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Greece
Greece is a located in south-east Europe and includes thousands of islands across the Ionian and Aegean seas. Greece has been hugely influential in history especially ancient times, it is referred to as the birthplace of democracy and often called the cradle of Western civilisation. Athens is the capital and hosts world famous landmarks, including the 5th century BC Acropolis citadel and the Parthenon temple.
Due to its geographical position, Greece is a crossroad of civilisations. The history of Greece traces as far back as Stone Age hunters. Next, it was on to the farmers and the Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations, and then, following this, was a period of wars and invasions, known as the Middle Ages.
Most notably, the ancient Greek classical and Hellenistic eras were beautiful times, leaving behind a legacy of ideas, concepts and the foundations of what is now known as "Western civilisation".
The dialects of ancient Greece have had a significant influence both the modern Greek language and the vocabularies of languages spoken in the world today. The art and architecture of ancient Greece have proved highly influential in our time for the inner western society.
Upcoming Departures
Visa:
UK: Not required for a stay of up to 3 months in duration.
USA: Not required for a stay of up to 90 days in duration.
Currency:
Euro.
Packing advice:
In the summer, Greece can get very hot so wear light cotton clothes, such as t-shirts, shorts, and sandals. Although, if you are planning to visit the cities and towns, you may want to bring comfortable walking shoes with you. Pack sunglasses, a sun visor or hat, and sunscreen for the sunnier days. In the winter, the climate can be cooler and a raincoat is advisable as the weather can change quickly.
Cultural differences:
The Greek Orthodox Church is the national religion and is practiced by the majority of the population, so it is considered integral to life in Greece. There is a respect for hierarchy and view of the family as a single unit of strength. In fact, the majority of holidays and festivals are religious in nature. Easter is the major religious holiday and the celebration is more important to most Greeks than Christmas.
Language:
Greek.
Tipping:
Tipping is optional in Greece. As a rule, tip and it will be well-received, but don’t feel obliged. In restaurants and bars, before deciding whether to tip, confirm whether service is included in the bill or not. Anywhere from a 5% to a 10% tip is appropriate. Andante Travels will take care of gratuities to restaurant staff, local guides and drivers.
