Alert your bank and credit card company before you travel. Provide them with the dates and location of travel, so that they can add alerts to your accounts. Some banks and card companies will suspend use of your funds if you do not give them notice and they suspect fraud. Before or when you arrive at the airport, exchange your national currency for Euro.
Research available tours, especially if you do not speak Greek. Greece is a small country with a big history, so there are a lot of places to see and expert information will help make excursions memorable. A tour will allow you to accomplish your travel goals in a timely and cost effective manner and a guide will be able to answer all of your questions. While Athens and the mainland offer a lot of entertainment, culture, and sightseeing, you should look into a tour that includes a cruise around the Greek Islands.
Check the weather before you leave and pack appropriate clothing. No matter the time of year, be sure to pack comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking and trips to some of the historical sites, such as the Pantheon, require walking on rugged ground. Frommer's suggest visiting from late April to mid June or in September and October, as the crowds and weather are mild. (See References 1)
Every trip to Greece makes a stop in Athens, a city soaked in sunshine and history. Athens' crown jewel is the Acropolis, which can be seen from the city's streets. Because of Greece's rough landscape, traveling to one attraction often takes more time than anticipated. (See References 2) Leave plenty of time between sites and do not rush your visit.
Make it a point to tour the islands. From the deck of a cruise ship, the view of each island is unique, but the cruise experience is usually not limited to the confines of a ship. Most cruise lines offer "shore excursions" so that visitors can tour the islands without the hassle of booking individual transportation and hotel accommodations at each island. (See References 3)
