Greece Overview

Greece is a land where sacred monasteries are mountainside fixtures, leisurely seaside siestas are standard issue, and circle-dancing and drinking until daybreak are summer rites. The ancient Greeks sprung to prominence with their philosophical, literary, artistic, and athletic mastery. Millennia later, visitors explore evidence of magnificent past civilizations, as well as Greece’s island beaches, spectacular gorges, and famous hospitality. The all-encompassing Greek lifestyle is a deliciously frustrating mix of high-speed chaos and sun-inspired lounging, as old men hold lively debates in town plateias, teenagers zoom on mopeds around the clock, and unpredictable schedules force tourists to adopt the natives’ go-with-the-flow take on life.

Essentials

• Passport Required: Yes
• Visa Required for Stay Less than 3 Months: Yes
• Tourism Office: The Greek National Tourist Organization (X1087 07 000; www.gnto.gr)
• Phone Numbers:
• Currency: Euro
• Gratuity Surcharge: 13%
• Driving: Must be 18 years old to drive. Right-hand side of the road; foreign drivers are required to have an International Driving Permit and an International Insurance Certificate.
• Drinking Age: 17 to buy alcohol (no drinking age for private consumption of alcohol)
• Religion: Population is 98% Greek Orthodox

• When To Go
• Cultural Essentials