Where To Stay

Economy-class hotels and rooms in private homes on the islands cost as little as $25 per room. Athens' first-class hotels average $100 to $140 per person, double occupancy. Clean, comfortable B-class hotels range from approximately $70 to $100 per person, double occupancy.

A program to restore traditional Greek villages and to provide tourist accommodations has been undertaken by the national tourist office. Eight such "traditional settlements" have been converted into guest houses-on Mount Pelion, on the Peloponnese, in Epirus, and on the islands of Santorini, Hios and Psara.

Transportation

Arriving & Departing: Hellinikon Airport is about 45 minutes from Athens; bus fare is about $1.50 and taxi fare is $8Ð10. There is air service to Thessaloniki and Corfu from several European cities, and inter-European trains to Athens and Thessaloniki.

Ferries and new high-speed boats run from Bari and Brindisi, Italy, to Greek ports.

Getting Around: Transportation in Athens is inexpensive. A subway system links the city with Piraeus and suburbs and a new line is under construction in the city center.

Cruising the Greek isles is an ideal way to relax. Sailings may be one-day cruises that visit islands in the Saronic gulf; the popular three- and four-day cruises that call on four or five ports in the Aegean; or voyages of seven days or more.

For information on Greek rail passes, see by rail.

Holidays

New Year's Day, Epiphany (Jan. 6), Feast of the Annunciation and Independence Day (March 25), Good Friday (April 25), Easter (April 27), Labor Day (May 1), Assumption (Aug. 15), National Holiday (Oct. 28), Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Dec. 26).

Money Matters

Banks are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; some banks are open later for currency exchanges. The drachma is divided into 100 lepta. $1 = 242 GRD as of Dec. 2, 1996.

Free Literature

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT GREECE: Entry formalities and information on lodging and dining, entertainment and sightseeing, and events. Brochures are also available on all areas of the mainland and islands, and for special interests such as sailing and skiing.

Greek National Tourist Organization:

Check out our web site at: www.compulink.gr/tourism