Greece Travel Tips and Guide

Greece is situated on the tip of Balkan Peninsula. It is formally known as Hellenic Republic. This is the historical name of Greece. Greece has a very vast history. It is also considered as the cradle of Western civilization and the place of birth of democracy. Tourism plays a very important role in the economy of Greece and that is the reason Greece is known as city of Olympia. In the last 50 years, the tourist industry of Greece has expanded more than 50 %. It expected to expand more in the coming years. There are many facilities for tourist in Greece. There are many places in Greece to visit like coast of Aegean Sea, Peloponnesus with antique Olympia, Athens with its Parthenon on the Acropolis, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Kefalonia, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian Islands and Sporades islands.

Olympia Greece is known for Olympic Games of the traditional times. In 294 AD, the Emperor Theodosius destroyed all the games. The first Olympic Games were held in Olympia in the honor of Zeus.  When the modern Olympics were introduced in Athens, in 2004, the men's and women's gunshot competition was held at the restored Olympia Stadium. This town has a train station too. The area of Olympia Greece is mountainous and forested.  Panagiotis Kondylis , the modern Greek philosophers, was also born and raised in Olympia. Olympia Greece is of historic importance.  You can visit this place with your family and friends. If you want to make your vacations more memorable, then you should visit Olympia Greece. There are many places in Greece but Olympia has its own importance. It is the center of Olympic Games. The historic monuments and forest near by Olympia provide a beautiful and calm atmosphere. You can learn about the history of Greece from visiting this place. This place has its own importance in the history.

Many students and researchers come to this town for research purposes.  If you are in Greece, then you must visit the Olympia. There are many resorts in Olympia Greece. All these resorts offers great atmosphere to the people. You should not worry about your stay in Greece because there are many Hotels and resorts where you can stay during your vacations. If you are planning to visit Greece, then you must visit Olympia too.

Olympia is the place where you can find both history and the beauty. There are many other places in Greece but Olympia has its own importance and value. Now you do not need to search different places in Greece you can just come straight to the Olympia. Plane your holidays in Greece Olympia this year and have a lot of fun with your family or loved one

Greece is located in southeastern part of Europe. If you want to see nature from the closest corner of the earth, you must visit Greece. Greece is a place, where you can see a perfect blending of nature and history. All the famous places in Greece bear this significance, which is the main focus for thousands of tourists, who come to visit this beautiful European country. Do you know tourism in Greece is one of the main sources of revenue in this country? You will find every kind of facilities in Greece. According to the statistics, most of the tourists to Greece come from China. Given below are the famous places in Greece:

Main attractions in Greece:

Athens: Athens is the capital and the largest city in the country. This city alone attracts maximum number of tourists every year. Athens, which is also known as the heart of arts and philosophy in the ancient world, has emerged as one of the highlighted places in Europe after 2004 Olympic Games. This city offers some of the greatest museums including The National Archaeological Museum and the Benaki Museum, where the visitors can witness the best of all Greek arts. Another popular sight in Greece, is The Greek temple, has great historical importance, as Phidias built it.

Corfu: Corfu is one of the most romantic places on earth. This is a must-visit for honeymoon couples. This is a small island, which is located in the Ionian Sea. This island has 217 kilometers long coastline and also has a number of beautiful sea beaches across the coastline. This island has a unique history, which attracts many tourists to the island. If you head towards the Corfu town, you will see amazing Greek architecture. In a nutshell, you can behold history in the architecture of Corfu and some of the brightest examples include the palace of Mon Repos and the City Hall, and Venetian-Roman style architecture. 

Santorini: Santorini is one of the major tourist destinations in Greece. Santorini is a volcanic and circular shaped archipelago, located in the Aegean Sea. It is said that the group of islands were formed by continuous volcanic eruptions. One of the most interesting tourist spots in Santorini is the lagoon, which is located amidst three cliffs. The town of Santorini is also very beautiful, as it is located on one of the cliffs. Kamari and Perissa black sandy beaches also make famous tourist attraction for action lovers.

Rhodes: Rhodes or Colossus of Rhodes is a small island in the eastern part of Greece. This small island is located in the Aegean Sea. This island is famous for historical sites such as the Acropolis of Lindos, Acropolis of Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo, the old town of Rhodes etc. This island is also famous for another reason. Rhodes has a colorful nightlife, so if you are looking for a place, where you can enjoy a vibrant life, Rhodes is the place for you. This island is considered one of the major tourist hot spots in Greece for sites like the Medieval City of Rhodes and the Grand Master's Palace.

These are some famous places in Greece. Apart from these, there are many places in Greece like Kos, Kefalonia, Crete, and Mykonos, which are worth a visit.

One of the most precious and significant days of every couples life is the day they become one in marriage. Many couples are choosing Greece as a wedding destination because it offers some of the most magical and mystical views, with incredible festivals seemingly every month of the year and some of the world's most breathtaking sunsets all while being reasonably priced.

First, the legalities that must be met to marry in Greece.

EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS:

Couples are required to present birth certificates that have been translated into Greek and that carry an apostille stamp. The apostille stamp is an authentication seal placed on any documents for use abroad. They are available at your local Foreign Ministry.

Letters of No Impediment, also sealed with an apostille stamp stating that both are free to legal marry. This serves as your marriage license. Copies of divorce decrees, if any and copies of passports, no translation needed for either.

With the serious formalities taken care of, we can get down to the interesting and pleasurable portion of planning the prefect wedding in Greece, selecting the location and planning the actual ceremony.

It is a good idea to hire a wedding consultant in Greece. There are many affordable services that handle all of the paperwork and offer packages for Civil Ceremonies, Catholic Ceremonies, Gay Ceremonies as well as Greek Orthodox.

There are some incredible locations to choose from, most of which include extraordinary ocean views. Mykonos, dubbed the jewel of the Aegean Sea, is perhaps the most famous of the Greek Islands and is a top pick among couples. Imagine a sunset ceremony beneath a deep blue sky and a deeper blue ocean with a backdrop of windmills and cubist whitewashed architecture. Few sights can compare.

Perhaps, a bit more adventurous locale will best suit your passions and Mount Olympus an the isle of Cyprus could just be the prefect selection. Cyprus is the third largest isle in the Mediterranean and each year more and more couples are exchanging vows stop the isle's highest peak, Mount Olympus. It is also the location of the of the annual festival to Aphrodite in the fall and one of the best times to mix festivals and merriment with your special day.

Another of the many Greek isle, Santorini is among the most popular venues for weddings. It is easy to comprehend why. What could be more mystical than exchanging vows in the shadow of a volcano overlooking the clear blue sea?

Many partners choose to have their wedding ceremony coincide with one the many Greek Festivals. There are far too many to name them all, but following are a few of the more important religious festivals.

January 1: New Year's Day: Known as the feast of Ayios Vassillios or Saint Basil is celebrated on this day with a church service and children exchange gifts.

January 6: Epiphany: This is the feast of Fota and celebrates the vanquishing evil spirits and the blessing of the waters.

April to May: Easter: The most celebrated time of the year in Greece is Easter, with easer Sunday being the most revered of all days and every village through out all of Greece.

December 25: Christmas: This is a time for celebrating the birth of Christ and Greeks enjoy numerous musical festivals and shopping festivals at this time.

There a few places on the planet that offer as exquisite a selection of wedding venues as Greece and wedding packages average between 1,950 and 4,390 Euro, with the cost coinciding with amenities chosen.

Greece has something special for everyone and promises to make your wedding ceremony a timeless memory that will for ever hold a magical place in your heart.

With the choice of basing yourself on the historic mainland or on one of the multitude of spectacular islands on offer, you are sure to easily find the perfect place to spend your holidays in Greece.  There are in fact over 70 islands with at least 100 people living on them, so whether you want a really quiet retreat or a big and brash lively resort the possibilities are endless. 

No matter where you end up, the summer season which runs mainly between May and October in Greece will usually ensure that you will be able to enjoy a hot and dry holiday.  It is not recommended though to travel in the winter months if you’re in search of the sunshine because the temperatures are very likely to plummet.  Many ferry services are available between the islands, meaning that it’s straight forward hopping from island to island if you fancy exploring still further.

Greece is also one of the best places around to find cheap holiday deals for single travellers who are looking to get themselves away.  Many places don’t charge under occupancy supplements which hinder single travellers so much in other destinations.  Many of the main tourist islands such as Rhodes, Crete, Corfu, Zante, Santorini and Skiathos (to name but a few) have a plethora of jaw-dropping, rugged scenery to enjoy with many beautiful bays on offer also.  

In Greece, you are certain to receive a warm and welcoming greeting from the friendly locals who will make you feel relaxed and able to forget all about your worries as you embrace their fascinating culture.  And despite the strong position of the euro against the pound, you will find holidays in Greece more affordable than you’re expecting as food and drink are both priced reasonably here, allowing you to make the most of your time away.

The Greek Islands are one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. The warm, sunny weather, breathtaking scenery and miles of golden beaches all make it a must visit place for anyone wishing to get away from wet, wintery weather, and that's just the mainland. What makes Greece unique among sunny holiday destinations in the Mediteranean is the abundance of beautiful islands that are worth visiting. Santorini is one such island.

Santorini is one of the most picturesque and unusual of the Greek islands thanks in large part to the fact that it is made of what remains from a volcanic explosion that occurred years ago. There is a thriving community on the island and the nightlife is as spectacular and entertaining as the island is beautiful. The island has a reputation for luxury which is reflected in the boutique hotels in Santorini, which are some of the best in the world. If you are thinking of making Santorini your holiday destination some time soon you'll be pleasantly surprised at what's on offer. The island may look and feel like it's been forgotten by time in all the right ways, but the facilities in boutique hotels in Santorini are certainly not second rate.

Poetry in motion - The 'Homeric Poem's luxury hotel is one of the most romantic boutique hotels in Santorini. It attracts honeymooners who loose themselves in the picturesque views across the volcanic crater out to sea and also writers looking to find inspiration in the myths and legends that are linked to the place. If it's style your looking for the 'Homeric Poems' has everything you'll need for your stay. There are self catering facilities should you wish to take advantage of them and it is one of the many boutique hotels in Santorini that have a stunning swimming pool with poolside bar. There are sauna and massage facilities and all nineteen suites have private terraces, ideal for couples on a romantic break or individuals looking for piece and tranquility.

Watch the sun go down - One of the most exclusive boutique hotels in Santorini is Katikies. Again it is popular with honeymooners but is also popular with the monied jet set who take advantage of its ideal location and state of the art facilities to enjoy a break away from everything. The views across the ocean as the sun sets are breathtaking and worth the journey to Santorini alone. With three swimming pools and a rooftop fine dining restaurant the Katikies is the height of luxury and even the most basic room has a private terrace that faces the extinct volcanic crater. There is also a villa available for hire that has seven rooms but is no less luxurious.

Old school charm - If views over the volcanic crater aren't a priority then one of the best inland boutique hotels in Santorini is 'Zannos Melathron'. The name means mansion and was built in the 19th century by Michael Zannos. Situated in the inland village of Pygros the hotel has all the charm of a a traditional cottage but with all the room and the luxury facilities that you'd expect from boutique hotels in Santorini. There is a Michelin star quality menu in the hotel restaurant and many people consider the food to be some of the finest in the whole of Greece. With a recently opened spa and rooms that have great views due to the hotels elevated position the hotel offers a truly spectacular holiday experience.

Greece is an easy place to visit and enjoy, as no immunizations are needed and credit cards work great. There are ample ATM machines with instructions in English. Almost everyone in Greece speaks at least some English. The recommendation is to pack lightly as shopping is part of the fun in Greece with extensive variety and styles available. If you are from a small list of countries, you will need a VISA. This list can be found at the Greek consulate or embassy. In planning your trip, it is good to work with a knowledgeable Greek at a travel agency.

If you plan to see the Greek islands, ferry boats are the best way to do this. They are inexpensive, relaxing scenic. If you plan to go to some of the farther islands, the ferries usually leave in the evening. You will want to book a cabin ahead of time as it is nice to go to sleep in your cabin and wake up in the morning on your Island of destination. During the week of Easter, around August 15th and Fridays in July and August, these ferries are quite full. It is best to plan you trips in advance to be sure to get a space.

Also plan to stay in Athens a couple days before your flight leaves as the ferries can sometimes have mechanical problems and you could miss your flight if you were relying on the ferry to get you there directly at flight time. There is not always direct access between every island. Sometimes a trip to another island may require a trip to the mainland first. Two, Three, Four and Five island combination packages are available. Each Greek Island offers unique enjoyments and beauty. Here is a summary of the main islands and their appeal.

Sifnos - This is Great island for children as the beach at Karmari is shallow. There are many cafes and restaurants near. Located here is one the the most beautiful beach towns in Greece, Platyialos.

Lesvos - A country in itself, it is the third largest island and contains mountains, two inland seas, pine forests, and olive groves. The seas provide a wide variety of marine and wildlife. It is a great place for birdwatching. It also contains medieval castles, ancient ruins and a Turkish bazaar-like city market.

Santorini - This is the number one destination in Greece. It has a giant volcanic caldera whose drama rivals that of the Grand Canyon and is known for its beautiful romantic sunsets. It is great for honeymooners.

Ios - This island is great for people under 25. It is known as a perpetual party place for the young.

Mykonos - Visited by almost every famous person, it has many white cube houses and amazing beaches. The famous clothing-optional Paradise Beach is there.

Rhodes - The southern part of this island is a mecca for windsurfers. Rhodes also contains the walled fortress of the castle of the knights of Saint John and has great beaches, nightlife and some of the most beautiful scenery in Greece.

Paros - This island is famous for watersports and is the windsurfing capital of the Greek Islands.

Mainland Greece is best explored by taxi or a share limos which can be less costly then large tours.

Some great places to see on the mainland are the region of Peloponessos which is known as the true Greece. It is known for its great beaches, seas, mountains, and rich archeological sights. It has interesting towns such as Githeon and the Byzantine city of Mystras overlooking Sparta. Other attractions are the Diros Caves and the volcano at Saritorini. The Mount Pelion Peninsula is known as the Colorado Rockies of the Aegean.

Athens is a place you must see if visiting Greece. Transportation is easy with access to buses, taxis and ferries. The metro station will get you to the island ferries. You might want to stay in the number of towns bordering the Acropolis. The Monastiriki Flea Market, Atticka Zoological Park and Museums such as the Benaki Museum and National museums are places to see.. The downtown area is a shoppers paradise with access to inexpensive gold jewelry. Greece offers a world of entertainment in itself. About everything you would want to see or do on a vacation can be found there.