Greece

Currency: the Euro

Official language: Greek

The history of Greece must be one of the best-known in the world as its innovative city state, at its height over 2,000 years ago, set the stage for the development of the whole of Modern Europe. However, advanced civilization in the region didn’t begin with Classical Greece: it began in the Cycladic Islands, continued with the Minoan civilization on Crete, and migrated to the Peloponnese mainland at Mycenae in around 1900 BC. Writing was practiced via the yet-to-be-deciphered Minoan Linear A script and the Mycenaean Linear B, an early version of Classical Greek.

The cradle of Western civilization began forming around 600 BC, and flowered with dramatic advances in science, astronomy, philosophy, drama, art, and mathematics. In 508 BC, the first democratic government in the world was instituted in Athens, and great monuments and landmarks took shape in forms never seen before. Athens spread its tentacles across the Mediterranean coastlines and Asia Minor, although several Persian invasions from the north during the Greco-Persian Wars threatened its stability. Rising conflicts between the non-unified Greek states resulted in the Peloponnesian War between 431 and 404 BC, which weakened the Athenian Empire and cause it to lose its premier position in the region.

By 27 BC, Greece was in Roman hands. Christianity took hold early on although some regions remained pagan for another thousand years. Byzantine control began in the 9th century, followed by rule by the Franks in the 13th century. By the 15th century, the country was part of the Ottoman Empire and the Dark Ages had begun, although Venice mopped up a few islands. The Ottoman period was a harsh time for the Greek population although the invaders did not force Orthodox Christians to renounce their religion. The Greek War of Independence began in 1821 and saw fierce fighting, as well as involvement by Russia, England, and France until 1830, when the Greek state was finally recognized.

Greek culture in the present day is a glorious mix of great classical and maritime heritage, music and dance, myth and legend, and a lifestyle that has developed over centuries. Even the ultra-modern, urbanite Athenians are still Greek to the core, and in rural districts and less-touristy islands, the local lifestyle is as laid back as they were at the beginning of the century. Although Greece has been heavily influenced by other cultures, it should be noted that Western cultures were equally influenced by the Classical Greek period, especially in the fields of literature, art, and architecture.

The famous Greek folk dances are still an integral part of modern-day life here, as evidenced in tavernas across the country on weekends, when locals get up and dance for any opportunity. These dances originated in the Mycenaean era and were used in rituals on religious occasions as part of a belief that the gods were the first to have danced. Even the Greek language has its origins in the Mycenaean Linear B script, and Classical Greek became a foundation for several of the European languages including English.

Inevitably, summer is the best time to visit for beach-lovers, although dedicated sightseers may find the high heat levels distracting. Spring in Greece is a stunning time, the land carpeted with flowers before the parched, dry summer season sets in. For outdoor activities such as hiking, the shoulder seasons are best, and party animals should remember that many hotspots close during the low season between October and May. At the beginning and end of the high season, bargain accommodation can be had, and prices rise dramatically in the peak holiday months of July and August.

Greece is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means there are no border controls for nationals of EU countries. EU citizens only require a valid national identity card or passport to enter Greece. Non-EU citizen require a valid passport and possibly a visa if you intend on a longer visit.

Taxi travel in Athens is generally less convenient than the metro due to the high number of traffic jams the city sees on any given day. Taxis are inexpensive, and most drivers make an honest living, but visitors should watch out for overcharging at airports, harbors, and popular tourist destinations. All taxis are metered, and the meter should be turned on and set to ‘1’ before your journey begins. The ‘2’ setting only applies between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. or on longer trips outside city limits. Surcharges apply to trips from harbors and rail or bus stations. Calling taxis are often the fastest way to get a cab and useful firms include Athina (+30-2-10-921-7942) and Parthenon (+30-2-10-532-3311) in Athens.

It’s quite possible to arrive in Greece via ferry, with Patras and Corfu served by Italian ferries from Venice, Bari, Brindisi, and several other port cities. Athens’ port of Piraeus sees ferries from Alexandria (Egypt), Larnaca and Limassol (Cyprus), and Marmaris (Turkey). Bodrum, Turkey, ferries run to Kos and the majority of the Greek Islands archipelago can be reached by ferry from Piraeus.

At present, it’s not possible to arrive in Greece via its international rail service, as all international routes were suspended in February 2011. Train travel is the cheapest way to get around the mainland, but is also the slowest and least convenient by far. The country’s excellent KTEL long-distance bus services are comfortable and inexpensive, using modern, air-conditioned coaches on routes spanning all the mainland regions and major destinations. Bus travel has its uses on the Greek Islands, as well with local services linking the main towns and villages.

Before you leave on your holiday, there are at least four health-related things you should do. Please check the handbook for specifics, but for now, here’s the short list:

Step 1: Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting.

Step 2: Have a medical checkup with your doctor.

Step 3: Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Step 4: Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less important than steps 1-3.)

DO

• Take the time to show some thoughtfulness and consideration into people’s lives, no matter your familiarity with them. For example, enquire about their well-being before getting to any point at hand. This is essential to fostering good relationships. It is thought to be brusque and blunt to skip small talk and immediately discuss your topic of interest.
• Try to be open about yourself if you can. Greeks commonly share the personal details of their lives and appreciate when others do the same. They will likely ask you personal questions during casual discussion (i.e. “Are you thinking about having children?”) in an effort to get to know you.
• If a Greek digresses from a topic, be patient and allow them to finish verbalising their thoughts before redirecting the conversation back to the point.
• Show sympathy and solidarity if conversation turns to Greece’s economic situation. Most people will respond well to warmth.
• Try to follow through with any verbal promise you make to a Greek. The spoken word is valued in Greek culture and people are expected to be true to what they say. Greeks with whom you have a close relationship may expect you to grant favours for them and show more loyalty to them than others. If you can, do what they ask; they will likely do the same for you in return.

DON'T

• Avoid criticising the Greek culture, people or nation. Though many Greeks openly complain about their country or lament about how it is being ‘ruined’ by the current politicians, remember that they are still very proud of their homeland and its cultural contributions to the world. Foreign criticism is unlikely to be appreciated.
• Avoid provoking conversation about Greece’s relationship with Cyprus, Turkey or North Macedonia. You cannot presume a person’s position on these affairs.
• Never imply that the Greek people somehow deserved the financial crisis or that they caused their own economic demise. 
• Do not suggest that Greeks are lazy. Comments implying that they do not contribute anything to the European Union can be particularly hurtful.
• Avoid making comments that could be perceived to question someone’s integrity. Greeks tend to take personal offence to undertones of statements that suggest a person is dishonest, disingenuous or stingy.
• Avoid drawing on ideas of ancient Greece to inform your assumptions of contemporary Greek culture. Greece is a globalised, technologically advanced country and such stereotypes are grossly misinformed.