In Motion

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One noticeable difference between the U.S. and Greece is found on the roads. In many older areas—like Nafplio and the small hamlets scattered throughout the countryside—the roads seem far too narrow for two-way traffic, yet somehow every encounter between vehicles works itself out. It’s now clear to me why car rental companies offer so many micro cars—even the wheels are tiny!


Locals seem to prefer motorcycles and mopeds, zipping in and out of traffic with ease. Rob commented on the consistent tailgating, saying, “That’s not tailgating to the Greeks—it’s just driving.”

Occasionally, especially in Athens, a beat-up little pickup truck will pass by with a speaker blasting announcements, asking if anyone has scrap metal, old appliances, or other junk. Sometimes these vehicles (without the rooftop cages) are used to broadcast political or religious messages.

Our rental car has two fuel inputs: LPG and regular gasoline. LPG costs less than half as much, so we’ve favored using it—though not all stations carry it, and we’re not sure why.

As crazy, narrow, and cobblestone-paved as the roads can be in town, the highways are far better than anything we’re used to in the U.S.—pristine, well-marked, and smooth as can be. While fuel isn’t especially expensive, it becomes clear that the country is funding these immaculate highways through tolls. The drive from Athens to Nafplio (about two hours) involved around ten toll booths and more than 20 euros in coins.

Rob is loving driving in Greece. The cliffside roads, winding above blue-green water on one side and rolling hills on the other, weaving through old, beautiful towns—it’s a stick shift dream for him. I’m consistently amazed at how he navigates the tight, twisty town streets without hitting anything—or anyone.

Most impressive of all is the way Greeks drive. Though they don’t seem to follow many conventional road rules, there’s an unspoken, perhaps instinctive etiquette at play—a kind of functional intuition that keeps it all moving.


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