Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tired of over-popular beaches, touristy bars and guidebook banalities? A couple of new sites are here to offer information and experiences normally unavailable to tourists and help travellers discover a more authentic Greek experience, meet cool people and familiarise with actual Greek life through the eyes of local people.
Greece Insiders, a new website created by three Athens informatics students, is a web community where Greeks share their knowledge of their homeland with visitors who wish to drift from the tourist guide stereotype Greek holiday.
From secret beaches and nightlife tips to traditional activities, all secrets reserved for locals are now available to travelers wishing to "experience Greece like locals". Another new site promises to reveal the real Athens as experienced by its residents. 
Dopios (local in Greek) is an online users’ community that brings Athens residents in contact with visitors. Local amateur guides upload profiles with experiences they can offer: nightlife hotspots, bargain stores, off- the- beaten- track neighbourhoods, and even invitations to home family meals. Visitors view the profiles (that include languages spoken by the amateur guide) and select their guide to a personal tour that no professional guide can offer. 