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Julia Seaman

Professor Hughes

English 1201

March 11, 2020

What to Know About Greece Before Travelling

When traveling around the world there are many facts to learn before take-off. Here are

some of those items that may help when traveling to Greece. Travelers should know about the

history, culture, geography before they begin their adventures. Another important thing to know

is about everyday lifestyles in Greece. Before embarking travelers should also know where they

plan to go in Greece because of the different islands and cities throughout the country with

different marvels. Each island offers different views and historical sites. Two of the most popular

archaeological sites are located on mainland Greece where many tourists make visiting the sites a

priority.

When travelers head to Greece they often find themselves visiting the most well known

historical sites or monuments. Many visit the Parthenon in Athens, as well as the stadium where

the first Olympic Games were held and the statue of Zues in Olympia. Although many travelers

learn about the locations when they are visiting in person, it is wise to have a basic understanding

beforehand.

Greece has many historical monuments in its capital, Athens. The most popular being

Acropolis, where the Parthenon lies. The Acropolis is an ancient fortress on the hill. One of the

sites at the Acropolis is the Parthenon. The history of the Parthenon dates back to B.C. and is still

talked about today. The monument was built around 490 B.C. in honor of the Greek Goddess

Athena. It originally housed a statue of the Goddess until they removed the statue to prevent
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robberies. One of the main statues housed in the Parthenon was the Athena Parthenos. Although

the original statue was destroyed a replication has been made and the one viewed today is a

replica. The replication of the original statue can not be found in Greece though (Gribbin). As

religions changed throughout the centuries, the Parthenon was used as different religious houses.

In the 1600’s the building was destroyed by a group of Venetians. However in the 1800’s the

property was returned to the Greeks who later began restoration of the site(History).

Another famous archaeological site in Greece can

be found in the city of Olympia. Olympia is only a

short drive from Athens and is home to the ancient

stadium where the first Olympic games were held.

The Olympic games, that still happen today, were

started in Ancient Greek society. Also at this ancient

site are temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera. Although the temples are mostly ruins now, they are

still visited by many tourists because of the history behind the rubble. Many archaeological sites

in Greece have been restored in an attempt to show their past beauty. By learning about these

sites before a trip to Greece it will be easier to understand and enjoy the meaning of the history.

The knowledge will also help plan the vacation and make sure that Greece is meeting

expectations (Vanderpool).

Greece is culturally different from the United States and other countries. Often when

travelling between countries culture changes significantly. Culture shock is a possible occurrence

when traveling to a new country and not knowing what to expect, however if properly prepared

the transition to a different culture can be almost seamless. It is important to know that Greece

has its own language, religion, and food. Culture between different countries can vary greatly
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and this is often the biggest change for tourists when traveling around the world. Here are a few

tips to consider when trying to prevent cultural confusion when travelling.

In the country of Greece the main language spoken by the people is Greek. The language

has its own alphabet and Greek letters. The second most used language is Albanian due to the

large population of Albanians who live in the country of Greece. The most common foreign

language used in the country is English with roughly 48% of Greece’s population being able to

speak the language. This makes it easier for Americans to travel to Greece due to the number of

people being able to speak English. Language is not a large concern when traveling to Greece

(Sawe).

A large part of Greek culture comes from their religion. With the country being 92%

Eastern Orthodox Christianity, there are many churches seen throughout Greece. Eastern

Orthodox is the “dominant religion that is officially recognized in the constitution” (Chepkemoi).

Due to this there are Eastern Orthodox churches everywhere in Greece, many of which date back

very far. The country does accommodate many religions though including minorities such as

atheists, Islam, and Catholicism. When travelling through Greece expect to see many churches

often very close together. The Greek culture takes their religion seriously and the number of

churches in Greece will prove this fact.

Most travelers heading to Greece tend to have a bit of knowledge about Greece’s cuisine.

However the American version of Greek food is very different from actual Greek food. An

example of how Greek foods differ in Greece and the United States is with Greek salads.

Authentic Greek salads contain no lettuce and are made of tomato, cucumber, and feta cheese. A

popular Greek dessert to try while traveling is known as baklava. The sweet treat is flaky and

tastes of sweet butter and nuts. When eating Greek food in America one of the most popular and
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similar to Greek meals is gyros. The sandwich is made of lamb meat and wrapped in a pita bread.

It is usually spread with a special sauce known as tzatziki that is popular in the country. These

foods tend to be on the top of the list of foods to try when travelling to Greece (White).

Another large part of Greece’s culture and history is the country’s architectural work. The

architecture is often drawn from artists in ancient Greece and has been used since then. There are

a number of basic Greek structures including temples, stoas, theaters, bouleuterion, stadiums,

and altars. Many of these structures were used outdoors in ancient Greece more so than

currently. The altars were used for Greek rituals such as blood sacrifices. The theaters were used

for dramas whereas the stadiums were used for games such as foot races. Many of these

buildings have similar uses as today's modern buildings with different looks. There buildings

known as bouleuterion were used for city council buildings where they would have speakers and

meetings. Temples were built to honor the Greek Gods and used for religious practices. The

building known as Stoa were used as covered walkways which later had shops set up in and were

used as marketplaces. Ancient Greek architecture is unique and stunning. The buildings often

had strong pillars and were often made of stone so that the buildings were more permanent

(Becker). When wandering the streets of Greece you will notice the similarities between modern

and ancient architecture.

Another factor to consider when travelling to Greece is that the country does not use

dollars. As part of the European Union Greece has adopted Euros, along with many other

European neighbors. The exchange rate for U.S. Dollars to Euros is always changing and should

be checked before leaving. When traveling to different countries keep in mind that the country

uses a different currency and exchanging money is more than likely going to be necessary

(Travelex). Another tip for traveling to Greece is about tip money. In Greece waiters are paid a
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salary and do not depend on tips as much as in the United States. Keep this in mind when paying

a bill for food (Dilouambaka). Knowing a bit about the language and the currency will help for

easier travel and can save money.

Another idea to consider before travelling to a country is geography and how easy it is to

travel throughout the country. Transportation can be an issue for some who are travelling to

Greece because of the boats. Both Olympia, Greece and Athens, Greece are connected to the

continent of Europe. However, Greece is more than just the

segment attached to Europe. Greece has many islands that each

have unique characteristics about them. To get a true

understanding of Greece people are encouraged to travel from

island to island by taking ferries that taxi people from island to

island everyday. The country has roughly 6000 islands but only

227 of them are inhabited by people. The islands tend to be

known for their beaches and coves where many spend their vacations soaking up the sun (Greek

National Tourism Organisation). While Greece has many islands the most popular, main ones are

often found to be spread apart and can not always be easily reached by boat or ferry. 25 of the

most visited islands have their own airports for flight from Athens to the island for more

convenience (Gage). The most well known and visited islands tend to be Santorini, Mykonos,

Corfu, Rhodes, and Crete. Each island has its own wonders and sights to enjoy.

Greece’s largest island is known as Crete. It is home to many beautiful features such as

Chania where tourists can view the White Mountains in Greece’s national park (Greek National

Tourism Organisation). Crete as well as all the islands in Greece have beautiful beaches with

crystal clear blue water. Crete also has a background in Greek mythology claiming that baby
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Zeus was hidden on the island. An archaeological site on the island is the Minoan Palace of

Knossos. It is the oldest civilization settlement in Europe, featuring the oldest throne. Crete is

also home to many sites including the Monastery of Arkadi and Fortress of Koules. It has a bit of

everything from the beautiful beaches to the historical sites on the island (Discover Greece). By

knowing what to expect on the island it is easier to plan your time and make the most of the

island.

Santorini is another popular Greek island. The island is in the shape of a C and is found

next to a volcano. Santorini is known for its views from Oia, the top end of the island, where its

three famed churches are topped with blue domes. If looking for an adventure and the ocean

head down to the red, black, and white sand beaches or take a boat trip to the volcano. When

looking to explore more of the island of Santorini a suggestion is to hike from Fira to Oia. Along

with the theme of archaeological sites visit Santorini’s Akrotiri site. It is an ancient Minoan

settlement that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The island is not big and takes less than an

hour to travel from one end to the other but its beautiful views and astounding beaches make it

worth the stop. When learning about the island beforehand, making plans for the time spent on

the island can be done more easily (Julie).

Mykonos is a small island with popular views and beautiful swimming locations. When

taking a trip to the island, knowing what to expect will help plan out the vacation to see the

whole island. Mykonos is known for its beaches, the small island has 25 beaches total. A great

way to spend time on the island is in the capital of Mykonos known as Hora. Take the time to

visit the museums and do some shopping. Mountain biking and scuba diving are also popular

pastimes on the island. Mykonos, while small, has an airport and boat docks for travel
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accommodations. The island has beautiful views including those of windmills on the edge of the

island overlooking the water (Kaminski).

In general when travelling health and safety are always key. While the views from

Greece’s islands may be beautiful, beware of pickpockets and scammers. Some tourist trap

restaurants hike up prices because most travellers do not do proper research before travel,

leaving them clueless. By knowing what to expect and normal prices, it is easier to prevent

wasting money and being tricked into paying more than expected. Another thought to consider is

that Greece has many islands meaning that boats are a very common form of travel. Therefore

those with weak stomachs and nausea should take medicine to prevent motion sickness. Another

health concern is heat stroke. The geographical location of Greece causes hot temperatures in the

summer leading to possible cases of heat stroke and fatigue. This should all be considered before

hitting the runway.

Some say that knowing all of this information before heading to a new country is not

necessary. While that may be true the information that is learned before travel can help to protect

the traveller. If they did not know that Greece had many islands and the traveller cannot be

transported via boat this may ruin their plans. Knowing about the places that will be visited

before takeoff can make or break a trip. Knowing that the archaeological sites are a must, it is

easier to plan what each day of the trip looks like. Gathering information on the country being

visited should always be a must to prevent unwanted situations and to make the trip as great as

possible.

As shown there are many facts and lots of information that travellers should know before

travelling to Greece. By learning more about the country they are more likely to understand and

enjoy the culture as well as plan their trips to their liking. Knowing where to find monuments in
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Greece and all the options of which islands to visit help travellers make the most of their time in

the beautiful country of Greece.

Works Cited

Becker, Jeffery. “Introduction to Greek Architecture (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy,

www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/beginners-guide-

greece/a/introduction-to-greek-architecture.
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Chepkemoi, Joyce. "Religious Beliefs In Greece." WorldAtlas, Aug. 14, 2019,

worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-greece.html.

Dilouambaka, Ethel. “Top Tips to Know Before Travelling to Athens.” Culture Trip, The

Culture Trip, 1 Mar. 2018, theculturetrip.com/europe/greece/articles/top-tips-to-know-

before-travelling-to-athens/.

Discover Greece. “Crete.” Holidays in Crete | Discover Greece, www.discovergreece.com/crete.

Gage, Eleni. “Greek Islands - Island Hopping Vacation in Greece.” Travel + Leisure, 2017,

www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/how-to-travel-to-the-greek-islands.

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i=on.

Greek National Tourism Organisation. “Visit Greece: Crete.” Visit Greece | The Official Website

of the Greek Tourism Organisation, www.visitgreece.gr/en/greek_islands/crete.

Greek National Tourism Organisation. “Visit Greece: Greek Islands.” Visit Greece | The

Official Website of the Greek Tourism Organisation,

www.visitgreece.gr/en/greek_islands.

Gribbin, Christopher. “Athens to Australia: The Athena Parthenos.” Agora, vol. 54, no. 1,
Mar. 2019, pp. 3–9. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=136763203&site=eds-live.

History.com Editors. “Acropolis.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 31 Jan. 2018,

www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/acropolis.

Julie. “20 Amazing Things to Do in Santorini, Greece.” Earth Trekkers, 26 Jan. 2020,

www.earthtrekkers.com/best-things-to-do-in-santorini-greece/#comments.

Kaminski, Anna. “Mykonos for First-Timers.” Lonely Planet, 9 Aug. 2019,

www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/mykonos-first-timers.

Sawe, Benjamin Elisha. “What Languages Are Spoken in Greece?” WorldAtlas,

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greece.html.
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“Traveling to Greece: Travel Guide: Travelex US.” Travel Guide | Travelex US,

www.travelex.com/travelex-hub/travel-guides/greece.

Vanderpool, Eugene. “Olympia.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 6

Feb. 2020, www.britannica.com/place/Olympia-ancient-site-Greece.

White, Annette. “29 Traditional Greek Foods You Must Eat in Greece.” Bucket List Journey |

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