We just finished filming two great shows on Greece. Any careful observer knows I haven’t been that hot on Greece compared to other European destinations. I’m happy to admit, after these last two weeks, I am warming up. And I’m appreciating the uniquely Greek charms (food, people, history, pace of life, love of life) that explain why it is such a popular destination. But let me offer some frank observations (and open myself up to some enthusiastic criticism).
The Greek countryside has been depopulated in the last few generations. About one out of every three Greeks — roughly four of 12 million — live in Athens now. This leaves the towns feeling gutted of youthful energy. Granted, towns on the islands have that impossible-not-to-love iconic and exotic white-washed beauty. But driving through small towns on the mainland is like catching a tired culture with its pants down.
Sure, there are some cute towns. But, if you’ve been anywhere else in the Mediterranean you have to wonder, where’s the paseo…the passeggiata…where are the people? And I generally wondered what happened to the sublime sense of aesthetics that characterized the Golden Age — so inspirational that the best the ancient Romans could do would be to copy it. I find more classical Greek heritage of aesthetics is apparent in Paris or Florence than on mainland Greece. I don’t think money is an excuse. There seems to be plenty of money.
I asked myself, “Aren’t you being harsh?” But I compared the surface beauty of non-descript work-a-day towns in Germany, France, Ireland, and even Sicily, and I concluded it’s fair to say the Greeks channel their concern for tidiness and beauty to things other than fixing up their towns.
Except for some fine town centers, it’s a makeshift world with barely a hint of building codes or planning requirements. For example, next to the front door of an old church a rope dangled from the bell tower, as if strung up by a grade-schooler. I thought, this must be a temporary fix. With my eyes I followed the rope up to the cornerstone just below the bell and saw the groove worn by generations of pulling that rope. Stepping inside I just cleared electric wires strung across the nave. They were jerry-rigged, just tall enough to clear people’s heads, to light a bare bulb lashed to an old oil lantern that no longer worked and had been collecting dust for years. I find the rinky-dink stuff charming and photogenic. But if I went to church there, I’d fix it.
Driving in Greece is like Italy used to be. Parking is chaotic. Sidewalks and curbs are broken. And when there is an intact sidewalk, it’s been interrupted by a strip of ridges to guide the canes of people who can’t see. A compassionate sentiment…but these are rendered unusable by parked motorbikes, flower pots, and sales racks spilling out from kiosks. I’ve never seen a blind person try to use this sidewalk aid and if they did, it would only be frustrating. The result…smooth sidewalks are a rarity.
Ironically, amidst what I’d call the most littered country in Europe, I found two heroic attempts at hygiene that I’ve encountered nowhere else. Restaurants serve napkins in sanitized plastic wrappers. And I was actually startled in a men’s room when, as I passed a garbage can, its lid opened. It was equipped with a well-meaning motion sensor. But merely entering the space caused it to give me the trash-can body-language equivalent of, “Feed me.”
Athens is hugely improved and filled with the youthful energy I found missing elsewhere. An even-number, odd-number license plate system allows people to drive into town only on alternate days. That, along with a marvelous underground system, have made the city less congested. While it used to turn my hanky black in a day, the air now seems much cleaner. And it’s much more people-friendly with welcoming pedestrian boulevards and squares filled with benches, shade-giving trees, and inviting cafés rather than parked cars.
Forgive my harshness. Grecophiles will be up in arms I’m sure. (I’d welcome comments.) I’ve spent a month out of the last year in Greece and am really enthusiastic about our upcoming book on Athens and side-trips. It was strange to be in a country where travelers had no option for a Rick Steves guidebook. With the help of my Grecophile collaborators, our book will be a winner and I am enthusiastic about heading off ASAP with the first edition of this book (due out in early 2009) to update it and learn more about Greece.
Rick, I am the biggest grecophile around, and you pretty much hit the nail on the head, however, Greece is going through a major re-invention….The Ministry is working to fix the dilapitated building and offering incentives to homeowners….Give Greece a decade and you will see vast differences. The beauty of writing a Greece travel book is that it will change completely as you revise them..eg. the old airport will be the largest park in Europe, and the plans are spectacular and within 5 years…You stated Andy was going to Greece soon, I hope he visits Athens, Delphi, Meteora and Olympia…and as well the destination that was rated #1, even surpassing Salsburg- the Island of Rhodes and lovely Symi–I am glad to see your warming up to Greece–I believe in a few years you may become a major Grecophile- if it isn’t starting to happen already..Safe travels
Rick, do me a favor and find where I can get information about the history and the design of the Shepherd Staff, carried by the Head Shepherd in Greece. We found that in the Country of Greece, most every rock, every tree, and every turn in the road had a folk tale, a old wives’ tale, a fable, a legend, from centuries ago, but no one, except the shepherds know the story behind this most important “tool†that they carry, and will not part with. I have said that when we visited Greece the people were oh so nice and friendly. Well, now that we are not in Greece, the Greeks ignore me. I have sent several letters to the Embassy, visited Greek festivals, Greek churches, restaurants, sent 50 e-mails, and yet no one seems to know the story I am looking for. At the LA Travel Fair, where you and I met a few months ago (and I gave you a copy of my “not-for-sale†book), the Greek Booth promised an answer, but nothing. There was no reason for you to notice, but that “stick†in my hand, was a Shepherd Staff. The design of the “head†of the staff is unique to Greek shepherds. We stopped and talked (with hands and money), and chased them up the mountains, several shepherds to see if they would sell their staff, but always he clutched it to his breast, and shook his head, with a look on his face that said, “… no way Jose!” Finally, in an antique store, on the beach in Githio, I found one! The store owner said this is the first one he has ever had in his store, and doesn’t expect to be able to get another one. In Kótronas I finally bought a staff, a little different from the other one, from a Shepherd who was thrilled to sell it, at least he was thrilled with the overpayment I offered. English speaking Greeks don’t know about sheep, people with sheep knowledge, don’t know English. I have been told several times at Festivals, “Oh, my Grandfather would know!†jimhum@sbcglobal.net, just in case you know what I want to find out.
i find your comments on Greece interesting. Before I went I assumed the only part of the mainland I would like is seeing the Acropolis since people’s opinions on Greece seem to be that the islands are great and that is it. Perhaps as a result of these very low expectations i fell in love with the country. The city of Athens is so alive and the countryside has such a rugged beauty. Give it more time and you will come to love it as much as the rest of us.
the most littered country in Europe After visiting Macedonia and Kosovo, I can’t imagine Greece could be any worse in this aspect…
I think Alison is correct..its truly a spectacular country, I do wonder how much of it you have seen. I spent two weeks in Italy ( everywhere from Lake Como to Pompeii) and find Greece much more inviting–after all Greece holds the most culture of any european country ( as you stated most countries copied Greece) don’t forget what Horatio said!!! And as Emperor Hadrian wrote that Roman history would be one small chapter in Greece’s history and culture..And the ruins of Athens and Greece are the most impressive of all in Europe, they are very elegant and not over the top. Have you been to northern Greece? Kavala? Kastoria? Yiannina? Papingo?Meteora, Makrinitsa, Pelion?? And the 200 inhabited Islands–Corfu( with its Venetian town), Keffalonia, Ithaca, Naxos, Rhodes, Folegandros…the beauty of Greece is that everthing does not look the same, and the ancient ideal of everyhing in proportion and nothing in excess, seems to exist there. I have traveled all over Europe and in some instances I wanted out–everything after awhile was too much, it got to be tacky…Hopefully when you go back you travel all around, like you do in other countries …ciao
Rick, I think you do not need to be apologetic about your descriptions and feelings about Greece. Athens is the most unpleasant big city that I have been in, in Europe. They are making imrovements in Athens, but being in Athens is very stressful : I think that will not change. And, there is more anti-American sentiment in Athens than in any other city in Europe. A Greek person told me that 15 % of the Greek people hate Americans (citizens of U.S.A.). I am aware that in most countries in Europe the people do not approve of President Bush. But in Greece many people hate all Americans. And, driving a car in Greece is extremely dangerous (worse than in Italy).
Rick, You and Ron from southwest Missouri should holiday in Europe together, you both have a very similar take on travel. p.s. Greece was not listed on the top of most dirtiest cities in europe. Rick, did you find that most people in Greece hate Americans?
I first went to Greece as a student in the early seventies and then returned 8 or so years later for a month. The latter was one of the best vacations of my life. My friend and I really slowed down. We were on Greek time. We worked to perfect the art of cafe sitting. I have my print of the bull-jumpers on my wall to this day and in the early 80’s picked up a water color of a scene in the Peloponnese. I need to go back! Last year I bought the movie Z on DVD. If you are interested in Greece, it’s a great movie about Greece in the 60’s when the political upheaval was rife. More recently Paul Johnson, a Scottish writer, has some novels based in Greece about WW II and the times since. I need to get back to Greece. Pam
I read your son is going to Greece soon, why not have his viewpoints on this country, sort of a comparison/contrast with his dad. It would make for interesting reading. Just a thought.
Bad day, Rick?
I woke up this morning perplexed about your wrtitings of Greece. I do not know anyone who paints a picture of Greece like you. I am beginning to wonder if something in your childhood happened to you in Greece or if a Greek child beat you up etc. it seems as though you have an issue with this country. You seem to focus on all negative things, maybe laying on a couch discussing this with someone may help. Or are you envious of its cultural heritage, wishing it was another countries heritage? A traveler bashing a country so harsley and comparing it to others misses the point- that travel is about differences and that’s what makes each country special..And there is a lot of variety in Greece, perhaps that’s why it has so many visitors per year
Big grecophile back: I just wanted to say, don’t despair over what Rick wrote, the mainland is very beautiful, and in many ways rivals the Islands. The 3 biggest grecophiles, Nia Vardalos, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have made 2 movies in Greece to be released soon. The movies are My Life in Ruins and Mammma Mia. Nia Vardalos wanted to make a movie about the mainland of Greece, she plays a tour guide through the mainland, for those interested here is the trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVeemiwFEnA She wanted people to see the mainlands beauty , and then Mamma mia will showcase the Islands….Additionally, On May 1st articles came out with favorite destinations in Europe: the title was Greece voted tops for European travel and can be read here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKL0128533020080501 I sent this article to Rick’s staff so they could post it on the headline section and it was never posted (Hmmm)…Maybe what pigeons eat is considered more important….once again, Don’t despair-it really is a lovely country.JJ
Good morning, Rick, I’ve been a fan for many years and find your travel advice knowledgable and from the heart. Your comments about Greece are a gentle nudge. I’m so glad to hear that things may be improving. Thank you for your courageous honesty about your personal experience.
After what Jim Humberd wrote about Rhodes and being a top destinations we decided to take the kids there during Thanksgiving break–since you are either still in Greece or Turkey and so close to Rhodes, if you get a chance stop by and give us your take on this Island we’d appreciate it. If Rhodes was in your favorite european country, I suspect you would stop for a quick visit, it would be nice to hear something positive about Greece, all those travelers who rated it positively cannot be wrong. We do respect your viewpoints. Thanks
I am excited to know that you are finally going to have a guidebook on Greece. My husband and I travel extensively and independently in Europe twice a year and we use your guidebooks. We joined your tour in Greece 3 years ago only because you did not have a guidebook on Greece. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour with guide Colleen and has since have joined 2 other RS tours. We like to go back to Greece again and use your guidebook to travel independently.
Please understand, this is in no way competition for anything Rick writes. You will find not a word about places to eat and sleep, or to buy things, and no directions how to find this or that. But at http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/cat_greece.shtml you will find a half dozen stories and 50 photos, each with a story, that tells of the wonderful time we had in Greece. I sure hope that no one considers that I am bragging in any way. Remember if I did it, it ain’t bragging. I don’t understand why some people think that what we actually did in our travels can not be told. And I really have nothing for sale, and may soon have 4 new books printed just to give to friends (including Rick). I don’t intend to sell them, I will just enjoy them. My only hope is that in addition to what Rick tells in his books, where ever you are, you will just wander, wander, wander, and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
WOW! I am in Athens today with my family. A 5 day stop of a 6 week trip to Europe. I picked up the Best of Europe A rick Steve publication which did not have an entery for Greece. I know now why! So happy for the people coming after us to have a guide from Rick. I did puchase a 10 best Dk guide which has been a help. I could not find the information center in Athens…so the location would be helpful. I am now in my hotel looking for a web site for the information such as the best way to get around in the city and went to the rick steve’s web site. Thanks Steve for the help on planning the Europe trip. We are on week 2 of 6 weeks. Maybe see you in Athens tomorrow. Happy traveling!
Kim Dunford, I just read your post, is Athens really that bad? Are you only in Athens or moving around the country? hope you enjoy your travels.
I know this is #3 and against the rules, but it is on the subject. ===== The trash spread all over Greece is worse than we’ve seen in other countries. We were told, “In years past, the Greeks wrapped the trash in grape leaves before tossing it over the cliff, so it blended into the foliage and soon disappeared.†These days, plastic bags filled with tin cans, glass bottles and all, are thrown down the side of a hill and will be there forever. ==== We saw miles of blue and green paint all along the road. There’s an election in Greece soon, these are the colors of the main two parties. Sometimes they just hold the paint sprayer out the car window, pull the trigger and paint a mile of a wide line on rocks, retaining walls, trees, bridges, and anything else that will stand for it. We saw a 100 miles of this in various parts of the country, but hopefully it’s a special paint that will fade quickly. (1989)
Rick I wanted to apologize for my over defending Greece on my posts. Your harsh remarks really ruffled my feathers. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and you don’t have to like Greece–it’ your site and travel books. Enjoy your travels
Happy Birthday
I haven’t been to Greece yet. The population of the smaller towns outside of Athens sound of the senior league. I can’t wonder that cosmetic appearance may not be their forte’. If I were visiting there, it sure would help get me there. Again, the warmth and openess of the people would be the biggest factor on how I felt about visiting. Looking forward to the new Greece books and programs. Happy travles!
I loved Greece. I found the people very friendly, great food and amazing historical sites. I have only good things to say about this lovely country. The ETBD tour of Greece was a memorable experience. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Hi Rick, I visited Greece in 2006 for the first time and absolutely loved it. Patras, Athens, Santorini and a village town were included in the itinerary. While Athens was smoggy, littered and a bit chaotic, I still found that I loved the ambience of the city, as well as the food! Granted, my family is from Greece and I had my Grandmother as a personal tour guide, so I may be a little biased, but I thought it was a great place to visit and a fantastic experience. The people were friendly, the weather was perfect, and the sights were amazing. 3 weeks was definitely not enough time for this Grecophile! Yes, Athens is in need of some improvement, but I wonder if the criticism is just a touch harsh…? Also, I completely disagree with the person who said driving in Greece is dangerous and that Greeks hate all Americans! We had no problems driving, whatsoever and certainly didn’t run into any anti-Americans! I found Greece to be a great place to visit and can’t wait to see it again!
Hydra is still lovely, just a ferry ride away from Piraeus, and still free of cars.
Hi Rick! I am an American living in Naples, Italy and just got back from a Greek adventure (May 3-11th) visiting Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. When comparing Greece to Southern Italy, Greece is calm, clean and super friendly! Our group of 5 adults had an incredible experience! We found authentic Greek food and not alot of tourists in Athens in the area of Thissius. I highly recommend the restaurant Avra in Mykonos, the Porto Mykonos hotel and renting scooters to roam the island. The Esperas Santorini hotel in Santorini was fabulous, built into a cave in Oia! I would love to return! Our group was on the Paraga beach in Mykonos on the 7th of May, we thought we spotted you! Were you there? We have a bet riding on this!
Rick, sorry I missed you in Greece. This was my first visit, and I had a wonderful time. The people were friendly,history interesting, and the scenery beautiful. Unlike the U.S., Greece clearly has an attitude that people are suppose to take care of themselves and not expect every cliff, rough side walk, or hole in the trail to be marked and fenced off. It is my understanding, and my experience, that many Greeks tend to stare and say what they think, often in a loud exuberant voice, which is very different from culture in the States. When in Greece do as the Greeks do and join in the exuberant conversation and debate everything that comes up for conversation, do not expect anyone else to be responsible for you, and enjoy the food/frappes and beverages.
Rick, you must be getting old. What ever happened to accepting the local culture and learning to live like a native. Loosen up, throw some trash on the ground, and stop being the “Ugly American.” The American way of life and values don’t have to be the way of the rest of the world.
Today was our last day in Athens. Off to Italy tomorrow. We did find the Greece Information center which was helpful. We road the 400 bus which is a scenic bus of Athens and stops at the main tourist stops. It costs 5 Euros per person and can be used for 24 hours. It is a type of hop on hop off bus. Unfortunately the commentary of Athens is sparse. It is more of a people mover. I rode the Big Bus Company bus in London last week and enjoyed the interesting commentary. Traveling as a family of five we are learning a discovering some awesome bakeries with cheese sandwiched Greek style. they cal them pies. They are so yummy and less than 2 Euros. We ate tonight and had a chocolate pastery all for under 12 euros for a family of five. We had bottled water our choice of beverage. We wandered today after coming down from the Philopapou Hill to view the city and the Acropolis. Wonderful day! It is a city to get lost in. A new adventure at every turn. As in all places there are all types of people. I am glad I came to Athens but after 4 nights I am ready to move on.
We visited Athens last year, but also spent some time on Crete. Wow! Really enjoyed the big island, especially the town of Chania (Xania, Hania – lots of ways to spell it). Wonderful “old town” area there. Also the great runis where the Minatour lived, and where Adriene (?) left her thread. There us a slide show on my website for those interested. http://mysite.verizon.net/joannwomack/Pathways/ Under photos>composite blogs. John
A quick line to Mr. Womack, it was great to read your blog and see photos on your trip, I forgot Crete is the birthplace of european culture. I need to go back.
Interesting about Greeks leaving Greece. I guess that is all part of the open boarder of the EU. I think the same can be said of the young people in Venice right? Young people want to go where the action and money is and that is probably Italy and France.
We found the Greeks in Greece to be wonderful, but we found the Greeks in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and other places, to be a mess. Was that because only the “bad ones” left, or because they would not assimilate?
Speaking of Crete, I was flipping through the TV channels and found that PBS is doing a special on Secrets of the Dead called Sinking Atlantis- starting tonight. There sould be many reruns in the next few weeks. It appears to be an amazing show on the Cradle of European Civilization. WOW
Sorry I haven’t read much of the ongoing discussion on Grrece and its good and bad points as per Rick Steves, but I’d just like to say some of the Greek Islands are fabulous, as is Crete. I went in 2005. Highly recommended! cheers Catharine
Just returned from an OAT tour of Greece & 7 days around the Cyclides Islands (Tinos, Poros, Mykonos, Nexos, Santorini, Crete etc). We also were there during Greek Easter – which was not expected; it was a fabulous chance to experience local religious customs. We were impressed with the ancient ruins & the history & museums; Greece’s contributions to Western culture are immense. HOWEVER, must agree with Rick on the lack of environmental awareness (or concern); trash & animals abandoned everywhere, graffiti on ancient & modern buildings, etc. left us wondering why they didn’t seem to care about their own country. We were glad to be on tour buses – traffic, our own inability to read signs in the Greek language, narrow roads, fast drivers would make self-driving very difficult. Could not tell you our favorite place: Parthenon @ night under spotlights; the monasteries of Meteora; Dephi; Tinos & Nexos & the countryside of Santorini; or the lunch in a private home in a village of 150 people — all special. Enjoyed what we saw, loved the food, were awed by the ancient ruins, & admired the Greek’s perseverence; we were surprised by the prices, cost of living, & how much time the locals seemed to spend in coffee cafes. But, because of the trash, graffiti & abandoned animals – not to speak of the ancient sewage pipes requiring one to NEVER flush toilet tissue – I doubt we’d ever go back.
It’s so interesting, we all knock other countries, have we looked at our own..do we have cities with lots of graffiti, garbage and abandoned animals? It’s everywhere in the world! And that’s why when we travel to a foreign country we should learn it;s history so we can understand the mindset of that country…the following article tells you about dirty cities: http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKL1276608020080312
I spent a month in Greece three years ago–never went to Athens at all. Arrived in Corfu by ferry from Venice and took a bus to Ioannina–an incrediby vibrant and youthful city on a large, beautiful lake in the mountains. People filled the many cafes along the waterfront. You could take a short ride on a small boat to the walk-all-over island of Nissi and wander through pristinely clean, cobbled streets, and through a wild parkland up on a hill. It was magical. Continued by bus to Metsovo, Meteora, Thessaloniki, and then a ferry to the island of Lesvos. I would give anything (except being near my grandchildren) to go back and live on Lesvos! Needless to say, my experience of Greece was quite different from what Rick describes (not that what he says isn’t true…it just didn’t matter to me in the same way). My advice: stay by the water, and slow down.
Just spent eight nights in Kamari on Santorini and three nights in Athens. Kamari is in the southeast on the beach and only a 15 minute bus ride from Fira and another 10 minutes to Oia. The people were nice, the food was great, and the scenery was incredible! We arrived Easter Monday and liked the laid back atmosphere of the low season.
Wow! I can’t believe how different my impression of Greece was. I went in the spring of 2003 and found it a gorgeous & friendly country. Maybe the difference is that I love classical history. Some of the best pictures I’ve ever taken were of wildflowers popping up around the incredible ruins in Athens, Delphi, Delos, Santorini, and numerous Minoan sites on Crete. Given a little research on weekly schedules, Island hopping was easy and the views are spectacular! The Greek people were very friendly, and also professional in business interactions (such as car rentals, the post office, travel arrangements, etc.), making it easy to get around. I can appreciate that it may be difficult for modern Greeks to earn a living wage outside Athens. I think this challenge is fairly common for small towns almost anywhere. But as a tourist, I can forgive occasional neglect when this country has so much beauty, history & culture that is still there to see!
Everyone has different impressions as they travel, I was in Paris with 3 other people, and two of the three stated they would probably not return, and I really think Paris is the most beautiful city in Europe…As far as Greece goes the mainland scenary really is gorgeous, and Rick is right it doesn’t have many beautiful towns like other countries but has beautiful historic sites like no other countries ( the others are basically copies). On PBS, Rudy Max has a travel show as well and he did an excellent show called Hidden Treasures- Europe to the Max-Mysteries of Greece and Rome, he does not talk negatively about the countries, he gives you history, beauty etc. it’s a fascinating DVD and inexpensive and highly recommended for people wanting to learn about these countries or visiting soon. It’s going to be interesting comparing Rick’s DVD to Rudy Maxa’s.
We just returned from two weeks in western Crete and loved every minute. There was not enough time to do and see all we wanted. Rick, be sure to check out the small cities of Hania, Rethymnon, and–a Rick Steves’ village if there ever was one–Loutro, on the south coast in western Crete. Hotel Leo in Rethymnon was trademark Steves’ charm and quality, as was Vranas Suites in Hania. The Blue House in Loutro was friendly and reasonable, and the views from the top-floor veranda were unforgettable. We hated to leave. Food was reasonable and very tasty everywhere. Roads were surprisingly good even in the countryside, and except for a little craziness on the National Road (on the north coast), not at all scary.
Much of the neoclassical infrastructure found elsewhere in Europe e.g. piazzas, decorative sidewalks etc. were built during the neoclassical Renaissance dating to well before 1820. This is the year Greece finally won its independence from the Sunni Muslim Ottoman empire. Granted, since then more effort could have been put into assembling a not as spectacular as neoclassical, yet modern and functional infrastructure. Neoclassical design was never an option for Greece during Europe’s Renaissance, even if the Golden Age of Greece inspired the Renaissance.
Thank you Hellenic Background…it’s become obvious that Rick is not a European History Major, it appears he has no idea what Greece’s history is or other countries as well…thank you for explaining what happend to Greece when the rest of Europe was going thru a renaissance…If you read his Italy tour book, Rick states that Italy is the cradle of European civilization, need I say more ? –he never tells you who designed the Pantheon or the Roman Forum…look up Apollodorus, he designed much of Rome, the history channel did a great series on Apollodorus’ attributes to Rome…As I have stated Rudy Maxa’s dvd Mysteries of Greece and Rome is a wonderful and truthful look at these ancient lands…
Several years ago (two years before the Greek Summer Olympics) before an upcoming trip to Greece, I donated to my local PBS station and received several of your books in return. When they arrived I eagerly looked for a chapters on Greece and was dismayed to find none. Therefore, I was delighted to read your current blogs about your travels in Greece and learn that you will be having a book on that country. Your trip hints are outstanding.
Hey, Rick: I visited Greece on a ETBD tour last year just before you did. We had to change our itinerary just because of the fires on the Peloponnese. Maybe it was the hard work of our super guides, Colin and Gayle, but I didn’t remember any trash and the locals were incredibly friendly everywhere we went, even off the beaten path. Yes, Athens was a huge cement settlement surrounding the Acropolis, but large cities are just a challenge no matter where. I remember Greece fondly and will definitely go back! I guess trash is relative – after being in Cambodia this year, everywhere looks clean by comparison!
rick is an idiot
Greece is the best country in the world. The only litter is you foreigners immigrants and tourists. You filled MY country with tones of litter and then you dare to slag us off. Greece is for Greeks and only. Foreigners have no place here. You are dirty, you don;t wash you smell alcohol. I HOPE YOUR MOTHERS WILL DIE TONIGHT. FINGERS CROSSED LONG LIVE GREECE WITHOUT FOREIGNERS=WITHOUT LITTER