Greece offers a myriad of experiences, landscapes and activities. It is the pulsing nightclubs of Mykonos and the ancient beauty of Delos; the grandeur of Delphi and the earthiness of Ioannina; the rugged hillsides of Crete and the lush wildflowers of spring. It is the blinding light of the Mykonos sun, the melancholy throb of Thessaloniki's rembetika (blues songs), the tang of home-made tzatziki, the gossip in the kafeneia (coffee shops). It is the Parthenon - solitary and pristine - lording it over the hazy sprawl of Athens. Philoxenia, the tradition of giving a warm and generous welcome to visitors, has a long tradition in Greece. Almost every visitor comes home with at least one story of an encounter with a local who didn't just give him directions, but walked him to his destination. Many who visit Greece find themselves included in local celebrations, wined and dined by Greeks who see themselves as honor-bound to welcome the stranger as their honored guest.
It is easier to understand Greece as mainland and the islands. The Greek Islands ! It's time to be lazy for a while! There's ample sun, endless stretches of sandy beaches, azure seas and great entertainment opportunities! Better facilities inevitably come at higher prices; faster and safer sea travel has replaced more romantic slow boat voyages to rocky isles; wholesome, home-cooked food may be hard to find amid the surfeit of tacos, sushi or stir-fried lamb; homey, boxlike rooms tended to with a smile have been usurped by airy, air-conned self-catering apartments with nary a Greek face in sight to say kalimera (good morning). The job at hand is simple: decide which particular Greece you want to experience.
Schengen Visa The Schengen Visa has made traveling between its 25 member countries (22 European Union states and 3 non-EU members) much easier and less bureaucratic. Traveling on a Schengen Visa means that the visa holder can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a “visitor visa”. It is issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering.
Transport There are many different ways to get around Greece…Hire a car, get a taxi, get a bus, motor scooter or a bike. Driving around is a breeze with the modern network.
Currency Greece has the euro (EUR, €) as its currency. Therewith,Germany belongs to the 23 European countries that use the common European money. One euro is divided into 100 cents. A lot of shops do not accept banknotes of €100, €200 and €500, due to concerns about counterfeiting and burglary. For safety reasons, credit card use in some parts of Greece requires a PIN-code. ATMs are readily available, mostly near shopping and nightlife areas. Mostly everywhere you can find an ATM.