TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit and International Driving Permit required |
| Currency |
(EUR)
Euro |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 30, City Code Athens 21+8D, Thessaloniki 231+7D, Larissa
241+7D |
Time:
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.
Telephone:
IDD is available throughout the mainland and islands. The Greek
telecommunication network supplier is Organismos Telepikinonion
Ellados (OTE). Country code: 30, followed by (10) for Athens,
(310) for Thessaloniki and (810) for Heraklion. Outgoing international
code: 00.
Climate:
Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days
are often relieved by stiff breezes, especially in the north and
coastal areas. Athens can be stiflingly hot, so visitors should
allow time to acclimatise. The evenings are cool. Winters are
mild in the south but much colder in the north. November to March
is the rainy season.
Required
clothing: Lightweight clothes during summer months, including
protection from the midday sun. Light sweaters are needed for
evenings. Rainproofs are advised for autumn. Winter months can
be quite cold, especially in the northern mainland, so normal
winter wear will be required.
Food & Drink: Restaurant and taverna food
tends to be very simple, rarely involving sauces but with full
use of local olive oil and charcoal grills. Dishes like dolmades
(stuffed vine leaves), moussaka (aubergine casserole with minced
lamb, cinnamon, red wine and olive oil), kebabs and avgolemono
(chicken broth with rice, eggs, salt and lemon juice) can be found
everywhere. Taramosalata (a dip made from fish roe, bread, onion,
olive oil and lemon juice) and a variety of seafood dishes, especially
squid (kalamari) or octopus, are excellent. Greek menus typically
include a selection of meze (appetisers), such as keftedes (hot
spicy meatballs) or tzatziki (a dip made from yoghurt, olive oil,
garlic, shredded cucumber and dill). Salads are excellent and
often made with the local feta cheese, tomato, cucumber and fresh
olive oil. Other vegetarian specialities include gigantes (large
white beans), kolokithakia (small boiled courgette with oil and
lemon). Olives are cheap and plentiful. Deserts, such as baklavas
(filo pastry filled with almonds and topped with honey, vanilla
and sugar) or loukoumades (honey-drenched pastry puffs) are sweet
and filling. All restaurants have a standard menu which includes
the availability and price of each dish. A good proportion of
the restaurants will serve international dishes. Hours are normally
1200-1500 for lunch and 2000-2400 for dinner. Waiter service is
usual.
One of the best-known Greek drinks is retsina wine, made with
pine-needle resin. Local spirits include ouzo, an aniseed-based
clear spirit to which water is added and very similar to the French
pastis. Local brandy is sharp and fiery. Greek coffee is served
thick and strong, and sugared according to taste. Greek beer is
a light Pilsner type. Opening hours vary according to the region
and local laws.
Shopping:
Special purchases include lace, jewellery, metalwork, pottery,
garments and knitwear, furs, rugs, leather goods, local wines
and spirits. Athens is the centre for luxury goods and local handicrafts.
The flea markets in Monastiraki and Plaka, below the Acropolis,
are all crowded in high season. Regional specialities include
silver from Ioannina, ceramics from Sifnos and Skopelos, embroidery
and lace from Skiros, Crete, Rhodes and the Ionian Islands, fur
from Kastoria, alabaster from Crete and flokati rugs from the
Epirus region. Note: (a) Visitors should be aware that most ‘antiques’
sold to tourists are fake; it is illegal to export any item of
real antiquity without a special permit from the Export Department
of the Ministry of Culture. (b) Non-EU citizens can get a refund
on Greek VAT (4 per cent on books and 18 per cent on nearly everything
else); the process is fairly complex, but well worth it. Non-EU
visitors may buy goods from certain shops bearing the sign ‘Member
of the Tax Free Club’ and have the VAT refunded, in cash,
at special refund points at the airport. Ask store owners and
tourist information offices for details.
Tipping:
12-15 per cent is usual.
Single
European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official
currency of 12 EU member states (including Greece). The first
Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Greek
Drachma was still in circulation until 28 February 2002, when
it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents.
Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10
and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10,
5, 2 and 1 cents.
Currency
exchange: Foreign currency can be exchanged at all banks,
savings banks and bureaux de change. Exchange rates can fluctuate
from one bank to another. Many UK banks offer differing exchange
rates depending on the denominations of currency being bought
or sold. Check with banks for details and current rates.
Credit
& debit cards: Diners Club, Visa, American Express,
MasterCard and other major credit cards are widely accepted (although
less so in petrol stations), as well as Eurocheque cards. Check
with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers
cheques: All major currencies are widely accepted and
can be exchanged easily at banks. Generally, banks in Greece charge
a commission of 2 per cent with a minimum of €0.15 and a
maximum of €13.21 on the encashment of travellers cheques.
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised
to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
