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Greece
Summary: Greece is in southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey, and is mostly mountainous with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands. A heavily travelled area by tourists, Greece has a remarkable contrast between its ancient ruins and architecture, and its surprisingly modern infrastructure.
Capital: Athens
Time Zone: DST +0300 UTC
Population: 10,722,816
Languages: Greek, English, French
Power: 220 V, 50 Hz
Currency: Euro
- Currently 1 EUR € = 1.2687 USD $
Climate: Greece is temperate: mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
- Currently 61º, Mostly Cloudy
Recent Headlines:
Karagounis looks in shape for Greece - UEFA News - Jun 07 1:01 PM
Stelios Giannakopoulos counting on fans to help raise Greece's team - Canadian Press via Yahoo! News - Jun 07 8:51 AM
Germany coach writes open letter to fans, says Greece is the model - Canadian Press via Yahoo! News - Jun 07 11:20 AM
Sweden's sits out practice ahead of Euro 2008 opener against Greece - Canadian Press via Yahoo! News - Jun 07 12:33 PM
Greece, Israel, Cyprus to share transplant organs - Naples Daily News - Jun 05 8:40 PM
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 Athens: Athens is the birthplace of democracy, and has some of the world's most historic architecture, including the Theater of Dionysus, the Roman Forum, Hadrian's Arch and, of course, the Parthenon. Fortunately, to save yourself from the smog, most attractions are in the same area of the city. |
 Crete: Crete is the largest of the Greek isles, and is host to a quarter of all tourists to Greece, some coming to hike along Samaria Gorge, backpack to the strained Paleohora, a hippie-touched fishing village, or to see the small villages on the southern coast. A visit to Knossos will reveal the Minoan civilization, source of the myths of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, with the palace just outside Iraklio with a visit. |
 Santorini: Rumored to be the source of the Atlantis myths, Santorini was nearly destroyed, as were several nearby cultures, by a massive volcanic eruption about 1400 BC. Beaches and taverns are the destination of most tourists, although walking around the countryside is also attractive. |
 Parnassus: On the Isle of Crete is Mount Parnassus, the home of the Tholos temple, the temple of Delphi, and the Delphi museum, the legendary home of the Muses. A trip to here is worthwhile to soak up some of the history of Greece while avoiding most of the tourist crowd. |
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Taxi?: Driving cars or motorbikes in Greece can be risky, as the roads are rated among the most hazardous in Europe.
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Toilets: In some areas, the pipes leading from the toilets are old and narrow. As a result, special bins are set aside with signs asking that paper be deposited inside.
Water: The water where tourists frequent is safe and chlorinated. As it is so hot, you can usually find bottled water handily, and many kiosks are open 24/7 to serve.
When To Visit: Between Easter and mid-June is the best time to visit. The beaches and ancient sites are relatively uncrowded, and hotel stays are cheaper just before the high season. The Hellenic Festival kicks off mid-June as well.
Food: Traditional foods like tzatziki, a cucumber and yogurt dip, souvlaki, grilled meat in pita bread, and spanakopita, a spinach and cheese pie, are easy to find. Popular main dishes include mousakas or moussaka, eggplant baked with minced meat, and the horiatiki salata, a garden salad with feta cheese and olives, and finally ouzo, the well known liquor.
Phrases: Yes = ne, No = ohi, hello and bye = yasu.
Tipping: For the most part, the service charge is included in the bill from taxis, restaurants and hotels, but round up the bill and/or leave the change.
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