PARADIZENTA

About the county

Being one of the earliest civilizations known to human kind Greece is a country with rich history, heritage and culture. It is the place where Byzantine Empire once ruled and also great Ottoman Empire. It is also considered to be as the birth place of Democracy. Athens is the capital city of Greece.
The Olympic games originated in Greece. Not only that, it was the world center for western philosophy, political science, astronomy, mathematics, major scientific studies and what not. It is also known as a Mediterranean country as it has Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is a popular destination for world tourists in that region known for its beautiful beaches, reach history and charming villages. The Greek islands are one of the most wonderful places to be explored by Cruise or Yacht. The trip of Greece will definitely be one of the most memorable to remember in one's life.

Population & Languages

The population of Greece is around 11 million and the official language being spoken is Greek. The other popular languages are English and French.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment, round pin with ground, Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southern Europe bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea between Albania and Turkey. It is situated in the southern side of Balkan Peninsula. It is also bordered by Bulgaria and Macedonia in the southeast.

Climate

It has three distinct climates namely Alpine, Mediterranean and temperate climate with mild and wet winters and also hot and dry summers due to Mediterranean affect. Alpine system is seen in mountainous regions. The temperate climate is seen near border along Macedonia. Athens has both temperate and Mediterranean weather.

Local Customs

The Greece is a place with strong historic and cultural background. There are different traditions and customs in different parts of the Greece. The throwing back of a hand is considered to be a negative gesture here in Greece. Casual dress can be worn most of the times. Smoking is prohibited in public transport services and public buildings. Tipping 12 to 1 percent is customary in restaurants, hotels and taxis.


Attractions
* The Olympic Games in Athens (the spot of the historic 2004 Olympic Games)
* Mardi Grass Celebrations in February
* The Parthenon in Athens
* Skiing in Arahova Mountains between October and March
* Easter Celebrations
* Thessaloniki's White Tower and country's rich Byzantine culture
* The south of Corinth
* The beaches in Lesvos
* The wine vineyards in the countryside
* The islands near the Aegean Sea
* The wildlife preserve in Alonissos (Sporades Marine Park)
* The famous, Moni Panagia Chozoviotissa, a Byzantine monastery in Amorgos

Travel

By Air '“ The national airline of Greece is Olympic Airlines. Many popular airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines operate daily flight from Athens. The biggest airport is newly constructed Athens International Airport which is located like 17 miles northeast of the city. The other international airports of Greece are Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki (Macedonia) and Corfu (Kerkira).

By Sea '“ The popular Greek ports include Corfu, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Volos. Shipping vessels and ferryboat lines link these ports with Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Russia and Turkey. Some of the popular cruises operating in Greece are Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.

By Rail '“ If one is coming from UK, the best way is to take Eurostar train to Brussels or Paris and from there take connecting train to Greece.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine
4. Perfumes '“ 50 gm or 250 ml
5. Gifts up to ~175

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

New Zealand is known for its great natural beauty and one of the best ways to see the country is to hire a campervan and explore by road. For those planning to travel on New Zealands roads, here are some useful safety tips.

Drivers should be aware of New Zealand traffic laws. Motorists can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months with a current drivers licence from their home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). If the licence is not in English, drivers will need to carry an English translation by an accepted agency with them while driving.

In New Zealand, they drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way (yield) to oncoming traffic from the right. If this is different from the situation you are accustomed to in your home country, you may want to take some time to get oriented on the quieter back roads before driving in heavy traffic.

The maximum speed limit in New Zealand is 100 kilometres per hour (100km/h) in the country and 50km/h when driving in urban traffic. If you are towing a trailer or caravan, the maximum speed is 80km/h on the open road. These speed limits pertain to normal driving conditions when it is safe to travel at those speeds. During bad weather or in the presence of other hazardous conditions such as people or animals on or near the road, drivers must not exceed 50km/h.

A tourist may want to go at a slower pace than other drivers. For drivers going below the speed limit with others waiting behind them, they should move to the left side of the road when it is safe to do so.

Signs are posted warning drivers of upcoming curves, and drivers should pay attention to these warnings. All signs use standard international symbols with distances given in kilometres. In New Zealand all drivers and passengers are required to wear safety belts, and children under five must use approved child restraints.

Overseas travellers will often suffer from jet lag, so it is important for drivers to make sure they are well rested before getting behind the wheel. If necessary, drivers should schedule their driving as not to interfere with their sleep patterns. Sleepy drivers should take breaks and naps, and if they find themselves nodding off while driving they should roll the windows wide open and pull over as soon as possible. Caffeinated drinks, such as tea or coffee can help drivers stay alert.

Drivers should try to get between 8 or 9 hours of sleep a night, or more if they are still feeling fatigued while driving. Also, it is a good idea to avoid driving more than 6 to 8 hours a day. Taking a break every two hours and walking around to increase blood circulation can help improve alertness and reduce fatigue. Another good idea is for drivers not to overeat as this can induce drowsiness. If possible, share driving times with other passengers.

Of course, one should never drink or take illegal drugs while driving. The legal blood alcohol limit while driving in New Zealand is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood. However, any amount of alcohol can act as a depressant and contribute to drowsiness while driving. So the best advice is that drivers should not drink any alcohol at all.

Always take into account the vehicle's size while driving, along with the overall load weight, since this can influence your ability to brake and stop the vehicle. Also, drivers should find out what emergency services their campervan hire company provides.