fr8mech From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 4248 posts, RR: 12 Posted (1 year 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 867 times:
Looking for some advice from our members living in Greece, specifically around Athens.
My dad lives in Greece (Sormena) and I'm planning a trip this October to visit him with the family. It goes without saying, that the political/economic turmoil is weighing on me. If it were just me going, it wouldn't be an issue. I speak the language, can read it at some elementary school level and have been there often enough to feel comfortable. But, I'm planning on bringing the wife and kids to see papoo.
The family I'm close to, say there isn't much to worry about, but other than my Dad, none of them live close to Athens. A cousin, who is a cop, says not to worry, but he's been out on an island since 2008.
So, what's the climate like? Are the protests/riots restricted to Athens? I know the climate can change radically in 5 months, but I want to get a feel for what's happening.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24894 posts, RR: 60 Reply 2, posted (1 year 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 800 times:
I am in contact with my Family every few days in Athens and Piraeus. I am also back on a regular basis in fact im back in a few weeks . At the moment its business as usual nothing to worry about . There is a great website that updates any strikes / protests which I will post . People going to Islands like Zakynthos have nothing that would affect their vacations other than an ATC strike but these days they are few and far between. Ive only been caught up in one last September. My last trips were fine . I was delayed last time due to weather.
Even when there are strikes/ protests in Athens they center around Syntagma square and are in a small contained area. It is obviously best to avoid that area should there be a protest planned for that day. The majority of tourists will not notice anything as most are either in the Islands or not that un lucky to be in Syntagma Square at the protests. The majority of the time its business as usual and peaceful at that area.
I will be able to give more as the weeks and months go on . The elections are supposed to be 17th June so more information will be available then . The actual amount of strikes and protests have decreased alot over the last months.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
lewis From Greece, joined Jul 1999, 3446 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (1 year 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 776 times:
Quoting fr8mech (Thread starter): So, what's the climate like? Are the protests/riots restricted to Athens? I know the climate can change radically in 5 months, but I want to get a feel for what's happening.
Even when I was still living and working in Athens when demonstrations were going on on a daily basis, I had no contact with that, didn't see it live at all. The only thing that would worry me is what a sudden switch to a Drachma might cause, but I am hoping that as a scenario, it will come after the tourism season.
Indeed but for tourists with hard currency it would be even cheaper . 150-200 Drachmas to a Euro . One analyst said it would be the only positive thing to happen in the crisis.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3064 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (1 year 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 727 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 2): Even when there are strikes/ protests in Athens they center around Syntagma square and are in a small contained area. It is obviously best to avoid that area should there be a protest planned for that day. The majority of tourists will not notice anything as most are either in the Islands or not that un lucky to be in Syntagma Square at the protests. The majority of the time its business as usual and peaceful at that area.
Indeed. I've never been or seen it first-hand, but like most things these days, the media makes everything seem WAY worse than it really is.
Just like in the US...supposedly the US is falling apart, but I only know a handful of unemployed folks etc but with all the business travel I do and leisure travel as well, I don't see it. Does it exist? Sure. Does it exist the way the media loves to portray it? Doubt it.
Go to Greece, enjoy it, and carry on sir! It will be a great trip
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, RR: 40 Reply 7, posted (1 year 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 611 times:
You will most probably get some good deals with all the turmoil.
Just found this on The Guardian online. I thought I would repost for you as you are planning to go there.
Greek holiday prices tumble amid debt crisis and euro fears
Hoteliers forced to slash their prices by up to 50% and restaurants, bars and taxis all said to be getting cheaper
...
However, as Greece lurches from economic crisis to catastrophe and the world braces itself for its potential exit from the euro, there's a growing feeling that the days when tourists could live like a king on a fistful of drachma could be about to return. http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...ay/17/greece-holiday-prices-tumble
I travelled to the Greek Islands after KIng Constantin was deposed (late 60's early 70's). I avoided Athens. The islands were so dirt cheap back then. No tourists to be found. Greece wasn't yet part of the E.U. even less the Euro.
I wonder if things will get the same again. You would probably have some islands and other places in Greece that will be deserted by tourists.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
dimik747 From Greece, joined Nov 2010, 51 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 608 times:
While its hard to predict how things will be in 1 month, let alone 5 in general there should not be too much trouble caused.. Dont forget that millions of people still go about their daily lives there despite the protest and everything that is going on. This is a good site: http://livingingreece.gr/strikes/ that is frequently updated that mentions all the upcoming strikes so if anything does happen that could affect you you can at least be prepared. Also if I'm correct in thinking that you are talking about Sourmena, Hellinikon - Glyfada, then you can rest assured that you will most likely be quite far away from the area with all the strikes etc.
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