Never been to Greece, but hoping to go to Kefalonia next year. Heard great things about the island and I've always loved Greek food.
Kefalonia was the first Greek island I went to mate and you won't be disappointed. We stayed in Poros, Kefalonia. If you want that wonderful laid back Greek feeling, fantastic food, perfect Georgiopolis (spelling?) on Crete is also a great place to spend some time really chilling out. A short taxi ride and you can get to a beautiful volcanic lake from there. Swim among Turtles and do some snorkeling or even diving. Good choice
Greeks bearing gifts? We'd have a fantastic meal, get quite merry and ask the waiter/owner for the bill. He'd say what did you have? Kempton : I can't remember. Waiter : No worries, just give me ten euros
Had a holiday in Greece every year since 2005 (not last year or this) In some areas when bringing the bill the waiter would bring a gift, could be water melon, grapes, ouzo, in one place they brought little ice lollys. The island of Tassos is worth a look at, a cheaper option than the mainstream islands.
A reluctance to declare incomes and pay tax is more of a reason. Worth reading about what went on regarding that and their ridiculous pensions set up where hairdressing and radio presenters were two of the occupations deemed hazardous entitling you to a full pension at 50.
Try the Saronic Isles. Take a ferry from Piraeus and just hop the islands. Aegina, Agristri (my fave) Spetses and Hydra. Absolutely lovely holidays. Fantastic friendly people always. Terrible to see Athens like this. P.S. Forgot Poros
A lass once told me, one of the hazards of being a hairdresser was that often she'd get a hair pierce her nipple and it was very painful indeed.
Edit : Oh and the same girl told me she was cutting a blokes hair in Cottingham, when she realised the perv was having a **** under his cover, so she hit him on the head with a hair dryer and threw him out!
You went to mate on Kefalonia? Hope you were successful and didn't pick up anything vosene wouldn't sort out.