Travel Planning To Greece (Guest Post)

Planning for your next vacation can be both a fun and stressful time, especially if you are planning on visiting a new country. Perhaps you are bored of the countryside back home or the standard beach holidays in the U.S.?. Maybe you want to find something new and exciting such as some mykonos vacation rental, or the temples of Athens, but you are not sure where to start or how you would even navigate around a new country.

For this piece, we are going to look at Greece as a destination for new visitors. Perhaps some returning visitors will also find it useful. We have come up with some facts about the country that can help you, along with some of the most popular destinations. Also, you will find out how you can get to them and what there is to see in each location. We will focus on the most popular destinations and with this, you can make some detailed and informative travel plans for yourself.

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Some facts and figures:

The national language of Greece is Greek, with many areas having their own regional dialects. These are only spoken and not written dialects, however, in more popular tourist locations you will be able to find information, guides and tours in an abundance of languages with English being the most predominant.

The country has over 2,000 islands off the coast of Greece. Many of these islands are uninhabited, and even fewer are visited by tourist but in this location.  You can find an abundance of water and outdoor activities, along with plenty more activities to that can take place on the beach or on the mainland within the national parks.

Some 98% of the population say that they are Orthodox Christia, and this influence you will see in the architecture, conversations, and politics of the country.

Transport and accommodation are readily available in the tourist areas of the country. This can range from a basic hostel room to 5-star resorts and villas depending on the location and your budget. Athens acts as the main transport hub and we will talk about that next.

Athens:

Besides the islands of Greece, Athens is the most popular destination for visitors in Greece.  It is the place you will most likely disembark from international, and most national flights. Athens can be used as the transport base or the rest of the country or can be the sole destination that you visit, as it has a lot to offer.

It is both the largest city and the capital of the country. Athens has plenty to offer any visitor to the city. It is very modern and has everything a major city has to offer from accommodations to local and international cuisine, and more.
From Athens, you can take day trips to surrounding areas such as Cape Sounion, the home of the temple of Poseidon, and Acropolis, the ancient seat of Greek power. The city has done a great job of preserving its ancient history and developing a modern city.

Transport to the island or the mountainous north can be easily organized as part of a tour or individually depending on your time and organizational skills. Some of the islands can also be reached from the airport in Athens.

The islands of Greece:

As stated earlier, most of the islands can be reached by ferries which disembark from ports along the Greek coast, while some of the larger islands can be reached by plane or once on the island, by internal ferries.

Crete: 

This is the biggest of all the islands, and is reached by both boat and ferry. Most popular for its beaches and nightlife, you will find plenty to keep you occupied. Water sports varying from fishing to diving can be organized from the island as well as trips to other islands. Many posts recommend anything from one to two weeks on the island, depending on your interests. Other popular activities include checking out the many museums on the island, and the hiking trails that criss-cross the island.

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Rhodes:

Probably most famous for its history and as being the home to the statue of Rhodes, this island caters more for the history buffs among you who also enjoy the sun all year. The medieval city and the museums are the most popular destinations.

Following this, you can search the cobbled streets for some local cuisine and wine with each island having their own special blends and flavors. With influences of Roman, Greek and Byzantine history, or those wanting to relax and unwind with the more tranquil island experience, this I the island for you. Rhodes is most easily accessed by ferry with daily departures.

Mykonos:

A beach and nightlife haven, Mykonos is an ever the prime destination for those who want to have the more popular Mediterranean experience of lazy beach days, and exciting nightlife opportunities. With countless beaches and inlets to discover, you can spend a few weeks here on a different beachs and secluded areas.

Be sure to check out the windmills and local food tours, which are some of the most popular activities to get up to on the island. This island is best reached by ferry.

We hope some of the information we have provided helps you with your travel planning and first visit to Greece. It will more than likely not be your last!

A Vintage Find From Behind The Bath Tub

We are currently undergoing some plumbing work, and bathroom renovations in our home. Our bathrooms have most of the original fixtures, so it seems like everything is breaking or coming apart at once. We had our contractor come over to remove one of the shower/bath tub inserts from the hallway bathroom, so the pipes could be exposed for our plumber to do his inspection.

The good news is that after close to 40 years of having that shower insert installed, the inner walls look pretty darn good. The bad part is we have to get our old copper pipes replaced with PVC pipes as well as fix multiple leaks. It's been so stressful, but our plumber is going to work things out where we won't have to do everything at once.

The interesting thing that was discovered once the shower insert was removed was a vintage Pepsi bottle from the 1970's. It had a thick coating of dust on the outside, and a little leftover Pepsi inside as well. I envisioned one the original home builders taking a quick break when the tub insert was being brought in for installation. He probably put his Pepsi bottle down and forgot all about it.

After soaking the bottle in hot water and dish soap, it came out looking clean and sparkly.

It would have been so cool if the cap was next to the bottle. Although this bottle might not be worth much, we still found it pretty cool to find something from so long ago. Who knows what else can be hiding behind these old walls.

Have you ever discovered any hidden treasures during a renovation?

4 Ingredient Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Have you ever eaten something before that was so delicious that you couldn't stop thinking about it? That's how I felt after having some Greek pasta salad from a local restaurant. I was lucky enough to have a friend share what goes in it so I could recreate it at home. The best part is it only requires four ingredients!

Here's what you need: 

2 cups Orecchiette pasta (uncooked)
1 4-ounce container of crumbled Feta cheese
2-3 Roma tomatoes, chopped
A handful of fresh basil, chopped

How to make it: 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add a generous amount of salt. Boil pasta for about 12-15 minutes, or to the doneness you prefer. I find this type of pasta to be way undercooked from following the package instructions. Drain pasta and cool. I like to toss it in a bowl and pop it in the freezer for about 8-10 minutes to get a quick chill. Chop your tomatoes and basil. Now all you do is toss pasta, tomatoes, basil, and Feta together. That is it!

This Greek pasta salad is a great item to take to a cookout or potluck. It can be made the day before. So easy, right? It pairs very well with grilled chicken or steak. If you decide to try this recipe, let me know how you liked it. Thanks for stopping by today. 

5 Benefits of Owning a Stun Gun

There’s no such thing as being overly prepared when it comes to protecting yourself from possible harm. You will never know when danger looms so it is best to have legal self-defense weapons. Among the choices available and what seems to be a very popular choice is the stun gun.

This item is a perfect item as it’s lightweight, effective, and accessible. You can protect yourself by using nonlethal force by using a stun gun. Here are five more benefits of owning this item:

1. No permit required

Thinking about where can you buy a stun gun and if you should? Go ahead and make the purchase as you don’t have to fill out tons of paperwork and go through background checks prior to purchase.

2. No permanent harm is done

The attacker will not experience permanent harm after they have been hit with a stun gun. This is true even if the person has a pre-existing medical condition. Its amperage is enough to restrain the person only.

3. No need for perfect aim

You don’t need to have a perfect aim to cause harm to your target especially since doing so is extremely difficult given the situation. All you have to do is take out your stun gun and use it at your convenience. The assailant will still be rendered defenseless.

4.  Easy to carry

Given the options available in the market, you will find one that is easy to carry around. They weigh a lot less compared to other self-defense weapons plus they also come in different shapes so nobody will actually know you’re carrying one.

5. They’re safe

Having lethal weapons at home will cause an alarm for your family’s safety. You’ll never know when a child may get hold of it and use it to everyone’s harm. It’s a different story when you buy shooting taser gun for sale. They’re pretty safe to have around the house.

As you can see, owning a stun gun has a variety of benefits for you.

Love Little Bites Father’s Day Sweepstakes + Giveaway

Today's post is sponsored by Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s® Little Bites®.

CLOSED-- Winner is Joy! 

Can you believe that it is June already? June usually means that school is over for the year, and summer is about to officially begin. It also the month we celebrate the important fathers in our lives. Father's Day is on June 17th this year. As we gather those gifts and cards that show dad how much we appreciate him, you can't forget the simple things. A meal is a great way to show love and it doesn't have to be over-the-top, especially when you want the little ones to be involved. 

One of the easiest breakfast ideas is scrambled eggs with a pack of Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins. Serve this with a cup of coffee, tea or juice and you will see a big smile on dad's face! 

Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins are here for a limited time, so you must 'scoop up' a box or two so you can enjoy the deliciousness for yourself. They are my family's favorite new flavor. They are the perfect choice as a quick breakfast on-the-go, as a lunchbox snack, or as an anytime snack. They come in portioned packs that have 190 calories per pouch, contain no high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat, making them a snack kids will love and a choice parents can feel good about. 

Entenmann’s® Little Bites® is thanking dads for all that they do by giving away Entenmann’s® Little Bites® ties and a coupon to purchase the beloved snack to 10 lucky guys. Five extra lucky dads will win the Little Bites® tie, a coupon AND a $100 Amazon gift card! From June 1-15, 2018, simply go to https://www.littlebites.com/recipe/little-bites-hole-one-father-s-day-fun to enter the Love Little Bites Father’s Day Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of the exciting prizes! 

In time for Father’s Day, what better way to celebrate Dad than by creating a deliciously edible “hole-in-one” featuring Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Vanilla Muffins? You can view the Little Bites Hole-in-One Father’s Day Fun DIY video here for step-by-step instructions here.  

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Mom Files is thrilled to offer our readers a sweet prize pack giveaway including a $25 Visa digital gift card and (3) coupons for $5.00 off the purchase of any Entenmann’s® Little Bites® courtesy of Entenmann's. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway   

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and ends on June 15, 2018. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Entenmann’s® Little Bites® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s® Little Bites®.