secluded beaches in the philippines. Where is the best place to relax in the Philippines? Paradise Island Bantayan
Greece is famous all over the world primarily for its beautiful beaches, wonderful nature and rich history. Here you can bask in the sun and swim, then go to see the most interesting sights, and then go through the many shops, and all this is in every resort town in Greece. Prices will please anyone, in Europe this is one of the most low-cost countries, but the level of comfort and safety at altitude. This real paradise for recreation, so more and more people go to Greece on their own, without travel agencies.
The season in Greece begins in mid-May and ends at the end of October, and the peak of the influx of tourists falls on July-August, during these months most of the hotels are packed to capacity, the beaches are crowded, and prices for everything rise significantly. But if you carefully approach the choice of a place to stay, you can find picturesque town or an urban-type village with a minimum of vacationers, low prices and clean beaches even in the most popular months.
If you want to relax in Greece on your own at the lowest prices and without the ubiquitous crowds of tourists, then it is better to go to this country from early September to mid-October. At this time, prices are significantly reduced, hotels are half empty, shops offer goods at huge discounts, and the sea is still warm and comfortable for swimming. You can also go from May to mid-June, however, the water in the sea will be quite cool, but it will not hurt to see the sights and go shopping.
Independent holidays in Greece compares favorably with the offers of travel agencies in the following ways:
- I travel on my own, only you decide when and where to go to rest
- You can create your own interesting and memorable sightseeing program, which will not look like boring standard excursions "for everyone"
- You can save a lot by going to independent travel in Greece, however, for this you need to follow certain rules for a budget holiday
- You can travel all over Greece by car and see the most Beautiful places who have not yet managed to "trample" millions of tourists
- Exactly independent travelers get much more positive emotions and interesting acquaintances, and they also have an amazing opportunity to get to know the mentality of the Greek people better, which in itself is exciting and promises many adventures that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Flights
It is better to buy tickets to Greece in advance, so you will save a lot of money, because 3-6 months before the date of the flight, prices are minimal. Of course, you can wait for "burning" tickets, but they do not always happen, and the chance to stay without rest at all is very high, because. during the season, tickets to Greece sell like hot cakes.
You can buy tickets at. I myself am looking for air tickets only on Aviasales, the functionality of the site is completely satisfied, the purchase process is simplified as much as possible, and the prices are low. Thanks to this site, I have already saved so much money that I could afford to take another trip around the world.
Most flights to Greece depart from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kyiv. Most popular route Moscow - Athens (Moscow - Athens), the plane will reach the destination in just 3 hours and 15 minutes (the fastest direct flight). The price of a round-trip ticket from Moscow starts from 200 €. The cheapest way is to take tickets with transfers, but then the travel time will increase by several hours.
It will be useful for some travelers to learn how to travel to Greece by car on their own. You can find out about traveling by car in Europe at. Please note that such a vacation requires much more time and effort to organize it, and in terms of money it comes out more expensive than an “airplane” one.
Calendar low prices for air tickets
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Hotels
Prices for hotels in Greece depend on the month (in July and August they are the highest) and on the popularity of the resort (in Athens and Thessaloniki they are the highest). But everyone who wants to get to Hellas (this is the "root" name of Greece) can find housing on his wallet. The most expensive rooms will cost in coastal apartments.
It would seem that the unambiguous time when it is better to go to Greece should be considered summer. After all, Greece is a country of three seas and countless beaches. But it was not there. You can safely go to Greece at any time of the year, and are guaranteed to enjoy the trip. The main thing is to decide what you are going on the road for. Then the question of when to go to Greece will cease to be a problem.
The high season in Greece lasts from June to September. It is at this time that most tourists come here. But this does not mean at all that the summer months are the time when it is better to relax in Greece. In July and August, the country is too hot, there are a lot of tourists on the beaches and on excursions, and prices are skyrocketing. So hardly such rest can be called ideal.
But a trip in late May - early June and September - October guarantees you a great beach holiday. And from November to April, you can safely storm the ski resorts. And of course, excursions and walks in museums in Greece are good at any time of the year. And thermal spas all year round waiting for those wishing to improve the health of the guests.
Winters in the understanding of the inhabitants of cold latitudes in Greece seem to be non-existent. The weather in Greece in winter is warm and rainy. In different regions of the country, the air temperature ranges from +5 to +13°C. In winter, quite a strong wind rises. But even with such unkind weather, the landscapes of Greece look very romantic and even get additional charm. Well, no weather will interfere with a walk through museums and relaxing in spa resorts.
Winter in Greece is also skiing. From November to April in the mountains of Greece there are many ski resorts for every taste. You can read more about this in the section "Ski holidays in Greece". And of course, in winter, the time comes for the Christmas holidays, noisy and cheerful, as the Greeks love. And winter is also a time of sales, so the cold season in Greece is great for shopping.
Holidays in Greece in spring
The weather in Greece in spring is very warm. Already in March, the air temperature sometimes reaches +19°C. And May here already looks like a real summer, but without the excruciating heat. The flowering period lasts all spring in Greece. Wild flowers are blooming, even the most arid regions are covered with greenery. Fruit trees are in full bloom. The peak of flowering is in April. Spring is the best time for a romantic trip to Greece for two. You can admire flowering trees at the same time as visiting ancient temples and Byzantine churches. Spring in Greece is also suitable for excursion tours, and for relaxation in spa resorts. And in March and April, the ski season is still going on in the mountains. At the same time, in May you can already start swimming.
You can read more in the sections:
Holidays in Greece in summer
Best time when it is worth flying to Greece in the summer is the first half of June. It is already warm, even hot, from +25 to +30°C, the sea has warmed up to a comfortable temperature, and the beaches of the Peloponnese, the islands, Crete, the Ionian Islands and many others are waiting for tourists. But the heat has not yet reached its peak, as in July and August, when the weather in Greece in the summer becomes extremely hot. At a temperature of +45°C, even the sea does not save, and excursions at this time cause more fatigue than interest. Even the sea saves badly.
Therefore, in the summer it is better to go to Greece in July, so you will avoid crowds and high prices, and heat. And if you still go on vacation in the second half of summer, it is better to go to the north of the country. It is cooler here, and the traditional summer sales are no less active. You can also go to one of thermal spas countries where you can relax perfectly at any time of the year.
TOURIST ANSWERS:
Why Greece?
Yes, simply because it is cradle of civilization(or at least one of them). As an old Greek said to an American in one film: “When your relatives were climbing trees, Homer was already writing his priceless creations.”
Everything in Greece breathes history. Here, every city, every village has at its disposal certain sights. Well, at least excavations or ruins of something historically important...
Athens, Delphi, Mycenae, Crete, Thermopylae, Meteora, Athos. And it's not at all complete list just the first thing that came to mind. Whatever the name, so a milestone in world history. Few countries can boast such an abundance of centers of ancient culture. Greece should not just be seen, it should be studied, it should be lived. She's worth it.
And also Hellas - the birthplace of Zeus. However, like other Olympic Gods. Accordingly, the world-famous Mount Olympus also stands in Greece. It is clearly visible from the Athens-Thessaloniki highway. But, when we were already returning back, Mount Olympus was completely covered with clouds. Therefore, we did not get a good photo. But we knew that somewhere there, in the veil of clouds, maybe at that very moment the Greek Gods had gathered for a "meeting". And maybe they don't want anyone to see them...
Concerning beach holiday, it is worth noting that Greece has the longest coastline in the world. This is due to the fact that this state has several hundred islands, and almost each of them has its own beach. Yes and mainland, Considering geographical position, also has countless beaches. Most Greek beaches are sandy or small pebbles. Most importantly, near the sea is very clean and beautiful. The water is very clear and just magical. The only thing to consider is the presence in the water of a rather large amount sea urchins. And, very close to the coast. So be careful, look under your feet.
There are many advantages of holidays in Greece: magnificent nature, high level of hotels, good roads, a fairly large selection of goods in stores. Very tasty local kitchen especially seafood. As the saying goes, Greece has it all.
The only one, perhaps the downside is the greek language. More precisely, the absence in many places and on road signs of information on English language. And the Greek language, I note, is not the best for understanding. This is especially noticeable in small resort towns and gives some discomfort in small grocery and manufactured goods stores, where absolutely everything is written only in Greek. And trying to buy something by weight leads to unimaginable pantomime. But, by the way, it is the difficulty in understanding Greek writing that adds some zest to the rest.
As for children, it all depends on the purpose of your trip. If you put sightseeing at the forefront, then it is unlikely that children under the age of 10 will be able to appreciate it. Wherever you rest, all excursions will involve long journeys, since Greece is a rather big country. Yes, and you will have to walk a lot on the spot, since most of the historical complexes are located on a large territory. It will be difficult for children to cover these distances, which can lead to dissatisfaction from sightseeing.
If you just want to spend time on the beach or near the pool in the hotel, then the kids will really like this vacation. Children are very fond of the beach and the sea, swimming and clean air. You will be especially lucky if your hotel has one or more water slides. Children will be delighted.
But in general, I think that going to Greece is a must!
Helpful answer?
Greece is a wonderful country for a holiday. No wonder the saying goes: "Greece has everything." A wide variety of resorts, attractions, hotels of different stars cannot but interest a curious capricious tourist.
Going to Greece, you need to decide what you expect from the rest. fun nightlife and entertainment, then you should look at the islands of Crete or Rhodes. They fly to Corfu to rest for a quiet, relaxing holiday. There is great nature, gorgeous air smelling of pine needles, has a healing effect on vacationers.
Various tourists rest on mainland Greece. Usually these places are either Kassandra or Sithonia. Men from there will be able to drive to the peninsula of St. Athos and visit a real male monastery. Women are not allowed here, guides say this applies to everyone, both people and animals.
Greece map
The locals are very hospitable, for me this is a big plus. They always smile, love to turn on tourists with their incendiary dances. They serve local wines, very tasty and of high quality.
Greece is perfect for tourists who want to relax by the sea and buy a fur coat for the new winter season. It is best to go to Kastoria, there are a large number of factories, sellers are actively bargaining, so you can become the owner of a fashionable mink for relatively little money. Prices fluctuate a little due to the exchange rate, a one-piece fur coat will cost from 1000 euros. From the pieces you can manage to find cheaper.
When it comes to holidays with children, there are a lot of opportunities here. Hotels with their playgrounds, animations and other infrastructure. Water parks. It is no longer uncommon to find an all-inclusive type of food in Greece, including a children's menu. The meaning is the same as in Turkey, but in my opinion, the food is much tastier.
Price policy for tours to Greece is different. There are also not expensive ones, but in this case the hotels will be unpretentious, and there are also expensive luxury hotels, as they say in color and wallet. But inside the prices are not high, you can eat in a restaurant for 15-20 euros, excursions from 30-40 euros. Not cheap of course, but reasonable.
I would also note that in Greece the food is very tasty. Amazingly cooked lamb and beef. Fish and seafood dishes are especially popular. Be sure to try the Greek salad, olives, sweets, honey, dolma, moussaka. I really liked the Greek yogurt, more delicate, airy than ours.
Greek salad
In addition to the sun, the sea, delicious food in Greece, there are a large number of attractions, they are mainly located on its mainland. The most famous of them: the Acropolis - the symbol of Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Mount Olympus, the labyrinth of the Minotaur, the theater of Dionysus and many others, you can list them for a very long time. For lovers of history and antiquities, Greece will give a lot of impressions that will be remembered for a long time.
Acropolis in Athens
Should you fly to Greece on vacation? Of course, fly. And more than once, every trip Greece will be completely different.
Once again, the attempt to reach an agreement between the Eurogroup and Athens on the terms of financial assistance to Greece failed.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras proposed a referendum. The vote, which is due on July 5, will decide whether or not to accept the draft agreement developed by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Tsipras hopes the Greeks will say no. Then Greece will default.
A Russian tourist has several questions: is it worth it to rest in this country; what to do if you have already bought a ticket; take more cash with you or rely on local banks? "MK" tried to understand this situation and give advice to potential vacationers.
As early as June 26, information appeared that the Greek Prime Minister Tsipras presented a compromise plan, which included concessions from both Athens and Brussels. First of all, the Greeks are not ready to reduce pensions, increase taxes, and even more so to go for the practically free privatization of state property in favor of Western creditors.
It is no coincidence that on the night of June 27, the Greek authorities announced that they consider the demands of the Eurogroup to be an ultimatum, and instead of new negotiations they intend to hold a referendum.
The head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, immediately warned that this vote would not have legal effect. The Athens bailout program, which could not be renewed, expires on June 30th. This means that a question that has lost its relevance by the time it is held will be submitted to the referendum. At the meeting of the Eurogroup, in the absence of representatives of Greece, it was decided that after June 30 the country will be provided only with "technical" assistance in overcoming economic problems.
However, as French Finance Minister Michel Sapin noted at the end, this is not about Greece leaving the eurozone: “Representatives of 18 countries in addition to Greece made it clear that it was and should remain in the eurozone.”
It is not simple. “In order to follow the path of a Greek exit from the eurozone, someone from the EU must take responsibility. Now, given that this hits many sore points of the EU, hardly anyone is ready to take on such a role of a destroyer, ”says Dmitry Danilov, head of the European security department at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Nevertheless, many predict Greece's imminent default. How will Athens earn and which of the investors will help her in such a situation?
Until recently, Greece provided the lion's share of its budget through the tourist flow. In 2013, Greece was visited by 25 million tourists. Of these, about 1.4 million were Russian citizens.
But already in 2014, the flow of Russian tourists dropped to 1.15 million. In February 2015, the drop was about 50%, primarily due to the depreciation of the ruble. According to Russian statistics, which are confirmed by the statistics of Heraklion and Rhodes airports, the May holidays fall across Russia for outbound tourism was 41%, for Greece - 66%. The number of Russians arriving in Heraklion decreased by 61%, in Rhodes - by 65%.
In total, according to the managing director of one large travel company, the fall in the flow of tourists from Russia to Greece this year may be about 35-40%. According to him, air travel will also decrease by 35-40%. “Rosaviatsiya stated that for the summer of 2015 there are 50% fewer charters booked than last year. Someone will transfer to regular flights, but there will be a drop of 35–40%,” the expert believes.
What should a potential Russian tourist who wants to spend holidays in Greece?
1. Should I go to Greece?
More likely no than yes.
2. If you have already bought a ticket?
It is imperative to call the specific hotel where you wanted to stay and find out if your payment from the tour operator has really arrived.
3. Should I take currency with me and how much (euros or dollars)?
According to the Greek media, locals, as well as visitors, have chosen from ATMs up to 30% of the euro cash existing in Greece. It is no coincidence that a third of Greek ATMs have already closed. Therefore, a trip to this country can cost much more than you planned. With any "Greek" tour, it is better to play it safe and stock up on at least $3 thousand (2.68 thousand euros) - this, in extreme cases, will be enough for food and inexpensive souvenirs. If you want to relax to the fullest, then in Russia buy up to $10 thousand (8.95 thousand euros) in an exchanger. Be sure to save the purchase document - according to the law on currency control and currency regulation, without such a certificate, you can only pass $ 3 thousand through customs, if up to $ 10 thousand - then you need a certificate from the exchanger for an additional $ 7 thousand. Then you don’t have to worry about ATMs , and for cash you can get both “quality and quantity”.
4. Will prices go down in Greece?
Yes, but not everywhere. In inexpensive restaurants, the price reduction can be 10-15% (they have already reached the peak of profitability), in expensive restaurants - hardly (there were already discounts). Hotels that are experiencing losses due to the outflow of tourists will try to get out of the situation: prices for accommodation can be reduced, but the cost of other services will increase.
Renat Abdullin, Nikolai Makeev, Moskovsky Komsomolets
