From keeping Santorini off of your itinerary to catching views of the Parthenon without getting stuck in a crowd, here are 10 tourist traps in Greece to avoid on your visit (plus some better things to see, do, and eat instead!).

Take a bus instead of a cab from the airport. Photo: Nick Night

1. Don’t take a cab from the airport

Take the X95 bus from the Athens Airport to Syntagma Square/Plateia Syntagmatos for only 5.5 euros, then catch a cab from there to wherever you are staying in Athens. Otherwise, you’ll pay 40-55 euros for a cab ride directly from the airport to the center of Athens.

2. Stop searching for the restaurants you see all over social media

If you try to find all the new, internationally renowned spots where the cool kids hang out, you’ll spend a fortune trying to fit in. Instead, eat at a family-owned-and-run taverna, get pites from a fourno, or shop at a local market and enjoy your meals on a bench in the middle of a plateia. Here are some of our favorite cheap eats in Athens.

3. Look for simple souvenirs

Instead of buying cheaply made “souvenirs” that no one back home actually wants, buy a postcard with a magnificent image of the part of Greece you are visiting and mail it back home to your loved ones. They’ll be delighted to receive something through the post that is not a bill. Or, if your luggage has plenty of room before it reaches its weight limit, buy some locally made glyko tou koutaliou (“sweet of the spoon”) to take home. A taste of Greece or a glimpse of its beauty will cost you less than the mass-produced souvenirs and is a better choice ecologically, plus your food purchases will support the local economy.

You can still get great views of the Parthenon without running into crowds. Photo: Francesca Noemi Marconi

4. See the Parthenon, but without the crowds

See the Parthenon from a rooftop café in Thiseio. If you happen to be visiting Greece during the peak season, you will be jostled in the crowds of people attempting to take the perfect selfie in front of the Parthenon. Skip that experience and marvel at the jaw-dropping architectural and historical structure from outside its official perimeter. (Note: It’s not that entrance to the Parthenon is expensive, it’s just that visiting up close may not be as enchanting as basking in the Parthenon’s shadow from slightly farther afield.)

5. Visit lesser-known islands over Santorini or Mykonos

Santorini and Mykonos are indeed magical parts of Greece. But trying to avoid tourist traps on those islands is like trying to avoid humidity in Florida. Skip these two hot spots and instead visit a lesser-known island and/or mountain village on the mainland. Nearly every square inch of Greece is splendid — don’t succumb to the pull of Instagram-worthy photos of whitewashed homes with blue trim. There is so much more to see and experience!

6. Stay off the tour buses

Leave the tour buses, some of the most common tourist traps in Greece and many other destinations, for other travelers. Many of them include a stop at a “souvenir shop” in the middle of nowhere, holding you hostage for up to an hour, during which time you will no doubt throw money away on something you don’t need that likely isn’t even made in Greece.

Pay up for a beach chair — or lay a towel down for free. Photo: Nick Karvounis

7. BYOT(owel)

Don’t sit on a chaise longue on the beach unless you are prepared to pay for the privilege. Nowadays, that privilege can cost you upward of 25 euros in some places. Instead, take your beach towel (or sarong that doubles as one) and plop yourself down on the sand to enjoy your time on the beach for free.

8. Don’t pay for Wi-Fi

Forget about paying for Wi-Fi at your hotel. There is free Wi-Fi in many plateias and other public spaces, as well as in museums and libraries. Many of our favorite hotels in Athens even offer Wi-Fi for free.

9. Skip the beach eats

Eat before or after you head to the beach. One of the biggest tourist traps in Greece? Food prices at the beaches. Food ordered on the beach will run you 20-30% more than the same delectable food prepared with love at a nearby taverna.

10. Ditch the chain hotel rooftop views

Don’t buy into the very popular expat idea that you must have a drink at the Hilton hotel’s rooftop bar in Athens for the view. Athens is a city of hills — you can drink in an intoxicating view of the city from any number of places.

One of our favorites is free to visit: Lykavittos. If you are too hot or tired to walk up the hill, you can take the funicular for 7 euros one way or 10 euros round-trip. But if you’ve got energy, walk up and save that money for a ticket to the Benaki Museum or the Acropolis Museum, two of the best curated and organized museums in Athens.

Avoiding tourist traps in Greece

What are your favorite hidden gems of Greece? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 10 tourist traps to avoid when visiting Greece appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

• Related: 10 breathtaking views in Europe — for free!

A sliver of Amoopi Beach in Karpathos

1. Split Dishes at Ellinikon

Lunch or dinner at the mezedopoleion (restaurant selling lots of dishes to share — think tapas) “Ellinikon” in Pigadia. We returned here for meals numerous times, trying different dishes on each occasion, conversing with the friendly server and savoring our meals for hours on end. (Not making it to Karpathos on your upcoming trip to Greece? We also have advice on budget bites in Athens.)

2. Enjoy Food and Coffee at Asteri Café

Enjoy kolokithokeftedes (zucchini balls — think meatballs, but with zucchini instead of meat), tiropites, spanakopites and Greek coffee at Asteri Café in Pigadia. There are several hip cafés in Pigadia, and Asteri is not one of them. That’s why we like it so much. The owner is exceedingly kind and generous, the pites are made fresh at the bakery across the street and lots of local elders hang out there.

Karpathos’s Main Town of Pigadia

3. Spend a Day at the Beach

Visit Apella Beach, Kyra Panagia, Achata … or, for that matter, any of the dozens of beaches on the island. Walk, swim, nap, daydream, listen to the sea as it laps at the shore, watch the cloudscapes decorate the sky, and remember what it is to live in the moment.

If you venture down to Apella, make sure to stop at the sweet little cave chapel, Agios Loukas, about 500 feet up the road from Taverna Apella. The frescoes painted on and inside it are from the second half of the 13th century. Plus, its location, tucked into the mountainside, is enchanting. The local goats like the chapel, too! You may find them relaxing in the shade around it.

4. Walk Around the Village of Stes

Walk among the vineyards and down to the sea from Stes. This agricultural village without tourism on its mind may remind you of parts of the Napa Valley of yore. Walk through the village, take in the thoughtful architecture of the old homes and enjoy watching cats lounge in sunspots atop walls and steps. Drink fresh mountain spring water from a public tap outside the village chapel and meander down the hillside road to the sea.

Stes (Photo Credit: Becca Durkee)

5. Take a Local Tour

Hire locals to take you off the beaten path and introduce you to experiences you could only otherwise have if you had family and friends living in Karpathos. Go wine tasting, bird watching, hiking or camping. Prepare Karpathian delicacies. Try your hand at beekeeping.

Plan your own private tour to include the activities that interest you at a price point that works for you, or join in pre-organized activities and meet other like-minded wanderers.

6. Visit Panagia Mertonitissa Church

The church is located in in Mertonas/Mirtonas, by far the greenest village on the island. There are fresh mountain water taps along the path in front of the church. The view from the church and from the loop walk, which you can take down into the village and back up, is magnificent. Watch the sunrise here, or walk down to Kyra Panagia Beach (it will be a steep walk back up!) to take a dip in the sea there.

Olympos, Mountain Village of the Gods

7. Explore Olympos

Yes, that Olympos. Make sure to visit the cemetery. If you can take someone with you who reads Greek, all the better. The inscriptions on the headstones are unlike anything we have ever seen. If you get the sense that the mountain village is run by women, that would be correct. It is a matriarchal community. The views and hikes in every direction are glorious, so allow plenty of time for exploring.

8. Take in the Coves on Lefkos’ Shores

Meander around Lefkos’ expansive shoreline of coves. Whether you venture out by foot, by car or by bicycle, the area is a marvel of ever-changing topography to behold. After you’ve worked up a solid appetite, stop at Ellovos restaurant for a scrumptious, homemade meal with the offerings determined by what is freshly available that day.

Lucky Laki in Lefkos

9. Harvest Fresh Sea Salt

Harvest sea salt from the rocks along the water in Diakoftis. (If it rains the day before you go, the rain may wash all the salt water from the rocks, and when it evaporates there will not be any salt to harvest. It’s best to go when it’s been dry for at least a few days.)

The landscape is otherworldly. You may feel as though you are on the set of a Star Wars film but with a glorious sea just beyond the rocks. You may see goats here, despite how isolated the area feels. In fact, you may see goats everywhere on the island!

10. Stop by Spoa

Visit Spoa, a delightful village with winding pedestrian alleyways and stunning views around every corner. Fill up on delectable Greek staples at Folia. Venture down the hill from Spoa to the Agios Nikolaos marina, and stop part of the way down to stroll across the hillside. Vineyards dot the landscape, the views to the sea are amazing and very few cars will interrupt your reverie. If you are hungry again by the time you reach the marina, stop for a bite at Café Portobello.

11. Book a Budget Hotel

Before you head out on your trip, book a budget hotel in Karpathos. Many affordable lodgings on the island offer a lot of bang for your buck with perks like views of the sea from your room to free breakfasts and more.

Traveling around Greece? Make sure to check out these ways to save on a Greek vacation before your trip!

What are your favorite budget-friendly things to do in Karpathos? Share with us in the comments below!

The post Top 11 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Karpathos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Instead, consider these five great ways for you to enjoy a budget-friendly stay in Greece while also giving back to the local communities.

Related: Athens — 5 budget travel tips for a Greek vacation

How to Save Money in Greece

Fortunately, you can put your tourist dollars to good use and still save money in your travel fund with these simple tips.

Taking in the views from the spa town Therma on the island of Ikaria. Photo: KayMaria Daskarolis

1. Consider Less Touristy Islands

You may be surprised to learn that Mykonos and Santorini are not the only Greek islands. It’s true. There are, in fact, more than 6,000 islands in Greece, 227 of which are inhabited. Skip Mykonos and Santorini. Go to one or more of the other equally glorious and unique islands to save on your Greek island vacation. Everything is less expensive on these lesser-known islands. Really, everything.

2. Make the Most of Markets

Eat one of your daily meals at a taverna to support the local economy. Share several mezedes (think: tapas) with your companions. Then go to an open-air market or grocery store to get food for your other meals. Here are our suggestions for your shopping list:

• feta
• Kalamata olives
• tomatoes
• bell peppers
• cucumbers
• a loaf of bread
• fresh oranges
• a small bottle of Kalamata olive oil

Regardless of which Greek island you visit, there will be benches, tops of walls, parks, boulders, and beaches available for you to sit and enjoy your meal outdoors. Another scrumptious option for a budget-, body-, and soul-nurturing meal is to go to a fourno. This is a bakery — a zaharoplasteio is also a bakery, but typically only sells sweet baked goods.

At the fourno, buy tiropites (cheese “pies” in filo dough), spanakopites (spinach “pies” in filo dough), and other savory pites, with varied fillings to tantalize your tastebuds. For us, a single one of these is enough for a meal — which is not to say that we only eat one — and lightens our wallet by a mere couple of euros.

Related: Cheap Eats in Athens: 4 spots for Greek cuisine on a budget

3. Walk

Walk as your primary form of transportation. You can even walk around Crete, Greek’s largest island, to take in the sights. Not only will this save help you save on your Greek island vacation, but you are guaranteed to encounter ancient archaeological sites or natural hot springs.

You may meet some grandmothers whose families have lived on the island for too many generations to count. Perhaps you come across a herd of goats, a field of poppies, a grandfather selling honey on the side of the road, or any number of other magical happenstances you would miss if you were not on foot.

In fact, whether you’re in Greece or traveling elsewhere in southern Europe, hoofing it is a great way to get around.

4. Share a Taxi As Needed

Share a taxi to get from the ferry port or airport to the town where you and your companion(s) are staying. This is also a good way to make new friends. Since it is the time of COVID-19, make sure to fit your N95 on your face. Offer N95 masks to others who will be sharing the taxi with you.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Explore

Say “yes” to the multitude of opportunities that await you outside of the trendy spots. Just because a place has not been written about ad nauseam does not mean that it has less to offer than more popular spots. Get a bit off the Internet-beaten path. By doing so, you are sure to save money while you delight in a piece of your Grecian adventure you couldn’t have planned.

Bonus Tip!

And remember: It costs nothing to show respect and kindness. Show them both. Often.

Ready for your adventure in Greece? Check out our hotel picks in Athens.

If you’ve already visited the Greek islands, be sure to share your favorite budget-friendly tips with us in the comments below!

The post 5 Ways to Save on Your Greek Island Vacation appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As things stay relatively cool, we think a walk in one of the city’s many parks makes for a perfect, cost-free way to spend time between visits to the Acropolis and the Agora.

National Garden of Athens

Metro: Exit at Syntagma (line 2 or 3)

Located in central Athens right behind the Greek Parliament Building, the National Garden of Athens makes a scenic place for a stroll. The garden is filled with plenty of gems to discover, including a smattering of ancient runes, a duck pond and a small zoo. For a fix of greenery in the city (and a nice spot to eat your Cheapo-friendly souvlaki), we can’t think of a better place.

Pedion tou Areos

Metro: Exit at Victoria (line 1)

The Pedion tou Areos Park is marked by a large statue of King Constantine I on a horse and a memorial to soldiers who fought in the Battle of Greece. Like the National Garden, the Pedio tou Areos Park offers plenty of greenery and no shortage of peaceful paths to explore.

One of the largest parks in the city, it also boasts a popular playground. Stop by before or after visiting the nearby National Archaeological Museum, but don’t linger past sunset; we’ve heard the scene gets slightly sketchy after hours.

Kifissias Park

Metro: Exit at Kifissia (line 1)

Kifissia is an attractive, affluent suburb on the northern side of Athens. In addition to some shopping and eating options, the neighborhood offers a lush botanical garden. If you’re itching for a taste of local life, take the metro out here and explore the expansive greenery. (Bonus tip: If you’re in town during April or May, you can catch the annual Kifissia Flower Show, which brings a colorful variety of flora to the neighborhood.)

Where else to walk?

Well, these are our Athens park picks, Cheapos. But we’re no Socrates: If you’ve seen better spots for strolling in the city, set us straight by leaving a comment!

And if you’re interested in reading more tips for Athens and Greece, have a look here.

The post Athens: Parks and gardens for some good, green fun appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For the budget traveler, there are tremendous bargains to be found, but you also have to be careful to avoid some of the surprisingly more costly aspects of Athens.

Budget tips for Greece
• 10 Tips for saving in Southern Europe
• Visiting Crete: Exploring Greece’s largest island

5 Tips for saving on a trip to Athens

Take a look at some ways to save and have a wonderful time getting to know one of the world’s oldest cities.

1. Getting to and from the airport

Your first opportunity to save money will be immediately after you’ve landed on the ground. The international airport in Athens is 33 kilometers from the center, making it a relatively short but expensive cab ride (around €38). Cut down your costs by taking public transport from the airport, with a choice of either a €10 ticket on the underground metro (Line 3) or a €6 ticket by bus (X-95) to the city center (Station Syntagma). The metro runs until midnight and the bus runs 24-hours a day.

2. Indulge in Greek street food

Athenians adore their savory pita-filled munchies, and delicious, affordable street food is synonymous with Athens. As your sense of smell will let you know, throughout the city you are never far from a food stand grilling tasty meats. For €2, you can grab a chicken or pork souvlaki — otherwise known as a gyro or a kebab to the uninitiated — which comes packed into pita bread with creamy tzatziki yogurt sauce, fresh veggies, and a handful of french fries. You’ll never be so happy with eating cheap.

See famous sculptures like the Jockey of Artemision for just a few euros. Photo: Ryan

3. Find those museum discounts

Athens is an absolute dream for lovers of history and architecture, and admission prices to museums are quite moderate compared to most of Europe year round. Especially good news for those coming in the winter, the city decided to cut admission prices in half for many major sites in an effort to give locals easier access to their cultural treasures.

This means those lucky enough to visit between November and April can pay €10 to visit the Acropolis and €5 to visit The National Archaeological Museum. Students also get major discounts or free admission year round to many museums, just be sure to present your ID to get a reduced price or free entry.

Grab a table in the shade and a beer for a cheap cafe break. Photo: Mark H.

4. Not every drink is cheap

You’ll quickly realize that Athenians love to relax, chat, and enjoy a drink. There’s an abundance of cafes and bars all throughout the city. During the day it’s not hard to find yourself a cappuccino for less than €2 at a nice cafe or a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for only €1.30 from an outdoor vendor.

For alcoholic beverages, the prices can go up astronomically, with cocktails regularly costing €7 to 9! For the budget conscious, it’s best to stick to local wine (€5-7 per 1-Liter carafe) at the restaurant or to grab a bottle of beer for €1-2 from a shop and enjoy a drink outside on a square with a view facing the Acropolis.

We love airy rooms and the view from Phaedra Hotel. Photo: Booking.com

5. Take advantage of the affordable hotels

Good news, Cheapos! Athens is heaven for travelers that would rather save their money for an extra shot of ouzo than an expensive accommodation. There are tons of hotels that offer private rooms in Athens for $50 and under. If you book in advance, you can find even cheaper rates.

These budget hotels might not be the fanciest spots in town, but a lot of them ooze a friendly Greek charm that makes up for the lack of modern glitz. Search through our listings of 40+ budget hotels in Athens.

Have you been to Athens recently? Tell us how you saved money on your trip!

The post Athens: 5 budget travel tips for a Greek vacation appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any tricks to make the most of your money on the road. Read on for 10 of our best tips to help you stretch your euros farther on your next trip to Southern Europe.

More articles on saving in Europe
• Guide to buying a SIM Card: The cheapest way to use your phone in Europe
• 11 Simple ways to save on your trip to Italy
• 12 Tips for traveling solo in Europe

Tips for saving in Southern Europe

Getting there cheaper

One of the biggest costs when it comes to Southern Europe is getting there. New budget airlines like Norwegian and Wow Air have helped keep prices down, but direct flights in peak season to destinations in Italy, Spain, Greece from the US still cost double — or even triple — the price of flights with stops. To spend less getting there, follow the two rules below:

TAP Portugal airlines taking off from Manchester. Photo: joolsgriff

1. Hub it for cheaper airfare

Hop the cheapest flight you can find into a major hub city (think London, Frankfurt, or Paris). Then book a seat on a European low-cost carrier like Ryanair, easyJet or Vueling the rest of the way to your destination. If you have extra time, you can even take a bus or train for a scenic and affordable ride.

Search for affordable flights with CheapoSearch

2. Travel during the off-peak season

Take advantage of southern Europe’s milder climate and travel during winter (but not Christmas), late fall or early spring. Not only will you get to see the sites minus the crowds, your flights will cost substantially less — you may even be able to get a deal on a direct flight.

Related: 8 Tips for finding cheap flights to Europe

Getting around without breaking the bank

The costs of ground transportation can really add up. Keep expenses on track during your time in Southern Europe with the tips below.

Tourists walking through Dubrovnik. Photo: Chris B.

3. Use your feet whenever possible

This is a no-brainer in sunny Southern Europe where even in winter, the weather is fairly mild and doesn’t get in the way of getting around on your own two feet (provided you bring weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes). That said, in many destinations like Barcelona, when it rains, it pours and drizzles for hours, and sometimes for days, so bring a rain poncho or an umbrella so that a little inclement weather doesn’t spoil your plans for a self-led walking tour around the old town.

4. Make the most of inexpensive public transit

Because of the comparatively low cost of living in Southern European countries, public transit is a serious bargain when compared to the cost of hopping a train or bus in Denmark or Switzerland.

Related: Tips for saving on transportation in Portugal

5. Car share to reach out-of-the-way attractions

Do yourself (and anyone else you might be traveling with) a favor — don’t take a million different modes of transportation to get to something. If the attraction or town you really want to see is hard to get to by public transit, take advantage of the generally lower car rental costs in Southern Europe or grab a rideshare with BlaBlaCar. What’s BlaBlaCar? Read about the ridesharing service, here.

Related: Calculating the “real cost” of a car rental in Europe

Saving on Food and Drink

One of our favorite things about traveling in Southern Europe is the quality to quantity ratio when it comes to the cost of food and drink. It’s one part of Europe where, if you really wanted to, you could probably afford to budget all of your meals out at restaurants — no supermarket runs required. Feast on delicious cuisine and sip local wine without emptying your wallet by keeping the following advice in mind.

Pasta is always a good choice for lunch in Italy. Photo: Flavio E.

6. Eat out at lunchtime

When it comes to great local food for less, the midday meal is where it’s at throughout Southern Europe. Fixed price menus offer cheap multi-course options — sometimes with water, bread and wine included!

Related: Don’t leave Rome without tasting these 5 classic dishes

7. Drink like a local

If you’re eating at a restaurant where beverages aren’t included, or you’re out at the bar, drink like a local. That means sticking to house wine, beer on tap, regional liquors — you name it. Ordering up a Bombay Sapphire and Schweppes isn’t going to save you any money or make you any friends. Try something new and have what the locals are drinking.

Related: 5 Tips for buying and saving on Spanish wine 

8. Munch on street food

When you want something to eat in off hours, or in the evenings when restaurants switch to a la carte menus, skip the fast food chains in favor of whatever street food’s popular with locals. Fill up on churros and fries from churrería stands in Spain, gyros and those tasty sesame bread rings in Greece and treats like panelle (hearty chickpea pancakes) and gelato in Italy.

Related: Eating for cheap at Barcelona’s best street food

Spending less on sleeping

Good news! When it comes to a place to rest your head, you can expect to pay substantially less per night in Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Croatia than elsewhere in Europe. Basic but clean and comfortable accommodations are widely available. With only €10, you can find bunks in shared dorms at most destinations, while private rooms (with a shared bathroom) start at just €20. Even if you go all out for a private room with a private bathroom, you can still find excellent hotels for €50 per night.

Related: When should you book hotels in Europe for the best rates?

Hostal Eixample offers 7 rooms in a lovely residential building in Barcelona.

9. Stay in small hotels and guesthouses

Around Southern Europe, particularly in smaller towns, staying in small guesthouses will cost you less than staying at hotel chains, or even sometimes, a private room at a hostel. These sorts of accommodations are mostly booked by and geared towards locals as opposed to international visitors. We include many of these in our lists for the best budget hotel guides to Barcelona, Rome, and Florence.

Related: Kosovo Houses in Bulgaria: An affordable escape to a scenic mountain village

10. Book a hotel room or hostel with kitchen access

Staying in a hotel, hostel, or apartment with kitchen access is a great way to save on expenses. Even with food and drink as cheap as it is in Southern Europe, you can save even more by cooking occasionally — and you’ll have a great excuse to spend a morning shopping for local ingredients at an open market.

Search for cheap hotels in Europe

Have you been anywhere in Southern Europe recently? Share your money-saving tips with us in the comments.

The post 10 Tips for saving in Southern Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Germany shuns Greece

Yet over the past year, Greek hotel prices have generally drifted down. A key driver here has been the growing German antipathy to all things Greek. News reports last weekend suggest that German bookings for Greek destinations are down well over a third on this time last year.

The German voter has yet to fully appreciate that Germany has itself been one of the primary architects of the Greek tragedy. To many observers across Europe, the high-principled Teutonic zeal with which many ordinary Germans now seek to punish Greece is very unbecoming.

The absence of Germans this year creates a big dent in the Greek tourism market, but we should remember that the growing Russian affection for Greece will certainly help plug that gap. Tourism makes up about one fifth of Greece’s GDP, but that broad figure masks substantial regional variations. The islands are of course more conspicuously affected than the mainland by any dip in the tourist trade.

Incentive planners don’t like uncertainty, so corporate junkets to Greece for the 2012 season are well down. But what does all this mean for the average punter?

Greece deserves a visit

Our view is that 2012 is most definitely a year when Greece deserves a look. The mid-June elections are likely to produce a government (though it may not be one that is willing to dance to Germany’s tune). Greeks are famously tolerant and traditionally give any incoming government a decent period of grace. All the prospects are that the upcoming peak tourism season will be peaceful.

Yes, Greece may slip quietly out of the euro, but we must recall that the majority of Greeks still seem keen to remain members of Europe’s premier currency. If you happen to be on vacation in Greece on the day (if it ever comes) when Greece leaves the euro, don’t immediately invest all your assets in the New Drachma. Just go back to the beach and remember that Greek hospitality is among the best in Europe. Greek smiles don’t easily fade. So all the more reason why one of Europe’s liveliest and most enriching countries should not be shunned just because Greece is having a tough time.

The islands may well be a better bet for this summer than overheated Athens. Fortunately, a new edition of Frewin Poffley’s book Greek Island Hopping has just been published. This excellent guide will help you on your way.

The post To Visit or Stay Away: The Greece Question appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Kicking off the new year in the Orkney Islands

On New Year’s day, the Orkney town of Kirkwall hosts one of the most bizarre sporting events of the winter season. The “ba” is a strange version of rugby which attracts several hundred participants. The port town has two kinds of citizens: the “uppies,” born south of Kirkwall’s squat red cathedral, and the “doonies,” who hail from the nether regions north of the cathedral. The “ba” refers both to the game itself and to the leather ball cast into the crowd at the Mercat Cross in the center of town.

The aim of the game is simple: catch the “ba” and take it back to your part of town. What looks to the uninitiated like a mere scrum is, at its best, a game of clever tactics. False breaks deceive the opposition and locals tell us that for much of the game most of the crowd have no inkling where the ba actually is.

Collecting ice on Mount Etna

Now if that seems like an oddball way of spending New Year’s Day then why not follow the thousands of Sicilians who will mark the start of 2011 by driving on snowy roads up the side of Mount Etna. No one expects to get very far in wintry weather, but the summit is not the goal. Snow gathered from the slopes of Etna on New Year’s Day makes the finest granita. At least, that’s the view in Sicily where granita is the local take on sorbet: a delicate icy crush flavored with freshly squeezed fruit juice and honey.

The agenda for the day is simple. Leave early, pause in Zefferana for Mass or an espresso (or both) and then follow the winding road up the mountain, past shrines and old lava flows, to the snow line. Snow is packed into ice boxes and onto the roofs of cars – the latter a melting testament that for a few hours confirms that the driver has made the celebrated Etna run.

Eating cake in Greece

New Year’s Day is Greece is altogether simpler than in Orkney or Sicily. In Greece, the start of a new year is a time to eat cake. Not any cake, but Vasilópita, a specialty baked in honor of St Basil whose feast is celebrated in the Greek Orthodox tradition on January 1. According to Greek custom, families invoke a blessing on their houses by sharing Vasilópita.

This Greek house-blessing ritual anticipates a cultural antic that is a feature of Catholic regions of central Europe later in January. In areas from Alsace to Bohemia, from the Baltic to the Alps, house blessings are associated with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6.

Blessing houses in central Europe

Greeks have it easy. Blessing your house just means eating cake. In central Europe, the whole affair is more complicated as singers progress from house to house, dressed as the biblical three kings who are said to have followed a star to Bethlehem. Households that oblige with an offering for charitable causes are blessed and an inscription is made in chalk over the lintel. Next week’s mark will read:

20 C+M+B 11

The mark thus includes the year and the initials of the three kings: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The same three letters also recall the Catholic blessing “Christus mansionem benedicat” (viz. “May Christ bless this house”).

To all travelers a good start into the new year!

The post Europe-wide rituals to celebrate the New Year appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a run down of what the upgrade brings:

New and improved

A mere 400-meter shift from its previous spot at the top of Acropolis, the new museum sits at the start of the hill’s slope atop ancient ruins of the Byzantines. To compensate for sitting directly on artifacts, the entrance’s glass floors allow visitors to view excavations directly under their feet.

The museum itself is dazzlingly modern and almost 14 times larger than the old museum (closed in 2007). A budget of about €130 million was invested in the four-level structure, providing chic displays, light-senitive glass walls, and illuminated open floors. The café level on the third floor provides a gorgeous view of Athens, and the terrace is an ideal escape from the bustle and hustle of the touristy Plaka district.

What to see

The layout of new Acropolis Museum follow’s a timeline that’s captivating and easy to follow. Small placards in English run throughout the levels, offering short and simple explanations for displays, time periods, and cultural formations.

The ground floor slopes upwards as vases, tools, toys and jewelry from the Neolithic period (around 3000B.C.) line the walls. Dozens of sculptures (from 600B.C. to 79B.C.) that were once votives to the Greek gods make up the second floor display. The layout lets visitors inspect pieces from all sides, from the stunning four Caryatids to other impressive models of Greek gods and heroes.

Photo courtesy of http://www.newacropolismuseum.gr.

Perhaps the museum’s most magnificent display is the Parthenon exhibit on the top floor. A short informative video explains the Parthenon’s exhibit, history, and architecture in a simple and captivating way.

Both first timers and history buffs will ooh and ahh at the former Parthenon adornments of the metopes, frieze, and giant pediments. It’s a refreshing overview that’s fun and engaging for all visitors.

The best way to tackle the Acropolis

The Acropolis is as magnificent in size as it is in historical depth, and most of what is left in good condition remains indoors for protection. A good tip is to visit the new Acropolis Museum before trekking towards the Parthenon, ancient theaters and agoras; it does wonders to help visualize the past.

As a bonus the archeologists responsible for digging up the thousands of artifacts actually hang around inside the museum, waiting to give visitors a brief lesson about any questions that might arise.

The new Acropolis Museum is an excellent opportunity for visitors to wrap their heads around Greek history in a beautiful setting. It’s quite possibly the best bang for your euro on a Greek vacation.

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 8 AM to 8 PM. Closed Mondays.
Admission: €1
See www.theacropolismuseum.gr for more details.

The post Athens: Visit the new Acropolis Museum for €1 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Athens in a flash

Tourcaster, a group whose ‘casts we can’t get enough of, offers a free 25-minute overview of the Greek capital. The audio tour covers the city’s history, some main attractions, and top nightlife spots.

Indie Athens

Sure, this podcast is still Greek to us, but it’s less talk and more music—stuff from local bands, to be precise. Aneksartho Mhlo’s rock dispatch provides a perfect playlist to get you in an Athens frame of mind.

Learn Greek

The Hellenic American Union, based in Athens, offers a series of short podcasts that incorporate basic vocabulary and easy exercises so you’ll remember your plate from your please. Consider the series a perfect tool for those of you who like to ask for help, fight about grades, or talk about superstitions in Greek!

Hidden Athens

This podcast from amatuertraveler.com features author and travel guru Alf Meier as he discusses both Athens’ standard tourist sites and the city’s lesser-known gems, including those breathtaking beaches.

Greek Gourmet

Chef Sam Sotiropoulos focuses his delectable podcast on cheese—a mainstay of the Greek cuisine, but touches on other Greek dishes as well.  Yum!

Do you have suggestions for any other cool Athens-related podcasts? Leave a comment below!

The post Athens tip: Five free podcasts appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.