Classic Holidays

Tourist Information

Currency

Euro (EUR) (since 1/1/2002)

Former currency: drachma (GRD) (1 euro=340.75 GRD)

1 euro=1.50 US $ (fluctuates daily)

Money exchange

There are many Bureaus de Change throughout the country open from morning until late evening. You can also exchange money at banks (commission varies). Banks are open Mon-Thu from 0800 - 1400 and Fri from 0800-1330. There are some banks in central locations in Athens (Omonia, Syntagma) open in the afternoon.

Credit cards

Visa, Diners Club, American Express, Master Card is accepted at most shops and restaurants.

Types of Visas

• Tourist and business (single and multiple entries) U.S. citizens need a valid passport only.

• Transit (single and double)

Processing Time and Fees:

A processing time of approximately five days should be anticipated in most cases.

Fees depend on the nationality of the applicant, and are determined by reciprocity between Greece and the respective country.

In addition to the visa fee, a non-refundable $4.65 application fee is required.

Requested supporting documents      Visa application form duly filled out and signed by the applicant. Applications are available upon request, and may be photocopied or downloaded (GREEK -- ENGLISH). click to their site:   Embassy of Greece

• Valid passport.

• Green card.

• One recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.

• Proof of availability of sufficient funds to support stay in Greece.

• Destination in Greece and references, if available.

• Money order, certified check, or cash payable to the consulate of Greece for the visa processing.

• Letter of reference from employer.

Note: The consulate reserves the right to ask for further documentation, in addition to the above mentioned.

The applicant must appear in person for an interview at the consulate nearest to his/her place of residence. In case the applicant is unable to appear in person he/she should contact the consulate for instructions.

Shopping hours

Shopping hours vary. In Athens and other big cities shopping hours are:

Winter

Mon., Wed and Sat                         0900 - 1500

Tue, Thu and Fri         from            0900 - 1400 & 1700 - 2000

Biggest stores & Super markets

Mon., Wed and Sat                         0800 or 0900 - 1800

Thu and Fri                                    0800 or 0900 - 2000



Summer

Mon., Wed and Sat                         0900 - 1500

Tue, Thu and Fri                            0900 - 1400 & 1700 - 2100

Biggest stores & Super markets

Mon., Wed and Sat                         0800 or 0900 - 1800

Tue, Thu and Fri                            0800 or 0900 - 2100

Entertainment and culture

Nightlife: Restaurants and cafe bars are open daily until 0130. Fridays and Saturdays until 0230 or 0300.

Usually, nightclubs are open from 10.00p.m until dawn.

Cultural Entertainment: There are many Theatres in Greece. Every summer, many festivals take place in different Greek ancient theatres. Greek Museums are one more attraction. Contact the Ministry of Culture for information on opening hours and ticket prices.

Languages

• The official language is Greek (spoken by 99% of the population).

• The most commonly used foreign language is English.

• Most of Greek people dealing with tourism also speak some French, German or Italian.

Official Holidays: January 1, January 6, Lent Monday, March 25, Holy and Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1, Whit Monday, August 15, October 28, December 25,26

Dialing codes: 011 +Country code: Greece 30 Every city has a different area code (e.g. for Athens 210 or 211 for new numbers). Example: 001 30 210 plus local tel. #

Public telephones: Most public telephones do not accept coins. A telephone card is necessary. In some cases using your credit card is possible. Cell phones are available for rent.

If you have a Tri- or Quad Band phone from the U.S. (make sure your provider has it unlocked to change networks) you can change the network service to receive calls.

Climate:

Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. Dry hot days are often relieved by a system of seasonal breezes. The mountain areas are much cooler, with considerable rain. Winters are mild in the lowlands with rare frost and snow, but the mountains are usually covered with snow.

It rains mostly from October to March. Rainfall is rare from June to August, and days are dry and sunny, which is usual for a Mediterranean climate.

Month Average

Temperature

January            13 C - 55 F

February          14 C - 57 F

March              16 C - 60 F

April                21C - 70 F

May                25C - 77 F

June                29 C - 84 F

July                 32 C - 89 F

August             32 C - 89 F

September       28 C - 82 F

October           23 C - 73 F

November       19 C - 67 F

December       14 C - 57 F







	Tourist Information Currency Euro (EUR) (since 1/1/2002) Former currency: drachma (GRD) (1 euro=340.75 GRD) 1 euro=1.50 US $ (fluctuates daily) Money exchange There are many Bureaus de Change throughout the country open from morning until late evening. You can also exchange money at banks (commission varies). Banks are open Mon-Thu from 0800 - 1400 and Fri from 0800-1330. There are some banks in central locations in Athens (Omonia, Syntagma) open in the afternoon. Credit cards Visa, Diners Club, American Express, Master Card is accepted at most shops and restaurants. Types of Visas • Tourist and business (single and multiple entries) U.S. citizens need a valid passport only. • Transit (single and double) Processing Time and Fees: A processing time of approximately five days should be anticipated in most cases. Fees depend on the nationality of the applicant, and are determined by reciprocity between Greece and the respective country. In addition to the visa fee, a non-refundable $4.65 application fee is required. Requested supporting documents Visa application form duly filled out and signed by the applicant. Applications are available upon request, and may be photocopied or downloaded (GREEK -- ENGLISH). click to their site: Embassy of Greece • Valid passport. • Green card. • One recent passport-size photograph of the applicant. • Proof of availability of sufficient funds to support stay in Greece. • Destination in Greece and references, if available. • Money order, certified check, or cash payable to the consulate of Greece for the visa processing. • Letter of reference from employer. Note: The consulate reserves the right to ask for further documentation, in addition to the above mentioned. The applicant must appear in person for an interview at the consulate nearest to his/her place of residence. In case the applicant is unable to appear in person he/she should contact the consulate for instructions. Shopping hours Shopping hours vary. In Athens and other big cities shopping hours are: Winter Mon., Wed and Sat 0900 - 1500 Tue, Thu and Fri from 0900 - 1400 & 1700 - 2000 Biggest stores & Super markets Mon., Wed and Sat 0800 or 0900 - 1800 Thu and Fri 0800 or 0900 - 2000 Summer Mon., Wed and Sat 0900 - 1500 Tue, Thu and Fri 0900 - 1400 & 1700 - 2100 Biggest stores & Super markets Mon., Wed and Sat 0800 or 0900 - 1800 Tue, Thu and Fri 0800 or 0900 - 2100 Entertainment and culture Nightlife: Restaurants and cafe bars are open daily until 0130. Fridays and Saturdays until 0230 or 0300. Usually, nightclubs are open from 10.00p.m until dawn. Cultural Entertainment: There are many Theatres in Greece. Every summer, many festivals take place in different Greek ancient theatres. Greek Museums are one more attraction. Contact the Ministry of Culture for information on opening hours and ticket prices. Languages • The official language is Greek (spoken by 99% of the population). • The most commonly used foreign language is English. • Most of Greek people dealing with tourism also speak some French, German or Italian. Official Holidays: January 1, January 6, Lent Monday, March 25, Holy and Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1, Whit Monday, August 15, October 28, December 25,26 Dialing codes: 011 +Country code: Greece 30 Every city has a different area code (e.g. for Athens 210 or 211 for new numbers). Example: 001 30 210 plus local tel. # Public telephones: Most public telephones do not accept coins. A telephone card is necessary. In some cases using your credit card is possible. Cell phones are available for rent. If you have a Tri- or Quad Band phone from the U.S. (make sure your provider has it unlocked to change networks) you can change the network service to receive calls. Climate: Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. Dry hot days are often relieved by a system of seasonal breezes. The mountain areas are much cooler, with considerable rain. Winters are mild in the lowlands with rare frost and snow, but the mountains are usually covered with snow. It rains mostly from October to March. Rainfall is rare from June to August, and days are dry and sunny, which is usual for a Mediterranean climate. Month Average Temperature January 13 C - 55 F February 14 C - 57 F March 16 C - 60 F April 21C - 70 F May 25C - 77 F June 29 C - 84 F July 32 C - 89 F August 32 C - 89 F September 28 C - 82 F October 23 C - 73 F November 19 C - 67 F December 14 C - 57 F



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