Greece - Korina Miller [3]
Once you’re there, how you get around can make a difference to the environment. Not everyone (in fact, very few of us!) have the gumption and stamina to tackle the hilly, hot terrain on bicycle, but you can opt for local buses and trains rather than planes or rented cars, or for fast, fuel-economic ferries rather than slow gas-guzzlers. We’ve got all of the information you need to tackle the local transport; Click here and Click here for more details.
Water scarcity is a serious problem throughout much of Greece; a number of islands are without their own source. It’s impractical to avoid buying bottled water entirely. On some of the remote and smaller islands, tap water is not safe to drink (unless you boil or purify it); always ask locally. When buying bottled water, choose Greek brands (which are everywhere) rather than European brands that have travelled further and therefore come with a larger carbon footprint. You can also cut down on water use by not requesting hotels to wash your towels daily and by taking quick showers.
‘Organic’ and ‘green’ are increasingly popular buzzwords in Greece. The rise in agrotourism means more options for staying in local, environmentally friendly places. You’ll also find increasing options for recycling and for buying organic food, and for guided activities such as hiking and cycling. As much of Greek cuisine is based on local produce, restaurant proprietors are catching on to the movement and advertising their dishes as locally sourced and, in many cases, organically grown. Shops are also selling local, organic herbs, honey, soap and other wares as souvenirs, making it possible to support the local economy and the environment in one go. You’ll find many of these greener options listed in our GreenDex.
* * *
TOP 10
GREEN CHOICES
Green doesn’t have to mean composting toilets and a holiday without showers. Here are excellent ways to enjoy your vacation and do your bit for the earth at the same time.
Milia – mountaintop ecolodges
National Marine Park of Alonnisos – preserve of the Mediterranean monk seal
Serpentine Organic Garden – volunteering on these lush sustainable grounds
Tilos – for rare birds
Octopus Sea Trips – ecofriendly family activities
Hydra – car- and scooter-free
Thrassa Eco-Tourism Guesthouse – organic food and outdoor activities
Masticulture Ecotourism Activities – traditional cultivation of mastic trees, olive trees and grapevines
feel ingreece Click here – catch a glimpse of wild ponies
2407 Mountain Activities – hop on a bike to explore in and around the Taÿgetos Mountains
SET IN GREECE
Get inspired with some Greek scenery in these critically acclaimed films.
Mediterraneo (1991) – an award-winning comedy about Italian soldiers stranded on tiny Kastellorizo during WWII
For Your Eyes Only (1981) – Roger Moore travels around Greece secret-agent style
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001) – not as good as the book, but great scenes of Kefallonia
The Guns of Navarone (1961) – iconic war film, starring Anthony Quinn and Gregory Peck, on Rhodes
Mamma Mia (2008) – taking the world by storm, this ABBA-based musical is filmed on Skopelos, the Pelion Peninsula and Skiathos
Zorba the Greek (1964) – Anthony Quinn’s steamy performance as an uptight English writer who finds love on Crete; the famous beach dance scene was at Stavros, near Hania
Never on a Sunday (1960) – Greece’s big star Melina Mercouri received an Oscar nomination for her role as a prostitute in Piraeus
Lara Croft Tomb Raider (2001–02) – Lara Croft went diving off Santorini
Shirley Valentine (1989) – this classic foreign romance fantasy takes place in Mykonos
My Life in Ruins (2009) – Nia Vardalos led her tour bus around Athens and the Peloponnese
ADRENALIN KICKS
Greece isn’t all about lazing on the beaches.
Hiking through mountain villages in the Lousios Gorge
Rock climbing seaside cliffs Click here
Diving in clear waters Click here
Kitesurfing