Eleni and Giorgos

 Welcome to Plakias

We are here to help you.

On site or by telephone.

We look forward to hearing from you, to welcoming you and looking after you as our guest.

We will be happy to help and advise you to ensure that your stay is an unforgettable experience.

 Eleni - Giorgos
Suites Owners, Plakias


Plakias Suites is a family complex of 6 apartments that fits perfectly into the natural Cretan surroundings in one of the most attractive locations in southern Crete, the bay of Plakias.

 https://www.plakiassuites.com

A break down of the 10 Best Beaches on Crete (PHOTOS)

Endless choices for every taste!

 Crete is the largest island in Greece and its coastline of 1,046 km or 650 miles makes for some extraordinary beaches. 

With crystal clear waters and sand in a variety of colors, Crete’s beaches are unforgettable – in fact, this year of the 486 Blue Flag awarded beaches in Greece, 112 of the eco-labeled beaches are located on Crete! 

Let’s look at the top ten beaches on the Greek island of Crete.

 1. Elafonissi beach in Chania

This is the beach that you want to go to if you are into sparkling water and beautiful pink sand! Located on the southwestern side of Crete the beach has both soft white and pink sand and the coast is lined cedar trees. There are sunbeds and umbrellas available on part of the beach.

2. Balos beach in Chania

Located on the northwestern side of Crete, this beach gives you a view of the sea and an island with a Venetian Castle on top. There are many ways that you can reach this beach – either by car through a track road from Kissamos or by excursion boat from Chania Town and Kissamos.

3. Matala beach in Heraklion

Once known as a popular hippie destination in the 60’s and 70’s, this beach is now a popular family destination. Surrounded by caves where hippies once dwelled for months on end, there is much to explore and enjoy at this sandy beach!

4. Vai beach in Lassithi

Why not go to a beach that is surrounded by the largest palm tree forest in Europe while on Crete? This beach is surrounded by over 5,000 trees and offers clear blue water. This beach once was a free camping site but now in recent years free camping has been made prohibited.

5. Falassarna beach in Chania

Another beach on the west side of the island and close to Kissamos town, this beach offers many organized facilities and activities which makes it an ideal beach for families. Above the beach you can visit the archaeological site of Ancient Falassarna. Also there are many activities such as windsurfing which you can access from a windsurfing station at the beach during the summer months.

6. Plakias beach in Rethymno

Want to get away form it all? This beach is the perfect escape as it has a mellow atmosphere and sits just in front of the village. There is part of the beach where you can access umbrellas and sunbeds, or you can bring your own and enjoy this sandy beach.

7. Istro beach in Lassithi

While visiting the east of the island in the region of Lassithi, stop by and check out this beach located near the town of Agios Nikolaos. The large beach has golden sand and turquoise water – not to mention you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

8. Preveli beach in Rethymno

This beach is located in the south side of the prefecture of Rethymno and has a river which meets the sea and forms a lake! It’s a lovely beach that is surrounded by palm trees and offers activities such as exploring the lake. The beach itself has no organized facilities so bring your sunbeams, towels and umbrellas and dive in!

9. Rodakino beach in Rethymno

This beach is located on the southern side of Rethymno near the village of Plakias. The beach is sandy, large and does have some organized sunbeds for rent. Also, there are some seaside tavernas and apartments which surround this beach.

10. Tymbaki beach in Heraklion

This beach is large and has both sand and pebbles and is also known as Kokkinos Pyros. You can pass the entire day at this beach! It is complete with an organized section in case you want to rent sunbeds and umbrellas, not to mention this beach also has few seaside tavernas serving up local dishes!
Source

First sea turtles arrive in Crete for the season

Archelon volunteers move nests to more safe place

 After a long wait, tireless effort and patience researchers from ARCHELON, the sea turtle rescue centre in Rethymnon, the first nest of the sea turtle for 2017 was recorded in the Sfakaki area in Crete.

The volunteers’ daily routine involved waking up at the break of dawn to check the state of the spawning beaches and to identify any sea turtle traces leading to nests.

The first nest was finally located in Rethymnon on the beach of Sfakaki. 

 Due to the erosion of the beach at the area, which led to a diminished space for the turtles’ nests, the volunteers transferred them to more secure places.

Spiegel: 3 million Germans to visit Greece

 Magazine invites Germans to holiday in Greece in lauding article

Three million Germans will visit Greece for summer, according to a report by German magazine Spiegel.

In an article full of praise for Greece, the magazine writes that the number of Germans to the Mediterranean country is expected to be 1 million more than last season.

 “My sea, my sky, my culture, oh Greece! For another year the white and blue colours will enthuse millions of visitors”, writes the magazine lauding the beauties of Greece.

 “This is where the journey to the most beautiful islands, the serene villages and the special locations will start.”

The piece urges even more Germans to choose Greece as their holiday destination, pointing out the love that exists between Greeks and Germans.

Greek Tourism Makes News in the Economist

 Greece may be expecting a record breaking 30 million tourists this year, but the Economist is saying that convincing them to dig deeper into their pockets will be the challenge ahead.

Under the title “Kalo Taxidi! Greek Tourism” (Bon Voyage), the Economist says Greece is set to welcome more travelers from the UK, Russia and Germany,  at top destinations including Mykonos and Santorini.

 The magazine goes on to refer to friendlier prices at “hot” destinations like Corfu and Crete, compared to rival destination Spain, and adds that vacationers are now opting to stay fewer nights and consume less compared to 12 years ago.

The London-based weekly magazine underlines the potential of Greek tourism, attributing in great part even further growth to the Fraport’s  management of 14 regional airports.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum Honored with EMYA Special Commendation

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion on Crete was recently honored with a Special Commendation at the annual European Museum of the Year Awards (EMYA), held by the European Museum Forum (EMF) in Zagreb, Croatia!

The EMYA Judges praised the museum for presenting a cutting-edge interpretation of the history and civilization of Crete, focused on the rise and decline of the Minoan culture.

“The museum is a huge social and cultural asset for the island, influencing tourism, the economy and the local community”, EMF said in an announcement.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum was also nominated for the Council of Europe Award, in recognition of the Minoan Civilization’s broad dimension, displayed in a unique way at the Museum’s premises!

Tourism, Promotion of Local Products Top Crete – Russia Talks Agenda

Boosting incoming tourism from Russia to Crete and promoting Cretan products to the Russian market where the focus of talks between Crete regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis and the Russian Ambassador to Greece, Andrei Maslov, last week.

The two men met ahead of a joint inter-ministerial committee held in Iraklion, with the participation of Foreign Affairs Minister George Katrougalos and Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov. On the sidelines of the committee, the University of Crete organized a conference on “Transport and Tourism in the Globalized World”.

“We discussed all the issues of interest affecting the region, with particular attention to tourism as well as to promoting Cretan products to the Russian market,” said Arnaoutakis, adding that there is “a very significant flow of tourism to the island”.

“We want to see this relationship with Russia grow even stronger, we share the same faith, we have enjoyed an excellent relationship over time and I think that attracting tourists from Russia can be a significant source of revenue for the island, which can be achieved via synergies,” Arnaoutakis said.

“We have been discussing the prospects for cooperation between Crete and Russia in various fields and in the tourism sector. We are very pleased that arrivals of Russian tourists to Greece have increased significantly and especially to Crete,” said Maslov, adding that “42 percent of Russian tourists visiting Greece come to Crete, a very important destination for Russian tourists”.
(source:gtp)

Sfougato with courgette, feta and herbs

By: Georgia Kofina | 07.06.2017 | Appetizers, Mediterranean Cooking

Sfougato is a Greek oven omelet with veggies, cheese and beautiful fresh
 herbs!
The feta cheese will make it even yummier! 

Serve it with baked cherry tomatoes, a Greek tomato salad or a green salad with citrus vinaigrette!

Serves: 6 Preparation time: 15′ Cooks in: 30′ Ready in: 45′

Ingredients
8 eggs
2-3 courgettes, grated, salted, squeezed well
1 tsp dill, finely chopped
2 tsp spearmint, finely chopped
2 tsp parsley, finely chopped
1½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp pine nuts
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
chopped dill for serving
12 cherry tomatoes, baked, for serving
coarse sea salt for serving
salt, freshly ground black pepper

Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven at 180C. In a large bowl beat the eggs and stir in the rest of the ingredients except the olive oil and the ingredients for serving.
Step 2
Add olive oil in a medium oven dish (32cm diameter), put in the oven and let heat for 6-8 minutes. Pour in egg mix and bake for 25-30 minutes, until set and nicely browned.
Step 3
Sprinkle the oven omelet with dill and serve with baked cherry tomatoes sprinkled with sea salt and pepper. Serve warm.

 Photo Vangelis Paterakis – Food styling Antonia Kati