Greece Financial Crisis

Currently nothing is affecting visitors to Greece except perhaps in a positive way. Prices are sometimes negotiable at hotels that have not been receptive to bargaining in the past. If you like a hotel but the prices listed on their website are higher than you want to pay send them an email and tell them how much you like their hotel and do they have any rooms available at "X" Euros per night. Chances are good that you'll get a discount if you try this as long as you don't "lowball" them too much, 15% at most, I think.

I agree with Lee. I spent a week on the islands about a month ago and traveling could not have been easier. I do recommend, however, to always keep up to date on any future transportation stoppages by checking http://livingingreece.gr/strikes/ Also, my husband and I had very interesting conversations with each hotel proprietor about the current state of affairs and we found them to be unique learning opportunities. Enjoy your time on the islands!

I've never been to Greece, but my friend just came back from a trip to mainland sights (Athens, Nafplion, Kardymili). He had a great time, and says that if it were not for the news reports, he would have been totally unaware of any "unrest" or "troubles." The demonstrations have been limited to a few places, which he said were easy to avoid (there weren't any problems when he was there). The one way the "economic woes" might affect travel is in reduced schedules on flights, ferries, buses, etc. I'd build in more cushion than usual and avoid tight connections. He had a rental car, so he had no problems.

We were recently in Greece and the most noticeable thing in Athens was ruins such as the Agora closed at three pm. The reason was they cannot afford to pay workers to stay the full day. The Acropolis may have been the exception and we toured it before noon so not sure about that. Santorini was busy with tourists so any economic woes were not apparent.