Skiing Guide : Selecting Skis

We look at what skis to buy in this installment of our learn to ski guide.

Skis are the single most important piece of ski equipment and choosing the right pair will ensure that you get the most enjoyment out of your skiing time. Your ability as a skier and your style of skiing both contribute a great deal to the decisions you will make about the length, shape and stiffness of your skis.

They’re designed differently for different types of skiing so the first thing to consider is the type of skiing that you’ll be doing. Most skiing is done on powder or packed runs and so most skis are tailored specifically for that. Those are the skis you should look to get if you’re a beginner. Upgrading your skis to those tailored specifically for off-piste or deep powder terrain should happen when you feel experienced enough to take on those challenges. Experts recommend leaving the modified skis for the more experienced skier, however, as trying to learn basic skills with them is more difficult.

Length, shape and stiffness are arguably the most important considerations. Shorter skis are easier to turn than longer skis. Most beginners start with short skis for this reason. Because longer skis do not allow as great of a margin for error, they should only be considered by accomplished skiers, who will find that they provide for greater speeds and are suitable for a greater array of snow conditions.

As for shape, skis which are narrow in the boot area are capable of making sharp, fast turns, whereas skis which are wider in this area offer more stability and will make broader turns. In relation to stiffness, this is determined by the materials and shape of a ski. For stability at high speeds, a longer ski will provide the required level of stiffness. The less stiff shorter skis offer greater maneuverability which is seen a benefit to beginners.

The last point to remember is that you shouldn’t invest in skis until you know you will use them, so go skiing a couple of times before purchasing your own skis. Although you may already be certain that you will be an avid skier, renting skis a couple more times makes sense to figure out the specifics of type, length, shape and stiffness that will work best for you.

The Next Installment Of Our Guide : Learn To Ski

Holidays In Greece : Where To Go

In this part of our guide to holidays in Greece we focus on the best locations to visit…

Greece is relatively small but it offers a wide range of places attractive to travelers. The islands are the leading tourism destinations, but the mainland is also worth visiting. Greece’s five most popular tourist destinations are Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes and Crete.

Its antiquity and influence as the country’s capital and largest city make Athens a very rewarding destination. The city has many historical sites, as well as major museums and galleries. Most of these are clustered around the central city. Athens also has many sites of natural beauty – parks, hills and mountains – that provide an attractive and restful escape from this sprawling city’s din and bustle.

The country’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, lies in northeastern Greece. This city has a continuous 3000-year history and well preserved architecture, much of which is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Its old town has narrow cobbled streets and historic houses built in a variety of traditional styles. The city’s long, attractive seafront promenade offers panoramic views of the bay. Thessaloniki also has a very active nightlife and a wide range of quality restaurants.

The island of Corfu, located just off the West coast of mainland Greece, is a popular destination for holiday makers because of its excellent beaches, rich history and mild Mediterranean climate. It’s very green compared to other Greek islands (containing over 2 million olive trees) and boasts a 1000 meter high mountain which offers breathtaking views across to neighboring islands.

Crete, Greece’s largest island and the southernmost one in Europe, is bathed in sunlight for much of the year. It’s mountain villages, long sandy beaches, rocky bays, quiet coves and a big selection of beach bars and nightclubs make it a popular travel and vacation destination, as do its abundance of wildlife, plants and flowers, many of which are unique to the island.

The island of Rhodes lies southeast of the Greek mainland and is just off the Turkish coast. Rhodes is considered to be among Greece’s most beautiful islands. Its interior consists of hills and low mountains, while the coast is rocky and dotted with small, historic towns and beautiful beaches. Northern Rhodes is known for its lively beach resorts, while the south is more sedate with traditional villages, extensive medieval architecture and archaeological sites.

Greece : A Guide To Shopping In Greece

In this part of our guide to holidays in Greece we focus on shopping and money…

While Greece isn’t known as a great shopping destination, it does offer some fine and unique local products. The country produces good handicrafts, pottery, jewelry, metalwork, knitwear, lace, rugs and leather goods. In addition, its local wines and spirits make distinctive purchases.

Almost all Greek cities have large shopping malls with internationally recognized major retailers and brands. However, prices in these shopping centers are similar to those in other Europe countries, you unless they are holding sales you won’t get any real bargains.

Bargaining is only tolerated in tourist souvenir shops and, sometimes, in family-owned arts and crafts stores. In all other instances, it’s ineffective and offensive. If bargaining is expected, you can expect to get at least 10-20% off of the price, with being able to speak a little Greek likely getting you the lowest possible price.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on most items (this is usually but not always included in the item’s price tag) but some shops offer tax free shopping to non-EU residents. This means that non-EU residents can ask for a VAT refund at their port of exit in the EU. To do so, ask for a VAT voucher before leaving the store and show that along with your items to the customs officer upon departure from the EU.

The official currency is the Euro, and other currencies will not be accepted, but you can easily exchange money in the larger cities and in any tourist destination. Banks usually offer the most favorable exchange rates and automated currency exchange machines tend to offer the worst rates; specialist shops are somewhere in between. When changing money, try to get mostly smaller notes – nothing over a 50 – as many businesses are averse to accepting larger denominations.

ATM machines are ubiquitous. Visa, Mastercard and Eurocard are widely accepted in hotels, retail outlets and travel agencies, but some restaurants and local souvenir shops will not accept them.