The Traveller's Magazine
Greece, or at least Athens, right now is hardly a place for travellers. It’s chaos as the government approves the austerity measures plan to pull themselves out of debt in the coming years. The combination of the stress on the government to cut their spending and buckle down. Add the flaming riots outside the parliament into the equation and Athens is the centre of the world’s attention right now. Crisis is the world on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now as we watch Greece vote in the austerity measures in attempts to pull themselves out of debt. The capital is riots, chaos and flames as banks burn, cars buns, trash cans and attempts to overrun the parliament are the city’s main concerns. Molotov cocktails claimed the lives of three on Wednesday during a violent protest, enraging Athenians even more and reheating the conflict. The city grieved for their loss as the government passed the austerity measures which they think will help persuade the EU, which meets today in Brussels, to grant them the emergency funds to pull themselves out of their hole.
The Foreign Office advised travellers to stay away from Athens by all means possible. Public and international transportation is uncertain at the moment as many union workers continue to strike and protest against wage cuts. Total transport strikes took place earlier this week and could begin again at a moment’s notice, including air travel disruptions. British Airways only had to cancel 2 flights in the past few days and do not foresee any more cancellations. Many fear that the government’s decision to implement the cutbacks will only encourage civil unrest in the immediate future.
The situation now seems bleak for those who planned a Greek vacation this spring. Although many areas are safe for travel outside of the capital, transportation is not reliable. Many airlines have rescheduled passengers on new flights, getting passengers where they need to be as easily and quickly as possible. If you plan to travel to Athens or Greece, follow the news and stay in touch with your airline if there will be any delays or cancellations. Foreign travellers should exercise extreme caution in urban areas where demonstrations are taking place. Expect long delays and frequent strikes to tourist services in the following months.
Any news or advice for traveller’s in Greece? Let us know about it by commenting below!
Image source: dominigs / flickr cc
Hey Susan! I hope things settle down in time for your trip, would be a shame!
Let us know how it goes, from a tourists perspective and what it's like there.
Irene, I plan on traveling to Athens next week but only a short stop on my way to Tinos. I hope the Ferry won't be blocked as the papers say they are right now. Still, a week away, so hope things settle down a bit.
Greece is so many other things than Athens anyway. Actually for me there is not much point visiting Greece just through Athens. Go Thessaloniki, the Greek Islands, the Meteors.. This is such a wonderful country. I remember having the best salad diet ever there ! these people know how to eat well 🙂
Hi Irene, I'm glad that life in Athens isn't really as bad as the Athens I've been reading about all week in the news! Thanks for the update! The travel risk is still up at the Foreign Office, but like always, traveller's should do their own research and make their own decisions. It's good news for travellers that Greece is operating as usual, let's hope it continues that way.
Thanks for the feedback!
I am living in Athens Greece and having red your article I wonder if we are talking about the same place. The situation here (as far as riots are concerned) is hardly the one you describe.
We all go on with our lives as before and I can assure you it is not a dangerous place as it is depicted in your article. Obviously there have been some protests (only ONE of which had a really sad turnout). In my opinion protests show a healthy response on behalf of a community that has to undergo some severe new and unfair measurements. And of course it is within the peoples rights to protest.
That however does not effect and does not make Greece in total a dangerous place that travelers should avoid.
I suggest you come to Athens and Greece (we do have many other places to visit other than Athens you know) and you can then maybe judge for yourself.