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Viewing Informative Driving Tips for Touring through GreeceInformative Driving Tips for Touring through Greece
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Touring the charming countryside of Greece in a rental car can be a very rewarding experience. However, the Greek road network may not meet the standards to which you are accustomed. Here are several tips to help you navigate this beautiful country. By Andy Burrows Touring the Greek countryside in a rental car can be a very rewarding experience, and visitors are often amazed at the striking difference between Greece's urban and rural areas. Keep in mind, however, that the Greek road network may not meet the standards to which you are accustomed. You may find yourself driving white-knuckled around some hairpin turns or over a long stretch of uneven pavement. Even so, the rewards far outweigh the costs, as long as you have left home prepared to be your own driver. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in an auto accident, you can reach the police by dialing 100; otherwise, you can get help with a breakdown by calling 104. On a related note, the law requires seatbelts for all front seat passengers as well as for all children 10 years old and under, whom you should secure in the front seat using a child safety seat. The blood alcohol limit in Greece is 0.5%, and tourists would do well not to test the law in this department. It is illegal to drive while talking on a cellular phone; doing so can result in a stiff fine. As Greece's largest and busiest city, Athens can be a frustrating place to drive. At times, the local authorities will actually close off entire city blocks to fight the traffic. Currently, there is a sorting system in place. It is permitted to drive cars with odd-numbered license plates on one day, and even-numbered plates on the next. This encourages car-pooling and effectively cuts traffic down to about half. However, cars with foreign license plates as well as rental cars are not included in this initiative, so tourists should not lose any sleep trying to figure the system out. The major highways are all subject to a modest toll that theoretically helps with highway maintenance. These three-lane highways connect all of the major cities in Greece. Inside the cities, you can purchase prepaid parking by stopping by the booth near the parking lot and buying your time in increments of 30 minutes. Take care not to stop your car and wait in any area marked with a dotted yellow line. You can reach all of the major cities on mainland Greece in a few hours. At 300 miles, Salonica is five hours from Athens; and Patras, at 130 miles, is two hours away. When you are far from the big city, it is usually a good idea to carry a little bit of cash just in case the petrol stations do not accept credit cards. However, most stations accept credit cards these days. When you are driving downtown, expect to spend some time gridlocked in traffic; and whenever you can, try to plan your trips around morning and evening commutes. Out of town, watch out for livestock on the road and intermittent farm machinery. Otherwise, the perils of driving in Greece are minimal, and they pale in comparison to the splendor of the ancient ruins and old-world charm with which Greece rewards its visitors. About the Author: Andy Burrows is an expert on Greece and he enjoys touring around this beautiful country. Visit his websites: Compare Care Hire and Holiday Villa Rentals in Greece. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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