Have a Fertile Vacation

There are many reasons people travel to Greece - and knowing why you are traveling can help you plan a better trip. But one I left off of the Top 10 Reasons People Travel to Greece is a new one - medical tourism.

This new branch of travel involves citizens from one country whose health care system is either fraught with delays, costs too much, or is considered to be less than perfectly effective. These individuals travel to another country, apparently as a tourist, but while there, they take advantage of using the medical system in the second country. This is legal - and they usually pay a premium price compared to the "usual" rates of the treating country.

Until now, Greece hasn't been known as a major destination for medical tourism, but that's changing. Some former Eastern Bloc countries are finding Greece provides superior medical services. British citizens, tired of the long waits often imposed by their own National Health system, are also trying out Greek facilities.

Also, more individuals with chronic diseases are traveling than ever before. Some cruise ships are offering dialysis centers, and major tourist areas are touting their own local dialysis facilities for travelers who will need treatment to enjoy their vacation.

A few enterprising medical facilities are doing still more, providing hotels for potential patients and assisting with vacation planning. An in-vitro fertilization clinic in Chania offers a special "Vacation Package" offering extensive pre-trip medical consultations, treatment, hotels, and chauffeur service to and from the clinic. Hm - come to think of it, this may even qualify as a "Two for One" deal.