Rethymno, 3th most beautiful town in Greece, where you want to stay for a lifetime!!

The Spanish magazine Hola,makes a tribute to Greece and selects the 10 most beautiful villages and islands located in the country and are able to enchant the visitor and make him want to stay there forever.

See below the list of the top 10 most beautiful villages in Greece, according to Hola magazine.
1. Oia, Santorini
2. Chora, Mykonos
3. Rethymno, Crete
4. Hydra in the Saronic Gulf
5. Parga, Preveza
6. Thira or Fira, Santorini.7. Rhodes
8. Parikia, Paros
9. Spetses, Saronic Gulf10. Firostefani, Santorini
source: The Spanish magazine Hola

Eggplant balls (Melitzanokeftedes)

 These crunchy eggplant balls can be served as an appetizer, in a sandwich or even as a main meal with yoghurt and salad...

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 10 mins  Ready in: 25 mins

Ingredients
4 large eggplants
2 slices of old bread
1 finely chopped onion
1 finely chopped garlic clove
1 egg
1 finely chopped parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
5 spns of grated parmesan cheese
olive oil for frying
salt, pepper
Preparation method
Step 1
Cut the eggplant into cubes, salt the cubes, spread with olive oil and bake in oven at 180°C for 30 mins.
Step 2
Knead together the eggplant cubes with the bread after it has been soaked in water and fully drained. Add the finely chopped onion, garlic cloves, egg, cheese, salt, pepper, oregano and parsley. Leave in the fridge for half an hour.
Step 3
Shape round balls. Once these are molded, add beaten egg and then cover in breadcrumbs before frying in hot oil. Drain on kitchen paper and serve.
Tip
Serve with tomato salad or yoghurt flavored with mint. They go well with a yoghurt dip to which melted garlic, salt, olive oil and finely chopped mint have been added.
OPTIONAL ALTERNATIVE: You can boil the eggplants and drain these or cook them with the skin on a gas stove or in the oven and then drain them of their juices.
Source: Olive Magazine
Chef: Eleni Psychouli

Visitors to museums and archaeological sites up in 2014.

Visitors to Greek museums in December 2014 increased by 19.3%, and revenues from entrance tickets rose by 30.2% compared to the same month last year.

According to an announcement released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) on Thursday, visitors to Greek museums in December 2014 increased by 19.3%, and revenues from entrance tickets rose by 30.2% compared to the same month last year.
ELSTAT also said today that in the period January-December 2014, there were 22.5% more visitors in museums and revenues rose by 27.9%, compared to the same period last year.
Specifically with regard to archaeological sites, ELSTAT said that the number of visitors rose by 33.8% in December 2014 while revenues increased by 35% in comparison with the same month last year.
In the period of January-December 2014, the number of visitors in archaeological sites rose by 21.9% and revenues increased by 13.5%.
(source:protothema)

Liam Neeson wants Parthenon Sculptures to go back to Greece!

The famous actor wants Greece to get back the stolen Parthenon Marbles. Period. 

Irish actor Liam Neeson has added his voice to those of other celebrities calling for the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

Speaking to private STAR TV to promote his new action movie, “Run all Night” he was asked about Greece’s efforts to have the marbles returned. “(The UK) should give them back. Period,” he said. “Give them back to where they were stolen from. They should be given back. Absolutely.”


Last year, George Clooney and Bill Murray both said they believed the UK should return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

At the time, Maria Pullinger Koutsikou, campaign manager for Marbles Reunited, told the British press that it is always positive when public figures speak in favor of reunification of the Parthenon Marbles as it helps raise awareness.

Looking for a budget Easter holiday break? Greece is expecting you!

Are you looking for the ideal Easter holiday break destination that combines great springtime weather, amazing beaches, traditional charm and low prices? Well, your search is... Crete!

People who think about visiting Crete often ask: When is the best time to visit Crete?
   

There are many answers to this question, but for people who want a unique experience of the real life in Crete and Greece, I would suggest them to choose the week of the Greek Orthodox Easter.... 

Season 2015

Non-refundable Rates for Low Season (25/03/2015 - 30/04/2015)
 
Two – roomed Suite (2 persons) 65€
Three– roomed Suite (4-5persons) 95€

 Free sun beds loungers and umbrellas on the beach.

We have obtained for our clients a 12% discount (www.alianthos-group.com) and you can pick up your car directly from the airport .

 (Note, Orthodox Easter this year falls on April 12, a week after Catholic Easter.)

http://www.plakiassuites.com

Greece Tourism Gets Off on the Right Foot, Despite Challenges

Despite the recent political changes in the country, incoming tourism to Greece seems to have taken off with an increased number of arrivals from abroad.

The travel surplus increased by 50 percent due to a significant rise in non-residents’ arrivals in January, even though the corresponding receipts rose by just 9 percent.

According to provisional data from the Bank of Greece, incoming traffic in January came to 606,000 passengers, up 49.9 percent year-on-year, leading to a 9.1 percent rise in travel receipts at 14 million euros, with the average spending per trip dropping by 27 percent.
( full article:gtp)

Tourism Professionals Decide to Fight Illegal Accommodation in Greece

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), has decided to fight back against illegal tourism accommodation in Greece.
Speaking at the annual general assembly of the Confederation of Greek Enterprises for Rented Villas & Apartments (SEEDDE), SETE’s president Andreas Andreadis announced that a specialized company will be assigned to carry out electronic checks to tourism accommodation that is illegally rented out for the short-term.
The data collected will be delivered to the country’s tourism and tax authorities for penalties to be imposed.
Mr. Andreadis said that illegal tourism accommodation is a “huge wound” to the industry as some 40 percent of Greece’s total overnights per year are booked in such establishments.
Data from the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels  reveal that the annual lost revenue resulting from illegal leasing practices adds up to some two billion euros.
According to reports, recent Greek legislation requires for a special sticker to be present in all rooms of tourism accommodation enterprises as proof of legitimate operation. Otherwise, owners will face a fine of 1,000 euros. The penalty can reach 50,000 euros if it is discovered that the accommodation enterprise is not even operating under the state’s special operational seal.
(source: gtp)