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Local Information |
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| Lifestyle and Food | Public Holiday/Festivals | Working in Greece | |
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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.
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.
Banks in Thessaloniki tend to stay open in the afternoon and some during the evening to offer currency exchange facilities during the tourist seasons. Wake up to the glorious morning sunshine with breakfast on the terrace or in your garden, where another beautifully warm day awaits. Youcan 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 80 cents a bottle, cigarettes €2,00 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 €50. Recommended Restaurants - Captains (pefkohori main road)
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Public Holidays / Festivals 2010 Public holidays tend to be religious in origin:-
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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
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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, 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.
Medical Centres
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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
Tourist Police
Port Police
Custom Offices
For further police numbers please look at www.halkidiki.com
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Throughout Greece and the European continent you drive on the right hand side of the road. 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.)
Taxi Stations
For further bus timetable information visit the website www.halkidiki.com
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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. 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 and Kassandria Market on a Tuesday. 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.
There are also large stores such as Ikea, Leyroy Merlin, Dixons, Electroworld, Makro, Carrefour & Media Market all within close vicintiy to Thessaloniki Airport.
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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 Athlitiki Gnosi Halkidiki's Sport newspaper |
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For Further Information Telephone: 00 30 6936 982095 (English) 00 30 6945312058 (Greek) (c) copyright 2007-2008 Halkidki Homes Real Estate Ltd |
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