Destination Guide -
Idyllically situated in Southern Europe, between Albania and Turkey, Greece borders the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean seas. It is a peninsular country and possesses a collection of around 2,000 islands. With such a beautiful setting, hot, dry summers and mild winters, Greece is an extremely popular year-round holiday destination and tourism forms a major part of the countrys economy.Legend has it that Greece is the home of Zeus and his fellow Olympians and the capital, Athens, formerly a magnet for tourists who come to delight in the sights of architectural triumphs such as the Parthenon and Delphis Temple of Apollo, is currently undergoing a major facelift in order to host the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Athens is a bustling, traffic-ridden city dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis, site of the 2,400 year old Parthenon and it is architectural sights such as this which form a substantial element of the whole countrys cultural heritage.Greece is more than ancient and Byzantine archaeological sites. A fifth of the country is made up of islands, some of them uninhabited, many of them mountainous with superb beaches. Crete, the largest of these islands is a magnet for tourists who come to enjoy, not only the diversity of the landscape but also the energetic nightlife that the island has to offer. Each of the islands has its own, unique history and constant reminders that this is a fertile land of olive groves and mythology.The geography of the country, high mountains (including Mount Olympus at 2, 917m), pine forests, rugged hills and fabulous coastline means that Greece, renowned for marine tourism, is an excellent choice if you wish to soak up both the sun and the culture of this ancient place and still enjoy the comforts of modern facilities in an amazing setting.
Local Driving Guide -
Drive on the right, overtake on the left. Greece holds the unenviable record of Europes worst accident rate in terms of the number of collisions per vehicle. It is therefore surprising that seat-belts are compulsory only for front-seat occupants. The minimum driving age is 18, while children must be at least 10 to sit in the front. Driving licence and travel documents should be carried at all times. Multitone horns are illegal throughout the country, and the horn should be used in towns only under extreme circumstances. Road signs are in Grrek, repeated phonetically in English. Be extra careful when approaching unguarded railway crossings, as it is illegal to overtake at these points. Many roads are three lanes wide, where the middle lane is for passing in both directions. Fast drivers may expect you to pull onto the shoulder to let them pass. Many petrol stations close at 7pm, and only a percentage of them will accept credit cards. If you require unleaded petrol, look for amoliwdi wensina. You are not permitted to park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant, within 5 metres of an intersection, or within 15 metres of a public transportation stop. Practically nobody follows these rules, but if you end up being fined for something you will have to report to the public treasury to pay. Do NOT drink and drive. |
