Ryan & Stefania
Things To Know About Greece
Cultural Tips to Know
-Most Greeks greet each other by kissing each other on both cheeks -Tips are not expected at restaurants. If you want to tip, you can leave 1-3 euros -Greece has a quiet time of 2-5 PM where most restaurants and store close.
Logistics
-The currency is the euro, but most places accept major credit cards (AmEx usually not accepted). -Greeks drive on the right side of the road. If you want to drive in Greece, you can easily get an international driver's license at AAA (no test required). -For cell service, you can use your carrier's international plan or purchase a SIM card. A lot of stores & restaurants also have wifi. -Greek is the spoken language, but about half the population speaks English. Most restaurants also have menus in English. Google translate is also a great tool.
Cool Places to Check Out Near our Wedding
-Olympos Mountain and National Park (hikes, restaurants, scenic) -Paralia (beaches, boardwalk) -Palaios Panteleimonas (castle by the coast) -Katerini (where Stefani's parents are from; small city with lots of shops and restaurants and parks) -Thessaloniki (2nd largest city in Greece; tourist things to check out: White Tower, Ladadika, Cosmos Mall, Tsimiski)
Food/ Drink Recommendations
- Breakfast ideas: Coffee (freddo espresso, frappe, hot Greek coffee, bougatsa, tiropita, spanakopita). Sip back and relax ;) Coffee in Greece is meant to be enjoyed over an hour, usually outside in a plaza people watching. - Lunch ideas & culture: (Gyro, Kebab/Souvlaki, Fish, Mousaka, Pastitsio) Greeks tend to eat a big lunch, and then go nap or relax on the beach. Food is usually enjoyed family style (numerous different plates are ordered and everyone shares) - Dinner culture: most people at dinner after 8pm; you may have a difficult time finding restaurants open between 3-7 pm.
Further Places to Visit in Greece
- Mainland: Meteora, Epirus region, Chalkidiki beaches, Athens / Parthenon - Islands that Stefani and Ryan have been to: Lefkada, Corfu/ Kerkyra, Skiathos, Zakynthos, Paros - Other common islands: Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Milos - While traveling to an island, it is common that your itinerary may include a flight and ferry combo or bus - Most ferry and Ktel bus tickets can be booked online - https://www.letsferry.com/ - https://ktelthes.gr/
Common Words/ Phrases
- Hi/ Bye (yia-soo) - Yes (neh) - No (oh-hee) - Please (pa-ra-kah-loh) - Thank you (eff-ha-rih -stoh) - Congratulations to Bride/Groom (na zee-seh-teh) - Where is the restroom? (poo ee-neh ee too-ah-let-tah?)
