To go to Greece only to scamper at a frenzied pace, or, conversely, lazily lying on the beach - a crime. In this country you should enjoy: food and wine, the sea and the midday heat, communication with local people and nature, antiquities and silence, discos and fun. All and at once - in another way here still will not work.
Solar Greece is much closer to Russia than it may seem when looking at the map. In fact, if we abstract ourselves from unerringly accurate, boringly correct parallels and meridians for a time, it turns out that, in terms of mentality, our countries - the closest neighbors to the world, and Greeks and Russians, in addition to the Orthodox faith, have a lot in common.
Therefore it is not surprising that Greece has its own (and not small) army of constant admirers in our country. First of all, they are travelers who want to fully taste all the delights of the beach holiday "in Mediterranean" and enjoy an impressive historical excursion, while being among people close in spirit, feeling themselves among their.
Winter guests of Greece are waiting for comfortable low-temperature weather, absence of summer "search" of tourists, a huge number of attractions and a well-developed tourist infrastructure .In addition, in winter, "fur coats", beautiful nature and the opportunity to spend a wonderful holiday in one of the most beautiful islands of the country, Rhodes,.Significantly reduced for the period of low season prices in spa hotels nicely complement the picture, in addition, it is possible to gnaw the granite of science in winter, without distracting the treacherously shining sea under the sun's rays .
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The capital is Athens (Athens). Large cities - Thessaloniki, Patras, Iraklio, Larisa. For a complete list of all the resorts of the country, see the city page and the resorts of Greece.
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How to get
Direct regular flights Moscow - Athens are carried out by Aeroflot and Aegean Airlines, Vim-Avia and Aegean Airlines fly from Moscow to Thessaloniki. Before the Greek islands can be reached by flights with docking in Athens, although in the season there are enough direct flights of the same carriers. For example, in summer, air travel is expanded by charter flights to Crete, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes, Zakynthos (Aeroflot, Transaero, Sky Express, Nord Wind, Aegean Airlines).
In summer, there are charter flights of different airlines from Krasnodar (Crete), Rostov-on-Don (Rhodes, Thessaloniki), Kazan (Crete, Rhodes), Perm (Crete). In winter, you can get to the Greek islands only with docking in Athens or Thessaloniki or through the neighbor-Turkey: to Rhodes through Marmaris, to Kos - from Bodrum.
The airline "International Airlines of Ukraine" carries out regular flights from Kiev to Athens. From Almaty to Athens, the airplanes of "Turkish Airlines" fly (with docking in Istanbul). From Minsk to Athens it is possible to fly only with dockings in Europe.
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Visa to Greece
The Greek visa can be issued at the Consular Section of the Greek Embassy in Moscow (3 working days), at the Greek Visa Center in Moscow (3 working days), at the Consulates General of Greece in St. Petersburg and Novorossiysk (4-10 business days).
Customs
Import and export of currency is not limited. When entering from the territory of non-EU countries, amounts exceeding 10 000 EUR are subject to mandatory declaration. To enter the country, you need to bring your currency with a rate of 50 EUR per person per day. Cash can be checked at the Greek customs. Duty-free import of up to 10 kg of food and drinks, up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, up to a liter of strong alcoholic beverages or 2 liters of wine, as well as gifts for an amount not exceeding 150 EUR is allowed.
It is prohibited to import drugs and narcotic drugs, weapons and ammunition without special permission, poisonous substances and plants in the ground. Prohibited export from the country of antiquities, including stones from archaeological excavations, as well as objects found on the seabed.
Useful phone numbers are
Embassy of Greece in Moscow: Leontief lane., 4; tel .: (495) 690-14-46, 775-37-00, 771-65-10
Consulate General of Greece in Moscow: st. Spiridonovka, 14; Tel .: (495) 539-38-40
Greek visa center in Moscow: Nikitsky b., 17; tel .: (495) 989-96-14
The Russian Embassy in Athens: 28, Nikiforou Litra str., Paleo Psychiko; telephone / fax: (210) 672-52-35, 672-61-30, 674-97-08; website
Consulate General of Russia in Thessaloniki: 5, Dimosthenus str .; telephone / fax: (2310) 257-201, 257-666, 257-202; website
Tourist police in Thessaloniki: (2310) 554-871
Police: 100, ambulance: 150, fire brigade: 199, assistance on the roads: 104
Telephone codes of Athens - 210, Thessaloniki - 2310.
Transport
KTEL intercity buses, reliable and inexpensive, go not only on the mainland, but also transport passengers to the nearest islands: the cost of ferry crossing in such cases is included in the price of the ticket. Long distances are also convenient to cover on the flights of national carriers Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines. In addition, between the many Greek islands, scores of ferry boats, count on them only during the warm season: in winter, flights can be canceled on weather conditions.
Taxis in Greece are many, at the same time they are inexpensive. Payment on the counter, the cost of landing - 1 EUR, 1 km - 0, 34 EUR. From midnight to 5:00 a double tariff applies. In Athens and mainland Greece, these tariffs are observed clearly, but on the islands it is better to negotiate the price in advance. More information about the features of public transport can be found in the article "Transport in Greece."
Rent a car
For the rental of international driving licenses are required, age is not less than 25 and not more than 70 years, driving experience from three years. On average, renting an economy car will cost from 40 EUR per day. A credit card is required everywhere except island Greece. In private rental offices, the requirements are somewhat simpler.
Rent a car in Athens is not necessary: the traffic is erratic, local drivers often ignore the rules and exceed the speed, and park the car in the center is almost impossible. More on safety on Greek roads - in the article "Road safety in Greece."
- Do I need the right to rent a quad in Greece?
Rent a car in Greece with best price guarantee $ $
- From SK Rent - 10% discount for early booking (valid until October 31, 2015)
Safety of tourists
The crime rate in Greece is low, but reasonable precautions will not prevent. You should use the hotel safe for valuables, and change money only in banks or exchange offices. In the noisy Greek markets, the rule "closer to the body" applies - it concerns the purse and personal belongings. How to behave in order not to get into a difficult situation, you can learn from the articles "Dangers of Greece" and "Rules of Conduct in Greece."
- What to bring to Greece?
- Is it dangerous to fly alone to Greece?
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| Views of Simi Island |
The climate of Greece is
In Mediterranean Greece in summer it is hot and dry, and the number of sunny days in a year exceeds 300 .The hottest period lasts from mid-July to mid-August, so lovers of rest at moderate temperatures are better off to rest in Greece in May, June, September and October - in Crete and Rhodes .The islands are always hotter than in Northern Greece..In Athens, about the same average temperature as on the islands, but on the latter the climate is softer, and the heat is transferred more easily .At the beginning and end of summer at night here can be cool because of the constantly blowing breeze .The holiday season on the islands begins earlier than in Northern Greece, and lasts from April to October .In Northern Greece the season lasts from May to September .The softest and most comfortable periods for a stay in the country - May-June and September-October .
See also the current weather forecast for the main Greek resorts for 10 days and the weather analysis in Greece by months.
- Which Greek island is suitable for resting with children in early June?
- What is the weather in Greece in late September - early October? $
- What is the weather in Greece in November?
Beaches
All the beaches in Greece are municipal, therefore, sun loungers and umbrellas - for an additional fee (about 4 EUR per day), many hotels put free sun beds and umbrellas. The vast majority of beaches - sandy, rarely come pebbly. In general, the beaches on the mainland are noisier than on the islands; on the latter there are also many cozy coves and the sea is often quieter.
- Where in Greece are the best beaches
Hotels of Greece
As you know, Greek hotels are not assigned "stars", but categories: deluxe (5 *), A (4 *), B (3 *) and C (2 *). Under the "excursion" is usually offered institutions of categories B and C - simple, but clean and with everything necessary in the rooms (air conditioning, TV, etc.). Beach hotels in Greece are not inferior to the quality of service to their neighbors in the Mediterranean: there are luxurious "five", and good "quartet". There are hotels that are focused on recreation with children.
- Which hotels in Greece are the best for family vacations?
- Where to have a better rest in Greece with children?
- What is the difference between the Greek resorts
Book hotel in Greece at the best price
Banks and exchange points
Banks work on weekdays from 8:30 to 14:00, Fridays close at 13:30. Some central banks are open on Saturdays, but only for currency exchange.
Find an ATM in Greece is easy. Hotels, major tourist centers and supermarkets accept credit cards from major international payment systems (often with a commission of 3-5% commission). Traveler's checks are exchanged in banks and representative offices of the respective companies, but the commission is quite high.
- What are the prices in Greece?
Sirtaki
One of the main symbols of Greece, the dance "sirtaki", in fact is not at all traditional, and even, in some ways, not Greek..The history of the now famous "ta-dame ... ta-dam ... ta-dari-dari-dame ..." began only in 1964, with the screening of the film "Greek Zorba" with Anthony Quinn in the leading role .According to the story Zorba-Quinn should teach his English friend the folk Greek dance .However, on the subject of steps and jumps, the actor was not instructed, and Quinn had to compose on the move the movements under the music specially written by Theodorakis .Dance creativity was complicated by the fact that on the eve of the actor inappropriately broke his leg, so the maximum that he could - elegantly flutter the injured limb .Puzzled director Quinn explained: "Yes this is a Greek dance, called ... uh-uh ... sirtaki - one local taught me" .And in the memoirs admitted that the name was invented, like the whole dance .It seems that if it were not Anthony Quinn's leg, the Greeks would not have been able to dance at weddings!
Cuisine and restaurants in Greece
Greek cuisine is an abundance of vegetables and greens, dairy products (especially soft cheeses), olives and olive oil, bread and wine..Of the "heavy" is often cooked lamb and poultry, do not shy away from beef and pork .We recommend you to try a real Greek salad (as you say, feel the difference), an octopus grill, "moussaka" - a casserole of eggplant, minced meat and tomatoes, "pastitio" - a kind of lasagna, "stifado" - meat stew with onions in wine-cinnamon gravy, "Spetssofa" - pepper sausages with fresh tomatoes, "paedakia" - mutton chops on the grill .
For dessert, it is worth ordering a "general Balkan" baklava or "galaktobureko" - a puff pastry with a cream filling. Be sure to try the delicious Greek wines, aniseed vodka "ouzo" (for an amateur) and, of course, rakiyu.
At any point in the Greek city, any snack bar, shish kebab, pastry shop, coffee house, bar, tavern, drink or beer can be found. Restaurants with international and Greek cuisine are also everywhere, and portions will not hurt even the most hungry travelers.
Greek salad
Meet the recipe of an authentic Greek salad - exactly the one served in the country's taverns.
Ingredients: medium-sized red bulb, 4 tomatoes, medium cucumber, two handfuls of olives of "Kalamata" type without pits, 200 g of "feta" cheese or simply brynza. You will also need two fresh oregano sprigs, a teaspoon dried oregano, white wine vinegar and olive oil (of course - only Greek).
Cut the bulb in half and chop, put into a bowl and sprinkle with dried oregano. Pour vinegar and olive oil, cover and set aside for several hours. Then cut the tomatoes into pieces of medium size, cut the cucumber along, then cut into thick pieces. Mix tomatoes, onions, olives and leaves from one sprig of oregano, refill 2 tbsp. spoons of vinegar and 8 tbsp. spoons of olive oil. Rinse the "feta", sprinkle the remaining oregano and combine with the salad. Steen ishii su!
Shopping and shopping
Shops are open from 9:00 to 15:00 (in summer - from 8:30) and from 17:30 to 20:30 (in the summer - until 21:00). In tourist centers shops can work until late at night and without days off.
In addition to fur coats and all kinds of fur products, it is profitable to buy good knitwear, leather goods and leather shoes in the country .No wonder so many tourists go to Greece for shopping tours .In addition, high-quality and diverse jewelery made of gold and silver is made here .Connoisseurs of antiques will certainly be interested in Athens markets and antique stores .As souvenirs, statuettes from marble and alabaster, "red-figured" and "black-figured" vases, and also other ceramics, laces and embroidery will fall in price cheaper .One of the main products that tourists buy in Greece is olive oil .You can buy it, as in supermarkets, and directly at the airport in the store Duty-free .Also worth paying attention to such products: honey, olives, ouzo .Very often these products replace souvenir gifts for friends and acquaintances .
- What to buy in Greece?
- What to bring from Greece?
Entertainment, Excursions and Attractions in Greece
To get to know Greece real - it's worth starting with the myths of Ancient Greece. They speak not only about the life of the gods, but also, for example, about the origin of the Greek land or the labyrinth of the Minotaur.
As you study the Greek myths, you can safely go on an excursion to Argolida with a visit to the Corinth Canal, a tour of Epidaurus - the ancient theater, the temple of Apollo the healer, the city of Nafplion. Mycenae - "Lion's Gate", the royal tombs, the palace of Mycenaean kings, the tomb of Agamemnon.
Excursion to Delphi - the temple of Apollo (there is the famous oracle), the opportunity to wash the water of the Castal's key, the city of Livadia and Thebes, the village of Arachova. Meteors - massive "sculptures" of a bizarre shape, created by nature, and ancient monasteries (an entrance in open clothes is forbidden, you can get from Kalambaka).
Olympia is the city of Patra (the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called), the Archaeological Museum, the temples of Zeus the Olympian and the Goddess Hera. Port of Piraeus - Archaeological and naval museums, open theater at the top of Profitis Ilias hill.
Macedonia: sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki - acquaintance with the history of the city, sightseeing of the main attractions ("White Tower", Rotunda, triumphal arch, etc.), visiting archaeological excavations, exhibition halls and viewing the Acropolis - Byzantine fortress walls and the Old Town.
A cruise around the Holy Mount Athos is an inspection (from a distance of at least 500 m) of the unique Orthodox monastic republic of Athos, where today there are 20 monasteries and 1700 monks. The cave of Petralona is the place where the remains of an ancient man who lived in Europe were found.
Archaeological excavations are best visited in the morning: in the afternoon there will be too crowded and hot - impressions can be smeared.
On Sundays in Greece, the entrance to all museums is free. Archaeologists, architects, artists and university teachers go free of charge on any day for free to museums and ancient monuments, and students receive a discount of 50%.- What to see in Greece?
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- In all museums in Greece, entry on Sundays is free of charge
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