1st Day Our Greece Vacation is May 1st....Will this be a Problem?
Nov 28th, 2004, 05:53 PM
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1st Day Our Greece Vacation is May 1st....Will this be a Problem?
We have booked our Vacation for next spring and as our itinerary works, we will be arriving in Athens at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday May 1st. I have now discovered that this is a National Holiday and thought I had read that there are often worker demonstrations. I have visions of any or more than one of the following: arriving to a barren airport, absent transportation and baggage handlers, restaurants packed with nary a seat, stores and historical sites closed, ATM's unavailable, workers on strike or any number of headaches. Are any of these worries a real possibility or unlikely to be a big deal?
As well, when a national holiday falls on a Sunday in Greece or elsewhere in Europe, is the following Monday then automatically the holiday?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
As well, when a national holiday falls on a Sunday in Greece or elsewhere in Europe, is the following Monday then automatically the holiday?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Nov 28th, 2004, 10:34 PM
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Not only is it a national holiday, but that holiday happens to be Greek Easter Sunday. Just about everything will be closed, so get some Euros before you arrive. Unless there's a strike, and that's not likely to happen on that particular day, you won't have any trouble retrieving your bags. Public transportation should be up and running, including the new Metro into town. Taxis will also be running but won't be cheap. Life will continue as usual on Monday.
Nov 29th, 2004, 05:13 AM
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May 1st in Europe is like Labor day in the US. Easter Sunday is a major public holiday in Greece. The day after -namely Monday, May 2nd is also a public holiday but it has nothing to do with the fact that Sunday, May 1st is a national holiday. It's just part of the Easter break. Having said that, kindly note that the city's infrastructure will work. The airport will work, all sorts of public transportation as well as emergency services and ATMs will be available and employees in tourist areas will be in their posts. On the other hand, shops will be closed and the choice of restaurants will be limited. As for historical sites I do not know but I can definitely check and get back to you.
Nov 29th, 2004, 05:54 PM
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Thank you SO much for the quick replies. We were dumbstruck to realize that we were arriving on Easter Sunday (and of course had been too thick to look beyond our own calendar!) Dennis - would appreciate any guidance you can give to find out about the historical sites.
It will be exciting to be in Athens on Sunday. As long as we can begin our touring on Monday (I'm hoping we can hit the Parthenon & Agora) and find a place to eat on Sunday and Monday, we'll be happy. I'm thinking the big challenge will be to get into any half decent restaurants or Tavernas on Sunday or Monday. Although I understand that many don't take reservations, perhaps asking our Travel Agent to make reservations somewhere on those two days would be a good idea? We had not anticipated having to do that.
Thanks again for your help. It's this kind of information and helpful details that make vacation planning fun, and the trip ultimately less stressful (ie. not TOO many surprises)
Dave
It will be exciting to be in Athens on Sunday. As long as we can begin our touring on Monday (I'm hoping we can hit the Parthenon & Agora) and find a place to eat on Sunday and Monday, we'll be happy. I'm thinking the big challenge will be to get into any half decent restaurants or Tavernas on Sunday or Monday. Although I understand that many don't take reservations, perhaps asking our Travel Agent to make reservations somewhere on those two days would be a good idea? We had not anticipated having to do that.
Thanks again for your help. It's this kind of information and helpful details that make vacation planning fun, and the trip ultimately less stressful (ie. not TOO many surprises)
Dave
Nov 29th, 2004, 06:49 PM
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Look at the bright side. When we flew from AThens to Crete, the Olympic crew forgot to load all the luggage on the plane so none of us got it. That wasn't a holiday. I think your chances of problems due to strikes are no greater than the chances regardless. Hey, it's Greece. Relax and don't worry.
Nov 29th, 2004, 08:12 PM
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Dave - you should also try to get up Mount Lycavettus (sp). Wonderful views - it was a real highlight for us. The agoras and the Acropolis are close to each other. Athens is wonderful - I wish I'd had more than 2 nights there.
Nov 29th, 2004, 11:24 PM
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Dave:
In the Department of Culture site, the opening hours for winter - spring 2004 have not been posted so far. It seems however that museums and sites will be closed on Easter Sunday but open on Monday, May 2nd.
Anyway take note of the following sites so that you can check back again some time later.
www.gto.gr
www.eot.gr
www.culture.gr
In the Department of Culture site, the opening hours for winter - spring 2004 have not been posted so far. It seems however that museums and sites will be closed on Easter Sunday but open on Monday, May 2nd.
Anyway take note of the following sites so that you can check back again some time later.
www.gto.gr
www.eot.gr
www.culture.gr
