We've already posted information about several of the big carnival events planned for the Canary Islands and the Balearics but Greece is another country that celebrates at this time of year.

Continue reading... Greek Carnival in Crete

Tree blossom brings a welcome boost of colour to UK trees in spring, but for Mediterranean islands like Mallorca and Menorca, as well as the islands of the Canaries, spring blossom arrives a little earlier in February thanks to the almond trees.

Continue reading... Almond Blossom In February

The Spanish islands of Mallorca, Menorca and the Canaries are not the only places to hold their carnivals in the early part of the year. The town of Rethymno in Crete also stages a spectacular carnival programme that runs throughout the whole of February.

Continue reading... February Carnival in Crete

New plans for upgrading the airport at Chania on Crete are being made public at last. The Chania airport in western Crete is one of two operational charter flight airports at the moment. The other is at Heraklion, on the central northern coast and is the larger of the two, although there are plans to upgrade the airport at Sitia in eastern Crete to provide a third airport in the future.

Continue reading... Crete Airport Upgrade Plans

Visitors to Crete during September will not only have the fabulous autumn weather to enjoy. A selection of cultural events continues throughout the month.

Continue reading... Crete During September

The beaches of Eastern Crete are often referred to as some of the more secluded on the island, but when windsurfers discover perfect conditions, things tend to get livelier.

Continue reading... Go Freestyle on Crete

For a real Greek village experience try Vamos. The town is situated between Chania and Rethymnon, in the rolling foothills of the White Mountains. The sea is less than four miles away, with sandy beaches complete with water-sports facilities at both Kalives and Georgioupoli.

Continue reading... Crete - Part 2

In a move that appears to be bucking the trend experienced in other parts of Europe, the Greek Islands are seeing improved tourist figures for the first four months of the year.

Continue reading... Greeks Islands Proving Popular

Deciding on a new destination for your next holiday is both exciting and difficult. The prospect of discovering new and wonderful places is set against the worry of potentially being disappointed with your choice of location. Travel brochures have pages of tempting pictures of beautiful scenery and attractive descriptions and the resorts themselves use all kinds of marketing strategies to attract as many visitors as possible. As part of this promotion you may have heard some resorts describe their beaches as "blue flag", but what does that actually mean?

Continue reading... Blue Flag Beaches

Sensational Santorini,located in the southern Aegean Cyclades, is a tranquil island set on dramatic cliffs and amongst amazing seascapes. With panoramic views of sweeping lagoons and breathtaking sunsets, this a romantic holiday destination. Santorini has a well deserved reputation for it's natural geological wonders and the beautiful skafta (cave houses built into the rock) that will not disappoint the discriminating traveller in search of a truly unforgettable, sun soaked getaway.

Continue reading... Santorini Part 1

July and August are busy months in Crete as towns and villages all over the island celebrate with different types of festivals. For visitors to Crete the local festivals present an ideal opportunity to experience some local culture and learn a little about the history and traditions of the island.

Continue reading... Festival Time in Crete

The annual summer festival in Chania, Crete showcases all kinds of traditional Cretan theatre and music, but international bands will rock the festival into life on 11th July, when rock band Scorpians headline an outdoor concert in the town.

Continue reading... Summer Festival Rocks into life in Crete

Rediscover the true Crete: Beyond the noisy, crowded resorts lies the true heart of Crete which encompasses stunning regional flavours, exceptional land and sea scapes, and the hustle and bustle of traditional village life.

Continue reading... Crete Part 1

The wilder parts of Crete are already well known for Gorge trekking and even some skiing high in the mountains, but places like the beach at Plakias are home to some challenging climbing locations. At Plakais, a sheer limestone wall rises directly off the beach, making it a great spot for some recreational climbing. The location is becoming more popular and additional routes are being documented.

Continue reading... Paradise for Climbers

Anyone holidaying on the island of Crete has the choice of many wonderful beaches on which to while away their days, but if the lure of the sea and sand starts to wane then the inland areas of Crete have much to offer. The countryside seems littered with ancient ruins, some from Minoan times and dating back over 3000 years. They may now be nothing more than a crumbling muddle of block shaped stones but when you consider when and why they were built, they become all the more remarkable. A good guide or an informative book is very useful.

Continue reading... Caves of Crete

The Greek islands of Rhodes, Crete and Zante are among many holiday destinations in Greece that will benefit from the smoking ban that is being brought forward to July 1st 2009 from its original introduction date of January 1st 2010. With smoking banned in public places across much of Europe already, Greece is one of a few countries yet to introduce the legislation that bans smoking in public places like restaurants, hotels and cafes. The fact that smoking is still allowed in these places at the moment comes as a surprise to many visitors of holiday destinations in Greece and has been seen as a significant disadvantage by tourist authorities.

Continue reading... Smoking Ban in Greece brought forward

The largest of the Greek islands is not merely a place for beach holidays. The landscape here is both varied and challenging once you move inland. Crete is also the location one of Greece's Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO's World Network of 553 Biosphere Reserves are recognised as places which innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development. There are only two Biosphere Reserves in Greece, the other being Mount Olympus on the mainland and the highest mountain in Greece. Both sites became part of the scheme in 1981.

Continue reading... Samaria Gorge Crete

The site of a wreck just off the coast of Larnaca now ranks amongst the top ten wreck dives in the world.

Continue reading... Diving in Cyprus

Described as a walker's paradise by many, the island combines a mild, dry climate with spectacular high mountains, coastal paths and, in places, wonderful isolation. A huge network of ancient walkways and traditional trails used by shepherds links together hundreds of small villages which provide places to stop and gather refreshments as well as places to stay overnight.

Continue reading... Walking and Climbing in Crete

On May 23rd this year the skies over the Port of Hania (Chania) in Crete will roar to sound of fast jets as the RAF Red Arrows come to town to put on their flying display to help mark the 68th anniversary of the Battle of Crete that took place in 1941.

Continue reading... Veterans to See Red in Crete