When is the best time to go to Greece? Trips to Greece. Where is the warmest sea in Greece? Migrants in Greece: is there a danger for tourists

Once again, an attempt to reach an agreement between the Eurogroup and Athens regarding the conditions for providing financial assistance to Greece failed.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras proposed holding a referendum. The vote, which is due to take place on July 5, will include the question of whether or not to accept the draft agreement developed by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Tsipras hopes the Greeks will say no. Then Greece will face a default.

A Russian tourist has several questions: is it worth vacationing in this country; what to do if you have already bought a ticket; Should I take more cash with me or rely on local banks? "MK" tried to understand this situation and give advice to potential vacationers.

Back on June 26, information appeared that Greek Prime Minister Tsipras had presented a compromise plan that included concessions from both Athens and Brussels. First of all, the Greeks are not ready to cut pensions, increase taxes, and even less agree to virtually free privatization of state property in favor of Western creditors.

It is no coincidence that on the night of June 27, the Greek authorities announced that they considered the demands of the Eurogroup ultimatum, and instead of new negotiations they intended to hold a referendum.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde immediately warned that the vote would not have legal force. The Athens financial assistance program, which could not be extended, expires on June 30. This means that an issue that has lost relevance by the time it is held will be put to a referendum. At the Eurogroup meeting, in the absence of Greek representatives, it was decided that after June 30, the country will only be provided with “technical” assistance in overcoming economic problems.

However, as French Finance Minister Michel Sapin noted at the end, we are not talking about Greece leaving the eurozone: “Representatives of 18 countries besides Greece made it clear that it was and should remain in the eurozone.”

It is not simple. “In order to follow the path of Greece's exit from the eurozone, someone from the European Union must take responsibility. Now, given that this hits many sore spots in the EU, it is unlikely that anyone is ready to take on such a destroyer role,” notes Dmitry Danilov, head of the European Security Department at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Nevertheless, many predict an imminent default for Greece. How will Athens earn money and which investors will help it in such a situation?

Until recently, Greece provided the lion's share of its budget from the flow of tourists. In 2013, 25 million holidaymakers visited Greece. Of these, about 1.4 million were Russian citizens.

But already in 2014, the flow of Russian tourists decreased to 1.15 million. In February 2015, the drop was approximately 50%, primarily due to the depreciation of the ruble. According to Russian statistics, which are also confirmed by statistics from the airports of Heraklion and Rhodes, during the May holidays the drop in outbound tourism in Russia was 41%, for Greece - 66%. The number of Russians arriving in Heraklion decreased by 61%, in Rhodes - by 65%.

In total, according to the managing director of one large travel company, the drop in the flow of tourists from Russia to Greece this year could be about 35–40%. According to him, air travel will also decrease by 35-40%. “Rosaviatsiya stated that 50% fewer charters have been reserved for the summer of 2015 than last year. Someone will switch to regular flights, but there will be a drop of 35–40%,” the expert believes.

What should a potential Russian tourist who wants to spend his holidays in Greece do?

1. Is it worth going to Greece?

More likely no than yes.

2. If you have already bought a ticket?

You must definitely call the specific hotel where you wanted to stay and find out whether your payment has actually been received from the tour operator.

3. Should I take currency with me and how much (euros or dollars)?

According to Greek media, local residents, as well as visitors, have taken up to 30% of the euro cash available in Greece from ATMs. It is no coincidence that a third of Greek ATMs have already closed. Therefore, a trip to this country may cost much more than you planned. With any “Greek” tour, it is better to play it safe and stock up on at least $3 thousand (2.68 thousand euros) - this, in extreme cases, will be enough for food and inexpensive souvenirs. If you want to relax to the fullest, then in Russia, buy up to $10 thousand (8.95 thousand euros) at an exchange office. Be sure to keep the purchase document - according to the law on currency control and foreign exchange regulation, without such a certificate, you can only carry $3 thousand through customs; if up to $10 thousand, then you need a certificate from the exchanger for an additional $7 thousand. Then you won’t have to worry about ATMs , and for cash you can get both “quality and quantity”.

4. Will prices in Greece decrease?

Yes, but not everywhere. In inexpensive restaurants, the price reduction may be 10–15% (they have already reached the peak of profitability), in expensive ones it is unlikely (they already gave discounts). Hotels that are experiencing losses due to the outflow of tourists will try to get out of the situation: prices for accommodation may be reduced, but the cost of other services will increase.

Renat Abdullin, Nikolai Makeev, Moskovsky Komsomolets

To understand where there are refugees in Greece and where there are not, we need to remember where refugees are fleeing from and to.
Refugees are fleeing from Arab countries mainly through Turkey to Europe. They are most interested in rich old Europe - Germany, Scandinavia, France, the Netherlands.
Refugees are not very interested in poor European countries such as Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, as well as the countries of the former Yugoslavia. However, these countries are transit countries, so most refugees accumulate in transit points.
The Greek islands, especially those close to Turkey, are such transit points.

Infographic taken from the official website of the UN Refugee Agency

Routes of refugee movement in Greece

Map of Greece as of February 2018 with refugee locations

From the beginning of 2016 to December 31, 2016, 173,450 refugees and migrants arrived in Greece. In 2017, 29,718 migrants arrived. in 2018, 3,146 migrants arrived at the beginning of March.

None of them wants to stay in Greece, however, as of January 31, 2018, there are 50.3 thousand people in Greece. (In April 2017 it was 62.2, in June 2016 - 55 thousand).

Over the course of 1717, the number of refugees decreased by approximately 12 thousand.

At the moment (March 2018) we can talk about a decrease in the number of refugees.

Over 39 thousand refugees are dispersed in mainland Greece. The largest clusters are
in Athens and surrounding areas, and on the border with Macedonia in the town of Idomeni
The remaining 11.3 thousand are located on the islands, mainly on the islands close to Turkey.

On which Greek islands are there refugees?

The situation in April-May 2016 improved sharply due to the agreement on refugees between the EU and Turkey. Thanks to this agreement, the number of refugees arriving per day in Greece has been reduced from several hundred to several dozen. The total number of refugees in Greece began to decline towards the end of 2017.

As of March 2018, the situation with refugees on the Greek islands is as follows: :

Lesbos - 6 thousand

Chios - 1.9 thousand

Samos - 1.7 thousand

Leros - 700 people

Kos - 800 people

Rhodes - 130 people

Tilos - 40 people

Contrary to the assurances of many tour operators that the flow of refugees does not affect the resort areas of Greece, one can see that in fact, almost all of Greece is covered by the refugee crisis. Athens and nearby areas are resort destinations, Thessaloniki is the place where holidaymakers fly to Halkidiki, the island of Kos, Rhodes are favorite holiday destinations for Russians.

Where in Greece are there no refugees?

So, if you don't want to deal with refugees, then choose the islands of Crete and Corfu, Zakynthos for your holiday. There are no reports of refugees on these islands. Most likely, you will not encounter problems in Rhodes, although there are refugees there, but they are few. There are no refugees on the island of Thassos, but it is very close to migration routes.

The beautiful, sunny country of Greece and its islands attract tourists from all countries with their holidays on the cleanest beaches with azure sea water. And curious travelers strive to supplement their historical knowledge with the sights they have seen. Greece is one of the EU countries that is considered the “most honest”.

The crime rate here is low, serious crime is generally rare, including theft. There is no need to worry about leaving a valuable item in a public place. After some time, it will lie in the same place or be with the owner or administration of the establishment. If, while relaxing at a resort, you buy, for example, a fur coat, then the question arises: where to store it. So, some time ago, this question raised eyebrows among the hotel staff. The answer was: “What do you mean - where? This is your thing, for others it is someone else’s, which means you can leave it anywhere, even in the corridor.” For many Greeks, taking someone else’s thing is nonsense!

Of course, time makes adjustments, including in relationships. However, apparently the Greeks have it in their blood and at resorts, especially in small hotels, theft is excluded. Usually such cases occur from tourists from other countries. There has been a slight increase in theft in Athens, especially in the Omonia area, Vathy and Kolokotroni squares, and popular excavation sites. Here you need to be attentive to your personal belongings and money. Minor theft and substitution of goods at the market are possible. In crowded places, valuables and money should be placed in a place where they will be difficult to get. You should handle bank cards with caution.

What do you need to know so as not to be deceived?

It is not recommended to withdraw money from an ATM in front of everyone. Large amounts of currency are best left in the hotel safe. You only need to change currency at an official exchanger and ask in advance to write down what amount you will receive. There may be hidden fees that you are not aware of.

In a restaurant or cafe, receipts must be checked to ensure that unnecessary dishes are not included. It is advisable to pay in cash rather than by card, especially if it is taken out of sight. In the Athens region of Syntagma and in the resorts of Rhodes and Mykonos, there are cases of fraud in restaurants or cafes. How are tourists cheated in such places? The scheme is as follows: they offer to “treat” you to an unusual drink or dish. And then this expensive “treat” ends up on your bill. Therefore, immediately clarify: this is a gift or you have to pay for it.

If you need to use a taxi, you can order it directly from the hotel. In this case, the car will be from an official service. What should you pay attention to if you need to take a taxi from other places? The car must have a meter turned on and a clear tariff provided. With the advent of navigation aids, you can check your route to avoid taking a longer route. An official taxi must have information about a telephone number (in the license) that can be called in the event of an incident. If you still have to use the services of a private company, then payment should be agreed upon in advance.

If any misunderstandings arise, you need to write down the car number and report it to the police. Measures in this case will be taken immediately. In Greece there are special police departments to deal with tourists, which are located in the most visited places. In almost all hotels, windows and balconies are not protected, this is due to the hot climate and lack of good wood, so they are made of light plastic.

Such a door can be easily broken into, so you need to use a safe to store money. Although statistics claim that most thefts are committed by tourists from other countries or migrant workers. Therefore, you should be vigilant. If you are traveling by car, you should park it in a guarded parking lot and do not leave personal belongings and money inside the car.

There are some recommendations for traveling women. Almost all resort areas in Greece are safe for women. In some resorts, such as Kavos in Kerkyra, Laganas in Zakynthos or Faliraki in Rhodes, cases of sexual crimes have been recorded. At these resorts, women are not recommended to visit bars and restaurants unaccompanied by men. You should not agree to an invitation to go to some “unusual” beach. Previously, this was done by the Greek womanizers Kamakya, now they have been replaced by foreigners. In the vast majority of unpleasant cases, these are Europeans, not local residents.

When driving a car, you must strictly follow all traffic rules. Local police are especially vigilant about foreigners driving. A drunk tourist may have problems with the law if he behaves aggressively in a public place. Crimes related to drugs are punished very harshly. Even an arrest on suspicion of drug possession can last for a year. In Greece, when purchasing goods, a citizen of the Russian Federation can use the TaxFree service. This must be clarified with sellers.

Here it is sometimes possible to encounter deception. This applies to the purchase of fur products. The seller says that the purchased item must be shown at the airport and the seller must be present. An inexperienced tourist (or unaware of the VAT refund system) reports the flight when it departs. As a result, after passing the “fur test”, it is not the buyer who receives a refund, but the seller. Such cases were recorded in Crete, in the Hersonissos region.

Well-maintained resort beaches do not pose any danger. Outside the beach you can find sea urchins. Warm and salty sea water is simply paradise for them. Hedgehogs can form entire clusters on rocks. Therefore, you should be very careful not to step on such a thorn. The hedgehog's needle easily penetrates the skin, but it is very difficult to pull it out. It can break off and the remaining piece rots over time. If this happens, you should immediately seek medical help.

Protests are possible in the capital and major cities. In Athens they usually take place in the business center where most of the hotels are located. The protesters’ aggression is directed not at people, but at cars and various institutions. The police may use tear gas against protesters. Therefore, tourists should not leave the hotel at this time, as they may get hurt. This can be dangerous for people with respiratory problems and for those who wear contact lenses.

Refugee situation

In recent years, refugees have caused some discomfort. Despite the assurances of tour operators that the resort areas have not been affected by the flow of emigrants, this is not the case. Here's what information we currently have for the 2019 holiday season. These areas include Athens and adjacent resort areas, Halkidiki, the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Leros. Meeting with migrants most likely does not pose any danger, but everyone chooses for themselves whether they should relax at such a resort or not. The island of Thassos is very close to the migrant routes. Although there are no refugees on the island itself. There was no information about the presence of refugees on the islands of Crete, Corfu and Zakynthos.

The political and economic crisis in Greece, coupled with shocking media reports, have turned this paradise into one of the worst options for planning a holiday. Thanks to word of mouth and social networks, a certain sensation is created, as a result of which tourists can see scary pictures of this once sunny and cheerful country. However, is reality so terrible, and you can go to Greece this season?

According to domestic citizens who have lived abroad for a long time, going to Greece now is not only not dangerous, but also profitable. Popular resorts in the country still welcome guests with genuine hospitality. Travelers are greeted by the luxurious climate and delectable cuisine of the Mediterranean coast, which, coupled with low prices on package tours, make Greece one of the best value destinations this year.

Right now, tour operators are trying to implement all their programs, offering last minute tours at extremely affordable prices. Due to the crisis, the local population needs money more than ever, so the Greeks welcome every guest and try to offer the highest quality service. In addition, the country is still open for business and can offer attractive investment options amid the unstable situation in the financial market.

Rumors about problems with cash dispensing at ATMs in Greece turned out to be false. For foreign tourists who do not have Greek bank accounts, there are no limits on withdrawals. In any case, you can always bring cash with you. In addition, most hotels and restaurants accept bank cards for payment. Resorts are still crowded with happy tourists, and local coffee shops and taverns are full of visitors. Fans of independent travel can freely move around the country on buses, ferries and rent cars, because There is no fuel shortage in Greece.

06/28/2015 at 16:32, views: 35444

Once again, an attempt to reach an agreement between the Eurogroup and Athens regarding the conditions for providing financial assistance to Greece failed. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras proposed holding a referendum. The vote, which is due to take place on July 5, will include the question of whether or not to accept the draft agreement developed by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Tsipras hopes the Greeks will say no. Then Greece will face a default.

It is not simple. “In order to follow the path of Greece's exit from the eurozone, someone from the European Union must take responsibility. Now, given that this hits many sore spots in the EU, it’s unlikely that anyone is ready to take on such a destroyer role,” notes Dmitry Danilov, head of the European Security Department at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Nevertheless, many predict an imminent default for Greece. How will Athens earn money and which investors will help it in such a situation?

Until recently, Greece provided the lion's share of its budget from the flow of tourists. In 2013, 25 million holidaymakers visited Greece. Of these, about 1.4 million were Russian citizens.

In total, according to the managing director of one large travel company, the drop in the flow of tourists from Russia to Greece this year could be about 35-40%. According to him, air travel will also decrease by 35-40%. “Rosaviation stated that 50% fewer charters were reserved for the summer of 2015 than last year. Someone will switch to regular flights, but there will be a drop of 35-40%,” the expert believes.

What should a potential Russian tourist who wants to spend his holidays in Greece do?

1. Is it worth going to Greece?

More likely no than yes.

2. If you have already bought a ticket?

You must definitely call the specific hotel where you wanted to stay and find out whether your payment has actually been received from the tour operator.

3. Should I take currency with me and how much (euros or dollars)?

According to Greek media, local residents, as well as visitors, have taken up to 30% of the euro cash available in Greece from ATMs. It is no coincidence that a third of Greek ATMs have already closed. Therefore, a trip to this country may cost much more than you planned. With any “Greek” tour, it’s better to play it safe and stock up on at least $3 thousand (2.68 thousand euros) - this, in extreme cases, will be enough for food and inexpensive souvenirs. If you want to relax to the fullest, then in Russia, buy up to $10 thousand (8.95 thousand euros) at an exchange office. Be sure to keep the purchase document - according to the law on currency control and foreign exchange regulation, without such a certificate, you can only carry $3 thousand through customs, if up to $10 thousand, then you need a certificate from the exchanger for an additional $7 thousand. Then you won’t have to worry about ATMs , and for cash you can get both “quality and quantity”.

4. Will prices in Greece decrease?

Yes, but not everywhere. In inexpensive restaurants, the price reduction may be 10-15% (they have already reached the peak of profitability), in expensive ones it is unlikely (they already gave discounts). Hotels that are experiencing losses due to the outflow of tourists will try to get out of the situation: prices for accommodation may be reduced, but the cost of other services will increase.