Greece Key information's

Weather

We can expect warm, sunny weather with a temperature range of 16-24°C; however, occasional.
Showers and thunderstorms are possible.

Currency

The official currency of Greece is the Euro.

Money and banks

Credit cards are widely accepted and can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs. We also
Recommend having cash for smaller purchases such as drinks and snacks.
You will need to make allowance for lunches and some dinners. There is a wide range of Restaurants available, and meals can cost from €10.00pp or less in cafés or inexpensive restaurants to €30.00pp in more up-market restaurants.

Tipping

Tipping in Greece is entirely at the customer’s discretion, usually a few Euros after a meal.

Gastronomy

Cretan cuisine is based on simple techniques using local produce: mountain herbs and greens,
unique cheeses, fresh fish, olive oil and raki, a fiery brandy. Of the legion of delicious cheeses,
look for graviera, a harder cheese that’s sweeter when new, but nutty and flavourful after ageing.
Other specialities include fried snails (chochlioi boubouristi), Cretan cheese pies (kaltsounia)
and Lamb with stamnagathi, a wild green vegetable.

Languages Spoken

The official language of Greece is Greek. English is usually understood, particularly in hotels
and restaurants.

Local Time

Greece is two hours ahead of GMT/BST.

International dialling code

0030

Electrical plugs/sockets

The standard electrical sockets used in Greece are two-pin (220v/50hz), so bring a travel
adapter for any electrical appliances.

Clothing & Dress Code

There is no specific dress code on our holidays, other than respecting the standards of modesty in each country we visit. Comfortable walking shoes or boots with good soles are essential - Some of the sites have uneven ground. Other items you may like to bring include: alarm clock, camera, light-weight raincoat, sunglasses and sunblock, warm sweaters or cardigans for cool weather
nights.

Travel Safety

Please do not walk about on your own and always tell your local guide where you are going. We
recommend you take a hidden money belt and carry as little as possible when walking in towns.
Please use the safety deposit boxes in hotels if provided.

Passports

For UK and other EU citizens, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date. of your return. Your passport must also be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country. No visas are required for stays up to 90 days. It is the responsibility of non-EU citizens to check this and to obtain any necessary visas. It is useful to have a photocopy of the main page of your passport, kept separately from your passport. Check that your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Greece as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that
you have overstayed your visa-free limit.

Health

There is no requirement for vaccinations. Tap water is safe to drink. You should get a free
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC isn’t a substitute for
medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state-provided medical treatment that may
become necessary during your trip. The EHIC won’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical
treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance
and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

Travelling with medication

According to Greek law, a visitor can bring up to 5 different prescribed medicines for personal
use, with a maximum of 2 boxes of each medicine. Some are prescribed and over-the-counter

Medicines available in the UK, including medication containing codeine, are considered
controlled substances in Greece.

A doctor’s prescription is required in all cases, which should mention your details (the name on the prescription must match the name on your passport), the
types of medicine and the condition treated.

The medication must be packed in the original
container with the full prescription printed on the container.

On arrival, Greek Customs may, in some cases, require you to obtain permission from the Greek National Organisation of Medicines

if you need to carry more than the permitted number of boxes, for example. The National

Organisation of Medicines examines these requests on a case-by-case basis.