Should You Travel To Greece Right Now?
Truth be told, you might want to give it some time. Reports coming from the Greek government insist that tourism, a huge business for Greece during the summer months, will not be affected by their current financial crisis. That, I’m afraid, may be a hard statement to back up.
While Greece struggles with their financial crisis, their banks are closed this week. They await the July 5th referendum, when it will be decided whether the Greek people will take a new austerity budget from the Troika (the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank) or to ‘just say no’ and end it’s membership with the Euro, which seems to be what the government is recommending. It could be determined that Greece right now, return to their pre-Euro currency of the drachma.
Currently, Greek citizens taking cash from ATMs are limited to 60 euro per day while tourists with foreign cards are not limited, but the machines are out of cash!! They’re empty and they are not being refilled until the banks have reopened.
The possible problems that you may encounter as a tourist at this time are;
1) cash only – no credit cards are being accepted at many hotels, restaurants, etc..
2) possible shortages of staples such as gas and food
3) long lines – already at ATMs and grocery stores as people prepare for possible emergency
4) more pickpockets/scams as more people are known to be traveling with cash
5) possible chaos/social unrest
If your plans have been made and paid for, I’m sorry to say it’s unlikely that even travel insurance will cover you. Check your fine print and you’ll find most policies do not cover ‘civil unrest’ or the like, so unless you upgraded to ‘any reason’, you’re going to be out of luck.
If you can change the dates, you should. Another suggestion, would be to take your flight to Greece and travel to another nearby European destination that you’ve always wanted to see. Try www.easyjet.com
If an old married couple were fighting in the room next door, would you insist on going in there right this minute? No. You’d wait for the mood to pass. Good idea. 
If you have to put off Greece right now, be sure to go another time! It’s gorgeous!!
P.S. If you’ve found this post helpful, please share!!
