1. what to pack
When traveling in Greece, there are a few items that need to be added to your typical travel packing list. Make sure to pack all toiletries and double check to make sure you haven't forgotten any necessities. From personal experience, I forgot deodorant (don't ask me how) and I could only find one shop with foreign deodorant, which smelled like men's cologne. I even packed toilet paper, which came in handy when the single stall at the top of a mountain had none. There are no Walmart's in Greece where you can buy necessities and medications in emergencies, so triple check everything on your list. In addition, the voltage in Greece is 220v, which is different than the standard 120v in the US. This requires you to pack an adapter or converter in order to charge your smartphones or use electricity in general. Phone calls and texting over-seas is very expensive as well, so talk to your phone provider to sort out the best deal for traveling. I recommend using Whatsapp for communication. Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are absolutely vital to surviving the constant sun. I would pack a water bottle that can be refilled in order to save money and stay hydrated. Do not make the same mistake I made thinking I could visit just one attraction without water; I almost had a heat stroke. As goes for traveling in any foreign country, bring your passport and keep it stowed in a safe place or in a small purse on you at all times.
2. how to dress
I recommend wearing light, comfortable clothes and shoes; temperatures can be unbearably hot in the summer. Touring Greece requires a lot of walking uphill and downhill without shade, so bring shoes that do not give you blisters or pain. I would also bring shoes to wear in the water, because most beaches are rocky; flip flops did not protect my friend from cutting her toe on the rocks. If you plan on visiting any churches, there is a specific dress code that must be followed. Travelers must be covered from the shoulders to the knees and leggings are not considered pants. For any items that you decide to pack, I would not choose anything that screams, "I'm American," because it makes you a target in foreign countries.
3. currency
Credit cards, debit cards, and euros are the primary forms of currency in Greece. Credit cards need to be set up for international usage and debit cards may or may not accepted in certain locations. Some small shops only accept cash, so one cannot only rely on credit cards for payment. You can exchange US dollars for Euros before or after arriving in Greece, but it's recommended that you have at least 50 euros on hand when you arrive just in case. Plan to spend anywhere from 40 euros to 60 euros a day, which is about 50 dollars to 70 dollars.
4. tipping
Unlike traveling in the US, tour directors, local guides, and bus drivers all need to be tipped. This can range from 1 to 5 euros per participant.
5. food
Greece has food for all kinds of picky eaters, but it is not exactly American cuisine. Most of the ingredients were the same, but dishes were served slightly different. For example, they serve fries that are cut from a real potato, not frozen and fried. They served real chicken and hamburger beef, not the fast food from McDonald's. Chicken and pork were mostly served on a kabob and the hamburgers didn't have a bun or cheese. The Greek salad was a salad with no lettuce but lots of vegetables and olive oil. One can also try the variety of Mediterranean food items, but I was not adventurous enough to try octopus or anything of the like. For breakfast, most hotels provide it for free and it includes cereal, bread, croissants, jam, juice, coffee, tea, eggs, and meat. The water was safe to drink and it was provided for free during meals. I consider myself a picky eater and I was well-fed on my trip, but if you are still concerned, I would recommend packing snacks in your suit case.
6. accommodations
Hotels in Greece are not at the same standard as hotels in the US. Most were cramped and out-dated; we were lucky to have air-conditioning. There were no TVs and few had elevators. However, I wouldn't recommend riding in an elevator even if it is available. I actually became stuck in an elevator and had to press the emergency button just to exit. Then again, I watched too many people trip over their suitcases down the stairs, so pick your poison. Although the hotels are not the most grandiose package, the experiences in Greece are so jaw-dropping and walking is so exhausting that you will barely even have enough time to sleep at night.
7. everything is a hill
If you are looking for tan, toned legs after a vacation, Greece is the place for you. At almost every stop, there was a mountainous hill to climb before reaching the ancient ruins. And what goes up must also come down. Walking down the granite cobblestone paths was a slippery slope, so pack shoes with good traction. The views are 100% worth the steep hikes, but be prepared to walk uphill to most destinations.
8. watch out for...
Unfortunately, pick-pocketing is very common in Greece, so your personal safety is somewhat of a concern. I always kept a small purse with my passport and money under my clothes hidden from sight, so there was no chance of losing it. Another way people prey on tourists is by baiting them and forcing them to pay for something they don't want. I have seen first hand how easily people walk up to you, put a rose in your hair, and tell you how beautiful you look. Then they demand for money since technically you "took" the rose. I was lucky I was not forced to purchase an items, but it is important to stay in groups and it is acceptable to be rude in order to protect yourself.