Τετάρτη 18 Ιουλίου 2018

Well-known Old Towns in Crete


Chania
or Rethymno?
Over time, the question remains without a definitive answer, seeing that both towns boast a significant history which is evident in their Old districts that possess a charming mixture of Venetian and Ottoman heritage elements.

The Old Town of Rethymno was built on the cape along the north shoreline and it is –to this day- extremely well-preserved, it could even be called an open air museum.

Among the most interesting monuments are Fortezza, Loggia, Rimondi Fountain, Porta Guora [Great Gate], the central entrance to the Venetian fortified walls, the imposing church of St. Francis, the picturesque Venetian harbour, the mosques of Kara Mousa Pasa & Neratze and many more.

In Chania, behind the Venetian harbour, there is a fascinating world that oozes the style and ambiance of past times. Topana, Splantzia, Kasteli, Santrivani districts and the Jewish quarter are there for you to visit them and explore their meandering alleys, discover the monuments that flank them, their history as well as the essence of Cretan culture.

Wander around, stop by the traditional cafes (kafeneia) and tavernas and drift into their magic atmosphere!
(visit greece)

Birdwatching in Crete - Plakias

 

Birdwatching in Crete will take you at some of its most beautiful, isolated and unpopulated areas, mountains, gorges, lakes particularly when you are looking for birds such as eagles, vultures and falcons.

It is true that lovely Crete has still a plentiful and wide variety of beautiful birds. Crete is located at the crossroads of three continents (Europe, Asia, Africa) therefore Crete hosts thousands of migratory and rare birds in its wetlands and other areas every year.

Crete is one of the main flypast routes for species they wintered in East Africa, but breed in eastern and northern Europe.

They migrate every spring up the Nile Valley, and then move across the eastern Mediterranean, often in huge numbers. This happens from mid-March to mid-May, depending on the species and the weather. The return migration in autumn is less spectacular because it is less concentrated in time, but still worth watching out for.

Moreover, more than 412 different bird species have been identified in Crete to date, most migratory, thus birding in Crete is one of the most common activities. There are a few endemics that breed on the island.

The great thing about birdwatching in Crete is that, if you pick your time right, you can see both resident and migratory species.

The mountains of Crete, Idi, Lefka Ori, Dikti, Asterousia hold some of the most exciting birds. Smaller birds like the blue rock thrush, cirl hunting adn alpine chough are  common, and there is a good chance of seeing large and dramatic birds of prey.

One very rare species of vulture, the Lammergeier (or bearded vulture) is currently on the dramatically endangered list although it is more common in Crete than everywhere in Europe, maybe you will be lucky to see one the island's three remaining birds soaring above the Lasithi or Omalos plateau.

The diversity of habitats and the richness of the environment on Crete for bird-life, results in an impressive species list and many unexpected surprises, especially during Spring and Autumn migrations.

It is well worth coming on holidays in Crete to see and enjoy these beautiful birds.

Bird watching in Crete attracts many fans, guests every year, so during your next trip in Cree don't forget to bring with you all the necessary supplies - travel cases, binoculars, or other items.

Nearby Plakias Village is the Kourtaliotiko and Kotisfos gorges excellent birding areas with species as Jackdaw, Rock Dove, Blue Rock Thrush; Raven, Chukar, Alpine Swift, Griffon Vultures, and Crag Martins.

The area around Plakias Village is popular with migrants too. Species include: Montagu`s harrier, Short-toed Larks, Spanish Sparrow and Woodchat Shrike.

The rocky places around Plakias attract Rock Doves and the rare Eleonora's Falcon (Falco Eleonorae). In Plakias Bay, Garganey can be seen. Other species in the area include: Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Chukar, Wood Pigeon, Cetti's Warbler.

The mountainous area around the palm beach of Preveli is another excellent birding location in Rethymnon. Especially around the Preveli Monastery there is a great variety of migrants as Nightingales, Turtle Doves, Golden Orioles, Flycatchers, Ortolan Buntings and Ruppell`s Warbler.

At Geropotamos you can see Reed Warblers and at Pertres River Little Bittern, Squacco Heron and Griffon Vulture.
(source:Cretetravel)

Τετάρτη 27 Ιουνίου 2018

Ancient Greeks drank beer 4,000 years ago!

Archaeologists discover seeds for the brewing of beer

 Ancient Greeks may be known for their love of wine, but it seems they also had an affinity to beer, according to a study by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Two Bronze Age brewers that were recently discovered prove that Greeks would brew beer on a regular basis 4,000 years ago!

Archaeologists from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki found several archaeobotanical remains of a cereal that could have been used in beer brewing. Similar remains found in the Archontiko area in the island of Corfu were also discovered in Argissa in Zakynthos.

At Archontiko, archaeologists found about 100 individual cereal seeds dating back to the early Bronze Age from 2100 to 2000 BC. In Argissa, they found about 3,500 cereal seeds dating back to the Bronze Age, approximately from 2100 to 1700 BC.

Furthermore, archaeologists discovered a two-room structure that seems to have been carefully constructed to maintain low temperatures in the Archontiko area, suggesting it was used to process the cereals for beer under the right conditions.

This discovery is the earliest known evidence of beer consumption in Greece, but not in the world.
(Source: protothema)

Παρασκευή 1 Ιουνίου 2018

Summer has officially arrived ..

Summer has officially arrived .. 

We wish you a great one from PlakiasSuites

Τετάρτη 30 Μαΐου 2018

Photo of the day: Meet me by the sea


Plakias Beach in the South part of Rethymno - Crete.

Greece Among ‘Most Excellent’ Places to Travel Worldwide, Says TripAdvisor


Greece is among the “Most Excellent” global tourism destinations that have the highest percentage of TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence recipients, according to travel planning and booking site TripAdvisor.


More specifically, Greece ranks fourth on the list of TripAdvisor’s “Most Excellent” countries, with Iceland in first place, Ireland in second, the UK in third and Morocco in the fifth position.

In its eighth year, the Certificate of Excellence is given to accommodations, restaurants and experiences that deliver great service and consistently achieve high traveler reviews on travel planning and booking site TripAdvisor.

 “Most Excellent” Countries Overall
1. Iceland
2. Ireland
3. United Kingdom
4. Greece
5. Morocco
6. France
7. The Netherlands
8. Italy
9. Portugal
10. Belgium



“When travelers see a Certificate of Excellence sticker or certificate on display, they immediately know that the business has a track record of offering highly rated guest or dinner experiences.

Now, with our ‘Most Excellent’ lists, we’re excited to reveal the destinations where travelers are most likely to encounter these excellent businesses,” said Neela Pal, Vice President of Brand Marketing at TripAdvisor.

Greece also ranked second on the lists of the “Most Excellent” Countries for Restaurants and Experiences; and eighth among the “Most Excellent countries for Accommodations.

 “Most Excellent” Countries for Restaurants
1. Iceland
2. Greece
3. Ireland
4. United Kingdom
5. Portugal
6. France
7. Italy
8. Spain
9. The Netherlands
10. Hungary

  
“Most Excellent” Countries for Experiences
1. Iceland
2. Greece
3. Mexico
4. Portugal
5. Morocco
6. Vietnam
7. United Kingdom
8. Brazil
9. Thailand
10. Chile

 















  “Most Excellent” Countries for Accommodations
1. Singapore
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Morocco
4. Iceland
5. Ireland
6. United Kingdom
7. Australia
8. Greece
9. Canada
10. Indonesia


 The Certificate of Excellence winners were selected using a proprietary algorithm that takes into account the quality, quantity, and recency of user reviews, as well as the business’ tenure on the site. 

Recipients must maintain an overall TripAdvisor rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least twelve months. 

A business must be listed for the full 12-month qualifying period between April 1 to March 31 to be considered.
(Source: GTP)

Greeks Have the World’s 6th Most Powerful Passport



Greece remains in 6th spot for a second year in a row, the best ranking ever !

The Greek passport remains the 6th most-powerful travel document in the world amid an annual global ranking of the Henley Passport Index.

This index measures the number of countries certain passport holders can visit without having to apply for a visa. According to the Henley Passport Index, Greeks can visit 174 countries without a visa.

Greece remains in sixth place, with Japan knocking Germany from the top spot in the list of the world’s most powerful passports. Japanese citizens can visit 189 of a possible 218 countries in the world without a visa.

According to the new Passport Index rankings, German passport holders can travel to 188 countries without a visa, while British citizens can visit 186 countries without one.