aegean between the Greek and Turkish coasts. The Ionian Islands are the exception - they are scattered along the west coast of the Ionian Sea.
Health
Citizens of the EU countries are covered for free treatment in public hospitals within Greece on presentation of an E111 form. Keep any forms and payment slips in order to claim refunds when arriving home. Enquire at your national health service or travel agent in advance. Emergency treatment in public hospitals is free for people of all nationalities. The emergency number in Greece is 166. There is at least one doctor on every island in Greece and larger islands have hospitals.
Although the medical training is of a high standard in Greece, the health service is underfunded and one of the worst in Europe. Things travellers should be aware of is that public hospitals
- are overcrowded
- are not always very hygienic
- expect the patient’s relatives to bring him/her food.
Conditions and treatment are much better in the private hospitals, but these are expensive. This is the reason why it is essential to have a good health-insurance policy.
Take note that Codeine, which is commonly found in headache preparations, is banned in Greece. Check labels carefully, because the penalty for the possession of this substance is severe.
There are no required inoculations for Greece, though it is wise to have a typhoid-cholera booster, and to ensure that you are up to date on tetanus and polio. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over six months of age coming from infected areas.
Chemists can diagnose illnesses and supply drugs. There are often long waits for treatment at public hospitals. Hospital facilities on outlying islands are sometimes sparse, although many ambulances without adequate facilities have air ambulance backup.
When travellers, even EU citizens, wish to work in Greece they have to have an HIV test and a psychiatric evaluation, among other things.
Safety
Traditionally Greece has been one of Europe’s safer countries and even today the crime rate is still relatively low. If you leave a bag or wallet at a café, you’ll most likely find it scrupulously looked after, pending your return. Similarly, Greeks are relaxed about leaving possessions unlocked or unattended on the beach, in rooms or on campsites. However, in recent years, there has been a large increase in theft and crime, particularly in the cities and resorts. It is wise to lock things up and treat Greece like any other European destination. For women, harassment is a problem, given the classically Mediterranean machismo of the culture. |
