Greece - Korina Miller [585]
Rental Accommodation
A really practical way to save on money and maximise comfort is to rent a furnished apartment or villa. Many are purpose-built for tourists while others – villas in particular – may be owners’ homes that they are not using. The main advantage is that you can accommodate a larger number of people under one roof, and you can also save money by self-catering. This option is best for a stay of more than three days. In fact, some owners may insist on a minimum week’s stay. A good site to spot prospective villas is www.greekislands.com.
If you’re looking for long-term accommodation, it’s worth checking the classified section of the Athens News – although most of the places are in Athens. For rural areas and islands, local websites are a good place to start your search.
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ACTIVITIES
Cycling
With over 4000km of coastal road on the mainland alone and 80% mountainous terrain, Greece is gaining popularity as a cycling destination. While it’s possible to rent a bike for a day, many people choose cycling as their main form of transport. Bicycles can be taken on trains and ferries for free and there are an increasing number of tour companies specialising in cycling holidays.
Cycle Greece (www.cyclegreece.gr) runs road- and mountain-bike tours across most of Greece for various skill levels. Hooked on Cycling (www.hookedoncycling.co.uk/Greece/greece.html) offers boat and bike trips through the islands and tours of the mainland. Bike Greece (www.bikegreece.com) specialises in mountain biking, with various week-long tours for beginners and the experienced.
Much of Greece is very remote. Be sure to carry a repair and first-aid kit with you. Motorists are notoriously fast and not always travelling in the expected lane, and extra caution on corners and narrow roads is well warranted. In July and August most cyclists break between noon and 4pm to avoid sunstroke and dehydration. For lots of information and routes, check out Anthony Campbell’s website at www.acampbell.ukfsn.org/cycling/greece.index.html. Also Road Rules.
Diving & Snorkelling
Snorkelling can be enjoyed just about anywhere along the coast of Greece. Especially good places are Ammoöpi Click here in southern Karpathos, Velanio on Skopelos and Paleokastritsa on Corfu.
Greek law insists that diving be done under the supervision of a diving school in order to protect the many antiquities in the depths of the Aegean. Until recently dive sites were severely restricted, but many more have been opened up and diving schools have flourished. You’ll find diving schools on the islands of Corfu, Evia, Hydra, Leros, Milos, Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes, Santorini and Skiathos; in Agios Nikolaos and Rethymno on Crete; in Glyfada near Athens; and in Parga on the mainland.
Hiking
The majority of Greece is mountainous and, in many ways, is a hikers’ paradise. The most popular routes are well walked and maintained; however, the EOS (Greek Alpine Club; 210 321 2429; Plateia Kapnikareas 2, Athens) is grossly underfunded and consequently many of the lesser-known paths are overgrown and inadequately marked. You’ll find EOS branches in Epiros, Crete (Mountaineering & Skiing Club of Iraklio) and Evia (Halkida Alpine Club). Click here for information on hiking maps.
The Louisos Gorge and the Mani, both in the Peloponnese, are two of the best places in Greece to explore on foot.
On small islands you will encounter a variety of paths, including kalderimia, which are cobbled or flagstone paths that have linked settlements since Byzantine times. Other paths include shepherds’ trails (monopatia) that link settlements with sheepfolds or link remote settlements via rough unmarked trails. Be aware that shepherd or animal trails can be very steep and difficult to navigate.
A number of companies run organised hikes. The biggest is Trekking Hellas (www.trekking.gr), which offers a variety of hikes ranging from a four-hour stroll through the Lousios Valley to a week-long hike