Mediterranean Cooking: Tomato salad with herbs

By: Elias Mamalakis
        Delicious salad, ideal for a light dinner.

Ingredients
6 large tomatoes
1 onion
4 barley rusks
1 cup chopped mint
1 cup chopped basil leave
1 tsp. tablespoon of fresh thyme leave
1 tsp. lemongrass soup leaves, finely-chopped
extra virgin olive oil
1 to 2 tsp. good soup wine vineger
coarse salt
10 ice cubes
Method
Step 1
Break the crispy bread into a very large bowl. Peel the tomatoes.
Step 2
Grate one of the tomatoes and scatter over the crispy bread. Cut the remaining tomatoes into pieces and add to salad bowl.
Step 3
Cut one onion and stir
Step 4
Add the herbs and plenty of coarse salt and stir again. Scatters the ice cubes in abowl and sprinkle with two tablespoons of vinegar. Pour plenty of oil and serve the tomato.
Tips
Probably such a sensual salad will make your guests to despise the other dishes of the meal, so take care with what would compliment the salad and not what will accompany the salad.
* You can make your salad some time before eating, so the tomato will release its juice and will be able to dip.
* The crispy bread is ideal for this salad because it is hard and then not melt, but soften.

New Review on Tripadvisor: “Relaxing time in a beautiful area with superb hosts”

Reviewed 1 week ago

Eleni and her husband, Giorgos are great hosts. 

The arrival was very warm and we felt directly at home. 

The house and rooms are very comfortable and very close to the sea.

Weather was sunny but a little windy. 

Eleni gave us good tips for excursions as well as great restaurants.
Thank you for this fine holiday.

 

If we are some day back in the area, we would certainly stay again there.
Dirk - Olga - Pascale - Patrik 

Room Tip: All rooms are very comfortable !

See here: TripAdvisor

Plakiassuites: Ranked #1 of 49 Speciality Lodging in Plakias, Retyhymno - Crete!

  

99 Reviews Certificate of Excellence

Photo of the day

Pancratium maritimum - Sea daffodil -Το κρινάκι της θάλασσας!

 The Sea Daffodil is a stunning flower and is one of the most beautiful of the wild Cretan flowers which appears on beaches in late summer and can be found on a few of the Southwest beaches of Rethymno...

Pancratium maritimum - Sea daffodil

New Review on Tripadvisor: “So relaxing!”

Reviewed 3 weeks ago:

A quiet retreat, a beach to die for, a relaxation dream! 

What more can I say about this great little haven. 

Eleni welcomed us at a late hour and did all she could to make this a great holiday for us.

The apartment had everything we needed including a well equipped kitchen and a little balcony with a sea view.

She told us where to find the butcher's and fish shops in the little villages so we were able to cook ourselves great meals. 

She also advised on the best local restaurants for the times when we felt like going out - one of these was just over the fence!

All-in-all, a memorable holiday but don't move in too soon - leave room for us!!

• Stayed May 2016, travelled as a couple.

See here: TripAdvisor

Plakiassuites: Ranked #1 of 49 Speciality Lodging in Plakias, Retyhymno - Crete!

  

103 Reviews Certificate of Excellence

Greece Shines at Rio Olympics Despite Obstacles

Amid the economic crisis and lacking government support, Greece participated in the Rio 2016 Olympics with the smallest delegation in the last two decades and managed through its athletes to shine, securing six medals, 14 participations in Olympic finals, and 12 athletes among the world’s top eight.
The Rio Games mark Greece’s fifth best performance since the first modern Olympics held in Athens in 1896, having thus far collected a total of 122 medals.
The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) congratulates this year’s Olympic medal bearers:

• Anna Korakaki, gold in women’s 25m pistol; bronze in 10m air pistol. Korakaki is also the first woman athlete to bring home two medals from the same Games, achieved 104 years ago by Konstantinos Tsiklitiras in standing long jump and standing high jump.

• Katerina Stefanidi, gold in women’s pole vault

• Lefteris Petrounias, gold in men’s rings

• Spyros Gianniotis, silver men’s 10km marathon swim, the first medal in swimming in Greek history. Gianniotis was the oldest competitor of the event at the Rio Olympics at 36.

• Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis, bronze in men’s 470 (dinghy)

Photo of the day

Explore the South Crete..

 

50% Mediterranean tourists pick Crete

Nearly one in two tourists choosing the Mediterranean Sea for their holidays are likely to pick Crete for their destination, according to data presented during an event co-ogranised by the regional tourism unit of Crete and the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) held on the island. 

According to the findings, 47% said they showed a preference to visiting Crete in the next two years, placing it second only to the Balearic islands (49%). Tuscany (43%), Sicily (40%), Provence, Cote d’Azur, Sardinia and Corsica followed with 36%. 

The event revealed that Crete constituted Greece’s tourism steam engine, as it absorbed 20% of all tourist arrivals and 2015 receiving 3.5 million people from all over the world, a 40% increase in the past 4 years. 

The top markets for the island are Germany, the UK, Russia, France and Norway. One of the problems facing the industry on the island is the fact that the bulk (77%) of arrivals come over a span of only 4 months, limiting the season to the summer months.

Meanwhile, according to results of an MRB Hellas study on 607 likely visitors Crete’s brand name awareness is first, as most of those polled said they knew the island more than Sicily or the Balearic islands. 90% of the respondents said they chose Crete for its natural beauty and history, with 78% saying they picked to for its tourism infrastructure.

(source:protothema)

Photo of the day..

Plakias is 35 kilometres south of Rethymno, on the southern coast of Crete on the Libyan Sea and is a popular tourist resort well-known for its award-winning Blue Flag sandy beach stretching for 1400 metres.

Plakias Suites Beach is situated to the eastern part of the long beach of Plakias!

The beach is sandy and very well organized with cool green waters!!

http://www.plakiassuites.com/

3 Greek islands in Europe’s top 10 by TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has rated the top 10 islands in Europe, according to its 2016 Travellers’ Choice Awards, and its list includes three Greek islands: Crete is 4th.. 

See here: TripAdvisor

Greece is the second most popular choice for German tourists for 2016

According to a survey conducted by German tour operator giants ‘Tui’, Greece is the second most popular choice for German tourists for 2016, with Spain taking top spot as the choice of 35% Germans. 

The survey was done in the area of the most densely populated state of North Rhine-Wesfalia. 

Turkey, Germany and Italy are the next most popular choices. 

The US (6th), Portugal (7th), Austria (8th), Bulgaria (9th) and Croatia (10th) make up the top 10 spots. 

According to the findings, TU travelers will holiday for 9.6 days this summer compared to 10.4 last year. 

Ad TUI estimates the trend to cut down on holidays could lead to second of third holidays later in the year.  

Last-Minute Bookings to Make or Break 2016 Tourism for Greece

Tourist bookings to Greece are moving at a slower than ever pace, according to figures released by the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) this week which found that the number has dropped by 59,000 in the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2015.

While incoming air traffic to Greece for the January-June period marked a 4.9 percent increase, up by 278,000 arrivals, inbound road traffic dropped by 7.4 percent at a loss of about 337,000 arrivals compared to the same period in 2015.

Topping the list of main destinations accessed via air thus far are Crete, up by 11.1 percent, the Ionian islands up by 9.7 percent and the Cyclades with a rise of 16 percent.

Athens recorded an increase of 4.2 percent in arrivals and Thessaloniki a 4 percent rise.

Meanwhile, islands primarily affected by the refugee influx have seen a major decline in the number of visitors: Kos recorded a drop of 17.9 percent, Samos by 39 percent and Lesvos by a massive 63.1 percent.

At the same time, road traffic from neighboring Bulgaria fell by 32 percent.

“The figures corroborate that the tourist season underway remains ‘fluid’ and  last minute,” SETE said in the accompanying statement, adding that this does not apply to all destinations in Greece, and underlining the significance of incentives instead of over-taxation for the further growth of the industry.

(source: gtp)

Photo of the day..

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted...
http://www.plakiassuites.com/

Greece comes third in Blue Flag certification with 430 beaches and 9 marinas!

Greece has came third among 50 countries in terms of Blue Flag certification, with 430 beaches and 9 marinas for 2016. 

The country also came fourth in Europe with the European Environment Agency confirming that 97.2 percent of its beaches are of the highest quality for swimming.

Run by the independent non-profit organization Foundation for Environmental Education, the Blue Flag Program is dedicated to labeling beaches and marinas appropriate for swimming.

The criteria that a beach must fulfill to get a Blue Flag has to do with its cleanness, the water quality, organization, safety of the swimmers, environmental protection and other services.

This year, 3,462 beaches and 660 marinas in 50 countries were inspected.

 

Greece Wineries ‘Open Doors’ to Intoxicating Taste Experience

Wine lovers and bon viveurs will have the chance to indulge on May 28-29, when wineries and vineyards across Greece open their doors to the public for an intoxicating wine and dine experience.

The two-day series titled “Open Doors”, an initiative of the European Network of Wine Cities (RECEVIN), includes vineyard, production area and wine cellar tours, wine tasting sessions and many surprises.

The Wine Producers Association of the Vineyard of Central Greece (ENOAKE) is participating in the event and invites all lovers of the vine to come along and meet the producers, taste their wines and stroll selected routes that traverse the country’s most picturesque viticultural zones.

While there, visitors will have the chance to select from a wide variety of wines at attractive prices.

Meanwhile, the Wines of Crete network will also be participating with a series of food and wine tasting events featuring local delicacies and wine varieties.

“Open Doors” at wineries across Greece run between 11am and 7pm. Admission is free.

Some of the wine routes included are: the Olympus Gods, Epirus, Limnon, Naoussa, Pella-Goumenissa, Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Dionysus and Crete.
(source:gtp)

DPA: German Tourists are Choosing Greece Again this Year

Despite the refugee crisis and tax hikes in Greece, German tourists are opting once again to holiday under the Greek sun, Deutsche Welle said on Monday, citing a report of the German Press Agency (dpa).

According to the dpa, despite “gloomy forecasts” made by Greek tourism  representatives that refer to a dramatic reduction in bookings to Greece this summer due to the refugee crisis and the increase in the value-added tax (VAT) rate at popular Greek tourist destinations, this does not seem to be verified in practice, at least in relation to data provided by German tour operators.

As a representative of the German Travel Association (DRV) informed the dpa, this year’s booking figures to Greece are exceeding those of 2015, which had recorded a record.

According to data from DRV, German travellers are opting this year for the popular tourist destinations of Crete, Rhodes and Corfu.

On the other hand, bookings are sluggish to Samos and Kos, mainly due to the massive arrival of refugees and immigrants from Syria and other major trouble spots.

Meanwhile, the German Association for Consumer Research GfK has come to the same conclusions. According to GfK, bookings to Greece in 2016 will rise compared with last year’s summer tourist season, partially due to the decline in demand for Turkey, because of recent terrorist attacks in the country, especially in Istanbul.

 Last year Turkey had ranked third on the list of favorite destinations of the Germans. The dpa added that bookings to Egypt have also declined, for similar reasons.

On the other hand, according to the dpa, tourist traffic is expected to increase significantly at Spanish and Portuguese destinations.
(source:gtp)

Police-manned Help-desks at Greek Airports to Assist Tourists

Tourist police offices have opened up at airports across Greece with officers ready to answer questions and assist incoming visitors in efforts to facilitate travel.

Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes, Chania, Corfu, Mykonos, Kos, Santorini and Zakynthos airports are currently hosting tourist police offices in their arrival area. 

A tourist police office will soon be opening at Athens International Airport. 

 

The new help desks – manned by foreign language-speaking (English, French, Italian and Spanish) Greek police officers from the Department of Tourism Police and the Security Service of Attica – aim to support Greek tourism by providing assistance and necessary information to incoming visitors and tourists.

Holidaymakers or visitors can also file complaints or charges concerning loss/theft of travel documents/objects. 

The offices are operating in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and local government bodies.

(source:gtp)

New Review on Tripadvisor: "Holiday and relaxation"

After 2 weeks of different accommodations on Crete we could enjoy a weeks in the best accommodation.

Perfect suites were where we spend the night with the best bed. 

Lovable by the super nice hosts Eleni and Georgios.

All around a recommendation.

Gunnar and Elisabeth from Munich

Stayed April 2016, travelled as a couple.

 See here: TripAdvisor

Plakiassuites: Ranked #1 of 47 Speciality Lodging in Plakias, Crete - Greece.

  

94 Reviews Certificate of Excellence

Greece 5th most popular destination for British in 2016

 According to a poll on travel site ‘TravelZoo’, Greece is the 5th preferred holiday destination for British nationals.

 The survey revealed that safety is the tip priority for the British tourists, a factor explaining why they choose domestic ‘stay-cations’ destinations for their holidays. 

Following their homeland, the Brits’ second most popular destination is Spain, with France coming in third, followed by the US and Italy. 

Two thirds of the British holiday makers are already in the process of planning their summer travels. 

Low cost and sunny weather are two most important factors for Brits to choose their destinations, following security. 

This is the list of British nationals’ favourite holidays places for 2016:

1. UK – 27%
2. Spain – 21%
3. France – 10%
4. USA/Italy – 8%
5. Greece – 7%
6. Canada -/Germany/Portugal – 5%
7. Australia/Caribbean/Cyprus – 4%

New Review on Tripadvisor: “Tutto perfetto”

Siamo stati ospiti di Eleni e Giorgos ad agosto 2015.

La struttura ha poche suites, tutte molto curate; l'arredamento è moderno e funzionale: la cucina è ben attrezzata e consente a chi ne ha voglia di cucinare come a casa, anche gli spazi sono ben studiati sia all'interno che in veranda. Ad aspettarci c'era anche un assaggio di prodotti locali come olio, vino e raki.

La nostra suite aveva una camera da letto e un divano letto nella zona giorno, un bagno non molto grande ma con un box doccia ampio, tutto curatissimo e pulitissimo.
A dire il vero tutto il complesso di Plakias Suites è estremamente ordinato e pulito: tutti i giorni le camere e gli ambienti comuni vengono puliti.

La spiaggia attrezzata (di sabbia) è proprio a pochi passi dalla camera, il lettino è sempre garantito e non c'è affollamento - apprezzabile la distanza tra gli ombrelloni.

Completano il quadro la possibilità di utilizzare biciclette, la vicinanza di ristoranti e supermarket, e di molte spiagge tra le più belle di Creta.

Ci torneremo l'anno prossimo.

 Stayed August 2015, travelled with family.
 See here: TripAdvisor

Plakiassuites: Ranked #1 of 47 Speciality Lodging in Plakias

  

93 Reviews Certificate of Excellence

Greece among world’s top 50 countries, says Telegraph.

Telegraph newspaper published the 2015-16 Telegraph Travel Awards.

More than 75,000 readers voted their favorite destinations, announced this week.

Greece ranked 29th among the world’s 50 best countries.

 It is also chosen as the second most popular tourist destination in Mediterranean by British travelers.

The British newspaper notes about Greece:

“Despite its troubles over the last couple of years, we seem still to love Greece, and it remains readers’ second favourite Mediterranean destination” says the newspaper adding:

 “It’s certainly true that once you get away from it all on one of those idyllic islands, with white-washed villages shimmering between a deep blue sky and an azure sea, the problems of the world seem to melt away.”

Greece among top 10 destinations chosen by German tourists

Greece despite refugee crisis is among the top 10 destinations chosen by German tourists last year based on a research conducted by The German Research Institute (FUR) and published by Tourism-Review.com.

“The popularity of Greek regions depends on their location and the current situation.

Some places, such as Crete and Corfu, were performing well providing German tourists with the blend of sunshine, relaxation and culture that they expect.

Others, that have been hit by the refugee crisis, like the eastern Aegean Sea, however, have seen a decline.”

The research revealed several changes in the list of the most popular destinations.

German tourists continued going on holiday, despite the increased security risks. However, the destinations chosen were much closer to their home.

Moreover, the study showed that most Germans preferred the sun and sea, with large number of German tourists visiting coasts and Mediterranean destinations.


However, many Germans prefer not to leave their home country at all.
(source: protothema)

Virtuoso: Greece among top 10 summer destinations for jetsetters in 2016.

Greece has been included in luxury travel network Virtuoso’s Top 10 list as one of the world’s leading destinations for summer holidays and among the 10 leading countries recording increased bookings.

(According to data presented at the annual Virtuoso Symposium in Hong Kong this week, travel to Greece is picking up with 58 percent of bookings made in June through August, and holidaymakers preferring Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and
Rhodes.)

 Virtuoso has mined its data warehouse of more than $35 billion in transactions to reveal the top destinations.

Upscale jetsetters are largely seeking perennial European favorites for summer vacations, alongside select African locales.

 However, a few surprises emerged when Virtuoso compared this year's summer hot spots to last year's "must-see" destinations.

The Virtuoso Top 10:

The most popular destinations for summer vacations based on future bookings.

1. Italy
2. United Kingdom
3. France
4. Spain
5. Netherlands
6. Ireland
7. Germany
8. South Africa
9. Greece
10. Israel

Photo of the day..

Feel the Harmony and the relaxation..

A nice evening at Plakias - Crete, Greece!

It's Island Time: TripAdvisor Names the Europe's Top 10 Islands in 2016 Travelers' Choice Awards. Crete ranked 4th.

The island of Crete is a Greek jewel floating in a sea of melted turquoise.
 
The beaches are godly stretches of pillowy sand and smooth pebbles.

Its historical and mythological significance can not be ignored: Crete is said to have been to be the birthplace of Zeus, the king of the Gods, and was the site of Europe's first modern civilization...

 
 Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is a paradise for tourists seeking sunshine, beaches, and culture.

Lighting and Handover Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame

The journey of the Olympic Flame in view of the RIO 2016 Olympic Games will start on April 21, 2016 in Ancient Olympia. The Handover Ceremony of the Olympic Flame will be held on April 27, 2016 at the Panathenaic Stadium (Athens).

Eighty years after the Olympic Flame was lit for the first time in the context of the modern Olympic Games, the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the RIO 2016 Olympic Games will take place in Ancient Olympia on April 21, 2016.

The High Priestess Katerina Lehou will hand the Olympic Flame to the first torchbearer in order for the Flame to travel in Greece before arriving in Athens. On its journey, the Flame will cross the majority of the Greek territory including islands such as Zakynthos and Corfu.

The Handover Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the RIO 2016 Olympic Games followed by a celebrations programme, will take place at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on April 27, 2016.
For more info: www.hoc.gr

Photos © Hellenic Olympic Committee

21/04/2016 - 27/04/2016

Location: Various locations

Hours - Comments

Dates: 21/04/2016, 27/04/2016. Place: Peloponnese & Athens. Venues: Ancient Olympia & Panathenaic Stadium. Start. T.: 12:00 (Lighting Ceremony), 17:00 (Handover Ceremony). (source: VisitGreece)

Special Offers for traditional Easter in 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..

Enjoy your holidays at low season with special price 10% discount: Booking  

Free sun beds loungers and umbrellas on the beach.

We have obtained for our clients a 12% discount, and you can pick up your car directly from the airport .

Are you ready? Welcome to Greece...

We are ready! Season 2016 welcome!
www.plakiassuites.com

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.

Greece ranks first among best destinations to travel in May

Now that the weather is changing, you are all getting restless, and it’s time to discover a new corner of the globe, says the leading travel magazine Conde-Nast traveler and suggests top 6 destinations to travel.

Greece ranks first among magazine’s best destinations to travel in May!

Photo of the day: me, you and the sunset..

Plakias is 35 kilometres south of Rethymno, on the southern coast of Crete on the Libyan Sea and is a popular tourist resort well-known for its award-winning Blue Flag sandy beach stretching for 1400 metres.

It is not too large, and so retains the traditional Cretan friendliness, but it is big enough to have a good range of accommodation, tavernas, shops etc.

http://www.plakiassuites.com/

Video escape: planning a vacation?

Destination: Plakias.. a nice evening in April!

 

Plakias is a small fishing village and produces sunset like this!Plakias is 35 kilometres south of Rethymno, on the southern coast of Crete on the Libyan Sea and is a popular tourist resort well-known for its award-winning Blue Flag sandy beach stretching for 1400 metres.

 http://www.plakiassuites.com/

Large rise in German bookings for Greek islands

According to data released by TravelTainment, the Greek islands experienced a large increase in bookings from the German market, while bookings for the Turkish Riviera have dropped substantially.

 Traveltainment is an online service monitoring the bookings of 10 of Germany’s largest travel agencies, tour operators and online tourist booking services for the most popular travel destinations of German nationals.

The airport of Heraklion, Crete will have a 50+ percent rise in bookings from German tourists, while that of Rhodes is expected to see a 37+ percent increase.

Heraklion made a noteworthy spike in January bookings of 25 percent, while Rhodes also saw a 37 percent increase in February.

Turkey, a competitor of Greece in the tourist industry, saw a 40 percent fall in its bookings for the Turkish Riviera.
(source:protothema)

Photo of the day: Summer is coming..

Today at Plakias!

Plakias is 35 kilometres south of Rethymno, on the southern coast of Crete on the Libyan Sea and is a popular tourist resort well-known for its award-winning Blue Flag sandy beach stretching for 1400 metres.

It combines everything as it offers visitors many facilities: surgery, pharmacy, all kinds of shops, car hire, post office, ATM, many tavernas, exciting nightlife, organized beaches (Souda, Damnoni, Ammoudi, Schinaria), diving centre, free-riding centre, and an extensive marina where even large yachts can berth.

//http://www.plakiassuites.com/