Chris
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Yes, all of the islands are so different. I went to Crete on my honeymoon and it was fantastic. I used to live in Greece and still visit frequently. I like to make most of my plans myself, since some things like schedules with ferrys are subject to change.
Mykanos is a party place, Rhodes is gorgeous and great for shopping, Crete is beautiful.
I recommend flying into Athens, and then staying on night to catch up on sleep, or flying directly to your destination, that day.
Spending a couple (2-3) days in Athens, is highly recommended. You can do this at the begining or end of your trip since that is usually where you are flying in and out of. Taxis are reasonable and the best things to see are the obvious: The parthenon, museums, Olympic stadium. I took bus tours once I arrived, that were arranged throught the hotel, most hotels, will be able to arrange this. If not the airport has several travel agencies that will be happy to help you plan most of your last minute flights, and tour arrangements.
I recommend flying Olympic for inter Greece travel, you can go to thier web site to book ahead.
I would also get some free travel guides on the web sites. I got maps from a local book store or the island(s) I planned to visit.
I hear Santorini and Hios, are also great places to visit with a lot of culure.
Expedia.com was very helpful with the hotels, because you can usually see what the hotel rooms will look like. But if you are trying for low budget, then you might want to be more flexible and look for lodging when you get to the island. If you ask around there are usually homes that rent out separate rooms, and it can be quite an adventure.
WARNING: If you make a trip plan with a local(greek) tour guide, ask for your itenerary to be printed in military time(greeks call this german time system). My freinds and I planned a ferry ride to another island the next day, the girl at the tour center told us it was at 3 in the afternoon. We showed up at the port with all of our luggage, and missed the boat, because it was actually 3 in the morning it left. Be very careful about this. Not everyone is as bad at this, but just to be safe learn military time. Which the germans use, all the time. Ask if it is a trip for 0300 or 1500.
Greece is a beautiful place renting a car or a motor bike is a great suggestion.
It may be a good idea to talk to a greek tour guide in America to get some idea of where you want to go. They can ask you questions like if you like being where the clubs and party is at or if you want to be on a more secluded island, with less tourist. I don't recommend, the secluded(empty) islands, usually that means there is less to see or do there. Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Ahtens, have a lot to see and do, to peak your interest and show you the culture, shopping, etc.
Mykanos is know for being a party place, maybe too much party if you are older, unless you go on off season. If you are gay this is supposidly the place to visit though.
Good luck with your trip check my sites below. And look through some tour books at the library or your local book store. !! I wish I was going !! |
Gussie
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One step is to definitely read the US State Department's travel information sheet on Greece. Here it is.
Greece is a developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Greece for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required, but no visa is needed for tourist or business stays of up to three months. That period begins when entering any of the following countries which are parties to the Schengen agreement: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. For other entry requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy of Greece at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-5800, or Greek consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Tampa, New York, and San Francisco, and Greek embassies and consulates around the world. See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Greece and other countries. Visit the Embassy of Greece web site at http://www.greekembassy.org for the most current visa information.
Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.
See Entry and Exit Requirements for more information pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction. Please refer to our Customs Information to learn more about customs regulations.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the heightened threat of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. Like other countries that are members of the Schengen Agreement for free cross-border movement, Greece’s open borders with its European neighbors allow the possibility for terrorist groups entering and exiting the country with anonymity. In addition, there are domestic radical organizations that engage in violent acts in Greece. Although these activities in recent years have been primarily against economic and Greek government targets, they continue to pose a danger to Greeks and to foreign visitors.
While strikes and demonstrations are a regular occurrence in Greece, violent civil disorder is rare. Visitors should keep abreast of news about demonstrations. When there are demonstrations, visitors should be aware of and avoid places where demonstrators frequently congregate, such as the Polytechnic University area, and Exarchion and Syntagma Squares in Athens, and Aristotle Square in Thessaloniki. Greek police are prohibited generally from entering Greek public university campuses, which can be sites of demonstrations; American students and educators visiting there need to be aware of this.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.
Up-to-date information of safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Crimes against tourists (such as purse-snatchings and pick-pocketing) have occurred at popular tourist sites and on crowded public transportation, particularly in Athens. Reports of date or acquaintance rape also occasionally occur, though there have been very few reported cases of sexual assault against Americans. The majority of these offenses take place on the islands. The usual safety precautions practiced in any urban or tourist area should be practiced during a visit to Greece.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities are adequate, and some, particularly the private clinics and hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki, are quite good. Some private hospitals have affiliations with U.S. facilities, and generally their staff doctors have been trained in U.S. or other international teaching institutions. However, English is not as widely spoken as might be expected. Public medical clinics, especially on the islands, may lack resources; care there can be inadequate by American standards, and often, little English is spoken. Many patients, Greeks and visitors alike, are transferred from the provinces and islands to Athens hospitals for more sophisticated care. Others may choose to transfer from a public to a private hospital within Athens. Americans choosing to do so would arrange for an ambulance belonging to the private hospital to transport them from the public hospital to the private one. The cost of the ambulance for this transfer, as well as all expenses in a private hospital, must be borne by the patient. It is not uncommon for doctors and patients to smoke in the wards, although the newer hospitals are increasingly strict on this matter.
Nursing care, particularly in public hospitals, may be less than adequate. For special or through-the-night nursing care, it is suggested that a private nurse be hired or a family member or friend be available to assist. One parent or a private nurse should always plan to stay with a hospitalized child on a 24-hour basis, as even the best hospitals generally maintain only a minimal nursing staff from midnight to dawn on non-emergency floors or wards.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained locally from the Greek Ministry of Health at telephone 210-521-2000 or online at www.keel.org.gr, or from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance companies prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policies apply overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas .
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Greece is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
There are a number of nationwide auto-service clubs and plans similar to those in the U.S., that provide towing and roadside service, which a tourist can call and pay for per service. The largest, quite similar to AAA, is ELPA, nation-wide phone number 10400.
Visitors to Greece must be prepared to drive defensively. Drivers and pedestrians alike should exercise extreme caution when operating motor vehicles or when walking along roadways. Heavy traffic and poor highways pose hazards, especially at night. Extreme care is warranted in operating a motorbike. Moreover, tourists who rent motorbikes either on the Greek mainland or its islands must wear helmets and take special precautions on local roads that are typically poorly maintained and frequently pothole-ridden. The majority of U.S. citizen traffic casualties in Greece have involved motorbikes. Greece has a poor record within the European Union in motorcycle deaths.
Drivers must carry a valid U.S. license as well as an international driver's permit (IDP). Failure to have both documents may result in police detention or other problems. The U.S. Department of State has authorized two organizations to issue IDPs to those who hold valid U.S. driver's licenses: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance. Issuance of an IDP is quick, easy, and inexpensive, but must generally be done before a traveler leaves the United States. Vehicles may not properly be rented without the IDP, although sometimes they are. A driver without one, however, will be penalized for failure to have one in the event of an accident, and may be open to civil suit as well. Fines are high. Small motorbike rental firms frequently do not insure their vehicles; customers are responsible for damages and should review their coverage before renting.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of the Greece’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at http://www.gnto.gr.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government ofGreece’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Greece’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Greek customs authorities have strict regulations concerning the export from Greece of antiquities, including rocks from archaeological sites. Penalties range from large fines to prison terms. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Greece in Washington, or one of Greece's consulates in the United States, for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see ourCustoms Information.
In addition to being subject to all Greek laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Greek citizens. Greek males between the ages of 20 and 45 are required by Greek law to perform military service. This applies to any individual whom the Greek authorities consider to be Greek, regardless of whether or not the individual considers himself Greek, has a foreign citizenship and passport, or was born or lives outside of Greece. If remaining in Greece for more than the 90-day period permitted for tourism or business, men of Greek descent may be prevented from leaving Greece until they complete their military obligations. Generally, obligatory non-voluntary military service in Greece will not affect US citizenship. Specific questions on this subject should be addressed to the citizenship section of the US Embassy in Athens. For additional information, see our information on Citizenship and Nationality. For additional information regarding military service requirements, contact the nearest Greek embassy or consulate as listed above.
Labor strikes in the transportation sector (national airline, city bus lines, and taxis) occur frequently. Most are announced in advance and are of short duration. Reconfirmation of domestic and international flight reservations is highly recommended.
The Government of Greece does not permit the photographing of military installations. In 2001, several British and other nationals who photograph military aircraft as a hobby were arrested while taking photographs of aircraft taking off and landing at a military base. Although they were eventually acquitted, the Embassy strongly recommends against participating in such activities.
The Greek islands are extremely popular tourist destinations in the summer months. With overall tourist numbers markedly up since the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and with an increased emphasis on ferryboat safety reducing the total number of vessels in daily inter-island service, airline tickets and ferryboat berths to the Aegean Greek islands can be hard to come by in July and August without prior arrangements. Visitors to Greece are urged to book their island travel in these months as early as possible. There are numerous local travel agencies that can provide such bookings; the agents uniformly speak excellent English and the costs are no higher than if dealing with the carriers directly.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offences. Persons violating Greek laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Greece are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues website.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Greece are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Greece. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Athens is located at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, tel: (30)(210) 721-2951. The U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki is located at Plateia Commercial Center, 43 Tsimiski Street, 7th floor, tel: (30)(2310) 242-905. The Embassy's web site is http://www.usembassy.gr/. The e-mail address for the Consular Section is athensconsul@state.gov. The web site for the U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki is http://www.usconsulate.gr/. The Consulate’s e-mail address is amcongen@compulink.gr. |
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