Travel tips to Greece

About the county
Being one of the earliest civilizations known to human kind Greece is a country with rich history, heritage and culture. It is the place where Byzantine Empire once ruled and also great Ottoman Empire. It is also considered to be as the birth place of Democracy. Athens is the capital city of Greece. The Olympic games originated in Greece. Not only that, it was the world center for western philosophy, political science, astronomy, mathematics, major scientific studies and what not. It is also known as a Mediterranean country as it has Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is a popular destination for world tourists in that region known for its beautiful beaches, reach history and charming villages. The Greek islands are one of the most wonderful places to be explored by Cruise or Yacht. The trip of Greece will definitely be one of the most memorable to remember in one’s life.
Population & Languages
The population of Greece is around 11 million and the official language being spoken is Greek. The other popular languages are English and French.
Electricity
The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment, round pin with ground, Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.
Geographic Location
It is located in Southern Europe bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea between Albania and Turkey. It is situated in the southern side of Balkan Peninsula. It is also bordered by Bulgaria and Macedonia in the southeast.
Climate
It has three distinct climates namely Alpine, Mediterranean and temperate climate with mild and wet winters and also hot and dry summers due to Mediterranean affect. Alpine system is seen in mountainous regions. The temperate climate is seen near border along Macedonia. Athens has both temperate and Mediterranean weather.
Local Customs
The Greece is a place with strong historic and cultural background. There are different traditions and customs in different parts of the Greece. The throwing back of a hand is considered to be a negative gesture here in Greece. Casual dress can be worn most of the times. Smoking is prohibited in public transport services and public buildings. Tipping 12 to 1 percent is customary in restaurants, hotels and taxis.
Attractions
* The Olympic Games in Athens (the spot of the historic 2004 Olympic Games)
* Mardi Grass Celebrations in February
* The Parthenon in Athens
* Skiing in Arahova Mountains between October and March
* Easter Celebrations
* Thessaloniki’s White Tower and country’s rich Byzantine culture
* The south of Corinth
* The beaches in Lesvos
* The wine vineyards in the countryside
* The islands near the Aegean Sea
* The wildlife preserve in Alonissos (Sporades Marine Park)
* The famous, Moni Panagia Chozoviotissa, a Byzantine monastery in Amorgos
Travel
By Air – The national airline of Greece is Olympic Airlines. Many popular airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines operate daily flight from Athens. The biggest airport is newly constructed Athens International Airport which is located like 17 miles northeast of the city. The other international airports of Greece are Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki (Macedonia) and Corfu (Kerkira).
By Sea – The popular Greek ports include Corfu, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Volos. Shipping vessels and ferryboat lines link these ports with Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Russia and Turkey. Some of the popular cruises operating in Greece are Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.
By Rail – If one is coming from UK, the best way is to take Eurostar train to Brussels or Paris and from there take connecting train to Greece.
Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine
4. Perfumes – 50 gm or 250 ml
5. Gifts up to €175
Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.
Africa is the world’s second largest continent after Asia. With the 53 counties inside, Africa is like a buried treasure that waiting for our exploration. The unique, vast and hard wildlife has made Africa as the heaven for all wild animals. There is no other place in this world that has the wildlife with many wild animals except Africa. The wildlife alive naturally and the animals survives with the nature selection. Seems that human is never live between them.
After exploring information about Africa, now we will explore the other side of the world. Alaska. Alaska seems to be the opposite of Africa in climate. When you find that Africa is hot with many desert and forest, you will find that Alaska is so cold and covered with snow. Lie in the northwest of the North American continent, Alaska is a state in the United States of America. Going to Alaska will give you many opportunities to experience its glaciers, wildlife and scenery up close. Learning about Alaska native art and culture, experience the wildlife and glacier cruise, and riding with sled dogs just like the Iditarod musher will absolutely make your vacation perfect.
Step into Congo Brazzaville, you will find the original heart of darkness. The rainforests are so virgin. While most places and forest on the earth have long been explored, the forests of Congo are still remained wild and untouchable. These are one of the world’s best kept wildlife secrets.
Welcome to Bangkok. Many western call it as the Venice of the East. Do you want to know why? Bangkok offers a unique trip through its rivers and canals. This is just like a trip on Venice.
When you choose Alaska for your vacation place, you have made the right decision. Traveling to Alaska and exploring the marine life with Alaska cruise will allow you to have a dramatic experience you won’t find in other place of the world. You can view with your own eyes the most dramatic scenery and the most abundant marine life in the world. Alaska is the land that has the biggest bears in the world. In marine life, Alaska is the area that has the largest salmon and more than half the world’s humpback whale population. You can see directly the forty ton humpback whale breaking the surface of the water for air. Visit Alaska in summer and you will see more than two thousand humpbacks feed in the waters of Alaska. This is magnificent scenery of the giants of the sea. Remember, you won’t find such scenery in other part of the world. You can only see it in Alaska.