Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Leaders Aim to Preserve and Share Crete’s Kommos Palatial Site

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Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Gulf of Messara in south-central Crete, the Minoan settlement of Kommos may reveal amazing secrets from the Bronze Age. However, as fabulous such new discoveries may be, the intersection of modern touristic products and the island’s heritage are brought into sharp focus today. With untold Minoan Civilization discoveries still unearthed, Crete’s beaches and other touristic offerings represent a real crisis dynamic and a public dilemma. The good news is, a new preservation and public access initiative by Heraklion parliamentarian Nikos Igoumenidis and Greece’s  Minister of Culture Lydia Koniordou may pave the way to remedying these cultural points of pain.

Diver’s Club Crete: An American in Paradise Part I

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A few minutes from Crete’s capital in Heraklion there’s a great place for the vacationer to become a real adventurer, and to practice a laid back and luxurious island life at the same time. My staff at Argophilia and a group of old friends got to sample this dynamic of the island while visiting the quaint village of Agia Pelagia recently. So, for those interested in unique experiences on Crete, here’s a short story on cooling it on Greece’s biggest island.

Huge Ghost Net Removed From Santorini Seabed [Video]

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To celebrate World Oceans Day, on June 8th, an international team of 8 volunteer divers from the Netherlands, France and Greece took part in a highly demanding lost or discarded fishing net (also known as ghost nets) removal dive in Santorini.

Cyprus’ President Lays Foundation for “City of Dreams Mediterranean” Casino Resort

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Last Friday Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades set the cornerstone of what will become Europe’s biggest casino resort. The Limassol property, City of Dreams Mediterranean, is the most adventurous and expensive investment project of this kind, ever undertaken on Cyprus. Billed as the first fully integrated casino resort on the island, City of Dreams Mediterranean is […]

Crete’s Sacred Caves – Part I

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The legends and spiritual wonders of Crete may never be fully uncovered. Then again, when local peasants in 1883 discovered ancient votive objects in the now famous Dictaean Cave no modern archaeologist had a clue of Crete’s hidden treasures.

Sharing Amari and Aravanes Via Instagram

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Situated in ancient Thronos, Aravanes has been a subject for Argophilia several times before. What makes this story different is the fact we stayed over in Thronos during this visit, in order to get a travelers point of view of Aravanes and the surrounds.

Five Crete Postcard Vacation Stays for 2018

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Just last week I was driving the family back to Heraklion from a visit to Melidoni Cave in Rethymno Prefecture when I realized that we live inside a picture postcard here on Crete. The word “fabulous” does not begin to describe the beauty of this place and its people. And for vacationers looking for that ideal “bucket list” destination.

Rethymno: Introducing a Case Study Tourism Product

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Last week we had the pleasure of interviewing one of Crete island’s most proactive officials, Rethymno Vice-Mayor for Tourism & Culture, Pepi Birliraki-Mamalaki.

Rethymno Named “European City of Wine” by RECEVIN

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This week the city of Rethymno earned a new distinction in being selected a “European City of Wine” by the wine union RECEVIN. The central Crete coastal city is the first city of Greece, and the only town outside of Italy, of Spain and Portugal to have received the distinction.

Is Fraport Greece Mucking Up the Off-season for Crete?

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In news from Chania, regional authorities met last week with Fraport Greece CEO Alexander Zinell to discuss ways to attract companies to the region. At the to discuss expanding the horizons for Chania’s “Daskaloyiannis” airport, concerns were expressed about Ryanair’s decision to scrap its base in Chania. Underneath the positive news though, stakeholders in Crete worry the German company may be mucking up any shot at off-season tourism wins. 

Crete Reconnaissance: At the Altar of Zeus

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We finally took the opportunity to drive to one of Crete’s most fascinating places this week. The Lasithi Plateau, located in the Lasithi regional unit in eastern Crete, Greece is famous today for the thousands of windmills that once irrigated the fertile soils of the plateau.

Exploring Like a Local in Argyroupoli on Crete

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A recent trip to one of Crete’s most famous villages reminded us of the island’s most precious gift, the philoxeníā (φῐλοξενῐ́ᾱ) exhibited by Cretans. Visiting Rethymno Prefecture and the community of Argyroupoli (ancient Lappa) over the Easter holidays, our team found a gem of a local tour guide named Manolis Neonakis.

A Litany of Rural Cultural Tourism: Argyroupoli at Easter

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On April 5th, 2018 a small group of local entrepreneurs and regional stakeholders met in the Crete town of Argyroupoli, in Rethymno Prefecture, to discuss a cultural tourism initiative for rural areas of the island.

Exploring Argyroupoli: The Valley of the Fairies

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The story you are about to read may challenge what you believe a bit. But I am sure it will also speak to something in you. For this discovery of mine here on Crete I owe my wife Mihaela and our friend Rebecca Skevaki, who’s the founder of Crete Urban Adventures, a big thanks. And to them I say, now you know why I was acting a bit funny during our exploration of ancient Lappa. Here’s the story of the Valley of the Fairies beneath the village of Argyroupoli (ancient Lappa).

Coming On Crete: The International Mountain Race Psiloritis 2018

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Coming up June 3rd, the International Mountain Race Psiloritis will challenge the world’s mountain racers to run in the footsteps of mighty Zeus. An event envisioned back in 2008 for Mt. Olympus, Race Psiloritis is now an “one of” international runner’s experience.

10 Reasons “Crete” Should Be TripAdvisor’s Number One Destination

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TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Destinations of Europe 2018 were just announced, and Crete now sits at prestigious No. 4. However, us Minoans take great offense at not being chosen number one, since we gave you roads, usable toilets, and the world’s greatest EVER jewelry.

A Crete Spring Photo Montage

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Here on Crete Spring brings with it the traditions of Easter and its spiritual magic. The island proclaims the rebirth of bright dreams and the jubilance of paradise under the Aegean sun. Argo loves to show off Crete. It’s truly like no other place on Earth. So without further superfluity, here’s a selection of photographs for your mental album.