European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A a Quot it Jagt a i i a it by j. King Cruger Northern Italy Bureau when it comes to vacationing cheaply id simply in Europe glorious Greece is Hugh to beat. Although prices in once dirt cheap Reece have risen substantially in recent sars the . Dollar s corresponding hike against the Creek drachma has pretty such offset those increases. Budget travellers should be aware the roads grow and prices Rise As the Lerm Ometer shoots up in Greece. If the string crowds sweltering temperatures and High prices of july and August turn of off head to Greece this month or next or postpone your trip until september. From ancient times Greece has offered wonders to wanderers and that certainly last t changed a Whit. Its romantic islands Vith their blindingly White cottages steal he heart its historic ruins boggle the Hind and its pastoral landscapes refresh he soul. While much of Western Europe to wad ays seems oddly familiar to the first Ime visitor Greece s strange alphabet the Tholos of the Sanctuary of Athena Pronia at Delphi is a Symbol of Greece s Golden past. A amps Michael Abrama an ancient treasure that still comes signs and cuisine will surely make you feel like a person who is truly Quot abroad Quot on vacation. Getting to Greece in t As easy and inexpensive As it used to be for american military travellers. Aside from rare military hops into Souda Bay on the Island of Crete the Era of draw Downs Means that service members. Now must use commercial Means to get to Greece and once there no longer have the support of any american military installations. The War in the Balkans blocks the usual Overland route from Central Europe to Greece but that does t necessarily Rule out taking your own car there. This is done by driving to one of the East coast italian ferry ports a Trieste Venice Ancona Bari or Brindisi a and taking the car on a Long and expensive several Hundred Bucks a prices vary according to season crossing to Igou Xenitsa or Patras in Greece. Be mindful that tax free Gas coupons Are no longer available to visiting american service members. Taking a relatively inexpensive charter flight is probably the most economical Way to get to Greece Germany and Britain Are both hotbeds for companies offering these flights which Are generally cheaper than commercial flights but give the traveler a lot less flexibility. During off season travel you la usually have to Fly into Athens and then get ground transportation but during warm weather months there Are direct flights from Many european cities to such tourist magnets As the islands of my Konos and Santorini. It is also possible to get to Greece by train and ferry but be sure to Check. Timetables for connections Between the two Are not always smooth. You May find yourself unexpectedly stuck for the night in an uninteresting port City. In the summer especially trains heading South through Italy can be very crowded. Once in Athens you could rent a car but that s a pricey proposition too. A one Day car rental in the greek capital Cost us More than $100, plus Gas last month a and that was during the off season. Public transportation in Greece is frequent extensive inexpensive and is the Way to go if you a re on a budget. If you Are going to be staying in Athens traffic choked with 1.4 million cars and seemingly never ending subway construction Don t even think about driving. In fact you might seriously consider Quot doing Quot the must see attractions of polluted Athens in As Short a time As possible and then setting out to enjoy the islands Small towns and historic ruins of travel poster Greece. Before going to Greece draw up an itinerary with the Aid of a Good Guidebook i swear by let s co the budget guide to Greece and Turkey so that you la realize the time and transport constraints affecting your planned journey