Greece - Travel Advice

ertai999

Hello!

I am looking to go on holiday to Greece - Corfu in September, but am a bit concerned about all the money problems they seem to have at the moment!

Does anyone know how "safe" it would be to be there if they go bankrupt etc - would prices go ridiculously high?

Was looking to book the holiday this week and want to try and understand the risk before booking.

Thanks in advance!

Nobjocki

ertai999 wrote: »

Hello!

I am looking to go on holiday to Greece - Corfu in September, but am a bit concerned about all the money problems they seem to have at the moment!

Does anyone know how "safe" it would be to be there if they go bankrupt etc - would prices go ridiculously high?

Was looking to book the holiday this week and want to try and understand the risk before booking.

Thanks in advance!

You're completely safe.
The EU has just handed over another shedload of cash to Greece after the Government won a no-confidence vote for its austerity reforms.
This will be a short-term solution to a long-term problem which will eventually see the Greeks default and drop out of the euro which will signal the end of the entire eurzone project.
But it's not going to happen this summer.
And even if it did and the Greeks returned to the drachma it would instantly be devalued so you'd be getting more for your pound anyway.
Simples.
Trust me.

sillygoose

Nobjocki wrote: »

You're completely safe.
The EU has just handed over another shedload of cash to Greece after the Government won a no-confidence vote for its austerity reforms.
This will be a short-term solution to a long-term problem which will eventually see the Greeks default and drop out of the euro which will signal the end of the entire eurzone project.
But it's not going to happen this summer.
And even if it did and the Greeks returned to the drachma it would instantly be devalued so you'd be getting more for your pound anyway.
Simples.
Trust me.

I hope so! I am in almost the same boat as the op - Corfu in September, except I booked and paid for my holiday long ago!

Worst fear is something like mass public service or air-traffic controller strikes. Tried to cover the bases - paid by credit card (cashback of course) and took out a decent insurance policy as soon as I booked. Hopefully the Greeks realise that one thing they desperately need this summer is to bring as much cash into the country as possible and look after their tourism.

Nobjocki

sillygoose wrote: »

I hope so! I am in almost the same boat as the op - Corfu in September, except I booked and paid for my holiday long ago!

Worst fear is something like mass public service or air-traffic controller strikes. Tried to cover the bases - paid by credit card (cashback of course) and took out a decent insurance policy as soon as I booked. Hopefully the Greeks realise that one thing they desperately need this summer is to bring as much cash into the country as possible and look after their tourism.

They do.
Air traffic controllers have decided not to take part in any general strike this summer precisely because it is the peak tourist season.
And many of the protests you see on the news really don't affect the islands - they know June,July and August are the months when they earn their best money and the thing about the Greeks is that whilst they're profligate with other people's money they look after their own .

wallbash

My brother got back from one of the islands last week , We know its not school hols/high season , but the numbers on hols were very small . In his apartment block of 25 rooms ONLY 3 were being used

Hugbubble

Nobjocki wrote: »

They do.
Air traffic controllers have decided not to take part in any general strike this summer precisely because it is the peak tourist season.

Really??? Because they have announced they are striking tomorrow & Wednesday as part of the latest general strike. Granted not for the full 48 hours, and they could pull out of it (as happened a couple of weeks ago) but I wouldn't make that sort of statement without some evidence to back it up

NAR

I think it will depend on the extent of the austerity measures that the government pass through parliament and how the people react to them. I am not saying what Nobjocki says may not be correct , but the people might revolt and, in extreme circumstances, Greece might leave Euro and go back to Drachma. Unlikely that will all happen in 3 months though.
I'm just back from Rhodes, which had plenty of tourists.

Nobjocki

Hugbubble wrote: »

Really??? Because they have announced they are striking tomorrow & Wednesday as part of the latest general strike. Granted not for the full 48 hours, and they could pull out of it (as happened a couple of weeks ago) but I wouldn't make that sort of statement without some evidence to back it up

A small number of flights to Athens are affected but flights to the islands remain unaffected.

This is Greece, after all, and the unions are well-used to playing a game of political poker with their governments.

Anyone who has spent any length of time in Greece will know the vital summer holiday trade will not be affected.

Hugbubble

Nobjocki wrote: »

A small number of flights to Athens are affected but flights to the islands remain unaffected.

As far as I understood, if the strike goes ahead all flights which fall into the periods which they are striking will be affected.

Please could you send a link or tell me where you got your information? I'm flying to Skiathos on Wednesday and all the evidence I've seen contradicts you, but I would absolutely love to be proven wrong...

ManAtHome

Good site for transport problems - usually in front of the mainstream news (I've hit the Greece link, but covers most countries) http://www.easytravelreport.com/#anchor_1416

ertai999

thanks for all the advice so far