Visiting Greek For the 1st time.
Oct 21st, 2012, 05:33 AM
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Visiting Greek For the 1st time.
Hello Everyone. i have allways been facinated by greece, and i was thinking about spending the new year's there. any tips on how and where should i go and best places to visit would very much appreciated, i am from egypt and i only speak english. and is that goign to be a problem 
.. thank you in advance.
.. thank you in advance.
Oct 21st, 2012, 05:54 AM
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Hi Egypto and welcome. My husband and I were lucky enough to get into a tour of Greece waaay back in the 1980's. It was for 2 weeks and one half was in Athens with optional day trips to Delphi, Cape Sounion (sp?) and Corinth. The second half was a cruise that included stops in Mykonos, Kusidasi (sp?), Crete, Santorini and Rhodes.
At that time, fewer locals spoke English but even when hub and I took off on our own, we found that most menus had English (and other) language translations and we were able to make ourselves understood with pointing and smiling! In the 2000's you will no doubt find that even more people speak English.
You don't say your age or how long your visit will be but I'd definitely try to include Athens and a couple of islands. Since our visit, more of the Parthenon has been restored and there is a new museum.
On a tour, your language barrier won't be so much of a problem but you won't have control over the time you have to spend at various sites. It's a trade-off.
Please just use my info as hints--in 30 years, much will have changed. Have you read other Fodor posts yet?
At that time, fewer locals spoke English but even when hub and I took off on our own, we found that most menus had English (and other) language translations and we were able to make ourselves understood with pointing and smiling! In the 2000's you will no doubt find that even more people speak English.
You don't say your age or how long your visit will be but I'd definitely try to include Athens and a couple of islands. Since our visit, more of the Parthenon has been restored and there is a new museum.
On a tour, your language barrier won't be so much of a problem but you won't have control over the time you have to spend at various sites. It's a trade-off.
Please just use my info as hints--in 30 years, much will have changed. Have you read other Fodor posts yet?
Oct 21st, 2012, 06:11 AM
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Good point, jamikins. We were there in May and needed sweaters in the evening and on the Cape Sounion trip.
I just looked at our notes and see that we ate in an area of Athens called Likavitos. Great views of the city. We also spent a day walking around the Plaka area on our own.
I just looked at our notes and see that we ate in an area of Athens called Likavitos. Great views of the city. We also spent a day walking around the Plaka area on our own.
Oct 21st, 2012, 06:19 AM
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Definitely stick to the mainland for a New Year's visit. Athens has much to offer, and everything will be open. While some of the larger islands, e.g. Crete, have a substantial year-round population, most of the tourist infrastructure will be closed for the winter. If you want to see more than Athens, the Argolid region around Nafplio has much to offer. Nafplio is only 2-3 hours by road from Athens, so getting there by car or express bus is easy. If you are able to hire a car it will help you to visit the many historical sites in the area.
Oct 21st, 2012, 06:22 AM
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Most people do speak english in Greece, so you won't have any problems with the language.
From what i understand you wish to visit Greece in the wintertime.. just keep in mind that weather is going to be cold and rainy, and all the islands ( with very few exceptions like Crete, Lesvos,Syros, Rodos) will be shut down for the winter.
Athens will be ideal in the winter, there are many museums and archaeological sites that you can visit, and it also has an amazing nightlife and many many cultural events to keep you occupied .
You could also visit the Peloponnese, one of the nicest regions of Mainland Greece, with many interesting archaeological sites such as Mycenae, Tiryns, Epidaurus, Nemea or Ancient Corinth. Best city to overnight in that area would be Nafplio, one of the most romantic cities of Greece.
A rental car would also be advisable, as it would give you the flexibility to see what you want and stop where you like.
The Peloponnese is full of great mountains, beautiful little villages and small boutique hotels.
The more info you can give us about what you like etc, the more information you will receive in this forum
From what i understand you wish to visit Greece in the wintertime.. just keep in mind that weather is going to be cold and rainy, and all the islands ( with very few exceptions like Crete, Lesvos,Syros, Rodos) will be shut down for the winter.
Athens will be ideal in the winter, there are many museums and archaeological sites that you can visit, and it also has an amazing nightlife and many many cultural events to keep you occupied .
You could also visit the Peloponnese, one of the nicest regions of Mainland Greece, with many interesting archaeological sites such as Mycenae, Tiryns, Epidaurus, Nemea or Ancient Corinth. Best city to overnight in that area would be Nafplio, one of the most romantic cities of Greece.
A rental car would also be advisable, as it would give you the flexibility to see what you want and stop where you like.
The Peloponnese is full of great mountains, beautiful little villages and small boutique hotels.
The more info you can give us about what you like etc, the more information you will receive in this forum
Oct 21st, 2012, 06:27 AM
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bilboburgler
In Athens all street signs are written in both the Greek and the Latin alphabet.
Also in 95% of restaurants or Cafes , the menu is written in Greek and English ( even though sometimes the english translation is ridiculous...)
At least in big cities the language is not a problem....
In Athens all street signs are written in both the Greek and the Latin alphabet.
Also in 95% of restaurants or Cafes , the menu is written in Greek and English ( even though sometimes the english translation is ridiculous...)
At least in big cities the language is not a problem....
Oct 21st, 2012, 07:04 AM
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thank you everyone for your replys. i am 27. and i wish to visit somewhere nice to spend the new year's. but what i get from everyone's reply is that greece isn't the best location to spend the new year. maybe go by summer then i guess.
which destination should i be thinking in europe for the new year?!?!
which destination should i be thinking in europe for the new year?!?!
Oct 21st, 2012, 07:17 AM
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Most of Europe will be cold for new years, the farther north you go, the colder it is likely to be.
If you are looking for new years celebrations most large cities have something going on...even Athens.
What do you want to do?
If you are looking for new years celebrations most large cities have something going on...even Athens.
What do you want to do?
Oct 21st, 2012, 07:45 AM
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Greece is not only the islands.
Athens has a lot to offer, and actually especially during these days, when everything is closed in other european cities.... ( on Christmas day , or New Years Eve,Athenians are out celebrating, and restaurants, clubs bars etc are packed with people.
Especially during these days there are many celebrations going on in Athens, many concerts , the options are endless..
everything depends on how active you are as a person and how you wish to spend these days
Athens has a lot to offer, and actually especially during these days, when everything is closed in other european cities.... ( on Christmas day , or New Years Eve,Athenians are out celebrating, and restaurants, clubs bars etc are packed with people.
Especially during these days there are many celebrations going on in Athens, many concerts , the options are endless..
everything depends on how active you are as a person and how you wish to spend these days
Oct 21st, 2012, 09:05 AM
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Hi clausar,
Yes, "touch red", and I'm glad that once again we agree!
Hi Ahmed,
If you plan to celebrate the new year in Europe, I guess Athens would be as good a place as any. In fact, I think the New Year's Day period would be an excellent time to visit Athens, with none of the heat and crowds of the summer. You won't have a problem making yourself understood in English, and the weather is likely to be warmer than in other more northerly cities.
Thank you for your other post on Egypt in the Africa & Middle East forum, as my daughter will be heading there in a few days.
Yes, "touch red", and I'm glad that once again we agree!
Hi Ahmed,
If you plan to celebrate the new year in Europe, I guess Athens would be as good a place as any. In fact, I think the New Year's Day period would be an excellent time to visit Athens, with none of the heat and crowds of the summer. You won't have a problem making yourself understood in English, and the weather is likely to be warmer than in other more northerly cities.
Thank you for your other post on Egypt in the Africa & Middle East forum, as my daughter will be heading there in a few days.
Oct 22nd, 2012, 03:41 AM
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thank you everyone. well i allways thought athens is a great place to go. so i will take your comments into consideration.
it's not about the weather, since i miss snow and the cold european weather. and i am very energetic and i wish to make the best out of the days am spending. so i hope i can.
hi heimdall, thank you for your clarification. and where will your daughter be heading exactly, maybe i can help out in any sort of way so let me know what has she planned maybe i can help her make the best out of her time.
it's not about the weather, since i miss snow and the cold european weather. and i am very energetic and i wish to make the best out of the days am spending. so i hope i can.
hi heimdall, thank you for your clarification. and where will your daughter be heading exactly, maybe i can help out in any sort of way so let me know what has she planned maybe i can help her make the best out of her time.
Oct 22nd, 2012, 03:54 AM
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Hi again Ahmed,
Yes, I wondered if perhaps you were looking for somewhere with snow. Naturally there are many Alpine resorts, and cities near the Alps, so your possibilities are almost endless. Greece has snow too, and not far from Athens is Delphi, the archeological site at the foot of Mt Parnassus, which has a ski resort at the top. See http://www.snowcam.gr for live snocams (a little too early for snow scenes, though).
My daughter and her boyfriend are in Athens right now, shipping their Land Rover from Piraeus to Cairo. They will pick up the Land Rover there, then drive overland through Egypt, etc all the way to Cape Town. She has been in Egypt before, but not on an overland trip.
Yes, I wondered if perhaps you were looking for somewhere with snow. Naturally there are many Alpine resorts, and cities near the Alps, so your possibilities are almost endless. Greece has snow too, and not far from Athens is Delphi, the archeological site at the foot of Mt Parnassus, which has a ski resort at the top. See http://www.snowcam.gr for live snocams (a little too early for snow scenes, though).
My daughter and her boyfriend are in Athens right now, shipping their Land Rover from Piraeus to Cairo. They will pick up the Land Rover there, then drive overland through Egypt, etc all the way to Cape Town. She has been in Egypt before, but not on an overland trip.
Oct 22nd, 2012, 04:16 AM
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hello heimdall
yes that is exactly what i am looking for. i miss nature and relaxing mornings. and i hope people are friendly and helpful, and what about the night life. i will not sleep if i can
. so tell me about the night life also the expances there u know having good time parties and eating u know and of course shopping, i appreciate your support very much.
and about your daughter's trip. i believe it's a marvellous trip they are planning. although i am not sure about them driving around Egypt. since they have been here before they should know it's as mad as hell the streets and it's not gonna be easy for forginers to drive around. so maybe i suggest they would hire a driver if they have no experience with driving around here. and if they need any help with their destinations or anything i would love to help out.
yes that is exactly what i am looking for. i miss nature and relaxing mornings. and i hope people are friendly and helpful, and what about the night life. i will not sleep if i can
. so tell me about the night life also the expances there u know having good time parties and eating u know and of course shopping, i appreciate your support very much.and about your daughter's trip. i believe it's a marvellous trip they are planning. although i am not sure about them driving around Egypt. since they have been here before they should know it's as mad as hell the streets and it's not gonna be easy for forginers to drive around. so maybe i suggest they would hire a driver if they have no experience with driving around here. and if they need any help with their destinations or anything i would love to help out.
Oct 22nd, 2012, 11:12 AM
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I'm the wrong person to ask about nightlife in Athens, but I do like Stavlos, a bar/restaurant in Thissio, just off Apostolou Pavlou, the pedestrian walk that goes past the Ancient Agora and up to the Acropolis. Perhaps clausar or someone else who lives in Athens can give you some good tips.
Re my daughter, I don't think they will be doing any driving in Cairo, just picking up the car in Alexandria and heading south from there. They will have time for sightseeing in the city before the Land Rover arrives at the port.
Re my daughter, I don't think they will be doing any driving in Cairo, just picking up the car in Alexandria and heading south from there. They will have time for sightseeing in the city before the Land Rover arrives at the port.
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