STUDY TOURS TO GREECE 2012

As you will have probably gathered from the news the Greeks are striking regularly about the austerity measures need to save the country from  bankruptcy. In general this means that Museums/sites etc are unlikely to be open later than 3.00 and that strikes may take place at short notice. Ask at your hotel/accommodation about the latest news. Stay clear of demonstrations (particularly frequent in Syntagma Square in front of the Parliament building). The Greek police use tear gas all too readily. Be sensible, work out fall-back plans and you will have a great time: Ken Wardle 31 01 12

Orthodox Easter falls on 15th April 2012 - travel and accomodation are likely to be expensive over that period. You will probably do better to go to Greece before that but - 

Remember if you are in Greece over Orthodox Easter that many places will be closed: on Good Friday nothing opens until 12.00 and many museums do not open at all. Do go to the epitaphio procession around 18.00 Friday at your local church and join the excitement there at 23.30 Saturday for the announcement of the Resurrection. Mind your hair (especially if sprayed) in the presence of hundred of lighted candles. Fireworks are common on this occasion but fortunately not the gun-shots of earlier enthusiasm.

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EMERGENCY NUMBERS

In Athens:     SOS doctors 1016 - should be covered by the insurance - make sure you get a receipt and statement. Emergency hospitals listing 106.

British Embassy switchboard: (0030) 210 7272 600 After hours emergency phone line: (0030) 210 7237 727
Please note that this number should only be used in cases of real emergency which cannot wait to be dealt with during regular working hours the following day!

Emergency contact with IAA: Weekdays 11.00-18.00 Greek time 00441214145497. Out of hours call University Switchboard 00301214143344 or 00301214144444

Introductory

Travel in Greece is as safe as any part of Western Europe if you are sensible and avoid going out late alone. Greece probably safer than UK but same basic rules apply. Girls should not be alone in unfrequented streets, NO ONE in the area around Omonia after nightfall. This district is rough in the late evening (drug addicts etc). In general street life goes on much later in Greece than UK. Pickpockets, sadly are more common than formerly: beware on crowded trams, buses, the metro (I've lost cash) and around Monastiraki.

On the whole people are friendly (sometimes too friendly....!) and many - especially those your own age - speak some English or can rapidly find someone who does. Learn the alphabet before you go – though most signs and many menus are bi-lingual. The smallest effort to say please (parakalO), thank you (efharistO) good day (kalimEra) or good bye (adEIo) will be much appreciated.  Other useful words – kalinIchta (good night), pOso kAnei (how much), milAI kanIs anglikA (does any one speak English), nE (yes), Ochi (no).

You may be on tour but try and avoid the tourist scene - prices are always higher. The use of date rape drugs is beginning to be reported in the Greek press - DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DRINKS UNATTENDED and don't have too much!

BEHAVIOUR

You are our student ambassadors in Greece – last spring I met some American tourists who were much impressed by a group they had met on study tour, a group who had obviously prepared themselves well and were taking their research seriously. We don’t want to hear of the reverse in the papers or on the news! Brits have a bad reputation in Greece for loud behaviour and excessive consumption of alcohol. Not you please – and certainly no substance abuse. The police can be very hard on offenders and there are much better things to do with your lives than researching Greek penal establishments.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS EMAIL ME AT K.A.WARDLE@BHAM.AC.UK - AND I WILL POST THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (IF I HAVE THEM) ON A FAQ PAGE.

KAW updated 31 01 12

KEY DATES

END OF TERM                                             23 03 2012

WESTERN EASTER                                     08 04 2012

ORTHODOX EASTER HOLIDAY             13-16 04 2012  (almost everything shut)

START OF TERM                                         23 04 2012

GREECE IS TWO HOURS AHEAD BUT MAKE SURE YOU GET UP EARLY.

FLIGHTS TO ATHENS

Easyjet from Gatwick (they seem to have stopped flying from Luton), Aegeanair from Heathrow look like the cheapest – but check out Swiss from Birmingham changing in Zurich – by the time you have added on the time, cost and hassle of getting to distant airports the total may be the same. Lufthansa, AirFrance and KLM sometimes have similar deals. Try Expedia  (http://www.expedia.co.uk/flights/flights.aspx) for ideas but check out the provider company too - the so-called cheap flight may actually be a little more expensive. 

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