• 
  • Albania
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Italy
  • Malaysia
• 
  • Albania
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Grenada
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Malaysia
• 

Barrasford and Bird Worldwide are delighted to announce the release of our latest project in Greece. Compared to other Mediterranean countries, Greek property can be very affordable, with prices in our resort starting from just £160,000! This section is designed to give you an introduction to this fascinating country, but of course the best way to explore greece is on a personalised viewing trip. For more information please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly advisors on freephone: 0800 1 303 101

The Mail on Sunday (26.08.07) reported:

"The Greece property market saw double digit growth with 13% price rises last year according to Savills."

The island has one of the highest sunshine readings in Greece, without the extreme heat that typifies some islands.

Greece, a country immersed in history and culture. From ancient temples and Monasteries hidden amongst the hillsides, to legends that have inspired the imagination for centuries, the country can inspire emotions like few other countries throughout the world. Combine this with strong capital growth and an established tourism market and you can see why Greece is set to be the next big thing.

Much of the traditional Greek way of life revolves around the crystal clear seas and luscious rich countryside.  Wherever you decide to travel, from island idyll to mountain retreat, the brilliant white architecture nestled among the olive trees bring a sense of inexplicable familiarity, complimented perfectly by the hospitality of the locals, ensures you will never want to return home.

The dry, warm climate keeps doors open and people happy throughout the year. It is little wonder why the welcoming atmosphere is enjoyed by record numbers of tourists each year.  With over 600 islands steeped in myth, the islands of Greece offer an unrivalled opportunity to explore the ancient world, whilst enjoying the delights and comforts of the modern.

Please click on a subject below to learn more about Greece. Alternatively, read on for all our information about the region.

With a total of 66 Airports, Greece has never been more accessible. Greece is well served by charter and scheduled airlines. Many airlines fly direct to airports on the islands, but it is always possible to fly in to Athens and either take a connecting flight or ferry. Major airlines serving Greece include:
Air Scotland, British Airways, Excel Airways, easyJet, flyglobespan, KLM, My Travel Airways, Olympic Airlines, Thomsonfly and Thomas Cook Airlines.

Flights are easy to catch between islands or from Athens to the islands. Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines fly domestically.

Greece has been a traditional holiday destination for many years. The historic significance of the mainland and its plethora of islands, has captured imaginations young and old from across the world. The mild climate provides the best setting in which to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The crystal clear seas, the dramatic rich green landscapes, combined with the traditional Greek hospitality and unique cultural heritage, it is easy to see why Greece is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Following the success of Athens 2004 Olympic games, which brought major infrastructural improvements, Greece is now entering a new economic era. Greece has become increasingly more popular with not only traditional tourism, but is fast establishing itself with foreign investors as a country with enormous possibilities. Greece is now a popular destination for conventions, international exhibitions and major investments within the framework of the tourist industry.

In a recent announcement, the Greek government underlined the importance of tourism for the economic development of the country. They also outlined the framework for a new strategy creating a more 'investor friendly' climate. This strategy comprises the gradual simplification of procedures involving new investments in order to reduce the levels of bureaucracy and red tape as well as reaching out to new developing global markets. In 2003, it was announced that the Greek government are pledging to increase tourism by a massive 50% by 2013

Aside from the Countries natural splendour, Greece is most famous for having one of the richest histories wrapped in mythology in the world, contributing to the reputation of being the Birthplace of civilisation itself.

In Greek mythology, The island of Samos is the birthplace of Hera, Zeus’ wife and the queen of the gods. One of the most powerful ancient Greek goddesses, Hera was born and raised there on the island. One of the most significant monuments of ancient Greece today is the famous Temple of Hera.

The fable of Jason and Argonauts who departed from ancient Iolkos to Kolchida searching for the Golden Fleece, still remains worldwide the most famous reference to Volos. The creation of the Museum of Argonautic Expedition aimed to create a modern reference place regarding the fable in Volos. According to legend and certain historical sources (e.g. Herodotus), Jason is the legendary founder of the city of Aemona, today Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. The dragon in the city's coat of arms allegedly derives from the same legend. Jason assembled a great group of heroes and a huge ship called the Argo. Together, the heroes were known as the Argonauts. They included the Boreads (sons of Boreas, the North Wind), Heracles, Philoctetes, Peleus, Telamon, Orpheus, Castor and Pollux, Atalanta and Euphemus.

Heracles or Herakles "glory of Hera", was a divine hero, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, stepson of Amphitryon and great-grandson (and half-brother) of Perseus. He was the greatest of the Greek heroes, a paragon of masculinity, the ancestor of royal clans who claimed to be Heracleidae and a champion of the Olympian order against chthonic monsters. It was the Roman Empire that gave Heracles the more familiar title of "Hercules". Together with Hermes he was the patron and protector of gymnasia and palaestrae. His iconographic attributes are the lion skin and the club. These qualities did not prevent him from being regarded as a playful figure who used games to relax from his labors and played a great deal with children. By conquering dangerous archaic forces he is said to have "made the world safe for mankind" and to be its benefactor.

Odysseus was the Greek king of Ithaca and the main hero in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey. Odysseus plays a key role in Homer's Iliad. King of Ithaca, husband of Penelope, father of Telemachus, and son of Laërtes and Anticlea (although there was a tradition that Sisyphus was his true father), Odysseus is renowned for his guile and resourcefulness. "Odysseus the Cunning" is said to be third to only Zeus and Athena in wisdom. Odysseus is most famous for the ten eventful years it took him to return home after the Trojan War.

Circe warned Odysseus of the dangers of Sirens - singing creatures who pulled men to their death. She advised him to avoid hearing the song but that if he really felt he had to hear, then he should be tied to the mast. His men should have their ears stopped with beeswax and be ordered not to heed his screams. Odysseus, moved by curiosity, twisted the words and told the men that Circe had told him that he had to listen to the song. He obeyed her instructions and listened to the song while he was tied to the mast. This episode shows Odysseus's curious nature and also that he was prepared to risk the lives of others to satisfy it.

Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) was a philosopher born in Stageira, Chalcidice in Greece. The most famous student of Plato, Aristotle was a teacher of Alexander the Great. He wrote on diverse subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry (including theater), logic, rhetoric, politics, government, ethics, biology and zoology. Along with Socrates and Plato, he was among the most influential of the ancient Greek philosophers, as they transformed Presocratic Greek philosophy into the foundations of Western philosophy as it is known today.

Famous Samians include Pythagoras, the philosopher Epicurus, astronomer Aristarchus of Samos and a slave named Aesop who was famous for Aesop’s Fables. In 1955 the town of Tigani was renamed Pythagoreio in honour of the famous mathematician Pythagoras who was the founder of the religious movement named Pythagoreanism and of course most famous for the Pythagorean theorem, which bears his name.

Greece was invaded by Italy in 1940 and subsequently occupied by Germany 1941 - 1944. Differences that emerged between left-wing and right-wing resistance forces ended with a civil war. Civil war began between the Democratic Army of Greece and right-wing forces which now had the support of the Hellenic Army. The war lasted until 1949, when leftwing forces were defeated in the Battle of Grammos-Vitsi. During the 1950s and 1960s, Greece experienced a gradual and significant economic growth, also aided by grants and loans by the United States through the Marshall Plan.

Finally in 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a Parliamentary republic and abolished the Monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EC (now EU) and became the 12th member of the Eurozone in 2001.

Today, Greece has become the economic hub of Southeast Europe and offers a stable and healthy economic environment that is supportive to the needs of business and investors.

All transactions in the Halcyon Hills Resort are in Euros. You will not need to set up a Greek bank account to pay for your legal advice, transfer money and pay bills. There are foreign exchange brokers that can transfer currency to Greece according to the business rate. Payment of utility bills can be set up very easily by direct debit via the bank, and money can be transferred online.

All buyers of property in Greece must have a Greek tax roll number (AFM) which is issued by the tax offices. It’s free and issued on the spot. Greeks and EU citizens must show their ID card. Foreigners living in Greece are required to present their passport or another valid document of identification and their residence permit.

The notary public is independent of either the seller or the purchaser. He draws up the contract for transfer of property and the various terms and conditions contained therein.

British and all other EU passport holders travelling to Greece do not require a visa, provided that the passport is valid for the intended period of stay in Greece. British Passport holders are permitted to stay in Greece up to the last day of the validity of their passports. There is no requirement for the passport to be valid longer than the period of stay in Greece. Children up to the age of 16 are permitted to travel to Greece on their parents’ passport.

Water quality varies from area to area, depending on the source, but
in most regions is excellent. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat.

The Greek National Health system provides a basic medical service to Greek nationals and it has a reciprocal agreement with the British National Health Service. Members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are entitled to free emergency medical treatment providing they have with them a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has replaced the old E111.  For emergencies, ring 166 (public ambulance).

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

There are many Public and Private Hospitals and Medical Centres in Greece, all of varying standards. Doctors and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but may be limited on the islands.

When it comes to holidays in the sun, Greece offers a tantalising package of bustling fishing ports and golden beaches, quiet coves and fabulous bays for water sports and a renowned nightlife, while reminders of the ancient world are never far away. Explore the monuments to Greece's former glory, from Athens' Parthenon to Delphi's Temple of Apollo. Greece is a country of culture and contrast.

Greece is in the process of completing its vast programme of infrastructure projects with the use of the European Union’s 3rd Community Support Framework. That means that every level of transport and communications are being upgraded on a profound scale.

The Greek Islands are clustered in small groups, all of which have their own particular draw, from hedonistic playgrounds to quiet havens. The Cyclades Islands, including Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos and Paros are the most famous and popular of all, thanks to their vibrant nightlife and entertainment, beaches and water sports.

Rhodes is the best-known of the Dodecanese Islands, situated in the far south-east of the Aegean Sea, along with Kos, Simi and Karpathos, while the stunning island of Crete, the largest of all the Greek islands, is the last stop in the Mediterranean before Africa.

The Ionian Islands of Kefalonia, Corfu and Zakynthos, located to the west side of Greece, also draw big summer crowds and boast a great choice of beaches, bars and nightlife.

A short hop from Athens, the Saronic Gulf islands, including Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, are very close to the mainland and offer a traditional Greek experience without too much in the way of noisy nightclubs. Equally, the lush, green Sporades islands are perfect for those who prefer quiet and relaxing holidays away from the busy nightlife of other islands.

Situated to the far east of the Aegean Sea are the North East Aegean islands of Samos, Hios and Lesbos, which have many interesting sites and offer a flavour of the east. The Greek Islands offer beaches for every mood. You'll find beautiful scenery and crystal clear turquoise water, far from the crowds.

Restaurants and tavernas serve up a ubiquitous offering of Greek specialities such as dolmades, feta cheese salads, squid, moussaka, souvlaki and, of course, the fresh catch of the day.

Greeks say that pleasure and happiness passes through the stomach, food and drink is very important. Their main links to food are from the sea as of the wide area of coastal areas around the island and surrounding islands. The variety is extremely wide but specialities include octopus, red mullet and lobster; many areas do charter boats to catch your own and then cook it for you in the evening. Meat on the island is mainly beef, lamb, goat, chicken and rabbit but not necessarily in that order.

However, Athens and some of the more fashionable islands such as Santorini, Mykonos and Samos have seen the arrival of fusion cuisine and so-called modern taverna fare. Sample the national drinks, retsina and ouzo, but don't turn your nose up at the wines. Greece now boasts some surprisingly good whites and rosés, the best of which are from Gaia, Gerovassiliou and Hatzidakis.

The Greek electrical supply is 220volts, at 50hz. You will require a standard Euro 2 pin adaptor to use equipment such as mobile phone chargers.

A new law passed in 2005 setting uniform business hours (weekdays 9-9, Saturday 9-6) for retailers across Greece, although establishments in tourist resorts may remain open longer.

*Some merchants still operate under the old hours of business, closing on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Greeks are warm and hospitable. When meeting someone for the first time, they shake hands firmly, smile, and maintain direct eye contact.

Greeks are very demonstrative and affectionate. Nodding your head "yes" is not polite; say "yes" instead. "Yes" is signified by a slight downward nod of the head; “no" is a slight upward nod of the head. It can also be useful to remember the “O.K.” sign is a rude gesture; "thumbs up" means O.K. To download our exclusive 'useful phrases guide' click here.

Good friends often embrace; they may also kiss each other on each cheek. Male friends often slap each other’s arm at the shoulder.

Accepting a second helping compliments the host. Expect a great deal of discussion. Meals are a time for socializing.

The most common toast is “to your health”, which is “stinygiasou” in informal situations and “eis igían sas” at formal functions. In Greece, tip is known as filodorima (meaning gift for a friend). Tipping traditionally is not based on a predetermined percentage. Customers usually leave a tip to the 'maitre', waiters, valets and bell boys, varying from few coins to large amounts of money, according to how satisfied they are by the service. In some cases, waiters gain more money from tips than their wage. Tipping to taxi drivers is uncommon.

The Greek legal system is a member of the family of European laws and is especially influenced by German and French law. Based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and dministrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations.

Barrasford and Bird Worldwide are delighted to offer bespoke viewing trips to Samos, Greece. To find out more about what a viewing trip to Samos involves, click here or telephone 0800 1 303 101 to speak to one of our professional advisors.

• Europe
  • Bulgaria
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Albania
• The Caribbean
  • Grenada
• The Americas
  • Brazil
• Asia
  • Malaysia