Today, Norm Goldman, editor of sketchandtravel.com and bookpleasures.com, is pleased to have Tom Savvides, Greece expert and co-owner of National Travel Service Inc, based in Livingston, New Jersey, as his guest.
Thank you Tom for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.
STANDARD:
Can you tell our readers something about yourself and your experience in relation to Greece and the Greek islands?
THOMAS:
I am part owner of National Travel Service, Inc. Our agency was founded by my family in 1969 specifically to help the Greek community in the NY/NJ area with their travel needs. Since then we have grown into a full service travel agency specializing in travel to Greece. I personally run an annual food and wine tour of Greece and have traveled there since I was a child.
STANDARD:
Could you give our readers an idea of what sets five of the most popular Greek islands apart from each other in terms of topography, climate, and anything else you think is different?
THOMAS:
The 5 most popular islands in terms of the number of tourists who visit annually are:
* Santorini,
*Mykonos
*Crete
*Rhodes
* Corfu.
In my opinion, Santorini is the most unique and beautiful of all the Greek islands.
It is unique in that it is literally the tip of an ancient volcano whose explosion in 1500 B.C. C. was possibly the largest in history.
The archaeological site of Akrotiri is considered by experts to be the lost city of Atlantis.
The views and sunsets are the best!
Mykonos is primarily known for its wild nightlife, beautiful beaches, and fine jewelry shops, specifically gold. The island of Delos is close to Mykonos and is the location of an important archaeological site.
Crete is the largest Greek island and offers everything from cosmopolitan cities, ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and the longest gorge in Europe.
Rhodes is very similar to Crete in terms of diversity of sites and activities and climate, although it is a much smaller island.
Corfu is located in the Ioanian Sea far from all the other islands that we have mentioned. It is a popular island for visitors from the UK. It has a diverse climate and terrain offering everything from beautiful sandy beaches to pine forests.
STANDARD:
Why would you consider Greece a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination, and if you had to choose your 5 favorite Greek islands, which ones would they be and why?
THOMAS:
This is an easy question. The incomparable beauty of the Greek islands is what makes them a romantic destination. As I mentioned before, the warm beaches and romantic sunsets are the best. The Greeks are masters at making people feel relaxed and comfortable, prerequisites for romance.
My favorite Greek islands would be Santorini for its sheer beauty and amazing cuisine, Crete for its diversity, loads of activities and delicious food and wine, Mykonos for its fantastic nightlife and beautiful beaches, Chios and Andros because they are not that popular islands for tourists. and for all the warm and wonderful people I have met on these islands.
STANDARD:
What is the best time to visit Greece in terms of weather, costs, and crowds? As a follow up, how do costs vary from season to season?
THOMAS:
Personally, my favorite time to visit Greece is mid to late September. The weather isn’t as hot as it is in the peak travel months of July and August, airfares and hotel rates are a bit cheaper, and the crowds have thinned out a bit by that time. Clearly, the best time to travel to the islands would be in the peak months of June through September, specifically due to the weather. Most of the islands are fairly quiet in the off-season, except for local residents. It is true that you could save considerably on airfare and especially on your accommodation in the off-season, but the islands are not the place to be when it is cold and rainy.
Please note that Greece is now part of the European Union and therefore uses the Euro as its currency. As you know, the US dollar is very weak against the Euro, which means that Greece is no longer considered a budget travel destination. This, in turn, has had an adverse effect on tourism in Greece in recent years. It doesn’t mean you won’t get your money’s worth, just that prices are more on par with Italy and Spain, which are typically more expensive destinations than Greece.
STANDARD:
If you had to choose 5 unique, exotic and unique areas such as parks, beaches, etc in any of the Greek islands or in Athens to celebrate a wedding, which ones would you choose from the point of view of popularity and beauty?
THOMAS:
* I love Orizontas Restaurant in Athens. It sits on top of Lycabettus Hill and offers the best view of Athens as well as fantastic sunsets. In fact, take a tram across the hillside to get to it.
* The St. George Lycabettus Hotel in Athens is a great choice for the same reasons, as well as its friendly staff, wonderful cuisine, and gorgeous rooftop pool and bar.
* Santorini has several areas to consider. The Dana Villas hotel in Fira town offers a fantastic honeymoon suite and a wonderful pool area hanging from a cliff above the sea, which is a stunning location for a ceremony or reception. They even have their own wedding coordinator.
* The city of Oia is world famous for its romantic sunsets and the small cove of Ammoudi Beach, which lies below the cliffs of Oia, is another unique destination that is off the beaten path with fantastic sea views.
I really need to mention some places on the mainland of Greece in the Peleponese region. Although not a huge tourist area, it offers many interesting historical sites, beautiful beaches, unspoiled towns, fabulous wine regions, and fun cities too.
* The city of Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, is a beautiful port city with a fascinating history. Above the city is the Nafplia Palace Hotel. It has a private building with two levels for receptions. It is built on the side of the hill that overlooks the port. Three sides of the building are glass, allowing for beautiful panoramic views. They have an excellent restaurant and wine manager. The coastal town of Tolo is located on the outskirts of Nafplion and is a great alternative to staying within the city.
STANDARD:
How far in advance should a couple prepare for a honeymoon or romantic getaway in Greece?
THOMAS:
If you are traveling during the height of the tourist season, I suggest you plan your honeymoon at least 6-8 months in advance. This way you can secure the best airfare and hotel accommodations of your choice. If you’re traveling out of season, you can plan a honeymoon literally within a month or so of your departure date.
STANDARD:
What advice would you give to destination brides planning to bring a wedding party to Greece? It’s a growing trend for destination weddings now to have a fairly large wedding party, sometimes around 50′, so it would be great to get their advice on group airline discounts, hotel blocks.
THOMAS:
The one thing you need to keep in mind when considering Greece for a destination wedding is the size of the hotels. If you brought 50 guests to Santorini at the height of the tourist season, you would be unlikely to find a single hotel that would accommodate all of your guests. The Greek islands are known for their small, intimate, family-friendly hotels, not their big resorts. Don’t get me wrong, there are several large resort-type hotels on several of the islands, however they are quite expensive and generally less charming. Whether you’re planning a wedding for 10 or 50, you need to do it well in advance.
As far as airfare goes, you would only need 10 passengers traveling on the same flights to qualify for a group discount. This should also be done well in advance if you are looking for a discount airfare in high season.
STANDARD:
How do you go about checking the reliability of a hotel or resort in Greece when it comes to service, food, etc.?
THOMAS:
One way would be to book your trip through an experienced travel agent like myself, who has personally been to the hotel or resort they are recommending or has already sent clients there and received positive feedback. you can also go
online as I occasionally do. There are several sites that offer unbiased reviews from travelers who have stayed at the resort you are interested in. One site that I use quite often is TRIPADVISOR.COM. I still think the best way to be sure of what you’re getting is to book through an agent who is considered an expert in the particular destination you’re traveling to.
STANDARD:
What should people know about planning a wedding in Greece when it comes to legal requirements?
THOMAS:
The details are too many to summarize. It is best to go directly to the US Embassy Athens Greece Consular Services website at the US EMBASSY for more details. One should never trust the advice of anyone other than an official representative of the Greek or American embassy. It would be very difficult for anyone without direct working knowledge of these requirements to be constantly informed and up-to-date with any and all changes.
STANDARD:
How safe is it to travel to Greece?
THOMAS:
As for terrorist acts, which everyone seems to be concerned about these days, Greece just got through the Olympic Games, which is the biggest international event in the world, without incident. Its airport is the newest and most high-tech in terms of security in the world today.
In terms of safety within Athens or on the islands, there is no need to take extra precautions when traveling. Like any place you’ll go, there are good and bad parts of the city. A little common sense goes a long way in avoiding any problems.
Personal security should not be an impediment to planning a trip to Greece.
STANDARD:
Is there anything else you would like to add regarding wedding and romantic destinations in Greece?
THOMAS:
There are many unique and beautiful Greek islands, however some of the smaller and more remote islands may not be suitable for a destination wedding or even a honeymoon. They are not tourist-oriented and may not offer the kind of amenities that are required for this very special occasion. There are many islands that offer everything you desire and you should seek the advice of a travel expert to help you choose the perfect location.
Thank you Tom for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.
