To Greece On Your Own - How To Get A Visa, Rent A House And Buy Flights. Independent holidays in Greece
The idea to travel independently arises among tourists different reasons: someone is tired of standard, similar tours, someone wants to exclude communication with representatives of travel agencies and guides, and someone just wants to save money. What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-organized holidays in Greece? Let's try to figure it out.
Is there any savings?
When it comes to independent trip to Greece, most often we hear the comments “Oh, this is very cool! You'll save a lot of money!" But in fact, this is not entirely true. Save or not - it all depends on the type of your trip.
If the main goal is beach holiday in good hotel with food, animators and a lot of other entertainment - then it is more profitable to buy a tour from the operator. They most often buy places in such hotels in blocks, for which they receive a significant discount.
The second option is a holiday with local flavor. In Greece, there are a lot of cozy hotels with rooms at affordable prices. Here you get a chance to get closer to local life without unnecessary tourist props, but you will be deprived of the benefits that hotel complexes promise: free pools, discos, cocktails, etc.
And the third option for recreation is traveling around the country, and this is always a cost. In this case, you are unlikely to be able to save enough money to end up with a smaller amount than the cheapest package tour.
director himself
So, what do we get when relaxing in Greece without a tour operator?
- The responsibility for everything lies solely with you. What does this mean? Many tourists tend to blame the tour operator for all the errors associated with the rest, ultimately blaming him for the “ruined vacation”. Flight delay? Blame it! Is the air conditioner broken in the room? Blame it! At the resort, rain is again his tricks! But when you organize the trip yourself, perhaps all the minor flaws will not look so terrible.
- Free excursion program. You decide what and when to see, and hotel guides do not impose their services on you at inflated prices. A good Russian-speaking guide can be found via the Internet, and if it’s really “cheap and cheerful” - go sightseeing only with a guidebook!
- Are you tired of Crete? And why not live a couple of days on the famous Santorini? Is the weather bad in the Cyclades? Then let's go to the Peloponnese! By the way, we haven't seen Olympia yet! Absolute freedom of movement - this is how a real vacation should be, and this is how it is, if organized according to your scenario!
But, as you know, in every barrel of honey there is a fly in the ointment. We list the main pitfalls in the field of independent tourism.
- The main disadvantage of this type of recreation is the lack of time. Not every working person can afford the luxury of spending precious hours on paperwork, bookings, confirmations, transfers, etc. It is easier for busy people to give money for a ready-made tour and calmly wait for the day of departure.
- Feelings, self-doubt. Many people, especially older ones, will feel much more comfortable under the wing of a travel agency than left to their own devices. Even if the thought of self-organization causes you to panic, it is better not to torment yourself and boldly go for a ready-made tour.
- The language barrier. Let's say you're not a polyglot, and you don't know any language other than Russian. Regular walks with English dictionary in the hands they cast melancholy on you, and to learn in short terms Greek doesn’t work out in any way - then the journey will not be as easy for you as you would like.
photo: travelswithpersephone.blogspot.com
And one moment…
In April, news sites and travel portals spread the news that the Greeks were going to issue Schengen visas to Russian citizens for a period of 5 years. To do this, you must have at least one Schengen in your passport, preferably multiple. In practice, this is not entirely true: you should not console yourself with hopes for a coveted 5-year multivisa, especially if you are not an experienced traveler.
However, almost everyone can now get an annual Schengen. In 2014, the Greeks intend to attract at least 1.5 million Russians to the resorts of the country, which means, among other things, the loyal attitude of the consulates.
- Do not rush to make an advance payment for the hotel, as there is no guarantee that you will like the chosen room and the surrounding area in general. In this case, you will either have to lose the money that the hotel freezes on the card, or spend the whole vacation where you don’t like it.
On booking.com, you can choose options for hotels, hotels and apartments without prepayment or with free cancellation: such documents are also accepted at consulates.
- Study the customs regulations well. Organized groups of tourists always warn what and how much you can buy so that there are no problems at the border later. If you are relaxing on your own, there is a temptation to buy everything and a lot - and it’s not a fact that all souvenirs can be taken out of the country and brought to the territory of Russia.
- The Internet is your main assistant when traveling in Greece. Therefore, it is worth deciding in advance which card of which operator you will buy. Compare prices and calculate what will be more profitable for you.
Greece is one of the best places in order to try their hand at organizing recreation. Tourists here do not feel the consequences of a protracted economic crisis: food prices in Greece are lower than ours, the quality of life is an order of magnitude higher. There is practically no question of security here, so tourists can safely travel around the country without worrying about the level of crime. And in general, Greece with its many islands looks like a specially created scenery for bright vacation photos - perfect place for traveling!
A trip to Greece is offered by many travel companies, but sometimes it is much more correct, cheaper and more interesting to organize your trip yourself. Let's find out how to do it and where to start.
Getting ready for the trip
To plan independent travel to Greece you need to start early. This country is part of the Schengen area, so you will need a visa to visit it. You can get a document at the consulate, after preparing a package of documents and filling out a questionnaire. To simplify the procedure, it is better to use the help of the visa center vizaweek.ru, where you will be relieved of all formalities.
Next, you should decide on the itinerary of the trip and tickets. The optimal solution for independent travel, there will be a fly & drive format when you get to a designated point by plane, and then just rent a car. This will allow you to be as mobile and free as possible, as well as visit many interesting places Greece.
When going to the country, do not forget to take a first aid kit with you (the medicines we are used to are sometimes difficult to find in Europe) and leave a place in your suitcase for souvenirs and gifts that you will take home.
Traveling in Greece opens up many opportunities for tourists. By laying out the route yourself, you can relax on the beach, walk around museums, see the sights and generally discover your Greece. Here are some tips to help you choose a direction.
Green corners
Halkidiki is considered to be the coziest and greenest region of Greece. It's great to walk, swim and enjoy life. Also, for such a holiday, you can consider the western part of Crete (the regions of Chania and Rethymnon) and the island of Corfu. These places are perfect for families with children.
Historical places
In fact, Greece is an amazing country in which there is something to see everywhere. But it's hard to imagine the journey through historical places Greece without Athens. If you are a fan of wandering around the city, be sure to leave yourself 2-3 days for walking around the capital and stock up on comfortable shoes.
Night life
If you are sick of a sleepy vacation by the sea and want a hot party, think about the place Malia (Crete). Here you will find huge sandy beaches and non-stop night discos. In Northern Greece, stop by Paralia Katerina - the amount of entertainment and nightlife restaurants will pleasantly surprise you. And not far from Athens there is the resort of Loutraki, which will also be remembered for its fun parties.
Romantic getaway
Traveling to Greece on your own can also be planned in such a way that this trip will be remembered as the most romantic event of your life together with your loved one. Corfu is considered one of the most picturesque islands for romance. Here you can endlessly walk, enjoy delicious food and be just the two of you. And what could be better for strengthening relationships?
Why Choose Greece
Planning a trip to Greece on your own is a simple task. This is a small, comfortable country, very loyal to tourists and visitors. It will be easy for you here even with minimal knowledge of English.
Also in Greece there are a lot of hotels and hotels, both large chains and small family ones. So you can easily find yourself a room for the night in any city and for any budget, even without prior booking. By the way, in general, hotels offer a breakfast or breakfast and dinner system, since gastronomic pleasures in local restaurants are one of the obligatory parts of a trip to Greece.
In addition, holidays in Greece can be very versatile. Here you will find resorts and entertainment to your taste both young and old. active people as well as families with children and elderly couples. If you want to please your parents with a trip to Europe, Greece will the best choice and they will definitely be satisfied.
As A.P. Chekhov, “everything is in Greece”, which is hard to disagree with - the azure sea awaits visitors, high mountains with green slopes, charming picturesque islands and beautiful beaches, antique monuments ancient civilization and unique museums, as well as excellent local wines and National cuisine.
The main part of the country's territory (80%) is occupied by mountains and plateaus, and vegetation in the form of forests and shrubs covers 44% of its area.
The three main geographic areas are:
1) the mainland (from Central Greece in the south to Thrace in the north);
2) the Peloponnese peninsula (connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth);
3) about 6,000 large and small islands in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Ionian seas (most are part of the island group called the Greek archipelago; Crete, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Cyclades).
A huge cultural heritage, combined with a wonderful natural component, has ensured the pilgrimage of millions of tourists both to the mainland and to the island (mainly beach holidays), but at the same time there are still quite a lot of wonderful untouched corners. In addition to tourism, which is the main way to make a profit, agriculture is also developed - the cultivation of cereals, vegetables and fruits, as well as winemaking traditions that have long been strong (the favorable climate and soil contribute to obtaining an excellent product). Greece is the cradle of many things that are still actively used and developed all over the world - theater, the Olympic Games, as well as ancient sciences.
The culture of winemaking also did not go unnoticed in the segment of the development of tourist routes - "wine routes" pass through picturesque places with the opportunity to visit wineries and tasting the product. It is especially pleasant to make such sorties in the prefectures of Drama, Imathia and Kilkis.
The network of hiking trails is also well developed, especially in certain areas of the country, and lovers of long walks and hiking can always use one of the trails. For example, the Greek part of the international walking route E6 or E4 ( more information at http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/touring/on_foot), as well as paths in Argolis, Attica, Corfu, Cyclades (Naxos, Syros, Ios), Kefalonia, Lefkada, Rethymno, Thessaloniki and Zakynthos .
We should not forget about a wide range of water activities. Swimming, diving, water skiing, yachting are only a part of what the local sea expanses offer. The beaches of Paros offer excellent conditions for sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, as well as beach soccer and volleyball. In Santorini, try diving to explore the deep sea. Everything related to sails is good in Mykonos, thanks to the winds. And on land you can play golf or tennis. The small but picturesque Dodecanese Kalymnos is one of the most popular places for climbing fans. And climbing skills can be trained when climbing Olympus itself or crawling along the forest slopes of Taygetos.
Trekking lovers are waiting national park Walia Calda. Nearby, in Grevena, you can book a wonderful jeep safari.
There are also several airlines that will quickly and comfortably take you from point A to point B: Olympic Air (www.olympicair.com), Aegean Airlines (www.aegeanair.com), Athens Airways (www.athensairways.com).
Longer, but at the same time romantic and certainly interesting, the traveler can move around sea views transport. The main port of Greece - Piraeus - provides a huge amount of traffic between the islands and the mainland. The general site through which you can book and purchase tickets for the desired ferry in the desired direction is www.ferries.gr, and the main companies are Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Nel Lines, Superfast Ferries, Anek lines and Minoan Lines. On the aforementioned site, you can also purchase tickets for international crossings - for example, to Italy, Albania, Turkey or Bulgaria, as well as plan a cruise.
And, finally, one of the most comfortable ways of transportation, independent of others, is. The roads here are of quite decent quality, they drive adequately (especially in comparison with St. Petersburg or Moscow), so if you have international rights, you can organize interesting trips or trips with stops in different places.
Greek cuisine
The main components of national Greek dishes are high-quality local ingredients, the right combination of spices and seasonings, the famous Greek olive oil and ease of execution. Almost no Greek dish can do without oil. Olives are also popular. All kinds of fish, squid, crabs, shrimps, octopuses, mussels, oysters - all seafood is actively used by the Greeks for cooking in different types. The main dishes of less popular meat are paidaki (grilled lamb ribs), moussakas (vegetables baked with minced meat under bechamel sauce), stifado (beef stewed with onions and wine). Fruits and vegetables are a frequent component of many recipes - they are very fond of eggplants, artichokes, which, wrapped in grape leaves along with peppers, onions, tomatoes and beans or rice, are turned into dolma familiar to many. One of classic salads here, of course, Greek - generously broken pieces of soft white cheese, again onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers, olives, cucumbers, and on top - of course, olive oil. The popular tzatziki sauce is made from natural yoghurt with garlic and grated fresh cucumber and is often served with meat dishes or simply spread on bread. For dessert, you can choose from numerous sweets - mainly pies and biscuits (caridopita with walnuts, kataifi stuffed with almonds, vanilla syrup and lemon juice, etc.). You can wash it down with a cup of excellent Greek coffee or frappe (cold version of coffee). Also, a bottle of fine local wine, cool retsina (wine with a taste of tar), or stronger aniseed vodka (ouzo), diluted with water, as is customary, or rakia (moonshine from grapes) will be a great addition to a hearty meal.Shopping in Greece
The first thing you should take with you from Greece is local products. Greek honey, coffee, alcohol, olives and olives, olive oil, spices - everyone can choose a souvenir to taste that will delight you and your family upon arrival. In addition to gastronomic pleasures, also a good gift there will be a piece of Athens - skillful products from local ceramics, bronze or clay. Woven summer sandals made of thin leather in the Greek style will also delight. In the center of Athens, as well as in Kastoria, you can buy high-quality fur products, as well as jewelry. An original souvenir can be a printed fabric bag, a copy of an antique sculpture, a rug, wickerwork and lace, and many will appreciate the beautiful icons from holy places.Visa
Russian citizens need a Schengen visa to visit Greece. The necessary information about the conditions for obtaining a visa, the timing of its consideration and other issues can be found on the official website of the Greece Visa Application Center at the link: http://www.greecevac-ru.com/russia/index.aspxShe made an invaluable contribution to European culture. Literature, architecture, philosophy, history, other sciences, state system, laws, art and myths of ancient greece laid the foundation for modern European civilization. Greek gods known all over the world.
Greece today
Modern Greece little known to most of our compatriots. The country is located at the crossroads of West and East, connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. The length of the coastline is 15,000 km (including the islands)! Our map will help you find an original corner or Island which has not yet been. We offer a daily feed news. In addition, for many years we have been collecting a photo And reviews.Holidays in Greece
Correspondence acquaintance with the ancient Greeks will not only enrich you with the understanding that everything new is a well-forgotten old, but will also encourage you to go to the homeland of gods and heroes. Where our contemporaries live behind the ruins of temples and the ruins of history with the same joys and problems as their distant ancestors millennia ago. An unforgettable experience awaits you rest, thanks to the most modern infrastructure surrounded by virgin nature. On the site you will find tours to Greece, resorts And hotels, weather. In addition, here you will find out how and where it is issued visa and find Consulate in your country or Greek Visa Application Center.Property in Greece
The country is open to foreigners wishing to purchase real estate. Any foreigner has the right to do so. Only in border areas, non-EU citizens need to obtain a purchase permit. However, the search for lawful houses, villas, townhouses, apartments, the correct execution of the transaction, the subsequent maintenance is a difficult task that our team has been solving for many years.Russian Greece
Topic immigration remains relevant not only for ethnic Greeks living outside their historical homeland. The forum for immigrants discusses how legal issues, and the problems of adaptation in the Greek world and, at the same time, the preservation and popularization of Russian culture. Russian Greece is heterogeneous and unites all immigrants who speak Russian. At the same time, in recent years, the country has not lived up to the economic expectations of immigrants from countries former USSR, in connection with which we observe the reverse migration of peoples.Greece is famous all over the world primarily for its beautiful beaches, wonderful nature and rich history. Here you can bask in the sun and swim, then go to see the most interesting sights, and then go through the numerous shops, and everything is in each resort town Greece. The prices will please anyone, in Europe it is one of the most inexpensive countries, but the level of comfort and safety is at its best. This is a real paradise for relaxation, so more and more people go to Greece on their own, without travel agencies.
The season in Greece begins in mid-May and ends at the end of October, and the peak of the influx of tourists falls on July-August, during these months most of the hotels are packed to capacity, the beaches are crowded, and prices for everything rise significantly. But if you carefully approach the choice of a place to stay, you can find a picturesque town or urban-type village with a minimum of tourists, low prices and clean beaches even in the most popular months.
If you want to relax in Greece on your own at the lowest prices and without the ubiquitous crowds of tourists, then it is better to go to this country from early September to mid-October. At this time, prices are significantly reduced, hotels are half empty, shops offer goods at huge discounts, and the sea is still warm and comfortable for swimming. You can also go from May to mid-June, however, the water in the sea will be quite cool, but it will not hurt to see the sights and go shopping.
Independent holidays in Greece compares favorably with the offers of travel agencies in the following ways:
- I travel on my own, only you decide when and where to go to rest
- You can create your own interesting and memorable sightseeing program, which will not look like boring standard excursions "for everyone"
- You can save a lot by going on an independent trip to Greece, however, for this you need to follow certain rules of a budget holiday
- You can drive all over Greece by car and see the most beautiful places that millions of tourists have not yet had time to "trample"
- It is independent travelers who get much more positive emotions and interesting acquaintances, and they also have an amazing opportunity to get to know the mentality of the Greek people, which in itself is exciting and promises many adventures that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Flights
It is better to buy tickets to Greece in advance, so you will save a lot of money, because 3-6 months before the date of the flight, prices are minimal. Of course, you can wait for "burning" tickets, but they do not always happen, and the chance to stay without rest at all is very high, because. during the season, tickets to Greece sell like hot cakes.
You can buy tickets at. I myself am looking for air tickets only on Aviasales, the functionality of the site is completely satisfied, the purchase process is simplified as much as possible, and the prices are low. Thanks to this site, I have already saved so much money that I could afford to take another trip around the world.
Most flights to Greece depart from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kyiv. The most popular route is Moscow - Athens (Moscow - Athens), the plane will reach the destination in just 3 hours 15 minutes (the fastest direct flight). The price of a round-trip ticket from Moscow starts from 200 €. The cheapest way is to take tickets with transfers, but then the travel time will increase by several hours.
It will be useful for some travelers to learn how to travel to Greece by car on their own. You can find out about traveling by car in Europe at. Please note that such a vacation requires much more time and effort to organize it, and in terms of money it comes out more expensive than an “airplane” one.
Airfare low price calendar
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Hotels
Prices for hotels in Greece depend on the month (in July and August they are the highest) and on the popularity of the resort (in Athens and Thessaloniki they are the highest). But everyone who wants to get to Hellas (this is the "root" name of Greece) can find housing on his wallet. The most expensive rooms will cost in coastal apartments.
