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HGTV’s new series World’s Bargain Dream Homes taps into a familiar idea: what if starting over somewhere new didn’t require an unlimited budget?

The show follows Americans searching for affordable homes overseas, typically working with a ceiling of around $150,000 — an amount that, depending on location, can stretch further than many expect. Premiered on April 14, the series spans a range of destinations across Central America and Europe, including Costa Rica, Panama, France, Italy, and Greece. Each episode pairs buyers with local real estate professionals, offering insights not only into the properties themselves but also into what everyday life might look like in each location. In the Crete episode, the property search is guided by Dion Gavriilidis, Managing Partner of Elxis.

If you still think of Greece as a strictly summer fling — sunburn, sandals, and Santorini sunsets — it might be time to update your mental itinerary. According to a recent story by journalist Ilias Bellos in Kathimerini, the country is steadily, and rather cleverly, reshaping itself into a year-round destination.


Let’s start with the data. According to Visa, foreign visitors in Greece increased their card usage by 12% in 2025, while the number of tourists using Visa cards rose by 13%. These figures point to steady growth in both arrivals and spending, as well as a broader shift toward digital payments. Beyond convenience, this trend offers a clearer picture of how visitors engage with the Greek tourism economy throughout the year.


A notable shift is also taking place beyond the peak summer months. Growth is no longer concentrated in July and August, as spending during the off-season continues to rise. February 2025, in particular, recorded the highest percentage increase, highlighting a gradual reduction in seasonality. This trend suggests that Greece is steadily expanding its appeal as a year-round destination, rather than relying primarily on summer tourism.

For decades, property ownership and transactions in Greece operated within a framework that, while formally legal, often failed to reflect reality. Until around 2010, notaries were generally required to describe properties in contracts strictly according to the approved building permit (oikodomiki adeia). In theory, this ensured legal consistency and documentary certainty. In practice, however, it created a system in which the official description of a property could diverge significantly from its actual physical condition. 


This gap between documentation and reality became one of the defining weaknesses of the Greek property system. It affected not only legal certainty, but also taxation, urban planning, and the reliability of real estate transactions. In recent years, Greece has responded through a dual transformation: first, by creating a legislative framework for the declaration and legalization of unauthorized constructions; and second, by introducing a series of digital reforms intended to produce a more accurate, transparent, and immediately accessible record of property ownership and status. Although these reforms have, for the time being, introduced new layers of procedural complexity and what many describe as a form of “digital bureaucracy,” they are also laying the foundation for a more coherent and efficient system in the future.

Thessaloniki’s airport is getting busier — in a good way — thanks to easyJet’s latest expansion, which adds two new international routes and strengthens the city’s growing role as a northern Greek travel hub.


On March 29, the first direct easyJet flight connecting Amsterdam and Thessaloniki touched down. Passengers arriving from the Dutch capital were greeted with a warm welcome from airport representatives and airline staff, a gesture that underscored the importance of this new connection for both tourism and business travel.


The Amsterdam–Thessaloniki route will operate twice weekly, every Wednesday and Sunday. It’s a schedule that seems tailor-made for long weekends — whether you’re a Dutch traveler craving Mediterranean sunshine or a Thessaloniki resident plotting a quick escape to canals, bicycles, and stroopwafels.

Moving to Greece has become an increasingly popular choice in recent years. Some come for the lifestyle, others for property or tax incentives, and many for the flexibility that remote work now allows. The appeal is clear: a slower pace, a strong sense of place, and a quality of life that feels distinctly different from much of Northern Europe. For many, the decision to relocate is often considered long-awaited and tied to a broader shift in how they want to live.

Greece is best known for its islands, history, and food— but it is increasingly becoming a strong contender in the world of cycling travel. With its varied terrain, mild climate, and mix of coastal and mountainous landscapes, the country offers routes for every type of rider, from casual cyclists to experienced adventurers.


Below are six of the most bike-friendly destinations in Greece, each offering a distinct experience on two wheels.