Greece
 

An Overview On Greece
 

Greece is a country with a wonderful historical past, however its future remains economically turbulent. This factor doesn’t deter holidaymakers visiting this wonderful country every year, its friendly people are well-known for their warmth and happy-go-lucky attitude to life. It has a romance about it, quite different from many other countries, German is spoken there and of course English too.

At one time especially in the 70s Greece was known for a carefree traveller as a country where one slept on the beach and chilled out. Time has moved on a little, Greek hoteliers aim towards middle to upper class clientele, so sleeping rough is not so fashionable anymore. Modern Greece has many attractions for its visitors including better facilities, sea travel is fast and safe, why not also try more romantic voyages to rocky isles.

Of course Greek tourism caters for its many visitors with a huge array of nightclubs, restaurants and bars. However you can still find wholesome home-cooked food in quaint villages and tavernas. Many self-catering apartments have sprung up recently, they are air-conditioned, spacious and have facilities and amenities you would expect at home. The Greek people certainly have a great zest for life, their curiosity and hospitality to foreigners is what makes holidaying in Greece such a memorable experience.

If it’s pulsating nightclubs you’re after then try Mykonos, while ancient beauty can be found at Delos. Of course no trip to Greece would be complete without visiting the capital Athens, it’s a vibrant, lively city.

Activities In Greece To Enjoy
 

If you’re looking for something a little different to do whilst on holiday then have a go at rock climbing. Recently Kalymnos has become quite a mecca for rock climbers, there are some spectacular limestone walls that attract many enthusiasts looking for a sport that is challenging. Of course Greece is also a country known for its diving, there are daily diving trips around Hania including courses for beginners. There are snorkelling activities too and cruise options if you want to relax on the boat, top up your tan while others are exerting themselves.

Needless to say there is an array of beaches that line this beautiful country’s coast, so plenty of opportunity for sun worshippers to do their thing. Water sports abound with jet skiing, scuba diving, paragliding and thrilling banana boat rides for the children. If you fancy getting out and about why not try hiking? There are numerous different byways and paths to stroll along, an ideal way to see the beautiful countryside especially early in the morning before it gets too hot. You could always take a picnic basket with you and enjoy some of the local delicious cuisine and wine, making friends along the way.

The Greek Weather
 

Greece is certainly a diverse country when it comes to weather. The north of the country can have freezing winters and humid summers while the more central and eastern provinces have a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and milder winters. Many holidaymakers choose to visit Greece during the winter months to lap up the warm temperatures, it’s certainly a lot cheaper then with many hotels offering discounted accommodation.

It can be quite windy in Greece too, it’s a mixed blessing in a way as it reduces humidity but can mean trouble for ferry schedules including tourists on the beaches, it’s not unusual to see parasols flying around in the wind. In most areas in October the rain starts, in the north it stays quite cold and wet until mid-February.

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Greece, most of the country’s tourist trade comes out of hibernation, particularly the Greek islands. Many hotels, seasonal cafes and restaurants close between November and April with bus and ferry services reducing their schedules, so it’s advisable to travel during the summer months to ensure everything is open. Throughout the summer beaches are packed, arrive early and choose a good spot.

Travelling To Greece
 

From the UK it takes about two days to reach Greece using an overnight sleeper train on the Eurostar. It travels from Italy then on an overnight cruise ferry to Greece where passengers can sleep in a comfortable cabin and have a meal in the restaurant or a drink at the bar. Sailing across the Mediterranean you’ll pass the islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia which is a wonderful way to reach Greece itself.

It’s more of an experience than sitting in a plane for three hours being practical and certainly much more affordable too.That said, flights are available from almost every major city in Europe for those people wishing to get there rather quicker. If it’s ferry travel you’re after, then you’re in luck. There are modern high speed ferries that cut travel time almost in half. You can read more about ferries, their amenities, timetables and prices online before reserving a seat.

After reaching your holiday destination in Greece if you wish to explore, then why not hire a car. There are many car hire companies to choose from that offer a variety of makes and models of reliable vehicles that can transport you around this fascinating country.