Things we learned from our guest speakers:1. Bring a refillable water bottle with you at all times.
2. Greece is known to take siestas in the afternoon. It is not unusual to find places closed for hours in the afternoon.
3. Greece is warm…much like Texas weather.
4. Churches and monasteries require ladies to cover shoulders and knees, but many times they provide thin draw string skirts to cover with.
5. Although the cruise ship states there will be a semi-formal night, they said that only applies to a waiter service restaurant and not all restaurants require that. They saw ladies and men in slacks (not necessarily dresses) and never saw anyone turned away. But don’t try to get in the nicer restaurant in shorts or swimsuits.
6. Photos inside churches and monasteries are not allowed. Buy postcards or books. Some museums don’t allow photography and none will allow flash. Always ask and respect their rules.
7. VAT (value added tax) is like our sales tax. If you buy something expensive (over 120 euros), then ask for a tax free checque to complete in the store and give a copy to customs on departure to get the VAT refund. Don’t bother with small purchases. You may be asked to show the goods and/or the receipt so keep it.
8. On the cruise you will give them your credit card number and use your room key to make any charges. Tap water and coffee are free, but alcoholic beverages, sodas, tea, etc. cost. If you drink a lot, then you can buy beverage cards, but they are expensive. Or you can charge an individual drink. Drinks and bottled water are cheaper on land than the ship. Bring some back with you.
9. You will leave your passport with the cruise ship when you board and get it back when you debark.
10. They said the Greek preferred the Euro (cash) over the credit card. And the Greek barter. Once they were offered a tour photo book for 20 euro, but walked off. The vendor followed them and then asked for 5 euro! Another vendor came up and offered the same book for 3 euro! Barter, barter, barter!
11. The electricity in many hotel rooms and the ship is “turned on” by putting the room key in a slot by the door. However, if you leave things to charge while you are out of the room, you must take your room key which shuts off the electricity. Leave the roomie’s room key if possible and take yours. If not, then ask for a second room key. You may not get one, but you can ask.
12. Their excursion recommendations: Did not take one in Mykonos, just walked around on their own. Their most highly recommended is the one in Kusadasi. They did both the Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary. On Patmos, they did the Monastery of St. John & the Grotto of the Apocalypse. They said the Tour around the island excursion only drives by these sites but does not stop. On Rhodes they did Old City and Philermos and spent half a day walking around as there is lots to see in Rhodes. On Crete, they did the Knossos Palace. They said some others on their tour did the wine tasting one but was not impressed but they couldn’t say for sure (matter of taste, it seems). They absolutely loved Santorini! They did the excursion to Oia Village. They said their tour director once did the sailing and volcano excursion but it was very hot. The choice to do any excursion is totally up to you. You don’t have to do any, but they said that the information they got from the guides was the reason they liked them so much.
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