Is it safe to travel to Greece?
 

My fiance and I are getting married next week and will be on our honeymoon in Greece from 25 Sept. - 5 Oct. Has anyone heard anything from the State Dept. concerning travel to Greece or even Europe as a whole? We do not know what to do.... <BR>Thanks

Tonya- I just checked the state dept.travel advisories- there is NOTHING listed for Greece. <BR> <BR>You should be fine. <BR> <BR>One word of advice- Greece is know to condone terrorism-and the Athens Airport is not the best place to be- just collect your bags and exit as quickly as possible...BE VERY AWARE OF YOUE SURROUNDINGS and the people near you. <BR> <BR>I don't want ot get you worried but I flew out of Nice in May and we were sitting next to a group of Arab people- suddenly police came in with dogs and evacuated everyone to a safe spot- there seemed to have been a bomb scare and they roped off and went thru the area looking--after about 1/2 hr we were able to return to our seats---small little note: the Arabs were gone- and no flights had taken off...SO a word to the wise, be VERY aware of your surroundings and things should be fine.

Andy, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the advice and the word of caution.

Tony, <BR>What Andy just wrote to you about Greece is COMPLETELY ignornant. <BR>It does not CONDONE terrorism, and to make a statement like that is completely irresponsible and stupid. I just returned from Greece 2 weeks ago--the new airport is beautiful and in line with any other airport in any other European city. <BR>You should always be aware of your surroundings, no matter where you are...look at what happenned here in NYC. <BR>Please enjoy your trip to Greece: it's a beautiful country with warm-hearted people. <BR> <BR>d

I couldn't agree more with "whatever". Andy's "advice" reaks of ignorance!

Thanks for all of the advice. If we can get a flight, I think we are going!!! <BR>

This Andrew person has obviously never been to Greece. I have been to Greece and the Greek Isles many times. I find the Greek people to be the friendliest in the world. It also think Athens Airport is very safe. They are are one of the stricter airports in Europe. The overwhelming majority of Greeks speak English. I think Andy may be a Turk with an axe to grind.

For those of you ignorant people,try getting the statistics on the Athens Airport and get your facts straight before you cast stones.

My boyfriend and I are also flying to Greence ont eh 22nd of September. We too are a little concerned, not because of Greece itself (a fantastic place with great people)but because we will be so close to middle eastern airspace......not a good place if full out warfare commences...check out the british foreign office web site.....they say greece ok so far...just ensure you keep up to date with current events and observe surroundings.....If all remains as is currently then we are still going....

We had returned from Greece yesterday. Being in Greece was safe, we had no problems whatsoever. The advice is not to debate politics with locals. I had bad experience in a small grocery store <BR>at Naxos, where a cashier told me that "terrorisam is a price to pay for getting involved and minding everyones buisnesses". He was saying that "it is OK for americans when they bomb Serbia and it is not OK when someone bombs NYC". I figured he belonged to the crowd who was throwing rocks to US embassy in Athens during NATO involvement in Balkans and just picked up my stuff and left. We've never bought anything else from that store. <BR> <BR>But aside from that, people were friendly, talkative, happy. We had lots of great time. <BR> <BR>Just allow yourself lots of time for the check in. It is not 2 hrs before international flight. Takes much longer...But I'd prefer detailed checking- it gives some stronger sense of safety. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip...

Just spent 10 days in greece right before the bombing of the WTC. Felt very safe in Athens and on the islands <BR>of Santorini and Mykonos. The airport is brand new and very up to date. Just be cautious wherever you travel...Ciao

I am in total agreement with whatever. I have been to Greece twice and I can attest that the security at Athens Airport is very strict. Even as an American I was GRILLED by every official I encountered: How I came into the country. Why I was at the airport so early, etc. While going trough the metal detector, the guard made me take off my watch, which she then opened and looked at the batteries!!!!! She then shoved some tiny wand inside the locks on my luggage and said she was checking for explosives!! I don't know how many times I had to show my passport. It seemed everyone wanted to look at it!!!! The only other airport where I experienced such tight security was in Kathmandu, Nepal. Another thing, Greece's economy heavily depends on tourism. I doubt they want any problems that would endager the livihood of the citizens.

This is RIDICULOUS to be pointing out everything someone does in another country & considering that entire country feeling the same!! I just returned from Greece and had many people actually hugging me and being sincerely sympathetic toward our problems. So, Press, just because ONE Greek soccer club burned a flag doesn't mean all of Greece feels that way! <BR>I found the Greek people to be extremely wonderful during this time. <BR>

As a first generation American-Greek I am totally disgusted by the disregard for life that my parent's counrymen have shown. Don't fool yourself, the Anti-american sentiment runs deep in Greece and even in this country by some Greeks who are profiting well by the good ol' USA capatalistic society. As an Ameican-Greek fluent in the language, who has visited many times,who has family there and who has always loved Greece -I say, spend your hard earned Ameican dollars elsewhere- perhaps a country that has regard for human life.

I am an american living in Greece. It is very safe for you to come here. Just as safe as it is for me to fly to new york, which i will be doing. There is no danger in coming to Greece. Don't let the terrorists run your lives. <BR>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Ar...264450,00.html <BR>

Just returned from the island of Santorini and Athens. Greek friend tells me that there is an underlying dislike of the Americans generally, but this was never seen openly. Everyone was very friendly and courteous. We're British but met lotsof Americans over there who stated they had not experienced any negative vibes. <BR>BTW....Santorini def. a place to visit.......so magical and romantic.

Hesitated to even post this but my friend also just returned from 2 months in Greece - mostly Athens and 3 islands. She definitely felt the dislike against Americans. She is Canadian so maybe they were more open with her. She said she actually witnessed laughter and jokes being made about 9-11. Now before you go after me, I know a few idiots don't a whole country make...I'm just the messenger here guys.

I find this all incredulous. Do you know how much Greece relies on tourism? I can't see how the Greek people could be rejoicing over these acts of terrorism. What some of you are saying is that these people want to ruin their economy, ruin their businesses. I don't know why someone would want to slit their own throat. Restaurant owners, shopkeepers, taxi drivers, hotel workers, cruise line workers, touts--all these people are probably shaking in their shoes right now.

Look guys; keep a sense of prespective. It's a lovely country, they're nice people and they like American visitors. But we did particpate in bombing the h*** out of their close ethnic neigbours in Serbia; we keep airbases in their country, and they would rather we didn't. <BR> <BR>2 years ago (just after the bombing of Belgrade)in Crete there was anti-American and anti-British graffitti round the airport, but no-one followed through face to face as far as I'm aware. I'm not sure I'd have planned a holiday in the north east ofthe mainland, though

http://www.aimpress.org/dyn/trae/arc...7-trae-ath.htm <BR>

So, what does everyone think about safety in Greece/Crete now??

Hi out there,<BR>even if we from time to time so anti-american slogans - these are minorities and they are allowed to speak out what they think.<BR>Greece is as save as Memphis, Brugges, Copenhague or any other american or european city - no slums, no extrem drug problems - no RACE conflicts !<BR>So - if you get around normal - you will be treat normal - enjoy your stay at Greece especially your are safe in crete - I think no other place , except<BR>the islands of cyclades(greece) are more safe than there<BR>Shain/Germany/d&uuml;sseldorf

I recently read in a travel magazine, that the new Greek airport complies with the highest standards for safety. The old one did not!

topping for margo

Cant say Ive been to Greece yet - though i am taking my children for three weeks in Octber before we fly on for another three in Serbia. However, I was in Egypt last October just prior to Bali bombings and on anniversary of 9-11. As an Aussie, we are just as mucha terrorist target because of our mutually stupid and ethnocentric goivernment policies, but i have this to say. If you want to go somewhere where there isnt anti american sentiment stay in america as you wont find somewhere. However, if you understand that people expressing some verbal concerns for recent &amp; past policies of various western govts doesnt mean they wont be just as welcoming and friendly and oppose terrorism as a means of expression - travel, be aware and enjoy seeing life from an alternative viewpoiunt. Isnt that why we all travel anyway?? No man is an island, or any islnad-continent for that matter... Here endeth the lesson!! ;)
Bonnie

Greece is very safe. You are going at a great time. The tourists have departed and all of the kids and dogs are off the roads. Don't know where you are going but you may find the locals in some of the touristy areas a little short tempered. By and large, Greeks are very warm and hospitable.

hi johnian
actually going to clubmed athenia as i have two young children (4 &amp; 6 ) with me and it was cheap...
looking to find what is interesting in that area to do, and some activites the kids and i can enjoy together - not necessarily traditionally touristy but that they will enjoy...
any ideas??

Two Norwegian girls were thrown into jail on Kos because they said &quot;no&quot; to 2 policemen when they asked them out to dinner. The arrest (made by the rejected policemen) happened the next day, and the girls were accused of something &quot;trivial&quot; (&quot;driving erratically&quot;) and given breathalyzer after breathalyzer, all negative. They were also witness to extreme police brutality.

I'm not saying &quot;don't go to Kos&quot; but if you go, be careful.

Especially if you're a Norwegian &quot;girl.&quot;

For goodness sake, you have about more chance of being hit by a bus than being caught in a terrorist situation. Grecce is safe as well as europe otherwise millions of us would not live here. To be honest the comment about the arabs is quite racist and you cannot fear every arab you meet. Most are genuine kind hard working people like us all. As for anti American comments I think many europeans fear the U.S. may be invol;ved in situations they will be adversely affected by and this these comments are out of fear and concern for where we all live. I am much closer to bagdad here in Ireland than where you live but I am not worried and live my life. Treat people with respect and see the results. There are always one r two nasty people everywhere ignore them. Greeks I found to be lovely and inviting people and many have relations in the USA, Canada and Australia and are happy to talk ansd ask about where you live as well. Have a nice trip!

Did anyone notice that the original post was almost 2 years old?

The British government warnings are more candid than the Americans. They don't mince words and don't mind hurting others' feelings. See www.fco.gov.uk

Why bring up this old thread? The newlyweds probably have a family by now and loved their honeymoon in Greece. What's the point in discussing safety in Greece in answer to a question posted almost two years ago?

No problem! I just returned from a 26 day tour of Europe with high school students--London to Athens--and we encountered no anti-American sentiment whatsoever. I've been doing these tours since '97, and I noticed nothing different this time. After the kids flew home, my husband and I spent time in the Greek islands--I felt welcomed and comfortable at all times. Tourism is low this season, and it seemed like everyone was really grateful for our presence. Go without fear--and enjoy!

My husband and I and two girls and my sister, brother-in-law and their two girls all just returned from two weeks in Greece on Aug. 1st. We were in Athens and the islands of Sifnos and Santorini. A couple of months prior to the trip we almost backed out because of concerns of anti-americanism and safety. I am so glad we went! It wasn't until after we got home that I remembered our original concerns so much was it not an issue while there. On the contrary I think we felt so much more removed from all of the world issues than if we had been at home. Go for it and have a great time!!!

I just returned from Greece having travelled through the remote Peloponnese and the Cyclades. I was constantly told what a warm people the Greeks were but found that I was not received with the friendly reception expected. I don't look like the &quot;typical&quot; American and found attitudes to change dramatically when they found out I was from the US. Furthermore, I have no idea how they will be ready for the Olympics. The transportation system was completely disorganized (nobody at bus depots could tell me how to get from point A to point B and a FEW hotels which I stayed at would not connect calls to my room just because they THOUGHT I was out or they &quot;didn't speak English&quot; (even though I had no problem communicating with everyone at front desk throughout my stay). Aside from that, the country is beautiful and steeped in history and it was a trip worth taking despite the shortfalls.