How To Prepare for Your Greek Vacation

Greece is arguably one of the best places in the world to visit. It has tons of history to explore and incredible dishes to try. The islands also feature a wide variety of diverse terrains, from gorgeous beaches to tall mountains.

Whether you fly to Greece or are interested in Greek Island cruises, you need to prepare properly to get the most out of this unforgettable trip. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your visit to this Mediterranean country.

1. Plan Ahead

Before you go on vacation, you need to figure out your itinerary. Walking around a foreign country with no plan of where to go could be disastrous.

While travel agents and touring companies can help you plan out your trip, they often charge a fee for this service. Instead, research the attractions on the various islands and decide which ones you want to visit.

Once you decide on the schedule for your trip, you can pick dates based on when certain activities are available.  Try to avoid traveling to Greece between late July and the end of August. Greeks typically vacation themselves during that time, making tourist areas even more crowded than usual. Prices are usually higher during this peak season, as well.

If you want to tour exterior attractions such as the Imbros Gorge and the Meteora Monasteries, travel during spring when the weather is warm but not unbearably hot. If you do not mind traveling in the winter, book a trip for February and catch the three-week carnival.

Keep in mind that Greece is not the most accommodating location for individuals with disabilities. If you or your travel companion has special needs, you may have to limit your trip to the flat islands. You should also call the ferry lines and hotels ahead of time to see if they are handicapped-accessible.  

2. Know the Culture

Understanding Greek etiquette is also a must. The Orthodox Church still holds large influence in the country, so the elder population in particular is conservative. Taking off your clothes at the beach or wearing skimpy outfits in monasteries and churches could draw the ire of the locals.

Similarly, you should control your drinking during your trip. While Greeks do enjoy their alcohol, they usually do not get crazy drunk.

You must also avoid holding up your hand and using your fingers to make an "OK" symbol. These seemingly harmless gestures are considered rude in Greece.

3. Decide How To Travel Around the Islands

Once you arrive in Greece, you will need a way to travel from attraction to attraction or island to island. Luckily, the local public transportation, which includes buses, ferries and trains, is quite efficient. Trains are typically more affordable than buses are.

Taxis are a fairly inexpensive option, as well. Note that a driver may ask you your destination first and then decide whether he or she wants to take you there. This is a common practice in Greece and not evidence of a driver being rude. Some taxi operators will also pick up multiple riders during your journey. However, you cannot split the fare with these fellow passengers.

You can also rent a car while in Greece. This will help you get to some smaller villages that are hard to access by public transportation. However, you need to be careful when navigating the roadways. Greek drivers can be aggressive, particularly in Athens. Motorcyclists also tend to zigzag in the roadway instead of staying in their lane.

4. Bring Cash

Finally, do not expect to rely on your credit card alone in Greece. While many large supermarkets, restaurants and malls do take plastic, lesser-known establishments may be cash-only. To avoid getting stuck without a way to pay for your purchase, you should have cash on you at all times. Worst case scenario, you should be able to find ATMs on the islands.

A trip to Greece is the adventure of a lifetime. The above steps should help you fully enjoy this vacation.