Δευτέρα 16 Φεβρουαρίου 2015

Get Greek: Mediterranean diet can reduce risk of stroke, new study shows!

A new study conducted by researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center has revealed a correlation between eating traditional Mediterranean foods and a lower risk of ischemic strokes – that is, strokes caused by a lack of oxygen-rich blood in the brain. The study was conducted in order to analyze relationships between dietary habits and various health issues, including heart disease and mental degeneration.
 
Dr. Ayesha Sherzai, a neurologist at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, led a team in examining data acquired from over 104,000 people who took part in the long-term study. The participants were all female teachers from California, with an average age of 52. After adjusting for physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors, the study concluded that women who followed a Mediterranean diet plan had a noticeably lower stroke risk.
The Mediterranean diet that Sherzai recommended mostly consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, poultry, whole grains, and a fair amount of olive oil. It reduces the consumption of sugar, dairy, red meat, and saturated fats. The members of the long-term study were split into five groups depending on how closely they followed the proscribed diet.
Strokes are a primary health concern both in the U.S. and across the globe. Treatments are frequently expensive, and taking preventative diet measures is one of the best ways to insure health. Last year, the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association recommended the Mediterranean diet to reduce the risk of stroke.
However, Sherzai’s findings indicated that one type of stroke cannot be influenced by altering dietary patterns. Hemorrhagic strokes, which constitute 20 percent of all cardiovascular incidents, occur when ruptured blood vessels in the brain lead to internal bleeding, and cannot be prevented by eating habits.
The study’s findings will be presented this year at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting in Nashville, TN.
(By Katharine Gripp, National Monitor | February 15, 2015)

Τρίτη 10 Φεβρουαρίου 2015

When is the best time to visit 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.... 
Plakias Suites
 
Season 2015 Non-refundable Rate for Low Season:

Kleio Suite : (25/03/2015 - 30/04/2015, Two – roomed Suite (2 persons) 65€

Contact us
  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 .


Κυριακή 8 Φεβρουαρίου 2015

On this day: 35 years without the great Nikos Xilouris

Thirty five years later, we honor the Archangel Cretan with lyre, Nikos Xilouris or Psaronikos... born in 1936 in Crete, Anogia, from a family with musical tradition.

Κυριακή 1 Φεβρουαρίου 2015

Crete is the safest family destination!



Crete received the safest destination for families award from the tourist magazine 'Mondo'. 


The island participated in Matka tourism exhibition held in Helsinki, Finland, and impressed visitors with its natural beauty, important monuments, culinary richness and quality hotel infrastructure. 
MATKA is the largest event of the travel trade in Northern Europe.
The Fair was dedicated to foreign and domestic destinations and took place at Messukeskus, Expo and Convention Centre Helsinki from 15 to 18 January 2015. More than 70,000 people visited the exhibition.

Σάββατο 31 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Athens Enters 2nd Phase of ‘European Best Destination 2015′ Competition!

Athens_Vote_1aAthens, Greece, ranks among the top 10 cities in the run for the title of ‘European Best Destination 2015′, according to the results of the first round of voting. The competition launched on January 20 among 20 tourist destinations.
VOTE-4-USThe second phase of the competition has begun! The winner will be the city with the most online votes!
Cast your vote for Athens here! The deadline is February 10.
The competition has been launched by the European Best Destinations (EBD), a European organization based in Brussels and developed to promote tourism in Europe.
One destination will be awarded the title of “European Best Destination 2015″ and will be authorized to use the title and affix the “European Best Destination” logo on all its communications, adverts, website and photos.
The next nine destinations with the highest number of votes will be announced through EBD’s communications, website and social networks as being one the best European destinations to visit in 2015(source GTP)

Σάββατο 24 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Austrian tourists choose Greece for their summer vacations

According to Austrian tour operators and the multitude of new airline flights

Greece has managed to acquire 12.7% of the summer tourism Austrian market. This impressive jumping point for 2015 is expected to continue throughout the year, according to the head of the largest Austrian tour operator.

The International Conference on Tourism of Vienna is the largest and most important conference of its kind in Central Europe. It opened on the 15th of January and includes 790 exhibitors from 70 countries, while it is estimated that 150,000 people will be visiting it.

Greece’s positive progress is confirmed through meetings held in the Greek exhibition kiosk between Tourism officials, their representatives in Austria, and officials of various airlines. It is indicative of progress that the latter stated that airlines have already developed more frequent flights and to more destinations, connected to Austrian airports.
(Source:gtp)

National Geographic for Crete: “We Are What We Eat: Spring in Crete Means a Feast of Wild Greens”

Greek food, the Mediterranean Diet and eating traditions are taking center stage in a series of National Geographic food tour/travel features, bringing Greece into the international spotlight as a prime culinary tourism destination.

Thessaloniki and its goodies featured in National Geographic Traveller’s Jan/Feb 2015 issue under the title “Eat: Thessaloniki” focusing on the northern port city’s rich, multicultural past and “passion for food”.

The story outlines the reasons to eat in Thessaloniki, and better yet what to eat and where. Highlights include smoky aubergine dip, sweet fish “sinagrida”, oysters, and of course, the city’s trademark pastries, the “bougatsa” and the creme patisserie-filled “trigona”.
Dakos (or "Greek bruschetta"): A traditional meze (light meal) of the island of Crete.
Dakos (or “Greek bruschetta”): A traditional meze (light meal) of the island of Crete.

In the meantime, Crete’s dietary habits and offerings steal the show in “We Are What We Eat: Spring in Crete Means a Feast of Wild Greens”, part of the “The Evolution of Diet”, which is a segment of National Geographic’s special eight-month “Future of Food” series.

Rummaging Crete for greens and much more, the feature describes the Greek island as “favored by the gods” and focuses on the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
(source:gtp)

Τρίτη 20 Ιανουαρίου 2015

A delicious Greek dish

 z11

Beef with aubergines and fresh tomato

 

Serves: 6 Preparation time: 30m Cooking time: 60m Ready in: 1h 30m
z11a
Ingredients
1.200gr. beef bon net, in portions
1½ kg aubergines at moderate cubes
1kg fresh ripe tomatoes, grated
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
¾ cup olive oil
½ tsp. sweet sugar
½ tsp. teaspoon cinnamon
salt and pepper
Preparation method
Step 1
Place the aubergines  and half the oil in a large bowl and stir. Then lay on a baking tray and put in oven grill turning them on both sides until browned and softened.
Step 2
Heat the remaining oil in a large saucepan and sauté the meat until golden brown on all sides. Add onion and garlic and continue to sauté until the onion softens.
Step 3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, meat, sugar, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer food for 40-45 minutes until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens. Check periodically and, if necessary, add a little water. Add the aubergines in the last 15 minutes to mix with the sauce.

Source: Olive magazine
Chef: Georgia Kofina
Photo: Vaggelis Paterakis
Food Styling: Antonia Kati

Δευτέρα 19 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Mystery Greek tomb contained at least 5 corpses, experts say

Ενδεικτική εκπροσώπηση οστών Ατόμου 1 με φωτογραφίες οστών.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek officials say human bones found in a resplendent ancient tomb excavated last year in northern Greece belong to at least five individuals, including an elderly woman and a baby.
The high-profile excavation at ancient Amphipolis uncovered a large, vaulted tomb decorated with marble statues of sphinxes and young women, as well as a remarkable mosaic pavement.
A Culture Ministry statement Monday said bones found in the grave belong to a woman over 60, a newborn, two men aged 35-45 and another adult.
The tomb has been dated to between 325 B.C. — two years before the death of ancient Greek warrior-king Alexander the Great — and 300 B.C. Experts speculated it could have been built for a general or a relative of Alexander's, who himself was buried in Egypt.
(Source: the big story)

Τετάρτη 14 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Greek Islands among Top 10 Global Destinations for 2015

The Irish Independent has included the Greek islands in its top ten countdown of the best global destinations for 2015.

 "You'd be hard pushed to find a holiday spot as beautiful as the Greek Islands. Time and again, blissed-out holidaymakers head back for whitewashed walls, cobalt blue waters, tiny coves and the chance to gorge on Greek cuisine. Despite a tricky few years, there are signs of a comeback for the tourism industry in Greece, which makes now a great time to visit."

Top 10 destinations for 2015
  1. Cuba
  2. Cornwall
  3. Singapore
  4. Iceland
  5. Los Angeles and Washington
  6. La Gomera
  7. Ethiopia
  8. Ireland’s South & East
  9. Greek islands
  10. Faroe Islands

11 Weird and Wonderful Reasons to Visit Crete

11 Weird and Wonderful Reasons to Visit Crete
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is renowned for its glorious weather, mouth-watering Greek cuisine and paradise beaches. Although you probably don’t need much more convincing than that to visit this beautiful island, we’ve rounded up 11 weird and wonderful reasons to get you craving to visit Crete this summer.
1. It Goes Way Back

Crete’s history actually goes further back than that of the entire European continent, meaning it’s full of ancient stories for you to discover.

2. It’s the Birth Place of Zeus
 zeus_178243601
Greek myths say the island is the birth place of Zeus, King of the Gods. Any place fit for a god is certainly good enough for us!

3. Crete Enjoys Two Climates

The majority of Crete has a sunny Mediterranean climate, however the south coast enters into the North African climatic region which enjoys more warmer days than the north of Crete year round… that’s two holidays in one!

4. Ancient Philosophers Loved It

The island’s history was often mentioned by some of the great ancient Greek philosophers, including Aristotle, Plato and Homer.

 5. Knossos is One of the Most Popular Archaeological Sites in Greece
 knossos_crete_138479867
The most popular archaeological site in Greece after the Acropolis, Knossos was the dwelling of King Minos and is definitely worth visit!

6. The Air of Crete Has Healing Powers

Hippocrates, a Greek physician, proclaimed that the air in Crete had healing powers, a belief that is still held today.

7. Crete is Practically Equidistant Between Three Continents

Crete’s distance from Europe is almost identical to its distance from Africa and its distance from Asia, making it a mid-point between all three continents.

8. It’s Got Thousands of Caves
 caves_crete_217483600
This Greek Island is home to over 3000 caves, something which is well worth exploring! Although, maybe not all of them…

9. Crete Was Once the Master of the Mediterranean

At one point in history, even Athens honoured Crete and many people travelled to the island to honour King Minos.

10. Crete’s Transparent Waters Can Stretch Back as Far as 40m
 Falasarna_addmustard_74805172 crete2
The shimmering, clear blue sea water off the coast of Crete can sometimes reach up to 40 meters from the shoreline, which is a luxury we all need to experience.

11. The Island is Associated With the Mysterious City of Atlantis

Evidence found on Crete suggests the Minoan civilization could have been destroyed by a giant tsunami, resulting in the underwater lost city of Atlantis.

Since this magnificent island is the birth place of Zeus and even has healing air, we’re struggling to find any reasons why you wouldn’t fancy a trip to Crete!
(source:lowcostholidays, authorOlivia Connelly)