GREECE


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Fast Facts

Practicalities

Language: Greek

Currency and Money: Euro, Travellers cheques, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in the major resorts.

Cost of living: Eating out on a budget cost approx 5 Euros for a take away and soft drink, mid-range 15 Euros for a meal in a restaurant, top end 30 Euros for a meal in restaurant, half a bottle of wine 4 Euros, coffee 2 Euros, beer 2.5 Euros, ice cream 3 Euros and Petrol 75 cents per litre. Prices are approximate and may change.

Tourist Office: Should you require further information and/or literature you can contact their London office at the following address: National Tourist Office of Greece, 4 Conduit Street, London WIR 0DJ. Tel: 020 7734 5997

Events
There are a number of events which you might be lucky enough to participate in during your stay. All the major religious and folk festivals are celebrated. Some of the more notable ones are listed below. Keep an eye open for any village festival taking place on your chosen island, such as Agia Mavra festival in Zakynthos which takes place on the 1st Sunday in June or the Skiathos Summer Festival. Qssumption day - 15 August, Ochi Day - 28 October.

Activities
Wherever you stay make sure you take in a meal in a Greek restaurant and a enjoy a meze and some Greek dancing. Water sports are readily available in many of the resorts and the clear blue seas are the ideal venue for snorkelling and hiring a pedalo.

Recommended Reading

Greek Myths Complete Edition by Robert Graves
Greek Language and People by David A Hardy
Captain Corellis Island - Cephallonia by Andy and Terry Harris
A House in Corfu by Emma Tennant

Loggerhead Turtles
Loggerheads turtles nest and lay their eggs in the soft golden sand along some parts of the Kefalonia and Zakynthos coastlines. The survival of the loggerhead turtle is becoming threatened. To help enable their survival there are a number of rules that you should adhere to. There are designated areas on the beach set aside for turtles; ensure that you do not wander here and disturb the hatchlings. If you can make a contribution in resort to the turtles survival then you will help keep alive a 90 million year old species.

Explore Greece

Greece has plenty to offer besides its fabulous beach life. Your holiday would not be complete without a day or two exploring beyond your chosen resort. Take one of our excursions or hire a car and drive up into the mountains to visit some picturesque villages where time seems to have stood still. There is a mile after mile of peaceful olive groves, the lush green pine forests of Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia and the rugged landscapes of Rhodes and Kos. This is a country steeped in ancient mystery and you cant help but be impressed by the constant reminders of classical civilisations. Wherever you to choose to go in Greece, you'll see remnants of the past; the Palace of Knossos in Crete, the Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes, the Achilleion Palace in Corfu, or even the tiny churches and shrines along the sides of the road.

Getting around
Taxis are readily available in all destinations but to really see the islands why not hire your own car and drive up into the mountains to visit the real Greece. In Zakynthos hire a pedalo from Kalamaki or Laganas to see the Loggerhead Turtles or take a boat trip from Halkidiki across the Torroneous Gulf. Ferries operate between many of the Greek islands allowing you to visit two islands in the same holiday.

Eating and Drinking
All resorts have a wide variety of places to eat, including Greek, Italian, English and international restaurants. Local specialities include 'Barbounia sta Karvouna', barbecued red mullet, 'Youvetsi', chunks of beef with pasta, red wine and tomato sauce and 'Tzatziki', a yoghurt, garlic and cucumber dip. More widely known dishes include pork kebabs and grilled lamb or chicken. Drink specialities include 'Ouzo' an aniseed based spirit and 'Metaxa' a local brandy. There are also a number of locally produced wines available.

Local interest and culture
The Greeks are proud of their tradition of filoxenia - the love of strangers - and will do all they can to make you feel welcome. Charming tavernas serve traditional Greek food at very good prices and the service you receive is warm and friendly, if rather laid back compared to British restaurants! But this is the beauty of the Greek lifestyle, and it wont be long before you too are relaxing in your chair, sharing a selection of delicious Greek meze, and taking your time over every meal.

Beaches
The stillness of the Aegean Sea and the breeze of the cooling Meltemi wind, which crosses many of the islands in the hottest summer months, make Greece an ideal destination for windsurfing and other water sports. The beach is the focal point of most resorts, and beautiful beaches, ranging from long, sandy expanses to small, rocky secluded coves, are the envy of many other Mediterranean destinations. In many areas, such as the northern resorts of Corfu and Halkidiki, the beaches have very shallow shelving waters, ideal for children.

Entertainment
Evening entertainment varies greatly around Greece, there is a huge choice of pace and style so choose the resort to suit your needs. Those seeking a lively atmosphere will love the bars and clubs of Laganas in Zakythos or Faliraki in Rhodes, while those looking for a more peaceful holiday, may enjoy the friendly and relaxed bars and tavernas in the quieter islands of Skiathos or Kefalonia.

Your Islands

IONIANS

Corfu

Clear shallow waters and golden sandy beaches make this island perfect for families.
An island of contrasts, offering spectacular scenery and a wealth of architecture as well as excellent entertainment, great food and value for money.

Kefalonia

Discover lush green forests, mountain ranges and beautiful stretches of sand.
The perfect choice for a relaxing holiday.

Zakynthos

Discover beautiful sandy beaches, pine covered hills and spectacular cliffs.
Something for all holidaymakers from the lively nightlife in Laganas to the many beaches, untouched by tourism.

SPORADES

Skiathos

Boasting over 60 beaches this island is the ideal base for a relaxing holiday.
Cosmopolitan Skiathos Town complements the relaxing atmosphere of the beach resorts.

DODECANESE

Kos

Shallow waters and shelving sands make Kos' beaches popular with families and couples.
Choose from 3 very different resorts all offering varied nightlife and delicious tavernas.

Rhodes

The home of Acropolis, this island offers a fascinating combination of history and natural attractions.
Enjoying the best sunshine record of all the islands, Rhodes also offers superb sandy beaches.

MAINLAND GREECE

Halkidiki

The home of beautiful beaches, brilliant blue seas and a distinctly Greek atmosphere, Halkidiki is perfect for families and holiday makers of all ages.
Less commercialised than some of the other Greek destinations, Halkidiki still boasts an excellent selection of facilities for the holidaymaker including restaurants, bars and a plentiful supply of shops.