Geography

Mainland Greece consists of a mountainous peninsula extending some 500 km (310 miles) into the Mediterranean from the Southwest corner of the Balkans, with the Aegean Sea to the east. The Ionian Sea to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the South.

The mainland and islands have a combined coastline of some 13,350 km (8,300). The principal structural feature of Greece are the Pindos Mountains extending southeast wards from the Albanian border and covering most of the peninsula. Some 80 per cent of the mainland is mountainous with 20 mountains over 2,000m/6,560 feet (the highest peak is Mount Olympus at 2,900m/9,500 feet) permanently covered in snow. Greece has little flat or cultivated land and woodland covers around half the country. Greece has borders with Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and the former Yugoslavian State of Macedonia (now independent).

Climate

Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. The subtropical summers by the sea are hot and dry with clear blue skies, often cooled by a system of seasonal breezes known as the "meltemia". The mountain areas are much cooler and often covered with snow in the winter. Winters are mild in the low lands, frost and snow is very rare. Most rainfall occurs between November and March. On average the sun shines 3,000 hours per year, that's 8.5 hours a day. Solar heating has becoming popular as a result.

Average Temperatures (C)
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
10	12	14	19	24	26	27	29	26	21	17	12
(The time is 2 hours ahead of the UK)

Language

The Greek people are warm and welcoming, and visitors and residents alike find themselves quickly making friends and joining the community and spending time in the local Taverna's Language.

Greek, English and other foreign languages such as German are widely spoken in tourist areas. English is taught at most schools and given the long association with Britain, there is a very warm welcome for British visitors and residents. Most road signs are bi-lingual, and there are English newspapers and radio stations. Satellite TV is, of course, available. You feel right at home here very quickly, and integration into the community is quick and easy.

Currency

The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states including Greece. Foreign currency can be exchanged at all banks, savings banks and bureau de change. Exchange rates can fluctuate from one bank to another, so shop around.

Traveller's cheques in all major currencies are widely accepted and can be exchanged easily at all banks. Generally, banks in Greece charge an exchange commission of 2 per cent. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted although less so in petrol stations.

Currency restrictions: The import of local and foreign currency is not restricted provided any amount exceeding Euro 10,000 is declared on arrival. The export of local and foreign currency is allowed although amounts over Euro 2000 require an import Declaration form issued on arrival.

Banking hours	Mon-Thurs 0800 -1400
	Fri 0800 -1330

Banks in Thessaloniki tend to stay open in the afternoon and some during the evening to offer currency exchange facilities during the tourist seasons.

Lifestyle

Wake up to the glorious morning sunshine with breakfast on the terrace or in your garden, where another beautifully warm day awaits. You can sit in the shade of your own olive tree and watch the first sailboats leaving the harbour to catch the offshore breezes, a late supper in the old square in Pefkohori watching the world go by and sampling the local wine.

Food

Restaurants and Tavernas generally offer best menus with generous sized portions and you should be able to eat and drink for around £7 per head, and enjoy a really good meal.

Local wines and spirits are good value, and beer will cost about 50p a bottle, cigarettes £1 per packet).

There are a number of large supermarkets well stocked with local and imported food. Feeding 2 people for a week would cost you around £30.

Working in Greece

Any national of an EU member country has the right to work in Greece or any other EU country. Non EU nationals can obtain a work permit in Greece if a vacancy matching their qualifications exists.

For more information contact the Employment Inspection Services or the Ministry of Labour (Department for Foreigners Working in Greece) Tel: Athens 0030 210 5295245, Fax: 0030 210 5242942 )

Income Tax

Anyone who earns income originating in Greece is required to file a tax return for his entire earnings, Greek law makes no distinction between Greek citizens and other nationals whether permanent residents or not.

	Temporary residents of Greece are taxed only on income earned and sourced in Greece
	A UK/Greece tax treaty eliminates double taxation.
	Anyone who owns a car with Greek license plates must file a tax return.

Medical

Greece has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Refunds for medical treatment are available from The Greek Social Insurance Foundation on presentation of form E111 (available from UK post offices) Local chemists can diagnose and supply a wide selection of drugs.

For emergencies, ring 166 (public ambulance). Many ambulances without adequate facilities have air-ambulance backup.

Further help and advice on medical treatment can also be provided by the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) at 34 Themistokleous Street, 106 78 Athens,
(Tel: (1) 381 6404)

We do recommend that you obtain a private health insurance, European Assitance.com

Health services and First Aid in Halkidiki

Doctors and pharmacies can be found in all areas. A government ambulance service covers all of Halkidiki.

Hospital

General Prefecture Hospital of Poligiros:

+30 2371024021-7

Medical Centres

Area	Phone
Agios Nikolaos	+30 2375031788
Ierissos	+30 2377022222
Kassandra	+30 2374023950
Nea Moudania	+30 2373022222
Paleohori	+30 2372022222

Crime

Greece has an extremely low crime rate - one of the lowest in the world - it's a very safe and law abiding place to visit and to live. It's also a pollution free environment, apart from the centre of Athens. When many countries are seeing crime rates rising, particularly street crime, Greece is a safe haven where you can live without these fears. Theft is very uncommon, and everyone feels very secure.

Police Stations

Kassandra	+30 2374022204
Nea Moundania	+30 2373021111
Nea Potidea	+30 2373041111
Nea Triglia	+30 2373051111
Neos Marmaras	+30 2375071111
Poligiros	+30 2371022227
Polihrono	+30 2374051111

Tourist Police

Kassandra	+30 2374023333
Poligiros	+30 2371023496

Port Police

Nea Moudania	+30 2373021172
Nea Potidea	+30 2373041082
Nea Skioni	+30 2374071239

Custom Offices

Kassandra	+30 2374022695
Nea Moudania	+30 2373021496

For further police numbers please look at www.halkidiki.com

Driving

Throughout Greece and the European continent you drive on the right hand side of the road.
The main roads are pretty good, but the country lanes require care and attention.

Full UK driving licences are valid in Greece and Europe.

Road sign distances are in Kilometres.

Speed limits are 50km/h (30mph) in cities and towns, 80km/h (50mph) outside cities and towns and 100km (60mph) on Highways. The Highways are toll roads charging a set amount per car

There is no car road tax in Greece, and fully comprehensive insurance is likely to be about £270 (450 Euro). Petrol is about €1.00 per litre!

Car Rental

Car rental is about €30-50 per day, depending on size and duration of hire. Most car rental companies will provide you with a road map. Let us know if you require a car as we have negotiated attractive rates with several car hire companies that we recommend.

Public Transport

Bus Services

Bus stations (K.T.E.L.)
Thessaloniki	+30 2310924444, +30 2310924445
Nea Moudania	+30 2373021496
Poligiros	+30 2371022309
Kassandra	+30 2374022214
Nea Moudania	+30 2373021228

Taxis

Taxi Stations
Thessaloniki	+30 2310266406
Poligiros	+30 2371022460
Arnea	+30 2372022212
Neos Marmaras	+30 2375071500
Nea Moudania	+30 2373022303

For further bus timetable information visit the website www.halkidiki.com

Sports

There are plenty of sporting activities in Halkidiki; horse trekking is available, water sports - windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing and Fishing.

There are excellent diving opportunities, and the rocky coves offer good snorkelling in the clear waters.

Mountain Biking is excellent by the sea or up in the Mountains. There are thousands of well-maintained trails and old donkey/goat tracks to explore. Hiking is equally good.

The Greek ski season season starts in December To March, and the nearest ski resort to Thessaloniki is Verea which is about 2 hours drive.

Shopping

Nea Moudania - is a fishing town with a Market which is held every Wednesday. You will find local dairy products delicious fresh vegetables, salads, fruit and fish. They also have a number of very reasonable clothing stalls.

Thessaloniki - is a shoppers paradise, you have the traditional markets, Italian leather shops, designer shops and more shoe shops than you can imagine. You will also find all the local history and culture in the museums and architecture all around the City. If you visit the old part of Thessaloniki there are magnificent panoramic views from the remainder of the walls which used to surround the City.

Media

	The Athens News and Athens Daily Post are both published daily in English
	Foreign newspapers are pricey
	Local radio stations often broadcast in English.
	BBC world service is at: MHz 12.10 9.410 6.195 and 3.955
	Voice of America: MHz 15.26 9.760 1.197 0.792

The local TV stations do feature a lot of foreign material with its original soundtrack, so you will find English programmes. Satellite TV is available.

TV Halkidiki

Halkidiki's TV Station
Address: Leoforos Eleftherias 28, 63200, Nea Moudania
Tel.: +30 2373024352,+30 2373024.713, +30 2373024753
Fax: +30 2373021967
Web: http://tv.halkidiki.com
E-mail: info@tv.halkidiki.com

Athlitiki Gnosi

Halkidiki's Sport newspaper
Address: 63200, Nea Moudania
Tel.: +30 2373025121
Fax: +30 2373025121
Web: http://www.halkidiki.com/athlitiki-gnosi/

Email: info@halkidikihomes.co.uk