Escorted tours to Greece
Language: Greek
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: GMT+2/EET
Tipping: It is typical etiquette in Greece to leave a 10-15% tip.
Greece - An Introduction
Everyone will have read, watched or learned about some form of Greek history and Greece escorted tours allow you to say a cheerful kalimera (hello) this diverse country. The selection on offer to discover either mainland Greece or one of the 200 islands allows visitors to take in the huge open-air museum that is the mighty Parthenon in Athens, soak up the rays of sunshine in Halkidiki or cruise around the islands to get a sense of each one and what they have to offer. For an even more diverse holiday you can even combine with Turkey, Greece's neighbour.
Traditional and home grown cuisine makes Greece escorted tours the best for anyone willing to try what the people of this country do very well - create dishes to tempt you using fine wines, feta cheeses and olives. Fresh fish and slow cooked meat make meal times a true feast, with stuffed vine leaves and Kleftiko in the mix to name but a few.
From historical sights in Athens and seeing the Corinthian canal in the Penepolese to visiting the soft sandy beaches of the largest Greek island Crete or the laid back smaller resorts on Rhodes and Kos, there is an area of Greece to suit most visitors' desires.
Weather
Thinking of travelling to Greece? Check out the average temperatures for when you plan to visit courtesy of BBC Weather
Tourist office:
For further information about Greece visit the Official Tourism Website at: visitgreece.gr.
From ancient ruins to Aegean islands, there are lots of things to do in Greece. Here are our pick of the best:
Athens
As the capital city, Athens has played a large role in the history of Greece and still plays a massive role today. The ancient ruins of the Parthenon towers above the city and is definitely worth a visit when in the area. With ancient Greece having such a strong relationship to the ancient Olympic Games, Athens hosted the 2004 Olympic Games.
Santorini
One of Greece's many islands in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is located around 120 miles south of the Greek mainland. A popular destination for cruise ships during the summer months, Santorini is a bustling, vibrant and somewhat hilly island. To reach the top of the Island you either need to use the cable car, ride one of the donkeys up the cobbled path or if you are feeling energetic you can walk! There are plenty of bars, restaurants and gift shops when you reach the top.
Mykonos
Another of Greece's islands, Mykonos is another popular destination. With white washed buildings, crystal clear turquoise sea and a sunny climate, this island is definitely worth visiting when in Greece. Explore the souvenir shops, cafes, bars and restaurants and take a look at the world famous windmills, which originally date back to the 16th Century.
Delphi
Delphi is an archaeological site on the south-western side of Mount Parnassus, and here was the site of the Pythian Games, which were a pre-cursor to the Modern Olympics. There are a number of historical sites in Delphi; the Oracle, the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, the Tholos and Sibyl Rock. Thousands of visitors flock to this area to immerse themselves in the history of this picturesque area.
One of the benefits of travelling in an escorted tour is that you'll be in the safest hands when it comes to holidaying in foreign lands. To help you have an enjoyable holiday in Greece take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):
Health and Travel Insurance
When visiting Greece you should apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) prior to travelling from the UK. ThegHIC isn't a substitute for medical or travel insurance, but it does entitle you to state provided medical treatment should it become necessary during your trip. All treatment provided is given on the same terms as Greek nationals. It's worth noting that the GHIC does not cover repatriation, non-urgent treatment or on-going medical treatment, so you must make sure you have the correct travel insurance and also access to funds which can cover the cost of any treatment and repatriation. Most tours offer the chance to purchase one-trip travel insurance at the time of booking.
Entry Requirements
Passport validity
If you are planning to visit Greece, you must meet the following passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- Valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
Please note: If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. These extra months do not count towards your passport validity.
Visas
You can travel to Greece for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
Please note that any previous visits you have made to the Schengen countries within the last 180 days will count towards your 90-day limit.
Passport stamping
Your passport will be stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Greece as a visitor. These passport stamps are used to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit in the Schengen area.
Any other nationality looking to visit the Greece must contact the local embassy to check visa requirements.