About the country

Greece is one of the earliest civilizations known to human kind. It is a country with rich history, heritage and culture. It is the place where the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire once ruled. It is also considered the birth place of Democracy as we know it today. Athens is the capital city of Greece. The Olympic games originated in Greece. Ancient Greece was the world center for western philosophy, political science, astronomy, mathematics, and major scientific studies. It is a popular destination for world tourists because of its beautiful beaches, rich history and charming villages.

Population & Language

The population of Greece is around 11 million and the official language is Greek. Other popular languages are English and French.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment, round pin with ground, round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin, and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

Greece is located in Southern Europe and borders the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey are neighboring countries.

Climate

The weather is normally mild and wet in the winter and hot and dry in the summer.

Local Customs

Greece is a place with a strong historic and cultural background. There are different traditions and customs in different parts of the country. The throwing back of a hand is considered to be a negative gesture here in Greece. Casual dress can be worn most of the times. Smoking is prohibited on all public transportation and public buildings. Tipping 12% is customary in restaurants, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

* The Olympic Games in Athens (the spot of the historic 2004 Olympic Games)
* Mardi Grass Celebrations in February
* The Parthenon in Athens
* Skiing in the Arahova Mountains between October and March
* Easter Celebrations
* Thessaloniki’s White Tower

* The beaches in Lesvos
* The wine vineyards in the countryside
* The islands near the Aegean Sea
* The wildlife preserve in Alonissos (Sporades Marine Park)
* The famous, Moni Panagia Chozoviotissa, a Byzantine monastery in Amorgos

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Greece is Olympic Airlines. Many popular airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines operate daily flight from Athens. The biggest airport is newly constructed Athens International Airport which is located about 17 miles northeast of the city. The other international airports of Greece are Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki (Macedonia) and Corfu (Kerkira).

By Sea – The popular Greek ports include Corfu, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Volos. Shipping vessels and ferryboat lines link these ports with Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Russia and Turkey. Some of the popular cruises operating in Greece are Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.

By Rail – If one is coming from the UK, the best way is to take the Eurostar train to Brussels or Paris and from there take the connecting train to Greece.