Tourist product enduring

The Greek tourist product is showing great endurance despite the negative events occuring in the current tourist season, according to data processed and published on Tuesday by the Federation of Greek Tourist Enterprises from the country's 13 main airports.

More specifically, at the country's most important airports over the January-August period a decrease of 1.02 percent is registered compared to the corresponding period last year with tourist arrivals in absolute figures totalling 7,888,228 from 7,969,281 during last year's period.

As regards arrivals in August, the most productive month from the point of view of arrivals, an increase of 0.67 percent is noted, amounting in absolute figures to 1,991,410 tourists from 2,004,745 last year.

The leading region in arrivals in August was Santorini, achieving an increase of 21.8 percent compared to last year with 52,216 tourists. Following in arrivals were Cephalonia with 11.9 percent, Kos with 10.1, Rhodes with 9.2, Zakynthos wirth 2.9, Samos with 0,05 and Skiathos with 0.4.

source: ana-mpa.gr

The ancient quarries of Thassos

The remnants of history, and nature itself, despite changes affected with the passage of time, bear undeniable witness to a place's past glory, prosperity and geostrategic importance.

Such is the case of the remains of the ancient marble quarries and surrounding area of unparalleled beauty of Alyki on the island of Thassos.

The quarries, abandoned for centuries, attest to the island's position as an important settlement and trading center in antiquity and to its rich history of marble quarrying and precious minerals mining.

The ancient quarry at Alyki, but also the modern-day marble quarries on the southeastern coastal area of the island are an important piece of the local history, where visitors can also see traces of the ancient, but advanced, quarrying methods of yore.

source: ana-mpa.gr

Tourism minister in Israel

Culture and Tourism minister Pavlos Geroulanos will have a series of meetings in Tel Aviv on Monday, aimed at attracting Israeli visitors to Greece.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on a recent visit to Greece, noted the need for strengthening Greek-Israeli tourism relations during a meeting with Greek premier George Papandreou.

During his visit to Tel Aviv, Geroulanos will meet with his Israeli counterpart Stas Misezhnikov and tour operators, and will also give a series of press conferences.

source: ana-mpa.gr

Preveli palm tree forest designated for reforestation

The prefecture of Crete on Monday designated for reforestation the expanse of the Preveli palm tree forest, which was totally destroyed by a wildfire in August.

According to the local authorities' announcement, camping and grazing are prohibited in the area for the next 10 years. The cutting of trees, branches, brush and shrubs is also forbidden, as well as all kinds of recreational activity, such as camping, biking, etc. The decision prohibits, in general, any action that may further harm the already ravaged environment, in a bid to restore and protect the forest's ecosystem.

source: ana-mpa.gr

U2 returns to Greece after 13 years

With a spectacular set that was a triumph of technology and had perhaps the best sound quality achieved by any gig in Athens, U2 won over OAKA's Olympic Stadium in Athens during their first-ever appearance in the Greek capital.

"You are not defined by financial markets," Bono roared to an ecstatic audience that packed the stadium on Friday night, arriving from all areas of Greece to fill the stadium in defiance of the country's grim economic reality.

After opening acts Avin Geffen and Snow Patrol, U2 appeared on the stage playing the only unreleased song on the setlist, the instrumental opener "Return of the Stingray Guitar". They then proceeded to drive the crowd to delirium, with the audience roaring along to stock favourites like "I Still Havent' Found What I'm Looking For", "Get on Your Boots", "Vertigo", "Elevation", "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Pride".

The encore reserved more treats that had fans jumping in their seats, including "One", "Where the Streets have no Name" and "With or Without You".

This was only the second time that U2 have played in Greece, their first being 13 years ago in Thessaloniki.

source: ana-mpa.gr

Tsikeli Hotel, Kastraki, Kalambaka

The location of Tsikeli Hotel treats the visitor to an extraordinary view of the Meteora rocks. Situated in the picturesque village of Kastraki, the Tsikeli’s large garden terrace is the perfect place for guests to relax and watch the sun set after a day of exploring.

There are plenty of footpaths close to Tsikeli Hotel for guests who like to hike and car hire is available for further exploration of the monasteries, mountains and the town of Kalambaka.

The Tsikeli Hotel is a child friendly place, with a warm and comfortable atmosphere. As a family run hotel, the owners provide the personal touch that makes a holiday special.

View availability and rates

Herakleidon Museum: Exhibition "Woman as Muse"

The Herakleidon Museum from September 3rd until November 21st 2010 will present the exhibition with the title: "Woman as Muse, 1900-1950".

The exhibition will showcase about ninety (90) works on paper – watercolors, prints and drawings of the first fifty years of the 20th century, by European artists (including Greeks). The works come from the Herakleidon Museum’s collection works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Aristide Maillol, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul Landacre, Dame Laura Knight, Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen, Childe Hassam, Pierre Bonnard, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Jules Pascin, Yiannis Moralis, George Varlamos, George Economidis, Markos Zavitzianos, Emmanuel Zeppos, Dimitrios Galanis, Alexandros Korogiannakis, Dimitris Giannoukakis, Angelos Theodoropoulos, Costas Grammatopoulos and Yannis Kefallinos.

The female form has been an inspiration to artists of all ages and ethnic groups, dating back to antiquity. The exhibition “Woman as Muse, 1900-1950” will showcase works on paper by world renowned artists of modernism, depicting their varied interpretations of the female form and reflecting the prevailing artistic movements of their time. Woman is portrayed as mother, muse, lover, friend or confidante. She is alternately nurturing, beguiling, assertive or conspiratorial.

Museum Hours
Tue-Sat 13:00-21:00
Sun 11:00-19:00
Monday - closed

Herakleidon 16, Thissio
118 51 Athens, Greece
(Metro station: Thissio)

T: +30 210 34 61 981
F: +30 210 34 58 225
http://www.herakleidon-art.gr/
info@herakleidon-art.gr

source: visitgreece.gr

Annual Book Festival opens at Zappeion in Athens

The 39th annual Book Festival opened Friday in the courtyard of the Zappeion Mansion in central Athens.

The Book Festival, which runs through September 19, is organised annually by the Association of Book Publishers in collaboration with the City of Athens' Cultural Organisation and Historical Archives under the aegis of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, also features a number of side events, including photo exhibitions readings for children.

More than 160 publishers will present some 50,000 books in 13 stands in this year's festival.

An exhibition of up-to-now unpublished photographs of Athens in 1888 will also be on display. The photographs are from the City of Athens' Historical Archives and are contained in a collectors' edition published by the city, called "Athinai", which will be formally presented on September 15 in the evening.

Also, the National Book Center has scheduled a series of readings for children, titled "Fairytales of the World". On Saturday, Sunday and next Sunday (Sept. 19), at 7:00-8:00 p.m., children will have the opportunity to attend readings of traditional folk tales and literature from all parts of the world, which have been handed down from generation to generation in the oral tradition or written by Greek and foreign writers.

source: ana-mpa.gr

Rock climbing on kalymnos

Kalymnos, a small island located in southeastern Dodecanese archipelago, offers rock climbing and bouldering during the whole year. Especially on September, you can enjoy pleasant climbing temperatures in combination with warm water for swimming.

Climbers began drifting into Kalymnos in the mid-1990s as word spread of giant cliffs and seaside ambiance. As a consequence, the island has transformed itself from one where the main sources of income were from a declining sponge-diving and fishing industry into a climber’s paradise. Nowadays, there are approximately 200 walking distances in 77 climbing fields, including distinctive markings for the starting point of every trekking spot.

Kalymnos is one of the most important climbing destinations worldwide, an island that has everything a traveling climber looks for: abundance of challenging rock formations but also simplicity and authenticity.
Here, the potential for new routes and new areas is enormous; less than 10% is explored, eventhough, in Kalymnos the rock climbing experience can last for a month: surrounded by some of the finest limestone crags in the world (the Grande Grotta cave forms a giant limestone amphitheater), the island provides a huge range of climbing on slabs, big walls, overhangs, and tufas to suit every level and style.

Despite its popularity from visiting climbers, Kalymnos still remains an untouched and tranquil place. Its small towns and villages scattered along the island's coast, the endless sunshine and the limitless climbing potential of the island convinced some climbers to settle here from their first visit, in order to offer guiding services or even work in small stores.

Those who are less inclined to spend their holiday hanging from a cliff shouldn’t miss the opportunity to enrich their island experiences: with several mountain trekking distances, they can explore walking trails used by locals in the past, enjoy mountain bike riding, or even go for a simple ride along the coastal route admiring the sea view.

Kalymnos also hosts world-famous festivals, such as the Climbing Festival, a non-competitive international meeting of athletes, which takes place every 2 years.
Diving lovers can further attend the Diving Festival of Kalymnos, held this year from 10 to 12 of September, which presents a full programme of various activities on free, autonomous and organised diving; they can also see the exhibits on the island's diving history and sea life featured in the Naval Museum as well as the Archaeological Museum.

Combine rock-climbing activities with a wandering through the remains of the ancient city of Hora; hit hiking trails and discover isolated monasteries located throughout the island, or satisfy your wanderlust with a sailing around neighbouring islands and small, inaccessible bays.

source: visitgreece.gr

Events to mark 2,500th anniversary from Battle of Marathon

The municipality of Marathon in Attica on Tuesday announced a programme of events to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary since the historic Battle of Marathon on September 12. On this crucial battlefield, the ancient Athenians managed to thwart invasion by a numerically superior Persian force, inaugurating an era in which Greece flourished and laid the foundations of western culture.

With money donated by the Leventis Foundation, the municipality will mark out historic routes for cyclists and pedestrians that will link monuments such as the Marathon Tomb, the Trophy, the ancient quarries and others.

On September 12 itself the events will reach a peak and will feature a walk to the Tomb followed by the reading of descriptions of the battle from Herodotus by well known Greek actors, accompanied by ancient Greek instruments such as the lute, pan-pipes, horn and others.

Among those attending will be Greece's female marathon runner Maria Polyzou, who recently became the first woman to repeat the legendary 520-kilometre run from Athens to Sparta and back again in six days. The distance was originally run by the ancient messenger Pheidippides when he was sent to ask for Sparta's aid in the battle.

source: ana-mpa.gr

Sea Breeze Hotel Apartments & Residences , Agios Emilianos, Chios Island

Surrounded by a forest of mastic trees and olive groves in Agios Ioannis - Agios Emilianos, Sea Breeze Hotel Apartments offers apartments with breathtaking sea views and its own private beach.

The hotel is beautifully located between the cosmopolitan beach of Agia Fotini and the sandy beach of Agios Emilianos.

Sea Breeze Hotel Apartments & Residences combines the privacy and comforts of home with the quality services of a hotel. Each of the apartments has a living area with fully equipped kitchen, satellite TV and cd player.

The complex offers an outdoor pool, with beautiful sea views from the terrace. There is also a mini market and 24-hour front desk. Guests can also arrange car rental through Sea Breeze Hotel.

Hotel Rooms: 17.

View availability and rates

Lesvos, Northern Aegean - Sikaminea - Skala Skamnias

Skamnia, on the island of Lesvos, is a traditional village, with picturesque narrow lanes and a beautiful public square. Skala Skamnias, its little port, is a picturesque fishing village, facing the shores of Asia Minor. In this village we find the chapel of the Holy Mother the Mermaid, known to many of us from the homonymous novel by Stratis Mirivilis.

source: visitgreece.gr

Iniohos Hotel, Athens

Iniohos Hotel is a cozy and friendly hotel in the centre of Athens, a short way from Omonia square, the shopping area of the town and all means of transportation.

When going on a trip, use the car rental service. Write home about the trip and the location using the free Wi-Fi internet access.

If travelling on business, make use of the fully equipped conference rooms. Take a break from work for a relaxing drink at the café. Work up an appetite and enjoy the tasty food at the restaurant.

Hotel Rooms: 134

View availability and rates 

Drivers' school vehicle unwittingly turned into ... boat trailer

Local residents and tourists witnessed a rather unusual, to say the least, scene in the Arcadia prefecture coastal resort of Leonidio on Monday. Amid sketchy reports, it appears a speedboat landed atop a driving school's vehicle following a collision;

with some reports saying the vehicle towing the trailer was involved in a collision, while others stating that the trailer itself was involved in crash. Although an instructor and student drivers were inside the car, no injuries were reported.

source: ana-mpa.gr