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Food & Drink
Restaurant and taverna food tends to be very simple, rarely involving sauces but with full use of local olive oil and charcoal grills. Dishes like dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), moussaka (aubergine casserole with minced lamb, cinnamon, red wine and olive oil), kebabs and avgolemono (chicken broth with rice, eggs, salt and lemon juice) can be found everywhere. Taramasalata (a dip made from fish roe, bread, onion, olive oil and lemon juice) and a variety of seafood dishes, especially squid (kalamari) or octopus, are excellent. Greek menus typically include a selection of meze (appetisers), such as keftedes (hot spicy meatballs) or tzatziki (a dip made from yoghurt, olive oil, garlic, shredded cucumber and dill). Salads are excellent and often made with the local feta cheese, tomato, cucumber and fresh olive oil. Other vegetarian specialities include gigantes (large white beans) and kolokithakia (small boiled courgette with oil and lemon). Olives are cheap and plentiful. Deserts, such as baklavas (filo pastry filled with almonds and topped with honey, vanilla and sugar) or loukoumades (honey-drenched pastry puffs) are sweet and filling. All restaurants have a standard menu which includes the availability and price of each dish. A good proportion of the restaurants will serve international dishes. Hours are normally 1200-1500 for lunch and 2000-2400 for dinner. Waiter service is usual.
One of the best-known Greek drinks is retsina wine, made with pine-needle resin. Local spirits include ouzo, an aniseed-based clear spirit to which water is added and very similar to the French pastis. Local brandy is sharp and fiery. Greek coffee is served thick and strong, and sugared according to taste. Greek beer is a light Pilsner type.
Opening hours vary according to the region and local laws.

Nightlife
This is centred in main towns and resorts with concerts and discos. Athens offers many local tavernas, particularly in the Plaka area, and ouzeris (typical Greek bars). Regular concerts and evening shows are also held at the Odeion of Herodes in Attica. Nightclubs featuring Greek bouzouki music are extremely popular. There are some casinos in Greece, such as the Mount Parnes Casino in Athens, the Corfu Casino in Corfu and the Casino at the Grand Hotel Astir in Rhodes.

Shopping
Special purchases include lace, jewellery, metalwork, pottery, garments and knitwear, furs, rugs, leather goods, local wines and spirits. Athens is the centre for luxury goods and local handicrafts. The flea markets in Monastiraki and Plaka, below the Acropolis, are all crowded in high season. Regional specialities include silver from Ioannina, ceramics from Sifnos and Skopelos, embroidery and lace from Crete, the Ionian Islands, Rhodes and Skiros, fur from Kastoria, alabaster from Crete and flokati rugs from the Epirus region. Note: (a) Visitors should be aware that many ‘antiques’ sold to tourists are fake; it is illegal to export any item of real antiquity without a special permit from the Export Department of the Ministry of Culture. (b) Non-EU citizens can get a refund on Greek VAT (4 per cent on books and 18 per cent on nearly everything else); the process is fairly complex, but well worth it. Non-EU visitors may buy goods from certain shops bearing the sign ‘Member of the Tax-Free Club’ and have the VAT refunded, in cash, at special refund points at the airport. Ask store owners and tourist information offices for details.

Shopping hours
These vary according to the season, location and type of shop, but a rough guide follows: Mon, Wed, and Sat 0800-1430, Tues, Thurs and Fri 0800-1400 and 1730-2030. Note: Most holiday resort shops stay open late in the evening.

Special Events
For a complete list, contact the Greek/Hellenic National Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Greece in 2005:
Jan Feast of St Basil (the New Year’s Cake is sliced, and the person whose slice contains a coin is said to have good luck for the coming year), nationwide; The Gynaecocratia (celebrates matriarchy with men and women reversing roles for the day), Kilkis, Komotini, Serres and Xanthi. Jan 6 Epiphany (a cross is thrown into rivers, lakes and seas as the blessing of the waters takes place), nationwide. Feb 7 Shrove Monday (the first day of Lent is welcomed with picnics in the country, kite flying and other special celebrations reflecting the local traditions of the villages), nationwide. Mar Carnival (a national celebration marked by pageantry and partying, fancy dress, masked figures, practical jokes and processions of Carnival chariots), nationwide; Easter (celebrated with feasts of spit-roasted lamb, red-dyed eggs, and folk-dancing), nationwide, and especially at Livadia, Metsovo, Patras, Trapeza and Tripolis. Mar 25 Independence Day and Feast of the Annunciation (the anniversary of Greek independence is marked with military parades in cities and larger towns, with Athens having the most spectacular celebrations). May Anastenaria (traditional fire-walking ritual), Serres and Thessaloniki. May 1 Labour Day and Flower Festival (celebrated by country picnics), nationwide. Jun Rally Acropolis (drivers from throughout the world take part in auto race competition), Athens. Jun 23-26 AthFest (music and arts festival). Jul International Sailing Regatta, Athens. Jul-Aug Wine Festivals, Alexandroupolis, Daphni, Patras and Rethymnon. Aug Hippokrateia (ancient drama performances, musical evenings, a flower show and a re-enactment of the Hippocratic Oath), Kos. Oct-May Winter Cultural Season (performances of opera, ballet and concerts), Greek National Opera House in Athens. Oct-Nov Demetria Festival (performances in music, dance, opera, theatre and art), Thessaloniki. Oct 28 Ochi! Day (commemorates Greece’s refusal to allow Mussolini’s troops to enter the country), nationwide. Nov International Marathon, (retracing the original marathon route taken by a young warrior in 490 BC to announce the Athenian victory over the invading Persians), Athens. Dec 6 St Nikolas Day (Christmas celebrations in Greece begin on this day, when children make their rounds singing carols, and continue until the end of the year), nationwide.

Social Conventions
Visitors to Greece will find the Greeks to be well aware of a strong historical and cultural heritage. Traditions and customs differ throughout Greece, but overall a strong sense of unity prevails. The Greek Orthodox Church has a strong traditional influence on the Greek way of life, especially in more rural areas. The throwing back of the head is a negative gesture. Dress is generally casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in public buildings. Tipping: 12 to 15 per cent is usual.