There is no denying that the situation in the capital has been quite serious but for holiday makers planning their summer holiday this year then Greece and its idyllic Islands should definitely be considered.

There are a number of countries in Europe with debt or financial problems and which will welcome foreign tourists to help balance their books. These are countries where bargains may well be available: they include Greece – a favourite holiday destination for many, but recently in trouble, Ireland with its well known financial problems may well be offering travel bargains and Hungary – not in the Euro and with its currency falling against the dollar should have cheaper costs – though probably not in Budapest (try the wine country for bargains).

A recent survey upturned ideas about “traditional” honeymoon destinations, finding that the most popular honeymoon destination appears to be Paphos on the island of Cyprus – so much more reasonable than most tour operators “top-ten venues for honeymoons”.

There is a promise of a magnificent spectacle for visitors to Athens at the end of October. Not just the 2010 Athens Classic Marathon – the 28th -and other  quality races, but a theatrical enactment of the original marathon 2500 years ago,

Many of potential traditional visitors to Greece- including Brits, Germans and other Europeans, have stayed away this season because of media coverage of the serious problems caused by violence and strikes and other side effects of their austerity measures. However, nearby Croatia to the north has prospered with a 7% growth in visitors having overnight stays in the country.