Greece

Greece and her Islands

Greece borders Albania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the north, and Turkey to the east. Its beaches overlook the Ionian and Aegean seas. With 166 inhabited islands and a landscape that ranges from the Mediterranean to Balkan. The sun-soaked coastline stretches over 13,676km (8,498 miles), providing some of the most magnificent and attractive beaches in the world. If you love sunsets then Greece is the place for you with stunning vistas on the mainland and of course the islands there is always somewhere to watch the sunset at the end of the day.

The landscape of Greece incorporates a remarkable variety: from the poplar strewn plains of Macedonia, to the gentle coastal hills of Peloponnesia. It’s the simple pleasures of these landscapes and of the country’s climate and food that make Greece special for most visitors. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient Greece and long to see the historic sites of Athens, Rhodes and Delphi, or escaping it all in the fun-filled Greek islands.

This timeless land boasts a 5000-year history, encompassing the legendary such as Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi and the Parthenon in Athens and the obscure, this unique history combined with beautiful sunshine and beaches the sense of living legend is a truly unforgettable experience.

Family Beach Holidays and Kids clubs Greece

Family beach holidays are very popular in Greece and the islands of Greece. Many tour operators offer package holidays to all destinations in Greece using charter flights from the UK and Europe. There are many hotels in Greece that offer excellent child care and kids clubs. In particular companies such as Club Med, Mark Warner Holidays, Sunsail Family holidays and Thomson. Go Easy travel has excellent rates with these operators and can save you money with your family holiday to Greece.

Events in Greece, Things to do

Art and culture, the delight of good food and music, traditional crafts and You The Greek year is a succession of festivals and events, some of which are religious, some cultural, others just an excuse for a good celebration. In various regions of Greece Carnivals are held which have as their main characteristic the distinctive local colour and the people’s intention to keep the tradition alive.

The Carnival celebration usually begins on Tsiknopempti with a series of cultural, theatrical and other events. The participants are masquerade parties, float parades, majorettes, ballet groups and music bands etc. which fill the streets, theatres, cultural centres and squares of the whole country. The celebrations reach their climax with the traditional party (Koulouma) on Ash Monday, when a kite-flying spectacle takes place.  You cannot come to Greece and not go to one of its many cultural events, at one of its ancient or modern theatres.

Greece Tours & Island Hopping

Island hopping has always been a popular choice for Greece but more so now with the easy ability to book flights into one airport and out of the other. We have many island-hopping itineraries to consider such as:

Fly from London to Mykonos for 3-night stay, then on to Paros for 4 nights followed by 3 nights in Santorini and finish with 4 nights in Crete. This 14-night itinerary in the high season with flights, transfers and all ferries from £1400 per person.

For more information on tailor-made Greek island hopping experiences please get in touch.

Weddings and Honeymoons in Greece and the Greek Islands

Weddings in Greece are very popular as a result of the many movies filmed on the various islands. The cliff tops of some islands provide stunning backdrops for those Wedding pictures to remember. 

It is very easy to organise a wedding in Greece which is why more and more couples choose either the Mainland or one of the Greek islands as their choice of destination for their marriage ceremony. 

Weddings can be held at many different locations and the choice is endless, here are a few of our favourites:

Rhodes – Filerimos which is on a Cypress topped hill offering a peaceful spot with great views of the island and the Aegean Sea. Your vows will be said beside a large stone cross on the ruins of an old monastery. 

Rhodes – Kalithea Springs is an area famous for the springs which the ancient Greeks claimed to have healing powers. Now it is a series of circular buildings with a Moorish modern look. The marriage takes place in the Spa dom which is with grand arches, tiled floors and whitewashed walls with loads of sunshine coming into the room they offer a typical greek romantic feel 

Kos – Traditional House wedding in the quaint village of Andimachia. These traditional houses of a very Greek setting with a stone built house and pretty terrace for photographs. 

Crete – Aghios Nickolas Lake – This is a pretty location to say I do on an area at the side of the lake the mayor or the deputy mayor will take you through your vows in English. The water is dotted with small fishing boats and makes a great backdrop for photographs. According to mythology the goddesses Athena and Artemis Britomartis bathed in this lake. 

Corfu – Kassiopi Town Hall – The town hall of Kassiopi is on the top of a hill with views of Kouloura Bay up to the northeast coast of Corfu. If you love views this is the place for you as many a painter has sat and painted wonderful watercolours of the views and sea below. Very close to the village of Kalami with it’s pretty traditional houses and tavernas. 

Crete – Alexandra Beach – Here you can have your ceremony on the beach on a wooden platform or in the grounds of the hotel or on the hotels terrace. This is a very romantic spot offering a wonderful backdrop to say  I do A short ceremony is held in Greek and English.

Honeymoon In Greece

Greece is also a perfect destination for a honeymoon for those couples getting married in the summer months and not wishing to travel too far for the honeymoon. As a destination it offers many options for honeymoons with its competitively priced accommodation up to the most wonderful luxury hotels in the world. For something a little different on your honeymoon consider some of these luxury hotels.  Greece has a wonderful selection of luxury hotels to choose from throughout the mainland and on the islands. From small luxury boutique hotels to large luxury complexes offering families several types of accommodation to choose from and the added facilities such as kids clubs. Here are just a few luxury hotels to consider

The blue palace Hotel Elounda Crete, The Ammos Hotel Crete, The Melenos Hotel Lindos and the gorgeous Ikos resorts.

Accommodation, Self Catering, Luxury Hotels in Greece

The Hellenic Tourism Organization authorizes the construction and classification of hotels and self-catering apartments throughout Greece. Hotels and self-catering apartments are officially categorized from “Luxury” down to “E-class”, and all except the top category have to keep within set price limits. 

Hotels classification falls under specific technical prerequisites such as surface of rooms, variety, spaciousness of amenities offered (including lobby, restaurants, shops etc.) and services provided by the hotel. 

In resorts and throughout the islands, you have the additional option of privately let rooms (dhomtia). These are again officially controlled and are divided into three classes (A-C). They are usually somewhat cheaper than hotels, and are in general spotlessly clean. Villa rentals and yacht charters are also popular in Greece.

Driving Tips and car hire in Greece

Cars have obvious advantages for getting to the most inaccessible parts of mainland Greece. If you drive your own vehicle through Greece you’ll need international third-party insurance, and it’s best to have an international driver’s license. 

Speed limits are 50kph in town, 100kph on motorways and 80kph on other roads. The Automobile and Touring Club of Greece (ELPA) operates a 24hr breakdown service on major roads, and a 7am-10pm service elsewhere; the number for assistance is tel 104. Check out our car hire rates.

Many roads are three lanes wide: the middle lane is used for passing in both directions. If there is little room to pass on the road, fast drivers expect slow drivers to pull onto the shoulder in order to let them by. All fines are paid to the public treasury and not to the local police officer. 

If you would like to rent a car in Greece, Go easy Travel can arrange great value car rentals for you, just call 01256 536020 or email for your personal quotation. or check out our online car hire rates