My college age niece is finishing a summer course in Italy and will be traveling around Europe for a couple of weeks when she’s done. One of her first destinations is Greece. My brother is concerned about the ramifications of the debt crisis (to be honest I haven’t really followed this very much). He is trying to find out if he should have any concerns about my niece being able to buy things and go on pre-paid tours, etc. Also what if Greece drops out of the euro (I think that’s what he said). Should he be concerned, or might there be little effect on a short tourism visit?
It will take a while for Greece to drop the euro, if ever. I think the effects of the crisis will be actually favorable for travelers: smaller crowds and lower prices. The only risk is the heightened possibility of strikes, but someone is always striking somewhere in Europe; I wouldn’t let that stop me!
My son and his wife are currently visiting Greece.According to his email this morning, nothing unusual happened and they are having a good time. I think your brother’s concerns are unwarranted. If he is concerned, have your niece purchase travel insurance in case her pre-paid tour is canceled.
In the US,Detroit has declared bankruptcy and nothing has seriously affected the normal tourists.
worst case scenario, is Greece collapses if the state suddenly has no money to fund day to day functions, causing rioters and protesters to take to the streets, and the security services… try to keep the peace b/c of sense of duty? lay down their weapons because they aren’t being paid? join the protesters? shut down entry/exit routes to the country? ATMs could shut down. Even if all of this happened, the most likely result would be significant inconvenience, vs real danger, as long as you stayed away from the potential rioting and looting.
That said, chances are (IMO) 95%+ that things will be fine and you will be able to enjoy of smaller crowds and other advantages, like reply #1 states. If you are really worried, stash a couple hundred USD if you need to get out fast. Would also register with the U.S. Embassy to be on the safe side.
There are currently no travel warnings for Greece from the State Department.
We visited Greece last summer and S returned for a few days over winter break. No issues at all.
I wouldn’t worry unless a travel warning was issued.
What’s the current unemployment rate there? I always associate a high unemployment rate esp among young people with an increased risk of petty theft. I could be completely wrong though.
We visited a few years ago when there were dark warnings about Greece’s financial future and strikes and protests going on. For us as tourists life was surprisingly normal. I guess I expected potholes in the roads and angry people. W stayed in the countryside, not in the major cities, and felt fine. Everything was clean and quiet.
D is currently spending a month in the Cyclades, and will return to study fall semester in Athens. I was worried at first, but then having her in school in Baltimore during the rioting kind of put things in perspective. Problems can erupt anytime, anywhere. It’s good to stay informed, but I don’t see what is happening in Greece as a reason to stay away. She’s went with Euros and dollars and my American Express card to be as prepared as possible. I do agree that strikes, with the potential to disrupt transportation,could happen, but then again that happened in London when I was there and there were no red flags that could have predicted the Tube would shut down.
As for petty theft, we were warned Athens does have crime problems, but then again what major cities don’t? I think we’ll get her an inexpensive Chromebook or the like to take with her in the fall, rather than her laptop, to minimize impact in case it does get stolen.
I believe my brother is concerned about the fact that my niece is due to arrive in Greece on June 30, the day the current bailout ends. At present it doesn’t look like negotiations are going well. I know almost nothing about all this but gather there is a strong possibility that Greece may default on July 1 and leave the euro. So more serious situation and probably no one can predict the fallout. She’s only there two days and it’s one of the high points of her summer in Europe - I gather she wants to consult the oracle at Delphi.
@Marilyn, Greece won’t just “leave the euro.” That’s a hugely complex, EU-wide process that – if it happens!! (a huge IF) – would take a long time. Don’t forget, it’s in EU’s interest for Greece to stay within the Union and with the euro.
Your niece will be fine. At most she may witness a few demonstrations in support of loan forgiveness and against the severe austerity measures EU wants to impose.
I traveled in Argentina after its total economic collapse and international loan default, and the only impact that had on tourism was extremley low prices. Bad for locals, great for visitors: top-end restaurants where you could get a 5-course meal with several wines for $75 for two.
Thanks, @katliamom, I will pass this on to my brother.
" I was worried at first, but then having her in school in Baltimore during the rioting kind of put things in perspective."
This. Little kid survived 2 years in Central Asia (including the riots that followed the 20% drop in the local currency), followed by a year in Baltimore. Her advice: a few real, crisp $20 bills will do magic when local currency is only as good as toilet paper. The US $ rules in times when local currency can’t buy much.
We visited Greece last summer: Ionian Islands, then Athens. One of my favorite trips (and I visited many countries) . Fantastic nature, food, culture, weather. Very friendly locals, most of them speak English. Everything is inexpensive. I would go again in a heartbeat.
Many people advise not exchanging money in advance and just using ATM machines. For trips to Greece I think it prudent to carry quite a few euros carefully hidden in an underclothes. Yes, there is the risk of loss, but in the event of currency controls Greeks are going to be rushing out to ATM machines and there are likely to be day-long lines to get cash.
My daughter and I were in Madrid during some massive street protests two or three years ago. The police were actually taking part in the protests to some degree. We were right in the middle of it and rather enjoyed the chance to see it.
Even if Greece does exit the Eurozone, it doesn’t mean vendors won’t accept euros. If anything, vendors will probably covet euros.
Lots of countries have commerce not in their country’s currency. An example in a present CC thread is Cambodia. The ATM machines there dispense US dollars and most tourism transactions around Angkor are conducted in USD.
If there is a Greece does default on its IMF loans at the end of this month, then there will likely be a run on the banks in Greece and the ATM machines will be empty or frozen.
I love greek food, and I feel sorry for the people in greece…but they are going to have to revamp their entire economy and become really entrepreneurial, change all the rules and social norms that have been in place for a long time or they will sink to third world status. they are already 2nd world. beautiful country and the best food but that is not enough to save them from the downward spiral.
Why feel sorry for the people of Greece? You should feel sorry for the people who pay their taxes in other European countries that repeatedly bail out greece so the greek people can evade paying taxes, retire early & sip retsina while watching spectacular sunsets.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/greece-struggles-to-get-citizens-to-pay-their-taxes-2015-02-25
Then the people elected their new prime minister on an anti-austerity platform (i.e. more free lunch).
In Greece, the rich and educated cheat more: most of the serious tax evaders are educated professionals, politicians and the elite. The people who will be the most punished by austerity measures are the young, the working classes and the elderly, people who’ve had the least influence over the (weak, ineffective and corrupt) system under which they live.
The masses elected Tsipras, i.e. more free lunch.
The masses elected Tsipras because they’ve been pushed to the brink by existing austerity measures and they feel further sanctions will be simply inhumane. You can disagree with their reasoning, but that’s what they’re wanting.
And I don’t think they want a free lunch… they want the ability to pay for it over time, in reasonable amounts that demands the least sacrifice from the most vulnerable members in their society. Sorry, I don’t see a problem with that.