sueet2b
from your past experience, how was your trip to greece? to their islands? which ones were the best? which ones are to avoid?
most of all, was it ever safe? or did you ever feel a little uncomfortable at certain places in greece?
the reason im asking is because this week my bf came up with the wild idea of taking off to greece (im currently living in italy) this thursday with only 2 backpacks and leave by boat, from italy to greece. get there, rent a little 'motorino' and take off to athens, then from there go from island to island, no reservations, nothing, no plans ahead, just on the road for a week. sounds like a fun, but it gets me kinda worried, what if we never find a hotel to stay for one night? what if all of them are booked? have people done this before? can you actually sleep on the beach? is it safe in general? here in italy its safe, its only UNsafe to be pickpocked, is it the same in greece?
any info at all would help, thanks!!
Answer
The main places to visit in Greece is the city of Athens (and Thessaloniki if you can) and some islands.
You have to surf in the internet for pictures of greek islands and find which is more interesting for you to visit. The most famous is Rodos, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, Creta, Paros, Hydra, Lesbos.
I suggest you to search for pictures because they have different architerture and you better choose your style. My choises are corfu and santorini. If you will go from italy with ship, you better book to stop in corfu (wich is in your way) stay there for a day or two. The town of corfu is the main attraction. Then take another ship to Pereus or wherever you want to go in greece.
about secutity, criminality is similar with italy, mostly imigrants like albanians commit crimes.
also you have to be carefull with the taxi drivers because they may charge more (report them to the police).
in the islands is not dangerous to camp at the beach but you never know, you better check for campings and hostels since you are a backpaker. in every city there is an office of the greek organization of tourism, they will give you all the information you need, I think that they are open from moring until afternoon on weekdays (not 24/7)
greece is less expensive than italy but you have to compare prices of hotels and restaurants in tourist areas because at this time of the year they may charge more.
the best think to eat (cheap) is souvlaki and giros (since you are in greece) there are many kinds of other take away too.
ps. don't drink tub water
The main places to visit in Greece is the city of Athens (and Thessaloniki if you can) and some islands.
You have to surf in the internet for pictures of greek islands and find which is more interesting for you to visit. The most famous is Rodos, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, Creta, Paros, Hydra, Lesbos.
I suggest you to search for pictures because they have different architerture and you better choose your style. My choises are corfu and santorini. If you will go from italy with ship, you better book to stop in corfu (wich is in your way) stay there for a day or two. The town of corfu is the main attraction. Then take another ship to Pereus or wherever you want to go in greece.
about secutity, criminality is similar with italy, mostly imigrants like albanians commit crimes.
also you have to be carefull with the taxi drivers because they may charge more (report them to the police).
in the islands is not dangerous to camp at the beach but you never know, you better check for campings and hostels since you are a backpaker. in every city there is an office of the greek organization of tourism, they will give you all the information you need, I think that they are open from moring until afternoon on weekdays (not 24/7)
greece is less expensive than italy but you have to compare prices of hotels and restaurants in tourist areas because at this time of the year they may charge more.
the best think to eat (cheap) is souvlaki and giros (since you are in greece) there are many kinds of other take away too.
ps. don't drink tub water
Are ther any Greek here that are in Greece now?
Mother God
yasou! Can you please tell me the best parts of Greece to visit were its still warm in October months? Thanks
Answer
Yasou Greek girl,The best place for an extended Summer is the Island of Crete(kriti). I have spent many Summers on Crete & the weather is good up to early November in many cases especially the south west of Crete a place called Vai. If Crete is hard to get to try Southern Peloponnese's. The further south the warmer it is.
Vai is famous for its palm forest located right on the beach. It is the largest palm forest in Crete and these palms are endemic Cretan palms (Phoenix theophrastii) and were not imported inadvertently by Saracene pirates eating dates (as some would like you to believe). This superb beach, discovered by a few hippies in the 70s became a favourite with long term campers in the 80s until it got turned into something of a rubbish dump by their carelessness. A sad but not uncommon story in Crete and elsewhere. Finally, it was declared a protected area, camping was forbidden, the beach got fenced off and entrance only allowed during day time. The beach is free but you will pay a parking fee if you come by car.
Getting there: there is a public bus from Sitia several times a day.
Atmosphere: Vai is one of the main tourist attractions of Crete so the place gets very busy with tour buses as well a many visitors in rented cars. Mass tourism in eastern Crete.
Accommodation: none. The nearest place to stay would be Palekastro.
Restaurants: there is only one taverna in Vai (apart from the beach snack bar) but despite it's monopoly the prices are fair and the food is good. And you have a nice view of the beach.
Beach: The beach of Vai is beautiful but nowadays it is entirely fenced off and covered in beach beds and umbrellas. This certainly reduces its charm, especially when you add the masses of visitors.
Itanos is located only two kilometers north of Vai and whilst it only has a few palms it has three pretty beaches and no crowds (altough during the high season there are times when the beach can get crowded by Vai visitors escaping the chaos there).
Itanos was an important Greco-Roman harbour and probably inhabited since Minoan times. The archaeological site is right along the beach.
A very beautiful corner of Crete but its days might be counted: a HUGE touristic project is planned just north of Itanos. So go and enjoy Itanos whilst you can, it might change very very soon.
The climate of Crete
July and August:
The high season! The weather is hot, very hot, too many tourists especially since the Greeks have "discovered" Crete as a holiday destination. You become a number in the crowd, prices are higher and you may have difficulties finding accommodation. The sea of course is wonderfully warm and if you search a little it is possible to find villages and beaches that remain fairly quiet.
September and October
These are better months as the weather is not as hot anymore. The sea is still really warm and there are far less tourists. The Cretans - especially the ones who work with tourism - although tired from the summer season are getting more relaxed. It is also one of the preferred period for hikers. One drawback is that as it has not rained for several months the nature is really dry.
November and December:
Tourism comes to an abrupt stop at the end of October with the end of charter flights. These months are as quiet as January and February but the chances of good weather are much higher. It is also still possible to swim. All in all not a bad time to be on Crete if you are prepared to risk some days of rain.
Hope this helps its one of the beautiful places on this Earth.Na perasis kala opou kai na pas.Kalo kalokari Gr.girl. For more information I have placed links below.
Yasou Greek girl,The best place for an extended Summer is the Island of Crete(kriti). I have spent many Summers on Crete & the weather is good up to early November in many cases especially the south west of Crete a place called Vai. If Crete is hard to get to try Southern Peloponnese's. The further south the warmer it is.
Vai is famous for its palm forest located right on the beach. It is the largest palm forest in Crete and these palms are endemic Cretan palms (Phoenix theophrastii) and were not imported inadvertently by Saracene pirates eating dates (as some would like you to believe). This superb beach, discovered by a few hippies in the 70s became a favourite with long term campers in the 80s until it got turned into something of a rubbish dump by their carelessness. A sad but not uncommon story in Crete and elsewhere. Finally, it was declared a protected area, camping was forbidden, the beach got fenced off and entrance only allowed during day time. The beach is free but you will pay a parking fee if you come by car.
Getting there: there is a public bus from Sitia several times a day.
Atmosphere: Vai is one of the main tourist attractions of Crete so the place gets very busy with tour buses as well a many visitors in rented cars. Mass tourism in eastern Crete.
Accommodation: none. The nearest place to stay would be Palekastro.
Restaurants: there is only one taverna in Vai (apart from the beach snack bar) but despite it's monopoly the prices are fair and the food is good. And you have a nice view of the beach.
Beach: The beach of Vai is beautiful but nowadays it is entirely fenced off and covered in beach beds and umbrellas. This certainly reduces its charm, especially when you add the masses of visitors.
Itanos is located only two kilometers north of Vai and whilst it only has a few palms it has three pretty beaches and no crowds (altough during the high season there are times when the beach can get crowded by Vai visitors escaping the chaos there).
Itanos was an important Greco-Roman harbour and probably inhabited since Minoan times. The archaeological site is right along the beach.
A very beautiful corner of Crete but its days might be counted: a HUGE touristic project is planned just north of Itanos. So go and enjoy Itanos whilst you can, it might change very very soon.
The climate of Crete
July and August:
The high season! The weather is hot, very hot, too many tourists especially since the Greeks have "discovered" Crete as a holiday destination. You become a number in the crowd, prices are higher and you may have difficulties finding accommodation. The sea of course is wonderfully warm and if you search a little it is possible to find villages and beaches that remain fairly quiet.
September and October
These are better months as the weather is not as hot anymore. The sea is still really warm and there are far less tourists. The Cretans - especially the ones who work with tourism - although tired from the summer season are getting more relaxed. It is also one of the preferred period for hikers. One drawback is that as it has not rained for several months the nature is really dry.
November and December:
Tourism comes to an abrupt stop at the end of October with the end of charter flights. These months are as quiet as January and February but the chances of good weather are much higher. It is also still possible to swim. All in all not a bad time to be on Crete if you are prepared to risk some days of rain.
Hope this helps its one of the beautiful places on this Earth.Na perasis kala opou kai na pas.Kalo kalokari Gr.girl. For more information I have placed links below.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment