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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.

Athens Empties Out as Half the City Flees for the Islands to Celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin Mary

2025-08-14 by Kostas Raptis

Dormition ferry AI illustration

Piraeus and other Attica ports saw near-100% ferry occupancy as thousands fled Athens for the islands ahead of the Dormition holiday.

Crete Secures €5.09M Contract to Repair 11 V.O.A.K. Bridges

2025-08-13 by Kostas Raptis

regional officials in the V.O.A.K. bridges meeting

Crete’s governor signs a €5.09 million contract to repair 11 key V.O.A.K. bridges between Heraklion and Rethymno, marking a major step for island road safety.

Greece Launches 103 Water Supply Island Projects

2025-08-12 by Kostas Raptis

Water Supply AI illustration

Greece launches 103 water supply projects to tackle shortages in remote islands, but delivery timelines remain a question mark.

WIFI4GR Brings Free Public Wi-Fi in Tsoutsouras

2025-08-09 by Kostas Raptis

WIFI4GR Tsoutsouras

The Municipality of Minoa Pediada has launched WIFI4GR, offering free high-speed internet access in Tsoutsouras and future expansion to 32 locations across the region.

Santorini Airport Arrivals Decline

2025-08-08 by Kostas Raptis

Santorini airport arrivals decline AI illustration

While Santorini airport arrivals decline, the major nine Greek airports including Athens and Heraklion have reasons to celebrate.

Zominthos Full Moon Event 2025: Minoan Culture, Film & Music Under the August Moon

2025-08-08 by Kostas Raptis

Zominthos full moon event

The Zominthos Full Moon event, taking place August 9, 2025 honors Minoan history with film, music, and a tribute to legendary archaeologists.

Greek Tourist Traffic Rises in the Fall

2025-08-07 by Kostas Raptis

Greece's Tourist Traffic Rises in Fall

Booking data points to a 4.6% jump in Greek tourist traffic from August to October, with visitors coming from Israel, Turkey, and the US.

Wildfire Sparks Arrest at Chania Eatery

2025-07-30 by Kostas Raptis

n arrest order was issued for a local restaurant owner after a sweeping wildfire in Temenia, Chania.

Inferno Unfolds On the late afternoon of July 26, 2025, the typically tranquil air of Temenia (in the greater Chania region) buzzed with the sharp scent of burning brush. At 17:29, plumes of smoke signaled a major wildfire, startling visitors and residents in a community known for its rustic beauty, not disaster. According to official […]

Why Americans Are Talking About Lassithi

2025-07-29 by Kostas Raptis

Wonderlust Travel

Wonderlust Travel’s feature by Anthony Grant shines a spotlight on Lasithi, Crete, following a press trip supported by the Region of Crete and the Greek National Tourism Organization in New York.

Samos Named One of the Top European Destinations by Scandinavia

2025-07-29 by Kostas Raptis

Scandinavian media

Scandinavian media spotlight Samos as a top summer destination in Europe. Highlighting its authenticity, history, and nature, Swedish and Norwegian outlets promote the Greek island as a quality alternative to mass tourism.

Airbnb Accommodations Reach Record 242,000 in Greece

2025-07-29 by Kostas Raptis

Airbnb accommodations

INSETE’s June 2025 report reveals a 17% rise in Airbnb accommodations across Greece, totaling 242,000 active listings.

Tourist Buses Scandal in Heraklion: New Traffic Plan Sparks Outrage

2025-07-28 by Kostas Raptis

tourist buses scandal

Heraklion’s tourist buses scandal set for 2025: guides, travel agents, and business leaders slam the city council’s decision to relocate tour bus stops, warning of lost visitors and revenue.

Warm Nights-Cold Beers Returns to Georgiadis Park on August 1-2

2025-07-28 by Kostas Raptis

Warm Nights-Cold Beers

Warm Nights-Cold Beers returns to Georgiadis Park on August 1-2, 2025, hosted by DEPANAL.

Europe Ditches Outdated 100ml Liquid Rule at Airports

2025-07-27 by Kostas Raptis

100ml liquid rule

ECAC has approved new CT scanners that can detect liquids, ending the notorious 100ml liquid rule for European airports equipped with them.

2025 Revolut Survey Reveals Greeks’ Concerns on Holidays

2025-07-26 by Kostas Raptis

Revolut survey Greek concerns vacations 2025 AI illustration

Revolut survey reveals what worries Greeks on holiday, from financial concerns to security risks, across different generations.

eSIM Providers Hit a Wall in Türkiye

2025-07-26 by Kostas Raptis

eSim providers AI illustration

Türkiye blocks major eSIM providers Saily, Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Instabridge, Mobimatter, Alosim, and BNESIM.

Fraport Greece Launches Promotional Campaign for 14 Regional Airports

2025-07-25 by Kostas Raptis

Mr Andrews Fraport Greece promotional campaign

Fraport Greece launches a witty promotional campaign starring Mr. Andrews, highlighting 14 regional airports as the gateway to authentic Greek experiences.

Crete Electronic Fraud on the Rise: Tourist Loses €950 in Booking Scam

2025-07-24 by Kostas Raptis

Crete electronic fraud

A young woman planning her vacation in Crete fell victim to electronic fraud, losing €950 after booking a hotel room online.

ETIAS Fee for Non-EU Travelers to Jump from €7 to €20 by Late 2026

2025-07-24 by Kostas Raptis

ETIAS fees

Starting in late 2026, Europe entry fees under ETIAS will rise to €20 for most non-EU tourists from over 60 visa-exempt countries.

Milos’s Sarakiniko Faces a Luxury Hotel Scandal

2025-07-21 by Kostas Raptis

Sarakiniko

Sarakiniko—white-lunar and wave-sculpted, the jewel of Milos—now finds itself at the heart of a growing political and environmental storm. Revered by travelers and photographers as one of the Aegean’s most arresting landscapes, the site is now shadowed by controversy following revelations that a nearby luxury hotel was greenlit through what Greece’s National Transparency Authority calls […]

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Featured Stories

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Why We Embrace AI

At Argophilia, we believe in using every tool at our disposal to bring you the stories that matter. You may notice a certain precision in our data analysis, a specific flair in our visuals, or a rapid turnaround on complex topics. That is no accident—it is the result of our rampant use of artificial intelligence.

We use Gemini to help synthesize data, structure our reporting, and ensure our news remains as sharp as the reality we cover. When it comes to our imagery, we rely on the creative power of Midjourney and NightCafe, unless otherwise noted in our editorial credits.

We are not apologetic for this. In a fast-moving world, these tools allow us to focus on what really counts: investigating the issues, giving a voice to the marginalized, and maintaining the journalistic integrity you expect from us. We see AI not as a replacement for human judgment, but as an engine that amplifies our ability to inform, analyze, and tell the truth about our island and beyond.

We are writers and journalists first—but we are proud to be tech-enabled ones, too.

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Stories of Interest

The Six Pufferfish Species Found in Greek Waters

2026-07-08 By Mihaela Lica Butler

From the infamous Silver-cheeked Toadfish, whose powerful bite and deadly toxin have made headlines across the Mediterranean, to tiny deep-water species that most swimmers will never encounter, these invasive fish are now part of Greece’s marine life.

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Search Intensifies After Missing Spearfisher’s Gear Found Off Frangokastello

2026-07-08 By Manuel Santos

A Frontex thermal drone and multiple vessels search for a 65-year-old missing spearfisherman in Crete after his gear was found 5 nautical miles offshore.

Silver Nova pool deck

Luxury Cruise Ship Silver Nova Makes First Visit to Heraklion

2026-07-08 By Argophilia Travel News

Heraklion welcomed a new addition to its growing cruise portfolio this week as the luxury cruise ship Silver Nova made its first-ever visit to the Cretan capital. The maiden call was marked by the traditional plaque exchange ceremony aboard the vessel, attended by representatives of the Heraklion Port Authority, the Hellenic Coast Guard, and the […]

Chania market reopening 2026

Chania Municipal Market Targets September Reopening After Years of Restoration

2026-07-08 By Iorgos Pappas

Chania’s restored Municipal Market is expected to reopen in September, with shop owners beginning work on their premises during July.

Heraklion restaurants

Heraklion Restaurants See Plenty of Visitors but Less Spending This Summer

2026-07-08 By Victoria Udrea

Heraklion’s hospitality sector says visitor numbers remain strong, but cautious spending and rising costs are squeezing restaurant businesses.

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