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Kostas Raptis is a reporter living in Heraklion, Crete, where he covers the fast-moving world of AI and smart technology. He first discovered the island in 2016 and never quite forgot it—finally making the move in 2022. Now based in the city he once only dreamed of calling home, Kostas brings a curious eye and a human touch to the stories shaping our digital future.

About Kostas Raptis

Kostas Raptis is a reporter living in Heraklion, Crete, where he covers the fast-moving world of AI and smart technology. He first discovered the island in 2016 and never quite forgot it—finally making the move in 2022. Now based in the city he once only dreamed of calling home, Kostas brings a curious eye and a human touch to the stories shaping our digital future.

Greece Briefly Lost Its Airspace on Sunday

2026-01-05 by Kostas Raptis

greece airspace

Greek airspace briefly shut down after a collapse of radio frequencies disrupted air traffic communications, prompting a preliminary investigation into the incident.

Kastelli Airport Nears Completion, Says Every Update Since Forever

2026-01-05 by Kostas Raptis

Kastelli Airport 65% complete hero image

Kastelli Airport is “65% complete” again. Delays, timelines, optimism, and Crete’s legendary siga-siga culture collide.

Why Hotels Are Betting on Scent

2026-01-03 by Kostas Raptis

scent marketing

Hotels are investing in scent marketing to shape emotion, memory, and brand identity. How smell is redefining the guest experience in 2025.

Why Crete Is Not All Random Bullets and Vendetta

2026-01-01 by Kostas Raptis

gunfire in Crete

Crete’s reputation often suffers from isolated incidents amplified into myths, but the island is safer than headlines suggest.

Murphy’s Laws of Travel

2025-12-31 by Kostas Raptis

Murphy's Laws of Travel AI illustration

From delayed flights to lost chargers and filthy airport restrooms, Murphy’s Laws of Travel explains why vacations never go as planned.

Delos Goes Digital as CirculAR Turns Ruins Into Living Architecture

2025-12-30 by Kostas Raptis

CirculAR app screenshot

The long, windswept island of Delos—once one of the most important religious, economic, and cultural centers of the ancient world—has found a new way to speak to modern visitors. This time, not through marble or inscriptions, but through a smartphone screen. With the help of CirculAR, a new augmented reality (AR) application, Delos no longer […]

Thessaloniki Buses Get Smart Passenger Counting on 100 OASTH Vehicles

2025-12-30 by Kostas Raptis

OASTH buses

A new digital passenger-counting system launches on 100 OASTH buses in Thessaloniki, tracking ridership, peak hours, and ticket validation without recording personal data.

Heraklion Tested the Sky With Its First Drone Show

2025-12-27 by Kostas Raptis

Heraklion drone show Christmas 2025

Heraklion hosted its first drone show above the Venetian Walls with over 300 drones. The brief five-minute display drew crowds despite rainy weather.

Maria Katerina Apostolaki from Heraklion Is Miss Greece 2025

2025-12-24 by Kostas Raptis

Maria Katerina Apostolaki - Miss Greece 2025

Maria Katerina Apostolaki from Heraklion wins the Miss Ελλάς 2025 title, continuing Crete’s strong presence in national beauty pageants.

Heraklion Introduces 30 km/h Speed Limit Across City and Villages

2025-12-24 by Kostas Raptis

Speed limit Heraklion

Heraklion introduces a 30 km/h speed limit across the city and all villages, improving road safety for residents and visitors driving in Crete.

Crete–Cyprus Direct Flights Launch, Strengthening Ties Between the Two Islands

2025-12-23 by Kostas Raptis

Crete–Cyprus Direct Flights

The launch of direct Cyprus Airways flights between Larnaca and Heraklion marks a strategic step in strengthening tourism and cooperation between Crete and Cyprus.

Athens Roads Are Under New AI Surveillance

2025-12-22 by Kostas Raptis

AI traffic cameras

Driving in Athens just changed. AI traffic cameras are recording speeding, phone use, and red-light violations. Drivers should expect fines.

Why Driving in Crete in Winter Is Dangerous

2025-12-22 by Kostas Raptis

winter driving in Crete

Driving in Crete in winter is not impossible, and it is certainly not exotic.

EU Entry/Exit System Causes Airport Queues Across Europe

2025-12-21 by Kostas Raptis

Three-Hour Airport Queues EES

Europe’s new Entry/Exit System triggers passport control delays of up to three hours, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 travel season.

Flying With Luggage in Europe Is Now a Game of Guess the Fee

2025-12-19 by Kostas Raptis

airport luggage fees

AirHelp data reveals wide differences in airline luggage fees across Europe, making baggage rules a costly guessing game for travelers.

airBaltic Adds Athens to Its Summer 2026 Map as Baltic–Greece Links Grow

2025-12-19 by Kostas Raptis

airbaltic

airBaltic strengthens Baltic–Greece connectivity for summer 2026, adding a new Tallinn–Athens route alongside wider European expansion.

EasyJet and Jet2 Add New UK–Greece Routes for 2026

2025-12-17 by Kostas Raptis

easyjet wing

EasyJet and Jet2 boost UK–Greece connectivity for 2026 with new routes, more seats, and expanded access to key destinations.

Heraklion Airport Brought to a Standstill as Farmers Block Both Entrances

2025-12-08 by Kostas Raptis

farmers block access to Heraklion Airport

Farmers escalate protests by blocking both entrances to Heraklion Airport, leaving travelers stranded and causing serious delays across Crete.

Hersonissos Aims to Become National Model with New Energy Community Initiative

2025-12-06 by Kostas Raptis

hersonissos energy reform

The Municipality of Hersonissos presents its new Energy Community, aiming for clean power, lower costs, and support for vulnerable households.

Heraklion Airport Hits 10 Million Passengers Despite Filthy Toilets and Endless Delays for New Terminal

2025-12-06 by Kostas Raptis

Heraklion Airport

Heraklion Airport closes in on 10 million passengers for 2025, while travellers report filthy toilets, overcrowding, and slow progress on the new Kasteli Airport.

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Featured Stories

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Stories of Interest

Maria Kozyraki

Demolitions of Illegal Structures Set to Begin Along Crete’s Coastline

2026-01-05 By Iorgos Pappas

After years of delays, reviews, and dormant paperwork, the state is finally moving forward with the demolition of illegal structures along Crete’s coastline. In early January, the Decentralized Administration of Crete signed a works contract that clears the way for the execution of final demolition orders affecting beaches, the foreshore, forest land, and reforestation zones […]

Kastelli Airport 65% complete hero image

Kastelli Airport Nears Completion, Says Every Update Since Forever

2026-01-05 By Kostas Raptis

Kastelli Airport is “65% complete” again. Delays, timelines, optimism, and Crete’s legendary siga-siga culture collide.

gunfire in Crete

Why Crete Is Not All Random Bullets and Vendetta

2026-01-01 By Kostas Raptis

Crete’s reputation often suffers from isolated incidents amplified into myths, but the island is safer than headlines suggest.

burning olive wood

Why Crete Smells Like Burned Olive Wood in Winter (And Why That’s Normal)

2026-01-01 By Mihaela Lica Butler

From October to May, winter in Crete smells of burning olive wood. It looks illegal, feels confusing, and is completely normal — if you understand the island.

Crete culture

Crete Plans €2 Million in Culture and Sports as Infrastructure Falls Behind

2025-12-29 By Manuel Santos

Crete announces a €2.06 million cultural and sports programme for 2026, even as water shortages, infrastructure strain, and airport delays raise hard questions.

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