3 Greek Travel Myths that might surprise you!

Consumers warned against independent trips to Greece.

1. Greece is still more expensive for a one-week holiday than Portugal, Spain, Morocco, France and Egypt.

2. Greece ranked as only the 10^th cheapest country for a seven-day holiday, including flights.

3.  In a recent pole Greece came out more expensive than even Iceland and Japan.

A consumer watchdog is urging holidaymakers considering trips to Greece to book packages to ensure their money is protected if the country exits the eurozone this summer.

Which? is warning its readers that packages booked through  tour operators are a safer bet than booking flights and accommodation separately, said a report in the Telegraph newspaper in the U.K.

It went on to say that holidaymakers who do book independent trips should pay by credit card, so they will be guaranteed refunds if things do go wrong, and to buy travel insurance with supplier failure cover.

A senior economist last week warned that tourists visiting Greece could face fuel and food shortages if the country defaults on its debt and abandons the euro, which prompted the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises to highlight the value for money available to holidaymakers.

It is hoping that recent price reductions by hoteliers and restaurants will lure more tourists who might otherwise be put off by Greece’s financial and political instability.

However, a survey by travel search website Skyscanner today revealed that Greece is still more expensive for a one-week holiday than Portugal, Spain, Morocco, France and Egypt.

Greece ranked as only the 10^th cheapest country for a seven-day holiday, including flights. When Skyscanner looked at the daily cost of living, it came in 17^th place, making it more expensive than even Iceland and Japan.

European Destinations with a Difference

Now that the European seasonal flights are well under way, don’t just set your sights on the capitals and the well known cultural cities but think further afield to the mediterranean hot spots, places like Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, and Turkey to name but a few.

During the summer, Vancouver is connected to the hub airports of Europe by charter flights.  These include the usual cities like, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam.  However, there are some new destinations too.  Zurich opens up the breathtaking sights of Switzerland, as well as Dusseldorf for Germany and Central Europe.  The latest addition is Dublin for southern Ireland – original draft Guinness is closer than you think.

So what Mediterranean countries have you always wanted to visit but thought that they were always out of your reach?  Well, no they’re not.  How about the Spanish Costas?  For example, Costa Dorada (Salou airport), which boasts one of Europe’s largest theme parks called Port Aventura. Possibly the spanish Canary Islands, such as Tenerife. You will find luxury spas, new theme parks, designer shops, cosmopolitan marinas, and the last word in hotels; these draw visitors to the island’s stylish south while ecologically minded and active travellers come to discover the lush forests, small coastal towns, and the mountain villages of the North. All these “destinations with a difference” can be booked from Canada.

So forget the usual vacation spots like Mexico and the Caribbean, be the envy of your friends when you show them your holiday photos with a “difference”.  I grew up holidaying at these Mediteranean destinations and many others, so go on pick my brains, I will be happy to recommend some of these destintions to you based on what you’re looking for.

Rainbow Travel Blog - Mount Teide

Rainbow Travel Blog - Port Aventura