The Oldest Olive Tree in the World in Greece

 

The ancient Olive Tree of Vouves located in the island of Crete and is believed to be the oldest olive tree in the world, which still produces olives!

It’s only one of seven olive trees in the Mediterranean, which are believed to be over 2,000 years old. Although its exact age cannot be verified, scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be 4,000 years old.With a trunk circumference of 12.50 metres and a diameter of 4.60 metres, to this day, its olives are highly prized. 

 The Olive Tree Museum of Vouves is ideally located next to this special Olive Tree of Vouves, which is visited by over 20,000 people each year from around the world.

The monumental tree has been declared a “natural heritage monument” by the Secretary General of the Region of Crete, due to its ecological and historical importance.

You may visit the olive tree by car, heading west from Chania, take the exit to “Tavronitis” and then follow the signs towards “Ano Vouves.”

(Source: Best of Greece)

Greece Named Best Tourism Destination at US Tested Reader Survey Awards 2021

 

Greece has been announced Best Tourism Destination for 2021 at the Tested Reader Survey Awards, organized for the 18th year by Global Traveler, a leading US monthly travel magazine.

According to an announcement by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), this is the first time that Greece receives the award.

Other “Best Tourism Destination” winners are Italy in second place; Spain and Ireland in third and fourth position, and South Africa in fifth.

The winners were selected by the readers of Global Traveler in 80 categories related to travel including destinations, airlines, airports, hotels, travel and tourism services providers etc.

This year’s survey was conducted between December 14, 2020 – September 30 2021 among over 22,000 readers.

The award ceremony will take place in Beverly Hills on December 14. Greece will be represented by Greek National Tourism Organization Head in the US & Canada Konstantinos Charokopos.

Global Traveler picks Greece for holidays

 

Following the announcement of the Tested Reader Survey Awards winners, Global Traveler included Greece among its “must-see” destinations for future holidays.

“All the stakeholders of the travel tourism industry have gone beyond their limits to keep the world ‘open’ for as long as possible, and it is our honor to reward them,” the magazine’s editors said.

“Whether this is your first or 20th visit to the country, make sure that Greece is on the list of destinations that you will soon visit ,” they added.

According to the GNTO, Global Traveler has an average circulation of 550,000 issues. Fifty percent of its readers are business owners or executives that fly frequently within the US and abroad.

 (source: gtp)

Poll: Greece Among Top 10 European Destinations for Source Markets

Greece is in the top 10 European destinations of choice for travelers coming from key source markets, according to the latest study released this week by INSETE, the research department of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

More specifically, according to the “Trends and Preferences for International Travel Among Greek Markets in Europe and the US” conducted by Censuswide on behalf of INSETE, Greece is the second-favorite destination in the Italian market, third in the UK, Germany, and France, and fifth in the Austrian market.

The survey was carried out on 7,100 people aged over 17 in the last two weeks of September from eight of Greece’s key source markets for incoming tourism, namely Germany, UK, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the US, and focuses on city break travel and sea & sun holidays.

Key takeaways according to INSETE:

– sea & sun is still the main reason for travel followed by city break holidays

– final cost is a key factor affecting decision to travel as well as safety in Covid times

– travelers opt to book three to seven overnight stays with those from France, Germany and the Netherlands preferring holidays that last for at least 10 days

– German, French, Italian, Austrian, Swiss and Dutch travelers are looking to travel in the summer months in 2022, while British and American tourists  want to travel until March

– top accommodation choices for the majority of markets – with the exception of the US and UK – are 4- or 5-star hotels. In the case of city break visits, short-term rentals are a preferred choice

 

– besides sea & sun, travelers are interested in parallel activities including cultural happenings and city visits

– tourists from the UK, France and the US plan to visit a city in the next six months to February, while the majority of Germans, Italians, Austrians, Swiss and Dutch choose to visit from March onwards

– travelers opting to visit cities are also seeking a mix of experiences including shopping, dining, day excursions and sports. 

(source: gtp)

Plakias Suites: #1 of 59 Specialty Lodging in Plakias, Rethymno Crete/Greece

 Plakias Suites (5.0 of 5 stars) Ranked 1 of 59 Specialty Lodging in Plakias according the popular travel site TripAdvisor 

"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.

 Having already received the prize Certificate of Excellence with 128 Reviews!!"

 

 Enjoy your Breakfast next to the sea !

In a unique place, fully harmonized with the natural environment, where everything is carefully tailored to the smallest detail, you can enjoy a rich breakfast with delicious flavors. 

The comfortable seating, the unique tastes and the view of the deep blue sea, will give you the most fresh and dynamic start for a day of outdoors in Plakias!

The Beach House is an all-day bar mix, we start the day with fresh orange juice, coffee and delicious brunch and continue with cold and hot snacks, fresh organic Greek salad at the end of the day we offer first class alcohol cocktails.

Do you prefer breakfast in the privacy of your luxury suite? Just let us know. 

Book a table Beach House

Greece No.1 sustainable food destination in the world: Lonely Planet

In Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2021’ list

 Greece was included in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2021’ list. “Nothing is more genuine than the massive serving of filoxenia (hospitality) extended to anyone and everyone; it’s a way of life for the Greeks. It’s embedded in their DNA, and throughout the country.”

“We decided to make this year’s Best in Travel different by recognising places and people demonstrating a genuine commitment to sustainability, community and diversity. And that’s only the beginning. We salute all the winners!” President and CEO, Luis Cabrera said.

Highlights in the Sustainability category include Greece as the number one food destination and Palau as the top island chain.

Sustainable Food Destination – Greece

With its organic produce markets and island seafood, Greece finds itself an unintentional leader of the world’s most sustainable food.

Lonely Planet notes: “Greece may not be known worldwide for implementing formal initiatives surrounding sustainable practices, but informally, Greeks have been green for centuries.”

“The age-old habit of growing vegetables, harvesting olives and preparing silky oil, and cooking up a storm with tomatoes, fresh fish and wild greens is the norm for most folk whether they live on an island or the mainland.”

But nothing is more genuine, as Lonely Planet reports, than filoxenia. “It’s a way of life for the Greeks. It’s embedded in their DNA, and throughout the country, generous and passionate locals share their knowledge with travellers, coupling fantastic fresh cooking with back-to-nature activities such as trekking through diverse landscapes.”

Analysing the nutritional peculiarities geographically, the magazine advises: Hikers can wander the mountains of Kalymnos with Kalymnos Experiences and learn about the intricacies of fragrant herbs. Or take a seat by a historic windmill at Mylos Fish Restaurant, Leros, and nibble on octopus carpaccio (sourced that morning from the fisher’s docks). And don’t miss the tasty, organic cuisine of Crete.”

(more at greekcitytimes.com)

TUI extends program to Greece until November and sees strong demand for 2021

 

The tour operator’s leadership believes that Greece handled the pandemic exceptionally

 TUI is extending its program in Greece until November, in spite of the global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic “betting” on the extension of the season.

“By the end of November we can reach the target of 1 million travelers that TUI will bring to Greece, of which 20% is estimated in the autumn period until November,” Sebastian Ebel, member of the executive board of TUI, responsible for the sectors of Hotels, Cruise and Group Activities said yesterday in an online update on the group’s plans in Greece.

Thomas Ellerbeck, a member of the Executive Committee of TUI, pointed out that Greece is “this year the number 1 destination for the group, a fact which is due to both the TUI team itself and the attitude of the Greek government and the Greek hoteliers in the part of dealing with the pandemic, for which it could be a model for other destinations in Europe “.

Ebel announced that TUI is extending the season until November for the first time and “this year especially the weather is very good. To turn Greece from a destination of six months into one of 9 months is very important and we believe that at the moment there is an opportunity here. Customers who visited Greece this year, came back very satisfied and this is the best marketing campaign that there can be, especially in a season as special as this year. This fact vindicates our group for the “investment” in the country in the fall both with the addition of air connections and with partnerships with hoteliers who are keeping their units open for this period.”

(source: tornos)

Austria deems Greece a Covid-19 safe country

 

The Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning

Greece is among the ten countries Austria has excluded from its Covid-19 pandemic ban. In a travel warning issued by the country’s Foreign Ministry, Greece is considered safe from the pandemic.

According to the statement, “due to the spread of the coronavirus, travel warnings apply to almost all countries of the world, excluding Australia, Vatican, Greece, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Singapore, and Finland. However, the urgent recommendation to avoid all unnecessary travel is still maintained, even in these countries,” the statement read.

From today, 15 January 2021, the electronic registration of those entering Austria via the relevant form for Covid-19 becomes mandatory for everyone (even Austrians).

For persons in areas subject to a travel warning due to the Covid-19 pandemic, – and therefore excluding travelers from Greece – the obligation to enter directly into the country when entering Austria is still in force. Quarantine house for ten days. Early termination of quarantine is possible, with a negative PCR test or antigen test, no earlier than the fifth day after entering the country.

(source:proto thema)