Pefkoulia, Lefkada

Pefkoulia is an impressive large sandy beach of located north of the fishing village of Agios Nikitas, 10 kilometres from Lefkada Town. Considered as one of the best beaches of the island, the sea at Pefkoulia has a wonderful turquoise colour, as if some bleach has been dropped in the blue waters.

Easily accessible and very popular, this beach can get overcrowded during summer. Some taverns can be found in the area.

Keramoti beach, Kavala

Keramoti is situated in the Kavala prefecture. It is almost the same distance away from the two district cities - Kavala and Xanthis. The breath-taking landscape speaks for itself. Enjoy: 

Sfaktiria, Pylos

 Beautiful sunset!

An astonishing destination! Worth visiting by boat in the island of Pylos.

The stone giants of the Aegean

The windmills

The cylindrical landmarks of the Cyclades tell stories of tradition and human labour to the hills which they beautify with their presence. Invented in the pre-industrial times, they give a perfect example of ecology, as they make the best of the Aeolian energy to satisfy the man’s need for the cornerstone of nutrition: bread.

It was in the 12th and 13th centuries that windmills appeared on the Greek territory. Before long they had turned into a favourite topic for writers, painters, and photographers alike. As a matter of fact, more than 600 of them have been installed on the Cycladic archipelago.

To build a wind mill used to be a hard and costly thing. Its spot had to be carefully chosen: the more exposed to northerly winds, the better. That’s why they stand perched on hillsides, and like vigilantes at the exits of gorges, or like lighthouses on the edge of capes. On the other side, the distance to the village was no less important, as wind mills had to be easily accessible by the beasts of burden.

The most common type of wind mills had been the stone built cylindrical ones, with a rotating and following-the-wind conic roof and a straw “hat”. White triangular sails set against some huge antennas would put in motion a system of axes and wheels, which would make a mill stone turn above another mill stone, the latter one still, to grind wheat, barley and corn into flour.

The mills could go on working even on a 24/7 basis, depending on the needs, the season and the weather. Wind permitting, a mill could grind 20-70 kilos of wheat per hour. The villagers would take their crops to the mill. Even women would take part in carrying the heavy load from and to the mill. At the end of the grinding, the mill man would keep 10% of the product as a reward. What is really interesting is that the mill men had developed the skills of both a captain and a skipper in that they could read the weather signs and tell about the strength of winds, while they could also masterfully handle the sails of the mill.

There are still many windmills on the Greek islands, but not in their original use of course. Some of them have been repaired to work as museums or art exhibition halls, while others now offer accommodation services. Some have been turned into houses.Beyond doubt, there is one island that is identified with the windmills: it is fascinating Mykonos. There used to be over 20 windmills on the super famous island. Seven of them survive and travel all around the world on postcards and photographs. They withstand the strong winds to present a unique backdrop for romances to start and love affairs to culminate.

(By visit Greece)

Kavourotrypes, Halkidiki

A light sandy beach with numerous rocks, Kavourotrypes beach is ideal for tourists looking for the perfect tan. Since it provides no natural shade, it is advised you carry your own umbrella to the beach. 

This small beach is ideal for swimming and is also safe for children. Kavourotrypes beach was a nudist beach initially, though now no nudity is allowed at this beach. Lined with refreshingly green trees and rocks that slide into the water, Kavourotrypes beach is surely a must visit, guaranteeing a fun day out.

Palaiokastritsa, Corfu

Paleokastritsa is located on the northwest coast of Corfu, 25 km from the I.Kapodistrias airport as well as from Corfu town. The resort is hilly and nestles beneath the folds of steep verdant slopes of olive groves and citrus orchards. 

Paleokastritsa has long been considered one of the most beautiful villages in Corfu. Paleokastritsa is chiefly memorable for the exceptional scenery along with the superb beaches. The cool crystal waters are ideal for swimming and water sports.

Greece awarded with blue flag beaches

Greece is once again in the news, but this time to celebrate the quality of Hellenic beaches and clear waters. The International Blue Flag awards have ranked Greek beaches and marinas as second in the world. .

The coveted Blue Flags have been awarded to 394 Greek beaches and nine marinas, an increase of seven flags since 2011. Blue Flags are awarded by an International Committee and denote world-class prestige.

Island News reports that the Blue Flag "works towards sustainable development of beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services."

Ta Nea also reports that the European Environment Agency shows Greece has the clearest water for swimming of the Mediterranean countries.

Beaches in Corfu and Chalkidiki swooped the most Blue Flags with 35 each. A full list of Greece's Blue Flag can be found here.

Matala, Crete

Matala (Greek Μάταλα) is a village located 75 km south-west of Heraklion, Crete. Matala is part of the community of Pitsidia within the municipal unit of Tympaki, Heraklion regional unit.

The artificial caves in the cliff of the Matala bay were created in the Neolithic Age. Matala was the port of Phaistos during the Minoan period. In the year 220 BC. Matala was occupied by the Gortynians and during the Roman period Matala became the port of Gortys. In the 1st and 2nd centuries the caves were used as tombs. One of the caves is called "Brutospeliana" because according to the legend it was frequented by the Roman general Brutus.

Matala was then a fishing village. In the 1960s the caves were occupied by hippies who were later driven out by the church and the military junta. Now Matala is a small village living mainly from tourism.

Canadian folk singer Joni Mitchell's experiences with the Matala hippies were immortalised in her 1971 song Carey.

When Zeus seduced the princess Europa in the form of a white bull, he crossed the sea and brought her to the beach of Matala. There he changed into an eagle and flew her to Gortys where he had sex with her.

Olympic Flame Lighting

Greek light travels the world

The Olympic Flame is alight for the very first time by the Greek sun at the sacred and historic site of Ancient Olympia.

Ever since, the unique event of the Flame Lighting Ceremony has acted as herald for the Olympic Games worldwide. The Sacred Flame travels the country where the games are to be held and burns for as long as the Olympic Games last, as a strong reminder of the land that gave birth to them.

The ritual of the Lighting, in simplicity and mystagogy, starts with the procession of the priestesses from the Altar of Hera, in front of the goddess’s temple. Dressed in archaic-style clothing, priestesses surround the Altar while the High-priestess, invoking god Apollo, lights the torch, using a concave mirror. According to the Myth of Promytheus, the fire is the symbol of life, rationalism and freedom as well as inventiveness and so had been the ageless flame that used to burn on the Altar of Prytaneion in Ancient Olympia.

Then, the High Priestess relays the flame in a small ceramic pot and heads to the Stadium with all priestesses in procession. They pass by the Olive Tree, where they stand for a moment and “Amphithalis Pais”, the young boy (whose both parents are alive) cuts off an olive branch, as a symbol of peace and a meaningful winner’s prize. When the procession arrives at the Stadium, the High Priestess lights the torch of the first runner and the torch relay begins. The Olympic flame travels to many places and becomes the connecting bond among people, sending the message of hope.

Let’s listen to the thoughts and feelings of the High Priestess in anticipation of the unique event of the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony, which is to be held on May 10, and will draw the humanity’s attention to Olympia.

“… just a while before the sun sends its rays to light the flame of the Olympic Games, thousands of images and feelings come before my eyes and my soul abounds in them…... A great culture, which once gave birth to ideas, values, important advocates of those ideas and events, enriches the course of history and humanity. The light of Olympia signals the creative force in the hearts of people which generates culture. The flame; a force of nature, a symbol of life and a source of inspiration.

….how many feelings, how many unique moments in the cycle of priestesses who convey images from the past, symbolisms, the concept of art……

“Sacred silence

Let the sky, the earth, the sea and the winds sound.

Mountains fall silent

Sounds and birds’ warbles cease

For Phoebus, the light bearer King shall keep us company…”

…waiting for the moment that these words will sound in the sacred land of Olympia, carrying the essence of the team’s soul in my voice and the power of its heart in my hand… just before the invocation to Apollo who will send the rays of the sun and to Zeus who will bestow peace to all peoples on earth and will wreath-crown the winners of the sacred race…”

Optimistic outlook for Greek holidays in 2012, say Holiday Hypermarket

According to Holiday Hypermarket, Greek holidays will see moderate growth this summer

Greek tourism is tipped to see moderate growth in 2012 due to lower airfares and attractive rates in island destinations like Crete, Mykonos and Corfu, say leading online travel retailer, Holiday Hypermarket. This follows statements from Taleb Rifai,secretary general of the U.N. World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), who affirmed Greece's popularity as a tourism destination.

In 2011, around 10 per cent more travellers booked Greek holidays, and with tourism accounting for 15 per cent of the economy as well as one in five jobs, it is a crucial aspect of the Greek way of life. As a result, both the mainland and surrounding islands boast a large number of holiday resorts with great facilities.

Greek tourism bodies have launched campaigns to promote tourism abroad. For example, UP Greek Tourism is an initiative that employs outdoor advertising, traditional and social media to promote inbound tourism, particularly among German and British travellers who are eager visitors to Greece's coastal and island resorts.

Calum MacDonald, Online Marketing Manager at Holiday Hypermarket, comments,"Greece is slowly climbing into the top 10 tourist destinations in the world with plenty to offer families, honeymooning couples and young friends looking for a party destination.

"Tourism resorts on the coast are continuing to provide excellent package holidays to visitors from abroad no matter the political situation. As one of the most attractive countries in southern Europe, Greece is a great place to book a beach holiday this summer."

Another Reason to Visit Beautiful Santorini, Greece: Prehistoric Site of Akrotiri Finally Reopened

As if you needed another reason to visit one of the most magnificent places in the world, the Greek island of Santorini, the archaeological site of Akrotiri is now open to visitors after being closed for the past seven years.

Akrotiri, known as the “Pompei of the Aegean”, is considered to be one of the most fascinating and important archaeological sites on the entire island. It reveals part of an excavated city that flourished thousands of years ago, nearly 20 centuries BC. Similar to Pompeii, it was buried by the ash of a largevolcanic eruption that occurred on the island in about 1613 BC and is thought to be one of the most important sites not only inGreecebut in the entire region of southeastEurope.

After the 1450 BC eruption, Santorini was uninhabited for nearly two hundred years while the land cooled and both plant and animal life could be regenerated. The ruins of Akrotiri remained buried beneath the ash until about 150 years ago when Suez Canal workers who were quarrying volcanic ash made the discovery.

The lava and ash that had covered the entire island and destroyed the Minoan civilization, helped preserve the buildings, streets, furniture and pottery, making it one of the best preserved sites on earth.

Visitors can glimpse this ancient world in the Minoan period with its elaborate architecture and incredibly detailed frescoes. It’s thought that the 40 buildings that have been uncovered are just 1/30^thof what remains to be discovered. Here you’ll tour the ancient city streets, lined with stores and warehouses, including many large earthen jars with traces of olive oil and fish left behind.

Admission is just €5, and on Sundays between November 1 and March 31 it is free. The site is open from 10:00 to 17:00 Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays.

Of course, Santorini itself is one of the most spectacular destinations in the world, filled with picturesque scenery and historical sites to explore. Located about120 milesoff theGreecemainland, Santorini is known for its villages’ whitewashed architecture and the dazzling turquoise Aegean Sea.

One of the best ways to explore the island is to rent an ATV, readily available for only 20 Euros a day. Take your time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery that includes volcanic beaches, historic cliffside villages and magnificent sunset views.

Stop for a break and enjoy a cup of traditional Greek coffee at the Santorini Café, with all the “flavors and aromas” of the Mediterranean at your fingertips, as well as panoramic views of the water.

The hardest part about visiting Santorini is saying goodbye.

About the Author

EuropeTravel.net is a European travel guide website, blog and open travel social community. It was designed to connect visitors and travel professionals, and help build an informative platform dedicated to all aspects of traveling throughout the 55 European nations.

2012: Re-start, re-born: re-solutions

“This year…
I will spend more time with those I love        
I’ll travel more and add more quality, happiness and wisdom in my life       
I’ll visit at least four new Greek islands          
I’ll keep fit with exercise and good food        
I’ll spend a night in the arms of my lover under the moon and on a beach of the island of Ikaría                
I’ll dance to the music of a feast on a Greek island          
I’ll monitor my thoughts and think positive: no more nonproductive worrying; time for brainstorming creative solutions to challenging situations                                          
I won’t let stress take over me      
I’ll spend every weekend on a Greek island            
I’ll get away from it all.”

This year we are RE-starting anew. Let’s RE-unite in a common effort.