The Greek islands are stunning and boast clear azure waters, golden beaches, secluded coves and bays, caves and dramatic gorges along with fascinating ancient Greek history. With so many varied and contrasting islands to explore charterers will be delighted with this spectacular cruising ground.
Greece as over 44 airports with Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos and Heraklion being the main international airports and Santorini, Heraklio, Chania, Kos, Rhodes, Samos, Skaithos, Corfu, Lefkada, Karpathos and Lemnos being used less frequently but are still international airports. Most major airlines operate a frequent service to and from Greece.
Olympic Airlines and Aegean airlines run frequent smaller domestic planes to outer islands and other mainland destinations.
Entry Requirements
Passports are required for all visitors to Greece. For citizens travelling from the EU, passports must be valid for the duration of the stay. American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and south African visitors must have a passport that is valid for atleast 3 months after the end of their stay. Return or onward tickets should be held by all visitors and sufficient funds are required to support you during your stay.
Visas are not required for citizens of the EU, United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand providing the stay does not exceed 3 months, all other countries will need a valid Visa to enter the country.
Language
Greek is the official language of Greece.
Health
Always check with your doctor before travelling which vaccinations you will need.
Tap water is generally safe, but bottled water is readily available.
Sunscreen is always advisable as the sun is strong.
When in the sea take care not to touch anything, just look. Be careful not to stand on a Sea Urchin, if you do and the spines are protruding from your skin, remove them with care. If the spine is beneath the skin do not try to remove as they will eventually dissolve. Soak with vinegar or some form of antiseptic to stop infection.
Taxes and Service Charges
Departure tax - €12.15 (international), €8.51 (domestic). A security fee of €1.52 is also charged.
Service Charge - 10 to 15%, this is often added to the bill so check before you leave further gratuity.
Gratuity - discretional, usually 10 – 15% depending on the level of service.
Taxis - A small tip or rounding up the fare is always appreciated by Taxi drivers.
Safety
Petty theft does occur in Greece the same as most countries and is higher in the summer months and in tourist destinations.
Visitors should take common-sense precautions against petty crime.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use safety deposit facilities if available.
Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach or in cars.
Always lock up boats when going ashore.
Currency
Greek currency is the Euro.
ATMs can be found in any reasonable sized town but if you are travelling to places off the beaten track or are sailing to the outer islands it is always advisable to carry some cash as banking facilities are not always available.
Banks will exchange all major currencies in cash, travellers cheques and Eurocheques.
Post Offices, travel agencies and large hotels will change money for you but the commission will be at a higher rate than the bank.
Most shops, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards. Visa, MasterCard (Access) and Eurocard are the most widely accepted, it is always advisable to check payment method before ordering.
Time Zone
Standard time is GMT + 2 hours
Electricity
Greece has a 220V, 50HZ electricity system with a European plug. The plug has two circular metal pins.
Communication
International dialing code: + (30)
Telephones in Greece are available throughout the country and phone cards can be purchased from most shops.
Mobile phone roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage throughout the country is excellent.
Internet cafes are available throughout the country and islands.
VHF radios are used throughout the islands.
