Greece
The general description
Greece - one of the most ancient countries of the world with the richest history and culture. Greece are myths and legends, philosophers and commanders, scientists and poets. Greece stores in itself certificates of those times when эллины worshipped to pagan gods when won the world Alexander the Great when Socrat conducted the dialogues, wrote comedies of Aristofan. Majestic temples and statues, palaces and fortresses, - all these certificates of ancient times are worthy that though time in life them to see.
Greece is the country consisting of fantastic, mythical places and islands, the native land of the well-known heroes of the antique epos, philosophers and modern democracy.
Greece is located in the southeast of Europe in the south of Balkan peninsula. Greece is divided on 52 нама (areas) which share on 264 дима (area) Besides it греция has some istoriko-geographical areas (Attica, Thessaly, Macedonia, Thrace, Peloponnese and Epirus). Also Greece posesses islands Cretes, Euboea, Rhodes and many other things located in the Egejsky, Ionic and Saronichesky seas.
As the known true says, in Greece there is all. This statement will be confirmed willingly with millions skilled travelers: Greece with its richest history is included into number of the most visited countries of Europe.
… And as can be differently, after all to Greece it is possible to pick up round for all tastes and a purse! Rest in Greece can be rasslablenno-beach, is cozy-family, and can be devoted sports, SPA-procedures, numerous interesting excursions or cheerful beach discos. Slow, wise, ancient Greece amazes with contrasts: antique temples of Athenes and a party with champagne on sand of Santorini, restraint of peninsula Athos and Cassandra's noisy affability, a gentle apricot cream and nourishing meat «мусака»!
A tourist variety of Greece is caused by a variety geographical: coast of Greece are washed Mediterranean, Ionic and Egejsky by the seas, and southern coast of Crete – also Libyan. The landscape is various also – invariably fascinate rocky mountains of Greece, its blossoming valleys, olive groves and orange gardens, bays and passages, lakes and the rivers, beaches of multi-colored sand and romantic grottoes.
Rest in Greece can be combined with medical, pilgrim or excursion round, and not to undertake sea cruise about the country, 20 which % of the area consist of islands – and it is at all unreasonable. As a beach season in Greece, thanking its soft climate, lasts from April till October. But rest in Greece and on the basis of automobile round can be planned: arrive in Athenes, rent the car, within several days sight-see a city and its vicinities, visit museums, and move later to lie down on the sun in Lutraki or to Attica.
It is possible to lease in Greece and the yacht: theoretically you have a possibility infinitely to manoeuvre between 2 thousand islands! However, the whole life for this purpose is required, after all almost each of the Greek islands is worthy of it, that on it to be late. Rest in Greece with the medical purposes can mean visiting of thermal mineral sources, mud baths, acceptance of radonic baths.
Greece is well-known for most ancient of known to mankind a civilization sated with history, magnificent architecture. In Greece trend of myths – narrations about gods and heroes in whom are reflected and until now actual knowledge эллинцев about philosophy, religion, a science till now is felt. Even on a threshold of a "digital" millenium young sculptors, architects and artists travel across Greece to study masterpieces of ancient masters, and that informative travel can be combined with comfortable rest, only warms up their enthusiasm! Travel across Athenes begin with the Acropolis: will visit the most interesting museum, take pleasure in a kind on an ancient city from 150-meter height. Visit a national archaeological museum, walk on picturesque Plake. Are worthy your attention and Delfy – dwelling of prophet Pifii, a cathedral in Kalambake, 12th centuries famous for tarbooshes, ancient Olympia - the native land of the Olympic games.
Climate of Greece
Climate, basically, dry and moderated, though in mountains and in the north in often winter it is snowing. Northern Macedonia and northern Epirus are similar a climate to the Balkans with their cold winter and in the hot, damp summer while Attica, Cyclades, archipelago Dodecanese islands, Crete both the central and east parts of Peloponnese have a climate more typical for the Mediterranean, with hot, dry summer and in softer winter.
The first sensation from Greece, from the first steps on its earth — a sea smell. In any weather and at any time year here you are met by a soft sea breeze.
The sea begins «теплеть» by May, reaching average temperature at 20-23 °C (and on southern islands even is warmer), and by September it rises till 27-29 °C.
Mid-annual temperature of air (°C):
янв фев мар апр May июн июл авг сен окт aching a deck
+16 ° +17 ° +18 ° +20 ° +23 ° +27 ° +29 ° +29 ° +26 ° +24 ° +20 ° +17 °
In Greece a soft Mediterranean climate. Here dry hot summer and damp warm winter. Average temperature in January - 9°С, in July - 28°С.
When it is better to go
The maximum quantity of tourists is necessary for the period from the beginning of May on the end of September.
Greece — the inquiry on the country
The official name
The Greek Republic.
The flag of the Greek Republic consists of 9 strips of two colors — white (a world and cleanliness symbol) and blue (a sea symbol); 5 strips of the blue personify 5 oceans; also 9 strips symbolize 9 letters of the Greek word "freedom" since the present flag is confirmed after clearing of a Turkish yoke. The white cross on a blue background is a symbol of Christian republic.
Capital
Athenes.
The state and administrative structure
Since 1974 Greece - parliamentary republic. The head of the state - the president. The country is divided on 52 номоса - the areas consisting from 254 димосов - areas.
Geographical position
Greece - the state in the southeast of Europe, on a joint of Europe with Asia and Africa, is washed Egejsky, Ionic and Mediterranean by the seas. A total area - 131940 км2. About 20 % of territory of the country - islands, the highest point - Pik Mitikas (the Olympic mountains) - 2917 m.
Region Attica
On attic plain the most part of the Greek population lives. In attic region there is also Athenes which is capital of the country and its main
administrative center. The ministries, the Supreme courts, the main offices of the majority of banks, the insurance companies and other enterprises Here settle down, and besides, within capital the most part of the Greek industry is concentrated. Athenes involves tourists from many countries of the world, which come to visit the Acropolis, city and country "trade mark", the National Archaeological Museum, and also other archaeological sights.
The central Greece
In this region, in the heart of Greece, there are Delfy which were a place of the oracle of an antiquity. Through the Central Greece the abrupt mountain chain of Pindus, with peak of 2,637 m (Mountain Smolikas) lasts.
Peloponnese
Peloponnese — the most southern part of continental Greece. In this region many big cities of the ancient world, such as Mycenae, Sparta and Olympia, the birthplace of Olympic Games have been located. This region differs a fertile soil and a temperate climate and consequently it is ideal for cultivation of olives and vineyards.
Epirus
Epirus is northwest region of continental Greece and borders in the north on Albania, and in the south with the Central Greece. This region almost completely mountainous, and high Pindus forms the eastern frontier of region separating it from Macedonia and Thessaly. The main sight is in northern part of region. It is the National Park Vikos rich with falls, gorges, the rivers, picturesque villages and dense woods.
Thessaly
Thessaly is in an average part of continental Greece. Its territory also includes archipelago Northern Sporades. And its basic geographical feature — the plain of Thessaly surrounded with mountains most known of which is the Olympus, the highest mountain of Greece (2917).
Macedonia
Macedonia — greatest of ten geographical regions of Greece. In the south it is washed by Aegean sea and borders on Thessaly, in the east with the western Thrace, in the west with Epirus, and in the north with Bulgaria, Albania and the Former Yugoslavian Republic Macedonia (БЮРМ). It includes self-coping monastic republic Athos and Tessaloniki, northern capital of Greece. Its landscape is various enough, as the western and east Macedonia, as a whole, have a mountainous relief, except for several big fertile valleys while the central Macedonia includes plain Salonik, second-large in Greece.
Thrace
This region occupies a northeast part of continental Greece. The river Nestos in the west of it separates from Macedonia, and the river Evros from Turkey (East Thrace) in the east and the northeast, in the north a mountain chain Rhodope separates it from Bulgaria, and from the south it is washed by the sea. The climate of this region can be characterized as "intermediate link" between Mediterranean and Central European types. The delta Evrosa where many rare versions of animals find to themselves a refuge because of favorable ecological conditions, is the main sight of this region.
Egejsky islands
The archipelago of Aegean sea consists of hundreds islands and islets. All islands mountainous or semimountainous, and on them the warm climate prevails. As to norm of loss of deposits, a climate of this region the driest in Greece, but on east islands of Aegean sea and on Dodekanesah, on the contrary, the most damp.
Island Crete
Island Crete — the biggest island of Greece. Concerning a landscape, the island obviously doesn't have picturesque plains, as its district, basically, mountainous. It is necessary to notice that a southern coastal line of Island Crete — the warmest area in Greece.
Ionian Islands
This region represents the smallest geographical territory of Greece and consists of seven basic islands which last along the western coast of Greece. Islands have moderate both rather damp climate, and the norm of loss of deposits here is great enough. As a result, the vegetation is very rich and unites tropical kinds with the woods reminding Northern Europe. These islands differ from other archipelagoes not only a climate, but also and that they come under influence of the Mediterranean Europe.
The population
The population of Greece - about 11 million inhabitants.
Official and most widespread religion in Greece — orthodox Christianity — 98 % of believers adhere to it almost. The church in the country isn't separated from the state, though under the constitution Greece — the secular state.
Moslems make 1.3 % of the population, other faiths — 0.7 %.
Greeks — deeply believing people. In Greece set of ancient and modern churches, modest часовен and silent monasteries. At visiting of similar places of a rule in a choice to clothes as in a behavior manner not so are strict. So, you can appear in a temple in shorts, but there you don't need to laugh or talk loudly. In Greece there is a Sacred Mountain Athos where in cells and monasteries centuries there live monks of all orthodox countries of the world.
Purchases
Along with supermarkets of the West European type in Greece there is a set of small little shops and benches where the goods of local manufacture are on sale. They are much cheaper import, and it is possible to bargain with the seller. Shops in Greece are usually opened on Mondays, environments and Saturdays from 9.00 till, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with 9.00до 14.00 and from 17.30 till. In tourist areas shops work almost round the clock.
In any tourist area for you wait jeweler and шубные benches where Russian-speaking sellers often work. Usually tourists bring products of local handicraftsmen from Greece. It can be ceramic vessels «under antiquity», small copies of known ancient sculptures, an embroidery and lacy napkins of rural skilled workers. We recommend to get a symbol of Greece — olive oil and olives. The Greek wine will be a good gift to relatives. From strong spirits don't forget traditional «узо» (anisette), "cancers" and the Greek cognacs.
In Greece the prices for the majority of the goods more low, than in other countries of Western Europe, make an exception electronics, the electrical engineer, cars.
On markets and in small shops it is possible to bargain, especially at purchase of several subjects. Sale of winter things occurs in January-February, summer - in August-September.
Tip
In spite of the fact that each account presented to you includes the VAT and service payment (10 %), tip remains a rule of a good form and gratitude expression. The sum of tip makes 1 euro.
To taxi drivers it is not accepted to leave tip, but for Easter and Christmas all clients are obliged to pay 1-2 euros in addition. To the porter of hotel give 1 euro for a place.
Currency
Euro (EURO).
In a turn of a banknote face value in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and also coins face value in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
The cash currency can be exchanged only in banks or exchange offices.
Car rent in Greece
For drivers is more senior 25 years experience not less and presence of the valid driving license is obligatory than 1 year; for drivers 25 years are younger, presence of the valid rights and experience of driving not less is obligatory than 3 years.
Power supplies - 220 volt, 50Hz
Rest in Greece
By searches of the ideal country for rest Greece always appears in the first lines of the list of possible variants. Still - where, it is possible to find such combination of the magnificent nature, world famous antique monuments and excellent conditions in what place for beach rest? Only here. A variety add islands - Corfu, Crete, Mikenos, Santorini, Rhodes - that island the nature, the traditions, the history … Greece is the country of 3000 islands! In Crete, the Plait, Mikonose, Rhodes and Corfus have settled down the most well-known hotels of Greece. Here the vacation the European elite – presidents, members of royal dynasties, cinema and sports stars traditionally spends.
If you have decided to spend the rest in Greece - you are simply obliged to order at least one excursion with a view of the general acquaintance with ancient culture of the native land of Olympic Games. To visit Greece and not to see the main sight of Athenes Parthenon - inadmissible luxury. Such possibility arises far not at everyone, therefore it is not necessary to neglect it.
Greece pleases judges of excursion routes, fans of magnificent sea rest and gourmets, it is important for tourists and that this country historically and is cultural close to Russia. In the majority of popular tourist areas of Greece in taverns and shops speak Russian, and in the city of Corfu, island Corfu capital, even the monument to our compatriot - to admiral Ushakov is established. However, if you search in Greece of rest and a solitude, for rest you will accept at all less fine, than Crete or Rhodes, but yet so popular in tourists from Russia, Zakintos, Plaits or Kefalonija.
If plan rest in Greece for the first time, cheerful aquaparks of Crete, and heated on the bank of lake Kurna nice черепашки, pleasantly contrasting with majestic gorges and magnificent monasteries, will allow you to make the first representation about the country. Not without reason say that Crete is Greece in a miniature. But Crete also the most international and dynamical from the Greek islands. The island Corfu, on the contrary, reminds continental Europe with its ceremonious, measured traditions, narrow medieval small streets of small cities, constructions in the Venetian style, graceful stained-glass windows in temples, body sounds under a dome. Pious Athos, multi-colored sand of island Santorini and a cradle of the European knights, the Palace of Great masters in Rhodes are interesting to the traveler poured by the multi-colored fires, offering set of possibilities for night life, peninsula Cassandra, and.
Rest in Greece can be dated for easter holidays, after all Easter – event which in Greece mark widely and cheerfully. Last week in houses easter pies are baked, in the evenings believers visit church, and in the night from Saturday to Sunday think of desire, passing under a sacred shroud of the Christ. Next day streets are overflowed by happy people who rejoice to the come holiday, prepare on a spit fragrant meat, sing and dance. Easter in Greece - in Athenes, in Crete or Corfu - will help to combine religious triumph with rest on picturesque island and fun in bright national color.
Every year rest in Greece all becomes more popular and more interesting, and all year long, after all besides magnificent beaches, here there are also mounting skiing resorts. Slopes with a qualitative snow covering, kilometers of lines for flat skis, «winter entertainments» against the southern sea is something shaking! In total in the country 18 mountain-skiing centers which are usually opened from the end of December to the middle of April operate.
Rest in Greece is an original sensation of unreality which will always accompany the tourist, beginning from excavation of ancient sanctuaries and finishing gentle slopes where centaurs in due time walked.
Rest in Greece are crystal-clear beaches, transparent crystal water, the bright snow-white Sun, and also a large quantity of places where it is possible to bathe, as a part of Greece some hundreds islands, each of which is in own way unique.
Rest in Greece allows tourists to join ancient art. Rest in Greece are first class hotels which will amaze with the high degree of service even the most refined tourist.
Rest in Greece means not only classical beach rest, but also and various excursions. Having a rest in Greece, you will see many ancient monuments, archaeological museums with the richest collections. In particular unforgettable impressions on you will make well-known Akropolis, a palace of Great masters, Parthenon, Apollo's temple in Delfah, a fortified city Mycenae.
Rest in Greece offers tourists the various program of entertainments, hardly you should miss in this unique country. Rest in Greece is also noisy night clubs and bright discos. Also it is possible to visit small, cozy small restaurants of Greece with live music and to become the witness of national Greek dances.
Greece traditionally is considered the rest and tourism country. Rest in Greece suggests tourists to take pleasure in the remarkable nature, the pure sea, never-ending beaches and various islands.
Having a rest in Greece, you will see, is how much harmonious in this country cultures of the East and the West are combined. Rest in Greece is the sun, the sea, mountains, remarkable wines and kitchen, unique monuments of architecture and the picturesque nature. Choosing rest in Greece, always it is possible to find hotel to taste and on a pocket. Rest in Greece are big pure beaches with a set of additional services.
If you have chosen rest to Greece, you can visit various islands of this interesting country, each of which isn't similar against each other. Crete – the big island with an arid climate, Corfu – green and cool, Rhodes – amazes with a variety of bays and a mountain relief.
Rest in Greece is remarkable that for Greece the unique nature, absence of industrial zones, and also the low prices is characteristic. Also rest in Greece it is good that you can pick up to yourselves round for all tastes whether it be classical silent beach rest or productive leisure or a shop tour. Rest in Greece also perfectly approaches and for children.
Entertainments
Greece - paradise for fans of productive leisure. Special demand rounds to Greece uses at admirers of water sports – divers and yachtsmen. For the first the first class diving centers here are equipped, for the second respectable clubs are opened and there is a set of marines where drop an anchor белокрылые beauties.
Kitchen of Greece
Having a rest in Greece, you, of course, want to do justice to magnificent Greek cuisine. Greeks love is tasty to eat and treat the visitors. The Mediterranean kitchen impresses with the abundance. Here both a sword-fish and an octopus in own juice … Everywhere restaurants with local and European cuisine. About service and speech isn't present – the schooled personnel to a touch guesses all wishes. Representing an example of the typical Mediterranean kitchen based on vegetables, grasses, olive oil and seafood, it possesses also unique features. So, in Greece rural salad «хориатики» from vegetables and "Fet's" cheese, known all over the world under the name of "Greek" is popular. Dense Greek yogurt which use as refueling to salads – with greens and garlic addition is well-known also, and submit as a dessert – with fruit, nuts, honey. Rest in Greece easily turns to gourmet travel.
And, not without reason, Greece – the native land of the master of winemaking, Dionisa. By its divine breath are dawned also pine рецина, perfectly well combined with fish and meat dishes, and muscat wine мосхато which submit to sweet dishes, and tart, with fruit smack, мавродафни. But also without a liqueur glass the mutno-white, diluted water, anisette узо, rest in Greece will be incomplete!
Restaurants
Small restaurants, cafe and taverns in Greece continually. Any institution by the evening doesn't remain empty. If among its visitors it is a lot of Greeks, be assured that feed here excellent. The main subject line of Greek cuisine is an olive, an oregano and a lemon. For all the Greek salad is known: a brynza and fresh vegetables.
We recommend to try — slices of crisp meat, an onions, a tomato and French fries in a hot fragrant flat cake; a juicy baked pudding from mincemeat, an eggplant, a potato and cheese.
Don't forget to try a favourite drink of all Greeks — the cold coffee which has been shaken up with milk and cream.
Tourist zones of Greece
Last ten years rest in Greece became very popular, including among our compatriots. Snow-white beaches of Greece are perfectly combined with fascinating rounds and cruises. Green hilly landscapes, white small houses, beaches and olive groves create surprising landscapes on beauty.
In the largest tourist regions of Greece, such as Athenes, Chalkidiki, Tessaloniki and islands Cretes, Plaits and Rhodes are concentrated the main hotels of Greece which differ comfort, a high degree of service and traditional hospitality.
Warm solar weather of Greece and snow-white beaches give heat, health and longevity. However the main feature of rest in Greece that only here there is a possibility to touch stones and monuments which some thousand years and which remember legendary Teseja and Argonauts.
Sights of Greece
The greatest incomes to the country are brought by tourism. Crete, Rhodes, Plaits are most popular among tourists of Athena. The majority of museums of Greece has rich collections of antique exhibits. Among the most known – a national archaeological museum, the Byzantian museum. A museum of Akropolisa in Athenes. The old Archaeological museum in Olympia has the largest in the world a collection of Ancient Greek geometrical and archaic exhibits; the Archaeological museum on island Crete contains a magnificent collection of subjects of art of an epoch of the Minoan civilization in Kandii.
The national art gallery, Alexander Sutzosa and Muzej Benaki Museum contain exhibits of later epoch in Athenes. Among other sights – well-known Akropolis with numerous antique temples in Athenes. In Rhodes – a palace of Great masters of knights of an award of St. John Ierusalimsky. Nearby – ruins of antique Rhodes based in 408 year BC
In it there was a well-known statue of the Colossus Rhodes (one of miracles of the world). In Crete – ruins of the city of Knossos where, according to the legend, there was a well-known Labyrinth with a Minotaur. The city has been based in 1700 BC In Tessaloniki - set of buildings of the Byzantian epoch; St. Elena's basilica and St. George's church with mosaic icons. A white (Bloody) tower. Tessaloniki - a city where St. apostle Pavel preached.
Big cities of Greece:
Athenes
Tessaloniki
Islands of Greece:
Plaits
Corfu
Crete
Rhodes
