Country Information
WHAT TO EXPECT - This idyllic island is for people who just want to get away from
it all as well as for those seeking an active lifestyle in the day as well as the
evening. Casual informality is the order of the day. Accommodation offers good value,
but is usually simple, and you should bear in mind the nature of the environment
in which you are staying. Sun worshippers, water sports enthusiasts will feel totally
at home but there is plenty more to do by exploring the island by boat or car.
FOOD & DRINK - Greece has a culinary tradition of some 4,000 years .Its unique
tastes are some of the things, which set Greece apart. You are in for pleasant culinary
surprises while in this country. Contrary to common belief you will soon discover
that Greek cuisine does not solely consist of mousaka, souvlaki and horiatiki salata.
Greek cuisine has a great variety of dishes for both meat-eaters and vegetarians.
Nevertheless, like most national cuisines, the Greek cuisine has both influenced
others and embraced ideas from its easterly and westerly neighbours.
RELIGION - The vast majority of the population is Christian Greek Orthodox, there
are also Catholic and Anglican churches in Corfu Town.
LANGUAGE - Greek is the official language but English is widely spoken and understood.
CLIMATE - The climate of the Corfu is warm year round with temperatures in the high
eighties in spring and in the nineties in July/Aug. The island is subject to mild
rainfall during the summer months.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
Being a Greek Orthodox country all the usual Orthodox holidays are observed. Sundays
are considered a day of rest which means that some shops, banks and offices in Corfu
town will be shut on Sunday. Generally life on the resorts is unaffected on these
days.
WHILST IN CORFU
SHOPPING - The best place for shopping in the Corfu is Corfu town where a wide variety
of local and imported handicrafts are available. The best buys in terms of souvenirs
are casual wear, basketwork, pottery and jewellery, Olive wood products, olive oil.
* If you get the opportunity to visit one of the villages you may be able to pick
up the local handicrafts slightly cheaper than you would do in Corfu Town.
CAR HIRE - Car hire is widely available in Corfu Town and most of the resort. British
motorists visiting Greece and those hiring vehicles locally should be extra cautious
in view of the very high incidence of road traffic accidents.
You are strongly advised not to hire motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, as accidents
involving these forms of transport are common and can often result in very serious
or even fatal injury.
Travellers to Greece intending to hire a moped should be aware that they would require
a valid driving licence with at least category A1 - 'light motorcycle` for this
purpose. Category P, which is valid in the UK for driving mopeds up to 50cc is not
valid in Greece. Greek law requires you to wear a crash helmet on a scooter, moped
or motorcycle.
Do not drink and drive - penalties are severe.
CURRENCY - The currency in Greece is the EURO which is divided into 100 cents. There
are no restrictions on the import or export of currency.
* Most hotels require payment in Euro and we therefore recommend that money is carried
in the form of Euro travellers cheques (small denominations) and as Euro are readily
accepted throughout the island we suggest that you have some to hand before you
leave the UK so that you can pay for small items on the way to your resort and also
for tipping when in resort.
* Generally you will not need a great deal of cash during your stay other than for
excursions and for tipping.
CREDIT CARDS - Major credit cards such as AMEX, Diners, MasterCard, Euro card and
Visa are accepted in most large shops, restaurants and hotels.
BANKS - There are banks on some of the resorts but the hotels will be able to change
travellers cheques and cash. The bank at Corfu airport will be available on your
arrival and on your return.
TIPPING - Tipping is an accepted practice in Corfu and as a general rule porters
should be given Euro 1- 2. Room boys & restaurant/bar staff Euro 10 per week.
That said the giving of gratuities is always at the discretion of the individual.
ELECTRICITY - 220 / 240 volts. An adaptor will be needed for any electrical items
you bring with you.
TIME - Corfu is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
Greek Embassy -Consulate General
1A Holland Park
London, W11 3TP
Tel. (020) 7221 6467
Fax. (020) 7243 3202
e-mail: consulategeneral@greekembassy.org.uk
Website: www.greekembassy.org.uk
http://www.gnto.gr/
Useful Information
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
PASSPORT - Required. Must be valid for three months from your date of entry into
the country. Greece is a member of the European Union, and as such British nationals
do not require visas to enter Greece. EU nationals may stay as visitors for a period
of three months. Children and infants travelling abroad are now required to hold
their own passports. The names initial on your airline ticket must correspond with
the name on your passport.
VISA - British passport holders and EU national are not required to get a visa in
advance of travel.
ADDITIONAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS - None required. The Department of Health booklet
T6 Health and advice for Travellers gives general information for travellers within
the European Community. Tel 0800555777 for a free copy.
FOREIGN OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE - For up-to-date advice on the political situation,
please contact the Foreign Office :- www.fco.gov.uk . This information may also
be available on BBC2's Ceefax, page 470.
WHAT TO TAKE - Sunglasses and sun block are essential. Insect repellent will also
be useful.
* As the pebble beaches on some of the islands can be rather hard under foot you
should consider taking a pair of beach shoes, which can be used for swimming as
well as walking on the beach.
WHAT TO WEAR - Generally casual wear is the order of the day in the Greece and lightweight
clothing such as shorts, T-shirts, summer dresses and swimwear is the most suitable
attire.
RECREATION - Spear fishing is prohibited and line fishing is only permitted on specially
organised excursions.
PROHIBITED IMPORTS - Don't get involved with drugs - Penalties are severe - sentences
range from 10 years to life imprisonment for trafficking. Prescriptive drugs for
personal use may not be permitted or may require an import permit.
RECOMMENDED READING
Some background reading on the destination before visiting will enhance your visit.
The Travel bookshop www.thetravelbookshop.co.uk
Waterstones: www.waterstones.co.uk
Stanford's: www.stanfords.co.uk
Grant & Cutler: www.grantandcutler.com
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