Best of Greece

GREECE AS AN ALL YEAR ROUND DESTINATION

2011-11-23T01:04:00.001-08:00

Greece is such a unique and totally diverse country! It is a shame that when people think of Greece they only think of Summer holidays by the beach on some island or a cultural and historical immersion to the what is also called as the cradle of Civilization. Best of Greece as one of the leading specialists in holidays to Greece has been trying for years to change this false idea that Greece is a summer only destination! There are so many unique areas to visit! Cultural Sites Mountains and so much more! www.bestofgreece.co.ukWe have been offering tailor made luxury holidays to Greece since 1973! We are sure that we can build up a dream holiday for you!Just tell us what you are dreaming of and we will do our utmost to make it a reality! The Greek National Tourism Organization wrote this very nice article which we also went through and added some other ideas! We really do hope you enjoy the read and would look forward to answering any requests you might have. Top 6 winter destinations in GreeceMount Pelion www.bestofgreece.co.ukWhere: Mount Pelion will be an unforgetable experience, Only a few kilometres away from the busy port of Volos in Thessaly stands mythical Mt. Pelion, which according to Greek mythology was the home of the mythical Centaurs, creatures who were half man and half horse. Ancient Greek heroes such as Achilles, Jason and Theseus came to Mount Pelion to master the arts taught by the Centaurs. Mount Pelion is home to 24 beautiful villages.Why: The unique combination of superb natural surroundings, dense greenery, cascading waterfalls and gorges, romantic bays with crystal clear waters and outstanding local architecture make for a “four seasons’ destination” that attracts visitors all year long.

Must visit: Pelion boasts some of the most famous traditional villages in Greece; set against an idyllic backdrop of shimmering olive groves, dense forests and lush fruit orchards, these stone-built villages are the true gems of Pelion. Visit the lovely old village of Tsagaráda –home to a 1,000-year-old plane tree; Makrinitsa, the so-called balcony of Pelion, which affords magnificent views over the Aegean; Portaria, which thanks to its impressive traditional mansions has successfully managed to preserve its traditional colour untouched by time, and Chánia, with its famous ski centre.Activities on offer: Explore this unspoiled world on horseback! The horseback trip starts in Argalasti, an attractive village in the south of the peninsula. From here you can reach beaches on both sides of the peninsula – open sea or calm gulf. The cobblestone trails between villages lead you back through time and are ideal for rides on horseback. The main trails out of Argalasti lead to many interesting locations, such as Kalamos (6 km to the west) and Lefokastro (6 km to the NW). Ski down snowy slopes at the ski resort of Agriolefkes near the village of Chánia or walk along narrow winding cobbled paths known as calderimia. The Chánia-Kissós path is one of the most popular among trekking lovers.

INSIDERS SECRETS:• Discover one of Pelion’s best kept secrets: the tiny, exquisite cove of Fakistra; the highlight is a stream that springs from the mountain and flows into the sea. It is rather difficult to get down to it but it certainly worth it; even in winter the setting is very romantic; pure magic.• Follow a scenic route from the village of Milies...by train! Take the legendary Pelion stream train, a narrow-gauge rail track built more than a century ago by the father of the surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico, which crosses stone bridges and passes through rugged landscapes; all the stations are of unique architectural interest.• Visit the village of Damouchari, where several scenes from the movie Mamma Mia were filmed!Accommodation: Ancient old mansions of traditional Pelian architecture that used to belong to rich merchants have been turned into cosy guesthouses offering an exquisite atmosphere that is difficult to find anywhere else in Greece.Famous local products: Taste mouth-watering pies and home-made “spoon sweets” (a traditional dessert consisting usually of fruit preserved in syrup) produced by local women’s associations with all kinds of local fresh fruit!Zayorohória villages www.bestofgreece.co.uk/epirusWhere: At the heart of Epirus, nestling among the steep and snowy slopes of the Týmfi mountain range.Why: A complex of 46 picturesque traditional villages built in a magical setting amidst pine and fir trees with one of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems in Europe. Its unique traditional architecture, impressive stone mansions and undulating, natural forest surroundings are the perfect ingredients for an unparalleled destination, ideal for action-packed holidays!

Must visit: Visit Zayóri’s most picturesque villages; Monodéndri is a restored stone village. Stroll down its narrow streets past the village’s stone courtyards; take the rocky trail starting from the central square that leads you to Vickos Gorge, which is awe-inspiringly deep! From there, admire the Monastery of St. Paraskevi nestling on a rock overlooking the Vickos Gorge. Mikro and Megalo Papigko, Aristi, Kipi and Dilofo are just some of the precious gems of Zayori. Gaze at the beautiful stone bridges which connect the villages. These are architectural masterpieces of superb craftsmanship which are often associated with legends and other local traditions.Activities on offer: Trekking lovers will have the chance to hit a variety of mountain trails in Zayorohória. Cross the Vickos Gorge following the route from Monodéndri north to Vikos- Vikos to Pápigo, and Monodéndri south to Kipi, a traditional small village with old arched stone bridges. The route is quite long (it lasts at least 5 hours), but it is a very rewarding experience! Starting from Pápigo you can take a much easier, three-hour trail; follow the path leading to Astráka refuge and then head for the summits of Astráka and Lápatos.Hit the trails that connect the villages Pápigo and Mikró Pápigo through the Vikos-Aoós National Forest; go for an invigorating swim in the two natural forest lakes. The village of Vovoúsa in eastern Zagori is ideal for bird watching as it is located near the National Park of Valia Kalda, a protected forest populated with rare species of flora and fauna.Hot tips:• Follow the mountain trails to Kípi, an ideal mountain tourism destination: cross its two rivers (Vikákis and Baniótikos) using the Kaloyerikó (or Plakidas), a three arch bridge with a serpentine deck.• Explore the magical “Drakolimni”, one of the three alpine lakes in the Pindus mountain range, which according to local legends used to be inhabited by dragons!• Don’t miss the opportunity to walk the famous Vradeto Stairs at the edge of Vickos Gorge. These stone 1,200 meter stairs connect the villages Vradéto and Kapésovo, and they were the only access to Vradéto village until 1973!• Trekking through the Asprággeli, Dikóryfo, Manassís and Kaloutás villages, you will find the Kaloutás Bridge, which used to connect the village to with the Vissikoú Monastery (dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary).

Accommodation: Traditional stone-built guesthouses offer a warm environment to rest in after your day has come to an end; enjoy a glass of fine wine by the fireplace before going to sleep or a delicious breakfast with fresh local products before starting your day!Famous local products: Experience the true magic of Zayorohória: have a delicious meal in a mezedopoleío (local tavern) and taste the famous local pies accompanied by sweet local wine!Mountainous Arcadia www.bestofgreece.co.uk/peloponneseWhere: Among the steep slopes of Mt. Mainalo in the Peloponnese nestle the mountain villages of Dimitsána, Stemnítsa and Vytína.Why: Get a deeper insight into Greek history by visiting the places where the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Turks actually began; a place synonymous with legendary heroes, fierce battles and glorious achievements. Today thanks to its proximity to Athens and its striking beauty Mountainous Arcadia is one of the most popular winter destinations in Greece.

Must visit: The village of Dimitsána; built like an amphitheatre overlooking the Lousios River, Lousios valley and the plains of Megalopoli, Dimitsána is nicely surrounded by snow covered mountain tops and lush pine tree forests. Some of its most famous sights are the six remaining legendary Gunpowder Mills that used to produce gunpowder for the Revolutionary War, the Philosophou and Timiou Prodromou Monasteries; the archaeological site of Gortyna and the houses of heroes of the Revolution.The village of Stemnitsa is a typical traditional Arcadian settlement set amidst ancient plane and fir trees. It boasts grand stone mansions, Byzantine churches, cobblestone paths, a beautiful square and an interesting Folklore Museum.At the heart of Mountainous Arcadia, among the slopes of Mt. Mainalo, lies the most popular tourist destination in Arcadia, Vytina, famous for its unique architecture and blessed with a rugged landscape. Home to a number of legendary heroes of the Revolutionary War, Vytína faced the rage of the Turks many times and the village was burned down on 7 occasions! Vytína used to be an important centre of for the textile industry and woodcraft but today the economy is largely based on tourism.Activities on offer: Go rafting down the Lousios River; if you are a trekking fan hit the mountain trails and take in the breathtaking scenery or glide down snowy mountain slopes at Mainalo ski resort, an ultra modern ski centre with first-class facilities.Hot tips:• Visit the Open Air Water-Power Museum in Dimitsána, the only museum of its kind, which demonstrates basic pre-industrial techniques using water as the main source of energy to produce a variety of goods.• Stroll around the picturesque district of Kastro in Stemnitsa and take in an amazing view of the Margaritsa Gorge sprawling below.• Visit the Folklore Museum, the “Greek School” and the Library of Vytína, where you can admire rare books and manuscripts.Accommodation: Impressive stone mansions turned into cosy family run guesthouses or first-class hotels offer a wide range of facilities and a cosy atmosphere to relax in with your family or to enjoy romantic moments by the fireplace with your other half.Famous local products: Sample sweet-smelling honey, crunchy nuts, fresh dairy products, delicious local cheese or healing herbal infusions; don’t forget to buy local folklore items like wooden sculptures or textiles before you leave.Cruise around the Peloponnese http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/greek_cruises/cruises_yachts/antiquity_to_byzantium_cruise_greeceA unique idea which has been created by our preferred small ship cruise line Variety Cruises. On a unique 55 meter mega yacht which has sailed from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and the India Ocean. An amazing experience which takes you to some of the most beautiful sites around the Peloponnese!

Day 1: Friday- Marina Zea Embarkation 2-3 pm, enjoy a welcome drink and meet the crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus arriving in the evening. Dinner onboard. Day 2: Saturday- Palaia Epidaurus An early morning drive to Ancient Epidaurus which was known throughout Greece as a healing sanctuary. It is reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son and for its 300BC built theater which is still in use. Lunch onboard and then sail to Nafplion. Overnight in port. Day 3: Sunday- Nafplion/Mycenae After a short tour of Nafplion, we will go through the countryside of Argolis for Mycenae. We will visit the Ancient city and the; Lion’s Gate, Palace, Agamemnon Tomb and museum. Lunch onboard, then sail to Monemvassia. Overnight to Gythion.Day 4: Monday- Gythion Early morning arrival in Gythion. Trip to the Mani peninsula, Cape Tenaro and the spectacular Dirou Caves. Ancient Gythion; inhabited from prehistoric times and used by the Spartans as their naval base. We will cross the Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the caves. Then to Areopolis for a stroll through the town. Overnight at sea to Pylos.

Day 5: Tuesday- Pylos A picture-perfect seaside town in the southwest of the Peloponnese. It is the site of one of the most important naval battles that led to the independence of Greece. We will visit Nestor’s Palace with well-preserved royal apartments decorated with frescoes and a central courtyard. We will then go to the town and visit its museum. Overnight sailing to Katakolon. Day 6: Wednesday- Katakolon/Olympia Arrive early morning in Katakolon, disembark around 7:00 a.m., then on a bus to Olympia; the birthplace of the Olympic Games. We will visit the Archaeological Museum and explore the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Lunch in the town of Olympia and then visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. We will travel by land to re-board in Patras, where we depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight in Itea. Day 7: Thursday- Itea/Delphi Morning excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites of the ancient world. We will disembark early morning. Delphi is built on the side of a mountain with stunning views. We will spend half a day exploring the ruins and the museum. Then return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal heading for Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina ZeaDay 8: Friday- Marina Zea Disembarkation after breakfast. ArahovaWhere: Aráhova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern GreeceWhy: Because it is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favourite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráhova is also famous for its bustling nightlife!Must visit: The Byzantine churches of the village with their well preserved frescos.Activities on offer: Get involved in outdoor activities such as hiking or ski down the slopes of Mt. Parnassós at the biggest downhill ski resort in Greece. The mountain’s high altitude offers ski lovers long-lasting snow cover at the peaks.Hot tips:• Discover the traditional character of the village by taking leisurely walks through its narrow cobblestone streets. Enjoy hot and sweet or soft and fruity drinks in cafés, or traditional kafeneia (coffee shops).• Stay up all night and enjoy the village’s bustling nightlife. There are a plethora of bars and clubs up and down the streets of Aráhova.• Visit the nearby archaeological site of Delphi.Accommodation: Various elegant first-class hotels or traditional guest houses offer luxurious accommodation.Famous local products: Aráhova offers a memorable gourmet experience; taste local specialties: kontosoúvli (big hunks of pork skewered and put on a rotisserie with onions, tomatoes, peppers and seasoned with salt and pepper, garlic and oregano), kokorétsi (the intestines of the lamb stuffed with offal), sarmádes (stuffed grape leaves), traditional pies, handmade trahanás (pasta soup, can be sweet or sour), and hilopites (egg noodles made in linguine-sized strips, cut into small pieces).Aráhova also produces the famous cheese “formaéla”, a sweet smelling hard rind cheese of with a relatively mild flavour that you should definitely taste!Have a sip of the divine Parnassós local wine, the red “Mavroudi”, which achieved Protected Designation of Origin status in 2006. The “Black Aráhova vine” is a full-bodied prolific variety that produces wines of a deep red hue with a high alcohol content.Complete your meal with traditional “spoon-sweets”, or even better, try yogurt with honey, a dessert served compliments of the house. Before you leave Aráhova, pick up some hand-made beautifully coloured woven carpets (flocati rugs) and textiles to take with you as a going-away present.KarpenissiWhere: A mountain village situated in Evritania, Greece.Why: Towering snow capped mountains; deep ravines; fast-flowing rivers and lakes; impressive gorges; Byzantine monasteries and tiny mountain villages make out an form an alpine landscape that promises to offer the ultimate winter experience!Must visit: The most popular sights of Karpenissi: The Byzantine Church of Agia Triada in Karpenissi, the Church of Panagia in Fousiana, Agia Paraskevi in Vraggiana and Proussos Monastery, the Library and the picturesque squares of Markos Botsaris and Katsantonis, both famous heroes of the Revolution.Activities: Trekking along winding mountain paths; canoe-kayaking in Kremaston Lake; kayaking and rafting down the Aheloos, Tavropos and Trikeriotis rivers; horse riding; canoeing through the gorges of Viniani and Vothonas; jeep safari and skiing at the modern ski resort of Karpenissi, one of the biggest and most popular in Greece.Follow scenic routes and admire the undulating natural surroundings. Two suggested routes are: Karpenissi - Gorgianades - Korishades - Klausi - Voutiro - Nostimo - Megalo Horio - Mikro Horio - Palio Mikro Horio – Proussos and Karpenissi - Viniani - Kerasohori - Marathos - Monastiraki - Epiniana - Agrafa - Tridendro - Trovato - Vraggiana – Agrafa.Hot tip: Visit the beautifully preserved district of Korishades and tour its fascinating museums such as the National Resistance Museum; visit restored manor houses, Byzantine churches, schools transformed into museums and the arched bridges of the area, wonderful examples of local architecture.Accommodation: Choose from among family run pensions, welcoming guesthouses or luxurious hotels!Famous local products: Taste fried trout and mushrooms (morchella) in red sauce. Other exquisite local products on offer include Katiki, which is a Euritanian goat cheese, feta cheese, yoghurt and butter, local meat, beans, noodles, pasta, chestnuts and walnuts, berries, black cherries, crab apples, figs and kumquats, honey and superb “spoon sweets” as well as wine, tsipouro and liqueurs. Don’t forget to buy folk art products, like handmade rugs and woven fabrics of exceptional quality.At best of Greece we pride ourselves of excellence in every detail! A client who has booked with us is sure to receive the best specialist services for an unforgettable holiday in Greece. Whether you are looking for a 5 star luxury hotel with spa and every other treatment you can imagine or just a beautiful traditional little hotel in an unknown and unspoilt part of Greece we can give you the best possible advice! Just ask and find out what our tailor made services are all about

MOUSAKA RECIPE- HOW TO MAKE A MOUSAKA

2011-10-08T02:47:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece is the top specialist for tailor-made holidays to Greece! Find out more under www.bestofgreece.co.ukOur devotion to Greece as a country and the Greek way of living is now helping you become a true Greek fan yourselves!We have found a great recipe of how to make Mousaka! One of the most known Greek delicacies! We hope you enjoy the recipe and look forward to hearing how it finally tasted ! We found this recipe on SimplyRecipes.com and the person who wrote it was Elise!Thank you Elise for this great recipe!

Moussaka is to the Eastern Mediterranean what lasagna is to Italy: A very rich, special casserole that is perfect for Sunday dinners or potluck gatherings. The recipe takes some time to put together, but like a good lasagna, it’s worth it.This version is Greek, although every country in the region makes its own version of moussaka. Even the Greek versions have endless variety, from different ingredients in the meat sauce, choices of meat, amount of béchamel, how they cut and cook the eggplants, whether to use potatoes, etc.The best way to make moussaka is in steps. Start with the meat sauce, and while that is simmering, prep the potatoes and eggplant. Make the béchamel last because it is not a sauce that holds very well. Don't be intimidated by the number of steps, we've just detailed the process carefully to make it easier to follow.Do you have a favorite way of preparing moussaka? Please let us know about it. Also check out the links to more moussaka approaches from other food bloggers in the link list below the recipe.Moussaka RecipeA word on the cheese: All sorts of cheese can be used here, and to be most authentic, use kefalotyri. We used mizithra, which is becoming increasingly available in supermarkets. No need to search the globe for these cheeses, however, as a pecorino or any hard grating cheese will work fine.INGREDIENTSMeat sauce2 pounds ground lamb or beef2 Tbsp olive oil1 chopped onion4 chopped garlic cloves1 teaspoon allspice1 teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon black pepper1 Tbsp dried oregano2 Tbsp tomato paste1/2 cup red wineZest of a lemon2 Tbsp or more of lemon juiceSalt to tasteBechamel sauce1 stick unsalted butter1/2 cup flour1 teaspoon salt4 cups whole milk4 egg yolks1/2 teaspoon ground nutmegThe moussaka3 large globe eggplants1/2 cup salt8 cups water2-3 Yukon gold or other yellow potatoes1 cup grated mizithra cheese (or pecorino or Parmesan)Olive oilMETHODPrepare the meat sauce1 Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and brown the ground meat. By the way, the meat will brown best if you don't stir it. Add the onions about halfway into the browning process. Sprinkle salt over the meat and onions.2 Once the meat is browned and the onions have softened, add the garlic, allspice, cinnamon, black pepper, oregano and tomato paste. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.

3 Add the red wine and mix well. Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce the heat and continue to simmer gently, uncovered for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat. Taste for salt and add more if needed. Add the lemon zest and the lemon juice. Mix well and taste. If the sauce needs more acidity, add more lemon juice.Set the sauce aside.Prepare the potatoes and eggplants4 Mix the 1/2 cup salt with the 8 cups of water in a large pot or container. This will be the brine for the eggplants.

5 Slice the top and bottom off the eggplants. Cut thick strips of the skin off the eggplants to give them a striped appearance. A little skin on the eggplant is good for texture, but leaving it all on makes the moussaka hard to cut later, and can add bitterness, which you don’t want. (Some moussaka recipes leave the skin on and have you slice the eggplants lengthwise, which is an option if you prefer.) Slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch rounds and drop them into the brine.6 Let the eggplants sit in the brine 15-20 minutes, then remove them to a series of paper towels to dry. Place a paper towel down on the counter, layer some eggplant on it, then cover with another sheet of paper towel and repeat.7 As the eggplants are brining, peel and slice the potatoes into 1/4 inch rounds. Boil them in salted water for 5-8 minutes – you want them undercooked, but no longer crunchy. Drain and set aside.

8 To cook the eggplant, broil or grill the rounds. You could also fry the eggplant rounds but they tend to absorb a lot of oil that way. To grill the eggplant rounds, get a grill very hot and close the lid. Paint one side of the eggplant rounds with olive oil and grill 2-3 minutes. When they are done on one side, paint the other side with oil and flip. When the eggplants are nicely grilled, set aside. To broil, line a broiling pan or roasting pan with aluminum foil. Paint with olive oil. Place the eggplant rounds on the foil and brush with olive oil. Broil for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned on one side, then flip them over and broil for a few minutes more. Set aside.Prepare the béchamel9 Heat milk in a pot on medium heat until steamy (about 160 degrees). Do not let simmer.10 Heat the butter in a small pot over medium heat. When the butter has completely melted, slowly whisk in the flour. Let this roux simmer over medium-low heat for a few minutes. Do not let it get too dark.11 Little by little, pour in the steamy milk, stirring constantly. It will set up and thicken dramatically at first, but keep adding milk and stirring, the sauce will loosen. Return the heat to medium. Add about a teaspoon of salt and the nutmeg. Stir well.

12 Put the egg yolks in a bowl and whisk to combine. Temper the eggs so they don’t scramble when you put them into the sauce. Using two hands, one with a whisk, the other with a ladle, slowly pour in a couple ladle’s worth of the hot béchamel into the eggs, whisking all the time. Slowly pour the egg mixture back into the béchamel while whisking the mixture. Keep the sauce on very low heat, do not let simmer or boil.Finish the moussaka

13 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Layer a casserole with the potatoes, overlapping slightly. Top the layer of potatoes with a layer of eggplant slices (use just half of the slices).

14 Cover the eggplant slices with the meat sauce. Then layer remaining eggplant slices on top of the meat.

15 Sprinkle half the cheese on top. Ladle the béchamel over everything in an even layer. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.16 Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned.Let the moussaka cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.Yield: Serves 8.I hope you find this recipe interesting and helpful! We do look forward to hearing your feedback from it! Your holiday specialist to Greece Best of Greece www.bestofgreece.co.uk

A GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT THESSALONIKI

2011-10-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece is the leading specialist in Tailor-Made Luxury Holidays to Greece since 1973! www.bestofgreece.co.ukIn our effort to bring forward new city breaks to Greece we have been one of the first tour operators to include the wonderful city of Thessaloniki!Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and is also called the city which never sleeps! It is city full of culture, history and happy faces! We are sure that a holiday to Thessaloniki and the surrounding areas will be a holiday you will forever cherish! Find out more about this fascinating city www.bestofgreece.co.uk/thessalonikiWe found this very interesting article written on the Telegraph by Robin Gauldie! We hope you enjoy it!

I like to start a visit to Thessaloniki with an early morning stroll through the market district and perhaps a wee ouzo in one of its back-alley cafés. Then a tour of the fish hall, among stalls heaped with eels, carp, crabs, lobster, octopus, squid, bream, sardines, mackerel and other less familiar fruits of the sea and rivers of northern Greece – so fresh that many still wriggle.The markets – the flower stalls of the old Ottoman Bedesten, the Modano with its piles of oranges and melons, barrels overflowing with olives and dried fruits and herbs and spices and tiny shops selling icons, good-luck charms and slender beeswax church candles – have survived a century of upheavals."Salonika of the late 19th century was a combination of smart seafront mansions, shops selling European luxuries, modern transport, old-fashioned Oriental alleys and markets, frescoed churches and shady Muslim graveyards," writes Bruce Clark, author of Twice a Stranger: How Mass Expulsion Forged Modern Greece and Turkey.But in the following century, war, foreign occupation, fire, the great "exchange of populations", genocide and earthquakes changed the face of the city. Once a place where Muslims, Jews and Greeks lived side by side, it is now almost wholly Greek. There are surprisingly few traces of almost 500 years of Ottoman rule – the White Tower, a handful of Koranic inscriptions, the domes of a Turkish hammam or two and a few minarets.

The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki tells the story of the Sephardic community which dominated much of the city's cultural and economic life from the late 15th century until the early 20th century.

Relics of an earlier era abound either side of Egnatia Odos, the road along which the legions once marched from Constantinople, and which is still the city's main thoroughfare. The second-century Roman forum is being excavated, but half a dozen grandiose Byzantine churches are scattered along the road's length and the triumphal Arch of Galerius is a classic piece of Roman vainglory, with its friezes of fleeing Persians and victorious legions.Just north stands the circular Agios Georgios (St George), also commissioned by the Emperor Galerius (around AD300) and one of the world's oldest Christian churches, with superb mosaics.

Saving the best till last, the highlight of the Archaeological Museum is the Gold of Macedon collection, with its silver-guilt ceremonial wreaths, jewellery and splendid wine vessels. Across the street, the Museum of Byzantine Culture exhibits mosaics, frescoes and wonderful icons that give you some idea of Thessaloniki in its pre-Ottoman golden age. These are the parts of the city's history that its present inhabitants prefer to remember. Its more recent histories, it seems, most feel should remain in the past.

You can find a selection of the best hotels in Thessaloniki as well as beautiful ideas of what to while you are there at www.bestofgreece.co.uk/thessaloniki/hotelsWe look forward to arrangin a memorable holiday in Greece for you! Best of Greece

BEST OF HALKIDIKI

2011-10-04T03:06:00.000-07:00

MAP OF HALKIDIKI HALKIDIKI TRAVEL TO GREECE HOLIDAYS www.bestofgreece.co.uk

2011-10-04T02:36:00.000-07:00

ALL ABOUT THESSALONIKI

2011-09-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece is the leading specialist for luxury tailor made holidays to Greece since 1973.
www.bestofgreece.co.uk

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Formerly the co-capital of the Byzantine Empire, Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. It is located in Northern Greece and is surrounded by low hills and facing the Thermaikos Gulf. It has a busy port that is complimented by a beautiful waterfront promenade.

This city has beautiful parks, many museums and even though it that has maintained a continuous history of 3,000 years, it has become a very modern city known for its nightlife, it’s shopping, its food and deserts as well as its ancient monuments. It is also home to many a Greek poet, writer, musician and philosopher.

With the combination of ancient ruins and the modern buildings this cosmopolitan city is said to be more attractive than the actual capital of Greece. Sometimes referred to as the Jewel of the North, Thessaloniki does not have many high rise buildings which is great for the city’s visitors and residents as there are sea vies from all over town. Thessaloniki has a lively café culture and many of the cafes and restaurants are found in the two main squares that sit on the waterfront.

Thessaloniki is famous for its White Tower, if you have seen photographs of Thessaloniki this is the tower you will have seen. It was built as part of the city’s walls and now stands alone on the waterfront. It has become the city’s most famous landmark.

This great city is provides it visitors with all the necessary facilities, copious accommodation options, sea views, beautiful old buildings, landmarks, Byzantine churches and much much more.

HISTORY

Thessaloniki was built in the area where ancient Therme stood. It was founded by King Kassandros in 315 BC. He named the city after his wife, who was a relation of Alexander the Great. By the 2nd century BC the city had become a protected city with walls built around it.

Like most of Greece Thessaloniki has been home to many a different civilization, because of its strategic position and its port that provides access to the Aegean and the Eastern Markets. There are cultural influences from the Turkish, the Jewish, the Serbians but also from the Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman Empire.

The Romans took over in 168 BC when the Kingdom of Macedon fell. The Romans took advantage of the position of the city and used it to connect the trading routes between Turkey and Albania as well as facilitating trade with Asia. They built a harbour (the famous “Burrowed Harbour”) that accommodated all the trade, up until the 18th century.

In 379, during the Byzantine Era, Thessaloniki became second only to Constantinople. During the Byzantine Era the city was subjected to a lot of violence. This included the invasion of by the Slavs and the Barbarians, which led to the slaughter of slaves and citizens. The city was only restored during the gradual recovery of the Byzantine power during the 10th, 11th and 12th Century. Due to its past, a strong Jewish community re-established itself in the 12th Century.

Thessaloniki moved into the hands of the Latin Empire in 1204 after flourishing financially as well as culturally under the Byzantine rule.

The city then changed hands between the Latin Empire, the Greeks, the Bulgarians and then back to the Byzantine Empire all between 1204 and 1246. The swapping of hands did not effect the growth of the city instead the city obtained a great intellectual and artistic reputation.

Thessaloniki was not left alone for long and it eventually was ruled by the Zealot Social Movement, who introduced progressive social ideas during their short rule.

The Byzantine Empire finally let go of the city in 1423 when they sold it to the Venetians, who lost the city after 7 years to the Ottoman Empire after a siege of 3 days. During the Empire’s rule the Muslims in the City eventually outnumbered the Greeks in the City. The Jewish community also grew significantly during their rule. Thessaloniki again was used because of its strategic position and became one of the most important cities within the Empire.

During the early 1900s a lot of Bulgarians moved into Thessaloniki and it became a hub for their political and cultural activity. The Ottoman Empire eventually gave into the Greek army in 1912 during the first Balkan War. In 1913 after the 2nd Balkan War Thessaloniki was named an integral city of Greece after the signing of the Treaty of Bucharest.

In 1917 Thessaloniki was set ablaze in what is now known as the “Great Thessaloniki Fire”. This single fire set alight thousands of homes, leaving in total 72,000 people homeless. Many Greeks then returned to the city for refuge from Asia Minor.

Thessaloniki also suffered largely from the bombings during the Second World War. However, the city recovered and was rebuilt quickly, leading it to eventually become the wonderful city that it is today.

You can see evidence of all the people that came through this area in the Modern city that stands today.

SIGHTSEEING

The White Tower

As we have already described above the White Tower is the city’s most famous landmark, so you will appreciate that this is something you have got to see. You can see it by walking along the waterfront but we would suggest that you go up to their rooftop café. From up there you can sip on a coffee or cocktail whilst enjoying a panoramic view of the city. You can also wonder into the Museum within the Tower housing artefacts from 300 AD to 1500 AB.

The Arch of Galerius & The Rotanda

The Arch is located in the Historical part of Thessaloniki. It was built in 305 AD to celebrate the defeat of the Persians. Unfortunately only a part of the monument still stands. It used to be an eight pillared gateway and now only two archways remain.

The Rotanda is located just a 100 metres or so from the Arch. This is a circular Church that was built approx 306 AD. It was originally built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Galerius but was then used as a Church and was embellished with lovely mosaics.

The Roman Forum

Originally a Greek Marketplace (Agora) which became a Roman Forum, this archaeological site is located close to the Diaksterion Square. It has an incredibly well preserved theatre which is still used for the occasional summer production.

Ano Poli

Take the time to go up and visit the “Ano Poli” (upper town) or Old Town. It is a vantage point for magnificent views and as it was not destroyed by the famous fire in 1917 it is the Heritage listed area of Thessaloniki. It has cobble stone streets, old squares, lovely little tavernas, old Greek and Ottoman Houses and is surrounded by the city’s remaining walls. You can also access the Seich Sou Forest National Park from there. Wander up to the top of this city’s Acropolis and enjoy some time in Old Thessaloniki with endless views of the Gulf and if you are lucky views of Mount Olympus.

Churches

This city has numerous wonderful churches, both big and small and that were constructed during many different Eras. Many of the Churches are found in the ‘Ano Poli”. Some of the most important Churches around are the following:
“Agia Sofia” which is a copy of the “Agia Sophia” in Istanbul, it was built in the 8th Century AD.
The Church of Apostoli is rich in Byzantine decorations and dates back to the 14th century.
“Agios Nikolaos Orfanos” was also built in the 14th century and has beautiful frescoes.

Museums

Archaelogical Museum: Rumoured to be one of the best museums in Europe, this museum houses a huge collection of artefacts and incredible treasures. You will even get to see the Tomb of Alexander the Great’s Father. The collection includes exquisite mosaics, the only fully intact papyrus in Greece form the 3rd Century and various other great items.

Museum of Byzantine Culture: This museum has a permanent collection of items that give a visitor of the museum a good look at what the culture and art was like during the Byzantine Era. They also hold temporary exhibitions.

Museum of Contemporary Art: a very newly established Museum (est. in 1997), this Museum has a permanent exhibition of the George Costakis collection which consists mainly of Russian Avant-Grade Art Works. The Museum also houses Temporary exhibitions and provides educational programs.

Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki: the exhibition is housed in a beautiful Edectic Style House and it includes 1,000 or so Art Works and they also regularly have other exhibitions. The Museum is located in a wonderful part of Thessaloniki with old buildings which is worth walking around.

THINGS TO DO

Little Trips

Mount Athos: We are afraid only men can visit this Sanctuary. It is approx. 130 km from Thessaloniki but if you would like to take a step back in time and stay in one of the most scenic places in Europe this is the place to visit. The Monastaries resemble castles in their enormity and structure. They have libraries, gorgeous frescoes and mosaics, amazing seashore and incredible gardens.

Mount Olympus: 77 km from Thessaloniki Mount Olympus, the tallest in Greece standing at close to 3000 metres, towers up into the sky. If you are up for a long walk and a viewing of very rich tree and plant life, you should visit Mount Olympus and at least have a glimpse of it. If you are feeling adventurous you can climb the whole way up, keep in mind it takes approx. two days.

Vergina: this small cluster of archaeological sites, includes a palace, a theatre and hundreds of burial mounds. The area in which they lie connects to the life of Phillip (Alexander the Great’s father). He built the palace and the theatre and was assassinated there.

Beaches

There are no beaches that are in walking distance from Thessaloniki’s city centre. You will need to hire a car or jump on bus heading in the right direction. The coastline that runs along Thessaloniki and neighbouring areas is stunning and provides a number of options for people who want to have a swim.

Agia Triada- 26 km from Thessaloniki, this is a wonderful beach that has been awarded a Blue Flag. It is long and can get quite crowded in the summer.
Angelochori Beach- 30 km from Thessaloniki, here you can enjoy a nice swim or get active by doing some water sports such as Kite surfing.
Aretsou Beach- located very close to Thessaloniki this stretch of sand has cafes, restaurants etc.
Nei Epivates Beach- approx 24 km from Thessaloniki, this is a beach resort with 200 metres of sand to lie on.

There are number of other beaches you may want to visit but most are a bit further out from the city’s centre.

Shopping

Being the second largest city in Greece the shopping here is how it is in most cities. There are a number of Shopping Malls, boutique shops, street shops, souvenir shops etc. There are places you can find pretty much anything. The city isn’t very large but there are great markets and local shops.
If you are looking for a few souvenirs and some nibbles start in the local food market and then for whatever else you are looking for we would suggest you start your search on Agia Sophia Street, Mitropoleos Street or in Aristotelous Square. You should also check out Tsimiski Street and the Proxenou and Koromilia Shopping Areas.

NIGHTLIFE

This city is known for its nightlife! Your nights out here will remain unforgettable. The options of where to go, what to listen to and what type of bar/club are numerous. As you are aware the clubs open around 11 and stay open until the early hours of the morning. You can find traditional Greek music in Bars or you could even visit the Bouzoukia, you can find house, rock, soul, jazz, and pretty much anything else. The liveliest areas for going out are Ladadika, Mylos, Nea Krini and Aretsou, you will find everything from clubs and bars to ouzeris and restaurants.

If you are in the mood for gambling there is also a casino you can visit which is about an hour’s drive form the centre out toward the airport.

WHERE TO WINE AND DINE

The options of where to eat in Thessaloniki are also numerous. You can choose to eat down by the waterfront, in town or up by the castle walls in “Ano Poli”. It all depends what you are looking for. The area of town that accommodates more for the younger crowd is around Aristotelous square, the square has various cafes and restaurants. If you are looking for ouzeris and meze you should wander down to Ionos Dragoumi.

The food in Thessaloniki in general is of good value and of a good quality. You should try the Bougatsa’s with cheese, potatoes etc and their large souvlakia. The cuisine in this city is largely influenced by the East due to the occupation of the Ottoman Empire.
Thessaloniki is famous for a number of sweets and pastries so don’t miss the chance to try them. You have to try their traditional sweet Bougatsa (cream pie), Trigona panoramas (pastry filled with chocolate or vanilla cream) and Tsoureki (sweet bread).

Book your holidays to Thessaloniki or any other place in Greece with the specialist! Best of Greece
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_thessaloniki_holidays

THESSALONIKI

2011-09-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

THESSALONIKI

2011-09-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

Peloponnese paradise: Deserted beaches and ancient olive groves in the 'new' Greece

2011-09-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece tailor made holidays to Greece
www.bestofgreece.co.uk

We have been offering packages to Greece since 1973!
Our reservations and product team are people who know Greece by heart!
They are either people who have lived in Greece for many years or are Greeks who have lived in Greece for at least some years!

We found this article from the Daily mail which we believe that you will find very interesting!
Enjoy the read!

Peloponnese paradise: Deserted beaches and ancient olive groves in the 'new' Greece
By LEE MANNION

If anyone needs your holiday money at the moment, it's Greece.
The birthplace of modern civilisation, philosophy and medicine has become the sick man of Europe and those mental images of beautiful, sunkissed beaches have somehow been replaced by news footage of violent protests and riots.
But there's no sign of drama and destitution down in the Western part of the Peloponnese - Greece's southern peninsula - only a bullish determination to focus on the country's lucrative tourist industry with a new Mediterranean development.

Costa Navarino, in the south-west region of Messinia, didn't exist five years ago. If you'd visited the area back then you would have experienced a rough and ready coastline with hot and dusty countryside that mostly existed on olive agriculture.

The place to be: The Costa Navarino hopes to be the next big thing in the Mediterranean
But that was before a local shipping magnate spotted the coastal area's potential and vowed to make it Greece's new must-visit destination.
Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos dreamt up a plan to create a high-end resort that would fit in with the natural beauty of the area and provide enough local jobs so that young men wouldn't have to keep leaving to head for the cities and tourist areas.
The result is a surprisingly subtle development featuring two hotels, the Westin Resort - which I was to call home during my stay - and the Romanos Luxury Collection, both set among olive groves with views out over the Ionian Sea.

While the hotels offer all the resort facilities we have come to expect from a luxury Mediterranean holiday destination, including multiple restaurants and golf courses, 90 per cent of the area is reserved for natural or cultivated greenery, as per the orders of Captain Constantakopoulos.

The strict environmental regulations maintain the quiet ambiance and rugged scenery that is so associated with the Peloponnese, an area that, although known as the garden of Greece, has remained surprisingly untouched by mass tourism.
There are still stretches of serene sandy beach and pretty white-washed villages as well as little-visited Mykenaean palaces and Byzantine churches dotted around the Messinia province.

Take a dip: Voidokilia Beach is one of the best in the world according to the New York Times
And the culinary offerings are enough to have anyone salivating. No wonder Costa Navarino has decided to cash in on the food of the gods by offering cookery courses. All the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet are taught here and the food is so local, you can go and pick it yourself.
The head chef is Doxis Bekris, who has worked with British big hitters like Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White, and has previously helped guests conjure up dishes like succulent roasted chicken fillet, stuffed with aromatic herbs, butter and a yogurt sauce.

Chop chop: Lee gets to grips with some local produce in the kitchen
And his own protegees are on hand to help this novice with everything from how to chop properly to recognising which vegetables in the kitchen garden are ripe enough to be picked.
But finding fresh produce to cook can be a hair-raising business. The ingredients don't always grow where you want them to.
Wild fennel, for example, prospers around the golf course, leading to Monty Python-esque scenes featuring chefs dashing across the greens in their whites, halting golfers mid swing so they can find what is needed for the night's dinner menu.
Olive trees are everywhere (6,500 of them were successfully transplanted as the resort took shape) and the estate makes good use of them. Aside from the olive oil produced, you can find some unusual local delicacies.
Mixed with herbs, spices and dough, the oil is the vital ingredient in koulourakia, moreish cinnamon smelling biscuits traditionally baked at Easter.
Then there is Elea, a single olive softened and sweetened with honey offered on a silver teaspoon as a welcome to guests. It may sound strange, but it tastes a little like a syrupy date.
Further use is made of Greece's most famous export in the hotel's serene Anazoe spa, which offers oil-based wraps and massages.
Back at the Westin, I retire to my room after a morning spent picking and chopping, to lounge on the terrace, which comes complete with my own infinity pool and view to the sea.
The other hotel on the complex, the Romanos, even offers rooms with three levels of water: You can recline in your bath, overlooking your pool and the sea beyond.

Down at the beach, a five minute stroll away, staff proffer towels as I arrive for a swim and I am assured that if I want to indulge in a more energetic pastime, paddle boarding and windsurfing can be arranged.
Ten minutes down the road lies Voidokilia, one of the best beaches in the world according to the New York Times and well worth a visit. Its shallow, crystalline waters are overlooked by a crumbling 13th Century castle and just set back from the coast is the Gialova wetland, a favourite stop-over for 225 species of birds migrating to Africa.
Although Voidokilia means 'belly of the ox', from the air this great curve of a sandy beach is shaped more like the Greek letter Omega Ω.
When the evening rolls around and my stomach begins to rumble again, it is time to find out what Doxis could do at another Omega, one of several restaurants on the complex.

True retreat: The to hotels offer serene pools and plenty of space for lounging around
The name of the restaurant here alludes to the philosophy behind the menu, which is created around foods that contain healthy Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
It is haute cuisine of outstanding invention. Of all the courses on the tasting menu, my particular favourite is a broad bean soup into which a divine nugget of tahini ice cream slowly melts.
Doxis' promise that, after several courses, I would feel well fed but not bloated, holds true.
Like the great classical heroes of old, Costa Navarino signals that the Greeks are putting up a decent fight for their economic and ecological future.
If the contented bellies and relaxed smiles of the punters are anything to go by, things are about to start looking up.
Travel facts

We look forward to hearing from you and hope that we can arrange the perfect holidays in Greece for you www.bestofgreece.co.uk

Best Of Greece

2011-09-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Best Of Greece:

'via Blog this'

2011-08-31T05:01:00.000-07:00

Living like a local in Greece by international travel news!

2011-08-29T02:06:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece is the leading specialist for tailor made holidays to Greece and the Greek Islands! www.bestofgreece.co.uk

We found this great article by Marvin Herman, Delavan in international travel news!
We are sure you will enjoy the read!

Rumors of strikes, riots in the streets and a collapsed economy did not deter us from planning our October ’10 journey to Greece. As my wife, Judy, and I had done several times before on trips abroad, we enjoyed meeting the challenges of independent travel and did our best to protect ourselves from the anticipated glitches that were bound to arise.

Making arrangements
We arranged for all of our accommodations online, opting for hotels with lower, noncancelable rates wherever available. Our credit card, a Chase Sapphire MasterCard ( 800/940-7592 ) with no annual fee, provides a decent trip-insurance policy that protects against forfeitures.

For the first time in our travels, we armed ourselves with a cell phone to use on our journey. .

For our stay in Athens, we rented an apartment for €75 ($107) per night, payable in cash on arrival. It was located in a quiet neighborhood south of the Plaka, within walking distance of the Acropolis and near the Syngrou-Fix Metro Station. It had two large bedrooms; a washer/dryer; TV (no English channels); all required kitchen appliances, dishes and utensils; free use of a computer, and a nice terrace.

Evangelos, the owner of the apartment, was very helpful, providing a map in advance so we could easily find the apartment from the Metro station. The Metro senior fare from the airport to our stop was €3 each.

The Athens Metro is the most modern system we have seen in Europe. The trains are clean, efficient and fast, and the signage is more than adequate for visitors. This infrastructure, like much in modern Athens, was improved for the 2004 Olympics.

Settling in

After settling in, we found a supermarket where we could stock up on olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, yogurt and coffee, and there was a bakery on the corner of our block where I would go to buy fresh bread each morning. We enjoyed being regular neighborhood people and, after the first day, we would be greeted by people whom we had previously encountered on the streets or in stores.

On our first morning in Athens, we walked over to Syngrou Avenue, a main thoroughfare, to find a travel agent who would sell us tickets for the ferries that we planned to take later in our journey. We didn’t book these online because we wanted to get a better idea of what the weather would be like. As it worked out, the weather was excellent and we were able to buy our ferry tickets in Athens.

That morning, on our way to the Parthenon, we also got a fix on the location of the Hertz car-rental office from which we would rent a car a few days hence on our departure from Athens. We had arranged, online, for an automatic-transmission vehicle through Auto Europe (Portland, ME; 888/223-5555 . The cost was about $330 for the week we had the car.

Around Athens
In Athens, we also visited the National Archaeological Museum (28 Octovriou [Patisslon] 44) and spent several hours following the early history of Greece, from about 3000 BC to AD 476, the end of the Western Roman Empire.

A five-euro taxi ride took us from the museum to the Central Market. We walked through wonderfully boisterous meat and fish markets complete with vendors shouting about their wares amid butchers wielding cleavers and knives that flashed as they sliced through tendon and muscle, scales and gills.

In the center of it all was a small restaurant, where we stopped for a meal of Greek meatballs and grilled lamb, all wonderfully fresh and served with roasted potatoes, garlicky bread and sautéed dandelion greens. Washed down with a half liter of cold rosé, it cost €24 for the two of us.

Returning to our apartment, we stopped to pick up dessert at “our” bakery and enjoyed the freshly baked baklava (a Greek phyllo-dough dessert with honey) with coffee on our terrace.

The next morning we set off for the Numismatic Museum, not because we are coin collectors but because it is the former home of Heinrich Schliemann, the German archaeologist who excavated Troy and, later, Mycenae. It is a large home, nicely restored and worth seeing if you, like Judy, are a fan of this man and the ruins he dug up.

We also visited the Jewish Museum. Before WWII there were more than 75,000 Jews in Athens. Today there are around 3,000. The museum endeavors to be a symbol of the struggle to establish a Jewish community in Athens.

Driving in Delphi

By 9 o’clock the next morning we were in the Hertz office to get our car. An officious woman filled out our paperwork and gave us instructions and some directions. We had purchased a good road map of Greece (Michelin Map Greece No. 737) from Amazon.com before we left home. We loaded up our luggage and headed for Delphi.

I have driven in many European countries and I found the roads in Greece to be above average. From my fraternity days I remembered the Greek alphabet, and it was of help in reading the directional signs and the names of towns that we passed.

Soon we arrived in Arachova, a small town near Delphi where we checked into Hotel Likoria, a charming, quiet and modern little place at the far end of town. It had a small parking lot across the street, and our room had a view of Mt. Parnassus.

Soon after settling into our room (€86 per night, including a mediocre breakfast), we were hungry for a late lunch. Walking through the little town, we smelled the smoke of a wood fire near a sign that read “Taverna Arachova — 30 meters,” with an arrow pointing down a long set of steep steps. I investigated and hailed Judy from below.

A mountain view and a crackling fire were the backdrop for another wonderful meal (€36 total). A liter of the house rosé and a baked eggplant appetizer started us off. Judy ordered her favorite, roasted lamb and potatoes, and I had roasted chicken in a savory sauce and the ubiquitous crusty bread.

After our shared dessert pastry, we noticed that our waitress, the wife of the chef, was being fêted with a cake for her 44th birthday. We joined with her family in wishing her well and she shared her cake with us.

We soon departed the taverna, but Judy forgot her purse. The birthday celebrant ran most of way up the steps to return it.

The next morning we drove about 15 minutes to the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which houses and identifies many of the objects found at the Delphi Sanctuary of Apollo. Afterward we went to explore the site where these objects were located in antiquity.

We found that Rick Steves’ “Athens and The Peloponnese” was a great guide for our exploration of the places on the Greek mainland.

We next visited the town of Delphi and did some souvenir shopping. It was the end of the tourist season and shops advertised large discounts. In fact, the prices were very high, we felt, so our purchases were minimal.

On to Olympia

The next day, we left for Olympia and the popular archaeological site of the first Olympic Games. We visited the ruins, the athletic fields and the workshop of Pheidias, the sculptor of the famous statue of Zeus on his throne.

The Olympic site was crowded with tour groups, and we were pleased to be able to see the site on our own and at our own, slower pace. We also visited the small museum nearby that houses many of the wonderful treasures from the site.

We then drove to Bacchus Tavern, in Ancient Pissa, operated as a pension by Zapantis Costas and his sister Maria. Our room (€76, including an excellent breakfast) was small but had a wonderful view of the surrounding olive groves and hills.

When we went to pay the bill with a credit card the next morning, we were told that the card machine was broken and we would need to pay in cash. After I said that I didn’t have cash, my credit card was accepted and the charge went through the “broken” machine. A similar scenario played out many times during our travels in Greece.

At gas stations, always ask the attendant, before you fill up, if credit cards are accepted. Once the tank is full, the answer will likely be “No.”

Mycenae and Nafplio www.bestofgreece.co.uk/peloponnese
We drove over scenic mountain switchbacks toward Tripoli and on to our rental apartment in the small town of Kiveri, about five miles from the larger city of Nafplio. We found the rental at www.holiday-rentals.co.uk (listing No. 413446). Located at the end of the town, it offered a view of the Argolic Gulf from its large terrace.

When we arrived, the rental agent, Socrates Grecos, in response to our earlier call, had arrived on his motorbike to help us settle in and we signed his lease form. The rent (€60) had been paid to the owner, a resident of Washington, DC, in dollars before we left the US.

Once Socrates left, we struggled with the washing machine, finally realizing that the water faucet needed to be turned on.

In Greece, it seems that many people leave appliances unplugged or turned off so they don’t further strain the fragile power grids. We were to notice that again later in our travels.

Our first full day in this area was spent visiting Mycenae and its acropolis. Excavated by Schliemann in the 1870s, it is a magnificent ruin.

The city of Nafplio was our main target for the next day, but first we headed about an hour away to Epidavros (Epidaurus) to see its famous theater, stopping to admire a Mycenaean bridge along the way. In Nafplio, we parked on the street and walked to the big Saturday market. We asked for and received directions to the Old Town and drove to the port, where it was easy to find parking in the big, free lot.

We toured the Old Town, sharing a coffee gelato at Antica Gelateria di Roma, operated by the affable Marcello, who saw that we were set up with a seat, a glass of water, some cookies and a chance to use the loo.

Many shops in Nafplio were a cut above the usual tourist traps, so we found it worthwhile to browse them. Rick Steves’ book has a great tour of the area.

The plan for the next day was to return to Nafplio and climb to the Palamidi Fortress, said to be the best-preserved Venetian fort in the Mediterranean. But we know what they say about plans, however well laid.

We did drive to Nafplio, which was crowded with Sunday shoppers, families enjoying the harbor, parks and beaches, and many tourists. Judy decided to go shopping while I planned to ascend to the fortress.

As I headed up Polyzoidou Street from the parking lot at the harbor, toward Arvanitia Beach, I reached another parking lot, turned left and found myself on the six-kilometer Nafplio-Arvanitia trail. With the gulf on my right and the mountains on my left, I decided to join the many locals on this wonderful scenic walk, which took me about two hours.

Mykonos and Delos www.bestofgreece.co.uk/mykonos
After dropping our rental car off in Piraeus, we took a cab (€7) to the port and eventually boarded a ferry to Mykonos. Our fare to Mykonos was €34.50 each. We had opted for the middle of the three classes of seats on all of our ferry trips.

I phoned our hotel in Mykonos from the ferry to confirm that we would be picked up. As we disembarked, we saw a young woman holding a sign with the name of our hotel, Alkyon

Sophia, who, along with her parents, runs Alkyon, was one of the most caring, hospitable hosts that we encountered in Greece. She spoke perfect English, amongst several other languages, and was congenial and helpful.

She showed us to our room with its beautiful view of the Aegean Sea and, in the distance, the island of Delos.

By morning, the previous day’s rainy weather had cleared and we were off to the island of Delos. Sofia had a moment to drive us down the hill and direct us along the waterfront to the kiosk that sells the tickets for the ferry going to the island (€5).

The ferry was loaded with a mix of tourists of various ages and nationalities. The trip took about a half hour, and we sat on the top deck open to the sun and breeze. Once on Delos, we waited in line to pay the five-euro entry fee.

Delos is a very extensive archaeological site with temples dedicated to dozens of gods. With the map given to us at the entrance, eventually we were able to locate the various sites of interest.

We stopped at the free museum, which displays some artifacts from the site, then covered much of the island, including an amphitheater, gymnasium and agora. Even for persons without any substantial interest in archaeological sites, Delos is a very worthwhile destination for its views of the Aegean Sea and for the island, itself.

Back on Mykonos, our late lunch at one of the pricey seaside restaurants frequented by fashionably dressed young women with small dogs led us to conclude that life is not cheap on Mykonos. If Greece was a country in financial crisis, it didn’t seem to have reached Mykonos.

It rained during the night and the temperature fell to the 50s.

We set off to explore the town of Mykonos in the morning, letting ourselves get lost in the winding streets. Before leaving our hotel, we called ahead to Krokos Villas, our hotel on Santorini, to confirm that we would be on the hydrofoil the next afternoon.

We were informed that we had been given an upgrade to a room at the Avaton Resort & Spa ), one of the sister properties of our originally booked accommodation, also located in the Imerovigli section of the island.

Checking the substituted resort on the Internet, we found comments on Tripadvisor.com to be quite favorable, so I sent an e-mail confirming our acceptance.

Santorini www.bestofgreece.co.uk/santorini
After spending most of the morning transfixed by the beautiful view of the Aegean, it was time to move on. Sofia (what a treasure!) drove us down the hill to the hydrofoil, a double-hulled vessel much faster than a ferry, which took us to the island of Santorini for €41.50 each.

We were met at the boat dock by a taxi (€15) and taken to the Avaton Resort (€80 per night). At the walkway to the resort, Markos, whom we dubbed the “super porter,” helped with the luggage.

The nine-room resort is located on the edge of a cliff overlooking a caldera that is filled with water. Beyond its far rim lies the Aegean Sea.

Our smallish room, located near the outdoor pool, had a stunning view, a great shower and a complimentary bowl of fruit and bottle of wine.

The hotel did have a dining room, but it was located in the spa. Although guests don’t use the spa during dinner hours, we found it unappealing as a place to eat and took our meals elsewhere.

Using a map furnished by the hotel, we walked the seven minutes to the tiny town center of Imerovigli and ate at a nice taverna called Anestis (phone + 30 22860 25374 ). Choosing from the large selection of Greek dishes, we fell back on the familiar roasted lamb with potatoes and a large Greek salad (€22 with wine). After a stop at a bakery for some baklava, we walked back to the resort.

Unearthed in 1967, Akrotiri is a Minoan city on the southwest tip of Santorini. The site was later covered by a modern roof which, unfortunately, collapsed several years before our visit; the site was closed to visitors. We did see many of the frescoes of Akrotiri at a museum in Fira, Santorini’s capital city, as well as in Athens.

The next morning was cool and breezy, but the temperature warmed throughout the day, reaching the low 70s. Outside our room, I sat in the small alcove overlooking the edge of the caldera and, beyond a sprinkling of low buildings, the sea. The quiet of Avaton was soothing — no boisterous tour groups here.

Markos brought our breakfast, wonderfully fresh and complete with a pot of steaming coffee; yogurt and honey; tomatoes; olives; eggs; feta cheese, and coffee cake. After breakfast, we walked about 25 minutes to Fira to visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum, both quite small but each holding many artifacts from Minoan culture.

Our best dinner on Santorini was at a restaurant called Nikolas (Erythrou Stavrou), in Fira, where we enjoyed sea bass and lamb in a comfortable atmosphere (€40 for both of us).

Paros and Piraeus www.bestofgreece.co.uk/paros
We boarded the Blue Star Naxos ferry for the ride to our next island, Paros. We stowed our luggage down in the garage so we didn’t have to drag our bags up and down the escalator to the passenger areas. Though the bags weren’t secured, passengers didn’t have access to the area during the sailing.

Sitting on the open back deck of the ferry, I phoned the Arian Hotel , our hotel in Paros, to get directions. It was a short walk from the ferry dock in Parikia, the principal town of the island.

After a good night’s sleep (our room cost €38, not including breakfast at €10), we headed into Parikia, a town of winding white passageways.

After about an hour of wandering, including a visit to a Byzantine church with an immense chandelier, we stopped at Symposium, a small restaurant with outside seating. For €7.50 each, we had one of our best breakfasts in Greece. I had eggs, bacon, fresh breads and jam and Judy had eggs Benedict with ham.

As we ate, a food peddler with a donkey cart came by to sell the restaurant fresh vegetables, and people opened shops nearby, greeting each other as friendly neighbors would in a small town.

At breakfast, we also got information on how to get the bus to Pounda, where we would take the ferry to Antiparos, a small island which has become a celebrity haunt since Tom Hanks and others have bought property there. Our round-trip bus tickets cost €3 each, and the ferry (leaving each half hour) cost €2 each way.

We walked to Antiparos’ center square and wandered the streets until we got lost. Then we returned to the main road, hopped the ferry and returned to Pounda, continuing by bus to Parikia.

The next morning, our last in the islands, we had breakfast at the port and watched as our ferry arrived for the 4½-hour ride to Piraeus (€19).

At Piraeus, we were besieged by taxi drivers but declined their services since we wanted to take the Metro to the Sofitel Athens Airport (phone +30 210 3544000 ), the hotel we had booked for our last night in Greece. Unfortunately, due to a strike, the Metro was not running out to the airport.

We must have looked as if we needed help because a young woman soon asked if she could assist us. We explained our predicament, and she walked two blocks with us to show us where to catch a bus to the airport (€3.10).

The bus was not crowded and made few stops. We, again, felt we were traveling not as tourists but as the locals do.

Back in Athens
The bus dropped us off at the airport, across from our hotel (€155 for the night). Shunning the expensive fare at the hotel, we decided to eat dinner at the airport (€19 for both of us).

Sitting in the boarding area the next morning, we were advised that there would be a delay because of an air traffic controllers’ strike in Paris. As a result, we missed our connection to Chicago.

Air France offered us overnight accommodations in Paris or a flight to New York with a connection to Chicago. Anxious to be home, we chose the New York option.

When we reached JFK, we found that our connecting flight to Chicago was canceled due to windy weather in the Midwest. Air France offered to put us up at a hotel at LaGuardia and gave us a coupon for dinner, since the missed connection in Paris was not weather related.

This was an unforgettable trip. We saw three different parts of Greece over 23 days, at our own pace and in our own way. We found our own way around on local transportation and, if we decided to sleep late or skip dinner, we were able to do so.

We always felt secure, though neither of us spoke a word of Greek beyond “Please” and “Thank you.”

If any reader would like detailed information on how to plan and execute an independent trip, please feel free to e-mail us c/o ITN.

Not all trips lend themselves to this form of travel, but in the instances that do we find it a most satisfying and fulfilling method of travel.

BEST OF GREECE
We hope you enjoyed this article! Since 1973 we have been offering holidays to Greece!
We look forward to help you take the road less traveled in Greece!
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SMALL MUSEUMS IN GREECE

2011-08-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

This is a very nice article written on the Telegraph!
We are sure you will enjoy the read!

Greece's best small museums
From art to archaeology, Robin Gauldie offers his pick of the best smaller museums in Greece.

Most museums operated by the Ministry of Culture are closed on Mondays. Admission is normally free on the first and second Sunday in September and the last weekend in September, first Sunday in October and national holidays. A useful guide to opening times and admission charges can be found at www.culture.gr but it’s not 100 per cent reliable as there is no longer the budget or staff to update it properly.
All museums are suffering from budget and staff cuts, so opening times may be curtailed without notice; many may also be affected by public-sector strikes.
Samos Archaeological Museum, Samos
All the archaeology, none of the crowds. Housed in a fine neoclassical building and a modern wing, this museum has a fine collection.

The centrepiece is the colossal marble kouros (statue of a youth), wearing a serene, Buddha-like smile and a hairdo that is irresistibly reminiscent of Rasta-style locks. Seek out other gems: the defaced but sensuous wooden figurine of a nude woman, dating from the seventh century BC, and the marvellously intact 18-inch tall ivory image of a kneeling youth.
Best of all, the place is often deserted (Iroon Polytechniou, Vathy; 0030 2730 27469; http://odysseus.culture.gr/index_en.html; €3/£2.65; under-18s and students free; over-65s €2/£1.75).
Vori Folklore Museum, Crete
Of all the islands, Crete is the place where tradition lingers longest. It’s only one generation since many of the household and farming implements on show here were in everyday use.
The museum brilliantly shows how life was for villagers within living memory: tough but not necessarily unhappy. Chaffing sleds, rakes and picks used to wrest a living from rocky soil, wooden looms, but also walls hung with graceful lyras and other musical instruments (Vori village; 28290 91392; http://odysseus.culture.gr/index_en.html; €3/£2.65; under-18s and students free).
Museum of Modern Greek Art, Rhodes
A reminder that Greek art isn’t all marbles, icons and traditional embroidery, this little museum has just six rooms hung with prints and paintings by 19th- and 20th-century artists.
The black-and-white engravings which make up around half the collection are the best part, and Second World War history buffs will enjoy the room incongruously packed with historic maps donated by the family of Noel Rees, commander of the clandestine MI9 operation in the Aegean and a forgotten hero of the war (Plateia Symis 2, Rhodes Old Town; 22410 23766; www.mgamuseum.gr; €3/£2.65; over-65s €1/88p; under-18s, teachers and academics free. The ticket also gives entrance to the New Museum of Modern Art at Plateia G, Haritos, in the New Town, which opened last year and is dedicated to works by 20th-century Greek artists).
Aegean Maritime Museum, Mykonos
This museum celebrates the vessels and seafarers of Greece with charts, paintings, photographs and, best of all, a flotilla of models of ships, from the cockleshells of the archaic Cyclades and the Athenian battle triremes that saved democracy from Persian hegemony to the trehantiri, the broad-bottomed workhorse of the Aegean to this day. A classic full-size example, the Evangelistria, is moored in the Old Harbour, a five-minute walk away (Enoplon Dynameon 10, Tria Pigadhia, Chora; 22890 22700; www.mykonos.gr; €3/£2.65; under-18s €2; £1.75).
Bouboulina Museum, Spetses
There’s a great, colourful painting of Greece’s own Pirate Jenny, the renowned female admiral of the War of Independence, hanging in the hall of her former home, a grand 17th-century mansion. Gesturing grandly – and displaying a considerable embonpoint – she is ordering the assault on the Turkish fortress at Navplion.
Born in 1771, the twice-widowed Laskarina Bouboulina, against the odds, became first a prosperous fleet-owner, then an admiral in the War of Independence. The struggle bankrupted her, and in 1825 she was murdered in a family feud.
The highlight is the grand salon, with its carved Florentine ceiling, Ottoman rugs and fine French and Italian furniture. Bouboulina’s gold-plated pistol hangs on the wall (Dapia, Spetses; 22980 72416; www.bouboulinamuseum-spetses.gr; €6/£5.30; under-18s €2/£1.75; over-65s €4/£3.50).
Archaeological Museum and Vouvalis Mansion Museum, Kalymnos
From cave-dwellers to millionaires, this great little museum covers a much greater span of Greece’s past than many bigger rivals.
Draped in bronze, the Lady of Kalymnos faces the entrance to the stylish new wing, which houses archaic finds from the island’s limestone caverns, as well as the usual bronzes, marbles and pottery.
But jump two millennia to the other wing, the Vouvalis Mansion, where the lifestyle of a 19th-century trading dynasty whose sponge-diving empire stretched from the Aegean to North Africa and the Caribbean and Florida, is preserved in all its maroon plush and gilt-mirrored glory (Enoria Aghias Triadas/Plateia Kyprou, Pothia; 22430 23113; €3/£2.65; under-18s €2/£1.75).
Theofilos Museum, Lesbos
The eccentric Theofilos Hatzimichail (1870-1934) wandered the hills of his native Lesbos (and of Pilion, on the mainland) dressed in the fustanella costume of a fighter of the War of Independence, paying his way by adorning the walls of local tavernas with his vivid murals of battles and island life. His naive genius was eventually recognised by a fellow-Lesbian, the remarkable Statis Eleftheriadis (aka Teriade).
The collection is an inspiration for all would-be artists to throw away the rule book and just do it (Varia, Mytilini; 22510 41644; http://odysseus.culture.gr/index_en.html; adults €2/£1.75; under-18s €1/88p).
Alonissons Museum, Alonissos
Lots of great piratical stuff in this husband-and-wife museum opened by Kostas and Angela Marikis in an old island mansion in 2000.
Cannon, cutlasses, maps and ship models abound, along with relics of Second World War resistance and traditional island life.
Bringing things up to date, there are also exhibitions of contemporary sculpture and photography (Patitiri; 24240 66250; www.alonissosmuseum.com; €4/£3.50; under-8s free; 8-18 €2/£1.75; over-65s €3/£2.65).
Cycladic Art Museum, Athens
Head straight for the first floor of this under-visited museum for a glimpse of a culture far more ancient (and less well known) than Athens or Sparta. Dating from 3000-2000BC, these small, highly stylised marble figures hint at an artistic mindset far distant from the Classical world. It is easy to see why they inspired Modigliani, Moore and Picasso (Neophytou Douka 4; 21072 28321; www.cycladic.gr; €7/£6.15; free under-18s and students; over-65s €3.50/£3).
Jewish Museum, Thessaloniki
This is one of a few Greek museums that act as a reminder that Greece was once much more multicultural than it is today.
Go straight to the third floor to step back in time to one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe in its day, with displays of elaborate costumes and paraphernalia; then visit the fourth floor for the story of that community’s demise at the hands of the Nazis, when almost all Thessaloniki’s Jewish residents were deported and killed.
Moving, and grim (Agiou Mina 13; 23102 50406; www.jmth.gr; free admission).

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ABOUT SPETSES ISLAND

2011-08-24T03:06:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece www.bestofgreece.co.uk has been offering exclusive tailor made holidays to Greece since 1973!
One of our favorite island is the Island of Spetses located in the Saronic Gulf very close to Athens

DESCRIPTION
www.bestofgreece/spetses
Located in the Saronic Gulf, Spetses is a wonderful little island that is only a few hours away form Athens. It has kept its traditional style, architecture and no cars are allowed! Despite the fact that it is small and has kept true to its history and culture, Spetses is a very cosmopolitan island. It boasts a number of modern bars and clubs and lovely restaurants.

Spetses is riddled with picturesque bays, stunning beaches, quaint villages and a varied landscape. The island is covered in pines trees, mountainous areas, sandy beaches and rocky sea sides.

Don’t let the lack of cars put you off, people on this island travel by foot, donkey, horse drawn carriage or local buses. The island is small and travelling around in this way, lets one soak in the surroundings.

This little gem of an island has lush green pine forests and crystal clear waters. It is a very popular destination all year round for weekends away and holidays.

HISTORY
www.bestofgreece.co.uk/spetses
Archaeologists have found signs that Spetses was first occupied in around 8000 BC. Further signs show that in 2300 BC Spetses 3 natural harbours acted as a refuge for ships carrying goods from the Argolis Gulf.

Spetses has a history of being used as a place of refuge, whether for ships or people. During invasions of neighbouring areas, many people took refuge in Spetses. The refugees on the island built most of the old village of Kastelli in the 18th Century.

The island has been occupied by a number of different people, as with most of Greece and its Islands. The Turks, the Russians, the Venetians have all past through.

At one stage the naval force of Spetses was one of magnitude and played a role in fighting off the Turks.

Spetses was the home to two well known heroes, Bouboulina from the war against the Turks in the mid 1800s and to the architect George Diamantopoulos who was killed by the communists in the late 1930s.

SIGHTSEEING
www.bestofgreece.co.uk/spetses
MUSEUMS

The Hadjiyannis Mexis Museum is located a short walk from the Harbour and houses a collection of items, from the 4,000 year old history of the Island. The Museum is an 18th Century home that belongs to the Hadjiyannis Family; it’s a beautiful setting for a lovely collection.

The Bouboulina Museum is privately owned and located within a 17th Century mansion. It boasts a collection of items from the period of the war in 1821.

THINGS TO DO

Spetses has hardly any form of Transportation, so walk around and you will come across the most important things on the island.

One walk you should take is to the Old Harbour. The walk itself is a great one to do in the evening. The roads are closed to all vehicles in the evenings and you can enjoy the view of the sea from the coastal road, but also see the beautiful mansions that line the side of the road. You will also come across the Marina and its luxury yachts; don’t miss the Lighthouse, one of the first to be built in Greece and dates back to 1837. You can then have a nice walk up the Old Harbour, past all the cafes and restaurants.

You can also wander along up a steep dirt road to the tiny little church of Prophet Elia and enjoy the stunning views.

If you are on the island at the beginning of September, you may be able to witness a celebration that the island is famous for. The celebration of Panagia Armata is to put it very simply, the re-enactment of the battle against the Turkish Ships, with a wonderful display of fireworks.

Beaches

The most popular beaches are: Agia Paraskevi and Agioi Anagyroi they are both accessible by bus. If you do decide to go to Agioi Anagyroi check out the Bekiris Cave which even has its own little sandy beach.

Zogeria Beach is the most picturesque on the island and has a lovely restaurant on it. You can jump on a water taxi to get there if you don’t want to walk. Other beaches that are only accessible by water taxi or private transport are, Ligoneri, Vrellos and Xylokeriza.

We wouldn’t suggest that you swim in the Town beach as it gets quite dirty. However, you can walk about 20 minutes along the island’s main road and swim off either Kaiki Beach or College Beach, where you will find a few facilities.

Shopping

You will find a number of small boutique style shops in the Main Town. They have items such as sarongs, clothing, souvenirs, local specialties, hand made jewellery etc. As with most of the Greek islands it is best to wander around and have a look as there is also something new popping up.

NIGHTLIFE

With its cosmopolitan status and its close vicinity to Athens, Spetses has a very good Nightlife. Concentrated almost 100% in the Town and around the Old Harbour, there are a number of bars and clubs along the waterfront as well as in the little streets that run just behind the harbour.

WHERE TO WINE AND DINE

With a variety of things on offer, you will be able to find fast food, haute cuisine, ouzeris and traditional tavernas. There is a lot on offer on this little island. You should ask the restaurant in which you choose to dine what their specialty is; it might be something you would like to try.

Book your holidays to Greece with the true specialist www.bestofgreece.co.uk

2011-08-24T02:58:00.000-07:00

ECONOMOU MANSION SPETSES

2011-08-16T02:52:00.000-07:00

ABOUT KEFALONIA

2011-08-13T01:56:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece has been offering tailor made holidays to Greece since 1973 www.bestofgreece.co.uk

Description http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_kefalonia_holidays
Lying on the western coast of Greece, Kefalonia also known as Cephalonia, is the largest of the Ionian Islands. This island provides its visitors with a traditional picture of a Greek Island. This is the island for you if you want to see a glimpse of Greece unspoilt by time.
The Ionian Islands are the greenest islands of the Greek Waters. Kefalonia is covered in hundreds of species of wild flowers, including a huge variety of orchids; it is also the home to a unique species of fir trees. Its scenery is rustic and dramatic, with towering mountains and drastic cliff sides. There are also caves all over the island, different types, sizes, all of which provide a different experience.
As with most of the Greek Islands, Kefalonia is covered in History and is an open air display of all the periods/cultures/wars/battles/civilizations that have visited/stayed/affected or have been imprinted on the island.
Cephalonia's coastline is breathtaking and there are a number of incredible beaches that lie along its shores. Some of the beaches have been voted to be some of the best of the Greek Islands.

There are all types of Accommodation on the island anything from rooms to rent, small boutique hotels, big hotels and Villas and houses for rent.
This stunning island was added to the "must visit" list when it went under the Hollywood spotlight during the filming of Louis de Bernieres' "Captain Corelli's Mandolin".island
This island is definitely a must visit, not because it's the backdrop to a Hollywood film but because it is one of the most scenic islands in the Mediterranean and because it is so rich in culture and Tradition. If you do take the opportunity to rent a car or bike and explore all it has to offer.

History
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_kefalonia_holidays
Cephalonia is an extremely interesting from an archaeological point of view. Archaeologists have found items dating as far back as 40,000 BP.
The most important Era was the Mycenae Era 1500-1100 BC. Some of the most important findings of this Era were found on Kefalonia, including the very recently discovered Tholos Tomb which dates back to 1300 BC.
As most of the Greek Islands over the years/centuries a number of different people took over the island. The Venetians took over in 1185 after the Byzantine period and they were defeated in 1479 by the Ottoman Empire. The island was then taken over by the Spanish-Venetian army only a few decades after the Turks began their rule. After changing hands a number of times between the Italians, the French and the Spanish Cephalonia became a Greek State in 1864.
After finally returning to the Greeks, Cephalonia again was occupied by mainly Italians and Germans during World War II.

Sightseeing

http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_kefalonia_holidays
Museums
In Argostoli (the Main Town) you will find the Archaeological Museum which houses the most important collection of artefacts from the Mycenae Era, in the whole of Greece.
Other Museums on the island are:

Korgialeneios Museum in Argostoli (this is under the Korgialeneios Library)
Kosmetatos Foundation in Argostoli
Iakovatios-Library in Lixouri
Museum in Fiscardo

Things to do

Caves: Cephalonia is covered in caves. However you must go and see The Caves of Drogarati. They have kept cool for thousands of years (and is a great relief in the hot sun). The ceilings and floors of them are covered in stalagmites and stalactites of all sorts of colours and shapes.
The Lake of Melissani, is also a must see of the island and is located very close to the Caves of Drogarati. The lake is accessible by walking down a ramp, as it was an underground lake, discovered after the "roof" fell in. Once you are down the ramp you will clamber into a small boat and will be taken around this rare splendour.
The Village of Kourkoumelata, this is a picturesque village located on the south side of the island. This island was rebuilt by the Vergotis brothers after the 1953 earthquake. It is worth a visit and a little wander around.
Castles: You should go a take a look at the Assos Castle and St. George Castle.
The Village of Fiskardo, which is on the Northern most tip of the Island, is a stunning little seaside village that combines Venetian, Greek and Victorian architecture. It has a number of smart restaurants and boutique shops.
Visit the Village of Sami, where Captain Correlli's Mandolin was filmed.
Lixouri: this is the other side of the island. The islanders are an interesting bunch and those that live on this side consider Lixouri another island. The two sides of the island are quite different but one should take the time to see both.
Take a day boat tour of the island itself or of the neighbouring islands and swim off Skorpios Island which is privately owned by the Onassis Family.

Beaches:
Cephalonia is an island that has numerous beautiful beaches of all sorts, sizes. There are also a number of beaches that have been awarded blue flags.
One you must visit is Myrtos Bay. It is absolutely stunning, a true gem and an amazing experience. The sand and pebbles are pristine white and the water is crystal clear. When swimming in the water here and you look out towards the sea, there is a purple haze that lingers above the waterline, truly breathtaking.

Skala on the south side, a beautiful blue flagged beach that, provides sun beds and water sports.
Lassi, on the north side, has also been awarded a blue flag. This beach is long, wide and sandy.
Emblissi bay is also in the north, it is a secluded pebbly beach.
Lixouri, offers a dramatic coastline with beautiful long clean beaches.
Fiskardo's beaches are mainly accessible by rough tracks and others by boat.

SHOPPING

Shopping in Cephalonia is like most of the islands. However, due to its size and substantial population there is a wide range of products and shops available. The main area to shop is Argostoli but most of the little villages have number of shops.
You can buy anything from local produce (wine, olive oil, olives are very good) to little trinkets to take home, clothes, beauty products, pottery, patisseries shops, etc.
Nightlife
Kefalonia, is not known for its nightlife, but that doesn't meant that there isn't one. Argostoli is the main area where the bars and clubs are found. With a lot of choice on offer one will not be disappointed. There are of course bars around other villages and areas of the islands, particularly around the Resorts of the Island i.e. Sami, Skala, Fiscardo and Poros.
There are also parties that are arranged on the beaches so keep your ears open.
Where to wine and dine
Kefalonia is very traditional and when it comes to eating out the islanders are very social. It is about spending time with family, friends and at the same time eating well. There is a wide range of Greek Tavernas, Mezedopoleia, Ouzeris, but also a number of other cuisines on offer, Chinese, Italian of course, Indian, etc.
You should try the pies. Pies are famous in Kefalonia, especially for their Meat Pie, which is made with three different types of meat. Of course there are also leek pies, cheese pies, spinach pies etc. A few other specialties of Kefalonia are Rabbit stew, a mixed bean soup, a potato and garlic dip and Strapatsado- eggs and tomato.

Book your holidays to Kefalonia with us www.bestofgreece.co.uk

WHEN IN GREECE BY BARBARA TAYLOR

2011-08-09T02:59:00.000-07:00

We found this interesting article written by Barbara Taylor
www.bestofgreece.co.uk

When in Greece ...
By BARBARA TAYLOR, QMI AGENCY

If stunning views of communities clinging to cliffs and serene sunsets aren't enough to entice you to the Greek Isles, perhaps my companion's change of heart will.

He voiced it while feasting on stuffed olives and Greek bruschetta at a patio cafe carved into the Santorini cliffs. As the sun slowly set, we watched the Aegean Sea gently rock tiny cruise ships far below.

Pierre-Luc Cloutier confessed he'd never believed in Greek mythology -- until now. If not a lasting convert, the Canadian mused how natural it was for the powerful myths to take root thousands of years ago in such mystical surroundings.

Such is the other-worldly wonder of Santorini. One of 1,400 Greek islands, it's the most renowned for its beautiful blue-domed churches perched 300 metres above sea level and picture-perfect views of the cliffs, sea and surrounding volcanic islands.

Ancient times: Indeed Delos -- a 30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos -- is one of Greece's most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites. You can walk among the ruins depicting ancient civilization and be assured none are reconstructions. Ancient stone huts suggest Delos was first inhabited in the third millennium BC. It is considered a sacred sanctuary, the birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis. Today no births or deaths are allowed on the island. (Delos excursion, 48 euros.)

Made in Greece: It was hard to resist all things made in Greece. Charming crafts, unique jewelry, carefree clothing, original artwork, fine linen and leather goods, greeted passers-by in tempting open-air displays -- day and night. And guilt-free, too, because any purchase is a boost to the suffering local economy.

Likewise the food and wine. From the mainstay Greek yogurt at the buffet breakfasts to the fresh lunches of Greek salad with shrimp, cherry tomatoes and cider vinegar sauce with capers and mustard, to the appetizers of zucchini and tomato balls served with oregano and feta cheese dip to delicious dinner options of seafood and traditional moussaka baked in individual clay pots.

I resisted the omnipresent Ouzo -- served to dinner guests in a bottle with a bucket of ice -- until the last night on Santorini. Lulled by a wonderful week of fine dining, it seemed fitting to give the Greek aperitif a second chance. Alas, it was just as vile as I remembered from my Greek back-packing excursion decades ago. But, perhaps the only temptation I wouldn't recommend while in Greece.

Mad dogs and tourists: So rife is Santorini's village of Fira, with outdoor eateries, colourful, creative shops set in cobblestone alleyways and gleaming white-washed structures that the afternoon heat is no deterrent. I shunned the gleaming hotel swimming pool to stroll and photograph for hours. Fellow shutterbugs were also out in droves.

Here comes the sunset: The legendary Oia sunset off the north tip of Santorini is a huge draw attracting tourists to the best perches and patio seats in the ancient village hours before the big orange ball drops into the sea. It was inspiring to embrace the nightly natural wonder among so many kindred spirits. And the golden set was gorgeous, too.

Let's get married: I met the first bride's godmother, not far from Agios Ioannis beach on Mykonos where the movie Shirley Valentine was filmed. The British woman and a girlfriend treated themselves to an islands holiday following a spectacular wedding on Syros at the summer residence of the groom's dad. The save-the-date invitation was accepted by 150 guests from as far away as Singapore and Australia. Popular couple -- and destination. Mama Mia!

Parents of the second bride described a beautiful Santorini wedding a few days before attended by 20 Americans and 20 Canadians. Nancy and John Bilheimer of Baltimore said their daughter Jennifer and groom Paul Marando, a native of Fonthill, near St. Catharines, enjoyed an early honeymoon in Turkey so they could spend time with their guests after the wedding.

I spotted another honeymoon couple, atop the volcanic island of Nea Kameni. Americans Yelene Reinstein and William Scott Owen, with five guests, made history when they were married June 1 at the Temple of Apollo, in the Turkish province of Antalya. It's where Antony met Cleopatra, so the couple donned robes of the ancient greats as well as the white dress and tux. (This fun wedding is posted on Facebook. Google: Yelene Reinstein.)

Hot stuff: Sunscreen, a swimsuit and comfortable closed-toed shoes are required to enjoy a fun boat cruise to the volcanic islands off Santorini (55 euros). I can still hear the crunch of footsteps as we trudged to the top of Nea Kameni. An avid rock collector, I gripped a lava rock for the journey but superstition, or respect, got the better of me and I tossed it back ashore before we pushed off.

A quick swim from the boat to the thermal waters of Palaia Kameni was a refreshing treat. (I don't recommend giving yourself a foot massage with the gritty brown mud though. I needed a pedicure back at the hotel, and a good Canadian-water wash to restore my pink swimsuit.) A visit to the tempting eateries of Thirassia was the final stop of the voyage with time for a 5-euro donkey ride to the cliff top for the adventurous.

Twitter @SUNtravelgal barbara.taylor@sunmedia.ca

PAROS ISLAND GREECE HOLIDAYS

2011-08-09T02:44:00.000-07:00

MORE SANTORINI GREEK ISLAND, GREECE LUXURY HOLIDAYS

2011-08-08T02:23:00.000-07:00

2011-08-06T01:22:00.000-07:00

ABOUT ATHENS GREECE

2011-08-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece is the leading specialist for Holidays to Greece.
We have been offering Greece holidays since 1973
www.bestofgreece.co.uk

Description
Athens, the capital city of Greece, is an ideal place for city tourism. Visitors are struck by the so called 'Attica light', which is a combination of the dry and mild climate and the reflection of the sun on the stone of the surrounding mountains, giving the sky its unique light.
With a long and fascinating history with its highpoint around the 5th century BC, Athens has acquired a universal significance, and become the historical capital of Europe. Thousands of people flock to admire it's unique and splendid monuments, which are very well preserved. Athens is one city where the past blends harmoniously with the contemporary.
Today it is a modern , vibrant metropolis with unrivalled charm. A large part of the city's centre has been converted into 3 kilometre pedestrian zone, the largest in Europe, leading to the major historical sites.
Athens also boasts a lively and cosmopolitan lifestyle, with a variety of museums and interesting exhibitions; theatres, festivals and concerts. For relaxation, numerous hotels, some great beaches, the popular café culture, plus a variety of restaurants and tavernas to suit all tastes and pockets. For those who enjoy clubbing: nightlife carries on to the early hours of the morning, and if you like a bit of shopping therapy, there is a huge choice of stylish shopping areas, both in the centre and the suburbs
Thanks to its rich morphology, Athens has plenty of places from which you can admire stunning panoramic views of the city and beyond to the Aegean sea.
Within easy reach of the city centre is the town of Piraeus, Greece's main port and gateway to the beautiful islands of the Aegean, or the southern suburbs, located on the coast of the Saronic Gulf, where the locals like to stroll beside the seaside. Many long weekenders opt for a one day 3 islands cruise, as a wonderful contrast to the hustle and bustle of this fascinating city'
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History
No other city has contributed more to the civilization of mankind than Athens. It is the place where Socrates was born, Plato, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and many others. It is the place that humanism and democracy were born. The intellectual light that Athens created will always be alive. It is one of the oldest named cities in the world, having been continuously inhabited for at least 7000 years.
Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens but after a long period of decline, it became the capital city again in 1834, as a result of the Greek War of Independence and the creation of an independent Greek Kingdom. Since then Athens has never looked back and in 2004 the Olympic games finally returned to their birthplace and Athens underwent massive redevelopment and modernization.

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Sightseeing
There's no end of monuments and attractions in Athens, but these are the best of the best that you won't want to miss.
The jewel of Athens, the Acropolis and the Parthenon, dominate the city. Even if there were no Parthenon, the Acropolis is worth the visit just for the magnificent view of Athens and the surrounding temples below. And now the aclaimed New Acropolis Museum nearby.
Just below the Acropolis is the theatre of Herod Atticus built by the Romans in 161 AD and still used today for classical concerts, ballet, and performances of high cultural value. Further on is the Theater of Dionysious the first stone theatre and home to Sophocles, Aeschylus, Eripides and Aristophanes. It was rebuilt around 342 BC by Lykourgos and then enlarged by the Romans to be used for gladiator fights. From here a short away is Hadrian's Arch, a monumental gateway resembling a Roman triumphal.
The heart of modern Athens beats in Syntagma Square. Next to Syntagma Square you will find the Greek Parliament building and in front of it the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in traditional costume. From this square starts the beautiful National Garden (40 acres), south of which stands the impressive Zappeion Mansion (1874-1888). From there you can continue towards the Presidential Mansion (1897) and thence to the Panathenaikon (Kallimarmaro) Stadium, where the first Olympic Games in modern history were held (1896).
The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. Most of the streets have been closed to automobile traffic, and is now an area of restaurants, tourist shops, and cafes. Though it is quite commercialized it is still a neighborhood and arguably the nicest neighborhood in central Athens. There are a few galleries like the Moraitis and there are several museums in the Plaka of special note the Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum and the Jewish Museum. The Monastiraki flea market is the place to be on Sunday's when it seems every Athenian is here either buying or selling.
A few kilometers from Athens centre you can take the coast road, also known as the Athens Riviera, from Faliro until Cape Sounion where you will find the temple of Poseidon built in 5th B.C. which offers one of the nicest sunsets one could ever imagine. On the way to Cape Sounion you will find many sandy beaches, yacht marinas, hotels and nightclubs.
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Nightlife
Athens is one of the most bustling cities in the world, especially in the summer season the nightlife is truly amazing. One can find excellent restaurants and night clubs in nearly all major areas of Athens. We suggest you drive along the Corniche of the Athenean Riviera, with perhaps a candlelight dinner in one of the sea front restaurants which can range from the quiet and traditional to the ultra sophisticated and even lively Bar- Restaurants bars where one can see the sea on the one side and people chatting or dancing on the bar , on the other.
Whatever you want from a city break, you will find it in Athens, the ultimate city of contrasts.

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ASTIR OF PAROS LUXURY RESORT, FIVE STAR GREEK ISLAND HOTLES, GREECE HOLIDAYS

2011-08-03T00:47:00.000-07:00

THE IONIAN ISLANDS GREECE

2011-08-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

The Ionian Islands are truly one of the most known island complexes in the world. With world renown islands such as Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos/ Zante, Lefkada/ Lefkas, Ithaka, Paxi!
Come explore this amazing area with the Greek Island holiday specialist since 1973

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This article is from visitgreece.gr

Ionian islands
The temperate climate; the deep and cool sea waters; the mountains; the lush vegetation; the cultural heritage; and the cheerfulness of the inhabitants, make the Ionian Islands the ideal place for a holiday as well as rest and relaxation.
What is more, the traits of the Ionian Islands www.bestofgreece.co.uk are perfectly combined with a flawless tourism infrastructure, excellent hotel accommodations, restaurants, diving centers, sea sports, cultural events, and a multitude of sights, historic monuments and museums worth visiting.
Scattered along the western coastline of Central Greece, the Ionian Islands as they are known, are an island cluster comprising twelve small and large islands whose total surface area comes to 2,200 square kilometers. Zakynthos, Ithaki, Kerkyra (Corfu)http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_corfu_holidays , Kefalonia , Lefkada http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_kefalonia_holidays , and Paxoi are the six, large Ionian Islands. Antipaxi, Erikousa, Mathraki, Othoni, Meganisi and the deserted islets of Strofades south of Zakynthos are the smaller Ionian Islands.
Together with the island of Kythira and the neighboring Antikythira the islands form the island cluster of Eptanisa. Nevertheless it should be noted that Kythira and Antikythira are completely cut off from the rest of the Ionian islands situated as they are across southern Peloponnese and the coast of Laconia.

Once, the Ionian Islands were part of Central Greece but were torn apart when the terrain sank due to the seismic activity along the great coastline fault of the Ionian Sea. This accounts not only for the ragged shores and hauntingly beautiful beaches but it also accounts for the islands’ tall mountains, once part of the Pindos mountain range which crosses Central Greece. It also accounts for the great depth of the waters in the area which, at 4,406 meters, is the greatest in the Mediterranean.
The Ionian islands have a mild and temperate climate which makes them the ideal location for vacation or residence. In winter, the mountains of Central Greece stop the cold northern winds from reaching the islands while, in summer, the heat is tempered by the meltemia, the soft, northwestern winds, and the sea breezes. Due to the air currents prevalent on the Ionian islands, many of the island beaches have developed into internationally acclaimed windsurfing centers.

The Ionian Islands have been inhabited since Paleolithic times, have been through many invasions, and have received the influence of a variety of cultures.
The Ionian Islands were part of the Byzantine Empire until1204 when the Franks took over Constantinople and the Ionian Islands were eventually ceded to the Venetians. Under Venetian rule, the Ionian Islands formed their own local nobility whose register survived as late as the 19th century.
From the time of Frankish rule until 1864 when they were joined with Greece, the Ionian Islands were also ruled by a number of foreign conquerors. The presence of the Europeans on the Ionian Islands at a time when Greece was still under Ottoman rule gave rise to significant intellectual activity something that is still visible today both in the islands’ architectural tradition as well as their charming cultural traits.

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KEVIN SPACEY, RICHARD III, ANCIENT THEATER OF EPIDAURUS

2011-07-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

CHANIA HOLIDAYS, CASA DELFINO BOUTIQUE HOTEL CRETE

2011-07-29T03:45:00.000-07:00

CHANIA HOLIDAYS BY BEST OF GREECE HOLIDAYS

2011-07-29T03:36:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece Holidays has been offering holiday packages to Greece & the Greek Islands since 1973. www.bestofgreece.co.uk

Book your Chania Holidays with us!
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Chania Holidays is something you will never forget. http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_crete_chania_holidays
Chania port, is located on the North coast of the island on the Western Side of Crete. This side of the island is a lot calmer than the Eastern side of the Island. The tourism in this region is picking up but due to its distance from the famous archaeological sites and lack of long sandy beaches right by the city centre, famous resorts have settled on the other side of the island.
This city is the second largest on Crete. It was for a while the Capital of Crete but the title was given back to Iraklion in the early 1970s. Its old town is a beautiful blend of Venetian architecture, lively café culture, intoxicating aromas and character. It has been claimed the most attractive city on Crete, with the backdrop of Mountains and extensive views of the Mediterranean. The combination of the Modern with the old town definitely adds to its character and uniqueness. The Modern part of the city is spread out with spacious roads, while the old town is a combination of narrow alleys and half derelict Venetian buildings that survived the wartime. The Old town area is relatively small and mainly along the sea front.
This area even due to its remote location from beaches and the main sites, is home to some resorts, luxury hotels as well as camping sites and even youth hostels. So you will be able to find whatever type of accommodation you are looking for. You can even find a few places in the Old Town!
A little bit about Crete:
Crete is approximately 2 and a half times the size of Majorca. It is the biggest and most southerly Greek Island in the Mediterranean. The Island has numerous beaches, magnificent mountains, luscious valleys, tiny villages, large cities, fortresses, archaeological sites, unique customs and fantastic History. Due to the island's diversity and its size Cretans feel that it is a state in its own right. This is also emphasised by the fact that locals speak a slightly different dialect of Greek.
Crete was home to the first European Civilisation, the Minoans, who ruled the island as early as 2000 BC. Their history and influence on the island as well as on the island's culture is evident everywhere.
It is truly an amazing place, a little land of its own. One that is full of places to discover, things to see and do. It also offers the largest variety of what ever you would expect to find on a Greek Island. Your Holidays in Chania will be something you will forever cherish.
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Chania
In the Old Town within the Kasteli District there are signs of life dating as far back as the Neolithic Era. However, as with most areas of Crete, Chania was also a Minoan City.
After the Minoan period Chania became an important city-state Capital in Classical Greece. Its domain stretched from the waterfront to the feet of the White Mountains. Its name was Kydonia and it was constantly at war with other Cretan states. It even issued its own coins in the 3rd Century AD.
The area was further occupied by Arabs during the Byzantine Era. This period isn't very well documented, however around 961 BC the Byzantine Empire took control once again of the city and fortified it to prevent the further invasion of the Arabs.
After the fall of the Byzantine Empire within the region the island was then sold to the Venetians for mere 100 silver marks. To begin with the Venetian rule was strict and oppressing however, the relations between them improved and their cultures intertwined.
The walls that had been built to keep the Arabs out did not stand the force of the Ottoman Empire, so in 1645 the Ottoman Empire took over the area that was now flourishing under Venetian rule. The Greeks eventually rose against the Empire in 1821. The conflicts between the Turks and the Greeks in Chania led to losses from both sides.
In 1898 steps were put into motion to unite Crete with the rest of Greece. Chania remained a semi-autonomous state during the negotiations. However it wasn't until 1913 that Crete became officially part of Greece. This is another reason why the Cretans feel that Crete is an autonomous state.
A little bit of Cretan History:
Crete is where the earliest of Europe's civilizations, the Minoans, settled, however, there are signs that life has existed on Crete for more than 130,000 years. As many people have heard that the Minoans spread and took over other islands as well as parts of Mainland of Greece. There is evidence that they were incredibly advanced for their time and were in the centre of the Maritime Trade from 2000BC. It is said that this civilization survived various natural disasters that destroyed, homes, palaces, which they rebuilt and some of them remain for us to admire today.
The Island has seen a lot of changes, a lot of civilizations and different occupations. The Island has been ruled by its own people, the Minoans and the Mycenae. It has been taken over by the Venetians and the Ottoman Empire. In more recent years it was split into four sectours between the UK, Italy, Russia and France when they were fighting to maintain their power of the Island.
This land's history is packed with tales of Mythology. It is claimed that the father of all the Olympian Gods, Zeus, was born on this tremendous island, on Mount Ida. Zeus also destroyed a giant Lizard that was threatening the Island. Crete is also where the tales of the Minotaur derive.
The bull was worshipped by the Minoans and it was celebrated in the construction of palaces like Knossos. There are a few variations of the myth about the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. The best known includes the Prince Theseus, a very complicated maze and the death of the Minotaur at the hand of Theseus.
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Knossos
This is probably the most famous site on this enormous island. It is approximately 140 km from Chania so it is quite a drive or bus ride but if you make the trip you will not be disappointed. The area was first inhabited in 7000 BC; the palace that remains however was rebuilt in 1350 BC after being destroyed in 1700 BC. The construction itself was excavated in on several occasions beginning in the late 1800s and ending in 1931. The site is huge and in excellent condition. You can always tag along side one of the tour groups wandering around the palace and site, in case you miss something.

Chania
Museums:
-Nautical Museum of Crete
This museum houses a collection of model ships, as well as other naval ephemera showing the history of Greek Navigation. There is also a section on the battle of Crete in 1941.
-Byzantine Museum
The collection is not huge, but it is very interesting. It has a collection of mosaics, icons and jewellery from this period.
- Archaeological Museum
This museum has in its collection a number of artefacts including:
- Minoan finds from Chania
- Prehistoric finds from caves
- Minoan items from various sites in the prefecture
- Finds from graves of the Geometric period
- Finds from the city of Chania, dated to historic times
- Finds from other towns of the Chania prefecture
- Coins, Jewellery, Sculpture, inscriptions & Mosaics

You should also walk around the city and visit the Mosque of Janissaries, the Cathedral, the Minoan Excavation and the Centre of Traditional Folk Art and Culture.
Sports:
Water sports are very popular in this region especially Water polo. The Team from Chania have remained in the primary league of the Greek National Teams for decades.
There is also a very active mountaineering, rock climbing and walking society. Check out the Chania Mountaineering Club.
Things to do
Beaches
The Beaches of this Town lie on the West part of the Town. The closest beach is the city beach, it is crowded but clean.
-Golden Beach, 1 km from the city centre, it is as its name long golden sandy beach, but because of its close position to the city it becomes very crowded.
-Agioi Apostoloi Beach is to the West about 7km and is a sandy beach that is in total about 3 coves.
-Further along is Kalamaki Beach another sandy one.
There are many beaches in the region but there are not many ones that are very close by. Please check with your hotel or the locals for the best places to swim because this constantly changes and the locals always know a few more secrets,
Shopping:
There is a wide selection of little shops selling traditional Cretan artwork, leather, jewellery, embroidery, woven goods and replicas of artefacts and Icons. You will also find a number of larger shops in this city, clothes shops, accessories, shoes, beauty items, books etc. If you come across some local products, grab a jar of honey, a bottle of Cretan wine and if you can some of the local cheese.
You should also take a walk through the Agora (the market) and have a look around at what is on offer.
SAMARIA GORGE
Samaria Gorge is located 43 km from the city of Chania so it would take approximately one hour to get there by car. It is a unique experience to take a hike in this gorge and is something you will carry with you forever. It would take about 4-6 hours depending on how quick you are to pass through the "Samaria Gorge". We suggest you start very early in the morning before it becomes too hot.

Chania has a good reputation for its Nightlife and a perfect place for your Greek Island Holidays. Being a good size city it has a lot to offer the visitors and the locals. The west side of the Town is where the party happens. The streets are filled with young people walking around, going into to bars, clubs, etc. This is the lively side of town. People party to all hours of the morning. The bars and clubs play all sorts of music, anything from Cuban to Live Greek Music. Take your pick and wander on in and enjoy yourself.
Of course there are areas within the town that are low key where you can enjoy a quiet drink by the sea front.
Where to wine and dine:
Crete is known for its delicious and fresh food. You must try the local food and ask for what is traditional in
Chania. Grab a glass of chilled raki or a nice cold beer.
There are a number of restaurant and tavernas along the Harbour; these are slightly pricey. The cheaper more traditional food is found in the back streets and around the Market (Agora). If you want a light dinner you can grab a snack in a café or go to an ouzeri and have some meze with a glass of ouzo or local wine.
Enjoy your holidays in Crete! Best of Chania Holidays www.bestofgreece.co.uk

"Zorba the Greek" director has left us at the age of 89

2011-07-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

Since 1973 Best of Greece has been selling tailor made package holidays to Greece & the Greek Islands! Who will you trust when travelling to Greece other than the oldest tour operator in the UK for Greece Holidays? www.bestofgreece.co.uk

Final farewell for "Zorba the Greek" director

ATHENS — Greece's art and film community bid a final farewell Thursday to Greek-cypriot director Michael Cacoyannis, best known for the hit film "Zorba the Greek", who died in Athens aged 89.
Composer Mikis Theodorakis, who did the music for a number of Cacoyannis' films, was in the front row of mourners at the Orthodox ceremony in a central Athens church strewn with white flower crowns sent by friends and fans.
"Today we say goodbye to a great creator who brought Greek culture to the rest of the world," Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou told the solemn gathering.
She hailed Cacoyannis' cinematic achievements but also his work in theatre and cinema education via a foundation he created in Athens.
Also present were Greek and Cypriot political representatives, other directors and actors like Antonis Kafetzopoulos, Costas Ferris and Constantin Giannaris.
Dimitris Papaioannou, choreographer of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Athens Olympics, was also present.
Greek actress Irene Papas told Greek media that Cacoyannis had joined "the grand theatre of the immortals", while Ta Nea newspaper said the director, through Zorba the Greek, "did more for Greece than any tourism bureau in the world".
Born in Cyprus on June 11, 1922, Cacoyannis shot to fame with the triple-Oscar winning "Zorba the Greek" in 1964, an adaptation of the Nikos Kazantzakis-penned novel which starred Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates and Irene Pappas among others.
He was also feted for the film "Electra", based on the Euripides tragedy, which received two awards at Cannes in 1962.
The director died at the central Evangelismos hospital on Monday where he was admitted 10 days earlier.

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CHANIA, TRAVEL TO CRETE, GREECE CHANIA HOLIDAYS

2011-07-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

Holidays in Crete will not be complete unless you visit the beautiful traditional and picturesque town of Chania!
Holidays in Chania will truly be something you will cherish! The port the town the little streets will amaze you!

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Since 1973 we have been selling holidays to Chania! Book with the leading specialist in holidays to Greece & the Greek Islands!

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An article from Visitgreece.gr
Prefecture of Chania
The Prefecture of Chania (also spelled Haniá) is the western most division of the island of Crete. The Prefecture of Rethymno forms its eastern border, whilst sea lap its remaining areas. The inhabited islands of Gavdos and Gavdopoula, which are located at a distance of 20 miles south from Chania, in Liviko Sea, also come under Chania.
The major cities of the prefecture are Chania, the capital of the prefecture, and Kastelli in Kisamos. Among the most important villages are Paleochora and Kantanos in Selino, the Chora of Sfakion in Sfakia.
The Prefecture of Chania provides tourist services and activities of all kinds, satisfying all the choices. The city of Chania maintains unaltered all of its characteristics, from the time of the Venetian Rule up until today.

The region of Chania is dominated by the impressive White Mountains (in Greek: Lefká Óri) and its famous National Park, which occupy the largest part of the region.
The White Mountains’ National Park, expanding around Samaria Gorge, is the biggest and most imposing gorge in Greece. You need about seven hours to cross it but the rich landscape and rare flora and fauna will definitely reward you. There are also many other smaller gorges for you to hike (Aradaina, Agia Irini, Imbros and Polyrhenia) as well as beautiful walking trails (from Hrysoskalitissa to Elafonissi, from Palaiohóra to Souyiá and from Ayia Rouméli to Hóra Sfakion), which make Chania a beloved destination among nature enthusiasts from all over the world. On the edge of a gloriously scenic turquoise lagoon lies the islet of Elafonissi with its ancient-old Cedar Forest.
Need more action? Go mountaineering on White Mountains (there are 4 shelters), climbing on the amazingly vertical slope of Mt. Gigilos, or canoying down the Kládos, Sapounás and Thérissos gorges.

Turquoise waters lap against the white sandy beaches, that lie to the west of the city: Hrissi Akti, Ayia Marina, Áyioi Apóstoloi, Máleme, Kalathás, Stavrós, Plataniás, Kolympári, Falássarna, Ayia Rouméli, Souyiá, Ammoúdi, Fínikas, Vótsala, Loutró, Áyios Pávlos, Pahiá Ámmos, Fragokástello and Gávdos are only some of the beaches where you can bask in the sun. On the islet of Elafonissi, a beach with crystal clear waters and white sand dunes will take your breath away! The whole area forms part of the NATURA network.

A plethora of religious and cultural festivals take place all year long, inviting both locals and visitors to experience the Cretan way of celebrating. Local products have their own prominent position in Chania’s cultural life: participate in the Chestnut Festival in Élos, the Rosewater Festival in Foúrni, or the Wine Festival in Voúves. In May takes place a glorious commemoration of the Battle of Crete in all the municipalities of the region. The Agricultural August is an exhibition of Cretan agricultural products and folklore artefacts. Also, several festivals, conferences or sport events (Venizeleia athletics competition) are organised between May and September, most of which are hosted at a beautiful outdoor theatre located in the east bulwark of the Old Town (“Anatolikí Táfros").
No visit to Chania is complete unless you have sampled traditional local specialties: eggs with stáka, Cretan kalitsoúnia (sweet mini cheese pies), lamb served with spiny chicory, dácos (the traditional hard Cretan bread accompanied with tomato, mizithra cheese and plenty of virgin Cretan oil), snails boubouristí(popping fried snails), haniótiko bouréki (patty from Chania, a vegetable specialty), kserotígana (honey dipped spiral pastries) wedding cookies, dry bread wreaths, yraviéra cheese (full fat sheep’s cheese with appellation of controlled origin), sweet smelling anthótyros from Sfakiá (fresh, soft, white cheese made of either sheep’s or goat’s milk), fresh stáka butter (the cream of the butter) for the Cretan wedding rice (rice cooked in meat broth), roasted goat or sea food delights – special ingredients blended in delicious sea-urchin salads, or divine fish soups! Accompany your dinner with a glass of deep-red Cretan wine, the divine marouvás, or drink after your meal an ice-cold rakí, a traditional Cretan spirit distilled from pomace, with a delicate aroma of ripe grapes.

Chania http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_crete_chania_holidays
Chania (also spelled: Haniá)is the capital city, a place where different civilizations have flourished throughout the centuries. Wandering around the Old Town’s maze-like alleys with the beautiful Venetian mansions, the fountains and the elaborate churches will help you discover well-preserved historical monuments.

The city of Chania is built on the area of Minoan Kidonia, at the end of the homonym gulf between Akrotiri and Onicha peninsulas. It was the former capital city of Crete (from 1847 until 1972). Nowadays, it is the second largest city of Crete after Heraklion and capital of the homonym prefecture.
Chania includes the old and new city. It is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Greece and for food lovers, it's a paradise!
Get familiar with the city of Chania by wandering around in its streets, visiting its museums and admiring the different architectural styles presenting the historical route of the city.
After Arabs and Byzantines it was conquered by Venetians in 1252 and was given to Turks in 1669, later it was annexed to the rest of the Greek State on December 1913 under the administration of Eleftherios Venizelos and King Konstantinos the 1st. The old town is an integral settlement with visible boundaries set by the Venetian walls surrounding it.
Chania has daily boat connection with Piraeus port from Souda port (7 km). Chania is also connected with Athens by airplane which you can take from Akrotiri airport 15 km E of the city.
The old town is built around the Venetian port and is also a relatively integral area where Venetian buildings and later Turkish elements compose a unique architectural style. Due to the historic center of Chania with its Venetian walls defining the borders between the old and new city and its ramparts, the city has been pronounced as preserved. It consists of five connected districts surrounding the Venetian port.

Its design was made by Venetian engineer Michelle Sammichelli. The Lighthouse is located at the end of the rock protecting the port from the north. It was built in 1570 by the Venetians and reconstructed in 1830 by the Egyptians and from there on preserves its current state.
On the east of Palea Poli is Splantzia (or Plaza) district built on the former Turkish district. Here you will see among others Aghii Anargiri church, the only Orthodox church which had the permission to operate during the period of the Venetian and Turkish occupations. You will also see the Sintrivani square.
Neoria (or Chiones) district on the northeast side is located in the area of the former port of the city and of the Venetian ship yards of 14th and 16th centuries from which it also took its name.
Kastelli district is in the center of Palea Poli (Old Town) west of Neoria. It is the exalted location of the Byzantine citadel where “palatso” (palace) of the Venetian commander and the lodgings of Pashas of Chania were later built. Venetians used to call the area Castello Vecchio.
On the southeast of the old city lies the Hebrew district or else Ovraika. It reminds us the times when the developing Hebrew community of Chania was obliged by the Venetians to move to a delimitated area called judeca where two synagogues were operating.

On the boarders of Ovraika, in Chalides Street, you will see the Folklore Museum of Chania and Aghios Fragkiskos church (14th century) which houses the Archeological Museum of Chania. On the north side is the Turkish bath (chamam). In the south side of Ovraika and on Skridlof Street lies the so called Stivanadika (from stivani, the Cretan boots). Among the shops selling leather items and souvenirs survive some traditional shoe ateliers.

Book your holidays to Chania with the specialist! www.bestofgreece.co.uk

CHANIA, TRAVEL TO CRETE, GREECE HOLIDAYS

2011-07-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

7 day Classical Greece Tours, Tours in Greece

2011-07-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES IN GREECE

2011-07-25T04:27:00.000-07:00

Greece is known for its ancient history dating back to 2,500 B.C. it is an ideal place to go on different tours and be amazed by all the ancient sites you visit.
Best of Greece Holidays offers unique tours all around Greece & the Greek Islands
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A very nice article from visitgreece.gr

These are your favourite archaeological sites!
Delphi, Knossos, the Acropolis of Athens and Olympia are among the archaeological sites that left the most lasting impression on those who visited them. Let’s stroll around these archaeological sites again and reawaken some great memories!

Delphi
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_tours/tours/6_day_classical_tour_meteora
Is one of the most impressive archaeological sites anywhere, and the ancient Greeks believed that it was the center of the world. Whoever visits Delphi is bewitched by its mysterious sacred character and feels the resonating presence of the ancient oracle.
Visitors should bear in mind that Delphi was the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. Kings and ordinary citizens, generals and politicians came to consult the oracle during the nine warmest months of each year.

Nowadays, even though “The carven hall is fallen in decay; Apollo hath no chapel left, no prophesying bay, no talking spring, the stream is dry that had so much to say”, many visitors still come to this amazing place. The grandest building at the site of the oracle is the Temple of Apollo, destroyed in 373 BC by an earthquake. The sacred precinct was arranged around the temple on different levels; the Sacred Way, a wide steep path, passes in front of the votive offerings (treasuries, statues, stoas and altars) dedicated to Apollo. The most prominent among these are the Treasury of the Siphnians and the re-constructed Treasury of the Athenians.
Take the path that leads to the Stadium in the highest part of the ancient site – the view is stunning. It is here that the Pythian Games were held every four years. The visit continues on to the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, where the enigmatic Tholos stood, a fine marble rotunda whose purpose remains unknown. A short distance away is the celebrated Castalian Fountain; in this spring, Pythia (the priestess) and all who arrived in Delphi for an oracle had to bathe in order to purify themselves.
The end of the visit to Delphi is best topped off by a visit to the archaeological museum, which displays some masterpieces of the art world. Especially rich in Classical sculpture, the museum contains the famous charioteer bearing on his head the victor’s fillet (ribbon).
Nevertheless, he shows no sign of anticipation or triumph to the thousands of visitors that keep coming to the museum.

Knossos
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_tours/tours/crete_self_drive_tour

In the suburbs of Heraklion (Iráklio) (6 km SE) Crete the most famous archaeological site of the Minoan civilisation has been brought to light, thanks to the massive excavations carried out by Sir Arthur Evans.
The palace of Knossos was not just a royal residence but also the political and ceremonial centre of Minoan culture. It covered nearly 22,000 sq. m. and contained storage rooms, living quarters, religious areas, and banquet rooms. Its mazelike structure brings to mind the legendary Labyrinth that held the Minotaur.

A visit to the palace starts from the entrance of the west wing, which led to the throne room in the central court. It was here that the almighty prince of Knossos received visitors from all over the world, or his counselors and courtiers in order to decide on state affairs.
You can see the extensive storerooms (also called magazines) with the large pithoi (clay vases) that once held the famous Cretan olive oil. Next to the storerooms, in the north wing, is the “Customs House” and further to the east the workshops of the skilled Minoan craftsmen. In the east wing you can appreciate the splendor of the royal apartments: the Queen’s megaron with an example of the first flushing toilet system adjoining the bathroom and the Shrine of the double axes.
To the south the palace enjoys a superb view of Mount Júktas, which was sacred to the Minoans. The great South Propylon (monumental gateway) faces a fertile plain with orchards and olive groves.

Acropolis
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_athens/tours/athens_sightseeing

Climbing up to the rock of the Acropolis, visitors are overwhelmed with awe and admiration for the architectural masterpieces built on this eminent archaeological site. The visionary building program of a charismatic politician, Pericles, was superbly carried out thanks to the incomparable skills of a great artist, Phidias. The whole project led to the creation of an invaluable art treasure, making Athens a universal benefactor of mankind.
South of the entrance to the Acropolis stands the charming temple of Athena Nike in the Ionic order; it was built in commemoration of the victory of the Greeks against the Persians. There is a superb view as you pass through the exquisite but unfinished Propylaea of Mnesicles: the Parthenon, the most splendid architectural achievement of classical Greece. The architects of this unique temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, patron of the city of Athens, were Ictinus and Callicrates, while Phidias acted as supervisor for all the architectural and artistic works for the Acropolis in Athens.

Opposite the Parthenon is the Erechtheion, with the renowned Caryatid Porch at its south end. Descend the south slope of the Acropolis to continue your visit.
To your right is the most ancient theatre in the world, the Theatre of Dionysus. Above the theatre is the Stoa of Eumenes, which provided shelter to theatregoers in the event of bad weather. Next to the Stoa lies the once roofed Odeion, built by the wealthy Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife Rigilla. Nowadays it is a venue for Athens Festival events.
There is access to the Acropolis for the disabled on the North Slope: platforms, gently inclined ramps and a special lift provide access to the archaeological site. At the top of the Acropolis, specially surfaced paths have been laid to assist those touring the monuments. Just 800 feet from the Acropolis, the new Acropolis Museum brings together all of the surviving artefacts ever found on the site.
Replicating the natural light and atmospheric conditions found on the Acropolis, the Museum’s architecture allows you to view simultaneously the exhibits and the place from where they originated.

Olympia
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_athens/tours/athens_sightseeing
At the confluence of the Rivers Alpheios and Kladeos, next to the conical Kronios hill, is ancient Olympia, the shrine of Zeus, in whose honour the Olympic Games were held every four years. Specially renowned in antiquity, Olympia still fascinates thousands of travelers each year that are lucky enough to visit the archaeological site.
The temple of Zeus (5th c. BC) rises prominently above the ancient site; it used to house the chryselephantine statue of Zeus, a masterpiece of Phidias and one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Nearby stands the temple of Hera (Heraion-7th c. BC), one of the oldest peripteral temples in ancient Greece.
Next to Heraion the remains of the Philippeion, an impressive circular monument built by the king Philip II of Macedon, are still visible. Around the two temples the public buildings and accommodation for the Olympic Games were erected. Starting from the south of the temple of Zeus, you can see the Bouleuterion (Council House) where the athletes took the oath, the Leonidaion, a hostel for distinguished visitors, the Palaistra (“the wrestling school”), the Gymnasion, built for athletes of various sports to practise and the Prytaneion, where the ten hellanodikai (umpires) sat.

To the east there is an imposing Stadium that could accommodate 45,000 spectators. It is clear that the shrine of Zeus was designed especially with the Panhellenic festival of the Olympic Games in mind.
Next to the Stadium you can stroll along the line of treasuries built by other Greek cities to contain their offerings. You should not miss the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of the greatest museums in Greece. It boasts spectacular masterpieces of ancient Greek art. Among its exhibits on display you can admire the pediments of the temple of Zeus, the famous Hermes bearing the infant Dionysus by Praxiteles, the Nike of Paionius and its unparalleled collection of bronzes.
Finally, stop off at the Museum of the Olympic Games, which features a collection of artefacts from the modern Olympics, plus plenty of photos and documents from the revival period and a nice summary of each host city for all summer games.

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2011-07-24T03:38:00.000-07:00

HISTORY OF GREECE

2011-07-24T03:24:00.000-07:00

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History
Today’s visitors to Greece have the opportunity to trace the “fingerprints” of Greek history from the Paleolithic Era to the Roman Period in the hundreds of archaeological sites, as well as in the archaeological museums and collections that are scattered throughout the country.
The first traces of human habitation in Greece appeared during the Paleolithic Age (approx. 120000 - 10000 B.C.).
During the Neolithic Age that followed (approx. 7000 - 3000 B.C.), a plethora of Neolithic buildings spread throughout the country. Buildings and cemeteries have been discovered in Thessaly (Sesklo, Dimini), Macedonia, the Peloponnese, etc.
The beginning of the Bronze Age (approx. 3000-1100 B.C.) is marked by the appearance of the first urban centers in the Aegean region (Poliochni on Limnos). Flourishing settlements were found on Crete, Mainland Greece, the Cyclades and the Northeastern Aegean, regions where characteristic cultural patterns developed.

At the beginning of the 2nd Millennium B.C., organized palatial societies appeared on Minoan Crete, resulting in the development of the first systematic scripts. The Minoans, with Knossos Palace as their epicenter, developed a communications network with races from the Eastern Mediterranean region, adopted certain elements and in turn decisively influenced cultures on the Greek mainland and the islands of the Aegean.
On Mainland Greece, the Mycenean Greeks –taking advantage of the destruction caused on Crete by the volcanic eruption on Santorini (around 1500 B.C.)- became the dominant force in the Aegean during the last centuries of the 2nd Millennium B.C.. The Mycenean acropolises (citadels) in Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thiva, Glas, Athens and Iolcus, then comprised the centers of the bureaucratically organized kingdoms.
The extensive destruction of the Mycenean centers around 1200 B.C. led to the decline of the Mycenean civilization and caused the population to migrate to the coastal regions of Asia Minor and Cyprus (1st Greek colonization).
After approximately two centuries of economic and cultural inactivity, which also became known as the Dark Years (1150 - 900 B.C.), the Geometric Period then followed (9th - 8th Century B.C.). This was the beginning of the Greek Renaissance Years. This period was marked by the formation of the Greek City-States, the creation of the Greek alphabet and the composition of the Homeric epics (end of the 8th Century B.C.).

The Archaic Years that subsequently followed (7th - 6th Century B.C.) were a period of major social and political changes. The Greek City-States established colonies as far as Spain to the west, the Black Sea to the north and N. Africa to the south (2nd Greek colonization) and laid the foundations for the acme during the Classical Period.
The Classical Years (5th - 4th Century B.C.) were characterized by the cultural and political dominance of Athens, so much so that the second half of the 5th Century B.C. was subsequently called the “Golden Age” of Pericles. With the end of the Peloponnesian War in 404 B.C., Athens lost its leading role. http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_athens
New forces emerged during the 4th Century B.C. The Macedonians, with Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, began to play a leading role in Greece. Alexander’s campaign to the East and the conquest of all the regions as far as the Indus River radically changed the situation in the world, as it was at that time.

After the death of Alexander, the vast empire he had created was then divided among his generals, leading to the creation of the kingdoms that would prevail during the Hellenistic Period (3rd - 1st Century B.C.). In this period the Greek City-States remained more or less autonomous, but lost much of their old power and prestige. The appearance of the Romans on the scene and the final conquest of Greece in 146 B.C. forced the country to join the vast Roman Empire.
During the Roman occupation period (1st Century B.C. - 3rd Century A.D.), most of the Roman emperors, who admired Greek culture, acted as benefactors to the Greek cities, and especially Athens.
Christianity, the new religion that would depose Dodekatheon worshipping, then spread all over Greece through the travels of Apostle Paul during the 1st Century A.D.
The decision by Constantine the Great to move the capital of the empire from Rome to Constantinople (324 A.D.), shifted the focus of attention to the eastern part of the empire. This shift marked the beginning of the Byzantine Years, during which Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire.

After 1204, when Constantinople was taken by Western crusaders, parts of Greece was apportioned out to western leaders, while the Venetians occupied strategic positions in the Aegean (islands or coastal cities), in order to control the trade routes. The reoccupation of Constantinople by the Byzantines in 1262 marked the last stages of the empire’s existence.
The Ottomans gradually began to seize parts of the empire from the 14th Century A.D., and completed the breakup of the empire with the capture of Constantinople in 1453. Crete was the final area of Greece that was occupied by the Ottomans in 1669.
Around four centuries of Ottoman domination then followed, up to the beginning of the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Numerous monuments from the Byzantine Years and the Ottoman Occupation Period have been preserved, such as Byzantine and Post-Byzantine churches and monasteries, Ottoman buildings, charming Byzantine and Frankish castles, various other monuments as well as traditional settlements, quite a few of which retain their Ottoman and partly Byzantine structure.
The result of the Greek War of Independence was the creation of an independent Greek Kingdom in 1830, but with limited sovereign land.
During the 19th C. and the beginning of the 20th C., new areas with compact Greek populations were gradually inducted into the Greek State. Greece’s sovereign land would reach its maximum after the end of Word War I in 1920, with the substantial contribution of then Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos. The Greek State took its current form after the end of World War II with the incorporation of the Dodecanese Islands.
In 1974, after the seven-year dictatorship period a referendum was held and the government changed from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Presidential Parliamentary Democracy, and in 1981 Greece became a member of the European Community/Union.

This article is from visitgreece.gr

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INSIDERS GUIDE TO NOTHERN GREECE & MAINLAND GREECE

2011-07-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

Best of Greece is one of the Oldest Holiday Specialist to Greece. You can receive expert advice from our people who have all worked on holidays to Greece for many years of have even lived in Greece many years! www.bestofgreece.co.uk

An excellent article by the Telegraph!

Greece: Insider's guide to the northern and central mainland
So much to see and so little time, but in Greece you can do it all. Robin Gauldie looks at the northern and central mainland.

Northern and central mainland
For walkers, beach bums, culture vultures and explorers, central and northern Greece – between the Gulf of Corinth and the country’s northern borders – takes some beating. The high and barren Pindos mountains of Epirus offer the most spectacular high-country hiking, while the lush green slopes of the Pílion peninsula offer gentler walks. The Halkidiki peninsulas have the finest beaches and some great purpose-built resorts. Thessaloniki has urban culture, and there’s a full menu of ancient and medieval sights.

Best beaches
Halkidiki’s beaches are the best on the mainland but the resorts on Kassandra, westernmost of Halkidiki’s peninsulas, are rammed, all summer, with the new bourgeoisie of Russia and Bulgaria, reinforced at weekends by convoys of SUV-driving urbanites from Thessaloniki. Escape them at the semi-private beaches of the Sani Resort complex or head east to Vourvourou, on a shallow, near-landlocked blue lagoon with a long, sandy crescent beach. You need to wade out a good 100 yards before the water rises above your middle, so it’s warm, calm and great for children.
The place to stay is Ekies All Senses Resort (23750 91000; www.ekies.gr ; from £80 per night). With designer-decorated rooms right on the lagoon, you can almost imagine yourself in the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean. There’s a pool, a bar, a superb restaurant, a activities including yoga, and Wi-Fi connectability (at a price). Still further east, the Eagles Palace Hotel & Spa (23770 31101; www.eaglespalace.gr ; from £150 per night) stands in glorious isolation a on its own beach, with water sports including scuba and wind surfing, a private sailing yacht, and motorboats for hire.

Best hills and mountains
The best high-country walking in Greece is in the Zagoria region of the Pindos mountains, among deep gorges, mountain pastures and treeless summits. Mount Olympus is a steep but not-too-demanding hike (you need to allow at least one night in the bunk-bedded mountain hostel on the way up and another on the way down).
The Pílion peninsula offers less challenging walking, along cobbled mule-tracks through semi-tropical, woodlands with a dip in a perfect Aegean cove at the end of the day. Jill Sleeman knows the cobbled mule-paths and lovely villages of Pílion like the back of her hand and leads half-day and longer walks; she also offers tranquil bedrooms in The Old Silk Store, her pretty old mansion at Mouressi, high above the turquoise sea of the east coast.

Perfect days out
Cruise around Mt Athos. Only pilgrims and scholars may visit the Holy Mountain, but its amazing monasteries can be seen on a day cruise from Ouranoupoulis. In Thessaloniki, the extraordinary gold and ivory treasures discovered in the tombs of Alexander’s ancestors are the highlight of the world-class Archaeological Museum, centuries-old Byzantine icons have pride of place in the Byzantine Museum, and the sprawling Modiano and Vlali markets are a feast for the eye, with great piles of fruit and vegetables, weird fish and shellfish, and dozens of different kinds of olive.

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2011-07-23T03:44:00.000-07:00

LUXURY HOLIDAY VILLA FOR RENT IN SANTORINI, GREECE

2011-07-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

BEST GREEK BEACHES

2011-07-21T02:21:00.001-07:00

INSIDERS GUIDE TO THE PELOPONNESE THE IONIAN ISLANDS AND CREE

2011-07-21T01:25:00.000-07:00

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An interesting article by the Telegraph!

Greece: Insider's guide to the Peloponnese, Ionian Islands and Crete
Robin Gauldie reveals the best beaches and resorts in the Peloponnese, Ionian Islands and Crete, both off the beaten track and right in the mainstream.

The Peloponnese http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_peloponnese
There's lots of variety in southern Greece. Ancient Olympia, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidavros and Tiryns lure classicists, while medievalists are drawn to the crumbling castles and Venetian-Byzantine ghost towns of Mystras, Monemvasia, Koroni and Methoni. The pretty harbour town of

Navplio – all red tiles and pastel stucco – is the perfect base for exploring the antiquities of the Argolid. The tower-villages of the Mani peninsula stand in a world of their own, and for

Best beaches
Stoupa and Kardamyli, next to each other on the south coast, are small, low-key resorts. Krani, west of the regional airport at Kalamata, has turned into a purpose-built resort of mid-priced apartments and small hotels. Almost undeveloped sweeps of sand can be found around Pílos, on the west coast.
Perfect days out

From Navplio, rent a car to visit ancient Mycenae, Argos, Tiryns and Epidavros, four of the most impressive archaeological sites in Greece and – for much of the year – surprisingly uncrowded.
Perfect packages

Ionian Islands http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_corfu
There's more to the Ionian than overcrowded Corfu. Cephalonia has postcard-pretty villages at Fiskardo and Assos, though it's short of great beaches. Its tiny neighbour, Ithaki, has the prettiest little harbour town in the Ionian but, like Cephalonia, it's beach-poor. Levkás is the place for windsurfing and sailing holidays, with yacht flotillas cruising through an archipelago of tiny islands that includes the Onassis clan's private bolt-hole, Scorpios.
Best beaches
Zakynthos has the Ionian's best beaches, at Laganas and Kalamaki, which inevitably draw the crowds. Vasiliki, on the south coast of Levkás, is a low-key little resort with a long sweep of uncrowded sand and shingle. Skala, near the southern tip of Cephalonia, is another relatively undiscovered stretch of sand and clean pebbles stretching down to bright blue water.
Perfect days out

The Ionian Islands aren't over-endowed with must-see attractions, but the glowing blue lake inside the Melissani cavern in the centre of Cephalonia is worth a visit. For a longer excursion (involving an overnight stay) take the ferry from Zakynthos or Cephalonia to Killini on the mainland, then travel by bus or taxi to the ruins of ancient Olympia, about an hour's drive away.
.
Crete
Best beaches
Crete's best beaches are on the south coast. Matala – once a hippy haven, still agreeably laid-back – has a crescent of yellow sand; those in search of an all-over tan hike over the headland to nearby "Red Beach". Heading west, Plakias has a huge stretch of shingly sand, Sougia stands on a long strip of clean pebbles, and Paleochora has a sheltered, shallow sandy bay, good for young children.
Perfect days out

The island's top attraction is Knossos, the ancient Minoan city excavated and (somewhat imaginatively) reconstructed by Sir Arthur Evans. Roman-Hellenistic Gortyna, near Matala, is worth a look, but the island's other big Minoan site at Festos is an anticlimax.
Perfect packages

AEGEAN ODYSSEY, GREEK ISLAND CRUISING, LUXURY CRUISES VARIETY CRUISES

2011-07-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

BEST OF MYKONOS

2011-07-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

Best of Santorini

2011-07-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

KEFALONIA, IONIAN GREEK ISLAND TRAVEL

2011-07-20T04:08:00.000-07:00

KEFALONIA ARTICLE BY THE TELEGRAPH

2011-07-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

Kefalonia is one of www.bestofgreece.co.uk areas for holidays in the Ionian Islands! We believe that one can truly enjoy unique Greek Island Holidays here!
This article by the Telegraph is truly excellent and we wanted to share it with you!
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_kefalonia

Kefalonia, Greek Islands: the perfect break
With its unspoilt beaches drenched in autumn sun, Kefalonia is ready to celebrate its patron saint with an island-wide party,
says Oliver Smith.

Why go?
The setting for Louis de Bernières' fabulous novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Kefalonia's myriad appeals include magnificent, rugged scenery, friendly locals, a certain rural charm, and some of the best beaches in the whole of Greece. And despite the success of the novel – and the subsequent film adaptation – it remains mercifully unspoilt by mass tourism.
The largest of the Ionian Islands, it never feels crowded, even in high season on the photogenic sands of Myrtos, or among the swanky, marina-side restaurants of Fiskardo.
During August, the heat can border on the unbearable, but visit the island in the coming weeks and you'll be rewarded with temperatures in the mid-20s, even quieter beaches and cheaper accommodation.
Or you could wait a little longer and time your trip to coincide with the second feast of St Gerasimos – Kefalonia's hugely revered patron saint – on October 20, during which his incorruptible remains are paraded through the streets in a gilded sarcophagus, and the island descends into raucous celebration.

Get there by…
Plane. Thomas Cook , Monarch and Thomson operate charter flights to the island from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.

Stay…
In the affluent villages of the Livatho peninsula, south of the capital Argostoli, and within reach of the sandy beaches on the south coast. SunIsle Holidays (0844 4820202; www.sunisle.co.uk) has availability throughout September and October at several private villas in the region, including the Villa Abas in Spartia (from £1,161 per week; sleeps eight) and the Villa Battus in Trepazaki (from £1,205 per week; sleeps eight). Both properties sit in quiet, rural surrounding and have sea views, swimming pools and modern kitchens. Prices do not include flights.
The three-star Panas Hotel (from £471 per person per week, including flights), on the south coast, is a good budget option. Rooms are basic (sporadic hot water and spartan décor) but they offer the essentials (air conditioning, balconies, sea views) and the location is superb: beneath the charming village of Spartia, close to several good tavernas, and a stone's throw from a quiet beach backed by dramatic limestone cliffs. Book through SunIsle.
The Kephalonia Palace Hotel (0030 26710 93190; www.kefaloniapalacehotel.gr), next to Xi Beach, on the south coast of the Lixouri peninsula, is ideal for unabashed luxury.
Spend the morning…
At Myrtos Beach. Backed by almost sheer cliffs and lapped by unfathomably turquoise waters, it is one of the world's most photographed stretches of sand. It fills up with boisterous Italians from around noon, so arrive early to claim a sun lounger (7.50 euros for a pair).
Geologists will be keen to visit the Melissani and Dhrogarati caves (7 euros each), near Sami, on the east coast of the island, but they are overpriced, and a little underwhelming.
Have lunch…
At the Castle Café, found beneath the ruins of the 16th-century hilltop Castle of St George, near the small town of Peratata. Offering sandwiches and traditional snacks, it is set within a gorgeous, shaded garden and commands stunning views across the south of the island. It is run by an amiable Greek gent – whose mother tends the flowers – and his English wife, who is rather secretive about her recipe for spicy baked feta. Burn off your meal by inspecting the aforementioned Venetian fortress (Tue-Fri 8.30-7pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-3pm; free).
Spend the afternoon…
At the monastery of Ayios Gerasimos (8am-1pm, 3pm-8pm; free). Nestled in a verdant valley a few kilometres to the north east of the castle, the monastery is modern, having been rebuilt in a Byzantine style following the devastating earthquake of 1953 that levelled the original 16th-century structure. The interior is adorned with colourful biblical scenes, and behind the building lies a small chapel, where svelte visitors can squeeze through a hole in the ground and inspect the caves where St Gerasimos is thought to have spent endless hours meditating.
Two annual feasts celebrate the saint's life, on August 15 and October 20, during which the monastery is overrun with worshippers.
A trip to the nearby Robola winery (the tipple of choice for the drunken Father Arsenios in de Bernières' novel) is worthwhile – not least for the free tasting.
Have dinner at…
A taverna. With their plastic chairs, paper tablecloths, lukewarm dishes (Greeks believe hot food is bad for the stomach) and feline visitors, these traditional Greek restaurants can feel like much of a muchness, but a few stand out. The Waterway bar and grill, on the beach below Spartia, has a lively atmosphere and sea views, and Tassia (www.tassia.gr), in Fiskardo, is good for lobster and Kefallonian meat pie.
Spend the next day…
Exploring the Lixouri peninsula. Kefalonia's second city, and the surrounding villages, bore the brunt of the 1953 earthquake, and it still bears the scars. Goats, chickens – and the odd eccentric-looking local – potter around the farming region, where ruined homes and subsided fields still dot the landscape.
Make for the rust-red sands of family-friendly Xi Beach, on the south coast, which offers watersports and a couple of smart tavernas, or wild Petani Beach, on the west coast, which rivals Myrtos for its spectacular location.
Finish the day at the Monastery of Kipoureon, which occupies a dramatic cliff top location on the west coast of the peninsula, and where each evening a score of tourist join the Orthodox priests to watch the sun set.
At all costs avoid…
Leaving the airport without a vehicle. Owing to its mountainous terrain and meagre public transport, this is an island best tackled by car. A portable satnav also comes in handy – the Garmin Nuvi 1690 comes with preloaded Greek maps (www.garmin.com)

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NAFPLIA PALACE NAFPLION PELOPONNESE LUXURY FIVE STAR RESORT HOTEL

2011-07-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

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BEST OF GREECE HOLIDAYS TOUR OPERATOR

2011-07-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

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Best of Greece is one of the oldest esteemed tour operators in the UK Specializing in packaged tailor made holidays in Greece.

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BEST OF PELOPONNESE

2011-07-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

ALL ABOUT PELOPONNESE

2011-07-15T03:48:00.000-07:00

We found this very interesting article about the Peloponnese in many different pages of VisitGreeceGr. We think that this will be a very interesting read for all the Greece Lovers and the people who love to explore, or would love to explore the Peloponnese.

A truly amazing area which has something for everyone! Amazing Beaches, Fantastic Culture, Ancient History, Mountains, Villages, Byzantine Villages, Truly everything one would like to do can be found in the Peloponnese. http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_peloponnese

Peloponnese
Monuments from every period of the eventful Peloponnesian history, great archeological sites such as ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Tirynth, Byzantine churches, unique settlements and amazing castles, natural beauties such as mountains, forests, rivers and caves surrounded by the sea, beautiful beaches, sandy and smooth coasts on the west – rocky and dentelated on the east, make this part of Greek land ideal for holidays, touring, sports and connecting to the history and culture. It is not accidental that especially during the summer season many tourists arrive in Peloponnese from all over the world to travel around it. Such trip is very popular and well known.

Peloponnese with its gulfs in Korinthos, Patrai, Saronic, Messinia, Argolida and Lakonia looks like a plane tree leaf and that is why it was formerly called "Morias". It has dry climate on the east, cold, snow and rich vegetation in its central and mountainous parts and rain and heat on the west.
People settled in Peloponnese from the middle Paleolithic era (circa 100.000 years B.C.). The Greek civilization began during the Copper era and after 2000 B.C. came in the area the First Greeks. Few centuries later, Mycenaeans are the center of Greek world. Excavations verify the legend of Homeric Mycenaean, while the ruins in Pylos match the references for the well known King Nestor's palace in west Peloponnese.
In 1200 B.C. Dorian and Aetoli arrive in Peloponnese and construct Korinthos, Argos and Sparta. The Olympic Games where athletes from all over Greece participate take place in Olympia every four years. After centuries Fillip the Macedonian arrives in Peloponnese and then the Romans. In 393 B.C. the Byzantines abolish the Olympic Games, in 1294 arrive the Franks and later the Turks. In 1827 after the sea battle in Navarino ends the Ottoman/Egyptian occupation and Peloponnese becomes the first part of new independent Greece.

Municipality of Korinthia
The Prefecture of Corinth is the first one that a visitor runs into, as he comes from Attica and is well-known for the great variety of choices it offers: charming massifs, beautiful coastal areas and significant archaeological sites for sightseeing. The beaches of Korinthiakos, Saronikos and Loutraki are quite developed from a tourist point of view. The arable land of Corinth is fertile and its inhabitants are also in, agriculture, cattle-breeding, poultry farming, light industry and tourism. The Corinthian raisin is famous in the region
Activities throughout the prefecture
Watching of the Akropolis Raly. Special routes pass from the mountainous regions of Ag.Theodoroi.
In Zeria, in the location “Oropedio”, there is the shelter “Zeria A” and in the location “Portes” the shelter “Zeria B”, which constitute stopovers for excursions in the beautiful mountain for every kind of activity:
Mountaineering
Off road routes by jeep.
Paragliding
Excursions with Enduro bikes.
Speleology.
In coastal areas: swimming, aquatic sports, tennis, basket, volley ball.

KORINTHOS
The capital of the prefecture is a remarkable administrative, commercial, financial and cultural center of the region. The center of the town has wide streets, parks, squares and a picturesque harbor with fishing boats. Beautiful pedestrian walkways lure visitors for a stroll, to drink a cup of coffee and shop, whilst around the city there are monuments, museums and historical sites.
Corinth is inhabited since the Neolithic Ages, as it is evidenced by the settlement of 5000 B.C. that was discovered in the area of Korakou, while in Antiquity it was one of the biggest and greatest cities of Greece. It played a key role during the Peloponnesian War and after 200 B.C. it became the capital of the Achaean League (Achaiki Sympoliteia), whilst under Julius Ceasar’s rule it became the capital of the province of Achaia. Its medieval history is connected with its impressive fortress, the Acrocorinth (Akrokorinthos). In 1858 a strong earthquake destroyed the city, which was rebuilt with good antiseismic specifications and a good town planning plan, 9 km. north from the ancient town. In the place of Ancient Corinth there is a small, cute village, the Old Corinth. It is located 84 km W of Athens.
What to see in the city:
The pedestrian walkway of Pylarinou Zografou.
The Cathedral of St.Paul the Apostle.
The Ecclesiastical Museum.
The Historical-Folklore Museum which includes 3,500 costumes of the 18th and 19th century.
The building of Law Court.
The statue of the Archbishop Damaskinos (1890-1949).
Web site of the Prefecture of Corinth: www.korinthia.gr
Events
"Halkyon (Alkyonides) Days of Discourse and Art”, in February.
"Pavlia”, 24-28 June.
Fairs of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, on 15 August, and of Agioi Anargyroi, on 1st July, in Ancient Corinth.

CORINTH CANAL

HISTORY
Remains of Nero's canal project in 1881
Several rulers in antiquity dreamed of cutting a canal through the Isthmus. The first to propose such an undertaking was the tyrant Periander in the 7th century BC.[1] He abandoned the project due to technical difficulties, and instead constructed a simpler and less costly overland portage road, named Diolkos. According to another theory, Periander feared that a canal would have robbed Corinth of its dominating role as entrepôt for goods.Remnants of the Diolkos still exist next to the modern canal.
The Diadoch Demetrius (336–283 BC) planned to construct a canal as a means to improve his communication lines, but dropped the plan after his surveyors, miscalculating the levels of the adjacent seas, feared heavy floods.
The historian Suetonius tells us that the Roman Dictator Julius Caesar (r. 49-44 BC) projected, among other grandiose engineering schemes, a canal through the Isthmus. He was assassinated before he could bring the scheme to fruition.

The Roman Emperor Nero (r. 54–68 A.D.) launched an excavation, personally breaking the ground with a pickaxe and removing the first basket-load of soil, but the project was abandoned when he died shortly afterwards. The Roman workforce, consisting of 6000 Jewish prisoners of war,[14] started digging 40–50 m (130–160 ft) wide trenches from both sides, while a third group at the ridge drilled deep shafts for probing the quality of the rock (which were reused in 1881 for the same purpose). As the modern canal follows the same course as Nero's, no remains have survived.

The modern attempt at construction began in the 1870s following the successful opening of the Suez Canal. A French company was hired to build it, but due to financial difficulties, the company ceased work after only the two ends had been dug. Finally, in 1881 the Hungarian architects István Türr and Béla Gerster, who had also been involved with early surveys for the Panama Canal, were hired to plan a new canal. A Greek company led by Andreas Syngros (the main contractor being Antonis Matsas) ultimately took over the project and completed it in 1893.
It is prominently featured in the 1967 spy film La Route de Corinthe where an antagonist, after being pushed over the high cliff of the canal cut, hits the wall several times during his fall before ultimately entering the water.
On April 7, 2010, Australian daredevil Robbie Maddison performed a motocross jump over the canal.

Municipality of Arcadia
The Prefecture of Arcadia is geographically located at the center of Peloponnesus, has large mountains (Maenalus, Parnon and many others) and is washed by the Argolikos bay and the Myrtoan Sea. It presents remarkably varied natural contours , landscapes of unparalleled beauty, areas of extreme archaeological interest and historic locations. It was first inhabited by the Arcadians, one of the most ancient tribes of Peloponnesus, who created great cities.
Activities throughout the prefecture
Ski at the top of Ostrakina, in Maenalus. It has 6 ski runs, 3 sliding lifts, chalet, ski and snowboard schools (information: 27960-22.227).
Climbing in the location “Plateau of Ostrakina”, where there is a shelter (information: 27960-22.227, Hellenic Climbing Society of Tripolis: 2710-232.243).
Mountain bike in very beautiful trips in Maenalus and Parnon.
Motocross. The region is known to all those who love the sport.
Rafting and kayak in the region of ancient Gortyna, in the bridge of Atsiholos and in the rivers Lousios and Ladonas.
Trecking in the 32 national path, which is a branch of the Ε4 European path. It starts from Vitina, passes through Zigovisti, Dimitsana, Paleochori, the monastery Philosophou, the “Secret School”(kryfo scholio), the Agios Ioannis Prodromos monastery and Karitena and ends up in Gythio.
Canyoning in the riverside areas of Lousios.
Swimming in the indented beaches with the deep blue waters.
Excursions with enduro bikes

Municipality of Laconia
Major tourist destination, which combines well-known sights, such as the medieval Mystra, the tower city of Monemvasia and the tower houses of Mani, with landscapes of exceptional natural beauty, such as the Diros caves, Mt.Taygetus and Cape Tenaro.
It was already inhabited from the Paleolithic and the Neolithic periods, whilst later the tribes of Leleges, Achaeans and Iones were settled. The Dorians arrive in 1100 B.C. and make Sparta as their capital, which for centuries, along with Athens, constitute one of the most powerful cities-states of Ancient Greece, until its conquest by the Romans and, later on, by the Francs and the Turks.

Mystrás
Be the knight or princess of your childhood fairytales in the Byzantine town of Mystrás!
Visit the mystical tower town of Mystrás, and let yourself be captivated by this destination’s medieval splendour.
Wander around the castle city and sense through the silence the city's sheer grandeur: the Palace of the Despots (Anáktora), the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa, and of Οur Lady Perivleptos.

Stroll leisurely through the Kástro (the Frankish Castle), the Upper Town and the Lower Town whose architecture creates a dreamy setting. With your mind’s eye visualise Frankish princes and princesses living in palatial mansions; foreign delegations arriving bearing gifts, and peasants, pilgrims or traders filling the bustling streets.
Mystrás’ historical importance is tremendous. In the 14th century Mystrás became the seat of the Despotate of Moreas, whereas in 1448 the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI Palaeologos, was crowned here. A visit to the Archaeological Museum will help you get a deep insight into the rich history of the area. Come and live the dream!

Monemvasia
Unveil a medieval mystery!
Monemvasiá, founded by the Byzantines in the sixth century, is a breathtaking medieval tower town located on the south-eastern coast of the Peloponnese.
Take the opportunity to explore this mystical stone-built settlement, nestled at the edge of a big rock by the sea, and immerse yourself in a unique medieval atmosphere!

Upon entering the castle, your journey through time begins.
Peer into the history of the fortress –the so-called “Gibraltar of the East”–, which was occupied by the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Venetians, and the Turks in the past.
Wander around its narrow cobbled streets, and admire the beautifully restored stone buildings. Taste culinary delights at a fine restaurant on the roof of a tower house, and spend a romantic night at a stone-built tower. The “Kástro” (castle) is divided into two parts, the lower and upper town.
In the lower part of the town, explore the ruins of the historic buildings situated there – among which the Muslim Mosque, a preserved 16th century building housing the Archaeological Museum–, as well as the magnificent Byzantine churches.
In the (uninhabited) upper part of the town, you will come across the remains of old Byzantine buildings. A rocky twisty path leads you to the Fortress of Youlás offering an outstanding view of the city!

Máni
Studying the forces that in passed times built structures and forms, we awake in our modern self its most real world. Aris Konstantinidis: a prominent Greek architect of modernism
Architectural Heritage preserves the rich diversity of cultural changes through space and time. Through its monuments history is transformed into powerful, living images. Traditional settlements are not just residential complexes; they are “vessels of life”, according to the Greek architect Aris Konstantinidis. Featuring high quality architecture, these centuries-old residencies are also very important local tourism resources closely tied to the natural environment. In this way, Protection coexists with Development striking a sustainable balance between the two, teaching us that the relationship with tradition should be the one of Rebirth.
Traditional settlements in Greece form an integral part of the Greek culture and heritage. As dynamic creations of real life –and not as ruined monuments– they are beautifully restored and carefully arranged to shelter tourist accommodations (guest houses, museums, restaurants), or other public uses (community offices, handweaving workshops, etc.). Having assumed their former glory, these old residencies are part of Greece’s natural scenery: interventions in the static structure are limited to the minimum necessary; new equipments are harmonically adapted to the original architectural structure; modern interventions are “absorbed” by the strong traditional character of the buildings; heating systems are adjusted to local climatic conditions; fireplaces are used in mountain areas instead of electrical heating units; floors are paved by local stone or ceramic slates; and pin wood is selectively used in wooden interior fittings.

Váthia is located in the southern part of Laconian Máni; it belongs to the group of settlements called "Inner Villages" (Mésa Horiá). On the top of a 200m high hill, Váthia is a dense, stone-built settlement consisting of 144 buildings grouped into four distinct neighbourhoods. The architectural style of the buildings and the village's spatial organisation reflect the struggle between Máni families competing to settle on the hilltop, Váthia’s dominant strategic point during the medieval times.
The main buildings architecture reflects different time periods: (1) one and two-storey old Máni houses, constructed before 1840; (2) two, three and four-storey “tower-houses” built during the 1840-1870 period; and (3) one and two-storey “modern houses” built during the 1890-1915 period.
As you walk through the village’s cobbled paths, you realize that each neighbourhood is organised as a self-governing unit, encompassing a war tower, a church, fortified dwellings, private streets, and “dark” meeting points, called “roúyes”.
With the mind’s eye, visualise the armed clashes fighting to defend their territory and rise to power. Decipher the code: The densely structured neighbourhoods and the characteristically high, stonework buildings express this fierce desire for control.
As history meets architecture, the starkness of the rugged landscape pampers our senses: ancient olive trees and wild, endemic, flowers grow on the slopes of the hill; imposing rocky mountains dominate the area; rough midnight blue sea reaches the shores; unexplored bays and sharp curves form Máni's spectacular coastal scenery.
Short sightseeing excursions will take you to Areópolis, the capital of Máni, where stone buildings are also renovated; to the Diros caves, a spectacular –and still unexplored– natural site, one of the earliest inhabited places in Greece; or to Yeroliménas, the tourist port of Máni. Further to the southernmost point of mainland Greece, Cape Taínaron is located; your spiritual quest will lead you here, to the cave of Hades, the god of the dead, and the ancient temple of sea god Poseidon. This memorable trip concludes with a visit to Gýtheion, and the isle of Kranái: here, the Tzanetákis-Grigorákis restored tower, symbol of the Greek War of Independence, hosts the Historical and Ethnological Museum of Mani.

Municipality of Ilia
The Prefecture of Elia combines mountain and sea and it has notable holiday settlements, with thick sand, deep blue waters and pine trees that reach up to the sea, elements that make a unique landscape for holidays, sun and swimming, while the most important archaeological sites (Olympia, Ilida) attract tourists from all over the world.
The ancient city Elis had the oversight of the Olympic games and was once the center of the region during ancient times. After the siege by the Francs (1210), Elia became the center of the Principality of Moreos and enjoyed great prosperity.

Olympia

In the western Peloponnese, in the "Valley of Gods", lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece, and the birthplace of the most important athletic mega-event of all times; the Olympic Games. Olympia is one of the most well known tourist destinations in Greece, and one of the most powerful brand names worldwide.

Olympia is easily accessible from other areas of interest of Greece. It is less than 4 hours away from Athens and only 1 hour from Patras port, or Kalamata airport. There are numerous daily buses and trains that connect Athens to Olympia. Another option for getting to Olympia from Athens is to take one of the many sightseeing tours available out of Athens.
Experience living history through the priceless, but mainly free of charge offerings of the area
The visitor can walk though the impressive ruins of the area where athletes trained and run in the ancient stadium; just as the ancient Olympians did after their victory 3000 years ago. They can also visit the museum and get the chance to see some unbelievable sculptures such as the sculpted decoration of the temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the famous Hermis of Praxiteles and the statue of Nike of Paionios.
Visitors can also enjoy festivals such as the Ancient Olympia International Festival and the Alfios River Eco-festival, where they can explore the magnificent natural environment of the Alfios River, Kato Samiko’s unspoiled beach that is only 18km away or enjoy the natural Kaiafas Thermal Spa. They can also have the option of taking part in activities such as walking along the promenade, and sports such as biking, rafting, kayak, kite-surf, etc.

Olympia can also become your base for your ventures to the border region. It is only 33km from Katakolo port and village, 30km from the Temple of Apollo Epikourios, 30km from the Temple of Aphrodite, 57km from Ancient Ilida, 60km from Chlemoutsi Castle and many others.

Everyone can visit Olympia. Olympia Hoteliers offer quality rooms, for a comfortable stay in a peaceful area and at affordable rates. Do not miss the chance to win a free one-night stay in luxury accommodation by participating in the global campaign of Ancient Olympia. Visit www.BecomeOlympian.com and with a few clicks, the trip to Ancient Olympia can become even closer. The contest will have 7 winners each week, until the end of 2011.
Visiting the city of Olympia will become one of the most memorable experiences you can ever have in Greece.
Top 10 Museums and Sites
Olympia Archaeological Site
Archaeological Museum of Olympia
History of the (ancient) Olympic Games Museum
Museum of the Modern Olympic Games
Pier de Coubertin's Monument
Temple of Apollo Epikourios
Temple of Aphrodite
Ancient Ilida
Chlemoutsi medieval Castle
Nestor's Palace
Top 10 Culture and Festivals
Ancient Olympia Festival
Olympia International Film Festival for Children & Young People
Alfios river Eco-festival
Andritsena traditional village
Monastery of Sepetou
Ancient Ilida Festival
Chlemoutsi Castle Music Festival
The Andravida horse show
Local feasts ( panigiria)
Monastery of Kremasti
Top 10 Nature and Sports
Alfios River
Activities in Olympia valley
Kato Samiko Beach
Kaiafas Thermal Spa
Lagoon of Kotychi & Strofilia Forest
Nedas' Waterfalls
Zacharo beach
Water Sports
Katakolo port and village
Kakovatos village

Municipality of Achaia
The Prefecture of Achaia, one of the largest of the Peloponnesus region, in terms of its area and population, is full with remarkable mountainous and coastal landscapes. Here one can find the mountains Panachaikos, Helmos and Erymanthos as well as some of the most beautiful beaches of the Corinthian Bay. Achaia is one of the most historical regions of Peloponnesus and the coastal gateway of Greece towards Europe.
Activities throughout the prefecture

Climbing and hiking in Panachaikos, in the location “Psarthi”, where there is the shelter “S.Gerokostopoulos” (information: -Patras (the Peloponnese): In Helmos, in the location “Diaselo Avgou”, you will find the shelter “Leontopoulos” (information: The Kalavryta Climbing, Skiing and Mountaineering Society 26920-22.611). Several outings in mountainous regions are organized from here.
Ski and snowboard. In Helmos, in the location “Vathia Laka”, a ski resort is operating with 12 runs, 5 sliding and 2 overhead lifts, a skiing school, restaurant and coffee houses (information: 26920-24.451-2).
Paragliding, near Kalavryta, where there are fields for take offs.
Climbing, in the trailing fields of Alepochori, Spartia, Santomeri and Kalogria (information: -Patras (the Peloponnese):
Excursions with Enduro bikes, in the mountainous routes of Panachaikos

Kalavrita
History and Tradition…
Visit the historic town of Kalavrita, the most exciting winter destination of Peloponnese built on the slopes of Mt. Helmos!
A dreamy setting with picturesque squares, stone-paved streets and cute little houses welcomes the romantic souls! The trademark of Kalavrita is its small train, the “Odontotos” (a rare example of a fully functional cog railway). Its 22 km journey from Kalavrita to Diakofto is one of the most spectacular rack & pinion rail trips! The narrow gauge tracks follow the Vouraikos River through tunnels, over water-falls, along cliffs and through forests of pine and oleander.

The tragic history of Kalavrita reminds us the darkest side of human nature; in 1943 German occupying troops murdered all male population over the age of 14 and burned the town…Visit the memorial built to honour the dead, a large white cross on the top of the hill where the villagers had been executed, as well as the Municipal Museum of the Holocaust of Kalavrita where you can see exhibits related to the history and the traditions of the town.
Kalavrita is associated with another glorious era of Greek History; nearby is situated the famous Monastery of Agia Lavra, where the Greek revolution against the Ottoman Empire was launched in 1821. It’s here that Germanos, archbishop of Patras, raised the standard of revolt.
Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Monastery of Mega Spileon (Monastery of the Great Cavern) built in a giant cave and admire its wonderful frescoes and mosaic floors; explore the Cave of the Lakes, a true wonder of nature whose walls are ornamented with colourful stalagmite and stalactite formations.

Winter sport enthusiasts should definitely go to the Kalavrita Ski Center, one of the most renowned in Greece thanks to its modern facilities: 7 lifts, 12 slaloms, a snowboard park, a special slalom mogul and a snow tubing park! On its premises there are fancy cafeterias and restaurants where occasionally fun parties take place!
Need more adrenaline rush? In the vicinity of Kalavrita you can follow hiking trails, hike down the Vouraikos gorge, go mountaineering, climbing, off-road driving, mountain biking and parachuting!

We hope you enjoyed reading this article!
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_peloponnese

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ALL ABOUT PAROS

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ThIs is a very interesting article on Paros! Most information is coming from VisitGreece and from Paros.gr! We hope you enjoy it!

Best Of Greece specializes in Holidays to Greece and the Greek Islands! We have a passion for the Island of Paros and you can be sure that we will offer you the best type of holiday to fit your needs and desires!
www.bestofgreece.co.uk

PAROS! A JEWEL IN THE CYCLADES

Paros beckons.

Unrivalled natural beauty, beaches with crystal clear waters, unrivalled Byzantine footpaths connecting traditional villages and breathtaking landscapes make Páros, located at the heart of the Cyclades, one of the best loved holiday destinations in Greece.

Parikía (Parikiá), the capital of Páros, is a beautiful Cycladic village with whitewashed cubic houses and impressive neoclassical mansions. A well preserved 13th century Venetian castle stands proudly on a hill at the centre of the village offering an amazing view of Parikía. In the capital you can also admire an important ecclesiastical monument, the 6th century church of Panayia Ekatontapyliani, also called Katapoliani. The name “Ekatontapylianí” means the church with 100 gates (“Ekató Pýles” in Greek), one of which is a secret one! Don’t miss the chance to visit the baptistery (4th century AD), one of the best preserved baptisteries in the Orthodox East, and the Byzantine Museum. The Parikía Byzantine Museum is housed on the ground floor of the church. Its exhibits include icons, wood-carved iconostases and other heirlooms from various monasteries and churches on the island.

The Archaeological Museum displays exhibits from the island’s monuments (such as the Sanctuary of Asklipios and Pythios Apollonas, Delion etc.), including part of the "Parian Chronicle”, a chronological table of the 3rd century BC with references to important events and personalities of antiquity.
The marble quarries at Maráthi, where the famous Parian marble used to be extracted, were in operation from the 3rd millennium BC up to the 19th century. The mining galleries along with remains of 19th century industrial buildings are still preserved and can be visited!

Meet the villages!
• Wander through beautiful traditional villages like Náoussa, a colourful village, where the ruins of a Venetian fortress stand at the entrance to its small harbour. Léfkes is located at the highest point of Páros and enjoys stunning views of the island. The village is set up in the mountains and is surrounded by a rich green landscape. It has very well preserved Cycladic and neoclassical buildings, beautiful squares and narrow marble alleys. The Museum of Aegean Folk Culture at Léfkes offers a tour of the culture of the Archipelago; discover the Aegean world through its exhibits, which include pieces related to the architecture, traditional trades and geology of the islands.
• Márpissa, founded in the 15th century, is a traditional village with a distinctive medieval character. It is located on a hill, a few kilometres away from the famous beaches of Loyarás and Písso Livádi. You can also visit the impressive Monastery of Ayios Antonios (17th century) on the hill of Kéfalos, where the ruins of a 15th century Venetian castle stand, and enjoy a wonderful view of the sea. Petaloúdes is an area of stunning beauty near the village of Psychopiana. The habitat is rich in vegetation and running water, with tall plane trees, laurels, wild olive trees, and carob trees covered in ivy that play host to the butterfly species Panaxia quadripunstaria.
What about beaches?
• Sun-drenched beaches, like Chrissí Aktí, Santa Maria and Poúnda, welcome sun-loving visitors who want to enjoy the crystal clear sea, the sun or even their favourite water sports! Every year Chrissí Aktí is the venue for the Windsurfing World Championship. On the sea bed at Alykí beach, to the southwest, you can explore the ruins of an ancient town!
• Don’t miss the opportunity to live experience an exhilarating touring all around the coast of the island by canoe or kayak! Enjoy the unusual natural landscape with impressive white rock formations on Kolymbíthres beach. The beach of Kalóyeros, surrounded by red and green clay rocks offers a really effective spa for free! Cover your body with clay and let it dry in the sun; after a while rinse yourself in the sea and your body will feel softer than ever!
Discover the island’s stunning beauty by hiking! Walk along “strátes”, the trails created by farmers to help them cross the island and transport their goods. It’s like stepping back into history. Here are two itineraries you might like to try:
• The Byzantine Léfkes-Pródromos trail, paved with marble paving stones most of the way, takes an hour to walk. It starts from the verdant village of Léfkes and crosses slopes with cultivated terraces and a small Byzantine bridge. The final destination is to the beautiful village of Pródromos with its impressive maze-like alleys.
• Starting from the village of Márpissa, with its Byzantine churches, 17th century houses and quaint windmills, walk towards Kéfalos Hill and Áyios Antónios Monastery. Going uphill along the cobblestone path, you will come across the ruins of the Venetian town of Kéfalos and the Castle. At the top, enjoy the view over the eastern part of the island and visit the Monastery of Áyios Antónios with its gold-leaf wood-carved iconostasis.
• Alternatively, you can discover the island on horseback! There are two horse-riding centres, one by the sea, at Ambelás, and one at Ystérni. Ride around the coast, along the sandy beaches or take a detour inland – a great way to see for yourself some of the most beautiful spots on the island!

THE HISTORY OF PAROS ISLAND THROUGH THE AGES

BRONZE AGE (3200 - 1100 B.C.)

Three great civilisations emerged during the Bronze Age (3,200 – 1,100 B.C.) within the geographic area which comprises modern day Greece: the Cycladic Civilisation (3,200 – 2,000 B.C.), the Minoan (or “Pre-Cretan”, 2,000 – 1,500 B.C.) and the Mycenaean (1,600 – 1,100 B.C.). Remnants of a Pre-Cycladic settlement were discovered on the “Fortress Hill” above Paroikia and significant finds dating to the same period have been discovered in other areas of the island as well (Kambos, Dryos, Koukounaries, Plastiras, Glyfa and Farangas). During the Minoan dominance of the Aegean, Paros was an important strategic and commercial centre for the Minoan state. At that time the island was primarily populated by emissaries from Crete. According to Myth the leader of the occupation force was called Alkaios, he built the first city in the location of today’s Paroikia and called it “Minoa” (Royal City). With the gradual decline of Minoan Crete the power of the mainland Mycenaean dynasty increased. The remnants of a Mycenaean Acropolis were discovered on the peak above Koukounaries (near Naoussa) as well as on the “Fortress Hill” above Paroikia.
GEOMETRIC PERIOD (1,100 – 700 B.C.)
At the turn of the 10th Century B.C. an expedition from Arcadia (Peloponnesus), led by Paro, settled on the Island and named it for their leader. Soon after, Ionian colonists joined the population (from what is now the coast of Asia Minor) and the island evolved into a significant naval power. The export of marble brought the island wealth and their agricultural activities developed as well.
ARCHAIC PERIOD (700 – 480 B.C.)
In 680 B.C. a Parian colony was established on the island of Thassos in order to exploit the gold deposits along its shores. The renowned sculpture workshops were created and the 7th century B.C. heralded the bloom of lyric poetry headed by Archilohos (the “Warrior Poet”) considered equal to Homer. To the east a new power was emerging: the Persians.
CLASSICAL PERIOD (480 – 323 B.C.)
The Parian oligarchy was called upon by the Persians and a large deployment of the island’s army joined the Persian naval assaults on various Hellenic city-states. With the defeat of the Persians (480 B.C.) the Athenian fleet, led by Themistocles, reached Paros and the island was forced to become a member of the Athenian Alliance. During this period the most famous Parian sculptors, Agorakritos and Skopas, were plying their craft. The city of Paros (in what is today Paroikia) had over 50,000 residents, wonderful homes and temples, a theatre and a stadium. By the end of the Classical Period Paros had become a member of the Macedonian Alliance until the death of Alexander the Great.
HELLENISTIC PERIOD (323 – 167 B.C.)
From the death of Alexander utill his heirs were subdued by the Roman Empire was a period of conflict and great upheavals for Paros. New kingdoms were striving for control of the Cyclades and for many years Paros fell under the rule of the Ptolemys.
ROMAN PERIOD (167 B.C. – 330 A.D.)
Paros, the other Cycladic Islands, as well as large regions of mainland Greece became extensions of the Roman countryside. Development was halted and Paros became a place of exile.

BYZANTINE PERIOD (330 – 1204 A.D.)
According to remnants of early Christian churches and gravestones Christianity reached Paros around the 4th century A.D. The first church of The Holy Virgin “Ekatondapyliani” was built at that time under the orders of Saint Helen. From the 10th century onward Paros became an epicentre for pirate raids which were catastrophic to the island.

VENETIAN OCCUPATION (1204 – 1537)
Paros was inducted to the Aegean Duchy (1207) and was passed down among the fortunes of various Venetian families. The residents of the island were reduced to serfs, working the land for their new masters, while still at the mercy of marauding pirates. Naoussa became a Pirate base and during that period the castle/fortresses of Kefalou (Marpissa), Naoussa and Paroikia were built.

TURKISH OCCUPATION (1537 – 1821)
With the siege of the island by the notorious pirate Barbarossa (1537) and the ensuing desertion of the island by its inhabitants the Venetian Occupation drew to a close. The desecrated island was ruled by the Turks from 1560 and during the Russian-Turkish Wars (1770-1777) the port of Naoussa was used as a base by the Russian fleet, from which they could control the Aegean.

RECENT HISTORY
Paros played an active role in the Greek Revolution (1821). The Cyclades, Peloponnesus and mainland Greece formed the nucleus of the new Hellenic state. The island was particularly hard hit by the German occupation and at the end of WWII many islanders were forced to immigrate to Piraeus and later abroad to find work. Around 1960 came the dawn of a new period of development for the island and its, now primarily tourism based, economy.

MINOS BEACH ART HOTEL! LUXURY SMALL LEADING RESORT ON CRETE ISLAND AGIOS NIKOLAOS GREECE

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BEST OF CHANIA

2011-07-12T03:02:00.000-07:00

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GOING AROUND IN ATHENS AND AROUND ATHENS

The Telegraph has written this excellent article about what one can do in Athens!
We believe that trying to find interesting articles and information from as many possible different sides as possible will help you get a better understanding of the places we specialize in!
Here in Best Of Greece we don't sell off-the-peg package holidays. Quite simply we believe that to offer you the very best we have to look that little bit harder and be prepared to make the extra effort. We do that by tailor-making every single holiday we sell, all wrapped up in good old fashioned personal service. wwww.bestofgreece.co.uk

Why go?
Often referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation, Athens is a 2,500-year-old hotch-potch of concrete upon brick upon stone. Since 2004, the newly-inaugurated Archaeological Promenade, a 2.5-mile long, pedestrian-only, tree-lined walkway skirting the foot of the Acropolis and linking all the city’s major archaeological sites, has made the city centre infinitely more walkable and reduced the notorious traffic congestion and exhaust fumes.
But visitors don’t come here just for the ancient monuments. Despite the current economic crises, contemporary Athens boasts one of the most happening nightlife scenes in Europe, from the former industrial district of Gazi, now teeming with modern tavernas, slick bars and alternative clubs, to the sophisticated lounge-bars and fusion-food eateries of Kolonaki.
Athens is served by Piraeus, the largest passenger port in Europe. Some two million visitors pass through its gates each year, most of them travelling by the countless ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils that serve the Greek islands. The port has 11 modern berths for cruise ships; during the 2004 Olympics, the world’s largest cruise ship, the Queen Mary II, docked here and served as a floating hotel. Since then, the number of cruise ships passing through Piraeus has increased exponentially. In 2008, it was the world’s sixth most visited cruise home port, receiving 1.8 million passengers.
Piraeus is a major embarkation/disembarkation point for short cruises round the Greek Islands, and many companies include it as a port of call on their Mediterranean and world cruises. The main draw is the chance to explore the city’s splendid hilltop Acropolis, home to the majestic fifth-century BC Parthenon, and also to make excursions inland to the much-photographed archaeological site of Delphi.
When to go?
The Greek capital remains lively all through the year. For sightseeing, warm, sunny days make autumn or spring the best times to visit Athens; soaring temperatures from mid-June to late-August can be tiring. Between November and February the weather is unpredictable, ranging from crisp, bright days to rain and even occasional snow – the compensation being a relative scarcity of tourists.
Getting there
Flights
British Airways (0844 493 0 787, www.britishairways.com) flies from Gatwick; ; Olympic Air (00 30 210 355 0500, www.olympicair.com) from both London Gatwick and Heathrow; and EasyJet (0905 821 8905, www.easyjet.com) from London Gatwick and Manchester. Flying time is around four hours from London, or 4hr 15min from Manchester.

Transfers
Athens International Airport (www.aia.gr) lies 17 miles north-east of the city. The metro (www.amel.gr) runs direct to Syntagma and Monastiraki in the city centre (change at Monastiraki for Piraeus port) and tickets cost €8. In addition, airport buses, operated by Athens Urban Transport Organisation (www.oasa.gr), run to and from the city. Bus X95 runs to Syntagma Square in the city centre and bus X96 runs to Pireaus port. Tickets cost €5 and allow for 24 hours of unlimited travel on all forms of public transport (bus, tram and metro). Taxi services are also available – expect to pay around €30 (about £25) to the city centre or €35 to Piraeus port.
Cruises
Cruise ships disembark passengers at the city’s port, Piraeus (www.olp.gr), which lies 7.5 miles from Athens city centre. Shuttle buses are laid on to ferry people the 20-30 minutes from the port to the city centre. Their frequency and cost depends on the cruise ship company involved. The metro (green line) also runs from Piraeus to Monastiraki, below the Acropolis – ticket €1.40 (110p) valid for 1hr 30min on all forms of public transport. Taxis are also available, charging around €12 (£10.30) to Monastiraki.

Getting around
Public transport
Athens’s city centre is a pleasure to explore on foot and most of the main attractions lie within walking distance of one another. If you decide to use the public transport system (including buses, trolley buses and the metro), you will find that it is cheap and efficient, though often crowded. Tickets cost €1.40 and are valid for 1hr 30min on all forms of public transport. They are sold in metro stations, at special booths near bus terminals and at some street kiosks (periptera), and must be validated at the beginning of your first journey. One-day tickets (also known as “airport tickets”) cost €5 and allow for 24 hours of unlimited travel on all forms of public transport in the city, plus one bus trip to or from the airport.
Car hire
Having a car in Athens city centre is more of a bind than a convenience, as the roads are often congested and parking is difficult and expensive. Even if you travel out of the city, I’d take the bus or ferry – unless you are aiming for out-of-the-way spots. See www.travelsupermarket.com to compare car-hire prices.
Know before you go
Essential contacts
British Embassy: 00 30 210 7272 600, Ploutarchou 1, Kolonaki.

Greek Emergency services: Dial 112.

Athens Tourist Office: 00 30 210 331 0392, www.breathtakingathens.com, Amalias 26 (near Syntagma Square).
The basics
Currency: Euro.

Telephone code: Dial 00 30 for Greece, if calling from the UK.

Time difference: +2 hours.

Flight time: London to Athens is 3 hours 50.

ATTRACTIONS

Five top sights
Acropolis
Rising above the concrete jungle that is modern Athens, the “sacred rock” (1) is crowned by three temples dating from the fifth century BC, attracting three million visitors per year. The obvious starting point for a first-time visit is the largest and most impressive temple, the Parthenon, supported by 46 Doric columns and considered classical architecture’s most influential building. Be sure to walk below the Acropolis at night, too, when it is at its most magnificent, bathed in golden floodlighting.
Address: Acropolis Hill, Plaka.

Opening times: Daily, 8am-8pm (summer); 8.30am-3pm (winter).

Admission: €12. Free on the first Sunday of every month, October-June. Also free on the night of the full moon in August.
New Acropolis Museum
Inaugurated in June 2009, this light, airy glass-and-concrete building (2) was designed by Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi. Archaic and classical finds from the Acropolis site are displayed here – proud statues of the ancients and life-like stone carvings of animals. The top floor is devoted to the marble frieze that once ran around the top of the Parthenon. About half of the pieces are originals, while the remainder are white plaster copies. The missing pieces were removed by Lord Elgin in 1801 and are now in the British Museum in London. The Greeks have wanted them back for decades, and hope that this blatant presentation will finally convince the British to return them.
Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Makrigianni (on the edge of Plaka).

Contact: 00 30 210 9000 900, www.newacropolismuseum.gr

Opening times: Tue-Sun, 8am-8pm.

Admission: €5.

The new Acropolis Museum, inaugurated in 2009
Alamy
Plaka
Built into the hillside below the Acropolis, Plaka (3) is Athens's oldest residential quarter. Retaining a quaint village atmosphere, despite the hordes of tourists, its cobbled streets are lined with pastel-coloured neo-classical mansions, small hotels, souvenir shops and bustling tavernas. Notable sights include the Museum of Traditional Greek Instruments, the Museum of Greek Folk Art and the 12th-century Byzantine Little Mitropolis Church. Metro station: Monastiraki or Acropolis.
Benaki Museum
Housed in a neo-classical building with a lovely roof-terrace cafe, this museum (4) traces Greek art right up the 20th century. Sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, paintings, furniture and costumes are on display, but top pieces include the Thessaly Treasure (a hoard of gold filigree jewellery set with precious stones, dating from the second century BC), two early paintings by El Greco, and the reconstruction of two 18th-century, wood-panelled, Ottoman-inspired living rooms.
Address: Vassilissis Sofias and Koumbari 1, Kolonaki.

Contact: 00 30 210 367 1000, www.benaki.gr

Opening times: Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat, 9am-5pm; Thur, 9am-midnight; Sun, 9am-3pm.

Admission: €6 (free Thur).
Mt Lycabettus
See the whole of Athens in one go from the city’s highest vantage point (970ft) (5), capped by a tiny, whitewashed church, a restaurant and café. Nearby, carved into the rocks on the north-facing slope, Lycabettus Theatre stages open-air concerts, with recent performers including Placebo, Groove Armada and Rufus Wainwright. The steep path up zigzags through pinewoods and sub-tropical vegetation. Alternatively, catch the funicular from Ploutarchou Street in Kolonaki (every 30 minutes, 9am-3am).

Mt Lycabettus, the city’s highest vantage point
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Day trips
Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion
Built as a place of worship to the god of the sea, Poseidon, the fifth-century-BC Temple of Poseidon (00 30 22920 39363; daily, 9am-sunset; €4) stands on the southernmost point of Attica peninsula. Originally made up of 34 white marble Doric columns, 15 of which remain, it commands amazing views over the Aegean Sea, which are spectacular at sunset. The coastal road from Athens to Sounio (43 miles south-east of Athens) passes through the upmarket seaside suburbs of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, and affords fine views over the Saronic Gulf.
Delphi
Probably the most beautiful classical site in Greece, Delphi (00 30 22650 82312; daily, 7.30am-7.30pm summer; 8.30am-3pm winter; €9) was the home of the fabled Oracle which spoke its prophesies (with the help of trance-inducing leaves) through priestesses. Dating back beyond the eighth century BC, the site is built into a hillside 130 miles north-west of Athens and is scattered with ancient temples overlooking a gaping chasm. There’s also an excellent museum displaying bronze and marble sculptures. On the road back to Athens, about seven miles from Delphi, the mountain village of Arahova is an upmarket winter resort and a great place to shop for fluffy flokati rugs and locally-produced cheese.

Delphi, 130 miles north-west of Athens
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Seasonal guide
From May 24 to September 18, every evening (Wed-Fri 9:30pm; Sat-Sun 8:15pm) except Mon and Tue, the Dora Stratou Greek Dance Theatre performs traditional Greek dances dressed in regional folk costumes in an open-air theatre on Philopappos, close to the Acropolis. www.grdance.org
The annual Athens Festival, running from June through to September, sees open-air evening performances of world-class theatre, opera, music and dance at the second-century Odeon of Herodes Atticus, carved into the rocks below the Acropolis. The 2011 line-up includes the Bolshoi Opera performing Tchaikovsky’s Eugen Onegine and Sadler’s Wells of London performing Sylvie Guillem’s ‘6000 Miles Away’. www.greekfestival.gr
In August, the night of the full moon sees the Acropolis and several other city centre archaeological sites remaining open until 1am with free admission.
On November 13, the Athens Marathon re-enacts the original 26-mile running race from the coastal town of Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in central Athens. The 2010 event, which took place 2,500 years after the original marathon, was won by Kenyan Raymond Bett. www.athensclassicmarathon.gr

RESTAURANTS

Varoulko

Widely acknowledged as the finest seafood restaurant in Athens, Varoulko (1) is a magnet for foodies who flock here to savour chef-owner Lefteris Lazarou’s Michelin-starred goodies. To try a range of his creations, opt for the degustation menu, which might include bream fillet sautéed on fine slices of bread, served with smoked aubergine mousse, or grouper rissoles with barbecue sauce. Let the sommelier advise you on the wines. The chic wood-and-glass dining room sports blue Perspex details and white table linens; in summer, diners move on to the Acropolis-view roof terrace.

Address: Pireos 80, Gazi.

Contact: 00 30 210 522-8400, www.varoulko.gr

Opening times: Tue-Sat, 8pm onwards.

Reservations: Essential.

Payment type: Cards accepted.
Psarras
One of the few restaurants in touristy Plaka to be patronised by Athenians, Psarras (2) has been serving up authentic Greek cooking since 1898. As romantic as it gets, it has wooden tables arranged on mulberry-shaded whitewashed steps leading up to the Acropolis, and former guests have included Brigitte Bardot. There’s live music every evening except Tuesdays.
Address: Erechtheous 16 & Erotokritou 12, Plaka.

Contact: 00 30 210 321 8733, www.psaras-taverna.gr

Opening times: Daily, 11am-midnight.

Reservations: Recommended.

Payment type: Cards accepted.
££
Café Avissinia
On a small square, where antique-shop owners restore wooden furniture during the day, this informal eatery (3) does delicious Greek dishes with influences from Anatolia – think lamb or chicken flavoured with cumin and fresh mint. The old-fashioned ground-floor dining room has floral wallpaper and marbletop tables, while there's a romantic roof terrace up top with fantasic Acropolis views. The place also stages live music.
Address: Avissinia Square, Monastiraki.

Contact: 00 30 210 32 17 047, www.avissinia.gr

Opening times: Daily, 11am-midnight.

Reservations: Recommended.

Payment type: Cards accepted.
Tzitzikas i Mermigas
One block down from Syntagma Square, the “Grasshopper and Ant” (4) serves modern Greek taverna fare. There are a few unusual and truly delicious dishes, such as the chicken in a creamy mastiha sauce [AP1] (flavoured with mastic, a type of aromatic tree resin)[AP2] , which is most people’s favourite. Each table has a little drawer, where you’ll find your cutlery. There’s slight feeling that the waiters are looking for a fast turnover, but it’s still a great choice.
Address: Mitropoleos 12-14, Syntagma.

Contact: 00 30 210 324 7607.

Opening times: Mon-Sat, 12 noon-midnight; Sun, 12 noon-5pm.

Reservations: Recommended.

Payment type: Cards accepted.
£
Sardelles
In hip Gazi, this unpretentious place (5) specialises in no-frills seafood, just as Greeks would eat it at home. The menu is ever-changing, depending on the best cheap fresh fish on the market: think charcoal-grilled sardines (after which the restaurant is named) or bakaliaros (fried cod), served in a minimal-chic setting with background jazz. Round off with mastiha, a spirit made with resinous sap (see above) from the island of Chios.
Address: Persefonis 15, Gazi.

Contact: 00 30 210 347 8050, www.sardelles.gr

Opening times: Daily, 12 noon-midnight.

Reservations: Recommended at weekends.

Payment type: Cards accepted.

NIGHTLIFE

Galaxy Bar
On the top floor of the Hilton Hotel, with views of the floodlit Acropolis rising above the city rooftops, this see-and-be-seen bar (2) serves pricey cocktails named after the stars, such as Jupiter (gin, Champagne, cucumber and mint), plus finger food. There’s a lovely open-air terrace with a wooden deck and potted olive trees, and occasional celebrity DJ’s playing lounge and electro.
Address: 46 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue

Contact: 0030 210 7281402; www.hiltonathens.gr

Opening times: Sun-Thu 6pm-3am, Fri-Sat 6om-4am.
Alexander’s Bar
In the Grande Bretagne (see Hotels), Alexander's (3) is old-fashioned and sophisticated, like something from a black-and-white film set, with a vast 18th-century tapestry hung above the wooden bar, and occasional live music. It offers an impressive selection of cognacs and malt whiskies, plus classic cocktails. The signature drink is Mandarin Napoleon Select, combining Dubonnet Rouge, Grand Marnier, gin and essential oil of Sicilian tangerines.
Address: Syntagma Square.

Contact: 00 30 210 333 0787, www.grandebretagne.gr

Opening times: Daily, 8am-midnight.
TAF
The Art Foundation (TAF) (4) combines contemporary art with drinks in a lovely courtyard garden. Tumbledown 19th-century outbuildings host exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography, while the central courtyard is one of the city's coolest bars, with chill-out music and subtle lighting.
Address: Normanou 5, Monastiraki.

Contact: 00 30 210 323 8757, www.theartfoundation.gr

Opening times: Daily, 7pm-3am.
Soul Kitchen
Opened in summer 2010, this funky open-plan bar-restaurant (5) has an industrial-chic interior with polished concrete floors, long wooden tables and benches, and Charles Eames chairs. It serves an unusual selection of Asian dishes, such as samosas, prawn dumplings and a delicious green Thai chicken curry, plus wicked cocktails – the house speciality is Soul Julep. In summer, tables spill out into a leafy courtyard garden. Great music too.
Address: Konstantinopoleos 46, Gazi.

Contact: 00 30 210 341 0418.

Opening times: Tue-Sun, 9pm-3am.

Many popular venues are in Gazi, west of the city centre
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Villa Mercedes
With a ‘chic-and-glamorous’ dress code, this mega club and summer bar-restaurant (6) combines tables in a leafy walled garden serving creative Mediterranean cuisine and exotic cocktails, plus a dance space with two stages and guest DJ’s. It’s popular with Athenian socialites and Greek celebrities – expect strict face control on the door.
Address: Andronikou & Tzaferi 11, Gazi

Contact: 0030 210 3422606 and 3422886; www.mercedes-club.gr

Opening times: Open daily 10pm onwards
Island
In summer, several glamorous clubs set up along the coast, the most celebrated being Island. Stunningly beautiful, its décor – a sea-view terrace with lots of minimalist white and flickering candlelit lamps – is inspired by the Cyclades. The restaurant serves creative Mediterranean cuisine plus sushi, and there's a lounge area with finely carved Indian furniture and scatter cushions. Music ranges from ambient and oriental ethnic to mainstream.
Address: Varkiza (17 miles south-east of the city centre, on the coastal road to Sounio).

Contact: 00 30 210 965 3563, www.islandclubrestaurant.gr

Opening times: June-September daily, 8pm-3am.

SHOPPING
Serious shoppers should head for posh Kolonaki, where designer names such as Armani, Bulgari and Versace line the streets of Anagnostopoulou, Milioni, Tsalkof and Voukourestiou. If expensive jewellery is your thing, call at Elena Votsi (Xanthou 7) for chunky, one-off gold pieces set with large coloured stones.

In contrast, high-street favourites such as Zara, Mango and even good old Marks & Spencer line pedestrian-only Ermou, running from Syntagma Square down to Monastiraki.

The usual tourist tat can be found in pretty Plaka – look out for fluffy flokati rugs, religious icons and shockingly expensive antiques. More affordable gifts include handmade leather sandals from Stavros Melissinos (Agias Theklas 2) in Psirri. Also known as the Poet Sandalmaker, Stavros has been crafting footwear since 1954, with former customers including the Beatles. Close by, Bahar (Evripidou 31) is a great place to buy dried herbs and traditional Greek mountain tea. For herb-scented toiletries with funky Greek writing on the bottles, visit the Korres pharmacy (Erastosthenous and Ivikou) in Pangrati, where this internationally recognised company was born. In a similar vein, Mastiha Shop (Panepsitimou & Kreizotou) near Syntagma specialises in therapeutic potions containing mastic from the island of Chios.

Also try to visit the 19th century, iron-and-glass Central Market (Sofokleous and Evripidou) near Omonia, where stallholders vie for shoppers’ attention between mounds of silver-scaled fish, blood-splattered carcasses, and piles of rosy apples and dried figs. Equally chaotic is Monastriki Flea Market, a Sunday-morning venture with locals hawking old books, pirate videos and if you’re lucky, some genuine antiques.

Greece the Cyclades- The Telegraph by Chris Heath

2011-07-11T00:26:00.000-07:00

Book your Greece Holidays with the Specialist! www.bestofgreece.co.uk

A very interesting article about the complex of the Cycladic Greek Islands in the Telegraph by Chris Heath! Best of Greece has also made some slight changes to this beautiful article! Enjoy

I had never visited the Greek islands and, perhaps because of this, there has always been a Greek island of my imagination: an idyllic union of clear, azure water, rocky coves and barren hillsides, barely another creature in evidence aside from the occasional ambling donkey, one or two lizards scuttling out of sight, and the family who run the taverna nestled into the nape of a bay at the sea's edge that I'll always stumble upon precisely when hunger or thirst requires it. I'm not quite sure what inspired this idealised flight of fancy in the first place – a snatch of film, or a photograph, or something I once read, no doubt, though I have no memory of it – but in September I decided it was finally time to discover whether I could actually find anything like the Greek island experience that I'd invented in my head.
I was well aware that this might prove a foolish quest. A little research quickly told me that, for one thing, I was probably at least 30 years too late. Still, a little further research suggested that, if anything like my imaginary Greek island existed, my best chance might lie in some of the smaller islands in the group known as the Cyclades. So that is where I headed.
To reach them, the obvious place to begin is Mykonos, itself only an easyJet hop from London. Even before arriving there, I realise that Mykonos's role in my journey may well be to bear the first brunt of my unrealistic expectations, and so it proves. Though in different circumstances I am not averse to modest doses of this kind of neverending beach-party rave, it is the antithesis of what I'm searching for right now, and while there may well be a gentler Mykonos, free from the relentless exhortations of the Black Eyed Peas, I don't hang around to find it.
Anyone who plans to travel in any kind of semi-adventurous manner in the Greek islands has to grapple with the Greek ferry system. Reading up on the subject beforehand, it seemed daunting – the variety of competing ferries of different speeds and qualities, the non-transferable tickets, the complex and ever-changing timetables, and the unlikelihood that everything will anyway run as it is supposed to. (Hidden Greece, the travel company that has put together most of my itinerary, offers this unusual holiday advice in its guidance notes: 'To enjoy being in Greece it is best to adopt a sense of placid resignation.')

I hope that ferries won't be as tricky as it appears, but it's definitely not simple. Today my first leg is from Mykonos to Paros; the hotel kindly offers to transfer me to the ticket office on the way to the ferry terminal (naturally the ticket offices are not at the terminal), but even they get the wrong office and we have to backtrack to a competing operator. Then, after disembarking in Paros, I have to buy the right bus ticket and find the bus that takes one down the island to a different port, where I must buy a new ticket for the small ferry that takes me to my destination for the next two nights, the island of Antiparos.
Antiparos which is a small island right next to Paros Island seems pleasant enough – perfect for families who want to drink, eat, and bathe in calm, shallow water – but I have a rather frustrating two days there, walking miles in the baking sun up and down steep hills to remote coves that seem alluring from a distance. The first time I spot one, I briefly imagine that this is all it takes – a plane, a couple of ferries, a bus and some sturdy walking – to find Greek island paradise. I picture the scene a few minutes ahead: bounding on to the empty beach, stripping off my clothes, diving into the clean, translucent sea. And then, as I get closer, I discover the beach, such as it is, is made of some kind of dried and rather disgusting sea vegetation over which is scattered mounds of battered, washed-up, sea-weathered plastic. Paradise proves more elusive than that.
I hadn't particularly been looking forward to Naxos. It is the largest and most populated of the islands on my itinerary, and might well not be on it at all were it not the departure point for the smaller Cyclades. But, when I look back, Naxos will seem to me where this journey first begins to make sense.
The city of Naxos itself, where the ferries arrive, is big and fairly busy, but it still feels very different to anywhere I've been up to now. Its unusual tone is set by the large rectangular doorway, the Portara, supposedly the remains of an unfinished temple to Apollo built around 50bc, sitting on a headland to the north of the harbour as you enter it. On one side, white-spumed waves from the open sea batter enthusiastically; on the other, a gigantic Blue Star ferry sits in the still harbour.
Behind sits the old town of Naxos on its small hilltop, and far behind that looms the summit of Mount Zeus, the highest point in the Greek islands. Inside the causeway that arcs out to the Portara, some stone steps lead down into the water for bathers. It doesn't seem a popular swimming spot – aside from me there is only an elderly Greek man and an extremely old Greek woman in a bathing cap – and it has none of the remoteness I hanker for, but there is something agreeable about the hodgepodge of quaint, historic, busy, ghastly and serene that surrounds you as you float, and I'm already beginning to like it here.
The island is too big to explore easily on foot so in the morning I rent a car (€25 for 24 hours; insurance not mentioned). I head northwards, keeping as close to the west coast as roads will allow, taking the occasional dead end to the ocean, always looking out for a beautiful and deserted beach or bay.
I stop for a while to clamber around the ruins of the Tower of Ayia, and shortly before the island's northernmost tip I spot a promising small bay far below, and make my way down a series of increasingly discouraging dirt tracks. The last hundred feet I have to do on foot. The beach is not without a little of the manmade flotsam I'm beginning to think of as the predominant indigenous Greek island species, but once I'm lying face down in the water, the sun's refractions forming magical shifting tessellations on the rock and sand below, I find that I'm not too bothered by that, or anything else.
Reinvigorated, I head onwards. One of the decisions I've implicitly made is that I don't plan to spend my time on the Greek islands trudging from antiquity to antiquity (if what I'm after is not quite modern Greece, nor is it Ancient Greece), but I am keen to see Naxos's fallen kouros.
Marble for statues was quarried in Naxos, and there are three famous examples where near-completed figures were abandoned on the ground. (The most common explanation for this is that a fault was detected in the marble, though it's also suggested that the customers who commissioned them may have died before completion. Interpretations change with the time in which they're made, of course. Nowadays one's instinctive hypothesis might well be '40 per cent government spending cuts'.)
The most famous of these abandoned kouros, a near-finished male nearly 30ft high, dating from the seventh century bc, lies on a hillside in the north of the island near Apollonas. To be honest, it's a little less impressive than I'd expected – as pitted and weathered as it is, incomplete and abandoned for so long, it looks a little like a giant papier-mâché model made by a kid who lost interest in the project when he realised how difficult arms were to do.
The principal goal I have set myself for today is to climb Mount Zeus, something the guide-books agree takes no special expertise but some substantial effort. Particularly under this sun. In early September not only do the holiday crowds thin but the temperatures are also supposed to drop. Not this September. Throughout my trip, the midday hours will be unseasonably baking – never below 26C – and so I've adopted a rhythm of saving my greatest exertions for the hours after dawn and before dusk.
Today, I set off uphill at 4.45pm, but it is still breath-stealingly hot. It's a long slog, too, and I only arrive on top at 6.15pm, the time I'd marked as the latest I should begin my descent. But the view is mesmerising in every direction. Back behind me, over lower mountains topped with small churches, I can see the town of Naxos. Far in the distance, more than 50 miles away, is the edge of the Greek mainland. Ahead, I can see islands splattered over the sea including, close by, the four of the smaller Cyclades where I plan to spend the next few days: Iraklia, Schoinoussa, Koufonissia and Kato Koufonissia. (The view goes both ways, of course. Just as the islands seem close to me from here, for the next week I will able to look up from almost anywhere I am on these islands and see this summit rising in the distance.)
Inevitably, I end up starting my descent far later than I had intended, and, coming down, I relearn several obvious and important lessons. One is that it is a lot easier to find your way up a mountain to a single point than to retrace your steps down over the complicated and sometimes befuddling three-dimensional curves that make up this planet.
The other even more obvious lesson is: when you hurry you make mistakes. Skipping from pointy boulder to pointy boulder, my left boot tiredly, clumsily, catches on a piece of rock I hadn't seen. I go over in stages, and even as I topple, I am imagining a night on the mountain, and stretchers. I come to rest a little scuffed and scraped and stretched, but basically fine. Further down I take my mobile from my trouser pocket to check the time and discover that a spear of rock has completely pulverised it, and presumably would have otherwise skewered my thigh. Lucky.
Almost back at the car, I allow myself a few minutes to hobble inside what is known as the Zeus cave, where, according to legend, the young Zeus was hidden. He had to be secreted because his father, Kronos, having being told that one of his sons would dethrone him, was in the habit of eating his newborns. In Zeus's case, Kronos was tricked into swallowing a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes instead. This cave, incidentally, is only one of several in Greece claiming this honour. I like the idea that there are competing claims as to where something that didn't really happen happened; the squabbles of mythology.
The smaller Cyclades are most conveniently connected by a modestly sized ferry called the Express Skopelitis, which travels in one direction between them on most (but not all) days during the summer months. The first stop on leaving Naxos, and hence my first destination, is Iraklia. At sea, I read in the guidebook Greek Island Hopping about Iraklia's principal settlement, Agios Georgios: 'The village boasts all the usual lack of amenities…' I'm the sort of traveller whose heart soars at the sound of 'lack of amenities'.
Once I've settled into the Sunset Rooms – a few minutes' walk out of town, where I stay on a ridge that provides an attractively desolate view – I hike across to Livadi beach, stopping on the way back for some food at an open-air restaurant overlooking the harbour.
In the reading I'd done before coming here, the Greek island food is often mentioned as something of an impediment. The omnipresence of octopus on the menu is one of the common drawbacks people refer to, but I'm rather fond of it. Greek menus are often criticised for being narrow and predictable, and they can seem that way at first glance, but I eat far more interestingly than I expect to.
There are the unfamiliar local greens I discover, for instance – I particularly like horta, a tasty, stringy vegetable, and the slightly spicy leaves of glistrada. And the same dish, anyway, rarely turns out to be the same dish. I order octopus pretty much every day, and it is never prepared exactly the same way. Sometimes I'll be given two or three huge tentacles, sometimes marinated, sometimes oily, sometimes slightly spicy, sometimes on a bed of something unpredictable, sometimes not.
Other times it is thinly sliced. This evening's, in Iraklia, comes in small chunks in a light olive oil and garlic sauce. (One other small upside of ordering the octopus: the waiters always seem rather surprised, and pleased, rather as though I've chosen to say something complimentary about the Greek flag.)
When I set off on a long hike the next afternoon, there is not a single cloud in the sky. My route – taken from Dieter Graf's Walking the Greek Islands: Eastern & Northern Cyclades, which becomes my bible on this trip – guides me through a deserted inland village where birds spookily perch on wires. I am heading for some caves at the far end of the island.
One of these, which can be entered only by crawling through a low opening, has a ceremonial importance to the islanders, who all gather here each year for a church service on August 28. Inside, there is a small altar, a flame still burning; other spent candles sit on top of stalagmites deeper in. In the entrance, to save one's knees, someone has kindly put down the world's dirtiest carpet.
It turns out that on Sundays there are no ferries to my next destination, Schoinoussa, but eventually I find myself negotiating with a man sitting outside the supermarket cutting up a squid, and manage to charter my own inter-island ferry for €20. I have no pre-booked accommodation, but Grispos Villas, which I see advertised on a telegraph pole in the harbour, turns out to be a fortuitous choice.
The bay it sits above is more beautiful than the ad allows, and my room leads out to a small balcony from which I can survey it all. The long beach below has a few chairs on it, but there are fewer than a dozen people along the whole stretch, and it's fairly delightful. I read, snorkel and doze, then retire to the hotel's outdoor restaurant where I have a lazy lunch and some wine from the owner's brother's Schoinoussa vineyard. (One more thing I like about eating in the Greek islands: more often than not the design of the paper tablecloths is of a map of the island you are on. Often these are more detailed than those in the guidebooks.)
There's not much to do on Schoinoussa – you can explore the island on foot, as I do extensively; swim in the sea; lounge by the sea; eat; drink. I imagine some might find it a little boring. It's the kind of boredom I could tolerate for quite some time. And when, after two days here, I head on, my bill for two nights' board in the nicest room I will stay in on this trip, two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, sundry drinks and my ferry ticket onwards (the hotel owners turn out also to be the local ferry agents) is less than €150.
Two islands, a few hundred yards from each other, bear the name Koufonissia. One, Kato Koufonissia, is unoccupied. The other – officially Ano Koufonissia, though the 'Ano' is seldom used – is my next stop, and I approach it with some trepidation. I know it is by far the most densely populated of the smaller Cyclades, somewhere that has been famous as a secret gem of a holiday resort long enough to have been spoilt. I am right, and I am also completely wrong. Koufonissia is full of people, and there are plenty of hotels and restaurants, and more spring up each year, and yet I love it from the minute I arrive.
It's hard to explain why it seems to work so well. There are loads of people here, but it is as if they have each made a pact not to spoil it for everybody else. And then there is the colour of the water – the kind of incredible green-blue that, strangely, I haven't seen on any of the other islands, as close as they are and as similar as they seem to be geologically.
I hire a bike and head anticlockwise around the coast. There is a road some of the way, then a track, and then the kind of cliff path that I suspect doesn't see bicycles very often, but I persist, when necessary walking, or even carrying the bike. Each beach seems more gorgeous than the last, and each person I pass seems to me to have an air of quiet elation. (Possibly pushing it on this front are the couple down on the rocks in one cove joyously doing eccentric, flabby, naked workout exercises.)
But it is its twin, Kato Koufonissia, that has been carrying my hopes, the place that might offer the kind of Greek island experience I'd imagined. Though it is officially empty, I knew that there were some holiday homes, and a little goat-herding. I also knew that there was a taverna there, open only in the summertime, which was served by boats ferrying daytrippers.
Other than that, despite scouring the internet, books and newspaper archives, I could find very little specific information. I loved the idea of waking up in a Greek island where people didn't really live, and before leaving London I'd searched for any way to stay there – a bed in a goat-herder's hut, even – but in vain. So I'd been asking myself whether it would be a good idea simply to try and find a spot of sand there to bed down under the open sky and enjoy my own private Greek island for the night. (I'd also tried to determine whether this would be legal, without finding a clear answer.)
The boat that takes daytrippers back and forth several times a day lets me off at a small jetty, from which a path leads inland past the taverna. It's late afternoon, which means that I avoid the worst of the sun but don't have long to find a place to sleep. After walking northwards for about 20 minutes, I discover a tiny beach with a short cliff behind
it.
Between the rock face and the water there's no more than 10 feet of sand, so it's not perfect, but it'll have to do. I unpack my sleeping bag and heavier supplies, and have a quick swim – partly for pleasure and to cool off, but also to get a better sense of my surroundings and to check for any hazards I might not see if I go in the water later on. After drying off, I leave most of my stuff there and march back to the taverna.
The dining area exists in a kind of covered, walled-in patio – you feel as though you are partly inside, partly outside, but there is no sense that you are on an island, deserted or otherwise. It's as though when you stepped over the threshold you had been transported to somewhere else entirely. The one piece of information I have gleaned from my reading is that it is famous for its goat dishes, so I order what I really want – some fresh fish – but also a portion of one of the goat stews.
An English-speaking waiter advises me that the most traditional of these is the goat with potato and cheese, so I choose that. It turns out to be memorably good – the meat, speckled with rosemary, is rich in the way that lamb is when you eat kleftiko at a good Greek restaurant, but with a deeper, less sickly taste. Between courses the waiter tells me that the island is largely uninhabited because, after some ancient relics were found here in the 1990s, further development was forbidden.
Back at my beach, I lay out my sleeping bag. As the light fades I take a longer swim, return to my bed, make a sand pillow for my head and a kind of shallow trench for my body, and await the dark. There are all kinds of reasons why we don't do things like this more often – convenience, climate, security, habit – but, in the right circumstances, sleeping out underneath the stars is one of life's great pleasures.
We see them twinkling above us often enough, but not often do you get the chance to lie on your back and allow the visible universe to appear before you, let the stars come out one by one, like a sky full of dozy Cyclopses slowly waking and opening their eyes – the largest first, as though their brave example gives the others enough courage, the Milky Way being the mob who turn up last of all to see what all the fuss is about. Amid the stars, Venus, bright and low to the west, soon sets, and not long afterwards Jupiter rises in the east.
I doze a little, and when I semi-wake just after midnight I see an orange-white shape I realise to be a huge cruise ship or ferry on the far horizon. Drifting back to sleep, my over-worrying brain even wonders whether a boat like that could cast a wake as far as this, though I also drowsily chide myself for being over-fanciful.
Sometime later the noise wakes me, a much louder crashing. In the dark I can see the white spume by my feet. The waves come to within two inches of my sleeping bag as I hurriedly move everything as far up the beach as possible. Though I can think of almost nowhere else I would have rather spent the night, it's also easy to see why some people would rather not. Two competing impulses, wonder and worry, ricochet back and forth inside my mind, and it takes some time for sleep to reclaim me.
The journey home is a subject of its own. It begins the moment I put on my backpack the following morning and take the first step up the rocks away from that beach, still nearly two days from London. I will backtrack to the taverna for breakfast, and sit opposite a big red and black Che Guevara banner I hadn't noticed the night before as I eat the meal offered – a warm, dense rectangle of cheese pie and coffee.
Afterwards, I will march west, where I will discover, about 10 minutes past my camping spot, a much bigger beach where I would have been much more comfortable and safe. Onwards, just past the crest of the second of two steep hills where a decrepit old building is surrounded by goats, I will meet an old man coming towards me, riding side-saddle on his donkey, and behind him, far below, a golden beach arcing away.
At its far end, in the distance, I will see signs of where other people camp over the summer; long-term visitors. But I won't go over there – partly because I don't want to disturb their peace, mostly because I don't want to disturb my own. Instead, I will clamber down to the sand and swim at the near end of the beach in the shimmering turquoise water until the boat that comes to drop people off at the beach, and which will take me away, rounds the headland. After that, there will be 36 hours of boats, ferries, buses, aeroplanes, funnelled together with more and more people returning from their own very different Greek island adventures.
On the final, huge, crowded ferry that takes me to the mainland I will sit next to a cheery youth with his leg bound in clingfilm, covering what appears to be a fairly serious scooter mishap, just above the words tattooed on his foot in an unusually jaunty font: born to be goofy. I hope he found the fun he was looking for, but I'm very glad that I was looking elsewhere.
That was the journey home. Before that, I awake at 6.45am on my own private beach in Kato Koufonissia. The night worries have evaporated, leaving only the wonder. I open my eyes to see a single wispy, heavenly cloud in the pale dawn sky above me, one that appears to me as the unmistakable shape of the ghostly helmsman of a flying ship.
Actually, to be absolutely precise – and I find this slightly embarrassing as well as a little weird, but it is the truth – I realise that what I'm specifically reminded of by the white wisps overhead is a particular drawing in a superhero comic I read when I was about 10 in which the Flying Dutchman was a sailor in limbo who actually flew his cursed boat through the sky. It's an image I'm unaware of ever consciously thinking about in the intervening decades between turning the comic's pages and awakening here. And yet now, looking at the sky, this is what I find myself thinking about.
I'm not the type to read anything much into this, neither as mystic symbolism nor Proustian epiphany, perhaps other than as a demonstration that both the world outside and the mind inside will throw as many curious surprises your way as you have the time, openness and appetite to receive. That's one reason to travel, and one of the best: often people go thousands of miles in hope of finding a little freedom in themselves.
Also, perhaps, they travel to find parts of the world that somehow correspond to the images in their head. Travel feeds us new memories, but it seems to me that it helps us make sense of our old ones too. In some ways the Greek island of my imagination began to fade as soon as there were real Greek island experiences to take its place, but as best as I remember it, it was very little different to what now surrounds me this blissful morning.

I lie on the beach for a while, staring at the sky, then slip straight out of my sleeping bag into the water, swim out a little way, dive underwater and then float in silence as the sun edges over the horizon to join me, thinking nothing much more than how glad I am to be here.

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Greek Islands Readers Tips and Travel advice from a Daily Telegraph Aricle

2011-07-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

We found this very interesting article made by the Telegraph which shows fist hand what people liked and disliked in the Greece and The Greek Islands!
We are sure that you will find it very interesting
Book your Greece Holidays with the specialist www.bestofgreece.co.uk

Crete
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_crete_elounda_and_agios_nikolaos

This week's winning review: Makis is a teacher in Chania, but in summer he goes to Panormo, to his restaurant in the square, where he performs small miracles daily. There are no menus; Makis takes you into his kitchen and lifts the lids on beans, stifado (rabbit – though I have never seen a live rabbit on Crete), stuffed peppers and enormous prawns fresh from the sea that morning. The aromas waft up to our balcony all afternoon while we laze and read. "What is your favourite?" he asks. "I will cook it for you tomorrow." The rickety chairs at our table under the bougainvillea are exchanged for some that are slightly less uncomfortable. Two cold beers appear "from the boss"; he smiles at his beautiful wife. During the evening, his tables gradually spread across the square. The food is delicious, full of flavours that need to be sponged up with the bread baked in the shop opposite. The butcher from next door sits and chews the fat with Makis, while the owner of the café on the corner sings to the square. Replete, we consider trying another place tomorrow, one with a better view perhaps? But Makis promises lamb…
Mrs Liz Bartlett, Dorset
Weekly travel tips competition
Send us your travel tips for the chance to be published online and in The Sunday Telegraph's new travel section, Discover, and win a Flip MinoHD Camcorder, worth £179.99.
Beautiful, relaxed and very Greek, this is Sissi on the north-east coast of Crete. The sun shines, the cicadas whirr and the olives slowly ripen. A solitary fishing boat leaves the harbour and a cat stretches, curled up in the shade. Several restaurants line the road leading down to the harbour and evenings are spent enjoying authentic Greek dishes – tomato and onion salad, grilled sardines and garlic – lovely, rustic home-cooked food.

A little train drives visitors around the village, yielding snapshots of Greek life – whitewashed houses, bright flowers, a church and tranquillity. A handful of shops clusters around the harbour. A stroll past the bakery offers a whiff of fresh bread and a group of elderly men sit passing the time of day. A taverna, where locals outnumber visitors, serves unusual local food and drinks.
Sleepy Sissi is also the gateway to adventure – it’s a short bus ride to chic Agios Nikolaos, with its pavement cafés, classy shops and boat trips to spellbinding Spinalonga.

Cecilia Walker, Cheshire
Santorini and Naxos
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_santorini

We arrived in Athens on Saturday evening and, well rested, were up on Sunday morning to visit the Parthenon. “It appears to be shut,” my wife said.
It is one of the wonders of the world but the administrators were on strike so we spent the rest of the day wandering around the city with tantalising views of this ancient monument.
The next day we arrived at the airport for our transfer to Santorini, only to find our flight had left an hour earlier. The airline switched to a new summer schedule and omitted to notify us. Fortunately we boarded a later flight and arrived at this fascinating island.
Our hotel room had spectacular views over the Caldera, though a cruise liner was docked, prices were high and the tiny streets were jammed with visitors. Eventually the ship departd and we were left almost alone to wander this historic town. The following day our ferry departed on time and we continued our island-hopping to Naxos. The weather was gorgeous: blue skies offset blue seas and a green interior, and we remembered why we chose to visit Greece and the islands.

Colin Astin, Bucks
Naxos

It was an adventure. I knew as much at midnight on my first night, when the train guard offered me welcoming ouzo as we crossed the Greek border. I was a student at the time and, having travelled overland to Piraeus, the main port for ferries into the islands, I didn’t have much of a plan. I bought a ticket for Naxos. With limited research, I knew that it had an abundance of unpronounceable places and many classic whitewashed villages. I wasn’t disappointed. It was an island full of the pungent scents, sun-parched valleys and olive groves that epitomised the endless summer and lost nights that followed.
I explored many islands in the following weeks, all unique and very welcoming. I was often met by local hotel owners or, in the case of my last island, Sifnos, by an old resident who had a spare room for rent overlooking the valley. It was here, where the stars touched the sea, that I fell into a long and happy sleep, secure in the feeling that this was a love affair that would last for the rest of my life.

Ken Glendinning, Hampshire
Rhodes

Rhodes Town offers the wonderful opportunity to experience Christianity, Islam and Judaism in a very small area. The people at the nearest Orthodox church always included us in their activities. I was even asked to help in the kitchen. We also met a devout Orthodox icon painter who taught us much.
The first time we visited the mosque, the man who greeted me said: “We all worship the same God.” We were given an interesting explanation of the history of the Islamic community on Rhodes and we regularly visited the Islamic library and sat in the garden in the shade to read.
The Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue (Holy Congregation of Peace) is the oldest synagogue in Greece, and the only synagogue on Rhodes still in use for services. It has a small museum. A remarkable lady, Loukia Modhiano-Shaloom, used to be there every day to greet visitors in English, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Ladino and Spanish.
She survived Auschwitz and returned to live on Rhodes. She loved visitors and we visited her frequently. Sadly Loukia is now too old and ill to be on site every day.

Jacquetta Gomes, Cumbria
Corfu
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_corfu

We live on Greece’s Ionion Coast and, like a million others, our flights (to Manchester) were cancelled due to the Icelandic volcano earlier this year. So we went to Corfu, which is only three hours away by car and ferry. Corfu Town is worlds away from the island’s popular resorts. It’s a lively, cosmopolitan city with elegant boutiques, shops (including a Marks & Spencer).
We stayed overnight at the Arcadion Hotel (0030 26610 37670; www.arcadionhotel.com), the best in town and situated next to Liston, the town’s chic bar and restaurant quarter. The Arcadion’s rooms have views of the Old Fortress and Corfu’s English cricket pitch. The hotel is pleasant, the staff helpful and the accommodation excellent.
From the extra-comfortable bed to the rarely-found-in-Greece bath, everything was perfect. The cost – €85 – included a breakfast that had a surprise: as well as the expected Continental, there were fried eggs, bacon and sausage. The disappointment of not flying to Manchester was easily cancelled out by two days in Corfu Town.

Peter Lenihan, Parga, Greece
Cephalonia
http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_kefalonia

Cephalonia is a mountainous island with a rich history, spectacular scenery and great beaches. A car is essential but watch out for goats.
Among personal highlights are the drive from the charming resort of Aghia Efimia to Mesovounia, with some splendid views across to Ithaka, and a trip to the Lixouri peninsula, taking in the cliff-top monastery at Kipurion with its solitary monk-in-residence.
I also recommend a visit to the Folklore Museum in Argostoli, where you cannot avoid being moved by the photographs of buildings before and after the 1953 earthquake.
Many tavernas offer great food – my own favourite is the Vegera in Vassilikades, where Martina and Spiros offer you a warm welcome and you can dine on the balcony watching the stunning sunsets.
We stay in the picturesque, unspoilt village of Assos at a b&b, The Cavos Inn (book through Ionian Island Holidays, 020 8459 0777; www.ionianislandholidays.com), which we recommend highly. Rooms are tastefully decorated and ample breakfasts are served on a terrace that enjoys superb views towards Myrtos beach and beyond.
Assos lies on a narrow isthmus and has a tiny harbour, beach and a few tavernas. Views from the top of the old Venetian fort are magnificent.

Dr Robin Watson, Surrey
Samos

“Have ye been to Samos before?” asked the Scottish lady next to me as we flew in. “It’s a wee bitty bumpy…” As our plane swooped in over the mountains, it was, indeed, a wee bitty bumpy. As were the winding mountain roads, still showing signs of the terrible fires in 2000.
It didn’t bode well – until we got an eagle’s eye view of the village of Ormos, in a beautiful bay, with a harbour curling around a blue sea. The usual spartan Greek villa, with the addition of olive trees and geraniums, became paradise.
Ormos itself – with a supermarket, tavernas, bakery, harbour, sunsets and fishing boats coming in at dawn – was heaven. But the whole island of Samos was a joy, particularly the drive to Drakei, with stunning views, pine forests and islands floating in the blue sea, and inland Mount Kerketeas – great for walkers.
The mountain villages – Manolates, Vourliotes – were all worth exploring and there were monasteries everywhere. Go early in the summer, before it gets busy.
Mrs Bridget Dean, Cumbria
Lesvos
In the mid-Nineties, I went with the woman who is now my wife to Lesvos. While there we took a taxi out of Petra with the intention of taking a romantic walk along the coast back to our accommodation.
However, it wasn’t long before I realised I’d lost my prescription sunglasses. We retraced our steps, but soon gave up.
That evening we went into Petra for a meal and while walking into the town centre, we heard a shout and a car pulled up alongside us. It turned out to be the taxi driver, who reached out of his cab waving my sunglasses, which he had found in the back of his cab soon after we alighted.
He had, he said, been looking for us to give them back and was clearly delighted to have been successful. I offered him a reward but he wouldn’t hear of it.
“These will help you to enjoy our beautiful island,” he said and drove off. I’ve had a soft spot for the Greeks ever since.

David Crozier, Herts
Lesvos

Lesvos or also known as Mytilini may be known for its ouzo and sardines, for the wide expanse of Kalloni bay and for the defensive fortresses that pepper the rugged coastline, but it pays to venture deeper into the countryside, where there are numerous unspoilt villages and squares shaded by plane trees.
I recommend a trip to Agiassos, high on the slopes of Olympos mountain. Park at the bottom of the village and walk up one of the steep side streets lined with old houses, geraniums tumbling from their balconies.
After a visit to the Women’s Co-operative, where you can sample freshly made biscuits and baklava, head through the square to the church set in a cloistered courtyard. This is the home of an ancient icon attributed to St Luke and a place of pilgrimage and festivity in mid-August.
Have lunch on the square – home-cooked food, fresh bread and local wine – before strolling back down through streets lined with shops selling local cheese, wood carvings and embroidery.

Sue Theodossiadis, Cheshire
What to avoid

We had a sailing holiday around the Greek islands last summer and were amazed at the number of jelly fish we saw, particularly at dusk. We were careful and weren't stung but I would advise other travellers to pack a tube of sting relief, just in case.

Leonie Moore, London
Avgolemono soup: we have tried this disgusting Greek speciality several times and don't understand its appeal. The chicken, rice and lemon soup is apparently used to cure all sorts of illnesses but it tastes like lukewarm washing-up liquid. We love dimples and melomakarona, though.
Sarah and Tony Butcher, Tyne & Wear
It's true that Greece has a high road-accident rate but if you're an experienced driver, don't let this put you off hiring a car. Often it's the only way to explore an island. My husband and I both drive in Crete every summer and have never had a problem. But be careful on scooters.

Jayne Cunningham, Suffolk

ABOUT ATHENS THE CAPITAL OF GREECE

2011-07-06T00:13:00.000-07:00

ATHENS A MAGICAL CITY THE CAPITAL OF GREECE & CIVILIZATION

The historical capital of Europe,Athens, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC known as the “Golden Age of Pericles” – the culmination of Athens long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance which changed the world into what it is today. Over the years, many conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis and European city with unrivalled charm.
A large part of the town’s historical centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone making it into Europe's biggest one, leading to the major archaeological sites also known as the “archaeological park”, the ancient landscape.
Surrounding the Acropolis
The tour starts at the temple of Olympian Zeus (6th c. B.C.), one of the largest in antiquity and close by Hadrian’s Arch (131 A.D.), which forms the symbolic entrance to the city. From there, walking along Dionysou Areopaghitou Street (on the south side of the Acropolis) you pass the ancient Theatre of Dionysos (5th c. B.C.) where most of the works by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylos, Aristophanes and other known Ancient Greeks were performed. Continuing, you will reach the ruins of the Asklepieion (5th c. B.C.) and the Stoa of Eumenes (2th c. B.C.) and from there the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, which was built in 161 A.D. and is nowadays the venue of the performances of the Athens Festival.
From there you climb up to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, the site of some of the most important masterpieces of worldwide architecture and art, the most renowned of which is the Parthenon temple. Apart from this, also impressive are the Propylaea, the temple of the Athene Nike and the Erechtheion, while you must not skip a visit to the Museum, located close to the Parthenon. Moreover, from the rock you have an impressive view of this magnificent city.
Only 300m away from the sacred rock of Acropolis stands the impressive new Acropolis Museum, one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. It is made of steel, glass and concrete and it houses 4,000 priceless finds from the Acropolis monuments that represent its history and function as the most important religious centre of ancient Athens.
Coming down from the Acropolis you arrive at the Areios Pagos, the most ancient law court of the world. Opposite it is Philopappou Hill, with its beautiful cobbled little roads and the Roman monument by the same name on its top, while close by is the Pnyx, where the citizens of ancient Athens used to assemble and exert their democratic rights.
Walking farther along the pedestrian road you arrive at the Ancient Agora, which was the commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Athens. A visit to the archaeological site will give you the opportunity to become acquainted with the workings of Classical Athenian democracy.
From there, via Ermou Street, you arrive at the Kerameikos, the largest cemetery of the ancient city, with impressive tomb sculptures and stelae. The Iridanos River, sacred in antiquity, runs through the archaeological site.
However, our tour of enchanting Athens does not restrict itself only to these unique archaeological sites.

Surrounding neighborhoods of Athens historical centre
The “core” of the historical centre is the Plaka neighborhood (at the eastern side of the Acropolis), which has been inhabited without interruption since antiquity. When you walk through the narrow labyrinthine streets lined with houses and mansions from the time of the Turkish occupation and the Neoclassical period (19th c.), you will have the impression of travelling with a “time machine”. You will encounter ancient monuments, such as the Lysikrates Monument, erected by a wealthy donor of theatrical performances, the Roman Agora with the famed “Tower of the Winds” (1st c. B.C.) and Hadrian’s Library (132 A.D.), scores of bigger and smaller churches, true masterpieces of Byzantine art and architecture, as well as remnants of the Ottoman period (Fetihie Mosque, Tzistaraki Mosque, the Turkish Bath near the Tower of the Winds, the Muslim Seminary, et al.). There are also some interesting museums (Folk Art, Greek Children’s Art, Popular Musical Instruments, Frysira Art Gallery, etc.), lots of picturesque tavernas, cafés, bars, as well as shops selling souvenirs and traditional Greek products.
Continuing from Plaka you arrive at Monastiraki, a characteristic area of “old” Athens, with narrow streets and small buildings where the city’s traditional bazaar (Yousouroum) is held. Close to it is the Psyrri area, a traditional neighborhood which during the past few years has evolved into one of the most important “centres” of the town’s nightlife, with scores of bars, tavernas, ouzeris, clubs, etc.
However, the “heart” of the historical centre is the traditional commercial neighborhood, with more than 2,500 shops of all kinds, which spreads out over the streets surrounding Ermou Street (the city’s best-known commercial street). The western “border” of the area is Athinas Street, where the foodstuff commerce is concentrated, reminding one strongly of the Middle East. Here are situated, among others, the neoclassical mansions of the Town Hall, the Municipal Market (where meat, fish and vegetables are sold) and spacious Kotzias Square.
Within the boundary of Athens’ historical centre also are the picturesque neighborhoods of Makriyianni (close to the Acropolis, where the new Acropolis Museum stands), Ano Petralona, Theseion (where you will find small interesting museums and scores of cafés, bars and restaurants), Kerameikos and Metaxourgeio, as well as the Gazi area, with the former Gas works, which now have been turned into a cultural centre of the Athens municipality (“Technopolis”).
Downtown
Syntagma and Omonia are the main central squares of the town; they are linked by Stadiou Street and Panepistimiou Avenue, along which some of the town’s most beautiful Neoclassical buildings have been erected. Dominating Syntagma Squareis the Greek Parliament building and in front of it the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in traditional costume. From this square starts the beautiful National Garden (40 acres), south of which stands the impressive Zappeion Mansion (1874-1888). From there you can continue towards the Presidential Mansion (1897) and thence to the Panathenaikon (Kallimarmaro) Stadium, where the first Olympic Games in modern history were held (1896). From there, crossing the Mets neighborhood, the road leads you to the First Cemetery, the oldest one in Athens, basically an outdoor sculpture display with a wealth of wonderful monumental tombstones by some of the most important sculptors of the 19th and 20th centuries.
From Omonia Square starts Patission street, a busy street with interesting buildings, amongst which are the Neoclassical mansions of the Polytechnic School and the National Archaeological Museum, which ranks among the leading museums in the world and hosts rare art treasures from the Neolithic era up to the Roman period. Close to the museum is the Exarheia area, a charming and very lively neighborhood, traditional a meeting point and home to many students and artists. From Exarcheia, crossing the Neapoli neighborhood, you can climb the verdant Lycavittos Hill. From its top you have a view of the entire city, all the way to the sea. On the other side of the hill is the Kolonaki neighborhood, whose boundary is Vassilissis Sophias Avenue, one of the most grandiose streets of Athens with beautiful buildings, many museums (Cycladic Art, Benaki, Byzantine and Christian Museum, War Museum, National Gallery) and green areas. In Kolonaki, which is considered to be the most “aristocratic” area of the centre of Athens, you will find many shops selling expensive brands and high couture, modern restaurants, bars and cafés, while it is worthwhile to take a stroll through the central streets with their art déco, art nouveau and interbellum buildings.
Breathtaking views over Athens
Thanks to its rich morphology Athens has plenty of places where you can admire stunning panoramic views of the city. Romantic or not, let yourself be captivated by the Athenian cityscape as seen from above.

Surrounding Suburbs and the Athens Riviera
The southern suburbs, located on the coast of the Saronic Gulf, a recreational and cultural park is being planned, comprising the existing sports facilities. They offer many opportunities to take a walk along the seaside, while you will also find many beautiful organized and free beaches, large shopping centers and nightclubs (especially during the summer). In the Maroussi suburb (north of the centre) are the facilities of the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens, where the majority of the athletic events were held during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Kifissia (north of Maroussi) is also worth a visit, with its beautiful villas and impressive mansions.
Moreover, if you wish to leave the centre behind you, you may visit, amongst others, the neighboring town of Piraeus, Greece’s main port (which nowadays forms one big conglomerate with Athens), the Daphni Monastery (11 km. west), one of the most significant Byzantine monuments of the country (12th c.) with unique mosaics, the Kaisariani Monastery (5 km. east), which was founded in the 2nd century, the temple of Poseidon (5th c. B.C.) on Cape Sounion (58 km. south), following a wonderful route along the coast, the area of the battle of Marathon (490 B.C.) with the Tomb of Marathon, the archaeological sites of Eleusina (23 km. west), of Amphiareion (48 km. northeast), of Vravron (38 km. east) and Ramnous (close to Marathon), as well as the wonderful surrounding mountain massifs of Parnitha, Penteli and Hymettos, all suitable for hiking.
In Athens and the wider Attica area, you will find hotel accommodation of high standard, modern means of transportation, a wide choice of opportunities for shopping, dining and nightlife, good service but above all the hospitality and warmth of its inhabitants. In a nutshell, Athens is a city that fascinates every visitor, during all seasons.

We would like to thank VisitGreece & the Greek National Tourism Organization for this Article!

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We don't sell off-the-peg package holidays. Quite simply we believe that to offer you the very best we have to look that little bit harder and be prepared to make the extra effort. We do that by tailor-making every single holiday we sell, all wrapped up in good old fashioned personal service.

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ALL ABOUT SANTORINI from visitgreece.gr

2011-07-05T00:29:00.000-07:00

Santorini or also known as Thira

Did you know that Cousteau looked for the lost city of Atlantis here. On the Cycladic island of Santorini

Santorini , the precious gem of the Aegean, consists of a group of islands consisting of Thíra, Thirassiá, Palea, Asproníssi and Nea Kaméni in the southernmost part of Cyclades.

The whole complex of Santorini islands is still an active volcano and probably the only volcano in the world whose crater is in the sea? The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity; twelve huge eruptions occurred, one every 20,000 years approximately, and each violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano’s central part creating a large crater (caldera). The volcano, however, managed to recreate itself over and over again.

The last big eruption occurred 3,600 years ago during the Minoan Age, when igneous material covered the three islands (Thíra, Thirassiá and Asproníssi). The eruption destroyed the thriving local prehistoric civilization, evidence of which was found during the excavations of a settlement at Akrotíri. The solid material and gases emerging from the volcano’s interior created a huge “vacuum” underneath, causing the collapse of the central part and the creation of an enormous “pot” –today’s widely known Caldera– with a size of 8x4 km and a depth of up to 400m below sea level.
The eruption of the submarine volcano Kolúmbo, located 6.5 km. NE of Santorini, on 27th September 1650, was actually the largest recorded in Eastern Mediterranean during the past millennium! The most recent volcanic activity on the island occurred in 1950. The whole island is actually a huge natural geological/volcanological museum where you can observe a wide range of geological structures and forms!
• Searching for romance
Santorini is known as the most sought after place for a romantic getaway in Greece, since there are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples not only from Greece but from all over the world. A trip to Santorini with the other half is a dream for anyone who has seen at least one photo of the island’s famous Caldera and exchanging kisses beneath Santorini’s famous sunset is the ultimate romantic experience!
• Explore Santorini's towns
Firá is the picturesque capital of the island; perched high up on the edge of the Caldera, it looks like a marvellous painting. Firá, together with Oia, Imerovígli and Firostefáni located high above on a cliff, make up the so-called “Caldera’s eyebrow”, the balcony of Santorini, which offers an amazing view of the volcano. Other famous smaller villages are Akrotíri and Méssa Vounó, with their famous archaeological sites, Pýrgos, Karterádes, Emporió, Ammoúdi, Finikiá, Períssa, Perívolos, Megalohóri, Kamári, Messariá and Monólithos: some of the villages are cosmopolitan some more peaceful; they are surrounded by vast vineyards; whitewashed cliff-top towns with castles affording amazing views out over the Aegean. Soaking up the villages’ distinctive traditional atmosphere is a very rewarding experience.
A visit to this amazing Island is the ultimate gastronomic experience, as the island is a true culinary paradise! Treat your taste buds to some famous traditional products like cherry tomatoes, white egg plants, fava, caper and “hloró tyrí”, a special kind of fresh goat cheese found on the island, or why not try some of the exceptional wines produced from grapes grown in the volcanic soil of the island! Assyrtiko, Athyri, Aidani, Mantilaria and Mavrotragano are just some of the distinctive varieties that you can taste at the island’s famous wineries (some of them operate as a museum as well) or at restaurants.
• Head to volcanic and unique black beaches
Venture into Santorini’s seaside treasures and enjoy deep blue waters and beaches with white, red or black sand or volcanic pebbles, spectacular rock formations and impressive lunar landscapes. Enjoy a dive from one of the cliffs which is something which you will forever remember
Santorini, is waiting for you!Don’t think twice! Experience for yourself the once-in-a-lifetime romance and charm of this pearl of the Aegean. If you haven't been to Santorini yet you should definitely not waste any more time! We promise that it will be something you will never forget.

We would like to thank VisitGreece & the Greek National Tourism Organization for this article!

For more information on holiday options to Santorini visit http://www.bestofgreece.co.uk/el/locations/best_of_santorini

ALL ABOUT MYKONOS from visitgreecegr

2011-07-04T00:08:00.000-07:00

This article is all about Mykonos and has been written by the Greek National Tourism Organization! We are sure you will find it very interesting!

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Mykonos....Cosmopolitan and serene!!!
Welcome to Greece's most famous cosmopolitan island, a whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cyclades. According to mythology, Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. And did you know that the island took its name from the grandson of Apollo, “Mykonos”?
Set out on a journey to discover a fascinating world where glamour meets simplicity. On Mykonos celebrities, college students and families mingle together to celebrate the Greek summer. Whether you are an entertainment junkie out for a real good time, or a visitor who wishes to explore the island’s history and tradition, Mykonos will certainly meet your expectations.

• Exploring the Mykonos Island capital town
In contrast to other Cycladic capitals, the capital town (Hóra)(Chora) of the island is not built in the shape of an amphitheatre but instead spreads out over a wide area. It is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture and a spellbinding attraction for visitors. Stroll around its narrow marble streets and admire whitewashed houses with colourful doors and window frames, bougainvillea trees in purple bloom and hidden churches. Pay a visit to the church of Panayia Paraportiani, the Town hall and the castle situated above the harbour. Don’t forget to visit the Archaeological, Folklore and Maritime Museums to take in a little history. Wander around the pedestrian shopping streets of the Hóra, always colourful and busy. The most glamorous of all is Matoyánni Street, lined with brand name stores, charming cafés and stylish restaurants.
Soak up the atmosphere along the lively waterfront and admire a fleet of fishing boats casting colourful reflections in the azure waters. This is where you will find the Kazárma building, which served as accommodation for the soldiers of Manto Mavrogenous, a heroine of the Greek Revolution. The first floor served as her personal residence. While you’re out strolling, don’t be surprised if you come across the official mascot of Mykonos, which is nothing other than a... pelican! Pétros the Pelican was found by a fisherman after a storm in 1954, and eventually became the locals’ companion. When he died, the grief for his loss was so deep that a replacement was soon found. In honour of Pétros, the locals have established a long tradition of pelicans wandering around the waterfront as an essential part of everyday life. So, whatever you do, don’t forget to take a picture with the successor of the famous pelican Pétros!
One of the most scenic corners of the island is Alefkántra or “Little Venice”, an 18th century district, dominated by grand captains’ mansions with colourful balconies and stylish windows. With balconies perched over the sea, pictures of the famous Italian city spring to mind. Relax at a waterfront café and admire the view of the quaint windmills standing imposingly on the hillside above, set against a luminous blue backdrop.
The second traditional settlement of Mykonos is Áno Merá which is a place you should definitely visit, situated around the historic monastery of Panayia Tourliani (a 16th century church with a brilliant carved wooden iconostasis). To the north, in Fteliá, lies an important Neolithic settlement, and a 14th-13th century BC Mycenaean tomb.
Using the Hóra (Chora) as your base, set out on a trip to discover the beauties of the island, in particularly its sun-kissed beaches. Along the southern coast you will find a great selection of the most cosmopolitan ones. Here, wild parties keep the crowds rocking day and night. Paradise and Super Paradise may already be familiar to you. Órnos and Psaroú are favorite spots for families. Try a visit too to Platis Yalós, with a well-organized beach where you can soak up the sun lazing on a sun lounge. However, if you are looking for a serene beach to unwind with a book, pick a less organized one on the northern coast of the island, like Ayia Ánna, Houlákia, Kápari, Agrári and Ayios Stéfanos.
• Need an adrenaline rush?
The island is a paradise for water sport enthusiasts! It is only natural that the “Island of the Winds” should attract surfers and sailors from all over the world! There is a great choice of beaches for windsurfing; however, the most secluded ones are considered to be the best. Choose from Kórfos, Fteliá, Meyáli Ámmos and Kalafátis, where surfing lessons are also available. Play tennis or mini golf at Ayios Stéfanos, beach volleyball at Ayia Anna or try sea parachuting or jet skiing at Eliá or Kalafátis. Diving fans can do a little exciting exploration of the underwater magic of Mykonos. September is thought to be the best month for diving, as the water is warm and visibility is good down at the seabed.
On the island you can find many well-organized diving centers (some of them also offer snorkeling lessons) and stores specializing in diving equipment. Explore the island on a caicque or a boat and discover secluded beaches, or take a boat tour around the nearby islets, which are also ideal fishing spots!

• What about food?
Don’t miss the opportunity to treat yourself to some local Aegean specialties! Pepper flavoured kopanistí, a soft cheese seasoned with pepper, is the island’s gastronomic trademark. Try it as a topping on a round rusk spread with grated tomato, a favourite local mezés (appetiser). Meat eaters can sample “loúzes” (cooked pork filet with spices) and tasty local sausages sprinkled with pepper, and local oregano that has been caressed by the sun and dried in the north wind. To finish off your meal you can sample two exceptionally good local pastries, “amigdalotá” (small round cakes with ground almond, rosewater and caster sugar) and honey pie.
If you find yourself in Mykonos take the opportunity to explore the tiny archaeological gem of Delos, just a short boat trip away. Delos was a sacred island in ancient times, and according to mythology was the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis.

Getting There
Nearest major international airport: International flights fly into Athens' airport, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH). From here passengers can continue via plane or by ferry from Piraeus or Rafina to Mykonos Island (about five hours).
Ground Transport
Cars are not permitted in the town of Mykonos, but you can leave your car in a parking place on the outskirts. Buses, taxis and small passenger boats provide transport around the island.
Timing
During summer (especially in August), Mykonos is one of the most crowded islands in Greece, so be sure to plan your holidays far in advance. To escape the crowds, visit the island during spring or fall.
Useful phone numbers
Local transport (www.ktel.org) 22890 23360
Tourist Information Office 22890 23360
Taxi service 22890 22400
Port of Mykonos 22890 22218
Port of Piraeus 2104226000-4, 2104593140
Port of Rafina 22940 22300
Port of Thessaloniki 2310 531505

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INSIDERS GUIDE TO GREECE from the Guardian

2011-07-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

Insiders' guide to Greece
Greece has thousands of islands – and beautiful spots on the mainland – but which is best for you? Click to skip to our experts' picks for history, for families, for food, for walking trips and more

Small is beautiful … Agistros beach, Skiathos.
THE BEST PLACE FOR … BEACHES
Skiathos – Sporades

Skiathos hit the jackpot when it came to beaches. Textbook sands line its south coast, from Koukounaries, the island's best-known beach – where deep green trees provide the backdrop for a dramatic golden sweep – to Megali Ammos. And if much of the island's sand is buried beneath rows of sunbeds, it doesn't take a great deal of effort to find a windier, sparser and less manicured slice of island life. A half-hour walk north through the woods from Koukounaries takes you to the laid-back Mandraki and Elias beaches, while further east is expansive Megalos Aselinos. Here, in the evening, goat bells clang and families play badminton in the setting sun.

Perhaps the best beaches are the smallest: at picture-perfect Agistros, Mikros Aselinos, and Krifi Ammos (or "hidden sand"). At remote Kechria, in what the Skiathian writer Papadiamantis called a "beautiful, melancholic valley", a Greek flag flies above the craggy beach as people wade into the sea, or stop in the shade of the beach taverna for a cold Mythos beer.

Visibility for snorkelling and scuba diving is especially good around the islets. Take a boat to the beach at Tsougria, or view it from afar over an iced coffee at Bourtzi, an islet linked to Skiathos Town by a bridge, and which – rumour has it – the Beatles once tried to buy. Even some main island beaches – such as pebbled Lalaria, with its rock arch – are accessible only by boat.

Skiathos has over 60 beaches, but there is more to see: visit the lazy cats at the Evangelistria monastery instead, or the fresco paintings at Kounistra, from where a path winds to the miniature "Hidden St John" monastery. Visit Papadiamantis's old house in Skiathos Town and watch a film at the open-air cinema. Try the octopus stifado at Amfiliki restaurant, washed down with a tsipouro (like grappa) and go to Kentavros bar (where the spirit of the 1960s lives on) to hear whose yacht is in the harbour.

Skiathos may be favoured by the A-list, but by staying at the campsite behind Koukounaries you can join them on a budget. The island's charm, after all, lies in its simplicity: the glaring sun, the pine-swathed hills, and a dazzling turquoise sea.
• Torair (flytorair.com) flies from Gatwick to Skiathos.
Jonathan Knott, author

Syros, Cyclades

An island of unspoilt beaches and fishing villages, with an elegant 19th-century capital, Syros is the place Greeks go to avoid mass tourism. It is the Aegean's most underrated island. Ermoupoli, once Venice's prized Aegean colony, then Greece's biggest port, is spread across two hills, one crowned with a Greek Orthodox church, the other with a Roman Catholic church – a legacy of the Italians, who have also made their mark on the architecture. Ermoupoli is characterised by gorgeous neoclassical mansions and 19th-century tenement blocks. Its labyrinthine alleyways are home to fish restaurants and marble- and-brass espresso bars. One block behind the waterfront is Antiparou, a pedestrian lane full of outside tables and chairs, shaded by flowering bougainvillea creepers. Beyond that is In the town square, where Greek yuppies pose with €6 Heinekens, old folk sip Greek ("not Turkish") coffee and children play football in the dust.

Out of town are many small coves. Some 12km to the south is the long, narrow beach at Megas Gialos – incredibly tranquil, with soft pale sand and tamarisk trees and straw canopies offering shade. There is a whitewashed chapel, a few wooden boats moored to a jetty at the western end, a cafe and three grocery stores. Self-catering is possible at the many studio flats available in the village, from about €25pp a night. Expect a diet of bread, olives, tinned sardines, yoghurt and honey – Megas Gialos is too remote for deliveries of much fresh food.

Galissas beach in the south-west of the island is rather more busy – and worldly. It has a rockers' beach bar, where nubile Australian backpackers hunt for grizzled Greek bikers, and a small and secluded beach with skinny- dippers. It also has several restaurants with perfect sunset views over the sand dunes, while you eat, serving minced lamb with chicory and unusual fish dishes, alongside standard Greek fare of roast meats and stews. Peter and Tony offer en-suite rooms with en-suite bathrooms and reasonably fast, wireless internet

Further north is Kini, the closest Syros gets to a beach resort. Here are largish beachfront hotels, and restaurants serving ubiquitous feta salad or deep-fried calamari drenched in lemon juice, washed down with retsina. Some families let out the guest apartments attached to their homes. The best are half a mile inland, high enough to offer magnificent views of the setting sun.

At the northern headland of Kini bay, take the footpath north for a 2km clifftop walk through heather to the sandy beach of Delfini. After a swim, make the return journey at sunset, for the best view on the island, and an indelible memory of red sky over black water.
• Olympic Airlines (olympicair.com) flies from Heathrow and Manchester to Syros, via Athens. EasyJet flies from Gatwick to Mykonos for the ferry to Syros. There are fast, regular and reasonably priced services from Athens, Santorini and most other islands (greeka.com). Local transport by bus, rental car or scooter. Olympic Holidays (olympicholidays.com) offers packages to Syros, staying at the Dolphin Bay Hotel Resort in Galissa, from £409pp, including flights from Gatwick
Kamil Tchorek, journalist

… FOR HISTORY
Crete

Crete's story begins almost 5,000 years ago, with the mysterious Minoans. The prehistoric equivalent of a modern superpower, the Minoans built vast palaces, from which they controlled the rest of the island and an empire further afield (the famous "Linear B tablets", written in a primitive form of Greek, provide vivid evidence of their obsessive bureaucracy – no literature, just lists and lists and more lists). Whether the Minoans were peace-loving types, living under the benign influence of a Mother Goddess, or hardline imperialists remains a matter of dispute. What is left of their power bases can be seen at Gournia and Phaistos, stunningly beautiful sites.

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the Venetians controlled Crete for several hundred years, making it a wonderful melting pot of Italian and Byzantine art. The best place to catch a glimpse of this is the church at Kritsa (near Agios Nikolaos), which has a wonderful array of 14th-century frescoes.

Knossos, originally a Minoan palace, was excavated and imaginatively restored in the early 20th century by Sir Arthur Evans, who rebuilt the place in concrete and "completed" its damaged frescoes. It is best enjoyed as a monument to British taste of the period, and to Evans's vision of an unspoiled, primitive Greek society – complete with weird snake goddesses and bull-leapers.
• Aegean Airlines (aegeanair.com) flies to Heraklion from Heathrow. Yades Heritage and Hospitality Hotels (yadeshotels.gr) has historic hotels all over Greece, including Kapsaliana Village, a restored hamlet in Arcadi, with doubles from €135 a night
Mary Beard, professor of classics at Cambridge and author of The Parthenon (Profile Books, £15)

Thrace, mainland

Thrace, in the north-east, is home to Muslim villages, and in towns such as Xanthi you can hear Turkish in the street, among the Ottoman houses. The inhabitants here were exempted from the exchange of populations with Turkey in 1923. Until the beginning of the last century the first language of large areas of Attica and Euboia in northern Greece was Arvanitika, a form of Albanian, which has been replaced by modern Albanian, spoken by recent immigrants. From the past you can see the ruins of Venetian towers, Crusader castles, Catholic monasteries, Ottoman seraglios and fountains. And in the heart of Athens there is a mosque and madrasa close to Monastiraki station. If you come to Greece for the classical sites, spare a glance for its more recent cultural heritage.
• EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Thessaloniki.
John Mole, author

Run for the sun … Skiathos has more than 60 lovely beaches.

… FOR FAMILIES
Naxos, Cyclades

As the ferry arcs toward the island you catch the first glimpse of the Portara, a marble gateway on the headland, all that remains of an ancient temple to Apollo. I first came to Naxos 20 years ago, when donkeys were used for rubbish collectionand the ferry from Athens could take 10 hours – and I have been coming back ever since. It is the largest and most fertile of the Cycladic islands. The harbour is small and the airport even smaller. For these reasons, Naxos has not been overrun by cruise ships and mass tourism, even in July and August.

The island has long white beaches, mountain paths, Byzantine churches, Venetian towers and good cafes. Most importantly, it is a working island, and the slow pace, absence of loud bars and the many activities on offer make it perfect for families. The shallow beach at Aghios Giorgos – a short walk from the Hora (town centre) in Naxos town – is ideal for small children. Further down there is surfing, diving and windsurfing , and sunset rides around the island (naxoshorseriding.com).

South from the town, the beaches extend from the bay at Aghia Anna to Prokopios and around to Plaka, Aliko, Kastraki and Mikri Vigla. The latter beaches remind me of Australia – scrubby sand dunes, a certain wildness. Cedar trees offer shade. To the east, in the bay of Moutsouna, ecotourism has flourished. The northernmost point is the old fishing village of Apollon, close to an ancient marble quarry, famous for a huge male figure, abandoned around 600BC. The Hora rises like a pyramid to the Venetian Kastro – a labyrinth of cobbled streets. The author of Zorba the Greek was educated here, and the Venetian, Byzantine and archaeological museums are city pleasures on a small island.

The lush interior is great for hiking and walking, and in spring the wildflowers flush the fields and roadsides. Each village has its own character. Sangri sits in the middle of a plain surrounded by small Byzantine churches. Halki, with its neoclassical mansions and Venetian towers, differs again from the drama of white marbled Apeiranthos, overlooking a steep valley. Local buses connect with these villages, including a bus to the foot of Mount Zas, the highest mountain in the Cyclades. The return reward is lunch in the village of Filoti and coffee in the shade of a huge plane tree.
• The Blue Star ferry from Piraeus (Athens) takes just under six hours (bluestarferries.gr). Olympic Airways flies to Naxos from Athens
Meaghan Delahunt, author of To The Island (Granta, £12.99), set on Naxos

Hora village square, Patmos, and an alfresco feast at a Greek Taverna.
… FOR AN EXCLUSIVE RETREAT
Patmos, Dodecanese

The very long ferry trip from Piraeus (usually docking at 3am) and lack of an airport mean that Patmos is too remote for the faint-hearted or the package tourist; there is little here for the party set, and its beaches are simple. Above all, it has a beautiful rocky purity, pebbly shores, the coldest, cleanest sea in the Aegean, old mountain pathways and simple beach tavernas. The island is dominated by its monastery, perched high as an eagle's nest, and the power of the orthodox church is tangible: Byzantine gold treasures; dark cars speeding high-ranking priests to the port; and pilgrims queuing to enter the cave where St John saw his apocalyptic revelations.

Patmos has long attracted those who want peace and solitude (if not visions) and many artists and writers have found inspiration here. However, it also has a reputation as a summer haven for a discreet international elite, and the old merchants' mansions are mostly owned by wealthy outsiders. Each August, the Italians arrive – a reminder that the Dodecanese were colonised by Italy until 1948.
• The ferry from Piraeus to Patmos takes about nine hours.Bestofgreece.co.uk has a selection of villas on Patmos, including Keramikos, in Chora, which sleeps seven, from £1,307 per week
Sofka Zinovieff, writer

… FOR MUSIC
Crete

Dylan and Baez danced to it barefoot, now Greek teens prefer it to pop… Lyra, born in the Byzantine era, is Crete's wild, unbridled folk music. Played on the eponymous three-stringed, pear-shaped instrument (it looks like a small violin, but is held upright on the knee and bowed horizontally) and accompanied by verses of rhyming couplets (or mantinades) that are "rapped", Crete's musical legacy has a rough quality – not unlike tsikoudia, the local firewater that's served at lyra gigs. Venues range from intimate cafes with a couple of dozen tables, to sprawling, 1960s-style festivals where it's not unusual for gunshots to be fired – although, happily, not in anger.

To see why lyra is back in a big way, kick off in Chania, just down the road from Stavros, where Zorba the Greek was filmed. Apart from its summer festival (from July–September, attracting top names such as Tzouganakis, Zoidakis, Psarogiorgos, Zervakis, Dagakis), there are two cafes, Harhalis, on Grigoriou St, and Cafe Kriti on Kalergon St, where seasoned Cretan music veterans come to jam.

Zipping along the coast to Heraklion, you'll find clubs like the pretentious Big Fish (Handakos St) and the more streetwise Xatheri (Daidalou St) playing Kritiki sounds. Heraklion also hosts an arts festival from July to September with plenty of live lyra, while the Aerakis Music store (Daidalou St) stocks a huge range of Cretan music, many of the artists signed to this legendary store's own label.

The labyrinthine white village of Anogia, high in the Psiloritis mountain range (and a short hike from Zeus's mythical birth-cave), is where many of the island's greatest artists – from Nikiforos Aerakis and Manolis Manouras to Nikos Xylouris – were born. Order a thimble of strong, raki-spiked elliniki coffee and hobnob with black-shirted shepherds listening to Cretan music on Radio Kriti FM at the kafeneion in the central square, then pay a call at the corner house, cluttered with memorabilia, where sweet-voiced Nikos Xylouris grew up.

Labyrinth in Houdetsi hosts the Irish-born lyra aficionado Ross Daly's lyra and lute workshops, while further south are the party hot-spots, where clubs like Zig Zag in Malia (Malia St) and The Matrix in Hersonissos (Eleftheriou Venizelou St) play DJ Omeyocan's remixes of Cretan hits.

Wind up your music tour with a pilgrimage to Matala, the hippy beach resort facing towards Libya, where Joni Mitchell camped out in caves and was inspired to write "Carey", one of her most popular and enduring songs.
• Aegean Airlines flies from Heathrow to Crete.
Heidi Fuller-Love, travel and lifestyle writer based partly in Greece

Santorini is renowned for its distinctive food.

… FOR FOOD
Nationwide

To find the one Greek destination with the best food is about as easy as finding Atlantis, but here goes.

Dishes from Crete, the Cyclades and the influx of 20th-century refugees from Constantinople, Smyrna and Pontus who have introduced their traditional foods (meatballs, stuffed tomatoes/peppers, dolmadakia, bulgur, peinerli and varenika) to the region make Thessaloniki the perfect city to sample Greek gastronomy.

One place I visit regularly is the bougatsatzidiko (cream pastry shop) for bougatsa me krema – a vanilla-flavoured semolina custard between crispy filo sheets topped with icing sugar and cinnamon. It is heaven for breakfast.
Also try Vary Peponi (Apellou St, just off Nauarinou Square), an intimate restaurant with quality home-cooked dishes, lots of options for vegetarians/vegans – superb pulses. B. (Veta), the cafe-restaurant at the Byzantine Museum (brestaurant.gr/), offers more sophisticated Mediterranean food, while Hatzifotiou patisserie (Paulou Mela St, hatzifotiou.gr) has the best baklava and other syrupy desserts.

Santorini, the island of romance, is the home of fava, a delicious and nutritious yellow split-pea purée. It is also known for its wine, distinctive cherry tomatoes, white aubergines, and the fact that vegetables grow on the dry volcanic land. The 218˚ cafe-restaurant (218.gr) in Oia, in the north, has Greek cuisine with Cretan and Cycladic flavours and amazing views across the Aegean.

In the eastern Aegean lies Ikaria, named after Icarus. Ikaria's population are famous for living to a ripe age, on a diet based on vegetables, olive oil, honey and horta (wild greens). Try grilled octopus in red kidney bean stew. As befits the birthplace of Dionysos, the god of wine, Ikaria has an organic winery and farm, which has three-bedroom stone houses to rent and holds wine or cookery classes. Ikaria is, not surprisingly, famous for its village parties and festivals, or panigyria.

Wherever you visit in Greece, try local cheeses. Many are labelled PDO (protected designation of origin), indicating that the cheese has been produced in a traditional way. Try kefalograviera, batsos, kefalotyri, ladotyri from Lesvos and metsovone.
• EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies from Gatwick to Thessaloniki. The Andromeda, a boutique hotel in a 1920s listed building, has doubles from £60 through LateRooms.com (0844 774 1001, laterooms.com). EasyJet flies from Gatwick to Santorini. . EasyJet flies from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh to Athens. From there, fly or take the ferry to Ikaria. Visit island-ikaria.com for more information
Elisavet Sotiriadou is a writer and chef. She runs Greek cookery courses in London at Leith's Cookery School, and supperclubs

… FOR BOUTIQUE HOTELS
The Dodecanese

The Dodecanese islands, just off the Turkish coast, still see their share of island-hopping backpackers, but they're acquiring a new breed of luxurious boutique hotels, designed to complement local architecture.

On Rhodes, the breathtaking medieval city of Rhodes Old Town – all cobbled alleyways, shadowy spaces and half-buried ruins – comes into its own at night. Here, in a peaceful corner, is the gorgeous Spirit of the Knights, a newly converted traditional home, whose six suites evoke different eras of Rhodes's history, from the Crusaders to the Ottomans.

The dazzling white village of Lindos, on the west coast of Rhodes, is home to the sumptuous Melenos Lindos. Poised between a Crusader castle and sandy beaches, it's the perfect honeymoon destination. Opulent rooms boast glorious sea-view terraces, and there's a top-flight restaurant.

Even more romantic is the ravishing island of Symi, a ferry ride north-east. A harmonious array of neoclassical mansions, painted matching ochre and terracotta shades, rise to all sides of its amphitheatre-like harbour; many can be rented. The exquisite Old Markets is a converted mansion overlooking the bay. Symi is also known for innovative restaurants, its latest gem being Muses in the main village square.

Further north, Patmos was where St John had his visions. In the village of Hora, Archontariki offers four spacious suites, with gardens and courtyard.
• Fly Tor Air has flights from Gatwick to Rhodes for around £200. Doubles are available at Spirit of the Knights, €145–270), Melenos Lindos, €250–570 , The Old Markets, , and Archontariki in Patmos.
Greg Ward, writer on the Dodecanese for the Rough Guide to Greece

You can visit Meteora as part of an Ionian island-hopping holiday. Photograph: Alamy
… FOR ISLAND-HOPPING
Diapontia islands

With cheap flights from the UK, Corfu is becoming a gateway for exploring the surrounding small islands, as well as mainland Greece. Ask around the ports of Agios Stefanos, Roda/Sidari or Corfu town and you can usually find a boat to take you north-west to the lovely Diapontia islands of Othoni (the biggest island, with many sea caves and impressive rocks), Erikoussa (the northernmost, with a picturesque port, Porto, and good beaches) and Mathraki (good for hiking and beaches). For northern Greece, the mainland port of Igoumenitsa can be reached by ferry within an hour from Corfu.

Nearest to Corfu is the Epiros region, whose capital, Ioannina, is built on the banks of Lake Pamvotis, where there is an inhabited island. Visit the museum of Ali Pasha, seven monasteries, and the Byzantine castle of Ioannina.

Inland, Meteora is the second-largest and most important complex of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece, and has Unesco world heritage listing. The six monasteries here make a viable day trip from Corfu, with an early start.

To visit Albania, ferries go from Corfu to Saranda, and you can take a tour that visits the archaeological site at Butrint.

Emma Tennant, author of several books on Greece, including A House in Corfu

… FOR THE SIMPLE LIFE
Paxos

At the end of our trip to Paxos we concluded that it really was a boring island. Silent, because there's no flight path (you have to take a ferry from Corfu). Calm, because there is no mass tourism, no stag nights, not many people at all. Repetitive, because we found our favourite taverna (Vontza), beach (sandy Vraki), swimming spot (a stroll down from our villa, Faye), view (Erimitis cliffs at sunset), long-distance drive (Loggos harbour, five miles) and dessert (tiny Caramac-flavoured lollies from the bakery at the edge of Gaios harbour)... and did them over and over again. Boring. Definitely boring.

Katharine Viner, deputy editor, the Guardian

Epiros, mainland

This is a country for old men – they sit in every square, playing backgammon, drinking moonshine and arguing about politics. Epiros, a mountainous region in north-west Greece, bordered by Albania and the Ionian sea, is the playground of retirees who have returned home – to an undeveloped, rocky, dramatic landscape.

In the Zagorohoria, where 40-odd villages cling to the edge of the Vikos Gorge, tourists raft, hike and bungee jump. In Bourazani, a 1,200-hectare environmental park is home to 850 animal species, 109 types of butterfly, and 50 wild orchid varieties (bourazani.gr/English). And Metsovo has a vineyard, museums, and a ski lift.

A few summers ago, at the annual festival in Lia, on the Greek-Albanian border, my friend Abby and I met Bill, a British tourist on his motorbike. When the music started, the village president announced: "We'll begin as we always do – the priest will lead the dance." Abby exclaimed: "The priests dance? This is a great country." Bill, who has been biking across Greece for four decades, responded: "This is the great country." For old men, young women, and everyone in between.
• Olympic Airways (olympicair.com) flies daily from Athens to Ioannina. (Or go by ferry from Corfu.)
Eleni N. Gage, author of North of Ithaka Her first novel will be called Other Waters

… FOR HIKING AND NATURE
Corfu

"I think no place on Earth can be lovelier than this," said Edward Lear, describing Corfu in 1856. Today, the island, covered by 3m olive trees, is still as beautiful if you keep away from the resorts, perhaps walking the eight-day Corfu Trail (thecorfutrail.com) along paths built when the island was under British rule, from 1814 to 1864.

In the less developed south, rolling hills fall down to empty sandy beaches to the west. In the middle of the island, picturesque villages perch on hillsides. A ridge runs up the west coast and drops down to spectacular but popular beaches. To the east there are views of Corfu town, a world heritage site.

The Pantocrator massif, rising to 900m, crosses the top of the island, with lush deserted valleys stretching towards the north coast resorts and a sheer drop to the "corniche" of the north-east, with its luxury villas and small shingle bays overlooking Albania, just 2km away, and the mountains of the mainland in the distance. In spring the island is covered in flowers, with 150 species, including 50 orchids, counted along the trail (corfuflowers.com). Truly a green paradise.

John Waller, author of books including Walking the Corfu Trail and Corfu Sketches

Partying on Mykonos
… FOR NIGHTLIFE
Mykonos

Mykonos is still the number-one party island in Greece. Begin with sunset cocktails at a waterside bar in Little Venice, where long-standing favourite Caprice serves sublime margaritas. After dinner, head for Rock'n'Roll Mykonos for classic 70s and 80s rock. Next door, Pierro's (pierrosbar.gr) continues its tradition of drag shows. For dancing on the beach, catch a night bus to Paradise Club (paradiseclubmykonos.com) which has Full Moon Parties on 14 July and 12 August. Moby will play here on 4 August. If that's not enough, scramble up the hill above Paradise Beach to Cavo Paradiso (cavoparadiso.gr). Open until 8am, it's the perfect spot to watch the sun rise over the Aegean. Guest DJs this summer include Roger Sanchez, David Morales and Erick Morillo.
Jane Foster, freelance writer based in Athens (jane-foster.com)

We would like to once again thank the Guardian for this excellent article! www.bestofgreece.co.uk

ANCIENT THEATER OF EPIDAURUS 2011

2011-07-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

1 & 2 July / Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Peace by Aristophanes

Have the gods abandoned Greece?
The Peloponnesian War has been raging for ten years, and the desperation and despondency are palpable. Trygaeus of Athens, a shrewd man, decides to take matters in his own hands: climbing astride a huge beetle, he flies up to the heavens for a word with Zeus.
Written in 421 BC, Peace, a paean to rural life in which Aristophanes condemns war and parodies the theatre of his own era, is as relevant today as it ever was.
Directing at Epidaurus for the first time, the sparkling comic actor, Petros Filippidis, plays the lead role amidst a cast of celebrated actors.

8-9 July / Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Rural Dionysia

A half century of the State Theatre of Northern Greece. Fifty years of artistic creativity.
A seasoned and outstanding actor guides the younger generation of actors into the heart of ancient drama, stopping at key productions along the way.
The State Theatre of Northern Greece recalls its iconic productions at the ancient theatres of Philippi and Thasos, its first appearance at Epidaurus, magical evenings in the Forest Theatre with Thessaloniki stretched out below for a backdrop. A stroll through the theatrical past and present in a production which pays tribute to the greats of the Greek theatre.

15-16 July / Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Stage-Walkers

The history of the theatre enacted on stage in an eclectic production which takes us back to the first stirrings of ancient Greek literature, and from there into the Roman period. Extracts from tragedies and comedies by Greek and Roman poets, choral dances and odes in praise of gods and heroes, mimes and elements from the Roman arena—impressive games, gladiatorial matches, acrobatics and spectacular performances with fire — together form a colourful collage!
A production that engages with the present day through the parallels it draws with the ancient past, and which alternates tragic with comic and lets contemporary audiences in on the joke.

22-23 July / Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Medea by Euripides

“I am undone, I have resigned all joy in life, and I want to die”, Medea exclaims. A dark and alluring creature, the barbarian witch of Colchis, grand-daughter to the Sun himself, is driven by her love for Jason to follow him to Corinth. When Jason betrays her, she devises the cruellest possible punishment.
A tragedy of love and revenge, Medea (431 BC) uses the fathomless clash between cultures and the sexes to force us to engage with a number of complex issues.
Supported by an exceptional cast, Amalia Moutousi plays the title role accompanied by an outstanding group of Greek actors.

29-30 July / Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Richard III, by William Shakespeare

The Bridge Project begun in 2009 as a three year bridge of artistic cooperation between the Old Vic Theatre (London), the Brooklyn Academy of Music (USA) and production company Neal Street Productions. The Bridge Project is hosted for the second time at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, following The Winter's Tale in 2009, bringing to stage important theatrical personalities.

In the final season of the Bridge Project, Sam Mendes returns to direct Kevin Spacey (Artistic Director of the Old Vic), in the lead role of Richard III. This transatlantic cooperation once again reunites the two men, for the first time since their collaboration on American Beauty, for which they had both received BAFTA and Academy Awards.
The Bridge Project, will once again feature leading American and British actors and will embark on a world tour, following it's premier at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York.
Sam Mendes, who founded and was artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse for a decade, has also directed theatrical performances at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the West End and Broadway. His cinematographic carrier includes movies such as Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road.
Kevin Spacey, who is also the artistic director of the Old Vic, has recently appeared in the performances Inherit the wind, Speed-the-Plow, A Mood for the Misbegotten and Richard II at the Old Vic.

5-6 August / Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Herakles by Euripides

Herakles
“…to civilize the world, he says!”
(Amphitryon, Prologue, verse 20)

“Herakles seems to be of the last Greek generation – a long, long time ago – who believed in and fought for Ideas. To be betrayed in the end by friends and enemies alike. And it is with the absolute taste of betrayal on his lips that he is led to disaster. And then he will attempt death.”
Michail Marmarinos

Herakles is a staggering work, and one of Euripides’ least-performed plays. Which only serves to intensify the anticipation in advance of this production, only the second in the history of the National Theatre of Greece, directed by Michail Marmarinos.