The blog for you to GETAWAY FROM YOUR EVERYDAY!!!!!
We’ll feature up to 3 destinations every two weeks. If you don’t want to do a package deal then have no fear because we can do most independently for you or what used to be call an ON YOUR OWN package.
|
|
|
|
Just take a look at all these specials that are indded steals and deals |
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
================================================================================================
Olympics Anyone?
Let’s check out a place where ancient athletes started a world wide tradition….
Greece
The Olympic Games began in Ancient Greece, along with democracy and the fundamentals of philosophy, science and mathematics. Indeed, Greek civilization is renowned for developing many of the West's cultural building blocks. Modern Greece is better known as a great holiday destination, rather than a centre of learning and culture. Today, the country attracts visitors by the thousands. By and large, they come for the country's simple pleasures of delicious food, wine, beautiful beaches, sunshine and quaint villages. In particular, beach lovers relish the seemingly endless lacework of coastline, and small islands stocked with scenic surprises and ancient sites.
The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on its ever-popular islands, which cling to their traditional ways despite the influx of tourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, weather-beaten fishermen sit in the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or backgammon. The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides has been retained.
The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, Athens' historic harbor. Many of the larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens or seasonally with major European cities. On the mainland, the capital, Athens, is sprawling, overcrowded and polluted. Nevertheless, it enthralls visitors. Thessaloniki in the north is vibrant and modern, with a Byzantine flavour. Athens is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon, but the remains of other Classical Greek wonders are found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula.
All in all, Greece warms visitors with its sun and hospitality.
Key Facts
Language: Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.
Currency: The official currency is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts and 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use, including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.
Travel to Greece
Overview
Greece is easily one of the world's best destinations. From historic sightseeing to glorious beaches, visitors truly are in for a treat. Most visitors begin their trip in Athens, where Classical Greece colors the modern capital through famous structures like the Parthenon and the Acropolis. Visitors will also find many wonderful museums. Syntagma Square is the city's social, political and commercial hub.
From Athens, most tourists venture out to the islands. Mountainous Crete is the most popular and features sparkling beaches, spectacular green outcroppings, ancient Minoan sites, and the famous Samaria Gorge Trail.
Other popular island destinations include Corfu, for its mythic significance, Santorini, for its volcanic history and vibrant nightlife, and Rhodes, which is a World Heritage Site. Many history buffs head to the Peloponnese Peninsula for the region's ancient ruins and battlefields.
Climate in Greece
Because of its Mediterranean climate, Greece enjoys long, hot, dry summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures in Greece are tempered by the Etesian northerly wind, which blows across the Aegean Sea, and breezes called 'Meltemia'. However, mercury on the mainland regularly hits the high spots.
Winters are mild and wet, though rainfall is generally low in most of Greece. Rainfall is heaviest in the mountainous regions, where snow is likely and temperatures can get severe.
Summer (between June and August) is Greece's peak holiday season, when the heat and sunshine attract millions of beach lovers. June and September are also lovely, hot times to visit, and are slightly less crowded. Autumn is generally a pleasant time to visit Greece for travelers who prefer milder conditions. Winter falls between December and February, and sees the coldest, most variable weather. While it's the least popular time to visit, travelers looking to explore Greece's cultural and historical attractions should not be put off.
Health Notes
There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. A hepatitis A vaccination may be recommended by some doctors for extended travel in rural areas.
Medical facilities in Greece vary. Those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. For this reason, travellers should take along any necessary prescription medication. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance.
Safety Notes
There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. Visitors should be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. Also, austerity strikes have taken place in the past and have been widespread. These strikes can bring the country to a halt, with transport networks being especially hard hit. So far, strikes have inconvenienced travellers without turning violent. Still, tourists are advised to stay away from political gatherings, as there have been clashes between police and protesters.
Greece is otherwise a safe destination, though peak tourist season usually sees an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors should store valuables in hotel safes instead of carrying them. It's also advisable to conceal conspicuous wealth and make sure valuable possessions aren't easily accessible to pick-pockets. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands. Lone visitors should not accept lifts from strangers.
Entry requirements for Americans:
US citizens must have a passport that is valid three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.
Here’s some tantalizing cruise to see this Mediterranean nation.
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Some Land Touring Options
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
For some adventure Downunder, let’s go off the beaten path a bit and visit Australia’s largest island. Yep, Australia does have a many islands to see, and this one is its most southern. Although it’s as large as Rhode Island, it’s very drivable…
Tasmania
Tasmania, the southern tip of Australian territory, is an island separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait. It is a place of wild and beautiful landscapes and friendly, relaxed people, with a temperate climate, rich history and a deliciously slow pace of life. There is no hustle and bustle here, even in the cities. No traffic jams and no smog. Encircled by the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, the air is clean, the water pure and the soil fertile.
Travel to Tasmania
Climate for Tasmania
Tasmania's climate is described as temperate maritime, being surrounded by sea, and rarely experiences extremes of temperature. The prevailing weather pattern is from west to east and as a result the west coast is the wettest, while the east coast is almost always warmer and milder than the rest of the state. Summer brings warm days and mild evenings from December to February, while winter can be stormy with snow on the mountain peaks between July and August. Rainfall occurs throughout the year. The weather is most stable from the end of summer to autumn (February to April).
More than one third of Tasmania is preserved in a network of national parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Although best known for its sublime landscapes and the many opportunities for bushwalking, kayaking, cycling and rafting, Tasmania - or 'Tassie' as it is affectionately known - is also celebrated for its gourmet food and wine, and some lovely arts and crafts, and the island now boasts sufficient urban sophistication to ensure a comfortable and culturally-rich visit. The island's European heritage goes back to the early 1800s, but Aboriginals first reached it about 40,000 years ago. This mixed heritage is reflected in Tasmania's culture and the locals tend to be fiercely proud and self-sufficient.
Key Facts
Currency: The unit of currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD), which is divided into 100 cents. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are freely available throughout the country. Banks and bureaux de change exchange most foreign currencies. Banking hours are generally 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday, but some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin flat blade plugs are used but are different to those in most
other countries, so an adapter is normally required.
Health Notes
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travelers over one year of age arriving within six days of having stayed overnight or longer in an infected country. No other special immunizations or medications are required for most trips to Australia; however, insect repellents are strongly advised because of the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Another health risk is sunburn, and visitors are advised to take precautions. Medical services are excellent, but can be expensive so travellers should ensure that they have adequate insurance. Australia has a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom providing for free hospital emergency medical treatment; proof of UK residence is required.
Safety Notes
The crime rate in Australia is low; however, travelers should be aware that tourists could be targeted by petty criminals. Be vigilant about personal possessions and travel documents, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as along the Gold Coast. Tropical cyclones normally occur between November and April in some parts of Australia, particularly in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. There is a serious risk of bush fires in summer (November to March), especially in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and ACT. Also during the summer months, the shallow coastal waters of northern Australia and Queensland become infested with marine stingers, commonly known as box jellyfish, whose sting is highly dangerous and can be deadly. Visitors should pay attention to signs on beaches and follow the instructions of local lifeguards to avoid injury.
Passport/Visa
A valid passport and a visa or ETA is required for travel to Australia. An ETA is an electronically issued and verified visa, not visible in a passport. ETAs are issued to passengers travelling for touristic or business purposes. Tourist ETAs are usually valid for three months. ETAs are obtainable online at: www.eta.immi.gov.au or through most travel agents. It is highly recommended that passports are valid six months after departure from a holiday destination.
Let cruise to Tasmania
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Getaway Cruises 'N Tours
925-679-8428
© 2014 Getawaycruisesntours.com is copyrighted property. All Rights Reserved.
California State Seller of Travel Number: CST #2052490-50
Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved. - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use