With its Mediterranean climate, Greece is a country where life is good every day. To enjoy the warmth of the Cycladic islands in midsummer, it’s best to go in August, ideally accompanied by the meltémi, the island wind. If you want to avoid the heat and crowds and enjoy the cultural sites more freely, the months of May/June and September/October are ideal. Whatever the period of your visit, our specialists will find you a place to suit your needs.
There’s nothing to stop you from visiting Greece in winter. Quite the contrary! Crete and Rhodes are at the same latitude as southern Tunisia, which attracts a lot of people at this time of year… And life on the islands doesn’t stop at the end of summer, with some remaining densely populated. Of course, the tourist offer is more limited, but the sites are still open, the ferries are working and your encounters will surely be all the more authentic.
You don’t need to learn Greek to make yourself understood in Greece. If you want to get around by car, all traffic information is duplicated in Latin characters. The same applies to most information signs. English is the usual language on tourist sites. If you wish, we can help you choose your accommodation with English-speaking interlocutors.
Satellite telephone coverage in Greece is total. Make sure you load your GPS with Greek cartography, which will be a great help in Athens and other major cities. In addition, most hotels have internet and WIFI access.
There are many holidays, mainly related to the country’s struggle for independence and the Orthodox religion. Every village, every island in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese celebrates its own saint with colorful popular fervor. It’s not uncommon to catch a glimpse of one as you stroll through the villages in the evening. Beware, however, of the festive energy of the Greeks, which can last until the wee hours of the morning.
But if there’s one festival not to be missed, it’s Easter, the most beautiful of the Orthodox festivals. In general, it’s an opportunity to experience Greek traditions at their most authentic. During Holy Week, one ritual follows another, and spit-roasted mutton is king in every family.
Vacations in Greece aren’t just about beaches and ancient sites. Greece is also steep, green and rocky. Try your hand at hiking, whether in mainland Greece or even on the Aegean islands. The mountains of Pindus or the canyons of Crete are particularly popular destinations for hikers. And what about climbing Olympus! But let’s not forget the islands which, despite their seaside and lazy image, also boast some very beautiful and well-marked trails. Recommended islands include Tinos, Amorgos, Naxos and Sifnos. From gentle strolls to challenging treks, there’s something for everyone. We can advise you – just ask…
We work with accredited guides in Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus and Mycenae. For these sites, you can book a guide who will take you a step further in your discovery of Greek history and culture. You can expect to pay around €200 for a half-day visit and excursion. Prices vary according to season and site. The advantage of a guide is that you can interact with someone who knows both your language and that of the country. The ideal intermediary to better understand a civilization and its customs.
However, it is perfectly possible to travel without a guide. Today, many paper guides provide detailed explanations, making them perfect pocket guides.
Until recently, scuba diving was strictly regulated in Greece, and you could dive at archaeological sites, for example. Now, however, the law has changed: today, ancient sites are off-limits and all others are authorized. The authorities feared that heritage and national treasures would be damaged or stolen. If you are interested in scuba diving excursions, we are in contact with many diving clubs and can organize an excursion for you.
Greece is the perfect place to try scuba diving. The transparent water offers breathtaking views of the aquatic flora and fauna. More a leisure activity than a sport in itself, diving is suitable for everyone.
Greek cuisine can be summed up as follows: quality ingredients from small local producers and, of course, olive oil.
Let yourself be tempted by the famous moussaka and tzatziki, which are well known but rarely tasted homemade. In Greece, don’t be surprised to see octopus and squid all over the harbors. It’s a traditional dish that can be enjoyed in all its forms.
But if we can give you just one piece of advice, it’s to order mezedes! These are Greek-style tapas that are shared, so you can try a little bit of everything in a convivial atmosphere. Of course, we can’t recommend enough that you try this aperitif with a glass of ouzo or tsipouros.
If you’re a vegetarian, don’t panic: you’ll easily find carefully grown vegetable dishes, often based on eggplant. There are also the famous Greek salads, often accompanied by the traditional feta cheese.
Indeed, Greece like a local is part of the bynativ community. bynativ brings together local travel agencies around the world. Its aim is to enable you to create your own tailor-made trip directly with destination advisors.
Thanks to this partnership, you benefit from :
The knowledge of our local agents. We know our country like the back of our hand, and have only one desire: to help you discover every nook and cranny of our dream destinations!
bynativ support. The community gives you access to its complementary services and guarantees.
What exactly are we talking about?
bynativ services: while our status as a local agency doesn’t allow us to help you prepare for your trip, bynativ does! From booking your flight to obtaining your visa, from travel insurance to health advice… we take care of you from A to Z.
bynativ guarantees: the community’s role is to select the best local agencies worldwide. So you’re sure to talk to a local French-speaking consultant who knows his or her country inside out, has a real sense of service and offers services at fair prices. And thanks to bynativ, your trip is protected by French law, and you can pay securely online in euros.
So the combination of Greece like a local and bynativ gives you the best of both worlds: local expertise and quality supervision.
At Greece like a local, we’re committed to creating a trip that’s just right for you. To do this, we need to understand your expectations and desires. That’s why the first step is to tell us all about your travel plans. Do you think your project is too vague? Not necessarily, the important thing is for you to tell us all the little details that could help us: why Greece, what do you expect from a trip, what are your interests, what’s your mood… All this information can guide us in creating the trip of your dreams. In short, at Greece like a local, we love details. Because it’s the little details that turn an ordinary trip into an unforgettable experience. Contacting us couldn’t be easier! Simply submit a quote request via our website and our advisors will take care of you. You can also reach us by e-mail, telephone or Skype. Don’t hesitate to contact us, we’ll be delighted to answer any questions you may have. Have you told us about your projects? If so, you’ll receive a detailed proposal within 2 working days. In busy periods, this deadline may be extended. To ensure your satisfaction and discuss the proposal with you, your advisor will contact you to ask for your opinion. Have you decided on your trip? Then we create your personal space on our website. This “Customer Area”, which you can access at any time, will give you all the information you need. It will contain all the documents relating to your trip (registration form, invoice, detailed program). It’s also here that you’ll be able to pay for your trip and take out insurance. We ask you to make a minimum payment of 35% on the day of booking, with the balance due up to 35 days before departure. You can choose between two methods of payment: credit card or bank transfer. Once all the formalities have been completed and your file validated, we send you the final documents relating to your accommodation and/or rental by e-mail. You will also be given an emergency telephone number, so that you can contact us in the event of any problems during your trip.
If you cancel, the following terms and conditions will apply:
– More than 60 days prior to departure date: 35% of the total price including tax.
– 60 to 31 days prior to departure date: 40% of the total price including tax.
– From 30 to 14 days before departure date: 45% of the total price including tax.
– 13 to 7 days before departure date: 50% of the total price of the trip including tax.
– Less than 7 days before departure date: 60% of the total price including tax.
All cancellations must be notified by email with acknowledgement of receipt to our agency in Greece. As a local travel agency, you are entirely responsible for booking your air ticket. As such, no compensation can be claimed by the customer in the event of cancellation of the trip or flight delays or cancellations.
To ensure your trip goes smoothly, Greece like a local offers you travel insurance. All you have to do is tick the yes or no box when you register in your Customer Area. If you tick yes, all participants in the trip are covered by the insurance. Taking out insurance is the guarantee of a worry-free trip to Greece. Naturally, the decision to take out insurance is yours. Find out more about our travel insurance.
At Greece like a local we are concerned about your security and grateful for the trust you place in us. That’s why we use PAYBOX System, an internationally recognized payment solution that guarantees our customers complete confidentiality of their bank details. This solution is backed up by the 3D Secure protocol, which ensures authentication of the credit card owner. Once your payment has been processed, you’ll receive confirmation by e-mail. Find out more about online payment.
Because we do everything we can to help you prepare for your trip to Greece, we want our relationship with you to continue. So it’s always a pleasure for us to hear from you upon your return. Don’t hesitate to write us about your experiences and comments, whether positive or negative. We’re always happy to hear what you have to say and, occasionally, to improve our services.
Our agency makes it a point of honor to establish a real exchange with our customers, to better accompany them in their experience in Greece. Once you’ve booked your trip, we’ll send you a telephone number by e-mail. This “hot line” is an assistance service that enables you to contact us 24/7 once you’re in Greece. If you have any technical problems, emergencies or questions, please let us know. We rarely use this number to reach you, preferring to let you enjoy your trip to the full, but we remain at your disposal via this line whatever your needs.
Our local agency can book all types of accommodation for you. From small bed and breakfasts to 5-star hotels, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. However, we prefer to offer you low-capacity accommodation rather than large chain hotels. That’s what makes all the difference. For seaside holidays, we have apartments in residences or private villas located in beautiful natural settings.
Yes, in our travel guide you’ll find articles on different themes and regions of Greece. They include advice, information, restaurant names and tips that we have tested and approved ourselves.
Greece like a local doesn’t do things by halves. We want your holiday to be as relaxing and comfortable as possible. That’s why we’ve selected hotels that specialize in accommodating families: children’s pools, playgrounds, entertainment… We also offer individual houses or apartments with environments and facilities suitable for family vacations. And at your request, we can reserve triple or quadruple rooms in hotels.
In addition to the hotel complexes that dot the coastline of some of Greece’s most popular tourist regions, there is also a more intimate and confidential offer. Throughout the country, we are in contact with small hotels that encourage warm encounters and exchanges with the local population. Often family-run, these accommodations guarantee an authentic stay in the utmost comfort.
If you’re planning a trip to Greece during the high season – July, August – we advise you to book well in advance. Accommodations fill up very quickly, not to mention bookings for sea transportation and car rentals. To avoid exorbitant travel costs, we advise you to apply at least before Easter. If you want to get the best value for money and avoid the summer tourist rush, the spring season (May) and the end of summer (September) are ideal. There are no booking restrictions for these periods, but it’s best not to book at the last minute to avoid unpleasant surprises.
To get to the most popular Greek islands, you can often choose between these three means of transport. In summer, service may seem plentiful and access to the beaches easy, but the reality is more complex: timetables are unreliable, bookings are unpredictable and sometimes flights or crossings can be cancelled without notice. Out of season, many connections between Athens and the main islands are suspended, which is why it’s a good idea to travel with our agency, which can deal directly with last-minute changes. Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines operate most of the flights from Athens, but there are also private companies that operate inter-island services, which can only be booked locally. Ferries provide a pleasant, mini-cruise-style link between all the Greek islands. There are many ferry companies serving the islands either from the mainland at Piraeus or Rafina, or from one island to another. It takes around 10 hours to reach Santorini from Piraeus on a regular line, and just under 6 hours by hydro-ferry. To reach Mykonos from Athens, allow around 6 hours, 5 hours for Paros and 7 hours for Heraklion in Crete. Of course, this list is not exhaustive! In short, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or doubts about your trip to Greece with our agency. As we’re on the spot ourselves, we’ll be able to advise and support you in the event of any problems.
If you booked your trip through our local agency, you can call us on our 24/7 hotline. We’ll do our utmost to find you an alternative, negotiate your hotel reservations and find you emergency accommodation.
There is a bus and cab service from the airport. In theory, you’ll need about an hour, but that’s forgetting one important aspect: Athens’ legendary traffic jams… A cab costs between 35 and 40 euros to get to the city center, whereas you’ll get away with 15 to 20 euros by bus. The journey is longer, however, taking around 1 hour and 15 minutes from/to Syntagma (the square in the center of Athens). The airport is now linked by metro. The fare to the city center (Monastiriki) is around 8 euros. We can also arrange your transfer from Athens airport to the city center (Syntagma, Monastiriki, Plaka…). A driver will be waiting for you on arrival, with a sign bearing your name. He’ll help you with your luggage, then take you straight to your hotel. The price is fixed before departure, so there’s no need to worry about traffic jams or flight delays.
Renting a car is virtually unnecessary on most of the Greek islands, except for the larger ones such as Rhodes, Kos and Corfu. Elsewhere, such as Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Patmos, Zakynthos, Lesbos or Skiathos, we recommend using the many public transportation services. We even recommend renting a scooter – it’s the ideal way to explore the islands! But be careful! Finally, for the more adventurous and sporty among you, we recommend cycling. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the sights at your own pace. But beware of the climbs, which can sometimes be steep.
What are the conditions for renting a vehicle in Greece? – Presentation of international credit card for a deposit – Driving license over 2 years old. – Minimum age 21. The car is an excellent means of transport for mainland Greece. It allows you to travel the continent from one end to the other, in complete freedom. You can enjoy the road and your journey while admiring the landscape as it unfolds before your eyes. In mainland Greece, regions such as the Peloponnese and Thessaly are ideal for a roadtrip, unlike the smaller, less mountainous islands. The advantage of renting a car is that it’s easier to visit the sites without having to depend on the tourist buses. What’s more, you’ll be able to choose the less crowded times of day to enjoy the peace and quiet in the early hours of the morning, for example. If you’re planning a family trip to Central Greece, the car will be your ally.
As a local agency based in Greece, we are not in a position to book your international flights. However, we will be delighted to advise you and help you with your booking. Numerous airlines fly to Athens Airport, some twenty kilometers from the capital. When it comes to getting around Greece, Greece like a local takes care of everything. We’ll book your domestic flights, ferries and car rentals.
Greece is an idyllic destination for a family trip. Your children will love the sea temperature and the many playgrounds, swimming pools and activities available in most accommodations. And if you’re feeling more sporty, we can offer you a nature vacation of varying degrees of intensity: mountain biking, kayaking, sailing cruises, hiking… Greece’s astonishing nature and the magic of its ancient sites will provide them with ideal playgrounds.
Greece is a peaceful country with very little crime. Tourism is an essential activity for the country, and foreigners are welcome everywhere. On the mainland, roads are in very good condition, but you still need to be vigilant at the wheel, given the traffic. And, if you’re in a hurry… and tired of the magnificent winding mountain roads… the increasing number of freeways means you can quickly connect the country’s major cities.
Some accommodations offer discounts according to the age of the children. If this is the case, we’ll pass on to you the price reductions applied by the accommodation. Finally, on our adventure tours and cruises, we make a special effort to offer special rates for families.
You can swim in Greece from May to October. The further south you go, the higher the sea temperature. However, all over the country you’ll find sheltered coves where you can even extend your bathing pleasure until November, depending on the region. Greece is a seaside tourism paradise. Mykonos, Paros, Zakynthos, Corfu, Alonissos, Skiathos, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Thousands of beaches and coves await you, both on the mainland and on the islands.
