Greek Blue Flag Beaches in World’s Top 3

Greek beaches have consecutively been listed in the top three spots of the highly coveted Blue Flags Program, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF) said on occasion of the 30th anniversary of the project.


According to EEPF, which has been responsible for the Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) Blue Flag program in Greece since 1992, its aim is to achieve the first position for Greek beaches and coasts. Indicatively, in 1987, the Blue Flag was awarded to 244 coasts worldwide and seven beaches in Greece. Of the 3,568 beaches awarded today, 430 are in Greece.
“The Blue Flag is a collective effort, and the EEPF would like to thank all the administrators of beaches and marinas, supporters, sponsors and volunteers who have backed the program over the years. With unparalleled diligence, common goals and vision, we will act together for the best results towards the development of sustainable tourism for the benefit of our country,” said EEPF President Nikos Petrou.

On the initiative of the FEE, the Blue Flag Program labels beaches and marinas as well as sustainable boating tourism operators appropriate for swimming based on cleanness, water quality, organization, safety and services, environmental management and protection and certifies the best every year ahead of summer.
(Source:gtp)

Greek Moussaka: Tradition meets taste!

By: Tina Webb | Greek Classics, Meals |Mediterranean Cooking|

It doesn’t get more Greek than a plate of Moussaka though Turks may beg to differ. In Arabic countries the dish is served cold whereas the Balkan Moussaka is served hot. What differentiates the Greek version are the layers that are separately cooked before being combined in the final baking process. The modern Greek version was probably formulated by chef Tselementes in the Twenties…

Serves: 1 full dish Preparation time: 20m Cooks in: 2 hours Ready in: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Ingredients 

6 large eggplants
Frying oil
For the minced meat sauce:
700 grams of minced beef
1 large onion, grated
1 glass of white wine
1 coffee cup of oil
2 table spoons of tomato paste
5 grains of spices
6 table spoons of finely chopped parsley
salt, pepper
For the bechamel sauce:
6 tablespoons of butter
8 tablespoons of flour
800 ml milk
3 eggs
nutmeg
salt, pepper

Method

Step 1
Cut the eggplants into slices of 1 cm each. Salt these and place them on a sieve for half an hour. Rinse these with water and squeeze out the juices.

Step 2
Dry out the slices and fry these in ample frying oil until they are golden brown on both sides. Place these on kitchen paper to absorb the juice. Another option would be to brush them with olive oil and grill these.

Step 3
Prepare the minced meat. Heat the oil and saute the finely chopped onion. Add the minced meat and keep stirring. Add white sauce. Dissolve the tomato paste in some water and add it to the minced meat. Add spice, parsley, salt and peper and keep stirring until all the juices have dried up. Put the minced meat to the side so that it cools down.

Step 4
Prepare the bechamel sauce. Heat the butter in a pot, add the flour and sauté until the mixture darkens. Add warm milk while constantly stirring the mixture. Pull away from the heat, as soon as the bechamel sauce thickens. Add the spice, salt and pepper. Add cheese and keep stirring while folding the eggs into the mixture. Stir fast until the mixture sets.

Step 5
Heat the oven to 170 degrees. Place half the fried eggplants at the bottom of the dish. Place the minced meat on top and level with a spoon so that it is evenly spread. Add a second layer of eggplants. Pour the bechamel sauce on top and spread it out evenly. Place the dish in the oven for one hour until a golden crust forms on top of the sauce. Let it cool down for half an hour before serving.

Calls for Minoan Civilization, Spinalonga to be Named UNESCO World Heritage Sites

On occasion of an UNESCO Committee Convention held in Heraklion, Crete, last weekend, Crete Region Prefect Stavros Arnaoutakis and Heraklion Mayor Vassilis Labrinos called for the inclusion of Minoan Civilization and Spinalonga island on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Delegates from 18 countries gathered on Crete last weekend to discuss the inclusion of Minoan Civilization and the islet of Spinalonga – once a leper colony – on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list.

Experts from Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America convened at Heraklion’s St Mark Basilica chaired by Culture Ministry Secretary General Maria Vlazaki to discuss the protection of cultural property from antiquities smuggling activities, while committee members had the chance earlier that day to visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and learn more about the Minoan Palaces including Knossos, Phaistos, Zakros, Malia and Cydonia via a video presentation.

“We are confident that the UNESCO Committee will contribute to the common effort for the protection of the world’s archaeological treasures and the Region of Crete is present in this action,” said Arnaoutakis.
(source:gtp)

Time for Greece to Capitalize on Safety, Its Strong Point

By Maria Paravantes in Berlin

It’s time for Greece to capitalize on its leading strong point – security, Michalis Vamiedakis, Crete Tourism Commissioner told the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) during the ITB Berlin on Thursday.

“The good news is that we are seeing increased bookings and more reservations for the off season period like April and May, the bad news that many of these bookings have been made very early when hoteliers made extremely low offers which is bound to take a bite out of revenue,” Vamiedakis told the GTP, adding that the resultant increase in tourism due to the situation in Turkey must be taken advantage of.

“It is vital that we capitalize on the current demand for Greece, offer the finest services at competitive prices and promote the added advantage of Greece right now, namely that it is a safe and secure destination,” Vamiedakis said, echoing the sentiments of many of his colleagues at the ITB.

But he was quick to point out that stakeholders must also “remain wise, keep their prices down and spread the word that Greece is value for money due to the safety it offers”. 

“We must also aim parallel to the sea and sun concept to promote new tourism segments like agro-tourism, health, conference and other forms of the product offering diversity and at the same time focusing on what brings in travelers.” 

(source: GTP)

Crete: The Apokriés, or Carnival season in Rethymno, Brings Thousands of Tourists...

Since 1914 beautiful Renaissance Rethymnon has been celebrating the carnival with its many humoristic events. A carnival of another era leaving behind its nostalgic aroma of romantic balls and the Rethymnians through laughter and their comical antics paying their tribute to "His Excellence, The King of the Carnival."

The Treasure Hunt, an old custom dating back to when the Carnival of Rethymno began about a century ago, was the reason for the creation of 'teams' in 1990, which would give birth once again to this age-old tradition.

In 1993, the Municipality of Rethymnon decided to help fund this popular event and requested the teams to take on the challenging task of creating and organising the Carnival of Rethymnon, which has become the most popular and famous Carnival of Crete!

The whole town becomes one big party: for almost a whole month, the city plays host to a succession of fun-filled celebrations, bringing together locals and visitors who participate in this carnival because they love to enjoy every moment of their lives.

You will see groups of people sitting together in traditional cafés (kafeneia) drinking “tsikoudiá” (raki), tasting Cretan titbits and thinking up “mantinádes” (folk couplet songs) on the spot.

Carnival in Rethymno, an institution with a great history, has withstood the test of time and returns each year full of vigour. 

It is a superb way to raise your spirits, meet new people and experience an event that is pure magic.

Photo of the day

Sunny day walking, by the plakias beach..
Rethymno,Crete.. 
Plakiassuites

Have a great February

Enjoy the little things...

Positive Signs for Greek Tourism as Pre-bookings Grow

Tourists from Germany, Russia and the UK have already made plans to visit Greece this summer pushing the number of pre-bookings into positive territory and offering sector professionals a glimpse of what’s in store for 2017.

Arrivals from Germany are expected to grow by 40 percent, from the UK by 15 percent and from Russia by 25 percent compared to 2016.
At the same time, interest from other markets, including France, Switzerland and Canada, has also begun to warm up. Travelers this year are keen on visiting Crete, Rhodes and Kos — islands which are expected to draw in the crowds thanks to a number of newly launched direct flights.

Vacationers from the US are also expected to rise this year, following a double-digit increase in 2015-2016, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said while in the US for the New York Times Travel Show.

Meanwhile, TUI reports a 41 percent rise in the number of bookings for Greece, while Thomas Cook is describing Greece as this year’s “ultimate destination”.
Spain remains Greece’s main competitor as the leading choice for holidays together with rivals Italy and Portugal. Egypt, meanwhile is regaining ground due to affordable holiday deals.
(source:gtp)

Plakiassuites: Life is better near the beach..

Plakias Suites in Rethymno Crete, Greece.

Welcome to the Plakias Suites (4 keys), a family complex of 6 apartments that fits perfectly into its natural Cretan surroundings in one of the most attractive locations in southern Crete, the bay of Plakias.

The complex is situated on the long, sandy beach of Paligremnos in Plakias.

"Plakias Suites" is the ideal place for families with children due to the spacious, comfortable apartments with access onto the grassy 900 sq. m. garden where children can play undisturbed.

http://www.plakiassuites.com

Greece Tops Austrian Travelers’ Wish List for 2017

Greece is a favorite destination for Austrian holidaymakers judging by their pre-bookings which are up by 60 percent for the summer ahead, TUI Austria CEO Lisa Weddig said on Tuesday during a presentation in Vienna, of the group’s 2017 program.

Greece destinations Crete, Corfu and Rhodes are at the top of Austrian travelers’ wish lists, according to Weddig, with Kos also regaining lost ground – bookings there have double compared to last year.

To meet the demand, TUI Austria, a member of TUI Group, announced last week that it had boosted its flights to the four Greek islands by 15 percent.


Greece is the leading European destination of choice for a second year running, followed by Spain, Italy, Croatia and Egypt, Wedding said, adding that Turkey on the other hand is seeing last year’s dramatic 40 percent decline drop even further.

Weddig added that the company’s turnover for 2016 grew by 30 percent.
(gtp)

Photo of the day: wintertime at Plakias..

It may be the middle of January, wet and cold, but that doesn't mean we don't have sunny days!

http://www.plakiassuites.com/

Plakias Suites: #1 of 49 Specialty Lodging in Plakias, Rethymno Crete.

Plakias Suites (5.0 of 5 stars) Ranked 1 of 49 Specialty Lodging in Plakias according the popular travel site TripAdvisor 

Having already received the prize Certificate of Excellence with 103 Reviews.

9 out of 10 tourists like Greece, GTO survey shows

According to a survey conducted by the Greek Tourist Organisation (GTO-EOT), 9 out of 10 foreign visitors to Greece say they are pleased with their stay in the country. The survey, which was was carried out by QED Market Research on a sample of 2,179 people at 13 entry points in Greece on behalf of the GTO, showed that a vast majority of the respondents rated their experience in Greece as either very good or excellent.
The survey was conducted between October 12 and 24 and involved personal interviews with male and female tourists aged from 20 to 60 at 10 Greek airports. 36% of those entering Greece via airports said their stay in Greece exceeded their expectations, compared to 31% of road tourists.
6 out of 10 responded they would probably recommend Greece as a tourist destination, while over half said they would return to Greece. The average stay of visitors entering Greece via airports was 8.2 days, while road tourists stayed just under 3 days.
The main reasons for choosing Greece as a holiday destination were the mild weather, the affordable cost and fewer people during Autumn over other competing destinations.
 6 out of 10 air tourists says the sun, sea and gastronomy were their main reasons for picking Greece, while half said they liked Greece for the hospitality and the natural beauty of the country.
Half of the road visitors mentioned the food and shopping for their reasons, while 9 of 10 air tourists and 6 of 10 road tourists said they visited Greece in Autumn for recreational reasons.
Finally, culture is also considered as an important factor for visitors to choose Greece.