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Greece and Greeks welcome with open arms the thousands of visitors that flock to admire their national assets every year - no-one leaves without having been warmed, both by the sun and the hospitality.

The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on its ever-popular islands, which cling to their stereotypical architecture and way of life despite being often over-run by tourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, lined fishermen sit in the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or dice. The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides around narrow pebbled alleys has been retained. The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, the historic harbour of Greece's mainland capital, Athens, by ferry or hydrofoil, offering a unique chance for 'island-hopping'. Many of the larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens or seasonally with major European cities.

On the mainland the city of Athens in the south is sprawling, overcrowded and polluted but nevertheless enthralls visitors, while Thessaloniki in the north is vibrant and modern with a Byzantine flavour. Athens is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon: the remains of other wonders of the ancient Greek classical world are to be found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Corinth, the gateway to a veritable treasure trove of history.

Time:
Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.
Language:
Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.
Health:
There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human infections have been reported. The risk to people is believed to be very low, but visitors are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.
Safety:
There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. The bombs that exploded in central Athens outside a police station on 5 May 2004 were not targeted at tourists, but visitors could be caught up accidentally in such incidents. Greece is otherwise considered a safe destination, but the height of the tourist season does usually see an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors are advised not to carry valuables on them. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands and lone visitors are advised not to accept lifts from strangers.
Communications:
The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the Internet from hotels.

Money:
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros.

Climate:
Greece enjoys mild winters and very hot, dry summers cooled by seasonal breezes known as 'meltemia'. Snow can fall in the mountainous regions in winter. Winter is the wettest season and rain is unlikely between June and August.

Greece Passport & Visa Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens require a passport valid for at least three months after the end of their stay. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months, but a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are advisable.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but a visa is not required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport (must be valid at least 3 months beyond period of intended stay). No visa is required for a stay of up to 3 months, provided coming for touristic purposes.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport valid at least three months beyond period of intended stay. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a passport valid at least three months beyond expiry date of the visa. A visa is required. Greece accepts visas issued by other Schengen States according to the Schengen Agreement. Visitors must hold medical travel insurance.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens require a passport (must be valid at least 3 months beyond period of intended stay). No visa is required for a stay of up to 3 months, provided coming for touristic purposes.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must hold a passport valid for the period of their intended stay, but no visa is necessary.
Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Travellers to Greece must hold visible means of support. It is recommended to hold return/onward ticket. If arriving with a one-way ticket, passengers may be asked for proof of sufficient funds for the return/onward journey.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

ATHENS

Athens exudes a unique charm, its lively character winning over tens of thousands of visitors every year. Street markets, vine-covered tavernas, souvenir stalls and ancient monuments all form a conglomerate with buildings old and new in this city, which one out of four Greeks call home. For tourists the greatest advantage is that most attractions are accessible on foot in the central area around the landmark Acropolis. Walking is the best way to soak up the Athenian atmosphere because the traffic can reach nightmare proportions.

Athens was named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, who according to mythology won the city as prize after a duel against Poseidon. The city can chart its history back thousands of years and is regarded as the cradle of western civilisation; the place where democracy was invented and philosophy, art and architecture were refined. After a classical golden age when it was home to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the city declined in the Middle Ages, dwindling to nothing but a town with a few thousand residents gathered in the colourful area that is now known as the Plaka, until its rebirth as capital of an independent Greece in 1834.

WHAT TO SEE IN GREECE

Acropolis
Those arriving in Athens for the first time generally head immediately for the Acropolis. There are very few visitors who are not already familiar with the image of this distinctive citadel of ancient Athens, perched on its steep flat-topped rock above the sprawling city. It is the spot where Athens, and classical Greek civilisation, began, and the site of a collection of beautiful temples, most dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena. The ruins that remain visible today date from the 4th century BC, most of them erected by Pericles after the Persians destroyed many of the original Acropolis buildings. Visitors toil up the slopes past the souvenir stands and enter the site through the monumental entrance way, the Propylaia, which in ancient times contained an art gallery. To the right of the entrance is the tiny temple of Athena Nike, reconstructed and restored. The Parthenon, the greatest surviving monument of Doric architecture, is the biggest drawcard on the Acropolis, built of Pentelic marble quarried from the distant mountains, which form the backdrop to the magnificent view of Athens from the Acropolis. Alongside the Parthenon is another temple, the Erechtheion, which bears holes on its northern porch where Poseidon's trident struck it during his contest with Athena to have the city named after him. There is a museum on the Acropolis, too, where some of the carving and friezes recovered from the temples are on show, although many of the archaeological finds from the Acropolis are now housed in the British Museum in London.

Telephone: (01) 321 0219; Opening time: Daily 8am to 7.30pm (15 June to 31 October); 8.30am to 3pm (November to May); Admission: €7 for adults, under 18s are free. €3 for students from countries outside the EU. From November to March, Sundays are free

Ancient Agora
Clustered below the Acropolis (enter from Odos Adrianou, east of Monastiraki Square) is the remains of the Agora, ancient Athens' commercial and civic centre, where once walked and talked the great philosophers Socrates and Plato. In fact the disgraced and despairing Socrates committed suicide in a prison in the southwest corner of the Agora, by drinking poison. The area is littered with the ruins of numerous ancient buildings, including the Dionysos Theatre (the world's oldest theatre where great plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed). One building that has been restored is the 200 BC Stoa of Attalos (a stoa is a long, low roofed promenade which served as a combination law court, municipal office and shopping arcade in classical Greece). The reconstructed building now has a museum on its ground floor containing artefacts covering 5,000 years of Athenian history.

Telephone: (01) 321 0185; Opening time: Daily 8am to 7.30pm; Admission: A package valid for all Archaeological Sites of Athens including the Acropolis site and museum, Theatre of Dionysos, Kerameikos, Olympieion and Roman Agora is €12 (adults), €6 (concessions)

National Archaeological Museum
This is the largest and most popular of Athens' many museums, and is usually very crowded. Its vast collection includes treasures unearthed from Mycenae by Heinrich Schliemann; a staggering array of sculpture including the earliest known Greek figurines dating from around 2,000 BC; frescoes from the volcanic island of Santorini; and so much more that it is recommended visitors make several visits to absorb it all.

Address: Patission 44 Street; Telephone: (01) 821 7724; E-mail: protocol@eam.culture.gr; Opening time: Monday 12.30pm to 5pm; Tuesday to Friday 8am to 5pm; weekends and public holidays 8.30am to 3pm; Admission: €6 (adults); €3 (concessions). From November to March, Sundays are free

CORFU

The island of Corfu, best known of the seven Ionian islands that lie off the north-west coast of Greece, differs markedly from the other popular Greek islands because not only is it green and lush, but also very developed with tourist resorts and hotels. Summer time is hectic on Corfu, with charter flights arriving daily from European cities, ferries disgorging travellers from Italy, and cruise ships docking.

There is plenty to draw visitors to this magical island. Modern Corfu Town is upbeat and cosmopolitan, offering an exciting conglomeration of Greek, Italian, French and British influences. The old town was laid out by the Venetians in the 14th century and features narrow alleys lined with multi-storeyed pastel-coloured buildings with red tiled roofs, creating a scene reminiscent of Italy. The hub of activity in the town centre is the Liston, an arcaded row of cafes and restaurants, copied from the Rue de Rivoli in Paris.

Those wishing to escape from the melee in the town can head for the interior to enjoy some spectacular scenery and greenery. Corfu has, for instance, 43 different kinds of orchids growing wild in the countryside, and there are countless olive groves. Finally there are, of course, the beautiful beaches washed by the sparkling Ionian Sea, and it is still possible to search out a secluded cove or two even in the busy season when the over-developed resorts on the east coast are awash with package tourists.

WHAT TO SEE IN CORFU

Achilleion
The villa of Achilleion was built for Empress Elizabeth of Austria in 1890 as a memorial to her son, Rudolf, after his death by suicide. The villa, Neoclassical in style, features numerous statues and motifs associated with Achilles both inside and out. The gardens are also set with a number of statues commissioned by the Empress, including the famous 'Dying Achilles' by German sculptor Herter. Part of the villa is now a museum, with a casino housed on the second floor. Opening time: The rooms are open daily 9am to 4pm

Archaeological Museum
Like all good Greek towns, Corfu Town has its Archaeological Museum, on the boulevard along the waterfront. Although it is small, it is worth visiting particularly to see the pediment from the Temple of Artemis that is housed there. The temple dates from 590 BC and is south of Corfu Town. The pediment on display in the museum features a Medusa and is regarded as a fine example of archaic sculpture. The museum has some other interesting sculptures too.

Telephone: (0661) 30680; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 8.30am to 2.30pm; Admission: €3 (adults), €2 for students from countries outside EU. Special ticketing package for the Archaeological Museum, the Old Fortress, the Church of Antivouniotissa and the Museum of Asian Art: €8 (reduced €4)

Kanoni
South of Corfu Town is the clifftop terraced view site of Kanoni, overlooking an inlet that contains two tiny islands. One of the islets can be reached via a causeway and bears the Monastery of Vlakherna. The other islet is known as Mouse Island, and legend has it that it is actually a ship turned to stone. A small boat ferry will carry you to Mouse Island to visit the 13th-century chapel set among the trees.

Museum of Asian Art
The building housing this collection of Chinese and Japanese works of art is a beautiful neoclassical structure built by the British in 1820 when the Ionian Islands were ruled by Britain. The museum is a peaceful oasis exhibiting Chinese porcelain and art through all the main dynasties, as well as some Japanese prints, ceramics and sculpture. The Museum is situated at the north end of the Esplanade in Corfu Town.

Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 2.30pm

Greece Contacts

Greek Tourist Office: +30 210 3310392
Greek Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 939 1300
Greek Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7229 3850
Greek Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6271
Greek Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3011
Greek Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 7351/2/3
Greek Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 676 7254
Greek Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 7775/6
United States Embassy, Athens: +30 210 721 2951
British Embassy, Athens: +30 210 727 2600
Canadian Embassy, Athens: +30 210 727 3400
Australian Embassy, Athens: +30 210 870 4000
South African Embassy, Athens: +30 210 610 6645
Irish Embassy, Athens: +30 210 723 2771
New Zealand Consulate-General, Athens: +30 210 692 4136
Emergencies: 112/100 (Police); 112/166 (Ambulance)

AIRPORTS

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Location: The airport is situated 20 miles (33km) south east of Athens city centre. Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 between last Sunday in April and last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +30 210 353 0000. Transfer to the city: The easiest and quickest way to reach the city centre from the airport is on board Athens' new Metro. Metro Line 3 connects the airport with Syntagma Square and Monastiraki. The airport is also served by six public bus routes, which connect to destinations in the greater area of Athens and Piraeus, buses running frequently day and night. Athens International is connected to Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station) by the Suburban Rail line. Finally, there are plenty of taxis to be hired at the ranks in front of the airport terminals, fares charged on a per km basis. Car rental: Avis, Hertz, National, Budget, Europcar and Sixt are all represented at the airport. Facilities: The airport is well supplied with cafes, restaurants, bars and shops, including duty free. There are branches of two banks providing full services at the airport, and numerous ATMs and currency exchange bureaux are also available. Non-EU nationals can get VAT refunded at the EUROCHANGE currency exchange unit located at the Departures Level. Several travel agencies operate from the airport, and there is a Greek National Tourist Board information desk. Conference facilities are available and there is a business centre with Internet access, photocopier machines, faxes and secretarial services. A meeting room is also available. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Parking: Short-term parking (up to four hours) is available right outside the arrivals level of the main terminal. Long-term car parks are the other side of the airport access road with free shuttle buses. Passengers can also opt for an executive valet parking service whose personnel receive and deliver vehicles at the main terminal's departure level. Departure tax: €12.15 (international), €8.51 (domestic). A security fee of €1.52 is also charged. Website: www.aia.gr

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