Not all you think it is.

If you are coming to Europe for a vacation or whatever, don't expect to find outstanding bargains. Some things are cheaper and some are not. The food is cheaper if you buy from farmers. Supermarkets prices are higher and no bargains. Dental services is one good service compared to the US. But don't expect to get everything done is a day of two. You will need a couple of weeks if you find a good dentist. Houses are very expensive, because they build them mostly of cement. Apartments are reasonable but hard to find. So whether you are coming to visit or relocate, do a lot of homework before you make the move. ~~~CcP~~4-20-2016

Touring in March

Some days are warm and some are cool and rain. I have taken two tours in March this year, it was three days and rained to some extent every day. From my experience you should wait until later April and May before taking tours, unless you like getting wet. It still rains in April and sometimes in the summer months, but it is not cold. Taking a Easter tour for three days the last of April, so I'll see how it goes then. ~~~CcP~~03/27/2016

Bus Tour

You can take a bus tour to almost anywhere in Greece. The prices are reasonable and if the tour is over one day the hotel price is usually included. Most hotels have breakfast and most are Greek style foods but most have cereals and other common items for breakfast. Be prepared for room styles. Rooms are clean but don't expect a queen size bed, unless you are in a luxury hotel. Most rooms comes with two twin beds pushed together. This is a little uncomfortable especially if you are over 6 feet tall. Most Greek people are small and I guess they don't think of people from other countries. This is my only complaint about hotels in Europe, especially Greece. Some tours even go to other countries, Italy, England, etc. The tour bus goes on board a ship and gets off in the country they are going to. This is nice if you have a lot of time and don't like to fly. There are also some tours that have English speaking guides, if you don't know Greek, like myself. If you are interested be sure to book early and avoid, late summer months, the prices are higher during tourist season and August is when most Greeks take their vacations. Hope this is helpful to so of you. Thanks for reading. Please consider joining my blog. Thank you. ~~~CcP~~~3/15/2016

Getting Around In Greece

I am retired and am not in a hurry to get anywhere. The bus will get you almost anywhere, if you know the routes and where to change buses. You can get a one time trip or purchase a monthly ticket, which you can use as much as you like. My only problem with this is sometimes the buses go on a one or two day strike. (which in my opinion gets them no where, except a day or two loss wages. So your 30 day or 31 day ticket you purchased you only get to use 28 days. Refund for 2 days, (yeah, you bet). I can drive, but would not drive here or recommend anyone else to. First of all it is too crowded and your car will probably get dinged or hit in less than a week. Law enforcement does a poor job on enforcing the laws, people park on sidewalks, disabled spots, or make a stop. It is like the automobiles have the right of way. I always look several times before crossing the streets, because they are probably not looking for you. Cell Phones, yep, they yak on them and drive here too. I think there is a law on driving with them and talking, but there again, it is not enforced. So, I stick to my shoe leather, get some exercise, take the bus or a taxi if the weather is bad. ~~~CcP~~3/8/2016

Christmas in Greece 2015

No snow in the mountains, also warm enough to go swimming. Will there be a winter of cold and north winds, that brings out the mittens, scarfs and warm coats? Warm is good I guess, but I think it confuses Mother Nature. Flowers blooming and fruits on trees. Animals not sleeping that should be. The time of the year to give gifts and remembering good times with family and friends. Loved one's who are no longer with us. Giving to those on the streets and in homes with no heat, or those with no homes. It is better to give than receive. It is the love and the gift that counts. Remember when you give you will receive two times over. This is confusing to some and myself a few years ago. People give money to church and wonder where and when the double in return will be. It doesn't say your double will be in cash if you give cash. It also says there is no time involved. It could be years and you won't even realize it when something good happens. To me I give and expect nothing in return. So, I am not dreaming or expecting a white Christmas. Only seen a few in my life time. I have been behind the snow shovel in below freezing temperatures, almost frozen toes and fingers, wind burn and so on. ~~~CcP~~~12-21-2015

Vacation to Crete, Greece

Only a forty five minute flight from Athens to Heraklion airport in Crete. It is a very big island and renting a car is recommended. We did our sightseeing by bus and a lot of walking. The days are hot and always windy. When the sun sets the wind will die down a little and the evening will be warm. If staying in a hotel be sure to get one with air conditioning. Most hotels have air conditioning, but is better to be safe than sorry. The sea in the area where we stayed is very hard to swim in. The tide comes in very hard and is hard to stand up. You have to swim out far to get away from the hard waves. Unless you are a good swimmer I would not go out far. There was no life guard, so you are on your own. The night life is nice, plenty of restaurants and coffee shops. Lots of ice cream shops and grocery stores if you rented a apartment with a microwave and cooking supplies. The city offers plenty of tours if you want to see the city or go further into the island. I highly recommend Crete for a vacation if you visit Greece for a vacation.

Going swimming

Took a trip by boat to an island to swim on a hot Saturday. I am not much into swimming but it is nice once in awhile. I'll pass on a few lessons learned. I have been to several counties in the Far East, Okinawa, Japan, Malayasia and Vietnam. My point is,Greece has the hottest sun I have ever been under. You will fry so- to-speak in about an hour. Lesson learned: a. Apply sunscreen before you leave home so it can soak in. b.Apply another thin layer when you get to the beach or swimming pool. (do not rub it in like a massage). c. Do not stay there all day the beach will be there tomorrow. I did part of the above but not correctly, so here I sit with a nose like the Christmas reindeer. I am not into selfies, so you have to take my word for it. On my few days trip to Rhodes, Greece I missed my number one bucket list:

Well, maybe next time. Off to another island soon, summer is fast coming to a close. ~~~CcP~~~