Tatyana Solomatina

Which resort to choose in Greece?

Hello again, dear readers! It's December and summer is still far away, but already now many people are thinking about vacation. I want to draw your attention to sunny Greece.

Pieria

Pieria is a fairly large region located between the city of Thessaloniki and the capital. Vacationers will like the fact that you can combine a sightseeing holiday with a beach holiday. Not far from here are the famous ones, it is convenient to get to Athens.

The region is located at the base mountain range Olympus. If you have a car, housing can be rented in small villages in the mountainous part, this will allow you to hike and enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery, while being close to the sea and in complete silence.

Sandy beaches interspersed with small pebbles and a smooth entry into the water, a large selection water activities create the best conditions for families with children.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest metropolis in Greece after the capital. However, thanks to the competent layout of the streets, there is no crowding and feeling of the crowd. It is pleasant to walk along the streets of the city, considering the numerous monuments of architecture.

Young people will like the rest, various festivals are often held in the city, musical events are offered.

Hair

Hair - not so much yet famous place, like other resorts in Greece, but quite comfortable and beautiful. Despite the fact that all the infrastructure is available, there are few tourists. There is no airport nearby and public transport is difficult. However, if you are by car, it is better to take a closer look at the resort.

There is no beach in the city itself. But in the surrounding villages there are amazing bays with clean and clear water. Peace and quiet are guaranteed. Will interest tourists who like relaxing holiday surrounded by beautiful nature. Perfect for families with small children, but teenagers will be bored here.

In conclusion, about the mainland resorts, I want to say that if you are going for a beach holiday and do not set a goal to visit certain attractions located only there, then it is better to choose other resorts in Greece. In my opinion, the beaches are better on the islands, there are more coves, the sea is more beautiful, and there are no fewer interesting historical sites than on the mainland, although there are always exceptions.

peninsulas

Chalkidiki

Halkidiki is one of my favorite places in Greece. Very green, with many small beautiful coves. In some places, the rocks fancifully hang over the emerald transparent water, creating natural grottoes. There are very few people, most of the peninsula is magnificent, wild, untouched nature.

There are also disadvantages. There are few attractions here. The ones that do exist are pretty far away. If you don’t plan, then housing should be chosen in towns where there is the necessary infrastructure, or take a tour to. Because in small villages it is difficult to find a good store or ATM.

This place is just meant for a beach holiday. Here you can find quiet and uncrowded resorts or even rent a house on the shore away from everyone. Gorgeous nature and magnificent beaches will not leave indifferent any tourist.

Peloponnese

Peloponnese is enough popular place, but more for active rest, there are many ancient sights. Sparta, which in those distant times became famous for its opposition to Athens, is located here. As a rule, tourists come here to visit certain historical places.

As in all of Greece, there are excellent beaches and beautiful nature. Cons: It's hard to get here. In the summer, Aeroflot sometimes flies, but there is no permanent connection with Russia. You can fly through other cities in Greece, but this lengthens the journey and makes the transfer difficult.

Islands

Crete

Crete is the most big Island Greece and one of the best places for relax. Here you can find everything that a tourist needs. Unusual mountain landscape and magnificent sandy beaches, especially in the north of the island, will not leave anyone indifferent.

Suitable for literally everyone to relax, it’s easy to find something to your liking, a lot interesting places, a huge choice of accommodation for every budget.

You might be interested in these articles:

Rhodes

Rhodes - my favorite island Russian tourists, thanks to a large selection of tours and reasonable prices. The vegetation here is slightly less than in Crete, there are many cozy coves, there are historical monuments.

Feel free to go on vacation to everyone. As in Cyprus, the infrastructure is well developed everywhere, there are many beaches, only the prices are slightly lower.

I wrote a separate article about this island. There is a lot of useful tourist information there. And the article contains full review island resorts.

Corfu

Corfu is located in the west of Greece. Very picturesque green island. The coastline is winding, there are many rocks in which quiet coves are hidden. It is not difficult to find secluded places here, there is beautiful nature around. Cozy hotels offer real European service. The island is comfortable for families with children, soft sand and a gentle entrance to the water. More about the best beaches Read Corfu.

Kos

Kos is a chic and expensive resort for the elite, not without reason, Hollywood stars choose it for relaxation. The island is small, located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea. There is a lot of greenery here, the nature is very beautiful.

The prices are high, so it’s most likely that you won’t be able to relax on a budget. You can see the cost here.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos - amazing beautiful island to which you would like to return. Two rows of mountain ranges cover the valley from bad weather. Lush vegetation, sheer cliffs, picturesque bays closed from the sea with golden sand - a real paradise for tourists.

Unfortunately, people rarely land on the island, you can only get here local airlines or by ferry.

Santorini

Santorini is a small island, of volcanic origin, with coastline 70 km. white houses local residents succinctly inscribed in the mountain landscape. It has its own, some kind of aristocratic, cozy atmosphere. Life flows slowly, time seems to stop.

If you move a little away from the tourist trails, you can find wild places and enjoy loneliness. The beaches of the island are very diverse, even the sand in each place has its own shade, from pale yellow to bright red.

Holidays on the island are expensive. As a rule, tourists come here for one day as part of excursion groups.

Look for information on the island of Santorini.

conclusions

There are many resorts in Greece and it is really difficult to choose. Beautiful nature and gorgeous beaches can be found in almost every corner of this sunny country. So where is the best place to relax in Greece? How many people, so many opinions. Where one likes it, it will not necessarily be good for another.

If you, dear readers, are interested in my opinion, then now I would act in the following sequence:

1. Reading general information about the country and about the main resorts
2. We look at prices for tours or accommodation and air tickets (maybe you will come across cheap tickets and it will be more profitable to go on your own)
3. Based on the second point, we decide how to relax, through a tour operator or on your own. How to make the right decision I wrote
4. Most likely, for the first acquaintance with the country, I would choose one of the islands, focusing on price-nature-quality-easy transfer (in that order). You may have other priorities
5. Having decided on the island, read detailed information about the resorts of this place, based on fresh reviews on the network
6. Then choose accommodation, hotel or house (if not a tour)
7. Now redeem the tour or tickets (if you are traveling on your own)

This plan is not suitable only for those who purposefully travel to see certain attractions. It is easier for such tourists, you just need to choose a resort closer to the desired places to visit.

That's all I wanted to talk about, I hope you have a general picture of the resorts of Greece.

My personal impressions will soon be available from the stories in the "My Travels" section. In the meantime, I suggest you read the article. It seems to me that this is a relevant question. Subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to receive new publications.

Recently, in some minor magazine, I came across a note that this country, too, will soon be closed to Russians. Allegedly, they will make a couple of provocations for this purpose. Didn't hear anything? It will be a pity. Write in the comments what you think about this. Very interesting to read.

And I'll say goodbye to you for a while. Share the article on social networks, convenient buttons are below.

Tatyana Solomatina

Greece is easy great country for families with children, which has a lot of advantages: customer-oriented hotels, clean beaches, interesting sights, friendly people. Holidays in Greece are designed for any person: from small to large. It is necessary to rest here - at least once to try in life. I assure you, you will enjoy it very much and you will want to come back here again.

Now we will consider together all the options where to go on vacation in Greece: where is it better to relax and choose a great resort. Recent times prices in Greece have dropped, plus many hotels allow children under 10 to stay for free. This year's summer season promises to be one of the cheapest among popular destinations.

A visa to the republic is one of the easiest and getting it is quite simple. However, do not forget that if the child is over 12 years old and this is his first visa, they must undergo fingerprinting. A younger child can simply take a picture.

What season, what time of the year is better to relax in Greece?

The climate of Greece varies by region, especially in May and October.

So to the Mediterranean climate zone belong:

• Crete;
• Rhodes;
• Glyfada;
• Peloponnese;
• Zankynthos.

Winters are always warm and damp, summers are dry and hot. The coldest of all falls on January - the temperature drops to plus 10 degrees, the hottest in August - up to 33 degrees. The swimming season starts at the end of May and lasts until the beginning of November.

For swimming with children, mid-June - July is recommended, as well as the beginning of September, when it is not so hot. The weather in August is characterized by strong winds that bring down the heat a little, so you can safely come to the above-mentioned resorts with adult children.

The temperate zone is located in the northeast of the country. It:

• Thassos;
• Halkidiki;
• Thessaloniki;
• Katerina.

Winters are cool and rainy, while summers are warm and dry. The coldest month - January - has up to 8 degrees of heat during the day, and August - up to +30. May in these places is good for excursions, but very cool for swimming - it can rain for up to two weeks, and the air temperature rarely reaches 24 degrees, and the sea - up to 18 degrees. So with kids it is better to wait until July-August, when the sea warms up to a comfortable 25 degrees. We remind you that even August nights are quite cool and rarely reach 21°C.

Which resort is better to choose in Greece? Family itineraries in Greece

Hospitable and warm country offers many resorts, conditionally divided into the mainland, including the Peloponnese and Halkidiki and the island. Where is the best and safest place to relax?

Everywhere! Greece is good because everyone here will find a vacation for themselves.

Itineraries in mainland Greece: the best resorts for holidays and with children

Chalkidiki

The peninsula is located in the northeast and is shaped like a trident and is easy to recognize on the map. It has three "fingers" - Sithonia, Cassandra and Athos. Tourists choose these places for the warm shallow sea, white sandy beaches, and numerous attractions. Both regions are very popular with parents, so they take first place among trips.

For organized infrastructure, you should go to Kassandra, where you can find quiet hotels focused on children's entertainment, 45 km from Thessaloniki. Moreover, there are shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs within walking distance.

For silence, low crowds and greenery, they go to Sithonia, ideal for secluded walks on the beach, swimming in numerous coves and walking through olive groves and pine forests. There are more than a hundred large hotel complexes and small mini-hotels suitable for resolution.

Hotels on Mount Athos are located around Ouranoupoli and Nea Kallikratia. There, taverns, shops, cafes, clubs and sand and pebble beaches scattered in a multitude. Most of the region is closed to the public, as it belongs to the monastic state. There are 20 active monasteries and visitors need to take permission. Women are not allowed into the restricted area.

Peloponnese

The second peninsula with wide sandy beaches, inexpensive resorts, various informative antique sights. Good for kids.

Pieria

A resort located near Olympus, on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Most of the territory belongs national park with extraordinary nature, has many clean beaches and cultural attractions. For those who want silence, the cozy town of Platamonas is perfect.

The region will be of more interest to everyone who wants a cultural holiday; family tourists small is recommended resort village Lagonissi, located 40 km from Athens. It is there that the famous golden beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea, crystal warm water, lemon and olive groves are located.

Evia is located 80 km from Athens and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. From it it is convenient to go throughout Central Greece. The island is interesting for its healing pine air, walks between centuries-old trees, lack of winds on the beaches, mountain gorges with healing springs. Basically, hotels, like the entire infrastructure, are located in the south of Evia. The island is quite expensive for a holiday.

Itineraries in island Greece: the best resorts for holidays and with children

Crete

The very first island, which, perhaps, everyone will name. It is good for its sparing pricing policy and incredible opportunities for recreation with children of all ages. All regions of the island are different from each other. So Chania is the greenest and most beautiful part of the island, famous for its mixture of cultures, beautiful parks and original shopping. There are very few tourists here, so the resort is very suitable for family travelers. Rethymnon is a crowded resort with two highest mountains. Lassithi will interest you with sunny weather, and Heraklion with the most developed infrastructure with a huge number of museums and nightclubs.

Zakynthos

Your child will definitely enjoy swimming with Caretta turtles. Also from the island you can go on a cruise to all neighboring islands with a stop at the famous Navagio Bay. By the way, the local prices are quite affordable, and you can even find 2 * hotels.

Corfu

Although the island located in the Ionian Sea is considered the Mecca of club life, even here you can find a quiet family hotel. For holidays with children, it is better to go to the north of the island - to Benitses with officially clean beaches and Dassia with well-developed infrastructure, which is important when coming to relax with children. Despite the status of "for the rich", here you can have a great rest in the 4 * hotel chain Cyprotel Almyros Natura for 79 thousand rubles for 10 days.

Kos

The territory of the island is quite small and there are few hotels on it. True, even here you will find inexpensive beach-type hotels. As for entertainment, although Kos is famous for its Lido water amusement park near the town of Mastichari, there is not much to do here. By the way, did you know that Kos is one of the most ecologically clean regions of Greece? Of the minuses, the noise of some resorts is noted, for example, Kardamena and frequent strong winds on the sea coast.

Rhodes

Beaches in Greece: where in Greece are sandy good beaches and a calm sea

For a safe stay for kids, beaches with a gentle slope into the sea, without stones and waves, will be required, and for a comfortable stay, the beach must have a developed infrastructure.

In Athens, Asteria is considered the best sandy beach with a gentle coast and excellent infrastructure.

The top three of the cleanest beaches and calm seas is headed by Halkidiki. Each has changing cabins, sun loungers and showers. Nea Potidea and Chanioti are recommended.

In Paralia, the beaches are municipal, however, they are equipped with everything you need, and for a fee you can use a sun lounger or an umbrella.

The Peloponnese has a sandy shore; the exception of Loutrak is small pebbles.

Crete is famous for its equipped sandy beaches. Nevertheless, even here you should carefully choose a hotel - Agia Pelagia has a sandy beach with large pebbles.

Distinctive features of Rhodes are shallow water and perfectly clean sand. On each beach there are cabins, showers and sun loungers.

Carefully choose a place for swimming on the island of Corfu. So there are completely sandy beaches - Dassia and Agios Gordios and completely pebbly - Kassiopi. And Kontokali is a mixture yellow sand and small pebbles. However, the latter is very convenient for bathing babies and has received the Blue Flag.

The island of Kos is famous for its very warm sea and small waves, through which the kids love to ride.

Healthy:

Prices for tour packages for holidays in Greece

Flying to Greece is cheap. So finding an all-inclusive tour for two for 25 thousand rubles is as easy as shelling pears. Holidays with a child, of course, will come out a little more expensive - in the summer of 2018, a ticket to Greece will cost at least 40 thousand rubles with a flight from Moscow. Departure from St. Petersburg and other cities of the European part of Russia will traditionally cost 5-10 thousand more.

Features of holidays with children in Greece

It is very difficult to choose a Greek resort, because the country is divided into island and mainland parts with hundreds of hotels. The more you read, the more difficult the choice.

The rest is especially complicated if they are traveling with kids under three years old, as they will need special conditions:

• The hotel must be on the first coastline;
• Should be a clean sandy beach or with very small pebbles;
• Convenient entrance to the sea;
• Distance to the airport (preferably no further than 40 km);
• Services provided by the hotel (cots, meals, animation, game clubs).

Having picked up a suitable hotel, you can not worry about the kids and calmly let them splash in warm water. Plus, children will be happy to build sand castles.

For children under 12 years old, they choose "all inclusive", as a rule, these are 5 * and 4 * hotels. How to save 30% - just by booking a room in advance. Good inexpensive options are offered in Rhodes, Crete, in the Loutraki region, in Halkidiki.

To summarize - where is it better to go on vacation in Greece:

The choice of where to go on vacation with children in Greece is very rich. However, the peninsula of Chalkidiki and the coast of the Peloponnese are considered the most recommended family inexpensive resorts. Of the islands, you need to look at Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Kos.

For an excursion, all the resorts of Greece are amazing, everywhere you will find something to entertain not only yourself, but also all the vacationers with you. The prices, as you can see, are reasonable. Places are unforgettable.

Holidays in Greece are now becoming more popular among our compatriots, so take a closer look at this country. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I mean that it’s already full, the South of Russia is full of surprises, (especially when the bridge to the peninsula is opened) it will simply “swarm” with tourists and vacationers, it’s far from Goa, Thailand and Vietnam.

And in Greece - 33 pleasures for you and your family. Relax where it's best!

If a visa scares you away from visiting the best resorts in Greece, then look, look away, in - the mountains will refresh your body and improve the health of your whole family.

Greece is the most beautiful amazing country, in which all conditions are created for perfect holiday. Couples with children, newlyweds, groups of young people, pilgrims, lovers sightseeing holiday and antiquities will find for themselves, their unique "philosopher's stone" on the best resorts Greece. Gorgeous beaches, stable weather during the summer, amazing cuisine, the friendliness of the Greeks, low prices - all this attracts millions of tourists every year.

We will tell you how and when it is better to go, and most importantly, which resorts in Greece to choose for a vacation this summer.

The best time to go on an excursion tour to Greece in Thessaloniki or Athens is the beginning of spring and the end of autumn, at this time of the year the most comfortable temperature and mild climate.

If you are going to Greece for a beach holiday, then it is better to book tours from May to October, at this time of the year the sea water is warm and the weather is sunny almost every day. In summer, the islands are very hot, the weather is dry. Air temperature in the region +32, water +27. Crete, Rhodes - rains in summer are very rare. Some people prefer to relax on the islands in Greece in September and October, when tourists leave, prices gradually decrease, and the sea is still warm.

Tours and flights - how to get there

Regular flights to Greece operate as Russian airlines, and Greek - Ellinair, Aegean. If you prefer to organize your trip yourself, read:

Greece is one of the most popular European resorts among many Europeans, so during the season the cost of hotels and apartments increases significantly. For a beach holiday, we recommend using the offers of tour operators, it will be cheaper - in the summer a lot of charter flights are launched, for which tickets are not sold separately from the tours. And the cost of regular flights is unreasonably expensive.

Tours to Greece can be found for any wallet, the main thing is to buy in advance. Moreover, you still need to apply for a Schengen visa. But the Greeks are very loyal in visa matters and when buying a tour, a visa is issued quickly and easily.

The island of Crete

Crete is one of the largest European islands. When you start writing about Crete, you immediately remember the words of the famous Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, who wrote in one of his works that Crete is a state of mind.

Crete is an island with a huge number of wonderful beaches, most of them have a blue flag for cleanliness and are recognized as the best in Europe. Crete provides a huge selection natural areas for recreation: steppes, mountains and huge plateaus, caves, bays, beaches with colorful sand, forests and nature reserves.

From Crete, you can take a ferry to the famous island of Santorini for one day.

The culture and traditions of Crete are something special: unique color, traditional dances, national clothes, traditional dishes that are prepared only in Crete.

Crete, with its capital Heraklion, is such a multi-faceted island that, describing each part of it, one can talk endlessly.

The whole island of Crete consists of four prefectures: eastern - Lassithi with its regional center Agios Nikolaos, the central part of Crete - the region of Heraklion, Rethymno and the westernmost prefecture of Chania.

The area of ​​Lassithi is one of the most respectable parts of the island of Crete, because here is located, first of all, the town of Elounda. This town is located on the shore of the strait with great name Mirabella. Everything that has the prefix "Elunda" in the name of hotels or in their description is not just a VIP vacation, but something more. It is always deluxe, respectability, Greek Nice.

Last minute tours to Crete

The administrative center of Lassithi is a wonderful and very colorful town, around which there are coastal restaurants and cafes. The price tags for the services provided in these villages will be higher than in the rest of Crete.

Also in this region is the picturesque plateau of Lassithi, which is a wonderful natural reserve.

Car rental in Crete

It is convenient to travel around the island by car. You can rent a car from one of the local companies. All you need to rent is a driver's license (your national driving license will do), a passport and a credit card. Movement around the island is comfortable and not dangerous. The views from all sides are simply amazing.

The car must be booked in advance, as there may not be free cars during the season. For rent, we recommend a broker that has been repeatedly verified by our editors or.

Heraklion region is the visiting card of Crete, which is considered the second capital of Greece. Heraklion is a rich excursion program, a huge selection of hotels, wonderful beaches and great shopping.

All tour operators for the summer offer charter flights to the island of Crete, not only to Heraklion airport, but also to Chania airport. This is the westernmost region of the island.

But even if you arrive at Heraklion airport, getting to hotels in Chania is not difficult, especially if you rent a car.

What does a tourist get by choosing accommodation in the Chania region?

1. Chania is the greenest part of Crete. This is especially felt when driving along the road, for example, from Rethymnon, literally around the corner you feel that you are on a completely different island.

2. Very a large number of hotels for every taste and budget, from deluxe to economy class hotels, at the same time of a fairly high level.

3. The most famous natural beauty Crete is located in the western part of the island - Gramvousa, Elafonisi, the villages of Argeropoli and a number of others.

4. The city of Chania itself is amazing in its beauty. Many write that this is the most beautiful city Crete. Chania is often called the Greek Venice. There is even an old Venetian lighthouse from the 16th century.

5. The Chania region is chosen by the majority of tourists from Western countries for recreation.

TOP 5 most popular hotels in the Chania region

• Odosoneiron is an apart-hotel with very cozy and beautiful rooms in Greek modern style.
• Boutique Hotel Fortino is a hotel located in an old Venetian building.
• Creta Elena is an apartment complex with a swimming pool in the center of Chania, a 5-minute walk from a 4-storey supermarket and many cafes.
• Akali is a great hotel in the center of Chania, beautiful modern rooms.
• La Maison Ottomane is a guest house with luxury apartments.

Tours to the island of Crete

Comparison of prices from all tour operators - flights, transfers, accommodation.

Rhodes island

Love for Rhodes is serious and for a long time. Rhodes is an amazing, unrealistically beautiful, wonderful, magical island. Epithets can be selected for a very long time and they will still be few. If you write about the most important thing, then the island of Rhodes is the Greek record for the number of blue flags for the cleanest beaches. The water is crystal clear, the most beautiful sandy beaches with excellent infrastructure, this is all that the island of Rhodes is famous for.

The island of Rhodes is considered the fourth largest in Greece and differs from other islands in that it is washed by two seas. Aegean Sea from the western part and the Mediterranean is washed East Coast islands of Rhodes.

A feature of the island of Rhodes is the fact that you can observe the confluence of the two seas of the northern and southern parts of Rhodes. For those tourists who rest in the city of Rhodes, there is a unique opportunity to be on the beaches in the morning Aegean coast, and in the evening on the Mediterranean.

The Aegean coast, especially in the summer season, is more restless. Often there is a breeze, so during this period a lot of surfers go there and prefer active view recreation. The west coast is distinguished by the fact that it has mostly pebble beaches.

Also on west coast Rhodes has a smaller hotel base, and it is a little more democratic in terms of prices. There are two and three star hotels, as well as five star hotels. Here, all high-level hotels can be found cheaper than on the Mediterranean coast.

The Mediterranean coast is mostly sandy beaches and the sea is softer during the summer season. It is on this coast that tourists prefer to relax with children. Also on this coast is concentrated the bulk of the hotels of the island of Rhodes.

TOP 5 most popular All Inclusive hotels in Rhodes

Car rental in Rhodes

Renting a car on the island is the best opportunity to get to know the life and sights of Rhodes on your own, to visit all the beaches. We recommend a local broker for Greece and Rhodes or.

Attractions of Rhodes

Except unreal beautiful nature, the island of Rhodes is also ancient history and great opportunities for excursions and educational tourism.

A short tour of the sights and what you can see and take with you a piece of the island of Rhodes.

First of all, this is historical Rhodes, its beginning is Old city Rhodes, a beautiful and green place. The main attraction is the Rhodes fortress, by the standards of the time when it was built, the highest and not criminal. In that historical place you can stay for a very long time, walk along small inner squares paved with small cobblestones.

On the street of the knights, you should definitely go to the palace of the Grand Master and see how beautifully decorated this palace is: mosaics, cobbled walls, impressions and atmosphere take tourists to the era from which the history of the island of Rhodes began. We also recommend visiting the old town of Lindos: Acropolis - ancient necropolis, authentic narrow streets, churches.

Tours to the island of Rhodes

Specify the dates and city of departure, the system will immediately show the cost of tours to Rhodes from all tour operators. The price includes flights, transfers and accommodation.

Peninsula Halkidiki

Halkidiki is the pearl of Greece. clean beaches- almost all have a Blue Flag for cleanliness, many trees, small bays and beaches with a large number of tourists, modern hotels and hotels - all this is the resort of Halkidiki.

In addition, this is a corner of paradise, ecologically clean, where millions of tourists come every year. The island has a subtropical climate, the temperature rises to a maximum of 35 degrees, but such high temperatures are easily tolerated due to the dryness of the climate. The sea is without waves for most of the year, the water temperature reaches 25 degrees. These features are due to the fact that the mountains protect this area from the penetration of cold winds. The season runs from May to October.

Resorts

The largest island city is Nea Moudania. It has all the infrastructure necessary for recreation - clinics, theaters, banks, a port, many shops. There are two beaches behind the port.

Kasandra — popular resort and the largest city on the island. It is washed by the waters of the Thermal Gulf and the Gulf of Toroneos.

To the number luxury resorts applies city Sled. A whole village has been built for tourists, where first-class hotels, salons and shops, as well as bars, restaurants, beaches and the cleanest sea. Art festivals are held here in July and September.

The resort has paradise corners of nature Sithonia. Rest here is calm, which can be spent on beautiful beaches, in convenient bays.

Attractions

The peninsula of Chalkidiki will be of interest not only to those who want to relax on one of the beaches, but also to those who are interested in history.

Holidays on the Halkidiki peninsula open up a lot of interesting opportunities for excursions. 100% you can't do without.

1. Petralone- a cave where there are many stalagmites and scientists have found the oldest human skeleton in Europe.
2. Not far from the capital city there is a settlement Nea Potidea, which is called the gate of this territory. Placed on the site of the settlement of ancient people. First mentioned in the 1st century BC. Near hotels and beaches. There is also a canal that connects Toroneos and Thermal bays.
3. There are many very pretty towns and villages on the peninsula. So, for example, various festivals are often held in Kassandra, Siviri, Hanioti. If you wish to visit thermal springs, then you have to go to Loutre.
4. It is a must to go for 1 day in Thessaloniki. The remains of Byzantine settlements have been preserved in the old city. One of the attractions is White Tower which is located near the sea. The color of the building, despite the name, is sandy. There is a museum dedicated to the history of Byzantium and an observation deck.
5. Meteora- amazing place. Very ancient monasteries are located on the rocks. Located near the city of Kalambaka.

Greece is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Russian tourists, while it is a truly amazing country with magnificent sandy beaches, unique architectural monuments(after all, the cradle of civilization) and most importantly - surprisingly kind and helpful people. The Greeks have a special relationship with us, tourists from Russia. A tourist from Russia for the Greeks is not only money, it is sacred. Choosing a holiday in Greece.

Perhaps this is historically due to religion, and maybe something else, but the fact remains. My wife and I have been vacationing in Greece for ten years already, we have traveled almost the entire country and gained some experience of vacation. For those who are going on vacation to Greece, I advise you to carefully read this article and maybe something will come in handy for you.

Almost every fifth Greek has a Russian wife, and the most common in Greece female names Katerina and Elena. Without delving into this topic, I will say one thing that when you come to Greece for the first time, you will immediately feel that you are sincerely welcome here and you will love this country forever.
For those who are going to Greece for the first time, the following criteria of rest are primarily important: to be warm, sandy beaches with a gentle entry into the sea, the presence of taverns and shops and the presence of a promenade, i.e. places for walking. There are such places in Greece and there are many of them.

Crete. Road in the mountains.

In one of the taverns. It's nice to spend an evening in such a stylized tavern.

Traveling around Greece by car, you can stop here at one of these numerous beaches and swim. It's almost a wild beach. The entry into the sea is gentle and in some places there are even sunbeds and umbrellas

In Greece, you can not only relax on the beach, but also make an amazing journey through time. No other country has so many ancient antique monuments of antiquity, familiar from childhood from history lessons. We all hear names like ancient olympia , Delphi, Mycenae, All this and much more, no less interesting, are the most visited tourist places. In any TA there will always be excursion tours in these cities and regions.
For those who are going to Greece for the first time, you need to know that a beach holiday in Greece is a different story. Beaches for every taste are at your service. If you remember the Bounty advertisement, this is just about Greek beaches. Secluded coves with clean sandy beaches, clear sea and stunning mountain scenery. From these beauties no one has remained indifferent. Along with this, one must understand that in Greece a completely different vacation, not the same as in Turkey or Egypt. I would say that they are fundamentally different. If in the mentioned countries you can get all the pleasure without leaving the hotel, then in Greece all the most interesting things are located just beyond its territory. In addition, in Greek hotels you will hardly find such cheerful and violent animation as, for example, in Turkey.

Sea of ​​Greece. Halkidiki.

Early morning on the beach of Zakynthos

Somewhere high in the mountains, you will stumble upon a winery of local residents and you will be offered to taste olive oil, wine and the olives themselves. Prices for these products in the mountains are lower than in shops of tourist places

Bay of Navagio. Zakynthos island

In one of the Greek taverns

Church of St. Dionysius

Inside the church

The swimming season (this is when all age categories can comfortably swim in the sea) in Greece begins in early June. By this time, the water in the sea is already warm enough. True, it is not the same everywhere. For example, in Halkidiki (northern part of Greece), the average temperature in June will be approximately + 20C, and in Crete (the most south island Greece) it will already be a couple of degrees higher, i.e. somewhere around + 23-24C. Of course, it's not necessary once in a while. Nevertheless, since mid-June, every day the water on the entire Greek coast is getting warmer and warmer, attracting masses of tourists. In this case, the air temperature can reach + 35C. If you are heat-loving plants, then in June you better go swimming on about. Crete, about Corfu, about or about. Kos. Only in Corfu the climate is more humid, in contrast to Crete. Although it is hot in Crete, it is dry and there is always a refreshing breeze.

The most comfortable time for swimming in northern Greece is from mid-June. However, for someone even at +19C water procedures gives pleasure. The swimming season in Greece continues until early to mid-October. At this time, the water temperature can be + 22-24C degrees, but the weather is already autumn. It starts to rain, in the evenings without a warm jacket it is already quite cool and the cold wind will not bring joy.
Vacation in Greece is not only a beach, it is also an amazing journey along the coast by car , then anywhere along the coast you will find cozy sandy beaches with clean water and gentle entry into the water. You can really swim wherever you like.

Cozy Greek beaches. The view is just amazing.

Crete is the most popular and holiday destination in Greece. However feature islands - the almost constant presence of waves. Crete is located on the high seas and the sea winds just make up the wave. With the exception of some individual coves, which are protected from the wind. These are places like Elounda or Bali.
Some inconveniences on Greek beaches when entering the sea in some places can be represented by a 2-3 meter stone slab, which stretches along the entire coast. In such cases, it is convenient to use rubber slippers, which can be purchased at any resort town. But, you can do without slippers. This plate becomes an obstacle only when the sea is very rough. AT quiet days when there are no waves on the sea, you will calmly cross it and be able to swim without paying attention to this natural obstacle.

This plate is visible in the photo.

Basically, all the beaches in Greece are sandy and with a gentle entrance. Water, as a rule, is pure and transparent. prickly sea ​​urchins, which many have probably heard of, are found only among rocks and stones. You should not swim in these places, because. a prick with a hedgehog needle will bring you a lot of inconvenience. In Greece, all the beaches belong to the state and you will not find fences and private territories anywhere. You can swim absolutely anywhere.
No less interesting is the island part of Greece. Holidays on the islands are conducive to a calm, measured rest in silence and in the midst of a picturesque area. On the islands you can go fishing, diving or spend unforgettable hours on a yacht. The most visited Greek islands are Aegina, Poros and Euboea. From Athens, from the port of Perea, they can be reached in a few hours by boat. And the famous pure Greek island with white houses, blue shutters and doors and windmills is calling card Greece. It's about the island.

Not a big port in a fishing village in Greece.

In order to relax in such a hotel on the shore, many are ready to sell their souls to the devil

Most beautiful beach in Greece. Myrtos beach in Kefalonia

The most picturesque and greenest place in Greece is the peninsula of Halkidiki, which consists of three small peninsulas, popularly called "fingers". In Halkidiki, the Greeks prefer to have their own dachas and country houses and go here on vacation for the weekend or after graduation. tourist season. The most picturesque peninsula in Halkidiki is Sithonia. There are many pine groves and forests, cozy bays and magnificent sandy beaches. There are practically no noisy and party places in Sithonia. Discos and crazy hotel parties are rare. By the way, the main difference between Greece and, for example, Turkey is just a more relaxed holiday without animation, focused more on creation than on fun. Of course, in Greece there are hotels similar to Turkish ones, but there are much fewer of them. In addition to the above, 3 *** hotels in Greece can sometimes be safely equated with 4 or 5 stars in Egypt or Turkey. Also, in my opinion, most Greek hotels are not so pretentious and fashionable. They are likely to be more relaxed. Simple and tasteful, kept in national traditions: white and blue.

Greek resort village.

It is very convenient to travel around Greece in a rented car. Unlike other European countries, it is much easier to rent a car in Greece, especially on the islands. You will not be required to have an IDP (international driving license) and will not block a certain amount on the card, as happens, for example, in France or Italy. How to rent a car in Greece read here. At the same time, Greece has excellent roads, fairly calm traffic and loyal police officers. Traveling by car in Greece will give you only one pleasure. Traffic jams sometimes occur at the end of the week, when locals flock to the "weekend" and major cities, for example, in Athens.
Everyone who first came to Greece just needs to get acquainted with local cuisine. I must say right away that seafood in Greece is expensive. It's hard to say why. But meat and vegetables are available in any tavern and are not so expensive. The most popular Greek dishes are moussaka (baked eggplant with minced lamb), saganaki - fried cheese, souvlaki (barbecue), fried octopus, Greek salad and much, much more. Local olives, unlike our Russian ones (which are sold in the store), are all salty, without concentrates and are very healthy. Don't miss your chance to nibble on pistachios. Greek pistachios are the most delicious. Also surprisingly delicious local "kozinaki". From drinks, you need to try the traditional "" (wine with a touch of resin), local grape vodka "raki", and anise vodka "ouzo". The latter, well, very much for an amateur, the taste is very specific. And, of course, the famous Greek cognac Metaxa. In Greece, the cuisine is so diverse that it is possible to list only the most common and popular dishes. For the rest, orient yourself on the spot. On average, to dine in Greece for one person will cost about 15-20 euros with wine or beer. By the way, many taverns have the so-called homemade wine. You just need to ask the waiter. In Greece, it is allowed to produce and sell your own homemade wine. There is a wonderful drink called "rakomelo". This is a local grape vodka infused with honey. Tourists bring olive oil, aromatic soap, cosmetics, all kinds of dishes and much more as souvenirs from Greece.

Greek wines.

Serpentine in Halkidiki for lovers of extreme motorists

Santorini

And this is Santorini

I know a lot of tourists who come to Greece on vacation, who try to book hotels with meals only breakfast or breakfast-dinner. They prefer to dine in local taverns. In terms of money, it comes out almost the same, but you will surely get a lot of pleasure, become a connoisseur of Greek cuisine and maybe get a little better. It's all natural and freshly prepared. And to get poisoned in Greece with not fresh products sounds like nonsense.
Recently, the tourism business in Greece is more and more focused on the Russian-speaking tourist. Many shops and taverns are already trying not to hire staff without knowledge of the Russian language. Entering the store, you will immediately be greeted in Russian. It remains a mystery to me how they define nationality. And since 2011, the Greek embassy has been issuing our tourists a multi-visa for six months and a year, which has never happened before.
If you are interested in getting acquainted with ancient Greek history when visiting Greece, then it is better to settle somewhere on the mainland, more precisely on the Peloponnese. From here to all the main Greek attractions are very close in any direction. You can order excursions, or you can travel on your own in a rented car or public transport.
How do you choose anyway? suitable hotel and how to understand its stardom? We do it this way. To begin with, we define priorities for ourselves, what is more important to us, the beach or the “excursion”, or both. If we go in the summer, then in the first place, of course, there will be a beach. If the off-season, then we are looking for such a new place, from where it is most convenient to travel. Those. availability near stops public transport and, in fact, the sights themselves. When choosing a hotel with a preference for a beach holiday, we try to have it located near a small locality so that in the evenings you can go for a walk, drink a cup of coffee or go shopping. In the city itself, we try not to stop, as well as on the outskirts or on the edge of civilization. By interactive map(mostly Google Planet) we look at what kind of terrain prevails in the selected area, rocky, flat, open sea or bays. All this can be seen on an interactive map. Then we choose a hotel. Pay attention to paid or free air conditioners in the rooms, paid or not umbrellas and sunbeds near the pool. We never use sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach, we always take an umbrella with us, and instead of sunbeds we buy straw bedding. This is convenient because when traveling by car, we can get comfortable in any place we like. Then we clarify whether drinks are paid at dinner if we take a hotel without all-inclusive. If you are going to rent a car, you need to check the availability of free parking near the hotel. Well, of course, we read hotel reviews. If more than half are positive, then we believe that the hotel suits us.
In Greece, at the beginning of summer, especially on the islands, mosquitoes can bite you. Therefore, it is better to take fumitox with you or buy an anti-mosquito ointment at the pharmacy on the spot. Such drugs in Greece are of better quality than our domestic ones and are made from natural products, not chemical ones.

Have a good rest! I will gladly answer your questions.

Do you want to spend holidays in Greece in 2017? I want to, and therefore I carefully approached the planning, and at the same time decided to tell you exactly how to plan a vacation in Greece, what nuances should be taken into account, how best to choose the time and place for a vacation, so as not to regret your choice even once.

Once Greece was a stronghold of culture and even spirituality, which acted as a kind of base for the formation of the culture of all of Europe. Now it's good and cheap. resort area, which attracts vacationers with children from all over the world.

Tourists in Greece enjoy the wonderful climate, the abundance of cultural and historical monuments, as well as a well-developed infrastructure focused on travelers. Why holidays with children in Greece are a good solution:

• very mild climate - there is a fairly low level of humidity, it is rarely stuffy, and the island is simply immersed in greenery;
• stunning natural landscapes set you in a sublime mood, and stunning beaches and a delightful sea introduce you to an atmosphere of relaxation and fun;
• the local population itself is very friendly and hospitable, which makes the rest just fabulous;
• there is practically no crime in Greece;
• unlike Turkey, so beloved by tourists, childhood infectious diseases are rare here - it is really safe to relax with a child;
• like many popular tourist countries, there are a lot of Russian-speaking employees here - there is no feeling of a language barrier and helplessness;
• many hotels offer special conditions for families with children - for example, a special menu;
• the cost of rest is quite affordable for most families, and many hotels do not require payment for children (almost all hotels do not charge for children under 12 years old, many do not require payment for children under 14-18 years old);
• a large amount of excursion material - Greece is simply full of historical places that are associated with myths, world history and literature;
• many hotels provide special conditions for children's recreation - at the hotel, a family with a baby will be offered a special crib and high chair, they will provide a stroller for walking, and they will also provide children with the attention of animators;
• Almost all hotels are equipped for families with children.

The main thing to do is to choose the right resorts or islands of Greece for recreation, which can meet any wishes of parents with a small child.

By the way, it should be said separately about the "adult" rest - it is clear that any parent wants to provide the baby with the maximum comfortable rest, but the Greeks do not forget about their parents - a large number of excursions, good water parks, beaches and swimming pools, as well as bars and discos for everyone who wants to take a break from parenthood will open their doors to every vacationer.

Choose a place

Where is the best place to stay in Greece? In fact, you can relax here almost anywhere - it will still be of high quality, sunny, fun and tasty, but, of course, different resorts have their own differences. So, the resorts of Greece can be divided into mainland and island. If you want to relax on the mainland, then welcome to Chalkidiki or the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

If you are thinking about where to relax in Greece and see something resembling a trident on the map, this is Halkidiki.

Each "prong" is a peninsula, Kassandra, Athos and Sithonia. Washes the peninsula of the Aegean Sea. Most often, a trip to Greece on the mainland means trips to Halkidiki. There is not too deep sea, beaches with pure white sand and a large number of attractions. Kassandra resort will appeal to those who would like to combine family vacations with an active nightlife.

Sithonia - a green peninsula, where there are not so many people and it is quite quiet. Here you can find a peaceful retreat, a lazy beach holiday, as well as many pine forests and olive groves.

Here, time flows in a completely different way, and you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest, even if it lasts a little more than a week.

Athos - a place popular in the religious world. Specific, to be exact. The fact is that Saint Athos is located here - this is a monastic city in which about 20 active monasteries different confessions. It's hard to get there.

In the central part of Halkidiki there is a town Neaya Kallikratia - small hotels nice beach from a mixture of sand and pebbles, as well as a large number of shops and clubs.

Another peninsula called Peloponnese more suitable for families with children of middle school age - they will be interested to get acquainted with ancient sights.

There is also a resort on the mainland called Pieria - it stretches along the foot of the Olimka. There are more cultural events and activities here, as well as unique nature(most of the territory is under state protection).

island resorts

Among the islands, the most popular Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini.

Crete boasts diversity excursion program, there are several resort regions, which are significantly different from each other. It makes sense to choose according to the hotel - good hotel for holidays with small children will make your vacation simply unforgettable.

Many are also attracted by the islands of Corfu, Zakynthos and Rhodes. The Ionian Sea will allow you to get acquainted with marine life, and it is also worth considering that there is a rather rich club life here.

However, Rhodes in its eastern part is quite calm - here you can enjoy a leisurely vacation on the beaches with the cleanest sea ​​sand, visit an amusement park with children or visit a huge Aquarium. Rhodes also boasts the Valley of the Butterflies.

How to decide where to go:

• choose the main indicators for yourself - in my case, this is the possibility of fast sea travel and an average pricing policy;
• weed out those resorts in Greece that are not suitable;
• to choose one of the remaining ones for rest, look at the photos and compare the reviews.

So you can understand which island of Greece is right for you, as well as where to go on vacation in Greece to the mainland resort.

If you are planning to get to Greece and Thessaloniki on your own for a vacation, then the airport is located there.

Make your own list of preferences and you will understand where in Greece you will like it the most.

Choose the time

You also need to think about when it is better to relax in Greece. In Greece, the holiday season never ends, however, in the tourism business there is the concept of a high season - from May to October, and it is quite difficult to find an inexpensive tour at this time.

To travel to Greece and not go broke, consider two ways to save money:

• early booking (if you have a vacation planned with hard dates, it is better to start planning a few months in advance);
• last-minute trips (suitable for the category of tourists who are not tied to dates and may well get ready for a vacation in a couple of days).

in winter

In January and February, all kinds of carnivals are held here - various entertainments, costumed masquerades and general fun are guaranteed. During this period, many vacationers come to Greece. In winter it makes sense to go to mountain resorts. And many girls go to Greece in winter for shopping in January - the season of big discounts attracts all fashionistas.

March-April

A great time for an exploration trip. Everything is blooming, the sun is not hot and gentle, it is not hot yet and it is already warm. By the way, vacationers who go to Crete and Rhodes bathe in April.

May and June

Great time for a beach holiday. The ambient air is warmed up to about +30, and the water in the sea is up to +24.

July and August

Traveling with small children, and even more so with babies, should not be planned for this time - these are the hottest months. At this time, a sailing regatta takes place, and if you're lucky, you can get to the wine festival.

September October

The velvet season starts in September and continues throughout October. There are few tourists, but it is still warm, and the water is at a pleasant temperature in the sea, but thanks to the fresh winds, solar activity is much easier to tolerate. At the end of October, the beach season closes.

November December

Holidays in November and December can be wellness or ski. There are healing springs on small islands around the island of Santorini, almost all hotels have spas and saunas, and you can also take a walk at the autumn fairs with pleasure.

Visas

So, you have found out when it is better to relax in Greece, how and where to relax on the mainland and islands, and now we will find out how to get a visa for a holiday in Greece with children and whether it is possible to get to Greece without a visa.

In fact, in the summer, you can really get to Greece for a couple of weeks literally without a visa - when traveling by plane or arriving by ferry (for example, from Turkey), polite customs officers will issue a visa right on the spot.

The cost of such a visa last year was about 30 euros, duration - up to 15 days. However, if you are traveling to Greece with children, it is better not to take risks and apply for a visa in advance.

The procedure for obtaining a visa is normal - you need to send everything Required documents and on the appointed day to come to the embassy. If you plan to travel on a tour package, then the representative of the travel company usually handles the registration.

Please note that according to the new rules, when traveling with a child (when only one of the parents is traveling), written permission will be required. And if both parents travel with the child, but the surnames are different, you will need to provide a marriage certificate.

Nuances

If you are planning a beach holiday in Greece, then by all means take care of protecting your child from sunburn.

Do you want to organize independent rest at sea in Greece? Look for accommodation in advance, because most of the villas that are suitable for family vacation(especially if a child is going to rest) is booked by travel agencies.

Good camping is a great alternative beach holiday, especially since there is a whole network of excellent campsites in Greece, which is organized by the Hellenic Tourism Organization.

Can't decide where to go? Choose places where the beach is marked blue flag for the cleanest shores and waters.

Want to find a cheap mainland vacation in Greece in the summer? Pay attention to all kinds of festivals - most often they offer inexpensive accommodation and an interesting cultural program.

Of course, each vacationer is free to choose a place to relax to his taste and spend it the way he likes, but, in my opinion, in the situation with Greece, everything happens differently - you choose a country, and it opens its arms towards you and offers many options for relax.