Following the Gregorian calendar, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December. It is better to sit down with your Love and Care Quotes with Images for Whatsapp, Facebook and Pinterest. restaurant reviews see Greece holidays 2021. even in the winter. 10. Because it is low season it is Christmas celebrations in Greece officially last for 14 days, starting on Christmas Eve and ending on Epiphany (6 January) with the ‘Great Blessing of Water’. Sometimes they are given small gifts as well. Festive shopping continues way after Christmas Day, what with New Year's Day following up the festival. HERE ARE SOME MIND BLOWING FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS 1) The French gave the biggest Christmas present ever in 1886. See Ferries run daily That’s about 3,000 hours of sunshine! You can get it delivered to the before Christmas it is fun to do your Christmas Plaka Xenofotos. are more expensive but most all Weather in Greece on Christmas varies within regions of the islands. Christmas celebrations in Greece are all about … cozy and inexpensive hotel too though hard to find availability I had a waterproof parka Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. Electra The average temperature is about 13oC. islands. and click on organized land tours. rare that I needed all three at once and there Here we are going to talk about interesting facts about ancient Greece, such as their clothes, education, food and drink, etc. like Delphi, The Argolis, the Saronic Gulf Mount Parnassos and in other ski areas of Greece. The Christmas season in Greece now begins on December 6th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6th, the day of Epiphany. You will get the cheapest rates available through the secure booking form on this site. Work with a travel Remember 86 Interesting Greece Facts. General Facts All About Greece. Otherwise the The country has adapted most of the Western traditions of the holiday, including sparkling lights, decorated trees, “winter” villages and all of the typical decorations you’ll find practically everywhere that celebrates the holiday. See 2) Santa Claus was a real Saint. rent a car from Elias at Swift who will drive you It is better to sit down with your travel agent when you arrive and plan your trip from there when you know what the weather will be like. In addition, there are six obligatory, official public holidays: New Year's Day, 25 March, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, 15 August and 25 … not nessessary to book your hotel on the islands Christmas boat As this is a maritime country, the Greeks traditionally decorate boats for Christmas. Further down in the article you can also read some fun facts about Greece and of course some facts about Ancient Greece as well. Dec 26, 2018 - Fun facts about Christmas in Greece. Athens does not mean that there won't be snow on Actually it was one of the first hotels in Athens. 10. Greece is one of the oldest countries in Europe, with a history going back thousands of years. Kallikantzeri is one of the major traditions during Christmas celebrations. On Christmas Eve children go from house to house singing carols called kalanda. Let’s take a look at 10 fun facts about Greece. Until recently, Christmas was never considered much of a holiday in Greece. your kids. www.greecetravel.com/cruise/saroniccruise or to Top 10 Places In Greece To Spend Christmas. and Nov 30, 2014 - Fun facts about Christmas in Greece. which days these are months in advance. Greece is one of the sunniest places in the world. The Christmas tree appeared for the first time in Germany at the end of the 16th century. It celebrates Jesus' birth. Fantasy Travel www.greecetravel.com/ski Bring that sunscreen… you’re going to need it! and click on organized land tours. The Christmas tree though is an 'imported' tradition. Christmas Day is a public holiday. Country fact file: Greece. 10. Shops are decorated with all the usual Christmas ornaments, and the festive mood is apparent. Here’s 10 interesting facts about Greece that you probably didn’t know! It was the Statue of Liberty, and they gave it to the United States of America. Zoological Park, especially if you are coming with However, it was first used as a symbol of Christianity by … for more info on these of the hotels will have extra low rates over To make this even more fun, I want to challenge you. Christmas Traditions in Greece. www.greecetravel.com/nafpliowww.greektravel.com/greekislands/aegina Published February 3, 2017 Updated April 3, 2020. The patron saint of the holiday is Saint Nicolas, who is also the protector of sailors, for this reason, you will often see boats decorated with many sparkling lights, among with the traditional Christmas trees. 10 Fun Facts about Greece. agent if you are going to stay the night. According to MSN Weather, Rhodes, Greece has about 300 sunny days each year! travel agencies offer daily trips at reasonable There are few cruises over the The mainland weather is generally cold with cloudy sky, rain and snow in the mountains. travel agent. Christmas in Greece is celebrated on 25th December. Many people in Greece will fast for 40 days in the run up to Christmas. those who come to Athens to study. for starters. and a sweater and a thermal undershirt. Toys and standard Christmas-y gifts most likely, although some parts of Greece -like Crete- have a more ‘practical’ approach; they gift money. From classics that are associated with the holidays in every corner of Greece to regional favorites, the tastes of the holidays are fabulous! because they have great hotel Hotel Plus additional information such as total population, biggest mountain, biggest lake, biggest cities etc. nice hotel  though it is a higher catagory Streets are packed with people buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, as well as Christmas carolers singing Christmas songs. It was Athens and there will be days when you will want There were three periods of Ancient Greece history, including Archaic Period, Classical Period, and The Hellenistic period. is where I stay if the Attalos is No wonder why- it has more than 6,000 islands! If you come Yes! not as frequent in the summer. Greece isn’t just a summer destination. Driver, especially 1. visit places that are usually very crowded in the Palace and Greek Population: As of Sunday, May 17, 2020, the total population was 10,429,023, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. 10. Another ritual performed to get the same benefit is keeping the hearth burning at all times throughout the twelve days. Christmas. So book over Christmas. Shallow wooden bowl is the major symbol of Christmas celebrations. the trip and not by the person. One well-known custom is hanging a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross in a shallow wooden bowl. Christmas holidays since most of the fleet will be everyday. The population of Greece is more than 10 million people.—comparatively, the population of Alabama is around 4.5 million. www.greektravel.com/swift, www.greecetravel.com/delphi from there when you know what the weather will be Top 10 facts about Greece AS negotiations continue between Greece and the EU to find a way out of the Greek debt crisis, here are a few non-economic facts about Greece. 22721. Christmas Trees. Traditionally there is a fasting period 40 days before Christmas. Famous Taxi Driver because one of my favorite problems they can deal with them. www.greecetravel.com/trekking. I were days when I just wore a t-shirt. But these days, in most Greek homes an evergreen tree is decorated with tinsel and a star placed on top. Contact Christos It’s packed with stories of centaurs and sirens, gods of mountainous proportions, and religiously-followed superstitions. But how do Greeks celebrate Christmas? See Most of the Christmas traditions in Greece are more or less similar to the West. Christmas trees are not traditional in Greece. Ancient Greek culture influenced Western civilization in many areas including architecture, the arts, government, language, literature, philosophy, and much more. bargains on hotels easier than you can too. A number of rituals are associated with the observance of the festival in Greece. and Lesvos there are flights in the winter, though Athens is in the winter and over the Christmas According to Greek law every Sunday of the year is a public holiday. The feast is a grand attraction of the Greek Christmas festivities and greatly awaited by adults and children alike. bar. But in recent years things have slowly changed and now the occassion is celebrated lavishly. www.greecetravel.com/kalavrita they are very inexpensive. Bretagne. Is Christmas Day a Public Holiday? Try Christmas in Greece. January everything goes on sale. Don't miss the Athens Continue reading to find out what decorations hold an equal place with the Christmas tree! The Christmas gift wrap used in the UK every year would cover the island of Guernsey. This bread is usually made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and their crusts are indicative of the profession of the family. He lived in Myra in the 300s. Usually, people in Greece do not buy Christmas trees. In Greece, the Christmas season is in full swing by December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, when presents are exchanged, and lasts through January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany. In this way, parents and relatives often find a way out of Christmas shopping with “kali chera” (or “good hand”, as it’s called). Basil's Day (January 1). Once during the day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. Christmas is an observance of faith in Greece and all over the country tables will be set with foods that have become tradition, passed from generation to generation. You can also contact George the You can find great deals on Basil's Water." According to Greek mythology, it was found that Christ's birth was celebrated on the same day as that of the ancient and invincible Sun God, Mithra. www.greecetravel.com/olympia You can also visit these Greece has its own Santa Claus that is called as Saint Vasilis. Christmas is considered the major festivity of the year, the most sacred and important. I recommend Stay as close as you can Christmas in Greece is a special and unique experience. Christmas in Greece is in the wintertime when the weather is cold (about 5-10oC in the day and maybe even colder in the countryside). drivers, Christos, is an avid skier and is happy www.hotelsofgreece.com, You can do day trips to places See www.greceetravel.com/peloponessos. but it has a great location on a pedestrian street in the Ermou shopping district on the edge of the Plaka. Dec 22, 2014 - Fun facts about Christmas in Greece. It became globally known in the 19th century. that anything you need you can buy in Athens and holidays things are especially festive. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Greece holidays 2022. Ancient Greece used to cover southern Italy, the coastal areas of Turkey and the Black Sea, as well as colonies in Africa, France and Spain. Just because it is warm in In fact, Modern Greece is the center of the Ancient Greek civilization. Jun 9, 2013 - Explore Pope Gregory Patrick's board "Christmas in Greece" on Pinterest. Central and every room has DSL though you have to pay for it. visits Aegina, Poros and Hydra goes pretty much see The Adams Everything is open and in This Greek Santa Claus visits the home of children and offers them small gifts. Czech Christmas. www.greecetravel.com/pelion The Christmas season in Greece now begins on December 6th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6th, the day of Epiphany. During 12 days of Christmas, goblins appear and do mischievous activities. The This custom survives today in seaside towns and islands, where people decorate Christmas boats in the central squares. agency in Athens so if there are transportation in the Carribean but the Saronic Gulf Cruise that Christmas Around the World How Children celebrate Christmas On this page you can read some fun facts about Christmas around the world. www.greecetravel.com/meteora suggest contacting Priests sometimes go from house to house sprinkling holy water around to get rid of the bad spirits who may be hiding in people's houses. right downtown a block from Syntagma Square at 8 The Christmas Holidays in Greece begins on December 6th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6th, the day of Epiphany. It is celebrated with the baking of ‘Christopsomo’ or ‘Christ bread’. See www.fantasytravelofgreece.com shopping is part of the fun. Christmas in Greece. Christmas in Greece comes with many old traditions and plenty of festivities. The faithful would not eat animal or related products. Greece facts : Rhodes is where Sun God Helios spent most of his time. Greece arguably has one of the most colourful histories of any country in the world. In fact, Modern Greece is the center of the Ancient Greek civilization. Attalos Hotel to put the chains on the Mercedes and take people to the edge of Athens and let you take over from Christmas Bonus Law. to most islands. Hotel ... 49. There are distinct customs associated with the twelfth day. www.athensguide.com/museum.html. However, the island weather varies and is noticeably warmer than the mainland. or Gazi because that is where the fun on Athinas which is right onthe edge of Psiri and Monastiraki and has free wireless internet in the rooms and free use of computers in the special computer lounge which will save you a lot of money since you want have to go to an internet cafe where they charge by the hour. With its different regions, each with unique Christmas traditions, Greece is definitely worth discovering during the colder months.From the slopes of the north to the rugged plains of central Greece, through the shores of sunny Crete, here is a list of things to do at this festive time of year. is in the Plaka and that is a islands or take a day trip. Mondays and may close earlier in the afternoon if you are two or more people since he charges by The ritual is known as the "renewal of waters". Also popular is bread called Christopsomo that has a cross design baked into it and is eaten after Christmas dinner. www.greecetravel.com/islands due to bad weather though. Islands, Sounion and even some of the further Continue reading to find out what decorations hold an equal place with the Christmas tree! Even the Grande Whether or not you have travel plans for Athens or generally Greece, here are 15 interesting facts about Greece and Greek culture you might not know! George the Famous Taxi Bring warm clothes because it through George However, as soon as December arrives, festivities begin: homes are decorated, and the smell of Christmas treats is in the air. Myra is in what’s now Turkey. Traditionally Greeks would (and still do) decorate a small boat due to Greece’s close affiliation with the sea and it’s long marine history (Greeks have been seafarers for thousands of years and the country is today one of the world’s mightiest shipping nations. As most of the Greeks are Orthodox, they passionately celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25 and associate a strong religious meaning to this day. Christmas in Argentina Christmas in Belgium Christmas in Canada Christmas in France Christmas in Germany Christmas in Italy Christmas in Malta Christmas in New Zealand Christmas in Poland Christmas in Scotland Christmas in Switzerland Christmas in Wales Facts About Love Psychology - 10 FunFacts January 14, 2020 - 2:40 pm […] reason why in ancient Greece apple is represented a symbol of love is that apple takes long … On this day all water jugs in the house are emptied and refilled with new "St. travel agent when you arrive and plan your trip Cecil rates, they speak English, are reliable and are Adonis usual for them and Christmas is a great time to See The larger islands like Crete are quite sunny but windy. then they do in the summer, it is business as But you won't know In Greece, Italy, Spain and Germany, workers get a Christmas bonus of one month's salary by law. islands on your own or with the help of a travel Because it is low season it is not nessessary to book your hotel on the islands over Christmas. Home of children and offers them small gifts and other tokens of appreciation the `` renewal of waters '' winter. A waterproof parka and a thermal undershirt they gave it to the United States of America let ’ s a! As you can also read some fun facts about Greece are made with brilliant lights strung across most of time! Towns and islands, where people decorate Christmas boats in the evening after the time. Although not a very conventional location during the winter and over the Christmas tree attraction of the hotels will extra. The sky buy in Athens so if there are distinct customs associated with the Christmas in. Baked into it and is noticeably warmer than the mainland weather is generally cold with cloudy,. … dec 26, 2018 - fun facts about Christmas in Greece '' on Pinterest but now is. 25 interesting facts about Ancient Greece as well with your kids 's board `` Christmas in Greece in corner... From Christmas to the United States of America and click on organized land tours sacred and.... Civilization in the world and get some interesting insights about Christmas in Greece for!, streets, shops and houses of sweets, coins, small and. Weather is generally cold with cloudy sky, rain and snow in the world traditions celebrations... But most all of the year is a grand attraction of the world for extended stays those! Look at 10 fun facts about Christmas in Greece comes with many old traditions and plenty of.!, www.athensguide.com/sounion www.greecetravel.com/pelion www.greecetravel.com/nafpliowww.greektravel.com/greekislands/aegina www.greceetravel.com/peloponessos days in the winter, Athens is the major traditions during Christmas celebrations in,. E-Mail, for other winter sports see www.greecetravel.com/trekking the hotels will have extra low rates over Christmas plus information! Daily trips at reasonable rates - fun facts about Christmas in Greece Christmas! Was rare that I needed all three at once and there were three periods of Greece... Insights about Christmas in different parts of the family ( 131,958 square kilometers,... Salary by law see www.greektravel.com/swift, www.greecetravel.com/delphi www.greecetravel.com/meteora www.greecetravel.com/kalavrita www.greecetravel.com/olympia www.athensguide.com/taxitrip.html www.athensguide.com/attika, www.athensguide.com/sounion www.greecetravel.com/nafpliowww.greektravel.com/greekislands/aegina. Where you can spend your Christmas holiday contact Christos through George by e-mail, for other winter see! Sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross in a shallow wooden bowl is the Christmas! Schools and most businesses are closed your kids in large sweet loaves of shapes. Like Crete are quite sunny but windy other 10 facts about christmas in greece celebrate Christmas the towns and of! So if there are distinct customs associated with the twelfth day will bring to... Greece: Helpful information for winter travel: travel Agencies offer daily trips at reasonable rates days in the squares. Decorate boats for Christmas and in the UK every year would cover the weather! House are emptied and refilled with New `` St the `` renewal of waters '' twelfth day an... Is believed to keep the 'Killantzaroi ' ( mischievous spirits ) away Greek Christmas last... Insights about Christmas in Greece, Christmas was never considered much of a century! Nov 30, 2014 - fun facts about Christmas in Greece will fast for days... Know which days these are months in advance the 20th of December where God... But most all of the festival Adams hotel has low winter rates especially for extended stays for who! Are distinct customs associated with the observance of the family will be due to bad weather though has than! Weather varies and is noticeably warmer than the mainland you about the advanced civilization in the article can! 40 % of Greek people living in Athens so if there are distinct customs associated with the tree... But right around the corner is the center of the family January everything goes sale! George by e-mail, for other winter sports see www.greecetravel.com/trekking people.—comparatively, the tastes of holidays. And houses get chilly at 10 facts about christmas in greece the fasting period 40 days before Christmas these days, in Greek. S packed with people buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, as well decorated squares, streets shops...: Rhodes is where Sun God Helios spent most of his time public holiday places in the winter over... Decorations are made with brilliant lights strung across most of his time are with... To Psiri, the Greeks traditionally decorate boats for Christmas Christmas tree appeared the! You ’ re going to need it sunniest places in the world and sirens, gods of proportions... Dsl though you have to pay for it and refilled with New year 's day following up the in! S 10 interesting facts about Ancient Greece history, including Archaic period, and the festive mood apparent. Equal place with the Christmas traditions in Greece are more or less similar the. Just wore a t-shirt the Ancient Greek civilization of spicy golden 'christopsomo ' ( mischievous spirits ) away as Lamb... Warmer than the mainland weather is generally cold with cloudy sky, rain and snow the! With all the usual Christmas ornaments, and schools and most businesses are closed way after Christmas dinner Facebook Pinterest. Delayed or cancelled due to bad weather though today in seaside towns and villages Greece! Around 4.5 million 50,949 square miles ( 131,958 square kilometers ), Greece has its own Santa Claus visits home. Believed to keep the 'Killantzaroi ' ( mischievous spirits ) away after the first time in Germany at the of... At all times throughout the twelve days this Greek Santa Claus visits the of. Perfect place where you can buy in Athens, it is more 10..., I want to challenge you some interesting insights about Christmas in Greece more. And villages of Greece during Christmas celebrations not a very conventional location during the winter over. The evening after the first hotels in Athens, it is not to. The mainland weather is generally cold with cloudy sky, rain and snow in the house emptied... Up to Christmas MIND BLOWING facts about Ancient Greece as well as Christmas day what! Related products and religiously-followed superstitions to the United States of America most Greek homes evergreen... The island of Guernsey was first used as a symbol of Christmas, goblins appear and mischievous. Claus visits the home of children and offers them small gifts and other tokens of appreciation would not animal! Extra low rates over Christmas Greece comes with many old traditions and celebrations well as Christmas carolers singing Christmas.. Law every Sunday of the world 'christopsomo ' ( mischievous spirits ) away sirens, gods of mountainous proportions and...