Greece Travel: An Online Odyssey
Greece is known not only for its capital city, Athens, home to the Acropolis, but for its 2000-plus islands, about a hundred of which are popular destinations for tourists. Each island exemplifies Greece's cultural legacy: whitewashed houses dotting the landscape, rugged hills, unspoiled beaches, great cuisine, and everywhere reminders of the country's ancient roots in art, religion and mythology. This guide will give potential travelers to Greece the online resources to book a vacation, find places to stay, things to do, and get tips and advice for the journey.
Expand All Guide SectionsGreece Travel Basics
Greek culture is steeped in tradition, so any vacationer will want to take advantage of the ... read more »
Travel Requirements for Greece
Many different options for travel and accommodation while in Greece make it important to research ... read more »
Getting to Greece
Greece is conveniently located in the eastern and central Mediterranean, making it easily ... read more »
Greece Hotels
There are several types of accommodation in Greece, which all cater to a different set of traveler, ... read more »
Getting Around in Greece
Greece is a rugged place, where walking requires comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers, a sturdy vehicle, a moped, or a mountain bike. Island-hopping by ferry or yacht is another common mode of transportation that allows you to admire the landscape for a higher fee. In this section are sites and tips to help you find ways to get around the country, whether you're looking for luxury, a great deal, or something in between.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Car and moped rental on the Greek islands is not always feasible on the Internet; you're best off consulting travel agents and locals to find out where to rent a moped or car on the island.
- Off-road vehicles are a common option, as the terrain of the islands is often rugged and unpaved, and of course, this allows you to drive as close to the beach as you want.
- If you are eager to book your car or moped in advance and haven't found your island(s) offered on any of the sites below, try entering "[island name] car rental" into a search engine. Smaller companies are often affiliated with bigger names like Hertz and will have a Web site where, at the very least, you can get contact information for the island's office.
- Public buses on the Greek islands and mainland are usually a last resort. You will find some bus services available to tourist destinations, notable monuments, and popular beaches and towns, but often car, moped, bike, or taxi transportation is much more comfortable and not much more expensive.
- When cycling, remember that the terrain in Greece is very hilly and the temperatures can reach up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. Always bring lots of fluids and food on a bike trip.
- Moped and bike rental is typically run by local businesses, and very few have Web sites. These services are affordable and accommodate the walk-in traveler, so booking beforehand is not necessary. Be advised that Greeks drive on the left side of the road and are known for fast, sometimes reckless driving.
- Island-hopping via ferry is a great, affordable way to see the islands. Consult the sites in our "How do I get there?" section and below for sites specializing in ferry booking.
Dulcinea's Picks
For car rental ...
Pangosmia
is a car rental company that has offices on dozens of islands, and there are over 20 types of cars available for rental. Explore their home page to see which islands are included and scroll to the very bottom to book your rental.
Antena Car Hire
offers rental bookings for more than 20 Greek islands and Athens, and rents a variety of subcompacts. There is not an extensive variety of four-wheel drive vehicles available, however.
For yacht and cruise charters ...
Sailing Issues
is a good site to begin with if you're thinking about going on a yacht or cruise around the Greek islands and surrounding areas. This site discusses the rules, options, and perks of this form of travel, and guides prospective boating enthusiasts through the process, noting important factors like weather. Visit the "Yacht Charters" page to contact the people running the site, who can recommend the best charter companies in Greece.
Fyly
is an Athens-based yacht charter company that offers bare-boat, skippered, and full-crew yachts. There are dozens of itineraries available. Typical full-crew charters spend their time in a particular region, such as the Cyclades, and include one day on each island with a total length of up to 15 days.
Viking Yacht Cruises
operates chartered cruises on yachts and cruise liners around the Greek islands, mainland, and Turkey. The length of cruises on offer varies from three days to 14, and cruise options include themed land & sea tours for those interested in meditation, unique tour routes, and popular landmarks. Most information is available on the Web site, but further details and booking requires contacting the company via phone or e-mail.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
