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| Dafni Beach near Paralia Politikon |
Greece
offers the entire holiday package – sun, sea, sand and soaring
temperatures – but unlike other holiday resorts, the area also
boasts a rich and vibrant history. This level of culture, juxtaposed
with impressive scenery and effervescent entertainment, is what keeps
holiday makers coming back for more year after year.
When
you choose to holiday in Greece, you benefit from a great deal of
choice. The mainland and each of the islands within the archipelago
offer their own unique personality, allowing you to choose from the
energetic shores of Crete to the small unspoilt fishing villages of
Kephalonia.
However, for a combination of the two extremes, visitors
flock to Evia, the second largest of Greece’s islands (after Crete)
and an exceptionally beautiful place to stay.
What
does Evia provide?
The
ocean is an almost constant presence in Greece, and nowhere is this
truer than the island of Evia – where green and lush landscape
appears to topple into the deep blue sea. The island is renowned for
its grand, imposing mountains which run almost to the shore of the
Aegean Sea and the Evoikos Gulf. In many areas all that separates
these expanses of glorious green and azure blue are the strips of
yellow sand that make up the area’s beaches – the ideal location
for an island getaway.
The
sea offers a wealth of possibilities during your stay on Evia –
even without considering the bountiful feast that can be harvested
therein. Here is a place to relax as you lie on a lilo, explore the
astonishing underwater environments with a snorkel, or indulge in
something a little more extreme – like watersports.
Inland,
the mountainous regions are the ideal backdrop for the avid
outdoorsman or woman. Here, you will find a variety of different
activities, from horse riding and climbing to hiking and mountain
biking. As opposed to the usual holiday resorts with their busy
streets and built environments, Evia offers
the space to escape it all. Here, lovers of nature can satisfy their
passion for exploration, with a number of forests to dive into and
explore, in addition to the well-established tourist resorts.
Cultural
activities in Evia
Evia
holds a range of sites of historic interest, with ruins dating back
to the early Hellenic period. However, there is evidence that parts
of the island were lived on right back to the Paleolithic era. In
days gone by, Evia also established colonies all around the
Mediterranean.
Getting
around Evia
Today, two bridges link Evia to the Greek mainland, so transportation is simple from airports to mainland Greece. To witness the entire area, including some of the best beauty spots off the beaten track, car hire is encouraged.
The most secluded beaches and inland mountainous
areas are not covered by public transport links, so driving can
provide complete freedom of the island and the Greek mainland should
you choose to visit it.
Remember,
if you are travelling from the UK, European vehicles may
take some getting used to. Left hand drive cars make driving on the
right side of the road easier but they take a little practice.
Consider making a couple of laps around the airport carport before
embarking on busy roads if you are a novice.
It
is also useful to learn the rules
of the road for Greece as
they can differ slightly from country to country. Firstly, to hire a
car you must have a valid license in a language that uses the Roman
alphabet or an International Driving Permit. You must carry your
license with you at all times. The legal age to get behind the wheel
is 18 but car companies may restrict the hire of vehicles based on
your age – or make you pay a higher fee.
As
in the UK, car seats are required for babies and young children.
Adults must wear seatbelts by law when travelling in the front seats.
Children must always wear seatbelts, wherever they are seated. You
should also note that radar speed camera detectors are illegal and
drink driving is not tolerated – punishment can be anything from a
fine to imprisonment.
In
Greece, the level of car accidents is relatively high – more than
260 people are killed every year. Do not feel the need to be reckless
and drive as you may see others doing. They have likely grown up
using these roads and are used to the conditions. By driving safely
and making sure you understand the rules of the road, your holiday in
Greece will be more pleasant.
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