Here's
a conundrum for you. When does the best planned holiday consist of an unplanned
stay? Now isn't that a secret worth
disclosing?
I have always had two minds about sharing travel secrets. Once they are out, the entire novelty value of it being a secret, shared between a few, is redundant. But, being a travel blogger, I also feel it is my duty to share and let everyone experience the wonderful pleasures that the world has to offer.
Hotel bookings over the last decade have simplified down to a few clicks thanks to the availability of internet. We have reviews, photos, detailed information in front of us before we even leave the comfort of our homes. While it has made traveling easy, it has also taken away the adventure of reaching a new destination without prior knowledge and finding a place to spend the night. Ask any seasoned traveler and their best stories would consist of hotel related misadventures. Be as that might, it is preferred to book in advance now, except for when you are going island hoping in Greece.
My
little secret is about the numerous islands of Greece whose inhabitants rely on
tourism as one of their primary sources of income. Besides the car rentals, the
restaurants, the tours, running Bed & Breakfasts is another occupation
taken up by many individuals, especially a number of young adults. A search on
the internet will eventually lead you to small websites with all the
information about these family run cosy habitats, but the trick is not to book
online.
Island hoping in Greece should be done at a leisurely pace. Not having a pre-paid hotel booking gives you the flexibility of staying at an island for longer than planned. Not only that, taking a ferry to the next island, not knowing where you will lay your head that evening, is the type of excitement that travel should conjure. Here's the secret though, every time a ferry arrives, you will find a number of people standing at the port, shouting, in a friendly manner, with picture books in their hands. These are the local Bed & Breakfast owners calling out for perspective guests, you, to have a look at a rooms (in pictures), and strike a deal for your stay.
The wonderful part about booking a room on your arrival is that although it might seem haphazard, everyone calling out for your attention is courteous. There is no pushing or pulling and everyone respects each other’s space. It is also a great way to exercise your bargaining skills. As I found out the hard way, it was possible to get a room; bigger and better than the one I booked online, much cheaper.
Greece
is one of the friendliest places I have been to in my travels. The people are
extremely welcoming and always eager to help. The Bed & Breakfasts, which
are run almost like small hotels sometimes, make every stay informal giving the
guest an opportunity to experience the culture of the country and its people
from the inside. Obviously, staying with the locals has the added benefit of
having first hand information about the island and its many secrets.
So, now when you plan a Greek vacation, be adventurous and don't book your stay. Take it as it comes, and enjoy the hospitality that will leave you in awe, making you salivate for your next trip even before you leave.
This article was first published in the magazine Travel Secrets.
