A Guide To Greece
Greece is one of the top 20 tourist spots in the world, due to the more than 15 million people who go on holiday to Greece a year. The Greek Islands are the most popular tourist destinations, but many people forget that mainland Greece has quite a bit to offer too. Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Crete and Rhodes are all major destinations. There are still many rewarding areas in the country free of large-scale tourism, for those who are looking for a quieter time away from the bustle. Greece offers many and varied experiences, landscapes, and activities. It is famous for the reliable sunny weather, the nightlife, historical sites, famous beaches and, of course, its natural beauty.
One reason that makes Greece an ideal holiday destination is its climate. Greece has very long summers and short winters. Between the months of April and November, you will find Greece to be hot and dry, but not so much that you can not enjoy the outdoors. Greece does see rain during this season, but it comes and goes so quickly that you will enjoy the chance to cool down. From the middle of July to the middle of August, you might find Greece a little unbearable since this is the typically the warmest time of the year. During the months of May and June, as well as, September and October you will find Greece at its finest. It is not too hot and not too humid. These are the best months to visit.
If you are planning a holiday destination to Greece then you will want to travel between the months of April and October. Most of the vacationers begin to arrive in April and it usually hits its zenith in the month of July. If you decide to travel at any other time, you may find that accommodations are not as plentiful since the other times of the year most places are closed down. The cities of Athens and Thessaloniki are the main hubs of international transportation, but there are many cities on the islands which handle chartered flights during the major portion of the holiday season.
There are any number of Greek and international hotel booking services. You will most likely be able to book your accommodations online, as most hotels have websites and will take bookings by email, although sometimes a fax is more reliable for communication. Hotels in Greece tend to be simple establishments. Even in the simpler places, the standards of cleanliness are usually good. Rooms usually tend to be small, have air conditioning, and a balcony. The more luxurious hotels can be found in the cities as well as on the more popular islands, but it is not too common and does not always represent a good value for your money.
Do not expect a lot of shopping while in Greek. But there are local vendors who carrying unusual and high quality products native to Greece. Look for lace, jewelry, pottery, rugs, leather goods, wines, metalwork, and knitwear. Handicrafts are made by local artisans. Many people eat out in Greece. There are a number of restaurants to try. Highly populated tourist spots will have excellent Greek eateries and restaurants. Most Greeks speak English so do not worry if you can not speak Greek. You will have no difficult getting around or ordering something to eat in Greece.
