| Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of and is pleased to | | | | reception. They even have their own wedding |
| have as a guest Tom Savvides, expert on | | | | coordinator. |
| Greece and co-owner of National Travel Service | | | | * The town of Oia is world famous for its |
| Inc located in Livingston, New Jersey. | | | | romantic sunsets and the small cove of Ammoudi |
| Thanks Tom for accepting our invitation to be | | | | Beach, which is located below the cliffs of Oia is |
| interviewed. | | | | another unique destination that's off the beaten |
| NORM: | | | | path with fantastic sea views. |
| Can you tell our readers something about yourself | | | | I really need to mention a few places on the |
| and your expertise pertaining to Greece and the | | | | mainland of Greece in the Peleponese region. |
| Greek Islands? | | | | Although not a big tourist area it offers many |
| TOM: | | | | interesting historical sites, beautiful beaches, |
| I am a co-owner of National Travel Service, Inc. | | | | unspoiled villages, terrific wine regions and fun |
| Our agency was started by my family in 1969 | | | | cities as well. |
| specifically to assist the Greek community in the | | | | * The city of Nafplion, the first capital of modern |
| NY/NJ area with their travel needs. Since that | | | | Greece, is a lovely port city with a fascinating |
| time we have evolved into a full-service travel | | | | history. Above the city sits the Nafplia Palace |
| agency specializing in travel to Greece. I personally | | | | Hotel. It has a private split-level building for |
| lead an annual food and wine tour to Greece and | | | | receptions. It is built on the side of the hill |
| have traveled there since I was a child. | | | | overlooking the harbour. Three sides of the |
| NORM: | | | | building are glass which allows beautiful panoramic |
| Could you give our readers an idea as to what | | | | views. They have an excellent restaurant and |
| differentiates five of the most popular of the | | | | wine steward. The beach town of Tolo is just |
| Greek islands from one another from point of | | | | outside of Nafplion and is a great alternative to |
| view of topography, climate, and anything else | | | | staying within the city. |
| you consider different? | | | | NORM: |
| TOM: | | | | How far in advance should a couple prepare |
| The 5 most popular islands in terms of the | | | | themselves for a honeymoon or romantic |
| number of tourists visiting annually are: | | | | getaway in Greece? |
| *Santorini, | | | | TOM: |
| *Mykonos | | | | If you are traveling during the height of the |
| *Crete | | | | tourist season I would suggest planning your |
| *Rhodes | | | | honeymoon at least 6- 8 months in advance. This |
| *Corfu. | | | | way you can secure the best airfare and |
| In my opinion Santorini is the most unique and | | | | accommodations at the hotels of your choice. If |
| beautiful of all the Greek Islands. | | | | you are traveling in the off- season you could plan |
| It is unique due to the fact that it is literally the tip | | | | a honeymoon literally within a month or so of |
| of an ancient volcano whose explosion in 1500 BC | | | | your departure date. |
| was arguably the largest in history. | | | | NORM: |
| The archaeological site of Akrotiri is considered by | | | | What advice would you have for destination |
| experts to be the lost city of Atlantis. | | | | brides who plan to bring along a wedding party to |
| The views and sunsets are the absolute best! | | | | Greece? It's a growing trend for destination |
| Mykonos is known mostly for its wild nightlife, | | | | weddings to now have a fairly sizeable wedding |
| beautiful beaches and fine jewellery shops, | | | | party sometimes about 50' so it would be great |
| specifically gold. The island of Delos is close to | | | | to get their tips on group airline discounts, hotel |
| Mykonos and is the location of a significant | | | | blocks. |
| archaeological site. | | | | TOM: |
| Crete is the largest Greek island and offers | | | | The one thing you need to keep in mind when |
| everything from cosmopolitan cities, ancient ruins, | | | | considering Greece for a destination wedding is |
| beautiful beaches as well as the longest gorge in | | | | the size of the hotels. If you brought 50 guests |
| Europe. | | | | to Santorini in the height of the tourist season it |
| Rhodes is very similar to Crete in terms of the | | | | would be unlikely that you would find a single hotel |
| diversity of sites & activities and climate | | | | that would accommodate all of your guests. The |
| although it is a much smaller island. | | | | Greek islands are known for their small, intimate |
| Corfu is located in the Ioanian Sea far from all the | | | | and family run hotels not for their big resorts. |
| other islands we have mentioned. It is a popular | | | | Don't get me wrong there are several large |
| island for visitors from the UK. It has a diverse | | | | resort type hotels on several of the islands |
| climate and terrain offering everything from | | | | however they are quite expensive and usually |
| beautiful sandy beaches to pine forests. | | | | have less charm. Whether you're planning a |
| NORM: | | | | wedding for 10 or 50 you must do it way in |
| Why would you consider Greece a good choice | | | | advance. |
| for a romantic getaway or wedding and | | | | As far as the airfare goes you would need only |
| honeymoon destination, and if you had to choose | | | | 10 passengers traveling on the same flights in |
| your 5 favourite Greek Islands, which ones would | | | | order to qualify for a group discount. This would |
| they be and why? | | | | also need to be done well in advance if you're |
| TOM: | | | | looking for a discounted airfare in the high season. |
| This is an easy question. The unrivalled beauty of | | | | NORM: |
| the Greeks Islands is what makes them a | | | | How does one go about checking on the reliability |
| romantic destination. As I mentioned before the | | | | of a hotel or resort in Greece when it pertains to |
| warm beaches and romantic sunsets are the best. | | | | service, food, etc? |
| The Greeks are masters at making people feel | | | | TOM: |
| relaxed and comfortable which are all prerequisites | | | | One way would be to book your trip through an |
| for romance. | | | | experienced travel agent like myself who has |
| My favourite Greek Islands would be Santorini for | | | | either personally been to the hotel or resort they |
| its sheer beauty and amazing cuisine, Crete for its | | | | are recommending or has sent clients there |
| diversity, wealth of activities and delicious wines | | | | already and has received positive feedback. You |
| and food, Mykonos for its fantastic nightlife and | | | | can also goon-line as I do occasionally. There are |
| gorgeous beaches, Chios and Andros because | | | | several sites that offer unbiased reviews from |
| they are not such popular islands for tourists and | | | | travelers that have stayed at the resort you are |
| for all the warm and wonderful people I've met | | | | interested in. One site that I use quite often is I |
| from these islands. | | | | still think the best way to be sure of what you're |
| NORM: | | | | getting is to book through an agent that is |
| What is the best time to visit Greece from the | | | | considered an expert in the particular destination |
| point of view of weather, costs, and crowds? As | | | | you are traveling to. |
| a follow up, how do costs vary from one season | | | | NORM: |
| to another? | | | | What should people know about planning a |
| TOM: | | | | wedding in Greece as far as legal requirements |
| Personally my favourite time to visit Greece is in | | | | are concerned? |
| mid to late September. The weather is not as hot | | | | TOM: |
| as in the peak travel months of July and August, | | | | The details are far too many to summarize. It is |
| airfares and hotel rates are slightly cheaper and | | | | best to go directly to the web site for the U.S. |
| the crowds have thinned out somewhat by that | | | | Embassy Athens Greece Consular Services at US |
| time. Clearly the best time to travel to the islands | | | | EMBASSY for details. One should never rely on |
| would be in the peak months of June to | | | | advice from anyone other than an official |
| September specifically because of the weather. | | | | representative of the Greek or U.S. Embassy. It |
| Most of the islands are fairly quiet in the off- | | | | would be very difficult for anyone without a direct |
| season except for local residents. It is true that | | | | working knowledge of these requirements to be |
| you could save considerably on airfare and | | | | constantly informed and up to date of any and all |
| especially your accommodations in the off | | | | changes. |
| -season but, the islands are not the place to be | | | | NORM: |
| when it's cold and rainy. | | | | How safe is travel to Greece? |
| Please keep in mind that Greece is now part of | | | | TOM: |
| the European Union and therefore uses the Euro | | | | In terms of terrorist acts, which everyone seems |
| for its currency. As you know the US Dollar is | | | | to be concerned with these days, Greece has |
| very week versus the Euro, which means that | | | | just made it through the Olympics, which is the |
| Greece is no longer considered an inexpensive | | | | largest international event in the world, without |
| travel destination. This in turn has had an adverse | | | | any incidents. Their airport is the newest and |
| effect on tourism to Greece the past few years. | | | | most high tech in terms of security in the world |
| It does not mean you won't get your money's | | | | today. |
| worth only that the prices are more on par with | | | | In terms of safety within Athens or on the islands |
| those in Italy and Spain which were typically more | | | | it is not necessary to take any extra precautions |
| expensive destinations than Greece. | | | | when out and about. Like any place you will ever |
| NORM: | | | | go to there are good and bad parts of town. A |
| If you had to choose 5 unequalled, exotic and | | | | little common sense goes a long way in avoiding |
| unique areas such as parks, beaches etc in any of | | | | any problems. |
| the Greek Islands or in Athens to celebrate a | | | | One's personal safety should not be a deterrent |
| wedding, which ones would you choose from the | | | | from planning a trip to Greece. |
| point of view of popularity and beauty? | | | | NORM: |
| TOM: | | | | Is there anything else you would wish to add as it |
| * I love Orizontas Restaurant in Athens. It sits on | | | | pertains to romantic and wedding destinations in |
| top of Lycabettus Hill and offers the best view of | | | | Greece? |
| Athens as well as fantastic sunsets. You actually | | | | TOM: |
| take a tram through the hillside to reach it. | | | | There are many unique and beautiful Greek |
| * The St. George Lycabettus Hotel in Athens is | | | | Islands, however, some of the smaller more |
| an excellent choice for the same reasons as well | | | | remote islands may not be suitable for a |
| as their courteous staff, wonderful cuisine and a | | | | destination wedding or even a honeymoon. They |
| beautiful roof top pool and bar. | | | | are not geared towards tourism and may not |
| * Santorini has several areas to consider. The | | | | offer the type of amenities one may require for |
| Dana Villas hotel in the town of Fira offers a | | | | this very special occasion. There are many islands |
| fantastic honeymoon suite and a wonderful pool | | | | that do offer everything you would desire and |
| area that hangs off a cliff over the sea, which is | | | | you should seek the advise of a travel expert to |
| a breathtaking location for a ceremony or | | | | help you choose the perfect location. |