Page 480 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

478  IT AL Y AND GREECE

Practical Information can stay indefinitely. The
unauthorized export of
Tourism is one of Greece’s most important industries, and as antiquities and archaeological
a consequence, visitors to the country are well catered for: artifacts from Greece is treated
transportation networks are relatively efficient, there are as a serious offence, incurring
banks and exchange facilities in all the major resorts, and hefty fines or a prison sentence.
Prescription drugs brought
telecommunications have improved dramatically in recent into the country should be
years. The country’s hot climate, together with the easy-going kept in the original container
outlook of its people, are conducive to a relaxed vacation, and with the prescription
it is usually best to adopt the philosophy sigá, sigá (slowly, information visible.
slowly). In summer, almost everything closes for a few hours
after lunch, reopening later in the day when the air cools and Personal Security
Greece comes to life again. The crime rate in Greece is low
compared with other European
countries, but it is worth taking a
When to Visit Opening Hours
few sensible precautions, such as
Tourist season in Greece – late Opening hours tend to be vague keeping all personal possessions
June to early September – is in Greece, varying from day to secure. Parts of Athens, such as
the hottest and most expensive day, season to season, and place Omonia, Keramikós, and
time to visit, as well as being to place. To avoid disappoint- Metaxourgeîo can be dangerous
very crowded. December to ment, visitors are advised to after midnight. If you have
March are the coldest and wettest confirm the opening times of anything stolen, contact either
months, with reduced seagoing sites covered in this chapter the police or the tourist police.
and air transportation facilities, once they arrive in the country. Foreign women traveling
and many hotels and restaurants All post offices and banks, and alone in Greece are usually
closed for the winter. Spring is a most stores, offices, state-run treated with respect, especially
good time to visit; there are fewer museums, and archaeological if they are dressed modestly.
tourists, and the weather and sites close on public holidays. However, hitch-hiking alone is
the countryside are at their best. Some facilities may also be not advisable.
closed on local festival days.
The main public holidays in
Tourist Information Police
Greece are January 1, March 25,
Tourist information is available Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Greece’s police are split into
in many towns and villages Monday, May 1, Whit Monday, three forces: the regular police,
throughout Greece, from December 25 and 26. the port police, and the tourist
government-run EOT offices police. The tourist police provide
(Ellinikós Organismós advice to vacationers in addition
Tourismoú), municipally Visa Requirements to carrying out normal police
and Customs
run tourist offices, the local duties. Should you suffer a
tourist police, or privately Visitors from the US, Canada, theft, lose your passport, or have
owned travel agencies. Australia, and New Zealand need cause to complain about shops,
However, visitors should only a valid passport for entry to restaurants, tour guides, or taxi
be aware that not all of the Greece (no visa is required), and drivers, you should contact
information published by the can stay for up to 90 days in a them first. Every tourist police
EOT is reliable or up-to-date. 180-day period. EU nationals office claims to have at least
one English speaker.
The Climate of Greece
ATHENS Emergency Services
On the mainland, summers
are very hot, while spring In the event of an emergency
and autumn generally bring °C/ºF 31/88 while on vacation, the
milder but wetter weather. In 22/72 22/72 appropriate numbers to call are
winter, rainfall is at its greatest 18/64 15/59 listed in the Directory opposite.
everywhere. Mountainous 11/52 12/54
6/43
regions usually get heavy
snow, but around Athens, 8 12 7 4 Health Issues
temperatures rarely drop hrs hrs hrs hrs No inoculations are required
below freezing. Throughout 23 6 51 62 for visitors to Greece. Tap water
the islands, the tendency is mm mm mm mm in Greece is generally safe to
for long, dry summers and month Apr Jul Oct Jan drink, but in remote
mild but rainy winters.
communities it is a good
precaution to check

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