Frommer's Greece (Frommer's Complete Guides)

* If it's **Ancient Greece** you're interested in, our authors will guide you from the Acropolis to the islands (the geographical and spiritual center of the Cyclades). In the 21st century, they'll point you toward the best resorts, hotels, nightlife and shopping in Athens and the islands. * "Greeks may not live to eat, but they certainly take what they eat, and how it is prepared very seriously," says our (well-fed) author, who takes you from __kafeneion__ (coffee house) to __ouzeri__ to __psistaria__ (for grilled meats), tavernas and beyond. * **An entire chapter gives you a rundown on cruising** the Greek Islands, from picking the right cruise, to budgeting, getting ready to go, and a summary of some of the ships, from large to small, that ply the Mediterranean. * **Opinionated reviews.** No bland descriptions and lukewarm recommendations. Our expert writers are passionate about their destinations--they tell it like it is in an engaging and helpful way. * **Exact prices** listed for every establishment and activity--no other guides offer such detailed, candid reviews of hotels and restaurants. We include the very best, but also emphasize moderately priced choices for real people. * **User-friendly features** including star ratings and special icons to point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, best bets for kids, special moments, and overrated experiences. FROMMER'S GREECE, 8TH EDITION......Page 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS......Page 5 LIST OF MAPS......Page 9 THE BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCES......Page 13 THE BEST OF ANCIENT GREECE......Page 14 THE BEST BEACHES......Page 15 THE BEST ISLANDS......Page 16 THE BEST PLACES TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL......Page 17 THE BEST MUSEUMS......Page 18 THE BEST RESORTS & HOTELS......Page 19 THE BEST RESTAURANTS......Page 20 THE BEST SHOPPING......Page 21 CHAPTER 2: GREECE IN DEPTH......Page 23 GREECE TODAY......Page 24 DATELINE......Page 26 GREECE’S ART & ARCHITECTURE......Page 33 THE GODS & GODDESSES......Page 34 EATING & DRINKING......Page 36 WHEN TO GO......Page 40 LAY OF THE LAND......Page 44 RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL......Page 46 TOURS/SPECIAL-INTEREST TRIPS......Page 47 CHAPTER 3: SUGGESTED GREECE ITINERARIES......Page 51 GREECE IN 1 WEEK......Page 55 GREECE IN 2 WEEKS......Page 57 GREECE WITH A FAMILY......Page 61 THE RIGHT CRUISE FOR YOU......Page 65 CALCULATING THE COST......Page 67 BOOKING YOUR CRUISE......Page 68 CRUISE PREPARATION PRACTICALITIES......Page 71 EMBARKATION......Page 73 END-OF-CRUISE PROCEDURES......Page 75 LARGE & MIDSIZE SHIPS......Page 76 SMALL & YACHTLIKE SHIPS......Page 92 BEST SHORE EXCURSIONS IN GREECE......Page 102 CHAPTER 5: SETTLING INTO ATHENS......Page 108 ATHENS TODAY......Page 109 ORIENTATION......Page 110 GETTING AROUND......Page 126 WHERE TO STAY......Page 131 WHERE TO EAT......Page 150 PRACTICAL INFORMATION......Page 167 CHAPTER 6: EXPLORING ATHENS......Page 168 THE TOP ATTRACTIONS......Page 169 MORE MUSEUMS & GALLERIES......Page 181 ANCIENT MONUMENTS......Page 185 CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES......Page 186 ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS......Page 190 ORGANIZED TOURS......Page 192 SPECTATOR SPORTS......Page 193 SHOPPING......Page 194 ATHENS AFTER DARK......Page 200 PIRAEUS: ATHENS’S PORT......Page 210 DAY TRIPS FROM ATHENS......Page 215 CHAPTER 7: THE SARONIC GULF ISLANDS......Page 223 AEGINA......Page 224 POROS......Page 231 HYDRA (IDRA)......Page 234 SPETSES......Page 240 CHAPTER 8: THE PELOPONNESE......Page 245 CORINTH......Page 247 ARGOS......Page 252 NAFPLION......Page 255 MYCENAE......Page 265 EPIDAURUS......Page 268 NEMEA......Page 271 SPARTA (SPARTI)......Page 273 ANDRITSENA & VASSAE......Page 279 MONEMVASSIA......Page 281 THE MANI......Page 284 PYLOS (PILO/NAVARINO)......Page 289 MESSENE (MAVROMATI)......Page 293 OLYMPIA......Page 295 PATRAS (PATRA)......Page 301 CHAPTER 9: CRETE......Page 306 IRAKLION (HERAKLION)......Page 310 CHANIA (HANIA/XANIA/CANEA)......Page 323 RETHYMNON (RETHIMNO)......Page 335 AYIOS NIKOLAOS......Page 342 CHAPTER 10: THE CYCLADES......Page 349 SANTORINI (THIRA)......Page 352 FOLEGANDROS......Page 369 SIFNOS......Page 373 PAROS......Page 383 NAXOS......Page 397 MYKONOS (MIKONOS)......Page 409 DELOS......Page 428 TINOS......Page 432 SIROS (SYROS)......Page 442 CHAPTER 11: THE DODECANESE......Page 449 RHODES (RODOS)......Page 450 SIMI (SYMILES)......Page 471 KOS......Page 476 PATMOS......Page 485 CHAPTER 12: CENTRAL GREECE......Page 495 DELPHI......Page 496 THERMOPYLAE & CHAIRONEIA......Page 509 VOLOS & MOUNT PELION......Page 510 THE VALE OF TEMPE & AMBELAKIA......Page 513 MOUNT OLYMPUS......Page 514 THE METEORA......Page 516 CHAPTER 13: THE SPORADES......Page 523 SKIATHOS......Page 524 SKOPELOS......Page 534 SKYROS (SKIROS)......Page 540 CHAPTER 14: WESTERN GREECE HIGHLIGHTS......Page 548 GETTING TO & AROUND EPIRUS......Page 549 IOANNINA......Page 551 SIDE TRIPS FROM IOANNINA......Page 558 CHAPTER 15: THE IONIAN ISLANDS......Page 565 CORFU (KERKIRA)......Page 566 KEFALONIA (CEPHALONIA)......Page 580 CHAPTER 16: HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN GREECE......Page 589 THESSALONIKI (SALONIKA)......Page 593 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PHILIP & ALEXANDER THE GREAT......Page 624 MOUNT ATHOS (THE HOLY MOUNTAIN)......Page 632 CHAPTER 17: THE NORTHEASTERN AEGEAN ISLANDS......Page 635 SAMOS......Page 636 HIOS (CHIOS)......Page 647 LESVOS (MITILINI)......Page 653 CHAPTER 18: PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO GREECE......Page 663 GETTING THERE......Page 664 GETTING AROUND......Page 665 TIPS ON ACCOMMODATIONS......Page 674 CHAPTER 19: THE GREEK LANGUAGE......Page 690 USEFUL WORDS & PHRASES......Page 691 INDEX......Page 694 You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go—they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!

Meticulously researched by an experienced team of experts, this in-depth guide is much more detailed and comprehensive than its major competition. You'll find authoritative but fun-to-use coverage of all the classical sites, with valuable insights that will enrich your trip. We've provided all the background information you need to enjoy and appreciate what you're seeing.

Our authors have personally inspected and chosen wonderful hotels in every price cateogory; whether you want to stay in a rustic guesthouse or an exquisite beach resort, you can trust their opinions. They'll take you to the most beautiful islands, where verdant hillsides tumble down to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. And since Greece can be a tricky place to travel, our guide is loaded with detailed city, regional, island, and town maps; it also features a handy language appendix, complete transportation information, and detailed directions for anything that's hard to find.

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go-- they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us! Meticulously researched by an experienced team of experts, this in-depth guide is much more detailed and comprehensive than its major competition. You'll find authoritative but fun-to-use coverage of all the classical sites, with valuable insights that will enrich your trip. We've provided all the background information you need to enjoy and appreciate what you're seeing. Our authors have personally inspected and chosen wonderful hotels in every price cateogory; whether you want to stay in a rustic guesthouse or an exquisite beach resort, you can trust their opinions. They'll take you to the most beautiful islands, where verdant hillsides tumble down to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. And since Greece can be a tricky place to travel, our guide is loaded with detailed city, regional, island, and town maps; it also features a handy language appendix, complete transportation information, and detailed directions for anything that's hard to find. If it's Ancient Greece you're interested in, our authors will guide you from the Acropolis to the islands (the geographical and spiritual center of the Cyclades). In the 21 st century, they'll point you toward the best resorts, hotels, nightlife and shopping in Athens and the islands. "Greeks may not live to eat, but they certainly take what they eat, and how it is prepared very seriously," says our (well-fed) author, who takes you from kafeneion (coffee house) to ouzeri to psistaria (for grilled meats), tavernas and beyond. An entire chapter gives you a rundown on cruising the Greek Islands, from picking the right cruise, to budgeting, getting ready to go, and a summary of some of the ships, from large to small, that ply the Mediterranean. Opinionated reviews. No bland descriptions and lukewarm recommendations. Our expert writers are passionate about their destinations--they tell it like it is in an engaging and helpful way. Exact prices listed for every establishment and activity--no other guides offer such detailed, candid reviews of hotels and restaurants. We include the very best, but also emphasize moderately priced choices for real people. User-friendly features including star ratings and special icons to point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, best bets for kids, special moments, and overrated experiences.