greece

Krista Stryker from Students in Europe tells us what to look for and where to stay in Greece With all of the economic turmoil surrounding Greece in recent months, it may not the country on the top of your travel list right now. But Greece has long been a top travel destination for Americans and Europeans alike for good reason, and just because recent political and economic events have made the news on a daily basis doesn't mean you should count it out of your travel plans this summer. With all its history and beauty, Greece is a place that you should probably try and visit in your lifetime. Whether you decide to check out Athens for its Greek ruins, or prefer island life, there's something for everybody in Greece. Before you go, beware that Greece travel has never been considered the cheapest of destinations and if you don't watch where your dollar goes you'll quickly find yourself over your budget. Late spring through the fall is the top tourist season in Greece, and you'll pay more because of it. But with a little research, smart planning and a little frugality, you'll have a great trip without breaking the bank. To Do: The main thing to consider before you travel to Greece is where you want to go. Athens is where most of the history is at, but also where you're more likely to encounter riots and travel disruptions (when I was there last year the metro was shut down and buses and taxis weren't going to the airport). If you decide to go, make sure to get a good guide book (try Rough Guide to Greece, Let's Go: Greece, Lonely Planet or the Thomas Cook Guide to Greek Island Hopping for some tips), and pay a little more to stay in a safe part of the city. If you choose to take the island route instead, or have a chance to visit Athens as well as an island or two, you have a lot of choices. The most popular and easiest to get to (and therefore most expensive and touristy) are Santorini, Samos, Lipsi, and Paros. Santorini is famous for its sunsets and beach scene, and is where I ended up on my Greek holiday. One of the most diverse islands, the town of Perissa has some of the best beaches and Oia has what many consider to be the best sunsets in the world (they are pretty amazing, I have to admit). Samos is known for its greenery, pebble beaches, and the Temple of Hera, of which only one of 134 columns still remains. Lipsi is one of the more remote Greek islands, and is the best place to go to get away from it all while still not spending a bundle. There's nothing much to do there except swim, eat and relax. Beware - there are no ATMs on the entire island! Paros is a popular island situated in the central Cyclades of Greece. It's easy to get there because of its port town status, has excellent beaches and is known for its good night life, especially during the high season. If you do take the island route, keep in mind you have two options to get there - by plane, or by overnight ferry. The ferry is cheaper for a second class ticket, but will take about 12 hours to get there. To eat: If you're a fish or seafood lover, you'll be right at home in Greece. Octopus, calamari, lobster, shrimp, mussels, and much more are fresh and abundant. The Greek also love their meat, and my carnivorous friend ate plenty ofbrizoles (steak) and gyros (grilled meat and veggies in a pita). As a vegetarian I found it slightly harder to eat there, but had tons of wonderful Greek salads as well as toasted pitas with tzatziki sauce (a creamy dip with yogurt, cucumber and garlic). Other things to try while you're there are Spanakopita (spinach pie) and Tyropita (cheese pie). For a reasonable restaurant on the island of Santorini, try Lotza Restaurant (has a great view) or Petros Taverna, which is known for its seafood and makes its own wines. And you can't leave Greece without trying Ouzu, a licorice-flavored liquor drunk by nearly everyone. It's cheap, strong, and tastes better after you've had a few shots. To buy: Jewelry, especially silver, can be found all over Greece and sometimes for good prices. Look for new and vintage pieces at markets and smaller shops and you may find something unusual. Olive oil soaps are also something of a specialty in Greece, and many tourists bring cases back if they have the room. And of course, bring as many bottles of Ouzu home for your friends as you can carry. For the most part, though, things like homemade baklava, Greek wine and Greek pistachios can be found in specialty Greek shops in the U.S. and around the world, and aren't worth the trouble to bring back unless you have a lot of extra space. To stay: In Athens, youth hostel AthenStyle is known for its great location (very important for this big city) near the Acropolis. Includes free breakfast, security lockers and wifi access in lobby. Air conditioning is also a plus. AthenStyle Hostel, Agias Theklas N 10 Monastiraki, 10554 Athens. In Oia, the Youth Hostel Oia is a good choice for students. Its clean and spacious, and includes breakfast on the rooftop/terrace bar (I stayed here on my visit). Youth Hostel Oia, E. Karvounis GR-84702. Oia, Santorini. On the island of Samos, Hotel Samos may not be the most comfortable of places (think lumpy beds and thin walls), but it has an unbeatable location It also has a rooftop restaurant, a pool and breakfast is included. Hotel Samos, 11 The. Sofouli Str., P.C. 83100, Samos.