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GREECE: Ten Things You Really Ought To Know Before You Go!
Article & photos by Helen George
Article & photos by Helen George
| Page 1 of 2 | Next Page |
There’s something exhilarating,
magical, and beguiling about going to
Greece. It’s like going to Disneyland
for the first time: You build yourself up
for something incredibly amazing, and
when you get there, it’s even better!
That’s Greece. Her air, her people, her
food, her music, her history…she is a
country with endless charms and the
creator of warm, everlasting memories.
magical, and beguiling about going to
Greece. It’s like going to Disneyland
for the first time: You build yourself up
for something incredibly amazing, and
when you get there, it’s even better!
That’s Greece. Her air, her people, her
food, her music, her history…she is a
country with endless charms and the
creator of warm, everlasting memories.
But before you go, there are a few
important facts to keep in mind. These
are not meant as a deterrent, by any
means (everyone should go to Greece
at least once in their lives), but rather
as a few bits of wisdom gleaned from
the experience of travelling there five
times in the last three years:
important facts to keep in mind. These
are not meant as a deterrent, by any
means (everyone should go to Greece
at least once in their lives), but rather
as a few bits of wisdom gleaned from
the experience of travelling there five
times in the last three years:
1. PACKING
The suggestion to pack lightly bears repeating. The absolute necessities include:
~ VERY comfortable walking shoes
~ Enough prescription meds to last throughout your trip
~ Prescription glasses and/or contacts
~ Cash and/or credit/debit cards
~ And, of course, your passport
The suggestion to pack lightly bears repeating. The absolute necessities include:
~ VERY comfortable walking shoes
~ Enough prescription meds to last throughout your trip
~ Prescription glasses and/or contacts
~ Cash and/or credit/debit cards
~ And, of course, your passport
Keep clothing light, but bring a sweatshirt, sweater or light jacket for any possible cool weather. However,
depending on what time of year you’re going, it’s usually warm and slightly humid, even in the evenings, so
you won’t need much in the way of heavy clothing. And make sure to leave room in your luggage for some
fun souvenirs and maybe a little ouzo and olive oil!
depending on what time of year you’re going, it’s usually warm and slightly humid, even in the evenings, so
you won’t need much in the way of heavy clothing. And make sure to leave room in your luggage for some
fun souvenirs and maybe a little ouzo and olive oil!
2. LAYOVERS
Some itineraries include long layovers at airports; a 12-hour wait at JFK comes to mind. But you can usually
find something to fill those seemingly endless hours. There are plenty of places in most airports to sit and
have something to drink and eat or do a little shopping. Also, you can make the time go quicker if you have
something to read or if you bring a travel-friendly game with you, like cards or dice. One of my personal
favorites is a game in which you toss little rubber pigs instead of dice, and score according to how they
land. Seriously.
You can also sometimes take advantage of long layovers by taking a quick tour of the city you're in. A
recent 7-hour layover in Brussels prompted us to contact our friends in Antwerp, who picked us up at the
airport and took us on a tour of the city, including a little shopping and a marvelous lunch.
On the other hand, you should keep an eye on layovers that are too short and don’t give you ample time to
make your connecting flights. This is especially important on overseas flights, which usually require being at
the airport two hours ahead of departure times. Watch for this when making your flight plans.
Some itineraries include long layovers at airports; a 12-hour wait at JFK comes to mind. But you can usually
find something to fill those seemingly endless hours. There are plenty of places in most airports to sit and
have something to drink and eat or do a little shopping. Also, you can make the time go quicker if you have
something to read or if you bring a travel-friendly game with you, like cards or dice. One of my personal
favorites is a game in which you toss little rubber pigs instead of dice, and score according to how they
land. Seriously.
You can also sometimes take advantage of long layovers by taking a quick tour of the city you're in. A
recent 7-hour layover in Brussels prompted us to contact our friends in Antwerp, who picked us up at the
airport and took us on a tour of the city, including a little shopping and a marvelous lunch.
On the other hand, you should keep an eye on layovers that are too short and don’t give you ample time to
make your connecting flights. This is especially important on overseas flights, which usually require being at
the airport two hours ahead of departure times. Watch for this when making your flight plans.
3. FLIGHT/GATE CHANGES
Speaking of airports, check the overhead Departures boards frequently. These days,
it’s quite common for your gate to change, often more than once. Flight times can also change, and
sometimes flights are cancelled altogether. Most airlines provide you with alternatives and can often put
you on standby on the next flight to your destination, especially if you let them know that you need to make
your next connection on time. But the sooner you’re aware of the change, the better your chances are of
getting on that next flight, so keep an eye on those boards!
Speaking of airports, check the overhead Departures boards frequently. These days,
it’s quite common for your gate to change, often more than once. Flight times can also change, and
sometimes flights are cancelled altogether. Most airlines provide you with alternatives and can often put
you on standby on the next flight to your destination, especially if you let them know that you need to make
your next connection on time. But the sooner you’re aware of the change, the better your chances are of
getting on that next flight, so keep an eye on those boards!
4. PAY WITH CASH
Payment in Greece is almost exclusively done with cash, in Euros. Hotels will usually accept major credit
cards, but most other places…tavernas/restaurants/cafés, taxis, kiosks, street vendors, groceries and other
types of shops…deal strictly in cash.
You should familiarize yourself with current exchange rates between Euros and US Dollars before going on
your trip. Also, when you use ATM’s in Greece, the transactions will appear on your bank statement as the
US Dollar equivalent of your Euro withdrawals. So, if you withdraw 200 Euros at an ATM in Greece (or any
country that uses Euros), and the current exchange rate is $1.42 USD for every one (1) Euro, your
statement will show a withdrawal amount of $284.00.
Payment in Greece is almost exclusively done with cash, in Euros. Hotels will usually accept major credit
cards, but most other places…tavernas/restaurants/cafés, taxis, kiosks, street vendors, groceries and other
types of shops…deal strictly in cash.
You should familiarize yourself with current exchange rates between Euros and US Dollars before going on
your trip. Also, when you use ATM’s in Greece, the transactions will appear on your bank statement as the
US Dollar equivalent of your Euro withdrawals. So, if you withdraw 200 Euros at an ATM in Greece (or any
country that uses Euros), and the current exchange rate is $1.42 USD for every one (1) Euro, your
statement will show a withdrawal amount of $284.00.
| WAVE Journey.com Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
TM
A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses & services
around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this website
is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in finding businesses
or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online travel resource.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses & services
around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this website
is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in finding businesses
or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online travel resource.
5. HOTEL ROOMS
Hotel rooms in Europe, as a rule, are considerably
smaller than hotel rooms in the U.S. This is
certainly the case in Greece. Some of the larger
chains and high-end hotels on the mainland and
on a few of the popular islands are the exception,
but be prepared to pay premium rates for these.
On many of the lesser-known islands and small
mainland villages, you won’t find those types of
places. Instead, you’ll find charm and
uniqueness, and always cleanliness, in which the
Greeks take great pride. You’ll also usually find
breakfast is included. But bring your own
washcloths because, for some reason, those are
frequently NOT included. Sink stoppers are also
often missing from these rooms.
Hotel rooms in Europe, as a rule, are considerably
smaller than hotel rooms in the U.S. This is
certainly the case in Greece. Some of the larger
chains and high-end hotels on the mainland and
on a few of the popular islands are the exception,
but be prepared to pay premium rates for these.
On many of the lesser-known islands and small
mainland villages, you won’t find those types of
places. Instead, you’ll find charm and
uniqueness, and always cleanliness, in which the
Greeks take great pride. You’ll also usually find
breakfast is included. But bring your own
washcloths because, for some reason, those are
frequently NOT included. Sink stoppers are also
often missing from these rooms.
6. BATHROOMS
There are various and sundry oddities of the Greek “twalletta”… or “WC,” as it’s referred to on most of the
signs. One of these is figuring out how to flush…there are a number of different methods.
There are various and sundry oddities of the Greek “twalletta”… or “WC,” as it’s referred to on most of the
signs. One of these is figuring out how to flush…there are a number of different methods.
What’s really important to remember, however, is that in 99% of their bathrooms, they ask that you do NOT
put toilet paper in the toilet. There is always a receptacle provided for this purpose. It’s not an easy
practice to get used to, but do make an effort. Greece is an old, old country, and their sewage and septic
systems are highly challenged, to say the least. It’s always best not to cause your hosts any undue and
unsavory labor, having to clean up an overflowing twalletta!
put toilet paper in the toilet. There is always a receptacle provided for this purpose. It’s not an easy
practice to get used to, but do make an effort. Greece is an old, old country, and their sewage and septic
systems are highly challenged, to say the least. It’s always best not to cause your hosts any undue and
unsavory labor, having to clean up an overflowing twalletta!