Greece Travel Secrets Blog

Travel Restrictions Keep Celestyal from Cruising Until July 30

Celestyal Cruises, which sails to the Greek islands and the Mediterranean, recently announced that it is further extending the suspension of its operations until July 30.

The cruise line said it took the decision due to the ongoing travel restrictions and temporary port closures, taken due to the coronavirus pandemic, within the region in which it operates.

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AEGEAN Restarts Flights from Thessaloniki to 6 Int’l Destinations as of June 15

AEGEAN Airlines on Wednesday announced that it will be restarting direct operations to/from Thessaloniki with six European destinations as of June 15.

The Greek company’s announcement follows the gradual ease of Covid-19 travel restrictions for international flights to and from Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia”, recently announced by the Greek government.

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Greece Still Attractive Tourist Destination Despite Covid-19

Potential travelers appear to be eager to visit Greece in the next three months despite the Covid-19 crisis, according to a study on attitudes and intentions regarding international leisure trips jointly carried out by Athens-based tourism marketing company Mindhaus and Pollfish research.

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Greece in Discussions with Egypt to Resume Tourist Flows

Greece and Egypt on Tuesday discussed laying the ground for gradual resumption of flights between the two countries in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis, during a telephone conversation, agreed with his Egyptian counterpart Dr Khaled Ahmed El-Enany to specialize the measures according to which flights between Greece and Egypt could restart.

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EASA Updates List of Airports in Covid-19 High Risk Areas

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Wednesday updated the list of airports located in affected areas with high risk of transmission of the Covid-19 infection.

EASA determined that a list of airports located in affected areas should be established and maintained to support aircraft and aerodrome operators to put in place an extra layer of protection for the passengers and crew members (namely enhanced cleaning and disinfection), rather than suggesting that all airports worldwide are high risk areas.

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Study: Greeks Not Keen on Eating Out after Covid-19

The coronavirus (Covid-19) scare is making Greeks reluctant to travel and to eat out, according to the latest study released this week by the Research Institute of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA).

More specifically, less than half of all Greeks (40 percent) are planning on taking a holiday this year, while 50 percent said they will steer clear of tavernas and restaurants.

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Covid-19: List of Nationalities Allowed Entry in Greece for Summer 2020 Coming Soon

A list of countries from which visitors will be able to arrive and holiday in Greece as of June 15 is expected to be announced by the end of May, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis recently said.

As initially announced when the government’s “Restart Tourism” plan was presented, Greece will release a list of a number of select countries from which air arrivals will be allowed during the post-Covid-19 period. The countries will be selected by Greek health authorities, based on their epidemiological Covid-19 profile.

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Ryanair: Athens is Open to Holidaymakers from June 15 – Video

Irish low cost carrier Ryanair on Tuesday posted a video about Athens on Twitter, promoting the Greek capital as an ideal destination this summer.

The carrier gives its followers “a glimpse of the ancient wonders” and says “Athens is open to holidaymakers from June 15“.

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Yachting in Greece Restarts post-Covid-19

Private yachts and boats, catering up to 12 passengers, as of May 25 are allowed to set sail in Greece, according to a government decision announced as the coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions ease.

Τhe government decision allows private yachts and boats to sail to and from the islands, with no restrictions on staying overnight or arriving during late hours, provided they carry up to 12 passengers, maintaining a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between each other. The easing of restrictions on yachting was also announced last week by Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis when he presented the country’s ‘Restart Tourism’ plan.

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Thessaloniki Airport, Northern Greece Land Borders Open for Tourists from June 15

International flights to Greece will be able to land at Thessaloniki Airport, in Northern Greece, as of June 15 instead if July 1 as originally planned, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday.

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Greece Summer 2020 Opens with Outdoor Cultural Events

The Greek Culture Ministry said on Monday that it would be launching on July 18, a new program of cultural events to be held in open spaces, including archaeological sites and museum yards, in order to allow for social distancing in coronavirus (Covid-19) times.

The cultural events will be free of charge with fees charged only for admission to the sites.

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Where to Eat in Athens and Piraeus

If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.

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Three New Athens Metro Stations to Open Soon

Three new Athens metro stations – at Agia Varvara, Korydallos and Nikaia – along the Piraeus-bound blue line are set to open in July, said Greek Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis on Thursday.

Karamanlis visited the Agia Varvara site to oversee construction along the line, currently being extended to the port of Piraeus. Once completed, the line will include six new stations in total: Agia Varvara, Korydallos, Nikaia, Maniatika, Piraeus and Dimotiko Theatro (Municipal Theater).

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Athens Closed Off to Cars for Three Months

A large part of the center of Athens will be closed off to cars after Greek authorities decided to restrict traffic in efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

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Greece to Accept International Flights Only at Athens Airport Until June 30

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Saturday extended a notice to airmen (NOTAM) that permits all international flights to Greece to land only at Athens International Airport (AIA), as part of the country’s preventive measures against Covid-19.

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Covid-19: Guidelines Passengers Should Follow at Athens Airport

Athens International Airport (AIA) has released safety guidelines for passengers travelling through its premises, to prevent the Covid-19 spread.

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Greek Health Protocols for Travel Agencies Offering Transfer Services – Rules for Car Rental

The Greek Tourism Ministry has released the health protocols that are to be followed by all tourism companies and travel agencies in Greece offering road transport services (tour buses with open or closed top) in order for their safe operation in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Greek Hotels: Health Protocols for post-Covid-19 Restart Officially Announced

The Greek Tourism Ministry has released the health protocols that are to be applied in all of the hotels in the country for their safe reopening and operation in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recommended dates for the reopening of hotels in Greece (which have been closed since the country first went into lockdown):

June 1: Reopening of year-round hotelsJune 15: reopening of all other tourist accommodation establishments (seasonal hotels and resorts)

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Southern Corfu

Southern Corfu has busy beach resorts like Benitses, historical buildings like the Achilleion Palace and Gardiki Castle, and wildlife at the Korision Lagoon.

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Reggae tunes with Markos from home!

Markos from Locomondo guides us to a music journey inspired by Greece!

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