Tourism
World tours
Europe
Greece
The most important guide for Israelis flying to Greece this summer
What is required of Israelis to enter Greece now, what is the state of nocturnal closure and when will it end, why it is worth renting a car in advance, what is the fine for not wearing a mask and other important issues - we asked the Israeli who is most expert in Greece and lives there, to write a guide before you take off.
Tags
Greece
Trips in Europe
Threatened
Sivan Zamir
Sunday, 13 June 2021, 10:47 Updated: 10:57
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on general
Share on general
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
0 comments
An operation to rescue an ancient anchor in Tel Dor
Or-audio performance Ashdod Lights
Portal in Vilnius (Vilna)
An amulet against the evil eye from Harbel
Imaging of the basilica in Ashkelon National Park
Fear of arson in the Nahal Prat Nature Reserve
A dragonfly emerges from a nymph
Ga'aton Quarry
The new water park in Eilat is under construction
An abandoned mall under the holiday apartment
Nestos Canyon and River near Xanthi Greece (Photo: Yossi Fischer)
Greece is the strongest destination for Israelis in the near future, and no wonder - it is a beloved and close destination anyway - but its opening to world tourism, and to Israel before everyone else - make it a destination that ranks first among travel agents for the coming summer.
Flying to islands?
Not before you go through Walla's full Greece guide!
Tourism
For example, the Greek airline Blue Bird last weekend increased the frequency of its flights from Israel to Greece and the islands to 25 weekly flights, and this joins dozens of other flights of other airlines to the destination.
The fact that the big holiday in Fatah (June 20) and children aged 15-12 have already begun to get vaccinated in Israel also guarantees a family vacation free of isolation for some Israelis.
So to get an up-to-date picture of the corona in Greece, what is required of Israelis to enter it, what tests, forms, what is the state of nocturnal closure, what are the popular destinations in the country and what are the tips you must know at the moment, we asked Sivan Zamir. Who lives in Greece and knows everything in it, tell us the things that are most important to know before you take off.
More on Walla!
Without a corona check back: why Athens is the best destination for Israelis right now
To the full article
Dozens of weekly summer flights to Greece.
The village of Kokari on the island of Samos (Photo: Greek Tourist Board)
The state of the corona in the country today
In the last two months, Greece has recorded a significant drop in morbidity data, which allows it to open the tourist season at just the right moment for it - in mid-June - after starting on May 15, it has already announced that it is open to tourism from Israel. Here, too, Israel, in fact, was Greece's "pilot" for opening up all tourism, in the land of islands and mountains.
Greece entered a second closure in November 2020, after being open to tourism in August-October. The second closure was difficult and long, and the Greeks prayed for the arrival of the vaccine. When it came, it was gaining momentum, and these days Greece has been storing more than 100,000 people a day for over a month - a figure that has led to a sharp drop in morbidity and put air into the soul of the tourism industry which is very critical to the economy.
Last week we were informed that in addition to the opening to tourism, the music that so characterizes Greece, returns to all places of entertainment after an absence of more than half a year.
The Greeks did not want music to create crowds in places of entertainment, but now that Greece is becoming a "green" country back, the Greeks are trying to give back to the Greeks and tourists everything they love about Greece.
In addition, on July 1, Greece plans to remove additional restrictions that still exist, such as a night curfew from 1:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seating in restaurants and cafes just outside, and possibly walking with masks.
More on Walla!
New summer destination: Pelion Peninsula in Greece
We visited the Greek island that the Israelis have not yet destroyed
Israir is attacking the Greek islands: it will fly to nine different destinations, as well as to Zanzibar
B-Cure Laser - Does It Really Help Knee Pain?
Restaurant closed due to Corona in Athens (Photo: ShutterStock, Shutterstock)
The isolation in return for children from Israel
However, not everything is rosy for the Greeks.
The government in the country and in the tourism industry in general, are still concerned about the procedure of Israel and a few other countries in the world, which require return isolation for children (unvaccinated) which greatly impairs family tourism to Greece and develops families' bookings for the summer.
The Greeks do not really understand the procedures of the Ministry of Health in Israel, which despite two negative tests that the children will perform in both Greece before returning and entering the country - they will still need isolation, and the Greeks hope that Israel will cancel this procedure by July 1 when Greece is expected to go green again.
Another thing that bothers the Greeks is British tourism.
Due to the particular fear in the world that the Astra Zenica vaccine (common in the UK) may not protect against all variants, and that tourists from the UK will be a little apprehensive about vacations this tourist season and may cancel or postpone their holiday, the Greeks believe a very low number of infections From the UK.
The Greeks fear the British vaccine.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gets vaccinated (Photo: Reuters)
Common destinations in Greece
In the last two weeks, there has been a significant increase in bookings for a variety of Greek holiday and travel destinations. Israeli tourists are already in Crete, Epirus, Pelion, Paros, Andrews, Athens, the Peloponnese and other less crowded and crowded destinations, where tourism has already opened more than a month ago.
Tourism to the larger holiday hotels is expected to start only on July 1 - then the list of destinations that Israelis will reach will also join Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and other destinations to which direct flights from Israel will finally be operated this year. Greece expects a significant increase in demand and bookings for the season forthcoming, especially for tourism from the "vaccinated" as Israel, United Kingdom, USA, Netherlands, Germany and others.
Due to growing demand, other airlines are trying to "squeeze" timetables and want to also operate direct flights To the definite holiday destinations of Greece from Israel.
In fact, tourism from Israel to Greece is the "first in the world" tourism movement during the Corona.
The tourism agreement between Israel and Greece has made these two countries "tourism pioneers" and a role model for the rest of the world, Italy and Spain for example, which closely monitors tourism from Israel to Greece and learns from the Greeks and Israelis coming to Greece, proper entry procedures to preserve post-Corona era tourism.
Tourism from Israel to Greece is the "first in the world" tourism movement.
Israelis in the Kuyasa springs in Greece, last week (Photo: Courtesy of the photographers, Sivan Zamir)
Entry procedures for vaccinated and unvaccinated
The Greeks present a flexible and safe policy for the entry of tourism into the country, with Greece not banning unvaccinated people from entering its territory and only asking them for a negative check without the need for isolation at the entrance. For the vaccinated, Greece allows entry without examination, and for the recovering, Greece allows entry upon presentation of an official recovery certificate issued in the last 9-2 months.
Please note
that all the exact entry procedures for Greece can be found both on the updates page of the Greece and Islands website (in Hebrew) and on the Greek government website in full detail in English.
The PLF form is still required to be completed up to 24 hours before the flight to Greece. Discussions are currently taking place in Greece regarding the possibility of canceling this form for inbound tourism, but no official approval has yet been received on the subject, and anyone going to Greek destinations must definitely be updated in all topology, which currently includes a negative PCR corona test before returning to Israel. However, it is possible that in the near future this issue will also change, and health experts in Greece closely monitor what is happening there, and every two weeks conduct a "situation assessment and update of procedures", where it is very important for them to create health security for both Greeks and tourists.
It seems that despite the little "bureaucracy and topology" at the entrance and exit from Greece, the holiday in the country is probably worth everything, so at least it seems from the data for bookings for holidays and trips in Greece for this season in recent days - a very significant and stable increase.
Greece does not prohibit unvaccinated people from entering its territory.
Agian Flight (Photo: ShutterStock, Shutterstock)
Prices in Greece
In terms of prices, Greece has not changed and remains a relatively comfortable country and quite cheap for travelers.
The only thing that has become a bit more expensive is car rental, so it is advisable to rent in advance and not wait for the last minute.
The car inventory of some of the rental companies has shrunk following the crisis, some companies have sold their car inventory, other companies have closed and no longer exist, and a little “bottleneck” has been created on car rental for this season.
5 important tips for your vacation in Greece
It is still mandatory to wear a mask in Greece, both in open and closed places, but a little patience and soon that will change, expect July 1st.
Going to restaurants?
It is advisable to arrive a little earlier as it is currently mainly allowed to sit outside, and as a result may be a bit crowded and not always find a table available easily.
It is also possible to order by phone.
In the villages and small islands there is less problem of finding a vacant table, and the main problem in the big cities of Greece - Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos, Heraklion.
From 01:30 at night there is a closure in Greece.
It is important not to drive during these hours or not to go out.
The fine can reach up to 500 euros.
In the villages and small islands the procedure is not really bypassed, but mainly in the tourist areas or in the big cities.
You should follow the procedures that change from day to day, and always make reservations with the option of cancellation, for extra security.
And most importantly - be patient, take life easy and enjoy Greece.
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on general
Share on general
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
0 comments
