Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Greece

Greece PM Certifies €500 Million Yearly for Tourism Growth

Aleksandr Shatskih

Prime Minister of Greece, Antonis Samaras has announced Greece will invest €500 million euru in tourism infrastructure per year over the next six years. Last month, at the 22nd annual general assembly of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), Samaras outlined the funds from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), as well as private sector investment.

Picture of the Week: Falasarna

Mihaela Lica Butler

Falasarna (Φαλάσαρνα), an ancient harbor dating from circa 333 BC, is today an agricultural area, known for its olive groves and greenhouses cultivating tomatoes, but also for its secluded, peaceful beaches. Falasarna is interesting from an archaeological standpoint as well: there are several areas where excavations are currently ongoing, revealing important structures from the Hellenistic […]

Tours Spotlight: Topdeck’s Athens to Perdika to Athens [updated]

Aleksandr Shatskih

Scanning the web for tours in Eastern Europe this month and next, we found Topdeck’s 7 day sailing excursion from Athens, to Perdika, to Athens a relaxing seafarer’s dream. For all those who’ve ever dreamed of sailing the Greek isles, this small group tour lets you get hour hands on sailing experience in, and even taking part in local yacht regattas.

Next Month: The 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of Crete

Phil Butler

Coming next month, one of the most momentous and notorious events in Crete history is celebrated. May 20th, 1941, the skies over this ancient island darkened with the parachutes of thousands of Nazi paratroopers in what was one of the largest airborne invasions in history. The Battle of Crete saw the Third Reich victorious, but not without massive resistance from Cretans and British soldiers stationed there.

Red Eggs and An Orthodox Easter Prayer

Phil Butler

For Orthodox Christians, an old, old tradition is the dying of eggs to symbolize and attest to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The eggs, which are a symbol of the stone tomb where Jesus’ body was laid, are traditional symbols now for greeting on Easter.

Grotto Homes: Romance the Cretan Way

Phil Butler

On Crete the idea of out-of-the-way places takes on new dimensions. The countryside is as pristine and wild as you can imagine. The effect of this wildness, meeting the cities by the sea, leaves visitors spellbound in a sort of landscape awe. At the civilized heart of rural Crete, a tapestry of villages dot the island like tiny gems. It is in just such a tiny town, literally hidden from view, where you will find the most romantic stay at Grotto Homes.

Athens Top Economy Destination in Europe

Aleksandr Shatskih

In a recent Trivago survey, Athens reached the pinnacle of this year’s preferred Easter destinations for foreigners. The Trivago report also revealed the Greek capital as the cheapest European capital city to visit.

Ryanair Bournemouth Flights Add to Crete Splendor

Aleksandr Shatskih

Ryanair has launched another direct route to Crete from the UK. Announced on Tuesday, the Bournemouth Airport flights to Chania in Crete will be a big boom for UK tourists and the Greek Island’s tourism industry as well.

Greece Welcomes Lady Gaga in September

Aleksandr Shatskih

Coming to Greece in September, Lady Gaga’s 2014 world tour, “ArtRave: The Artpop Ball,” should thrill all Athens if her past performances worldwide mean anything. America’s top pop artist, Gaga is one of the world’s most talented singers and songwriters.

Crete Week Two: At the Top of the World

Phil Butler

The White Mountains of Crete (Lefka Ori) are a spectacle to behold. The white capped limestone peaks offer the most dramatic backdrop for an Island so famous for seaside pleasures and ancient seafaring. In fact, the spectacle of sheer cliffs rising into the clouds is almost as awe inspiring as the pristine beaches and aquamarine waters of the Cretan and Libyan Seas that surround Crete.