Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Ten Things You Must See and Do on Serifos Island

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If you fantasize of a virtually untouched Cycladic paradise, one of Greece’s most beautiful and authentic destinations awaits you. Serifos Island, the legendary island of the Medusa is just a short ferry ride from bustling Athens, but Greece’s best-kept secret may as well be lightyears removed.

Footprints Discovered at Trachilos, Crete Date from 5.7 Million Years Ago

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Dr. Per Ahlberg and a team of scientists from Uppsala University in Sweden have identified fossilized humanoid footprints in a small area near Trachilos, Crete. Fossil footprints in a track laid down almost 6 million years ago suggest a humanoid or previously unknown primate presence on the Aegean island. The scientists say the animal or ancient human responsible for the prints was probably claw-less and bipedal, walked on the soles of its feet, and had other hominin-like characteristics.

A Collection of Alternative “Best Stays” on Crete

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On Crete, the choice of accommodations is as diverse as anywhere in Europe. One thing that differentiates Greece’s biggest island though is the amazing choice of best stays here for the asking. With alternative touristic delight in mind, here’s a selection of five of the most interesting properties we’ve found so far.

Travelotopos Adds CarMates to Growing Business Network

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Greek technology company Travelotopos has just announced a new cooperation with CarMates, a new car rental company in Greece and Cyprus. News of the cooperation in between Travelotopos and the agency connected to RentalCars of the platform booking.com promises a new competitive dynamic for a small Cyprus startup company. But there may be more to the Travelotopos story than meets the eye. 

Exploring Kokkinos Pyrgos: The Forgotten Gem of Mesara

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A day trip from our home in Heraklion to a quaint little touristic village of Kokkinos Pyrgos proves once again the unbelievable discoveries to be found on Greece’s biggest island. Like pulling back successive veils that cover the lovely face of a goddess, exploring Crete is just an amazing experience. Visit with us a tiny deserted touristic gem shining on the Gulf of Mesara.

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.