In recent years, it seems that vacationing is no longer a tertiary need for Indonesian people. Many consider it a secondary need and not even a few have considered it a primary need.

The increasing number of people’s income and purchasing power, the large number of young people, and the increasingly massive use of digital technology are considered as some of the factors that drive this.

A survey conducted by Femina and PeluitPanjang online to 100 respondents in August 2017 shows that traveling (traveling) ranks second after eating out as the largest expense in the last year of respondents with a percentage reaching 24%.

The survey is consistent with the results of a study released by Nielsen at the end of 2018 regarding Indonesian consumers in the third quarter of 2018, where 32 percent of respondents stated that they chose to take a vacation to use the remaining funds after meeting their main living needs.

If in 2013 there were 6.9 million outbound trips made by the Indonesian people, then in 2021 this number is predicted to increase 1.5 times to reach 10.6 million outbound trips.

Which country is the favorite destination of the Indonesian people? As reported by Viva, countries in Europe are places that many Indonesian people dream of visiting and in the future the trend of vacationing in Europe will lead to Greece.
Then what preparations do you need to do if you want to vacation in Greece, so that your vacation can be fun?.

• Decide when to go on vacation

This is very important as the first step when you want to vacation in Greece, which is a country of 4 seasons. When you come, among other things, will determine the type and amount of clothing you need to bring, the price and availability of transportation and accommodation, and good tourist destinations to visit.

In my opinion, the best time for Indonesian tourists to visit Greece is between April-June and September-October, so they can avoid summer and winter holidays. Summer is the peak of holidays in Greece where prices and availability of accommodation and transportation are usually higher.

• Prepare the necessary travel documents

There are several travel documents that need to be prepared, the most important of which are passports and visas. The passport used should be valid for at least 6 months. Meanwhile, there are 2 types of visas, namely national and Schengen. For more information on visas, see here.

Having travel insurance is also a good thing to anticipate if things happen that are not desirable. In addition, it is also a good idea to bring a driving license and an international driver’s license.

• Book transportation and accommodation tickets now

At certain times, for example during the summer months, finding transport tickets and accommodation in Greece can be a challenge. In addition to the more expensive price, sometimes it is also not available. So, it is not a bad idea to immediately book accommodation and transportation tickets.

There are many types of accommodation in Greece, ranging from star hotels to hostels, backpack inns, and apartments. The location also varies. In Athens, for example, you can choose accommodations that are close to the city center (eg Plaka, Omonia, and Kolonaki areas), beaches (eg Glyfada and Varkiza), or those that are relatively far away but have easy transportation access to the city center (eg Agia Paraskevi, Marousi , and Chalandri).

As for transportation, there are quite a number of flight options from Jakarta. On average, these flights transit once, for example in Singapore, Dubai, or Istanbul. For domestic flights in Greece, there are also many choices, such as Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Ryanair.

One of the attractions of Greece is its beautiful islands. Mykonos, Santorini, Zakynthos for example. To get there you can use a boat whose tickets can be purchased at various travel agency offices that are widely available in the center of Athens or online, for example through www.openseas.gr or www.hellenicseaways.gr.

For transportation in Athens, you can use taxis, trains, or buses. More information about transportation in Athens can be found here and here. You can also rent a car, for example through www.hertz.gr, www.avis.gr, or www.sixt.com.

• Prepare sufficient funds

Greece uses the Euro currency and there are many money changers in Greece, especially in big cities, such as Athens and Thessaloniki. However, the money changer does not accept rupiah. So, prepare funds in the form of enough euros for your needs while in Greece.

When compared to Western Europe and Northern Europe, Greece’s cost of living is cheaper. Just in case, it’s a good idea to bring a debit card and/or credit card with you.

• Record important numbers in Greek

Write down important numbers during your visit to Greece, both on your mobile phone and in your book. Some important telephone numbers, including: the hotline of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Athens (+30 694 646 0015), emergency (112), police (100), fire department (199), lodging, travel agencies, and car rental .

• Download the handy mobile app and prepare your internet needs

Take advantage of advances in technology to make your visit to Greece more enjoyable and easy. There are several useful applications, such as Safe Travel (this application created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia contains practical information needed by Indonesian citizens who will or are currently abroad for various purposes).

Then what about the flight schedule? Don’t worry, you can check ATH Airport (the official application for Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, Athens, which provides various information related to the airport including flight arrival and departure schedules in real time)
Regarding transportation, there are OASA Telematics applications (bus routes and schedules in Athens), ATH.ENA Card (application for public transportation cards in Athens), Moovit (public transportation routes and schedules), and Athens Transporartion (public transportation information in Athens).

To be able to use the mobile application, of course, requires an internet network. So, before leaving, don’t forget to subscribe to an international roaming package if you decide to keep using an Indonesian operator. However, if you decide to use an operator in Greece, there are several operator options, such as Vodafone, Cosmote, and Wind.

You can buy a sim card at operator outlets, operator marketing staff selling on the street, or gadget shops like Germanos. Don’t forget to bring your passport when you buy a Greek sim card.

• Take care of your health and prepare clothes and other necessities according to the season

Always take care of your health and go to Greece in a fit condition. Greece has 4 seasons and generally has a dry climate, in contrast to Indonesia, which has a humid climate.

In general, summers in Greece can reach 38°C, while winters in Greece can reach 0°C. In Athens itself it rarely snows in winter. Therefore, prepare clothes and other necessities such as shoes according to the season and check weather information providers’ sites to get an overview of the weather while you are there.

Thus 7 preparations you need to do if you want to travel to Greece. Happy holidays!

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