Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Greece this summer - should I still go due to economic conditions?

Greece this summer - should I still go due to economic conditions?

Old Mar 9th, 2010, 03:13 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Greece this summer - should I still go due to economic conditions?

My partner and I have booked a 7 night Greek Island cruise this summer with 2 days in Athens prior to the cruise. Due to the recent political and economic issues, is it still advisable to take this trip?
brandonmd is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 03:26 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
of course, why not?

the Greeks will be very pleased to see you, you'll get a very good exchange rate, and as you're on a cruise, the very small chance of your encountering any demonstrations is further reduced.

what exactly are you concerned about?
annhig is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 03:39 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not sure where your posting from but if it's the US, our economy is in the crapper also. So if I've got my choice might as well go and have a gorgeou scene to look at.
Look at it as you're stimulating the Greece economy. LOL
eliza61 is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 03:48 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I wouldn't be worried about safety or anything, but I would consider travel insurance should there be any widespread strikes or other protests that might disrupt your travel. Greece isn't going to turn into Sierra Leone overnight, but there is an element that hasn't taken too kindly to past austerity measures and proved disruptive to getting around.
travelgourmet is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 04:25 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Other travel forums have participation from people, Greeks and non-Greeks, who actually live in Greece permanently, and who have a realistic on-the-scene perspective. They point out that certain international media sources (CNN and BBC particularly) delight in portraying demonstrations (a group of students or professors carrying placards) as "riots," and predicting dire actions. It is also pointed out that demonstrations take place typically on Tuesday through THursday, because anything near the weekends has very poor attendance. Also it is noted that any actions are very rare during the summertime, because (1) Greeks are well aware of the importance of tourism, the country's #1 source of revenue and (2) Greeks themselves, when they can, take time off in the warm weather.

That being said, there may be the occasional 'job action' that might affect transportation on a short-term basis... but certainly not involving a cruise. And it would be announced in advance, so people can plan accordingly (i.e., take the Metro instead of a taxi).

All countries in Europe, in my experience, have occasional disruptions due to demonstrations or job actions -- I have encountered them in France and Italy. I do not know why people seem so timorous about protests in Greece; it must be how it is presented by the media. And it seems mainly to intimidate those who are new to travel outside the US.
travelerjan is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 05:56 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Some of the news reports portray Athens as so unsettled, that one may not want to visit. I am not concerned about the islands... so I thought I would ask on this forum... from a lot of knowledgeable travelers.
brandonmd is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 07:32 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As a Brit living in Greece I can add that I see no reason to change your plans. Please don't believe the 'so unsettled' portrayals, that sells news, the truer description of a couple of strike days & some small demonstrations over a couple of months doesn't sound quite as dramatic does it?
I will be going to Athens myself for 5 days in 3 weeks time, again a month later, & several more visits throughout the year. Will I change my plans? No.
yiassas is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 08:31 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
athens is a dump anyway...

skip it and enjoy the cruise - the islands are wonderful and likely well sheltered from the protests / strikes in athens
JMWF is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 09:12 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
athens is a dump anyway...

Yeah, who want to look a a bunch of old broken buildings? Who cares about the history of the modern world, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, modern medicine, art and world commerce?
brotherleelove2004 is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 09:14 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
fair enough - too bad the city that was built around such wonderful history / culture is a dump.
JMWF is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 10:08 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Same as any city, it has some parts that aren't so nice or worth visiting, but it has so much more than your average city that IS worth seeing. I think Athens is wonderful & the more often I go, the more I find to see (8 times last year).
yiassas is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 10:44 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,471
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
We enjoyed Athens and if time permits, would return. Richard
iris1745 is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 12:08 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Athens is no more of a "dump" than any other major city. I lived there for several years and visit every couple. I really enjoy it. There are some very nice neighbourhoods, although I do agree that in the summer the nefos (smog) can be a little off-putting.
telechick is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 12:58 PM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The cruise leaves from there, and 2 days are included as part of the package. Thanks for all your replies... I am originally from Detroit MI... so I know all about dumpy cities
brandonmd is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 01:06 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Athens is no more of a "dump" than any other major city.

We'll agree to disagree. It isn't the dumpiest city I have ever been in, but it ain't in the same league as many other major cities.
travelgourmet is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2010, 01:41 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is the dumpiest major city you have been in?
brandonmd is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PetrosB3
Europe
7
Jul 16th, 2015 03:07 AM
suec1
Europe
52
Jul 7th, 2015 06:45 AM
dreamon
Europe
15
Aug 16th, 2012 10:14 PM
micmic
Europe
15
Nov 6th, 2010 04:25 PM
EllensWords
Europe
8
Jun 30th, 2006 04:16 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -