Greece

Overview
The Olympic Games were spawned in ancient classical Greece,along with democracy and the fundamentals of philosophy, scienceand mathematics. Modern Greece is better known as a great place tovacation rather than a centre of learning and culture. Today thecountry attracts by offering simple pleasures: delicious food atreasonable prices, local wine, beautiful beaches, sunshine, quaintvillages, a seemingly endless lacework of coastline and littleislands full of scenic surprises.The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on itsever-popular islands, which cling to their stereotypicalarchitecture and way of life despite being often over-run bytourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to islandtavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, lined fishermen sitin the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or dice. Thetourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but thetimeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsidesaround narrow pebbled alleys has been retained. The myriad islandsin the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, the historicharbour of Greece's mainland capital, Athens, by ferry orhydrofoil, offering a unique chance for 'island-hopping'. Many ofthe larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens orseasonally with major European cities.On the mainland the city of Athens in the south is sprawling,overcrowded and polluted but nevertheless enthralls visitors, whileThessaloniki in the north is vibrant and modern with a Byzantineflavour. Athens is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon:the remains of other wonders of the ancient Greek classical worldare to be found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula, south ofCorinth, the gateway to a veritable treasure trove of history.Greece and Greeks welcome with open arms the thousands ofvisitors that flock to admire their national assets every year -no-one leaves without having been warmed, both by the sun and thehospitality.

Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents.Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and travellerscheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs arewidespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenientmethod of obtaining euros.

Time
Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).

Language
Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.

Climate
Greece enjoys mild winters and very hot, dry summers cooled byseasonal breezes known as 'meltemia'. Snow can fall in themountainous regions in winter. Winter is the wettest season andrain is unlikely between June and August.