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DESIGNED TO HELP YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAY!

TRAVEL

• Try to be flexible with the departure airport and type of flight. Sometimes you will get a better deal from a scheduled or budget airline.

• Many companies offer flight only, particularly on the Internet and you can usually contact these companies by phone if you don't want to book online.

• Travel agents deal in flight-only as well as holidays.

• With many companies you will be charged for using a credit card but not a debit card - check this before you pay.

• Inform your airline of any dietary, seating or any other special needs. Please pass on these details to our agent so we can help you with any possible difficulties whilst you are with us.

• You will need a 10 year passport with more than 3 months remaining to travel to Greece. Children need the appropriate passport (sometimes only 5 years) if they are not included on an adult passport.

• The name on your passport and on your flight ticket must match. For newly weds, you will need proof of marriage for any differences.

• Visas are not required for journeys to Greece.

• Lost or stolen passports should be reported immediately to the consulate in Greece. In such circumstances contact our staff as soon as possible and we will help.

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THE JOURNEY

• Do not overpack, Rhodes is warmer than you think. The temperatures you see in the newspapers are averages.

• Remember to separate your clothing across your suitcases. In the unlikely event of a case going missing or being delayed, your holiday can continue.

• Separate your money during travel if at all possible across party members. Read the conditions of travellers cheques if you are using them. Make sure you know procedures for lost or stolen travellers cheques and credit cards.

• Make a list of useful numbers and keep them separate from your passport and money.

• Bring your insurance details with you in case of accident, loss of luggage or any other incident.

• If any item of luggage is lost or damaged in transit, you need to obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airport. You will need this to reclaim your luggage or claim on insurance.

• Stay within your luggage allowance. Airlines are becoming more strict about this and will charge excess baggage, particularly on charter airlines.

• Take some hard boiled sweets for take-off and landing, it can help with the ear-popping.

• Have you remembered to cancel papers, milk etc. and found a home for the cat, bird etc. ??

• If you are eligible for transfer (see Booking) we will try to get you to your accommodation as soon as possible. Transfer time is 20-30 minutes.

• Why not let a relative or friend have the telephone number of our agent in case of emergencies? She can contact us at any time.

• Remember - the time in Greece is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

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DURING YOUR STAY

• When you arrive, we will arrange to meet you the following morning or later that day. This is not a 'Welcome Meeting' - this is for us to get to know you and give you as much information as possible to help you get the most out of your holiday.

• Alternative times will be arranged for the sale of tours or you can contact a member of our staff for details at any time during your holiday.

• Sunburn is a big problem in Rhodes. We understand that you want to go home with a tan but please take sensible precautions. Combined sun lotions with insect repellent can help with any mozzie problem. The hottest time of the day is between 12 and 4 - which coincides with the local siesta - no coincidence!

• During the summer months the island is very dry and they have suffered forest fires in the past. Please take care with cigarettes etc. when out and about.

• The water in Rhodes is safe to drink. You may choose bottled water because it is chilled but remember you can always chill your own in the fridge. You will need to drink plenty of liquid when it's hot....and it shouldn't be all alcohol...this dehydrates you!

• The food on Rhodes is very cosmopolitan and all tastes are catered for. Generally restaurants and tavernas will do their best to cater for your needs. 

• Tipping is optional; 10% is a good guide. Wages are generally low and tips are always appreciated.

• Everybody likes a good time but it is a good idea to watch the alcohol consumption. Heat combined with too much drink can be an unpleasant combination.

• All our apartments have air conditioning - a welcome relief in high temperatures! Too much use however dries the air in your room and causes headaches. Little and often is best.

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MONEY

• The currency of Greece is the Euro. You can exchange money in the UK but you will usually get a better rate locally. You may see some evidence of pricing in Drachma but the equivalent Euro price should also be shown.

• If you are using a credit card to get cash, use the ATMs (remember your PIN number!). You'll get a better rate of exchange. ATMs are in all the main villages including Afandou.

• Banks are open 8a.m. - 2p.m. Mon. to Thurs., 8a.m. - 1p.m. Friday. They are closed weekends and national holidays.

• If you are using a taxi to reach our apartments, you will need some cash in Euros.

• Phoning home from Rhodes is easy. There are many phone boxes and phone cards are sold in a variety of places. The code for the UK is 0044, and you must remove the first 0 from your home number. Birmingham would be 00 44 121 ........

• You can use your mobile if it has European roaming - check with your provider. Be warned that you will be charged for receiving calls as well as making them. Can be very expensive! Texting is cheaper.

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SCOOTERS, CARS etc.

• If you are old enough to hold a driving licence then you are old enough to decide whether it is safe enough for you to hire a scooter or motorbike! You will be asked to wear a helmet - despite common belief, it is the law and the police do have checkpoints at times. Also for your own safety you should be aware of the high accident rate for scooters, especially amongst tourists. Bikinis and shorts are recipes for impressive gravel rash at least!

• Driving is on the right in Greece. Road markings are limited and pedestrian crossings, in Rhodes Town, are for decoration! Taxis may use their horn when they're behind you - this is not road rage, just to let you know they are there and would like to pass. Outside Rhodes Town and particularly in the South of the island driving is a pleasure with relatively little traffic.

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ON THE BEACH

• Jet skis are falling out of favour with insurance companies so check your policy before hiring one.

• Probably stating the obvious here - drink and swimming are not good companions! Cliff diving may look fun but check it's safe to do so - too late when your head's hit a rock. Obey any beach flags and take care if you've chosen a deserted beach - most places are safe but, for example, there is a nasty riptide at times at Prasonisi (extreme south of the island).

• It can get very windy, especially on the west coast. Don't be tempted to chase the escaping lilo out to sea!

• There is a charge for sunbeds and umbrellas. Your money will usually be collected fairly promptly after you've selected your spot. This will secure your beds for the whole day and organised beaches have cantinas within metres so you can keep an eye on your belongings if you want to eat.

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 BUSES AND TAXIS

• Buses on Rhodes are cheap, cheerful and generally run on time. They have their quirks! The interior of the driver's cab will be decorated with family photos, religious icons etc.. Should a driver decide he needs fuel on route, he will pull into a petrol station and fill up. Buses heading south will also be used as a type of delivery service to some of the villages and we've even been on a bus where a driver popped home to pick up his lunch! It all adds to the experience.

• Taxis are also an experience! Drivers will often go as fast as they can get away with. It is quite common for taxis to take two groups of customers and both groups will be charged the full rate for the journey. The taxi drivers have to make their money whilst the tourists are there and are not meaning to cause offence.

• Most towns and villages in Rhodes have a taxi rank which displays the fixed price from one place to another. Make sure whenever possible that you go from one taxi rank to another that is listed. If you are going to an unlisted destination agree the price before you set off.

• If you flag down a taxi, ask for a price before you get in - saves any possible disagreements later.

• If you ring for a taxi, you will be charged for the journey to you as well as the journey to your destination.

• Taxis are not over-expensive but cost more than buses. You will be advised of this year's cost from airport to apartments by our agent.

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ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS

• If anybody becomes ill whilst on holiday, contact us using the emergency number (if necessary) as soon as possible. We can assist in getting professional help for you.

• Keep any receipts for medication you have to buy in case you need them for any insurance claim.

• Tablets containing Codeine must not be taken into Greece. If you are using medication containing this substance please seek professional advice.

• Make sure that any medication you are using is labelled with your name and the name of the drug.

• For minor ailments and accidents, the local chemist or FARMAKIEO is a good source of information and assistance.

• Take a basic first aid kit with you. Essentials include: bandage, headache treatment, waterproof plasters, sunburn treatment, lip salve, stomach calmer and insect bite treatment.

• Women who are more that 28 weeks pregnant will need to seek advice from their airline to check whether they are allowed to fly. A medical certificate from a GP may be required.

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SHOPPING

• Most of the regular brands of toiletries available in the UK are available in Rhodes, along with most basic shopping needs. There are plenty of small supermarkets and a few large ones nearby if you have a car.

• Greek shop assistants may appear rude in that they will not put change into your hand, but put it on the counter. They consider this normal and are the same with Greek shoppers. Also 'please' and 'thank-you' are not used so frequently in their culture.

• Haggling is not particularly expected in Greek shops. It may work but it may also cause resentment. Quite often shopkeepers will give a 'discount' if you are pleasant. This will invariably be reduced if you haggle over the price!

• Alcohol and cigarettes will be cheaper to buy in the village rather than in duty-free or on the plane. The price of cigarettes is fixed by the government and you should not see any variation in shops. If you use a credit card to buy cigarettes, you are likely to be charged a fee to cover the credit card charges to the retailer.

• The local equivalent brand name drinks to the famous named ones compare favourably and are usually a lot cheaper.

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GENERAL

• Photographs of military installations is strictly forbidden and may result in confiscation of photographic equipment and even arrest.

• A smile goes a long way in Greece. The Greek people are friendly and appreciate you being friendly to them in return.

• The pace of life is slower, but think how fast you'd work in those temperatures, 7 days a week! Pace yourself...you are on holiday after all!

• If there is an emergency and speed is required, you will find that the Greek people are quick to respond to all calls for assistance.

• Finally, a little bit of Greek goes a long way and it will make your holiday all the more enjoyable. Below we have produced a small table of useful words and phrases. The pronunciation included is based on the nearest English equivalent. The Greeks will love it and your children will infuriate you by learning them much more quickly than you can!