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 immediately - 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 ignore for a time from unerringly accurate, boringly-correct parallels and meridians, it turns out that in terms of mentality, our countries - the closest neighbors, and Greeks and Russians, apart from the Orthodox faith, unite 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 the closest in spirit people, feeling themselves among their.
Winter guests of Greece are waiting for a comfortable non-hot weather, lack of a 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 possibility of prospects a wonderful holiday on one of the most beautiful islands in the country, Rhodes . The prices at spa hotels, which significantly decreased for the period of low season, nicely complement the picture, in addition, it is possible to gnaw the granite of science in winter without distracting the sea of the treacherously shining sea .
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Capital - 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 Greek resorts
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How to get direct regular flights Moscow - Athens perform "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 by docking in Athens or Thessaloniki or through the neighbor-Turkey: to Rhodes via Marmaris, to Kos-from Bodrum.
The International Airlines of Ukraine Airlines operates 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 connections in Europe
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Visa to Greece
Greek visa can be issued at the consular department 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 working 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 beverages, up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, up to a liter of strong alcoholic beverages or 2 liters of wine, as well as gifts of up to 150 EUR is allowed.
The import of drugs and narcotic preparations, weapons and ammunition without special permission, poisonous substances and plants in the ground. It is forbidden to export antiquities from the country, including stones from archaeological excavations, as well as items found on the seabed.
Useful telephone numbers
Embassy of Greece in Moscow: Leontievsky per., 4; tel .: (495) 690-14-46, 775-37-00, 771-65-10
Consulate General of Greece in Moscow: ul. Spiridonovka, 14; tel.: (495) 539-38-40
Greek Visa Application Center in Moscow: Nikitsky Blvd, 17; tel .: (495) 989-96-14
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, roadside assistance: 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 numerous Greek islands scores a lot of ferries, counting on them is only in the warm season: in winter, flights can be canceled due to 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 details about the features of public transport can be found in the article "Transport in Greece."
Rental car
For rent, you need international driving license, age 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 about safety on Greek roads - in the article "Road safety in Greece."
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Rent a car in Greece with the best price guarantee
- From SK Rent - 10% discount for early booking (valid until 31.10.2015)
Safety of tourists
The level of crime in Greece is low, however reasonable precautions not interfere. 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 find out from the articles "Dangers of Greece" and "Rules of Conduct in Greece."
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Greece climate
In Mediterranean Greece in summer it is hot and dry , and the number of sunny days in the year exceeds t 300 . The hottest period lasts from mid-July to mid-August, so rest-seekers at moderate temperatures are better off in Greece in May, June, September and October - in Crete and Rhodes . The islands are always hotter than in the North Greece . In Athens there is about the same average temperature as on the islands, but on the latter the climate is milder and the heat is transferred easier . At the beginning and end of summer at night here can be cool because of the constantly blowing breeze . Kurortny The season on the islands begins earlier than in Northern Greece, and lasts from ap April to October . In Northern Greece the season lasts from May to September . The most mild and comfortable for the stay in the country periods - May-June and September-October .
See also the current weather forecast for the main Greek resorts for 10 days and weather analysis in Greece by months
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Beaches
All the beaches in Greece are municipal, therefore, sun loungers and umbrellas - for an additional fee (an eye Lo 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 bays and the sea is often quieter.
- Where are the best beaches in Greece
Greece hotels
As you know, Greek hotels are not assigned "stars", but 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 oriented towards recreation with children
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Book a hotel in Greece at the best price
Banks and exchange offices
Banks are working 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 at banks and representative offices of the respective companies, but the commission is quite high.
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Sirtaki
One of the main symbols of Greece, the sirtaki dance, in fact turns out to be not at all traditional and, some kind, not Greek . The history of the now famous "ta-dam ... ta-dam ... ta-dari-dari-dam ..." began only in 1964, with the screening of the film "Greek Zorba" with Anthony Quinn in starring role . According to the story Zorba-Quinn should teach his English friend the folk Greek dance .However, for the steps and jumps the actor was not instructed, and Quinn had to compose on the move movements under the music specially written by Theodorakis . Dance creativity was complicated by the fact that on the eve the actor broke the leg inappropriately, therefore, the maximum that could - elegantly cloud the injured limb . To the perplexed director Quinn explained: "Yes it's a Greek dance, called ... uh ... sirtaki - one local taught me" . And in the memoirs he confessed that the name was invented, like the whole dance . It looks like if not a foot Anthony Quinn , The Greeks would have nothing to dance at weddings!
Cuisine and restaurants of Greece
Greek cuisine is an abundance of vegetables and greens, dairy products (especially soft cheeses), olives and olive oil, bread and wine . Most often mutton and poultry are cooked from "hard", beef and pork are not shunned. . We recommend to try a real Greek salad (as they say, feel the difference), an octopus grill, "moussaka "- casserole from eggplant, minced meat and pork omidors, "pastitio" - a kind of lasagna, "stifado" - meat stew with onions in wine-cinnamon sauce, "spetsofai" - pepper sausages with fresh tomatoes, "paedakia" - mutton chops on the grill .
At sweet is order "common Balkan" baklava or "galaktobureko" - puff pastry with cream filling. It is worth to try the most delicious Greek wines, aniso vodka "ouzo" (for an amateur) and, of course, rakia.
Anywhere in the Greek city you will certainly find some snack bar, a pastry shop, a coffee shop, a bar, a tavern, . Restaurants with international and Greek cuisine are also everywhere, and portions will not hurt even the most hungry travelers.
Greek Salad
Meet the recipe for authentic Greek salad - exactly the kind that is served in the country's taverns
Ingredients: medium-sized red bulb, 4 tomatoes, medium cucumber , two handfuls of "Kalamata" olives, pitted, 200 g of cheese "feta" or simply cheese. You will also need two fresh oregano sprigs, a teaspoon of oregano dried, white wine vinegar and olive oil (obviously, only Greek).
Cut the bulb in half and chop it, transfer it to 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
Stores are open from 9:00 to 15:00 (in summer - from 8:30) and from 17:30 to 20:30 (in summer - until 21:00) . In tourist centers, shops can work until late in the evening and without days off.
In addition to fur coats and all kinds of fur products, it is possible to buy good knitwear, leather goods and leather shoes . No wonder so many tourists go to Greece for shopping tours . In addition, high-quality and various jewelery made of gold and silver are made here . Antique lovers will surely be interested in Athens markets and antiques shops . As souvenirs, statues from marble and alabaster, "red-figured and "black-figured" vases, as well as other ceramics, laces and embroidery . One of the main products that tourists buy in Greece is olive oil . You can buy it, like in supermarkets, and directly at the airport in the Duty-free store . Also worth paying attention to such products: honey, olives, ouzo . Very often these products replace souvenirs for tourists with friends and acquaintances .
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Entertainment, excursions and places of interest in Greece
To get to know Greece yaschuyu - should start 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. Mykene - Lion Gate, the royal tombs, the palace of the Mycenaean kings, the tomb of Agamemnon
Excursion to Delphi - the temple of Apollo (there is the famous oracle there), the opportunity to wash the water of the Kastalian key, the city of Livadia and Thebes, the village of Arachova. Meteors - massive "sculptures" of a bizarre shape, created by nature, and ancient monasteries (the entrance to the 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 the Profitis-Ilias hill
Macedonia: sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki - acquaintance with the history of the city, sightseeing of the main sights ("White Tower", Rotunda, triumphal arch, ), visiting archaeological sites, exhibition halls and visiting the Acropolis - the Byzantine fortress walls and the Old City
Cruise around the Holy Mount Athos - an inspection (from a distance of at least 500 m) of the unique Orthodox monastic republic of Athos, where today there are 20 monasteries rai and live 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 better to visit in the morning: it will be too crowded and hot in the daytime - impressions can be blurred.
On Sundays in Greece, the entrance to all museums is free. Archaeologists, architects, artists and university professors go free of charge on any day to museums and ancient monuments, and students receive a discount of 50%.- What to see in Greece
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