Greece

Important Information

We are an official partner of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office 'Know Before You Go Campaign', which aims to ensure travellers are properly prepared before leaving home to help them have a trouble-free and enjoyable time abroad. Please visit the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk/travel for more information.

Tipping It is customary to tip waiters and other service personnel 10 per cent.

Changing Money It is easy to change your money at your hotel but you can also use banks, main post office branches or exchange offices. Greek banks are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 1.30pm but remember to take your passport with you.

Phoning Home Many public phones only accept phone cards which can be bought from your local supermarket. Some areas have OTE (The Greek telephone company) booths where you can make a call and pay in cash after your call. To make a call to the UK dial 00 then 44 followed by your local STD code (minus the 0) followed by the number.

Electricity The electricity supply is 220 volts so adaptors must be used. If you forget to bring one from the UK they are readily available in supermarkets.

Time Greece is usually two hours ahead of Britain. Greek summertime does not coincide exactly with British summertime so during certain periods the time difference is three hours.

Toilets Drainage pipes in the Greek islands are narrow so you shouldn't flush toilet paper down the toilet. If you do you risk blocking the drainage system. There are bins in every toilet for paper and these are regularly emptied.

Post Postcards and stamps can be bought from local supermarkets and post offices. Post offices are easily recognised by their yellow signs with blue writing. Post boxes are also bright yellow.

Newspapers Most British newspapers usually arrive in the Greek Islands later on the day of publication. The Athens News is an English language daily newspaper.

Photography Films for cameras are expensive in Greece so remember to buy in advance. You may be asked to pay a supplement if you want to take photography in museums and the use of a tripod is banned. There are no such restrictions at archaeological sites.

Churches and Monasteries When entering churches and monasteries it is respectful for women to cover their shoulders and knees and men ought not to wear shorts. But there is a certain amount of flexibility about these rules. The larger churches and monasteries often supply shirts and trousers for visitors to wear. Churches are normally closed if there is not attendant present.

Radio and Television Many hotels and bars have satellite TV, particularly in tourist resorts where English soccer matches are regularly shown. English language programmes and films are subtitled rather than dubbed.

Police Police stations in main towns and resorts are identifiable by their blue and white signs. It is essential for insurance purposes to report any theft or losses to the police and obtain a police report.

Chemists Greek pharmacists are highly trained and can advise on treatments for minor illnesses. They are also able to dispense a number of medicines which, in other countries, are available only on prescription. In larger towns chemists operate a rota to provide 24-hour cover - details are posted on chemist's windows.