Planning your trip to Greece
Greece is a small country with a complicated geography, which takes longer than you might think to navigate. It is this complicated geography that gives Greece its natural beauty with its islands, mountains and pristine beaches making it a globally desired destination.
Planning your trip in advance will provide you with peace of mind and more time to actually enjoy it!
“Do not get distracted by ‘must-visit’ guides.”
What is the purpose of your trip?
Holidays of course, but what kind of holidays do you have in mind?
Leisure, historical exploration, sailing, a road trip to discover the natural landscapes, just blend with the locals and immerse into the culture, or are you envisioning a quiet destination where you can stay throughout your holidays, relax, enjoy the food and recharge your mind and spirit?
Knowing in advance what you would primarily like to do, will help you choose the right places to visit in Greece. Ask yourself, what wonderful memories do we want to bring back from Greece?
What time of the year are you planning your holidays?
Considering the time of year is essential, as it impacts crowd levels, weather conditions, and the availability of activities.
Summertime is all about the sun, the sea and the infamous islands, but do not forget that between the end of June until mid-August some the Greek islands can become overcrowded, especially islands like Mykonos and Santorini.
September is a wonderful month to enjoy Greece as it is still summer with less tourists. Whilst most of the Greeks would not swim in the sea in October, the weather is still warm for a wonderful experience.
During the winter months, life is frequently concentrated in the big cities, but a nature exploration trip would be extremely rewarding.
Springtime is a pleasure to be in Greece, as we celebrate the Orthodox Easter which is a unique experience for all the non-Greek visitors regardless of their religious backgrounds. Springtime is also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature and visit archaeological sites since the weather is pleasantly warm without potential heatwaves.
Are you visiting solo, with friends or family?
The company you are visiting with is a critical factor when deciding where to go on holiday. Although Greece is a family friendly country there are certain destinations where families with young children would find it uncomfortable to stay due to the loud music or the crowds.
How long are you planning to stay?
The duration of your holidays will determine the place or the places you can visit.
Visiting for a short stay, such as a long weekend, it makes more sense to stay at the place of your arrival and enjoy the surroundings instead of trying to travel to another place.
When visiting for longer you can split your trip into different locations; dedicate 3 or 4 days to each destination.
If time permits, a recommendation would be to have a base in a city or a main island and travel according to your availability and desire each time.
How will you travel around?
Opting for convenient modes of transportation, such as renting a car or utilizing public transit, facilitates flexibility and accessibility to various destinations. Renting a car or a motorbike will provide you with the freedom to choose and explore destinations at your own pace, not always accessible by public transport.
Where are you coming from?
Greece has been a dream destination for many people around the world. If you are visiting for the first time, coming from very far away, unsure if you will have another opportunity to come back, visit your dream destination first.
Do not get distracted by ‘must-visit’ guides. Certainly, the Acropolis is a ‘must-visit’ site, but if your heart’s desire is to visit Crete, then visit Crete first. Remember, it is your holidays, and they can only be memorable if they have your own, personal touch.
Where are you flying to?
Athens International Airport is the main hub of the country. However, not everyone enjoys multiple flights to reach a destination. When visiting Greece from the Middle East, always check in advance for seasonal flight to the Greek islands.
For example, Saudia airlines offer seasonal flights directly to Mykonos, WizzAir to Santorini and Flydubai to Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Thessaloniki.
All the Greek islands are connected to Athens via plane or ferry. If you want to avoid multiple flights, or just enjoy the sea, plan the second leg of your trip by boat and make journey part of your holidays.
Remember, it is your holidays, and they can only be memorable if they have your own, personal touch.
Manage your expectations!
Greece is not a country with white houses and blue roofs. What you see in the pictures is from certain islands such as Santorini. What you do not see though, is the crowds of tourists standing to take a photograph of these houses. Most of the country, including the islands, has a more traditional and diverse architecture with materials varying from stone to concrete.
Sailing in Greece
Sailing, Yunanni’s favorite activity, is a wonderful way to enjoy your holidays. Sailing requires planning and flexibility at the same time, as it depends on the wind conditions. A skipper can refuse a trip if the Civil Authority issues a travel ban or suggest re-routing to another destination.
Always have a map next to you
When planning your holidays, always have a map next to you, either in traditional print or online. It will help you understand the distance between locations, the convenience of travelling and estimate the duration of traveling and staying at a destination.
You will also be surprised to discover hidden gems that you would not know they existed. If you are visiting Mykonos this summer but you want to include a cultural experience in your holiday, why not visit Delos, an archaeological site only 30mins by ferry from the old port?
Ask yourself, what wonderful memories do we want to bring back from Greece?
Final words
The Greeks like the tourists, but they do not always appreciate mass tourism. Visting Greece out of season is a tremendous opportunity to get to know the country, the culture, and the people. When less busy, the Greeks express their true nature of hospitality: they take time to explain which places to visit, cook a homemade meal for you, share their local wine, and tell you old stories of their land.
Planning your trip is equivalent to starting your holidays. Remember Greece has a lot to offer and cannot be entirely explored in two weeks. Start from what matters to you and your company, and plan around it, making sure that you will bring back joyful memories and a couple of Greek recipes!
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