General Information

*Area...* 50,949 sq miles
*Population...*10.71 million
*Capital...* Athens
Geography... Greece is situated in southeast Europe on the Mediterranean. The mainland consists of the following regions: Central Greece, Peloponnese, Thessaly (east/central), Epirus (west), Macedonia (north/northwest) and Thrace (northwest). Euboea, the second largest of the Greek islands, lying to the east of the central region, is also considered to be part of the mainland region. The Peloponnese peninsula is separated from the northern mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. The northern mainland is dissected by high mountains (such as the Pindus) that extend southwards towards a landscape of fertile plains, pine-forested uplands and craggy, scrub-covered foothills. The islands account for one-fifth of the land area of the country. The majority is thickly clustered in the Aegean between the Greek and Turkish coasts. The Ionian Islands, the exception, are scattered along the west coast. The Aegean archipelago includes the Dodecanese, lying off the Turkish coast, of which Rhodes is the best known; the Northeast Aegean group, including Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria; the Sporades, off the central mainland; and the Cyclades, comprising 39 islands (of which only 24 are inhabited). Crete, the largest island, is not included in any formal grouping.
*Government...* Republic. Head of State: President Karolos Papolias. Head of Government: Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.
*Language...* Greek (Ellenika). Most people connected with tourism will speak some English, German, Italian or French.
*Religion*... 97% Greek Orthodox, with Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.
*Time*... GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Money...

Currency... On January 1, 2002, the eight coins and seven paper notes of the euro, the currency of the European Union (EU), were introduced into circulation.

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 US banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of euros being bought or sold. Check with banks for details and current rates.

Credit cards... Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and other major credit cards are widely accepted (although less so in gas stations and small restaurants and businesses). Check with your credit company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travelers' checks... All major currencies are widely accepted and can be exchanged easily at banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take checks in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions... The import and export of foreign currency is unrestricted, subject to declaration of amounts greater than US$1000 (non-appliance will result in fines and confiscation).

Banking hours... 0800-1400 Monday to Thursday; 0800-1330 Friday. Banks on the larger islands tend to stay open in the afternoon and some during the evening to offer currency exchange facilities during the tourist season. The GNTO bureau in Athens can give full details.

Climate...

Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate with the nicest time to visit in late spring or early fall. In April and May the flowers are in bloom while October is a great time for those who want warmth, peace, and quiet. Most visitors travel to Greece in July and August when the weather can be very hot and dry. For over two thirds of the year the skies are sunny. Winters are mild and rainy, with temperatures occasionally dropping to freezing, especially in the north. For those who don't like the heat, the mountainous areas offer some relief as they receive more rain in the summer and even experience snow in the winter.

The country is divided into the northern and southern climatic regions. Northern Macedonia and the northern part of Epiros have freezing winters and very hot, humid summers. Attica's peninsula, the southern Aegean Islands and the central and eastern Peloponnese have a typically Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and milder winters. Snow covers the highest mountains during the winter, while temperatures soar to over 100 degrees during July and August, when the meltemi, a strong northerly wind, sweeps the eastern coast of mainland Greece and the Aegean islands.

In southern Greece, Crete stays warm the longest. You can swim off its southern coast from mid-April until November. Mid-October is when the rainy season starts in most areas, and the weather stays cold and wet until February, although there are also occasional winter days with clear blue skies and sunshine.

Driving in Greece…

The major roads of Greece were built after World War II and offer many diverse destinations to explore. Many of these roads wind around the scenic hills, pass through the small villages, and offer some of the most dramatic views along the Mediterranean Sea. While a scenic drive “through ancient history” may sound ideal while visiting Greece, keep in mind that some of the less traveled roads are better maneuvered by goat or chariot!

Greece is a mountainous country, and many roads will be curvy. In late fall and winter, they may be wet, snowy, or icy. There are main roads leading to all of the major tourist destinations and most people have no problems driving on them. Traffic and parking, however, in the larger cities and towns can be a nightmare. An inexperienced driver should opt not to rent a car, but rather, use the services of a driver.

Road Rules and Tips…

The minimum driving age in Greece is 18.

Seatbelts are mandatory in the front seat and recommended in the back seat. Children under ten years of age must travel in the rear.

Speed limits in Greece are as follows:

City 30mph/50kph

Open Roads 50 mph/80kph

Highways 74mph/100kph

Traffic travels on the right and the middle lane of a three-lane highway is for passing. Vehicles approaching an intersection on the right have the right of way.

Road signs are usually in Greek and in English, though they may be found on separate signs.

It is illegal to use a horn in towns, unless it is to avoid an accident.

Most gas stations are open from 7am to 7pm. They are usually clean and offer toilet facilities, snacks, and maps. They are not, however, common. Take advantage of one when you see it. It is best to avoid allowing your gas tank to become less than half full.

In the major cities of Greece, on-street parking is virtually non-existent. Your best bet is to find tourist parking lots or hotel parking as illegal parking can cost you your license plate.

Car Rental Guidelines…

To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. An international drivers license is required. Some suppliers have a maximum rental age of 70.

If you are accustomed to an automatic transmission, try to get an automatic vehicle, though these are relatively scarce and more expensive. Greece is not the place to learn to use a stick shift.

Vehicles rented in Greece may be driven outside the country by special arrangement. An additional fee of approximately USD $115 is charged for this service, which is not available for all car categories. Collision and theft protection are not valid while the vehicle is outside the country and the client is responsible for loss or damage. Vehicles may be taken from Athens to islands if the vehicle is returned to Athens; CDW is void while the vehicle is on the car ferry. Domestic one-way rentals are available between select locations within Greece. International one-way rentals are not permitted from Greece.

Insurance…

It is suggested that you take the offered insurance coverage. Even if you believe your own car insurance policy offers coverage while traveling outside of the United States and in Greece, please double-check. Not all of them will, and it's an expensive mistake to make if you do have a problem.

Required Coverage: Fire and third party liability insurance is mandatory and is included in all rentals. Third party liability insurance offers USD $55,000-$280,000 of coverage in case of damage or injury to people or property outside of the rental car.

Optional Coverage: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection are included in inclusive rental rates at a discount. CDW, if purchased at the rental counter, costs approximately USD $12-$20 per day. Theft protection, if purchased at the rental counter, costs approximately USD $3-$12 per day. CDW and theft coverage reduce the deductible (responsibility of the client) to USD $300-$475. Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) is available at the rental counter for approximately USD $3-$5 per day. Super CDW may be offered locally to reduce the deductible to as low as zero.

Ferries & Hydrofoils...

With the amount of shoreline in Greece transportation by water is quite common. The ferry system is extensive and there are many Greek shipping companies that provide domestic and international ferry/hydrofoil transportation. Provided you have the time, travel by boat can be very enjoyable. It may, in fact, be the only way to get to some of the smaller islands.

Traveling by boat between the major islands is like taking the bus. Boats depart frequently every day. However, timetables do change and boats may be delayed by weather conditions such as high winds. For journeys under six hours, a ferry is best and most will also transport your car. For longer journeys, or to reduce your travel time by about half, the more expensive hydrofoil (flying dolphin) is a better choice. Cars cannot accompany you on these vessels, however, and they tend to deviate from their schedules more readily. Some islands can take up to 12 hours to reach by ferry from the mainland and, thus, a 45-minute flight to the island is an attractive alternative. For the longer and overnight ferry journeys advance reservations are suggested for the summer months. The rest of the year tickets can be purchased dockside an hour before sailing.

Air...

The new Athens International Airport serves as the gateway into Greece. Located outside the city, a cab ride will take about an hour. In addition, a few of the more “tourist-bound” islands have airports. Many carriers offer service into Athens. Olympic Airways is the major domestic carrier. Air tickets between the islands will cost more than a ferry ride, but if you’re on a tight schedule, the time saved is invaluable.

Bus...

The modern day chariots of Greece are their buses. The mainland and the larger islands have regular service all over. While traveling from point to point you will have the opportunity to see spectacular scenery, especially when traversing the countryside. The frequency of the busses varies with the season.