The Greek Tourist Board is keen to encourage more visitors and a spokesperson said: “We want to reassure you, that as a tourism destination Greece remains very much open for business as usual.
“Over the years millions of Brits have visited Greece for its combination of stunning beaches and countryside, delicious food, fascinating history and welcoming culture.
“Despite the situation we find ourselves in today, none of the above has changed. Greece continues to represent a wonderful destination, offering a wide variety of holidays at great value for money.”
ViewRanger Marketing Manager, Ian Pond was keen to include the Greek Islands in the growing list of countries and regions made more accessible with the ViewRanger navigation solution.
“There are many walking guides to the Greek Islands, but access to detailed maps has made it difficult to use them with confidence as the region is often mountainous and sparsely populated. ViewRanger provides reassurance for walkers, it allows you to download a quality map on to your phone before you set off and the GPS function allows you to see your location at all times. With ViewRanger both the map and GPS feature will work without the need for a mobile phone signal.”
The Greek Islands vary enormously and if you enjoy exploring then many have scenic trails, romantic walled paths and historical ‘moni-paths’, which originated as walks to the monastery.
However, Ian Pond advises that to make the most of your trip its best to do a bit of research before you go.
“Many of the guidebooks are written by ex-pat Brits and Germans and are often difficult to obtain on the more remote islands, “ he explains. “If you have found some routes you may want to follow, you can always mark them on to the relevant ViewRanger map before you go and annotate it with instructions using the tools available at my.viewranger.com.”
ViewRanger enables explorers to create a travel-log, recording the track and geo-tagging their photographs as they walk. This can be shared later with family and friends on FaceBook.
Early and late Summer are the best for walking when the heat is less. There are companies on the islands offering guided walks. It is always advisable to wear a hat, strong shoes, take plenty of water and to stick to the paths. ViewRanger also includes a location sharing feature BuddyBeacon*, that can show your location to others, if you get separated while on the trail however these feature does require a mobile data signal.
The Tourist Board has welcomed ViewRanger’s initiative and comments:
“This year with the Olympic Games taking place in London, there is the added reason to visit Greece and see where it all began. As well as the history and beauty, you will find a welcome that is warmer than ever. We look forward to seeing you there.”
About ViewRanger GPS www.viewranger.com
ViewRanger GPS is the award winning mobile phone application, which delivers GPS navigation, mapping and location-based content to outdoors enthusiasts worldwide. Used in over 150 countries, ViewRanger has topped the app navigation charts in markets across Europe, Africa and Asia.
A testament to ViewRanger's accuracy and reliability is that it is also extensively used and trusted by Search and Rescue teams in UK & Ireland. www.viewranger.com
Owners of Apple iPhone/iPad, Android or Symbian devices can download the app for free. Alternatively, from the Apple app store there is a £9.99 “Premium” version of the app available, which includes £15 credit for purchasing Ordnance Survey , Greek Island or other mapping in a range of scales.
Greek Mapping Mapping is available for areas of the Mainland and 45 of the Greek Islands at various scales up to 1:25,000, prices from £3.99.
Mainland Areas Peloponnese (at approx 1:200,000)
Detailed Walking Maps
- Parnitha (mountain north of Athens)
- Pelion (mountain at the south-eastern part of Thessaly)
The Greek IslandsCrete - whole island
Hydra (Saronic Island)
Cyclades Island Series
- Cyclades 1: includes whole island maps for Andros, Tinos & Mykonos
- Cyclades 2: includes whole island maps for Tzia (aka Kea), Syros & Kythnos
- Cyclades 3: includes whole island maps for Milos & Kimolos , Serifos & Sifnos
- Cyclades 4: Whole island map for Paros
- Cyclades 5: includes whole island maps for Ios, Sikinos & Folegandros
- Cyclades 6: includes whole island maps for Amorgos, Santorini & Anafi
- Cyclades 7: includes whole island maps for Naxos & Minor Cyclades (Irakleia, Pano and Kato Koufonisi, Schinousa, Donousa and Keros)
Dodecanese Island Series
- Dodecanese 1: includes whole island maps for Rhodes & Symi
- Dodecanese 2: includes whole island maps for Karpathos & Kasos
- Dodecanese 3: whole island map for Kos
- Dodecanese 4: includes whole island maps for Kalymnos & Leros
- Dodecanese 5: includes whole island maps for Tilos, Nisyros & Aghathonisi
- Dodecanese 6: includes whole island maps for Patmos, Arki & Lipsi
- Dodecanese 7: Whole island map for Astypalea
Eastern Aegean Island Series
- Eastern Aegean 1: whole island map for Ikaria
- Eastern Aegean 2: includes whole island maps for Samos & Fourni
Ionian Island Series
- Ionian 1: whole island map for Lefkada
- Ionian 2: whole island map for Kythera
Northern Aegean Island Series
- Northern Aegean 1: includes whole island maps for Chios & Psara
- Northern Aegean 2: includes whole island maps for Lemnos & Aghios Efstratios
- Northern Aegean 4: whole island map for Thasos
- Northern Aegean 5: whole island maps for Samothrace
Sporades Islands Series
- Sporades 1: whole island map for Skyros
- Sporades 2: includes whole island maps for Alonissos, Skopelos & Skiathos
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Media contacts: Nina Beadle/ Rachel Holdsworth, PR consultants, Holdsworth Associates, Tel: 01954 202789, email: Nina@holdsworth-associates.co.uk, www.holdsworth-associates.co.uk
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