Greece - still a viable holiday option?

I originally published this blog in March 2010 - but it bears repeating - Yes, yes and yes again

We know that there are problems:

• The economy is not in the greatest shape it's ever been (I am Queen of Understatement)


• The advent of the Euro means it's not as cheap as it was with the Drachma


• We're all skint

But let's look at what Greece DOES have to offer.

• Hospitality beyond measure.

The Greeks are fantastic at hospitality. For the greater part it's not that creepy, gushy, worrying kind of hospitality - it's a genuine desire to give great service so that you'll return to their bar/shop/restaurant. Fabulously, however, it's coupled with that laid back Mediterranean attitude.

• That laid back attitude

It's a funny one. When we arrive in the country we're still really full of 'now, now, now' - it takes a couple of days to slow right down and realise that everything can wait and that there's no pressure to be somewhere or doing something or meeting someone. We're on HOLIDAY after all.

• The food

The gloriously politically incorrect fruit and vegetables. They would be passed over by most supermarkets in the UK for 'not conforming' but are embraced in Greece. The joy of knowing that (on the island of Lefkada at least), the chances are that it has been gathered from just down the road. Not transported miles and miles. And, let me tell you, at the moment the courgettes and cherry tomatoes are to die for.....

• The weather

The joy of waking up every day and the sun shining... There is no better mood shifter than a drop of sun. Of course, it's not guaranteed and of course there are days when it's overcast and sometimes it even RAINS but you know that the sun is just round the corner. It makes a world of difference knowing that bad weather is NOT the norm (unlike some countries I could mention).

• Economic climate does not a nation make

Yes, we know it's not so great right now, either here or there. But the Greek people haven't changed. They're still fantastic and warm and kind and generous. Let's not judge a country's people because of their and the rest of the world's appallingly bad past leadership. Let's not get sucked into scaremongering. We're all on limited budgets, but why risk going further afield when we have a tried and trusted holiday destination on our doorstep - Greece!
See you there.....