About Greece Travel

What was that under the tree? "Mamma Mia the Movie!"

2009-12-28T21:00:02Z

I can tell that a lot of people received the newly-repackaged Blu-Ray gift edition of "Mamma Mia the Movie!" this year - because suddenly the questions "Where is the island of Kalokairi?" and "Does the Villa Donna really exist?" are showing up in full force. Like "Is there really a Santa Claus?" the answer is both "no" and "Yes!". So, here's more help on all your "Mamma Mia the Movie!" questions - and advice on taking the fantasy just a little closer to reality.

Movie Locations for Mamma Mia the Movie

Villa Donna and its Sisters

"Kalokairi" - The Mamma Mia Island(s)

Planning a "Mamma Mia" Trip to Greece

What was that under the tree? "Mamma Mia the Movie!" originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 21:00:02.

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Flight 253 - New Security Measures Already Affecting Passengers

2009-12-26T17:50:16Z

In the aftermath of the thwarted terror attack on Flight 253, new procedures are already affecting travel. While some of these will impact how you move through the airport, others will have a direct affect on you during the flight.

While official notices have not been posted yet, CNN reports that passengers in the air today, December 26th, are already experiencing some changes.

Passengers may not be allowed out of their seats during the last hour of the flight.
Blankets and pillows have been taken away from some passengers during the last portion of the flight.
Passengers were not allowed to access overhead bins during the last portion of the flight.
The mapping displays available on video screens were disabled prior to reaching U.S. airspace

Here is what I suggest to help make your travel more comfortable with these new procedures if they are made permanent.

Don't count on that blanket. Have a thin extra jacket or pullover with you at your seat if you get cold easily. Bulky outerwear may become subject to additional restrictions.
Limits on liquids no longer just apply to your baggie of toiletries. Try to time your fluid intake so you will not be desperate to use the bathroom in that last period. For security reasons, airlines will probably not tell everyone to go "Use the bathroom now!"
Landing at an airport well within U.S. borders? Expect those restriction times to start earlier, and adjust accordingly.

Flight 253 - New Security Measures Already Affecting Passengers originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Saturday, December 26th, 2009 at 17:50:16.

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Terror Attempt on Delta/NWA Flight 253 - How Will it Affect Your Travel?

2009-12-26T03:55:45Z

The Christmas Day attempted terror attack on Delta/NWA/KLM flight 253 will intensify and possibly change security procedures worldwide. Since the flight originated in Lagos, Nigeria and the alleged perpetrator also passed through Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, increased security at airports in Europe and Africa, and especially on the affected airlines, is highly likely.

The details of the device used in the attempted attack on the airplane are not clear at this time; it has been suggested by news sources that the suspect used a syringe filled with a chemical to activate some sort of powdered substance.

If this is true, and it is not clear at this time, those who travel with syringes for medical reasons can expect extra scrutiny. Make sure all associated paperwork is readily available and in order and you may want to explore back-up plans for your next destination in case your medication or equipment is confiscated or placed in stowed baggage which may then go astray or be further delayed.

Since a "powder" may have been involved, any powdery substances - food, spices, makeup - may now be looked at more carefully. If you don't need powder with you, pack it in your luggage instead.

This is a no-brainer - but allow extra time before your flights.
Before going to the airport, contact your airline directly for their updated recommendations, especially in the next week or so as the holiday travel season winds down.
If you are booking your multi-leg or international flights now, avoid tight connections as increased security may delay some flights, or slow you down going from terminal to terminal quickly enough to make a connection.
While it is tempting to try to avoid extra luggage fees and cram everything into your carryon baggage, if you are stopped for an additional search, every extra item which needs to be rummaged through or inspected just means more delay. BBC and CNN.

Terror Attempt on Delta/NWA Flight 253 - How Will it Affect Your Travel? originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Saturday, December 26th, 2009 at 03:55:45.
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Cheap Flights to Greece

2009-12-23T00:55:58Z

Aegean Airlines is offering some great rates to Greece from European cities. You can book now until December 28th for flights departing on or after January 10th, 2010. Many of these destinations can be combined with cheaper flights from the U.S. or Canada. You need to book before December 28th to take advantage of some great deals on off-season flights to Greece; travel must be completed by March 28th, 2010.

From Barcelona, Brussels, Madrid, Munich, Milan, Rome, Vienna, and Berlin, it's just 55 Euros one-way.
From Paris, it's 66 Euro. For London flights, the most expensive of the bunch, the payment is in pounds - 69 of them to be exact. Here's a currency converter to help compare rates.

All fares include all taxes, but they are non-refundable and ticket changes are not allowed, so be sure this is exactly what you want before you book it.

Picture of Aegean Airlines plane � Aegean Airlines; used by permission.

Cheap Flights to Greece originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 00:55:58.

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On this Day in Greece - December 22nd

2009-12-22T00:02:03Z

On this day in Greece in 1978, the current design of the Greek flag was officially adopted, though similar flags had waved over Greece since its initial design in 1821. But oddly enough, there is still no "official" shade of blue for the stripes on the flag, and you'll see many variations, all of them technically correct.

UK Greece Specialist Travel Agency Allbury Closes Down; Some Clients Stranded

2009-12-21T16:14:05Z

Allbury Travel, a long-established agency in the UK offering trips to Greece and Cyprus, has ceased operations, the Daily Telegraph reports. The company is also known under the names of Libra Holidays, Argo Holidays and JetLife. Its demise appears to be related to some of the same factors which brought down Scotland's Globespan airline recently. Along with the indefinite closure of the Eurostar, it's a very rough week for European travel.

Britain's ABTA has some useful links on what to do if your travel company has closed.

There is also information from Britain's Civil Aviation Authority on what to do if you are an Allbury Travel client.

UK Greece Specialist Travel Agency Allbury Closes Down; Some Clients Stranded originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 16:14:05.

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See the Acropolis on Ice

2009-12-15T00:41:46Z

In Athens this winter? The Athens Ledra Marriott and Star City Cinemas have joined forces - and the result is a rooftop skating rink with a view of the Acropolis. While, personally, the thought of putting myself on skates on a slippery surface high above the ground is not too atractive, even in a safe, contained area, it looks like a lot of fun for the better-coordinated visitor to Athens.

The ice rink will stay open through February. During the holidays, there is a small Christmas Market on the roof as well. It costs 10 Euros to skate, and it's open 11am to 11:30pm daily.

If you like to keep ice skating as a strictly spectator sport, you can also enjoy taking in a performance of "Holiday on Ice" in Athens at the Tae Kwon Do Stadium in Faliro from December 11th-December 20th. The show is subtitled "Mystery" and features an Alice in Wonderland theme, along with more traditional holiday characters. You can even buy tickets online.

Photo copyright Athens Ledra Marriott; used by permission

See the Acropolis on Ice originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 00:41:46.

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Olympic Air Adds Mobile Check-in

2009-12-13T03:57:40Z

Traveling on Olympic Air? They've added the ability to check in via your cell phone or other device connected to the internet. At this point, the service is only good for flights departing out of Athens International Airport. Flyers can check in any time between 23 and 1 hour before the flight; after that cut-off, you have to check in at the desk.

Olympic Air also offers a departures and arrivals alert service via your cell phone.

While Olympic Air is the first to the gate in offering this mobile option, I expect that rival Aegean Airlines will soon be adding this service as well.

Olympic Air Adds Mobile Check-in originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 03:57:40.

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On this Day in Greece - December 12th

2009-12-12T00:59:47Z

In 1821, at the village of New Epidauros, the Greek Constitution was formed by the First National Assembly of Greeks. The modern Greek flag was also designed at this time.

Cyprus Stunned by Theft of Past President's Body

2009-12-11T18:54:29Z

Cypriots are reeling from the shocking theft of the remains of Tassos Papadopoulos, who died a year ago Saturday. His body was taken from a deep grave by determined robbers who shifted a massive marble slab in order to reach the body. The grave site was intended to be visited on Saturday as part of a traditional one-year memorial ceremony noting his death. The theft has raised tensions on Cyprus as reunification talks have reached a critical point in recent weeks.

Mio Georgiou at Cypriot Living, on Cyprus, told me many Cypriots are dismayed, whatever their politics. "The desecration of any grave is appalling -- and most Cypriots are shocked that such an act occurred to a prominent figure like former President Tassos Papadopoulos. Cyprus is a country that is, among other ways, clearly divided by political lines. However, regardless of which side of the political line you stand on, we can all agree that the theft of the body of former President Papadopoulos is a most heinous act of disrespect."

The Guardian: Grave robbers steal body of former Cypriot president

Cyprus Stunned by Theft of Past President's Body originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 18:54:29.

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