A Travel Guide to Greece

What's New on Greece Travel in 2008?

For the latest on what is happening with me in Greece read my Greece Travel blog.

Disabled Travelers: I have added three services that specialize in travel for the physically disabled. Go to www.greecetravel.com/handicapped and click on the links to the Sirens Resort and Christianaki Travel who provide tours and itineraries of Athens and the mainland. There is also a very nice resort for the disabled in Crete.

'All My Friends from Greece' is a rock-travel-video put together by Andy Emery to promote Greece (and my website). We have big plans for it but for now you can see it at www.greecetravel.com/music/videos
If you like it tell your friends and if you love it tell me.

Budget Tour: Athens-Mykonos-Santorini
Many people write that they want to go to Greece on a very meager budget, but they are nervous about doing all their hotels, and ferry bookings on their own. They would like to stay in economical hotels but the thought of trying to figure out the metro, buses and taxis scares them a little. So I asked Fantasy Travel to put together a 10-day package for people who think they can't afford to go to Greece. They came up with something pretty special that includes 3 days each in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, all transfers, breakfast, ferry tickets and a one day tour of Delphi or the one day Saronic cruise for as low as 62 euros a day per person. And everything except lunch and dinner is taken care of. Even entry fees at the archaeological sites included. See www.greecetravel.com/budget-travel

Weekend in Athens
For those lucky enough to live close enough to Greece so you can just pop in for a weekend I have put together a plan that crams as much fun, food and history as any mortal could stand in 3 days. It does not have to be a weekend either. Any 3 days. See www.athensguide.com/weekend

Greek History
My History of Greece which I worked on non-stop for much of 2005 and have been adding to it ever since is becoming one of my most popular sites. For those who want an introduction to Greek History which begins with prehistoric times and runs through to thepresent there are not too many Greek history sites that also include rock bands.

Books about Greece
There's a new books section atwww.greektravel.com/books

FAQs
I have finally added a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page too.

Pictures of Greece
I just finished scanning allmy father's slides of Greece in the Sixties. Some are really amazing. See www.greecetravel.com/photos/sixties and while you are at it see some of my 35,000 photos of Greece at www.greecetravel.com/photos 

You can also read my interview with Kathimerini Newspaper

Want to help spread the word about my Greece Travel Guides? Sure you do! See www.greektravel.com/posters to find out how.

Matt's Greece Trip Planning Aids

What kind of person are you? Are you the type that knows they want to go to Greece, don't know exactly where they want to go or what they want to do, but don't want to spend hours or days or weeks trying to decide? Well for you I have created a page that will make it easy for you. It is my suggested itineraries page at it is at www.greektravel.com/suggestions

If you are the type who knows what you want to do but just needs help putting it together in a sensible way that suits your budget then I have a page for you too. See www.greecetravel.com/create-an-itinerary

Index of Testimonials
For travelers who want proof of the reliability of my websites and the hotels and agencies listed on them I have created this site which contains hundreds (maybe thousands) of e-mails from happy readers. I encourage you to It may give you some ideas too because many people give a blow by blow account of their trips. If there is an agency or hotel that you want to know about you can read the experiences of other travelers here kind of like Trip-advisor but without all the complaining. Visit www.greektravel.com/testimonials

Winter in Greece

Despite what you have read about the Greek islands closing for the winter, as if Greece is some kind of seasonal theme-park, there are people like me who think that the winter-season, which goes from late October to the end of March, is one of the best times to go to Greece. No crowds. Generally good weather and many days when you can swim. There can be periods of cold or rain and even snow in the mountains. (You can ski in Arahova near Delphi and then go swim in the Corinthean Gulf the same day). But even when it is cold it is not the brutal cold that anyone in the northern US experiences in the winter. The most amazing thing is that everything is green! The dusty archaeolgical sites that are parched and dry in the summer are alive with grass and wild plants and if you go in March or April, millions of wildflowers. (The photo is Myceneae in January) If you want to see the real Greece, including islands that have returned to their quiet winter-ways after the summer tourists have left, and take advantage of low season rates and cheap airfare then winter is the time to go. And as I have written elsewhere Athens is the best city in the world from November to May with more restaurants, music, and shopping than most people get in a lifetime and Apokreas, a two week Carnival Season just like New Orleans and Rio. For more information on off-season travel see my article on Winter in Greece and also the new Off-Season Travel in Greece which has some winter itineraries and links to more info.

Traveling with Children in Greece:
I have a daughter and have taken her to Greece every year since before she was born. Greece is a great country for kids, especially the Greek islands. It is safe and the Greek people love children. There are also lots of children around which is a key ingredient for your child having a good time while traveling with his parents. Trust me. I know. If you are traveling to Greece with small children, you may want to learn the secrets of "Strollering Through Athens" or take a look at my guide for traveling to Greece with Children at www.greecetravel.com/kids

Getting Married in Greece
The Greek islands have always been one of the most popular destinations for Honeymooners. In the last few years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who want to get married there too. Why not? You combine the wedding with the honeymoon. Now there are all sorts of wedding packages available of all sizes and prices. Before you make your decision, whether you are doing a full-blown wedding or a simple exchange of vows, or just a renewal of vows see www.greecetravel.com/weddings

College Students coming to the Greek Islands!
Take advantage of low off-season rates and spend Spring Break in Athens and the Greek Islands. See www.greecetravel.com/springbreak
This summer see the party cruises at www.greecetravel.com/sailing which visit every party island in the Aegean. Otherwise head for Mykonos, Ios or Santorini if you want to party or Sifnos or Lesvos if you want to go somewhere quieter and more traditional. The Greek islands are the place to be in the summer whether you are in your teens or wish you still were. Imagine the world's best spring break atmosphere but with young people from every country in Europe and many from all over the world. If you think that a year or two studying in Greece might be just the inspiration you need to fulfill your destiny check out the schools and study abroad programs at www.greecetravel.com/schools . Oh yeah... and if you are looking for youth hostels go to www.greecetravel.com/youth-hostels . You can also search hotel booking sites to find the best deals at www.hotelsofgreece.com/search

Honeymoons in Greece!
Before you commit to anything (besides each other of course) take a peak at Fantasy's Honeymoon Package . Most Honeymooners go to Santorini. Personally if I were going to get married I would go somewhere more quiet and traditional like Sifnos. But with a good travel agent helping you, you can do both.

Holidays in Greece

The 15th of August is the biggest holiday in Greece along with Easter. The days preceding and following these holidays are the worst times to be traveling. If you are on an island there will be lots happening but it is also the best time to be in Athens because the city will be empty.  Make sure you have your hotels and ferries booked if you are traveling during this period. In June there is a Holiday called Agios Pnevmatos which is the saint day for the Holy Spririt. It is similar to Memorial day in that it is a 3 day weekend and the island hotels and ferries are packed. Don't plan on showing up on an island and just finding a place to stay on this weekend. To make it even more complicated it is a moveable feast so its a different weekend every year.

Apokreas is the Greek version of Mardi Gras, with celebrations in Athens, Patras and many villages and towns in Greece. This is a great time to go if you like nightlife, parties, dancing and have nothing better to do in February. It is also a good time to get discounted rates on flights and hotels. Greek winters are mild and Athens can be wild! The last two weekends are the best.

Easter is a very special time to be in Greece with the celebrations and the services and the roast lamb and the smell of spring and the wildflowers in bloom. See www.greecetravel.com/easter

Christmas in Greece?
In the past, few people went to Greece in the winter. Greece was a place to lay out in the sun, swim and enjoy meals in outdoor tavernas overlooking small harbors full of colorful fishing boats. You can't do that in the winter can you? Well, what many people have discovered is that the Christmas holidays in Greece is a great time to be there. Low rates on hotels and the weather is usually a lot nicer than wherever it is they have come from. Many days it is warm enough to dine outdoors. It is a great time to be in Athens and visit the archaeological sites and nearby islands and Athens nightlife in my opinion is among the best in the world. Read about my Christmas in Greece at: www.athensguide.com/christmas

For a list of Holidays in Greece click here

IMPORTANT: Using Travel Agents in Greece

I definitely recommend it. Every hotel in Greece has their own website these days and the quality of the web design does not always reflect that of the hotel. Unless you are back-packing and prepared to sleep anywhere, a trip to Greece is a lot easier if you work with a travel agent who knows what they are doing. They can organize ferries, flights, transportation to and from airports and ports, find the right hotel for you, deal with any unforseen circumstances, answer all your questions and in the end save you time, money and your sanity. You can choose from dozens of itineraries or you can create your own and by using my website you should have a pretty good idea of what you would like to do.

What is the best way to book your holiday to Greece? Can you really save by using auto-booking systems or by booking directly with the hotels? Are Travel Agencies a thing of the past? From my experience sites like Travelocity and Expedia are great for booking your flights but for booking hotels in Greece and arranging your trip it makes much more sense to work with someone who knows the territory. The number one cry for help I get is from people who booked their accommodations on their own and found themselves committed to hotels they could not reach because there was not a ferry that day or any day.  What many people don't understand when they book hotels in Greece is that by booking directly with a hotel you are not getting a better deal or saving money. The travel agent does not pay the same price as you do for a hotel and add his comission. He pays less than you, in most cases a lot less. He is then able to offer you a price equal to or lower than the hotel offers when you book directly. The same with cruises and tours. The travel agent's comission does not come from you. In essense the hotel pays it by taking less money. So not only are you paying the same or less but you now have someone who can answer your questions, book your ferry tickets and assist you in planning your holiday. Y ou can find a list of recommended travel agencies and specialized tours at www.greecetravel.com/travel-agents.htm

Read my article Endangered Species about the internet and the disappearance of the small personalized-service travel agency for more on this subject. Personally I think travel agents are an under appreciated and important group and if they get squeezed out of business by automated systems we are going to really miss them.

My Recommended Greek Travel Agencies...
That being said let me introduce the travel agencies in Athens that I have been recommending with confidence for years.  There are hundreds of travel agents in Greece who have websites and with a good webmaster anyone can have an impressive site that resonates with efficiency and professionalism. The trouble is not all agencies are as impressive as their websites. These agencies are.....

Established in 1983 by Mr George Gerassimidis,  Fantasy is a team of 15 experienced travel agents, who make every effort to insure each client feels the warmth of the famous Greek hospitality and has an unforgettable holiday in Greece. Specializing in the Cyclades Islands and cruises to the islands and Turkey, Fantasy is active in all areas of travel arrangements . They offer numerous combinations of islands including hotels, ferries, transfers, excursions, cruises and can take care of all the details so you can sit back and enjoy the holiday instead of worrying about ferry schedules and tickets. They have contracts with the most popular hotels and in many cases will have availability for hotels which are supposedly booked full and in all likelihood better prices. They have earned the reputation of being one of the most efficient and professional companies in their field, covering all aspects of travel to Greece, Turkey and Egypt. The Fantasy Travel office is conveniently located a block from Syntagma Square so you can easily meet with them for advice or to fine-tune your itinerary by adding tours and excursions. They are also happy to help you create your own specialized itinerary and in fact invented the Create-an-itinerary page  that has become so popular with people using my website. Their website has dozens of suggested itineraries and different island combinations which can be customized to fit your taste. Visit George and his staff at www.fantasytravelofgreece.com or contact them with this form. Or see what others have said at www.greektravel.com/testimonials/fantasy.html

I wholeheartedly endorse Kiki Zikou and the gang at DOLPHIN HELLAS TRAVEL, one of the oldest and most respected travel agency in Athens, Greece that has been in business for almost half a century. They can help you book reservations in Hotels all over Greece, Flights, Cruises, Tours, Buses, Ferries, transportation to and from the airport,  and supply you with all the information you need to have the best holiday of your life. Dolphin Hellas has booked thousands of people through this site and others and have a stellar reputation. They have what many agencies want, repeat customers who come to Greece every year and do their hotel bookings and get information from Dolphin.

You can read the testimonials of travelers who have used Dolphin Hellas or you can visit their website at www.greecetravel.com/dolphinhellas or if you know exactly what you want you can contact them directly by using this form

One of the most efficient travel agencies in Greece is not even based in Athens but on the small Cycladic island of Sifnos. Aegean Thesaurus Travel has all the capabilities of any of the Athens travel agencies. Apostolis Dimopoulos left the hustle and bustle of Athens and opened his agency on this quiet island because he realized with the internet and other modern tools of communication it would not matter where in Greece an agency was physically located. Putting together a terrific staff and running a high-tech efficient agency is the reason why Aegean Thesaurus Travel is one of the fastest growing travel agencies in Greece.

For the best prices for Sifnos as well as other islands and Athens visit www.greecetravel.com/aegean

Other Services in Greece

George the Famous Taxi Driver
Athens best Taxi driver is George Kokkotos of V.I.P. Taxi Service. Having your own air-conditioned personal taxi in Athens is like having your own chauffer, translator and guide for a fraction of the cost. George speaks perfect English and knows all there is to know about Athens. It's a great way to see the real Greece. I recommend him for excursions such as Delphi, Meteora, Naphlion,(Epidavros, Corinth and Myceneae), Sounion,  Olympia, or anywhere on the mainland. (He says he will go to the islands too.) If you are in a group of three or more people it is cheaper to use George then to go on the guided tour bus, and more fun since he will be more flexible. George knows the country and will help you find many bargains and hidden places not on most tourist itineraries. He can also take you on a tour of Athens nightlife. If you are in Athens and need a car at your disposal for business or pleasure, George is at your service. One of the few taxi drivers in Greece who does not smoke. For sightseeing, guided tours, excursions all over Greece, or even a day of golf, call or FAX George. Also for transfers*, he will meet you at the airport when you arrive and take you to your hotel, to and from cruise ships, ferry boats etc.
Oh yes...George has a brand new Mercedes and also a Mercedes Limo for VIPs and larger groups!
He also provides a car seat for infants. For more about George read his testimonials.
For rates and more info see www.greecetravel.com/taxi or or e-mail georgetaxitours@yahoo.com

Driving in Greece

SWIFT-AVANTI CAR RENTALS
Located on 50, Syngrou Ave is a small family-run company owned by Elias Manouas who prides himself on specialized personal service. Excellent cars and low prices plus delivery or pick-up to your hotel, the airport or wherever you are in Greece. He can also make arrangements with his affiliates on the Greek islands (or you may want to bring his car on the ferry like a mobile closet for your luggage.) Not only will he give you a 15% discount for mentioning my website but he will also drive you to the outskirts of Athens where the driving is easier and even meet you when it is time to return your car. You will never have to experience what the Athens drivers go through every day. For info on cars and prices visitwww.greektravel.com/swiftor use this Form  

You may also want to see my sections on Driving in Greece

Sailing in Greece

GM Sailboat and Yacht Charters
OK. I am hooked! Two summers ago I took a 5-day cruise on a sailboat on a sixty-foot boat with 6 cabins and plenty of room and Captain Billy Joe Leck, a true renaissance man from the UK, skilled in the arts of sailing, story-telling, guitar-playing and baby-sitting who knew more about the islands than I could learn in a lifetime! I am not a sailor so I was a little reluctant to go but when the trip was over I wished I had booked 10 days or a month. We swam in sheltered coves in incredibly clear sea and sailed into ports in the late afternoon for dinner and entertainment. (The boat had AC but we never needed it.) This is the best way to see the islands, (like a cruise but you choose your own itinerary). If you like a particular island you stay longer or even return to it. The captain doubles as a guide/host and knows the best restaurants, bars, beaches and is your private interpreter making ordering in restaurants easy. The surprising thing is that it can actually be cheaper then staying in a hotel and a lot more interesting! Be sure to read my article about my experience sailing in Greece at www.greecetravel.com/sailing

David Econopouly of GM Yacht Charters has gathered together the best boats and some of the finest and most entertaining skippers in Greece to offer a large number of specialized sailboat or motor-yacht cruises for honeymooners, archaeologists, people traveling with their pets, disabled, students, naturalists, and more. If you have ever wanted to sail the Greek islands (or Turkey) and find your own special beach or make up your own cruise take read Why Charter A yacht with David at  GM Charters

Getting to Greece
The way to get a cheap flight is to book early. Airlines sell tickets in blocks and each flight can have a number of different prices for the same seats. When the cheaper tickets are sold then you have to buy the next expensive ones. By the time you get to the summer all that is left are the expensive tickets. (Some airlines don't have inexpensive tickets in the summer.) To find the best fares to Greece from the USA go to www.greeceflights.com and use the form. When can you get the best deals on flights? When the airlines need cash. When they are short on cash they have sales. If you are coming from Europe you don't have to fly. You can drive and take the ferry from Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, and Venice in Italy. For information on flights and getting to Greece visit my Athens Survival Guide and see the first section, called Getting To Athens.

*Note on airlines and automated booking.

Greek Ferry Boats
There is more on ferries in the Greek Island section but here is some basic info. Most ferries leave from Pireaus which you can get to in 15 minutes by metro or taxi from central Athens. The schedules come out a week in advance and can be found at www.athensguide.com/greek-island-ferry-schedules

There are modern highspeed ferries that cut travel time in half and cost twice as much as the regular ferries. There are also the Blue Star ferries which are somewhere in between. You may read that ferries are unreliable and while I would not go that far in describing their service they can be cancelled because of weather or mechanical problems or can be delayed. To avoid any problems with your trip home because of a ferry delay I suggest saving Athens for the end of your trip. A good plan is to arrive and spend the first night in Athens and see as much as you can that day and leave for the islands the next day. Give yourself 2 or 3 days at the end of your trip to experience Athens and the mainland.

Greece Safety Update
Is Greece safe for travelers with all this war and terrorism going on? Yes, as always. It seems that no matter how crazy the world gets, a trip to the Greek islands is enough to bring a little peace to yourself. I have been in Greece for every crisis and never has being an American been a problem. I have gotten lectured by taxi drivers about why America must change its policies to keep their friends in the world but never have I experienced hostility for being an American. I think it is pretty cool that they differentiate between the US Government and the American People. Read more at www.greektravel.com/safety

Schools, Churches and Groups coming to Greece
Did you know you can get great discounts on hotels, cruises and tours if you come as a group? If you are a school, a wedding party, a company going on a trip, a family reunion, a cultural organization, church or if you are just someone who wants to come to Greece with friends and family or a travel agent check out the Groups page at www.greecetravel.com/groups where you can put together a specialized itinerary for your people and then get a price per-person. And you won't have to negotiate with the hotels one-by-one. Everything is taken care of and all you have to do is make sure everyone gets on the plane.

The Olympics
Yes the Olympics are over and despite the dire predictions of the media they were a success. You may have seen it on TV and thought to yourself "I should have come". I was there and I agree that you should have. But the good news is that the changes they made in Athens will be around for a long time, making Athens truly one of the most fun and interesting and livable cities in Europe if not the world. New metro, new coastal tram making it easy to get to the beaches of Attika, new parks and miles and miles of streets turned into pedestrian walkways. Plus almost all the hotels and museums have been rennovated and expanded. So there is not much you can do about missing the Olympics, but if you want to see why the people who came to Athens called it the Best Olympics Ever, come and experience it for yourself. Athens restaurants, nightlife, cafes, parks, archaeological sites and cultural events are a year-round phenomena. Athens has become a city that would make the ancient Greeks proud. See www.athensguide.com and also visit my Olympics page and see what you missed at www.greecetravel.com/2004olympics

Maps of Greece
If you want a map of Greece to get your bearings see www.greektravel.com/maps/greece.html

By the way....
This website began as a hobby about ten years ago and since then it has grown in popularity and size. It would be even bigger if I did not spend 5 hours a day answering e-mail from travelers going to Greece. People have been asking me how they can contribute. First of all you can contribute by using the agencies I recommend. Without their support this site could not exist. The best way to contribute is to help spread the word about my Greece Travel Guides. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell strangers on the travel bulletin boards. If you have your own website or blog make a link. The only way I can compete with the big commercial sites is with your help.

Questions? E-mail me: matt@greecetravel.com