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tomipark

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This is an emerging update that I read on the news! Covid cases have recently increased in Greece, so please be safe and careful while traveling this summer :)

 
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This is an emerging update that I read on the news! Covid cases have recently increased in Greece, so please be safe and careful while traveling this summer :)

Geeez that's scary, be careful everyone!
 
This is an emerging update that I read on the news! Covid cases have recently increased in Greece, so please be safe and careful while traveling this summer :)

I think it's important to get some perspective on these figures. The main hotspots are the main urban centres on the mainland - Athens, Thessaloniki - rather than the majority of islands.

I have just spent the last 3 months on Kefalonia where the case rate has fluctuated between 0 and 30 per 100000 of population. Due to the relatively small population (c35000) a single case changes the case rate by almost 3 per 100000. I have just returned to the UK for a few weeks to a case rate in excess of 300 per 100000.

It's fair to say that I felt a damn sight safer in Greece than I do in the UK or would in feel in most other places around the world.

Greece is trying to find a way out of this economically and has taken the decision to allow more visitors which probably accounts for an increase in figures - sadly they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
 
I think it's important to get some perspective on these figures. The main hotspots are the main urban centres on the mainland - Athens, Thessaloniki - rather than the majority of islands.

I have just spent the last 3 months on Kefalonia where the case rate has fluctuated between 0 and 30 per 100000 of population. Due to the relatively small population (c35000) a single case changes the case rate by almost 3 per 100000. I have just returned to the UK for a few weeks to a case rate in excess of 300 per 100000.

It's fair to say that I felt a damn sight safer in Greece than I do in the UK or would in feel in most other places around the world.

Greece is trying to find a way out of this economically and has taken the decision to allow more visitors which probably accounts for an increase in figures - sadly they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
This is a great point, always important to look at these numbers with a critical eye
 
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Any and all COVID updates from people “on the ground” in Greece are much appreciated! Has the vaccination program been accelerated, particularly in the hot spots like Athens, Skiathos, Mykonos and Crete?
 
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Unfortunately, Covid-19 cases in Greece are increasing, here is a good website that contains the Covid case count daily for Greece:


Thanks to all for sharing excellent and important information for all traveling to Greece!
 
Thank you, all, for the updates! Covid cases are increasing everywhere, and even though I am vaccinated, I know that there are instances where I need to be wearing a mask. I would imagine Greece has a similar feeling to it? Are people wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings?
 
I am in Chania; a city that currently has the highest COVID rate in the country. People are required to wear masks indoors in shops. All dining is outdoors, so masks are not required in restaurants. The Open Air Markets are operating; the Old Harbor promenade is very busy especially at night. Although I’ve seen more masks outdoors this week, the majority of people are not wearing masks in crowded outdoor situations. The latest fashion statement seems to be to wear them at your elbow! I was dismayed at first, given that Chania is a red zone, but have decided that the decision to wear a mask is my own responsibility. Hotel owners and wait staff are 100% following all COVID protocols. Two weeks here so far and everything’s been fine! We are very grateful to be here!
 
I am in Chania; a city that currently has the highest COVID rate in the country. People are required to wear masks indoors in shops. All dining is outdoors, so masks are not required in restaurants. The Open Air Markets are operating; the Old Harbor promenade is very busy especially at night. Although I’ve seen more masks outdoors this week, the majority of people are not wearing masks in crowded outdoor situations. The latest fashion statement seems to be to wear them at your elbow! I was dismayed at first, given that Chania is a red zone, but have decided that the decision to wear a mask is my own responsibility. Hotel owners and wait staff are 100% following all COVID protocols. Two weeks here so far and everything’s been fine! We are very grateful to be here!
Thank you so much for the update. Glad to hear that some are following the restrictions. Best of luck to you and stay safe :)
 

Favorite small towns in Greece?

I realized recently that some of my favorite places in Greece haven’t actually been the major destinations everyone talks about, but smaller towns that just had a completely different atmosphere to them.

Sometimes it’s a mountain village with one main square and old stone houses, other times it’s a tiny coastal town where everyone seems to know each other and life moves slower. A few of the places I still think about most weren’t even places I had originally planned to visit.

I’m curious what small towns or villages have really stayed with people after traveling in Greece. Could be because of the scenery, the food, the people, the history, or just the overall feeling of the place.

Would love to hear everyone’s favorites, especially places that don’t always make the typical travel lists.

Best Way to Get a Car Service to JFK Airport Before a Flight to Greece?

Hi everyone, I'm flying out of JFK next month for a trip to Greece and trying to figure out the best way to get to the airport without the usual stress. My flight leaves early in the morning, and I don't want to deal with parking for two weeks or ask a family member to drive me at 4 a.m. I've been looking into booking a car service to JFK Airport instead of a rideshare, mainly because international flights need more buffer time, and I'd rather have a proper chauffeur waiting curbside than risk a driver cancelling at the last minute with all my luggage in tow. A friend of mine recently used Blue Nile Livery for a JFK run and said her chauffeur showed up early, helped load the bags, and tracked the flight the whole way, so she suggested I try them for this trip too.
I'm still trying to figure out whether it's worth booking the chauffeur service a few days in advance or if that's overkill for a domestic pickup, whether a sedan is fine or if an SUV is smarter given how much luggage most of us end up hauling back and forth to Greece, and if anyone has had a chauffeur reroute or adjust pickup timing because of a flight delay before an international departure. For those of you who fly out of JFK often for trips back to Greece, what's worked best for you, and is there a chauffeur service you'd genuinely recommend for an early morning run like this? Any tips appreciated!

Ferry vs flying between islands, what’s better?

I’ve always been a ferry guy when it comes to Greece, something about pulling into a port and seeing the island come into view just feels right. But this trip is a little different because I’m traveling with someone who gets pretty motion sick, so now I’m seriously considering flying between islands instead.

Curious what you guys think, ferry vs flying, what’s actually better?

I know ferries are part of the whole island-hopping experience, and they’re usually more flexible, but I’ve also had a couple rough rides when the water wasn’t calm. On the flip side, flights seem quicker and smoother, but maybe more hassle overall.

If you’ve done both, what would you recommend, especially in a situation like this? Is flying the smarter move, or are ferries still worth it if you plan carefully?

Festivals of Note for 2026 in Greece?

My family and I are starting to think about a possible trip to Greece in 2026, and this time we’re considering planning part of the trip around a festival or cultural celebration. We’ve been to Greece before, but we’ve never really organized a trip around a specific event.

I know Greece has so many interesting traditions throughout the year. Because of that, I’m starting to gather ideas early while we figure out where we might want to go.

Have any of you traveled to Greece specifically to experience a festival? If so, which ones would you recommend? It could be religious celebrations, food festivals, music events, or local village festivals.
I’d love to hear about any memorable festival experiences that might help us shape our 2026 plans.

Places to go for the first time in Greece?

A friend of mine is planning her first trip to Greece, and she asked me what she should prioritize for about 10 days. I’ve been lucky enough to go quite a few times, so I gave her a starting point: Athens for the history, Santorini for the views, and Mykonos for the energy and beaches.

She loved that outline, but she wants to add one more destination to round out the trip. That’s where I started second guessing myself a bit, because there are so many good options depending on what kind of experience she wants.

I was thinking maybe somewhere a little different to balance things out, but I’m curious what others would suggest. If you had 10 days and those three spots already planned, what would be your fourth destination for a first-time visitor?
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