Travel

Greece Tourism

Greece sells itself with its beautiful landscape and friendly people, but it also has formal tourism organizations to help sell its charms worldwide. If you're planning a trip to Greece, there are many helpful official tourism resources for you.

1. Greek National Tourism Organization

Planning a trip to Greece? The official resources from the G.N.T.O. can help you with free maps and other information. Due to the Greek financial crisis, they may not be staffing as many offices in Greek cities and at the major Greek airports, so try to get what you want sent to you in advance. You can also try the GNTO Offices Abroad.

2. Greece Visa Information

Do you need a tourist visa for Greece? Citizens of many nations do not need a visa to travel to Greece, while others from some third-world or politically unstable countries need a visa even to change planes in Greece. You can find out your country's requirements here.

3. The Greek Tourist Police

Greek Tourism police office and officer in Heraklion, Crete

Picture of Greece tourism police officer by deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com

You're a tourist and there is a special Greek police force keeping an eye on you - should you be concerned? No - the Greek tourist police are there for you and can help you solve all kinds of minor problems you may encounter in Greece. If you have a bill dispute, a bad experience with a taxi driver, or just need a hint to find your way back to your hotel, they can help. Unfortunately, austerity measures may trim their numbers.

4. Medical Tourism in Greece

Picture by deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com

The Greek financial crisis may or may not impact medical tourism in Greece, which is only in its infancy, mostly appealing to EU and other Europe-based citizens who may be avoiding a waiting list in their own country. In most cases, Greek doctors and hospitals might welcome the foreign income that medical tourism can bring, but there may be some bureaucratic hiccups that are harder to treat along the way.

More on Medical Tourism worldwide from the About.com Assisted Living Guide.

5. Speak Tourist Greek

Crucial signs pertaining to tourism in Greece are usually in English and Greek

Picture copyright by deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com

No one expects foreign visitors in Greece to speak perfect Greek - but knowing a few words can enhance your trip and help you connect with the locals - practically all of whom speak English. It's especially handy to be able to sound your way through the Greek alphabet - this can help keep you oriented, make maps less obscure, and help you read street names.

6. Greece Tourism - Events of the Decade 2000-2010

Greece had an "interesting" time during the first decade of the new millennium, and it looks like the second decade will be even more challenging. Here are some important events and highlights from the period.

7. Is it Safe to Go to Greece?

Greece is one of the safest countries in Europe - but you may not realize that from the news media coverage of strikes and protests. And Athens is one of the safest capital cities in the world, though that doesn't mean there aren't some areas and situations you would be better off avoiding or using special caution. Here's what you need to know about personal safety on your trip to Greece.

8. Are You Schengen or Not?

At the major international arrival airports in Greece, you may see a line for "Schengen" or "Non-Schengen" travelers, and North American and other travelers from outside of Europe often come to a sudden halt in confusion. Here's help on figuring out your Schengen status. (Quick hint - If you think you need to know this, you're probably not Schengen.)

9. Greek (Hellenic) Ministry of Culture and Tourism

This official site has a handy list of all the archaeological sites, monuments, and points of interest in Greece.

10. Greece's Financial Crisis - How Will It Affect Your Trip?

For the past several years, the growing financial crisis in Greece has made it interesting to predict what kind of year it will be for tourists. Here are some of my observations and best guesstimates of how the Greek financial crisis may impact your trip - and the good news is that some of the impacts may be positive ones.

11. Planning a Group Trip to Greece

Want to know how to organize a large group trip to Greece? Here are some resources and suggestions, including how and where to rent a tour bus, what discounts you can negotiate, and more.