Common Ferry Routes for the Greek Islands. Greece hopes to welcome back tourists from July, but hoteliers expect a bleak season, fearing the coronavirus pandemic will keep visitors away and beaches empty. COVID-19 Information Last updated: 1/13/2021 New Updates: On January 8, 2021, Greek authorities announced a seven-day mandatory quarantine for all travelers arriving through January 21, 2021 (see Quarantine Information below). Aegean Airlines Opens New bases in The Greek Islands. Greece begins phase two, allowing international flights into Thessaloniki airport; until now only Athens was open. Heavily reliant on tourism, the country officially opens to foreign arrivals Monday. We wish all of our customers a Happy and Healthy 2021! Travellers from 29 countries will be eligible to travel to Greece for non-essential purposes from June 15, after Hellenic authorities decided to open the borders for several EU and non-EU countries in which the rate of infections has decreased. Best Greek Islands To Visit in March, April, October, and November. Here is to a safe and new year! Greece counts 6.000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Heavily reliant on tourism, the country officially opens to foreign arrivals on Monday. Children gather in front of a Greek Orthodox church on the Aegean Sea island of Milos, Greece, on Sunday, May 24, 2020. Facebook. Greek Islands will be open Monday December 28th - Thursday December 31st regular hours 4pm-8pm, We will be Closed New Years Day Friday January 1st and will Re-open Saturday January 2nd at 4pm. Greece’s return to normalcy will take place in seven stages starting from May 4 with the opening of some shops and services, such as bookstores, electronic stores and hair salons. Greek Islands will be open New Year's Eve from 4-9 pm, New Year's Day from 4-8 pm, and Saturday, January 2nd from 4-8 pm. LONDON – In an aim to facilitate the conditions for a fast recovery of the tourist industry for 2021, Aegean Airlines (A3) is enhancing its network operations from the wider Greek region. You can learn more here. Now with summer in fill swing, here’s what you need to know about getting there to see Greece for yourself. The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Greece announced early afternoon Friday, May 29, the list of 29 countries from which it will accept tourists as of June 15, 2020, when it opens its borders again. Email. Greece is, too. The Greek island of Mykonos’ newest bar-restaurant, Pelican, seemed to appear from nowhere. The country has said it will open to all other European nations, except the UK and Sweden, on July 1 but Brits will be able to fly direct two weeks later. Mykonos, an insider guide to Greece's most glamorous party island 22 Oct 2020 , 2:30pm What to do in Mykonos, from sunny sailing trips to open-air film screenings Greeks and tourists ask the same question as the summer comes near. The Greek islands are a unique phenomenon in Europe. Please follow host country developments and … British tourists flocked to Greece in droves after the country reopened its borders on 15 July, soaking up its Mediterranean lifestyle and enjoying the beauty of its islands. We offer packages for 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days and more. O n July 13, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said the country is evaluating whether or not to open up to more travelers later this summer—including those from the U.S. “Depending on the development of epidemiological data, we will consider opening to other countries, such as the United States, from the end of July,” he said. There are number of measures currently in place to limit the spread of Covid-19 in Greece, restricting the movement of citizens and visitors and the opening of shops and services around the country. Twitter. LONELY ISLANDS Fears Greek hotels and beaches will stay empty even when open to tourists . The Greek islands are definitely not the first destinations to come in mind when thinking about winter holidays. Athens to the Greek Islands – For almost all Greek islands in the Aegean there is at least one ferry per day to and from Athens, 365 days a year. Greece is mostly known as a destination for summer holidays and most tourists come to the Greek islands in summer months to enjoy all the positive features that Greece has to offer them. Marco Macca - December 4, 2020. There are two ferry ports that serve Athens – Piraeus is closer to the city, and Rafina is closer to the airport. In fact, the tourism season in Greece starts in May and lasts till the beginning of October, which means that tourists come as soon as the warm weather starts and leave when the first autumn rains fall. Greece opened to visitors full tilt on July 1st, and all the hotels, cafes, bars and other things you might enjoy were already opened June 15th, ready for your visit. It is noted that no mention was made regarding travel to the islands. By. WhatsApp . The government decision comes amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Greece is, too. According to media, the government has a 3-phase plan with the key dates being May 11, May 18 and June 1 . Flights resume from much of Europe, Israel, Japan, Australia and New Zealand: The Greek island of Mykonos' newest bar-restaurant, Pelican, seemed to appear from nowhere. The government plan for dealing with the disease’s new surge is assessed and updated on the basis of the daily epidemiological data. Business Greece wants to open up for tourism, but could it be too soon? Greek islands offer the finest local delicacies and this is an article for those who look to be taken away by both natural beauty and local gastronomy. When will the Greek government lift the restrictions for traveling to the islands? Locally, on June 2, the Bahamas allowed non-essential storefront businesses to open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on certain islands. During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Greece has timely taken all necessary measures that effectively slowed down its spread in the country. This gastronomical journey of six Greek islands, notorious for their local cuisine and the most popular dishes and spots is sure to satisfy your appetite for Greece. This is shoulder season. However, over the last years, we notice that more visitors consider visiting the Greek islands for winter holidays. Our Private Greek island vacation packages depart from Athens but also from some popular islands like Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes. The government in Athens hopes Greece's near-COVID-free situation may give it an edge over rival Mediterranean destinations. The Greek Tourism Ministry on Monday announced the first batch of hotels that are exempt from a government decision ordering the temporary closure of the country’s year-round hotels, GTP Headlines reported. Tables, light fixtures and staff members with matching black … Greek authorities ask people to maintain a physical distance from others as best they can. According to a statement by the Greek Tourism Ministry, borders will be “open” from June 15, … Basically, if you’re thinking about Greece, it’s ready for you. Return to normalcy in 7 stages – Year-round hotels open in stage 5. The government plan for opening up travel to the islands from mainland Greece will take place in three stages and will be completed on June 1st, according to the Ministry of the Interior. A Greek government spokesperson has confirmed flights now will resume from July 15. We offer many private Greek islands hopping packages in order to help you organize your holidays with ease and totally carefree. The busiest islands and those with a local population are quieter but still humming with plenty of hotels and restaurants open. The first phase reportedly refers to professionals like supplementary teachers as schools open on Monday, May 11, for students of the … Opa! Greece is banning non-residents from flocking to their second homes on local islands in a desperate bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus Melissa Wiley 2020-03-24T20:40:00Z GREECE holidays are to return next week after the country initially extended the travel bans for British tourists. 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