TOUR ESSENTIALS
WHEN TO GO
We visited Greece from late April until the end of May. This was a good time to go, because it was less busy with tourists, although some shops, restaurants and campsites were still closed.
There were poppies and broom growing everywhere, making some wonderful floral displays. It was also not too hot, which made it easier to wander around.
Don’t forget to take driving licences, V5 documents, personal travel insurance, GHIC, and vehicle insurance. Have the ’van MOTd before you depart.
In-date passports are essential – these must be less than 10 years old and have at least three months remaining when you plan to leave Greece.
Make sure your passport is stamped when you leave the Schengen Area, or your 90 days will continue to add up.
Use guidebooks to plan your trip, but be prepared to adapt your route.
WHERE WE STAYED
Greek sites are generally of a high standard, with clean facilities and potable water. Those we stayed at included the following:
Camping Nea Makri
Marathonos Avenue 156, Nea Makri, 19005
East Attica, Greece
campingneamakri.gr
Open All year Charges From €15
Camping Zaritsi
Ag Christoforos
220 29, Greece
campingzaritsi.gr Open 1 April to 31 October
Charges From €18
FOOD AND DRINK
We prefer to avoid fast-food places and go where the Greeks eat. Souvlaki, gyros, and their burgers are superb. Bear in mind that burgers are not served wrapped in a bun. Vegetables tend to be separate items and may need to be ordered as such.
We also ate plenty of Greek salads as a starter, but be warned, starters will often come at the same time as the main course.
If you would like to buy beer and wine you’ll find that there’s plenty of choice, wherever you travel, and a broad range of prices, too.
For example, we bought perfectly acceptable local plonk for €3 for 1.5 litres. We drank local beer, too, Mythos and Alfa being two popular brands.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
Meteora
Awe-inspiring monasteries perched on top of pillar rock formations.
meteora.com
Athens
Stay nearby at Nea
Makri and get the bus into the centre; visit the city and the museums, walk around the Plaka and enjoy some of the many bars and cafés.
The Acropolis must be seen up close. thisisathens.org theacropolismuseum.gr
Peloponnese
The coastal route to Fokianos and around the Mani is unbelievable.
Kalavryta
The drive to and from Kalavryta, which takes in mountain roads, is stunning, and learning about its recent history is an unforgettable experience.
visitgreece.gr
Ancient ruins
We loved Epidavros and Delphi. Marathon was a pleasant town, with its history of the first 26-mile run. These days the modern marathon route, marked on the road by a blue line, goes all the way into Athens.