Travel and Religious Holidays/ Festivals in the Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre World
Religion is a factor to take into account when travelling to the Eastern Med.
Most of us are familiar with the fact than in predominantly Christian countries things close down or slow down during Easter and Christmas and that we don’t enter Christian houses of worship or holy sites in a bikini or stubbies singlet and thongs.
This certainly applies in Italy, [pictured right The Vatican], Greece, Spain and Croatia.
In the Islamic world including Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Morocco and most of the Middle East dress codes in Islamic mosques and religious sites are quite strict. Women and men alike are expected to cover their limbs and their bodies. Women are also expected to cover their heads.
All worshippers and visitors to mosques are required to remove their footwear.
This year Ramadan, the long Muslim fast occurs between Sep 2- October 6.
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar so dates for Ramadan vary from year to year.
[Pictured left: The Blue Mosque, Istanbul]
Practicing Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset which means they have a very early breakfast and a late and long evening meal. While visitors are not expected to observe the fast, its matter of common courtesy to avoid eating and drinking in public in Muslim countries.
In Israel where most people are Jewish many shops and services in Israel grind to halt for the Jewish Sabbath which commences on Friday sunset and finishes on Saturday sunset.
In many Israeli hotels there is a Sabbath elevator which automatically stops at every floor.
Most tour operators do run tours on a Sabbath.
Jewish religious sites and synagogues require men to cover their heads and women to dress modestly.
[Pictured right: The Western Wall, Jerusalem]
On Jewish High holidays in 2008 (Rosh Hashonah Jewish New Year Sep 30 – Oct 1 and Yom Kippur Oct 9) Israel is virtually closed down.
Yom Kippur is a 24 hour fast day although hotels will provide meals to guests on a self service basis.
Tours do not operate on these days.
Tourists in Jerusalem can get a meal on Yom Kippur in the Muslim and Christian quarters of Jerusalem.
In common with the Muslim Calendar, the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar and festival dates vary from year to year.
Religious festivals are actually fascinating times to visit countries and by being aware and respectful they can be seen as a positive experience rather than an inconvenience.
For bookings and details phone 1300 661 666 or visit www.greecemedtravel.com
A Special Greece and Mediterranean Travel Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026