Cookie Policy

Cookie Policy

Last Updated: 18/11/2025
Website: GreekMonasteries.com
Contact Email: info@greekmonasteries.com
Location: Athens, Greece

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how GreekMonasteries.com (“Website”, “we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to ensure proper functionality, improve user experience, analyze traffic, and maintain the security of our digital environment.

This Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, as certain cookies involve the processing of personal data under the GDPR and the EU ePrivacy Directive.

By continuing to use our Website after selecting your cookie preferences, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They serve functions such as:

  • Enabling essential website features
  • Remembering user preferences
  • Providing aggregated analytics
  • Safeguarding the website from misuse
  • Supporting embedded third-party content (maps, videos, widgets)

Cookies may be:

  • Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser)
  • Persistent cookies (remain on your device for a defined period)
  • First-party cookies (set directly by our Website)
  • Third-party cookies (set by external services integrated into our Website)

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Our Website uses only the categories necessary for functionality and analytics. We do not use advertising, profiling, remarketing, or behavioral tracking cookies.

3.1. Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the Website to operate correctly. They cannot be disabled through our cookie banner, as the Website may not function without them.

They provide functionality such as:

  • Server and security operations
  • Loading pages properly
  • Preventing malicious traffic
  • Managing cookie preferences

These cookies do not store personally identifiable information.

3.2. Functional Cookies

These cookies support convenience and usability. For example:

  • Remembering selected language
  • Saving basic user settings
  • Improving browsing experience

Functional cookies may require consent depending on jurisdiction. On our Website, they are activated only after user approval.

3.3. Analytical / Performance Cookies

We may use privacy-enhanced analytics (e.g., Google Analytics with IP anonymization or equivalent tools). These cookies measure:

  • Visitor numbers
  • Pages viewed
  • Traffic sources
  • Time spent on the Website
  • Technical performance indicators

We configure all analytics to operate in GDPR-compliant mode.
These cookies are optional and only load after explicit consent via the cookie banner.

3.4. Third-Party Cookies (Embeds & External Services)

When we include third-party elements—such as:

  • Embedded maps
  • YouTube videos
  • Social media content
  • Accommodation or travel widgets

Those providers may set additional cookies.
These cookies operate under the privacy policies of the third-party providers and require user consent before loading.

We never load third-party embeds without user approval.

4. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

We rely on the following legal bases under GDPR:

  • Article 6(1)(a) – Consent for:
    • Non-essential cookies
    • Analytics
    • Functional preferences (when not strictly necessary)
    • Third-party embeds
  • Article 6(1)(f) – Legitimate Interests for strictly necessary cookies required to:
    • Load webpages
    • Ensure security
    • Prevent abuse
    • Maintain core technical operations

5. How We Use Cookies

Cookies on GreekMonasteries.com serve the following purposes:

  • Operating core site functions
  • Preventing spam, fraud, and attacks
  • Monitoring performance and improving the user experience
  • Understanding aggregated traffic patterns
  • Supporting optional multimedia content (e.g., monastery videos, maps)

We do not use cookies for advertising, profiling, data selling, retargeting, or automated decision-making.

6. Third-Party Services That May Set Cookies

If used, the following categories of external services may place cookies:

  • Google Analytics (IP anonymized)
  • YouTube or Vimeo embeds
  • Map services (e.g., Google Maps)
  • External travel or accommodation widgets
  • Security and firewall services

Each third party processes data according to its own privacy policy.
We ensure GDPR-compliant configurations whenever possible.

7. How to Manage or Withdraw Your Cookie Consent

Users may adjust their cookie preferences at any time through our on-site Cookie Settings panel (Consent Management Platform), where they can:

  • Accept or decline non-essential cookies
  • Modify choices
  • Withdraw previously given consent

Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.

8. How to Disable Cookies Through Your Browser

(Full Analytical Guidance)

In addition to our Website’s cookie controls, users may manage or block cookies directly through their browser. This gives more permanent or device-wide control.

Below is an analytical overview for the most commonly used browsers.

8.1. Google Chrome

To block or manage cookies:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Privacy and Security
  3. Click Cookies and other site data
  4. Choose preferred options, such as:
    • Block all cookies
    • Block third-party cookies
    • Clear cookies when you close Chrome

To delete cookies:

  1. Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data
  2. Select “Cookies and other site data”
  3. Confirm deletion.

Chrome also lets users manage cookie permissions on a per-site basis.

8.2. Mozilla Firefox

To control cookies:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Privacy & Security
  3. Under Enhanced Tracking Protection, choose:
    • Standard
    • Strict
    • Custom (allows blocking specific cookie types)

To delete cookies:

  1. Scroll to Cookies and Site Data
  2. Click Clear Data
  3. Select “Cookies and Site Data”
  4. Confirm deletion.

8.3. Safari (macOS & iOS)

To manage cookies:

  1. Go to Preferences → Privacy
  2. Options include:
    • Block all cookies
    • Prevent cross-site tracking

To remove cookies:

  1. Safari → Preferences → Privacy
  2. Click Manage Website Data
  3. Remove all or selected cookies.

8.4. Microsoft Edge

To configure cookie settings:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select Cookies and site permissions
  3. Choose privacy controls:
    • Block third-party cookies
    • Block all cookies
    • Manage per-site permissions

To delete cookies:

  1. Privacy, search, and services
  2. Click Choose what to clear
  3. Select “Cookies and other site data”.

8.5. Opera

To manage cookies:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Navigate to Advanced → Privacy & Security
  3. Select Site settings → Cookies and site data
  4. Configure cookie preferences.

To delete cookies:

  1. Clear browsing data
  2. Select “Cookies and other site data”.

Important Note

Blocking or deleting cookies may impact:

  • Website functionality
  • Embedded content display
  • Personalized settings
  • Loading performance

Essential cookies cannot be disabled without affecting core Website functions.

9. Data Retention

Cookie lifespan varies depending on type and purpose:

  • Session cookies: deleted after closing your browser
  • Persistent cookies: typically 6–12 months
  • Analytics cookies: retention per provider but anonymized
  • Preference cookies: remain until expiration or manual deletion

We do not retain non-essential cookies beyond what is necessary.

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this policy to reflect:

  • Changes in cookie usage
  • Legal or regulatory updates
  • New technologies or integrations
  • Operational changes in our Website

Revisions take effect once published on this page.
Users are encouraged to check this policy periodically.

11. Contact Information

For questions, GDPR requests, or concerns regarding this Cookie Policy:

📧 info@greekmonasteries.com
📍 Athens, Greece
We communicate exclusively via email.

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