FAQ: Travel to Greece
Climate
Average temperatures will range depending on the season of travel. Summers are hot in the day but cool off at night, especially by the sea. The sun can be bright, so sunscreen and sunglasses are an asset.
Money
Greece operates primarily on the cash system. Some vendors do not accept credit cards at all. You can exchange money in Greece, but may not have opportunity to do so before you wish to buy something. Additionally, please note that your passport will be required for exchange at Greek banks. ATM withdrawal is the most convenient way to obtain EUR in cash. If you plan to access an ATM, notify your bank so that your card is not deactivated upon use.
Most U.S. banks can also provide you EUR (if not available on demand, you can certainly order them 2-3 days in advance). AAA Club or Travelex are vendors where you can purchase EUR, although the exchange rate may not be as favorable as the bank. Airport exchanges are a last resort as they will be the worst rate of exchange.
Language
Greek is the commonly spoken language. In areas which tourist frequent, English is well known and used. If you are interested in learning a few phrases or the alphabet, you can see options at http://www.athensguide.com/language.html.
Food
Greek food is delightful and unique. You’ll enjoy a great variety of options from fast food on the go to a homemade Greek feast. Very little food served is exotic in nature to the American pallet – just tasty. Greeks eat a light breakfast, but you may want to fill up because lunch usually doesn’t come until 2 or 3 pm.
Snacking at archaeological sites (especially indoors) is considered offensive and is against the law. Dinner comes later in the evening, usually 7 pm or after. This is the large meal of the day and is more of an event than a meal! The climate is dry, so you will be well-served to have a water bottle with you at all times. You may also purchase bottled water for a moderate price.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink on the Greek mainland; however to avoid any discomfort to your system from the changes between contexts, bottled water may be preferred. Water for bathing is sometimes heated botho on demand and by solar energy in Greece. If the water is not heated on demand, you may experience a hotter shower in the mid afternoon than you do in the early morning even in 3+ star hotels.
Walking
You will do a lot of walking. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes or sandals. Much of the terrain is rocky, so you may consider closed toe sandals. Flip flops are not likely to be sturdy enough to the task. Marble is also very slippery, so make sure that you have good grip on the bottom of your shoes.
Photography
Almost anything is fair game with a few important exceptions. Most indoor museums have strict prohibition against flash photography so as to preserve the artifacts. Posing with statues is not allowed under any circumstances. Standard caution should be taken when photographing government buildings.
You may want to devise a system for labeling your photographs. Most people return from Greece with hundreds of pictures of white rocks that made sense at the time, but may not be so easily identified three weeks later! These pictures can be of benefit to you in years to come for Bible studies and many other purposes.
Electric Devices
Greece is on 220 rather than 110. Make sure that you have both a converter and a transformer for any devices you need to plug in or charge. Most hotels have wireless access, although it may be spotty and intermittent. Many Greek buildings are made of concrete and wi-fi signals are difficult to transmit. Check with your cell phone provider before leaving. It may be more affordable to communicate via internet than cell phone networks. If you do purchase an international or local sim card, you will find that your reception will be good (even in more remote locations).
Bible
You’ll be referencing the Bible throughout your visit to Greece. Bring a pocket edition or a digital device with the text of scripture for handy reference. If using a digital Bible, make sure it is accessible offline. Unless you are on a cellular data network, you will not have wi-fi at archaeological sites. You may also want to bring a journal or notepad for taking notes.
Packing
If you are utilizing regional airlines such as Aegean Air or Turkish Air, your weight limit on some flights is likely to be less than your international allowance. Sometimes carry-on luggage also has a fee. Paying in advance online can reduce the cost of excess luggage. Grocery stores, convenience markets and pharmacies are readily available in Greece.
Identification
Your passport will be necessary for air travel. At some hotels, you will check-in with your ID. Also, at some hotels they will keep your passport on file at the front desk.
Students are offered discounted admission to archaeological venues. Be sure to pack your student id for the trip and carry with you during your tour. Check that the id is updated for the current academic year.
Restrooms
Restrooms are referred to as “toilets” or W.C.” The terms “bathroom” or “restroom” may be understood but are not commonly used. Most restaurants provide facilities, but just as in the USA, the restroom is for customers except in emergencies. In Greece, fast food restaurants and gas stations are not as common, so be sure to use the toilet before boarding the bus. Your tour guide will be able to tell you the approximate time until the next stop. Occasionally, there is a small fee for use of toilets in a public area or park. Please note that Greeks do not flush toilet paper in the toilet, but rather dispose of tissues in a small can next to the toilet. Additionally, in some locations the men and women will uses separate stalls in an area with a shared sink.
Meals
If your tour includes meals which you are paying for on your own, you can expect a price range of 8 – 12 EUR for a plate at a sit-down restaurant. Portions are typically generous and it is common in Greece to buy a salad or even an entrée to share “family style.”
Tips of 1-2 EUR are appropriate if the client wishes to compliment the server, but a standard 15-20% as in the USA is not required. You will not offend your server or the restaurant owner by not leaving a tip. A service charge (similar to a cover charge) may be added by restaurants in tourist areas. Taxes are included in the pricing on menus. Although water and bread are typically complimentary in the USA, many Greek restaurants charge for these items.
Generally speaking, meals at a sit-down restaurant are less expensive than in the USA and snacks/deserts/drinks are more expensive than travelers are accustomed to paying in the USA. Since meal times are late for Americans, it is advised to have granola bars or other snacks on hand.
Shopping
Greek store/restaurant owners may be pro-active in inviting you to their store or restaurant. Americans typically resist such advances as a means of avoiding the awkwardness of not purchasing a product; however, you will find that Greek store/restaurant owners are happy to engage in friendly conversation even if you do not purchase a product. Rather than ignoring the advance or rudely turning the other way, you can answer, “We already have dinner plans. Thank you. Maybe next time.”
If an item is marked with a price, the price is likely to be close to what they would like for the item. You may suggest a discount if you plan to buy multiple items in bulk. If an item is unmarked, you may ask and suggest an alternate price. Bargaining is not typical, however. You may also choose to be sensitive to the fact that Greek merchants are under extraordinary financial pressure and rely heavily on tourist purchases to sustain their business.
Special Protocol at Archaeological Sites & Museums
Photography – different permissions are allowed in varying locations. Sometimes the rules change even from one section of a museum to another. Be sure to understand what is allowed and what is not.
Flash photography - there are two reasons why flash photography may not be allowed in some cases. 1) Camera flash causes damage to certain artifacts 2) The museum owns the rights to the photographs or wishes to determine how the picture is distributed.
Posing – it is inappropriate to pose next to a statue for a picture and it is even worse to make silly expressions or imitate the position of a statue. What Americans see as good-natured and harmless fun will be quickly called out by a docent.
Tripod – ask your tour guide if a tripod is permissible. Sometimes a monopod is allowed while a tripod is not.
Reverence – monasteries and churches are place of worship and voice volume in these locations should be moderated accordingly.
Eating – water is generally allowed with the exception of a few indoor museums, but eating or drinking sodas is strictly forbidden.