Going to Greece During Crisis? Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s been a historic week for Greece, the sun-kissed nation now on the verge of economic collapse. Thanks to years of overspending, the country is virtually broke and nearly bankrupt — causing locals to panic, investors to bail, and government officials to scramble for a solution.For tourists, however, the situation is — mostly — confusing. Cash is now being hoarded, but foreigners can use currency freely. Five-star hotels are bursting, but discounts may be on the horizon. And tourist numbers are up some 30 percent from 2014, but travel insiders are keeping an eye on cancellations.Amid all the questions, here are five things to consider if going to Greece now:

 Cash is king

 Although only Greek citizens must abide by the nation’s new currency restrictions — limiting withdrawals to just €60 ($67) per day — many ATMs are now empty. Meaning: Bring an ample supply of dollars on your trip — or, even better, stock up on euros before departing the U.S. “Banks are basically closed this week in Greece, and locals are panicking,” says Greece expert Konstantinos Bastas, a luxury travel consultant at Protravel International. “So make sure you have enough money with you, especially if staying [in] cities rather than all-inclusive resorts where expenses can be charged.”Most major airports feature multicurrency ATM machines or currency exchange desks. As for that actual cash, best to have it in small denominations — local businesses (especially taxis) may not have ample change to cover large bills.

Don’t expect a refund

Travel insurance generally covers conventional mishaps or tragedies — personal injury, deaths in the family, terror attacks, or large-scale civil unrest. Relatively violence-free, national economic crises like the one in Greece? Not so much. So even if you were smart enough to purchase travel insurance, the policy may not pay out if you opt to cancel now. But be sure to read the fine print — some policies do have a “cancel for any reason” clause — and will kick in if you end up scrapping your big fat Greek holiday.

Look for lower fares 

 Summer is usually high season — if not ultra-high season — for European travel. But the current unrest is already resulting in lower fares for flights to Greece, says George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog. He cited a $999 round-trip fare on United through Munich during the Labor Day week — a period that usually sees prices upward of 50 percent higher.“Athens never goes on sale, so this is definitely cheaper than normal; probably people are canceling and they have seats to fill,” he says. And if the crisis continues, expect to see more softening on airfares.“And if — and it’s a big if — Greece leaves the euro then all bets are off,” Hobica adds. “People might cancel or curtail their trips, which could lead to Greece bargains for the rest of the year.”As for hotels and resorts, travel insiders suggest potential deals at the lower- or mid-level, but expect five-star properties to remain pricey.“Reservations at top-tier destinations like Santorini and Mykonos were made months ago, so rooms would have already been filled well before the current situation,” says Jonas Rask Eilersen, founding director of Rask Travel, which works with global luxury travelers.Adds Protravel International’s Bastas: “So this means if you see a deal — take it!”

There’s no real reason to stay home 

 Sure, Greece’s economy is free-falling — and yes, locals are protesting in the streets — but an Arab Spring-style revolution is seriously unlikely. So snap out of crisis mode, and prepare to actually enjoy your vacation.“There is ample availability of both fuel and all products and services that ensure a smooth and fun stay for the visitors in every city, region and the islands,” Elena Kountoura, Greece’s minister for tourism recently stated.Rask Eilersen says his clients going to Greece “have not even flinched; there is no panic and it’s completely business as usual.” While Katharine Bonner, senior vice president of riverboat & small ship cruising at major tour operator Tauck notes, “Our ‘Tauck Directors’ [that’s tour directors] on the ground with our guests report no issues, and our supplier-partners have made sure that our guests have access to euros if needed.”“Our hotelier reports that business in Athens is booming and shows little signs of waning,” she says. “We’ve not seen any increase in cancellations — in fact, our 2016 advance sales are up 30 percent.”

Practice patience

 Beyond the headlines, Greece is now a nation in transition — filled with unpredictability and uncertainty. Which means that while most tourism experiences will unfold as planned, delays and quirks should be expected.“The country is not sure where it’s headed, where it’s going,” Bastas observes. “So as a tourist be prepared to be patient and have a backup plan — if not backup team — in place.”Consider working with an agent like Protravel or Rask, which has operators on the ground to handle problems as they arise.

The 10 Best Water Parks in America

Summer is here! But rather than cranking the AC, a great way to cool off and chill out is to head straight to a water park. With heart-racing rides for the thrill-seekers, calm pools for the kiddies, and entertainment, it’s a day the whole family can enjoy. So Yahoo Travel waded through all the water parks and found the best of the bunch — those with the fastest rides, the tallest water slides, the highest-ranked roller coasters, the most kid-friendly, and even one that mimics a tropical island retreat. Here are the top parks making a splash this summer.
Water Country USA, Williamsburg, Va

 It’s not called Water Country for nothing! This park — the largest in all of Virginia — is considered the cleanest and best maintained in the country, plus it’s known for its kid-friendly rides like H20 UFO and Kritter Korral. But there’s plenty for grown-up kids, too: Colossal Curl, the nation’s first-ever ride that combines a funnel slide with a wave raft ride, was added at the end of last summer and was an instant hit. (Riders travel on a raft through a 24-foot funnel and then fly into 40-foot waves.) Aquazoid, another raft ride, takes riders into an enclosed dark tunnel, plummeting them 850 feet and soaking them in unseen waterfalls. But it’s Vanish Point, a slide ride that starts in a 75-foot-high tower, that is a serious adrenaline rush. After stepping into the skybox, guests drop down as the floor drops out sliding 300 down at incredible speeds. Definitely worth the trip and is conveniently located near Busch Gardens. Single day tickets cost $44 (9 and younger) and $51 (10 and older).
Dollywood Splash Country, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Adjacent to the theme park is the water park, which is based on Dolly Parton’s childhood swimming in the rivers of the Great Smoky Mountains, so many of the rides mimic real-life water experiences. Among the draws are Big Bear Plunge, a white water rafting slide that simulates a real river expedition and Fire Towel Falls, steep twin slides where brave guests free-fall down 70 feet. The latest addition, RiverRush, is the first and only water coaster in all of Tennessee. Set four feet it the air, it whips riders through the tree lines taking hairpin turns through dark tunnels and dark tunnels. One day pass is $47 (adults) and $42 (children).
Water World, Denver, CO

 This water park is one of the largest in the U.S. with more than 49 different attractions on 64 acres. The star attraction is the Mile High Flyer, a fast-flying water coaster. But The Storm is also a nail biter: The raft ride zooms thrill seekers through a dark tube that recreates a storm with loud thunder, flashes of lightening and rain. The park also has an exhausting selection of wave pool, tube slides, and splash-down rides for the entire family. Day tickets run $39 (adults) and $33 (children).
Wet ‘N’ Wild, Oahu, HI

 With some of the best beaches in its backyard, this 29-acre water park has to be pretty darn impressive to draw crowds away from the ocean. And it does! Among the bar-raising attractions are the 400,000-gallon Hawaiian Water Wave Pool and the Da’Flowrider, a surfing-simulator. But what makes the park even more enjoyable is the lush tropical landscape and natural cliffs making it a unique island experience. Day passes are $48 (adult) and $38 (children and seniors).
Noah’s Ark, Wisconsin Dells, WI

The largest water park in the U.S. features some of the most exciting and varied water rides around, including 51 slides, two wave pools, and a surfing simulator called Surfing Safari. But it’s really known for it’s extreme rides, like Scorpion’s Tail, a near vertical slide that drops into an inclined loop, and the Black Anaconda, a water coaster, which zooms riders through a dizzying course at speeds up to 30 miles and hour. Daily tickets are $33 (adults) and $29 (for seniors and children).
Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Kansas City, KS

Home to Verruckt, the tallest water slide in the world, it plummets four riders on a raft down 15 stories, reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour. The ride has gotten so popular, visitors who want to ride must make a reservation at the beginning of the day. If that bad boy is too scary for you, Torrent Beach, the world’s largest tidal wave river, is chill and fun for the whole family. But the coolest part of the park is its Transportainment river system that makes it possible for guests to travel from one end of the park to the other without leaving the water. Day passes will run you $43 (adults) and $33 (seniors and kiddies).
Aquatica, Orlando, Fla.

 SeaWorld’s Aquatica is one of the top-three most popular water parks in the U.S. A favorite rid among visitors is Ihu’s Breakaway Falls. According to the park, it is the tallest, steepest, and only multi-drop tower slide in Orlando. (Florida is the state with second hight number of amusement parks.) But what makes this park really unique is its animal-interaction rides like Dolphin plunge. Visitor slide underwater through enclosed tubes along side swimming dolphins. Day passes are $47 per person.
Six Flags White Water, Atlanta, GA

 If dropping out a trap door and experiencing a zero gravity, 10-story fall appeals to the adrenaline junkie in you — then head straight for this water park. In addition to the aforementioned Dive Bomber, there is a mix of tube rides, raft rides, rapids, slides, and lagoons for everyone in the family. Bonus: Six Flags has cabanas where visitors can to chill out and soak up the sun. Tickets are $42 (adults) and $37 (for children under 48-inches tall).
Splashin’ Safari Water Park - Santa Claus, Ind.

 Part of Holiday World Theme Park — home of the $22 million Thunderbird roller coaster – Splashin’ Safari Water Park features two of the largest high tech water coasters in the world, the Mammoth and the Wildebeest. (They are also ranked the best in the country.) For those who might be a little too tiny or timid for these bad boys, there are also calmer adventures to be had including Bahari Wave Pool, Hyena Falls and Monsoon Lagoon. Tickets are $45 (adults) and $35 (children) but are offered at discounted rates online or at 3 p.m. at the gate.
Raging Waters, San Dimas, Calif.

 California has the most amusement parks of any state, and this is its biggest water park. Located on 50 acres, it has over 36 water slides and attractions. Among the most impressive heart-racers is The Bermuda Triangle — one of the fastest water slides in the U.S. at about 50 miles per hour. It has three different courses that whiz riders around at breakneck speed. Another popular ride is The Dark Hole, a water slide that whisks park guests through a dark, watery maze. General admission is $42 per person.

The 7 Curses of Long Term Travel

If I look back at the last six years in which my travel partner Alesha and I traveled around the world,
I don’t ever regret making decision to leave everything behind and embark on this life of long term travel.Every waking moment we are on the road, we feel extremely lucky for the opportunities that have led us to create this lifestyle. Even though we have made some sacrifices to do this, and have worked very hard to save the money to travel long term (and continue to work on the road), the rewards have been more than worth the effort. Honestly, our lives are pretty awesome.But there is a downside to everything, of course, and our lives are no exception. The longer we are on the road, the more we discover what I like to call the “curses of long term travel.” These are the negative effects of being modern-day nomads. Not every day is full of fun, adventure, spectacular sunsets, and cocktails on the beach. Here are the seven things we have struggled with life on the road.
1. It gets harder and harder to be impressed.
After years of exploring the world’s best temples, national parks, museums, and attractions, it gets harder and harder to be impressed. This is the curse we are most affected by today, and we constantly find ourselves becoming nonchalant when visiting places that others wait their whole lives to see. “It’s just another temple,” we’ll say, or, “Meh, we’ve been to more authentic villages.”We need to remind ourselves to appreciate every wonder we encounter, no matter how small or how many times we think we’ve seen the same thing before. Not every attraction can be as mind-blowing as Angkor Wat. But that doesn’t mean that once you’ve been to the temples of Angkor, you never have to visit another historical site again.

2. You miss out on those special (and sad) moments back home.Perhaps the hardest thing to deal with when you are constantly on the road is missing out on the special (and sad) moments back home. Weddings, birthdays and other celebrations pass you by, and a lot of the time, you are only reminded of them through photos posted on social media. Even more tragic is if a dear relative or friend passes while you are away, meaning you never got to say goodbye. And trust us, grieving on the road isn’t any easier than grieving with your family around you.Luckily, through the wonders of the Internet, we can now stay connected with everyone back home via apps like Skype. We also take solace knowing that our friends and family are usually happy for us that we are out traveling the world. It helps us get through the sad moments, even when we are questioning why we choose to be away for so long.

3. Friendships are measured in days, not years.Take a look at your friendship group. How long have your mates been in your life? Years? Decades? Did you grow up together? Those friendships may stay with you forever, but when you are always on the road, it is harder to form such close, lasting bonds with people. Being transient means that we usually only get to spend a few days (or sometimes even only a few hours) with people who we genuinely like and get along with. I’ve lost count of the number of guys and girls I’ve formed incredible friendships with, only for us to part ways and never see or hear from each other again. We share amazing experiences together, and then vanish from each others’ lives. It’s a curse that never breaks unless we stop moving.

4. You’ve changed, but everything else is the same.Returning home after an extended period of time always leaves me feeling like I’ve changed, but everything else is the same. My friends are still going to the same bars and eating at the same restaurants, my home town still looks exactly how I left it, even conversations go back to the same old topics we were discussing years ago. We end up questioning whether we really belong at home, or, perhaps even deeper, we sometimes  rethink what “home” really means to us. I’m not saying I have changed for the better, but the truth is that I have definitely changed.

5. You experience traveler’s burnout. 

If you travel to a lot of countries or over long distances continuously, it is easy to feel completely burnt out. After 10 months riding our motorbikes around Southeast Asia, checking into a different hotel every couple of days, packing and unpacking our backpacks, and spending every hour of daylight exploring new sights, Alicia and I were totally exhausted. We were getting frustrated way too easily, and becoming more and more jaded with life in general. We needed to stop for a few months and recharge the batteries, or risk quitting traveling altogether. The only cure for this is to slow down.

6. You’re always searching for the next adventure.

It’s harder to become impressed, true, but when we finally are, it just makes us want to seek out more adventures. Camping for free on the beaches of Hong Kong isn’t enough. It makes you want to camp on the Great Wall of China or in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Visiting 100 countries doesn’t quite cut it when you know there are 193 countries to explore. It is a hunger you can never satisfy, and every jaw-dropping experience just forces you to want to discover another. It’s like chasing the dragon you can never catch.

7. The idea of settling down scares the heck out of you.“When are you going to stop traveling and settle down?” asks everyone, ever. It is the dreaded question that  full-time travelers get asked all the time. If you’ve made it past your gap year and never stopped moving, then you know that nothing is more frightening than the idea of getting a full-time job, getting a mortgage, and rejoining the rat race. Some people call it running away, but who says that is how we are meant to live our life? Why does a life of unwanted responsibility have to be adhered to? When I feel completely happy making a minimal income and living a basic life, why should I have to change that?

To be clear, I am not saying that these curses are preventing me from continuing to live the life I want. They are not. I am saying, though, that they are important to know if you are considering a life of full-time travel yourself.

Ultimate Castaway Experience: Vacation on a Deserted Island

The travel company — reportedly the first of its kind — specializes in sending clients to remote, uninhabited islands for the ultimate anti-tourist vacation.The locations are beautiful, with beachfront stays in Indonesia, the Philippines, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The luxuries, however, are slim. (In some cases, electricity qualifies as a luxury.)

When booking, customers get to choose between two modes: comfort and adventure. The former is for travelers who crave seclusion without giving up basic necessities; the latter seems best for “Survivor” runner-ups and die-hard “Man vs. Wild” fans.For the most part, Docastaway trips are not entirely fend-for-yourself experiences. A guide usually accompanies the travelers, although true daredevils can opt out and go solo at certain adventure mode locations. At comfort-mode lodgings, meals are served buffet style by a “staff” and you can partake in activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, and boat excursions to neighboring islands.For example, the Devil’s Island excursion in Oceania (380 euros a night) ranks as extreme on Docastaway’s isolation scale, which means you’re paying for a life-or-death experience, not a luxury hammock. Guests eat “what nature provides.” So what does that mean? The company hints at the island’s free-roaming hermit crabs and fish in natural pools. The description also warns, “Should there be a storm the castaway will have to wait up to two weeks to be rescued. Therefore, much patience will be necessary and also flexible dates.” There’s also no beach on the island, but hey, there is a climbable volcano you can climb!

Daydream: Plutonic Passageway in Joshua Tree National Park

We know how it is.
You’re stuck at your desk and the day seems to be going on forever. Your mind starts to wander — at first to “anywhere but here,” but then to exotic, faraway lands where your everyday problems and stress melt in the presence of true paradise. You want to go to there, and we want to go with you. Every day at 3 p.m. Eastern, we’ll send you a picture of the place we at Yahoo Travel are daydreaming about so we can all take that mental vacation together.
Let’s go to Plutonic Passageway in Joshua Tree National Park!!! This park is famous for its trees, hence the name. But it has a lot more to offer. There's the constant sunshine, geckos, roadrunners, and jackrabbits, and you might even see a rattlesnake! The sunrises and sunsets are our favorite part; they have a way of enhancing the already stunning landscape into a visual experience you are sure to remember. Disclaimer: The heat can rise well above 100 °F in the summer, so you will want to stay hydrated and bring plenty of sunscreen. You could also go in the spring or fall when the temperature is almost perfect.

The Matterhorn

Situated in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy is one of the most famous and
distinctive of all Alpine peaks. The Matterhorn is a pyramidal-shaped colossus, standing at a
skyline-dominating 4478 metres (14,690 feet). Its four steep faces rise above the nearby glaciers and face
the four compass points, north, east, south and west. Although not the highest peak in the Alps its fame is
due to its almost impossible shape; an unusual landform with a summit that appears to extend over its north face,
making it look like a cobra about to strike.The Matterhorn's History
The formation of the Matterhorn (and the rest of the Alps) began some 50 to 60 million years ago when the African
and Eurasian tectonic plates collided, and layers of sedimentary rock that had formed in the seas between them were
thrust up above sea level. Experts suggest that the Matterhorn began as a rounded hill, but gained its distinct
pyramidal shape as a result of natural erosive forces over the last million years.
The first successful ascent of this iconic peak was on July 14, 1865 by a team led by English illustrator,
climber and explorer Edward Whymper. He had previously made several unsuccessful attempts on the summit.
The climb was marred by tragedy as four team members lost their lives in a fall just below the summit during
the descent. The second ascent occurred just three days after Whymper’s triumph, from the Italian side.
The mountain’s difficult north face wasn’t climbed until July 31 and August 1, 1931.
The Matterhorn’s north face overlooks the Swiss Zmutt Valley, whilst the south stands guard over
the Italian ski resort village of Breuil-Cervinia. The Theodul Pass, a trade route used by Ancient Romans and
Celts as early as 100BC connects the two destinations. Unknown to most, the Romans originally named the Matterhorn,
‘Mons Silvius’. In fact, it wasn’t until sometime during the 1500’s that Germans named the mountain, the Matterhorn,
derived from “matte” meaning meadow and “horn” meaning peak.

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls is a three-tiered, 2425 ft waterfall, situated in Yosemite National Park, California. If the three
tiers are considered as a whole, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and the fifth highest in
the world. The three tiers include the Upper Fall (1430ft), middle cascades (675ft) and the lower fall (320ft)
Sections of Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls
Water drops 1430ft at the Upper Falls, which means that even individually, it would place among the top 20 highest
waterfalls in the world. Unlike the Lower Falls, the Upper Falls are not easy to access. In fact, reaching the Upper
Falls requires taking a 7.2 mile round trip, with 2700ft elevation gain. The majority of the route is exposed to sun,
 and therefore it is recommended to start early in order to avoid the midday heat.
Middle Cascades
The middle cascades are located between the Upper and Lower falls, and cannot be seen from the majority of vantage
points. In a series of five smaller cascades, water descends a total of 675ft.
Lower Yosemite Falls
At the Lower Falls, water descends 320ft; almost twice the drop of Niagara Falls. It is the easiest section to
access, with only a short walk from the Yosemite Lodge to the base of the falls required. If visiting in spring,
then be aware that the viewing area will receive a lot of spray from the falls. However, by the middle of summer,
the spray is replaced by calm, cool air and possibly a little mist.

Meteora

The Meteora are a collective of natural sandstone rock pillars, which have served as places of worship throughout
modern history. With an average elevation of 313m (1027ft), the Meteora rocks stand proudly at the centre of an
extraordinarily beautiful Greek landscape, housing 24 monasteries in total, of which 6 remain active. Inscribed on
the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988, Meteora attracts tourists to the region in their thousands each year.

History of Meteora
The name, ‘Meteora’ stems from the Greek adjective, meteoros, which means ‘middle of the sky’. Aptly named,
the rock formations of Meteora jut out of the ground like giant fingers made of stone, allowing the various
monasteries to sit, suspended in the air. It has taken millions of years for various forces of nature to sculpt
out these unique rock pillars. Geologists believe that this process began approximately 60 million years ago
during the Palaeogene period.
As early as the 11th century, monks occupied the caverns of Meteora. However, monasteries were not built until
the 14th century, when the monks sought somewhere to hide in the face of an increasing number of Turkish
attacks on Greece. At this time, access to the top was via removable ladders or windlass. Nowadays, getting up
is a lot simpler due to steps being carved into the rock during the 1920’s. Of the 24 monasteries, only 6
(five male, one female) are still functioning, with each housing less than 10 individuals.