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The only place I've ever been "done" in a taxi is Athens and its happened several times. Generally Greeks are among the most honest people in the world but something happens to them when they drive taxis in Athens. They all have meters and you should demand that they turn them on when you get in the cab (most do) but then you have no control over which route they take. E.g. I got charged 12 Euros from the centre to Pireaus in the rush hour which I thought was pretty good but on the return trip on a quiet Sunday afternoon it was 20 Euros. I suppose I should have challenged him but I had my wife and daughter saying don't make a scene. The meter tarrif on both trips was on 1 by the way. Also I got charged 9 Euros for a trip from Plaka to Lekibitos hill when the guy said the meter was broken. I'm an idiot - don't you be!!!
Insist the meter is on if they say it's broken get out and get another cab - there are plenty. If you think you are being taken on a detour get out your map and consult it. Make sure the meter is on the correct tarrif there is one for the day and one for late at night. Finally if you are certain you have been overcharged ask for his licence number - make him think!
Use the metros or trams. The trouble is for short rides a taxi is cheaper if there are 3 or 4 of you.
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I went to Zakynthos because of its proximity to the West coast of the Peloponnese. I thought I would take in an Greek island for a couple of days and lie on the beach after visiting many of the Greece's splendid historical sites. Guess what, it rained. So I thought I might subtitle this this tip as what to do in Laganas Beach when it rains. While you get drunk because there is not a heck of a lot else to do. This is because Laganas is simply another resort amongst resorts overloaded with families from Northern Europe that are here for the beach. The place itself other than its location has little to do with Greece. Most of the restaurant staff is English. So is a lot of the hotel staff too. Therefore if you are looking for the real Greece go elsewhere.
If you want to visit a pretty decent beach then this is the place. There is nine kilometers of beach here. And if it rains while as I said you can get drunk. There more bars here than I care to count. Some of them are quite lively and I doubt you will be bored.
Finally there are also the Loggerhead turtles that nest at the nearby Laganas Bay. Leave a Comment
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To my great surprise the VT-database of destinations in Greece is almost empty. I couldn’t find several destinations: Prefecture of Fthiotida – Thermopiles, Prefecture of Attica - Vravrona; Prefecture of Trikala - Kalambaka. I’ve put a question on VT Technical Forum if anybody had any idea how to put pages on these destinations here.
Kiwi (Pam) helped me to find the following location.
Most people have put their Kalambaka pages here: Meteora.
She said it could be a good idea to follow suit, so VT can locate them in the correct place when they are able to. I quite agree with her!
Kiwi (Pam) helped me to find the following location.
Thermopiles.
Though the VT-database of Greece is divided into the databases of Prefectures, but this link leads to Greece as a whole country. I don’t know how it can be.
Jokerit_Pl (Phil) helped to find another location Theropilai.
He told what is interesting about Thermopilai (or its various other spellings) was that it had been a historical point of interest along a coastal passage in Greece, not a city or town. He was sure someone from VT has been here before on a road trip or a tour.
Yes, Phil, it's a place of historic interest first of all (though I doubt it very much and will write about my doubts in my future Thermopiles VT-page) but it's also a village with the real source of thermal water, which attracts a lot of people to bath even in wintertime. That's why it has the name of Thermopiles.
It’s strange that I discover the place which is one of the most attractive for tourists because of the famous battle and two famous films - Thermopiles or Thermopilai or Thermopilon for the first time in VT database… No one VT member has been there!
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In most european countries we are used to those most used gestures like nodding for "yes" and shaking your head for "no". In greece it is different: you simply move your head up, sometimes with raising your eyebrowes. Sometimes some of the greeks add this funny sound made with mouth. You put your mouth like you wanted to kiss somebody and make the sound similar to that when you are impatiernt or fed up wiuth something.
For saying, or better showing "yes" they simply move the head down
Just remember the meaning, as otherwise you will stand in the shop asking if they have beer, and they will make those gestures which will make you a bit confused Leave a Comment
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Avoid places and restaurants (especially in Plaka) that you see only tourists.Especially when a smiling waiter pulls you inside!!! Try to find the places where the greek young people go and are full without waiters' effort. They are more sophisticated, more authentic with better quality of food and additionally, they have better prices!
If you are in a touristic place and you cannot find a place that locals eat, try to find a restaurant that has enough customers, and ask for the menu list before you order, to see the prices. Then have a look around you to other tables, and order what seems fresh and nice to you! :) Leave a Comment
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Most of us are used to order a salad and a main dish and a glass of something.
Well, I advise you to change your behaviour a little when you are in Greece.
You better order small variety of things instead of a main dish. Additionally, try to be at least 4 persons, so as to order many little things that usually are served before the main dish, and share them.
Such things are "meatballs", "small cheese pies", "tzatziki", "sardines", "squids" etc. Leave a Comment
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A lot of the tourist shops are a tourist trap. Your best bet is go a bit more inland near ythe smaller towns. They tend to have more original goods at a much cheaper price.
Also only in Greece as far as I know where the waiters main job is not to bring you food but to bring you to the resturant! How? By almost garbing you through the neck and wrestling inside and tying you up to the chair! :)
Well not all resturants but a lot in the tourist area are fairly aggressive. So avoid the resturants in tourist area and you will get more ''original'' Greek food and much better and more friendly service! Leave a Comment
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When on Santorini I was eating at a restaurant in Thera. I ordered my dish and they brought me bread beforehand which happened often in Turkey where I had been previously. This time however they charged me for it which really upset me because it was crappy bread to boot! Leave a Comment
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i f you are going for shopping..and you do not see the prices then you can be sure it depends much on you also..what the price is going to be.Sure if you ask the price in other language than Greece..the prise i more high than for locals..
So when you are going to Greece, study how to say .."How much does it cost?" - "Poso Kanee?" in Greece..and if they answer (usually they say only numbers) just use the dictionary..i made it secretly ..i do not know why? :)
for example..if the price is like 10 EUROs say you have only 7 EURO-s and just maybe make sad face..and ask is nt there possibilitie to have it with that money..it is loud..and not cruel ..because it is not fare also that there is no exact price for all... Leave a Comment
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Whenever you see in a little island a street stall selling sponges, buy them there. Don't wait till the last day in Athens, they use to be more expensive and worse quality. Leave a Comment
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