A. Acts of Terrorism: Europe is extremely safe for travel. In 2002, not a single American died in a terrorist incident anywhere in Europe. Greece is a particularly safe country, with strong security measures in place to protect its citizens and tourists. Greece's population is over 98% Greek Orthodox and has no known ethnic terrorist groups in the country.
B. Behavior: When we travel, we don't hide that fact that we are American citizens. We have always been welcomed as Americans and treated well, every place we've been. Although many Greeks and other travelers may not like our government, we're also always treated as individuals. The reception we receive reflects the image we protect.
Every member of our group should seek to project a positive, and somewhat humble image. The term "Ugly American" does accurately describe some American travelers who are loud, arrogant, impatient, and, well, aggressively American.
We want to project a positive image, which comes from being friendly, patient, and courteous, and, most of all, using Greek words and phrases to start any conversation. If you begin any exchange with the word kalimera or kalispera (good morning or good afternoon), you've made a great start on being the likeable American.
C. Dress: Because much recent American policy is extremely unpopular among the Greek people, overtly American dress could appear to be aggressive and provoke comments or unwanted attention. Please do not wear U.S. flag pins or clothing, or overtly American clothes such as university t-shirts or sweatshirts.
D. Traffic Safety: One leg of our journey particularly concerns your trip leaders. Be extra careful driving to the Detroit Airport.
Once we're in Greece, be very careful walking streets. Athenian traffic is horrific, in particular, and drivers don't recognize pedestrian rights. If you need to cross a busy street, go with a group, if possible.
E. Petty Crime: Please, please use a money belt or security pouch that you can wear under your clothing. In that money belt, keep your passport, credit/ATM cards, traveler's checks, and most of your cash. If you want to carry a wallet or purse, carry at most a day's spending money.
Athens is not as notorious for pickpockets as other European cities, but with the Olympics coming in 2004, Greek pickpockets will want to practice. Don't let them practice on you. Pickpockets typically work alone in buses, the subway, and all tourist sights. Gypsies families work together. Avoid mothers with small children who approach you. Walk the other direction. If you find yourself surrounded, shout something mean sounding and keep moving.
F. Out at Night: This is for the younger travelers in particular, especially the women. Use common sense if you want to go out after dark and be extra cautious making friends. There is a somewhat common type of Greek man, known as a Kamaki (harpoon) who thinks women from other countries find him irresistable. Help him learn otherwise. Also, if you really want to go a club, please don't go out in Athens, which has some highly unsavory spots. Save your nightlife for Santorini, but be careful there too.
G. Illegal Drugs: Don't even think about it. Greece has the harshest drug laws of any country in Europe. Possession of even the smallest amount of an illegal drug brings a minimum seven year prison sentence.
H. Photography: Don't photograph policemen, soldiers, or military installations of any kind. The Greek government does prosecute tourists for this.
Exchange: Greece now uses the Euro for its currency, which makes for a simple exchange rate. The exchange we will get for our Dollar should be about $1.08-$1.10. In calculating the cost of something in Greece, think of the Euro as a big Dollar. Unless you're buying expensive souvenirs, the extra few cents won't add up much in individual purchases.
Budget: To estimate your own budget, figure out your estimated daily expenses and multiply by 13. Then realistically add what you might spend on souvenirs and other purchases. Below are some estimated expenses, but please note that these are prices are based on our 2001, pre-Euro trip.
Greece is a relatively inexpensive place to eat. Remember that breakfast is included in our hotels. In a typical taverna for lunch or dinner, a Greek Salad or simple entree like moussaka shouldn't be more than about $6. Beer, wine, and soft drinks should be about $2. You won't find many fast food places, except for souvlaki stands. A souvlaki pita sandwich should be about $2. It's hard to spend a lot of money eating out, unless you choose a fancy restaurant. We budget about $25 per day for each of us to eat out, which includes some extra for an afternoon coffee or other beverage.
Museums and Sights: Most days, we'll be visiting one, or at most two, sites that charge admission. The entrance fee is normally $7-8.
Transportation: Most of the time we'll be walking, but subways and an occasional taxi might average $5 a day.
Add that up and we're budgeting about $50 for each of us per day, for a total of $650. You may spend less or more than that. Please note our budget doesn't include spending on souvenirs or gifts, though we'll probably have some left over cash most days to spend on those.
How to Bring and Spend Money: We are convinced that a mix of spending options is best. We will each bring:
1. An ATM card to access our home checking account for purchasing Euros in Greece (Please note that most European banks won't access savings accounts. You also need a four digit, with all numbers, pin number.);
2. At least one Visa or Mastercard (with a pin number for emergency cash access);
3. About $250 in U.S. travelers checks for peace of mind;
4. At least $100 in U.S. cash, in mixed demoninations.
In Greece, you can use credit cards at larger shops and restaurants, but many smaller tavernas, snack bars, and shops will only accept Euros. Many stores will also give you a "discount" for paying cash instead of charging with a credit card. If you're spending serious money, pull out your credit card first and see if you get the cash discount offer. It doesn't always happen.
Keep practicing Greek words and phrases. Use your guidebook and the orientation handouts. Knowing how to communicate politely will give you a much more satisfying experience in Greece.
By the way, the following are there are no "correct" spellings. The following are common phonetic spellings.
Hello (before about 1:00 p.m.) kali mera
Hello (for rest of the day) kali spera
Goodbye andio
Hi or Bye (informal) yasas
Where is...? pou ine (poo innay)
Please/You're welcome/
welcome to my store... parakalo
Thank you eferisto
Yes ne (nay)
No ohi (ohee)
excuse me/forgive me signomi
We have never been successful with this one but maybe you will be:
Do you speak English? Milate Anglica? (melotee angleeka)
How much? Poso?
one ena
two dhia
three tria
Greece in May will have a climate ranging from cool and breezy (in the mountains and on the islands) to pretty hot. Bring lightweight, comfortable clothing that you can layer. Greece is very casual. You will not need any formal clothing, unless you make special plans of some kind. Nor will you need a change of clothing for every day. See the attached packing list for recommendations on what to bring.
Please remember that you will be transporting all of your own luggage throughout the trip. Pack so that you can easily carry your luggage up stairs, off an on buses and boats, and under some challenging circumstances.
Current Passport: You must have this to board the flights or cash traveler's checks. Bring a photocopy of the number and first pages of your passport (this will make it easier to replace, if you need to).
Money Belt or Security Pouch: We cannot emphasize strongly enough that you do not carry your money and credit cards in a wallet or standard purse. Keep traveler's check receipts separately.
Comfortable Knapsack or Bag: Use this as your carry-on luggage and to stroll with during the day. Keep your picnic supplies here, as well as your guidebook and other personal items.
Clothing: Be prepared for a wide range of weather, from cool, wet, and windy to sunny and hot. Definitely bring sunscreen and a hat to shade your head. In general, for the varied conditions we may see, clothing that you can layer works best. Your most valued items will be very comfortable walking shoes.
Medicine/Personal Items: Pack anything that you really need--and cannot lose--in your carry-on luggage. Pack medicine in original prescription bottles and have prescription for syringes or anymedicine that might be questioned. Bring extra eyeglasses and any personal toiletries that you will need. You can find most of what you'll need in Europe, but it will cost more and take time. Do not bring expensive jewelry or anything of value that you do not need.
Your best trip souvenir will be a journal that you keep.
Camera and Film: Have a secure system for carrying your camera. Put in new batteries before you leave. Carry more than enough film; it will be more expensive in Europe.
Picnic Supplies: A small cup and plate or bowl, utensils, a small knife, corkscrew/bottle opener, bandanna or small towel, and zip lock bags will keep you prepared to picnic anywhere.
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