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

Tourists on Gran Canaria during December may have been lucky enough to witness one of the more unusual events on the island.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Winter Solstice

The Corfu Trail was established as a way of seeing some of the forgotten highlights of the island. The full length of the trail is over 80 miles, so would present a serious challenge even to an experienced walker, but taken in sections or with the help of a guided trip, it will take walkers to some of the prettiest villages on the island and through some of the most spectacular scenery.

Continue reading... Walk The Trail in Corfu

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

As the summer parties and cultural festivals came to an end, the island of Kefalonia continued to entertain its visitors with several artistic celebrations.

Continue reading... Autumn Festivals on Kefalonia

The holiday scene in Rhodes may be slightly quieter during September and a music festival follows the trend.

Continue reading... Music in Rhodes - A Classical Festival

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

The ancient Greek's love of sport goes back many thousands of years and the stadium, that forms part of the Acropolis of Rhodes, is a breathtaking structure that allows visitors to imagine what times were like. The stadium was unearthed after a large excavation and most of the original 600 feet of straight are still preserved together with lower levels of seating and the rounded sphendone at one end.

Continue reading... Rhodes welcomes Blind Athletes

Windsurfers tend to come to Kos during the late season to enjoy the quieter beaches and the range of surfing conditions provided by the island.

Continue reading... Improve your Windsurfing on Kos

Corfu has many gorgeous beaches including Agios Georgios (Saint George) North on the west coast. This beach has a large sweeping sandy cove and is perfect for kids to make sandcastles and play in the tame surf. Confusingly, there is also Agios Georgious South (Saint George's Bay South ) which is also on the west coast. This more southerly beach has a long sandy dune and is located on the south west of the island, about 45 minutes from the airport. The bay is surrounded by olive groves and boasts a truly splendid sandy beach.

Continue reading... The Beaches of Corfu

Corfu has many gorgeous beaches including Agios Georgios (Saint George) North on the west coast. This beach has a large sweeping sandy cove and is perfect for kids to make sandcastles and play in the tame surf. Confusingly, there is also Agios Georgious South (Saint George's Bay South)which is also on the west coast. This more southerly beach has a long sandy dune and is located on the south west of the island, about 45 minutes from the airport. The bay is surrounded by olive groves and boasts a truly splendid sandy beach.

Continue reading... Corfu - Part 2

The island of Kos celebrates a series of cultural events during the summer, with many having their roots in the ancient past that defines this island. Local produce is also important to this island and several events profile the traditional products of local farmers and producers. These include the fish and wine festivals during early August in the port of Mastichari and the Ouzo Festival in Kefalos. Also during August is an evening of traditional Greek dancing in the harbour area of Kefalos and a celebration of dance and traditional music at the harbour in Kardamena.

Continue reading... Honey and Wine Festivals on Kos

Set aside your preconceptions about Rhodes and its hard partying image. Rhodes is supremely picturesque, a predominantly slow-paced sanctuary of sunshine,beaches, and ancient history with lots of natural beauty to behold. Rhodes holds a timeless appeal with visitors.

Continue reading... Rhodes - Part 1

Incredibly picturesque and utterly laidback, Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece. With it's ruggedly beautiful topography, fine sand beaches, and gorgeous sunsets, Kefalonia is easily one of the most ravishing islands in the Med. Although it welcomes tourists warmly, it is conversely, one of the least touristy places in all of Greece.

Continue reading... Kefalonia - Part 1

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

The birthplace of ancient healer Hippocrates,Kos has everything for a healthy holiday: fresh air; sunny skies; clear seawater; and great food. Additionally, the idyllic beauty of this island paradise is perfect for relaxing holidays as well as sporty and cultural getaways. You can experience so much in Kos as the island has everything one would desire for a great beach and cultural holiday all in a splendid setting.

Continue reading... Kos Part 1

Visitors to the Greek island of Kefalonia during August have the choice of a number of traditional local events during their stay, with wine featuring prominently.

Continue reading... August Wine Events in Kefalonia

Preveza is steeped in ancient history having been founded in 290BC and, due to its strategic position, the site of many conflicts and battles over the ages. One of the earliest confrontations was the Battle of Actium between Augustus and the forces of Anthony and Cleopatra. It has been under Roman, Byzantine and Bulgarian rule and then Venetian until the Ottomans took over in 1499. It remained mainly under Ottoman control until captured by the Greeks in 1912, where it has remained except for brief invasions by Italy and Germany during World War II.

Continue reading... Choral Competition in Preveza

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

The unspoilt coastline of the Greek island of Zakynthos, Zante for short, is a haven for endangered sea life and for those in need of spectacular beaches amongst breathtaking surroundings. Famed for its postcard-perfect Smugglers Cove and the loggerhead turtles that annually nest here, Zante is a memorable getaway for families, couples, nature lovers and anyone who appreciates great beaches and beautiful vistas.

Continue reading... Zante Part 1

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

Set aside your bias about Corfu strictly being a mass market package holiday destination because in reality, this beloved Greek island has many beautiful beaches and cultural attractions for all kinds of holidaymakers in search a of a memorable getaway.

Continue reading... Corfu Part 1

Exciting things don't usually seem to happen in the small mountain town of Keri on Zante. Tourism has hardly touched this place and even during the earthquake that shook the island in 1953, Keri was just about the only place where no damage was caused. Quaint old houses remain as does a bold yellow chapel and bell tower. Things are still fairly quiet down on Lake Keri or Limni Keri, the small gulf on the coast down from the village. Here a small harbour is home to mainly fishing boats and the small shingle beach is a relaxing place for tourists who venture to this part of Zante. There is a little more in the way of tourist accommodation and a smart new hotel has recently been built to the north of the beach providing spectacular views across the waters to the island of Marathonisi and beyond to the Vasilikos Peninsula but things are still quiet and peaceful here.

Continue reading... Scientists Excited at Keri

The town of Rhodes owes much of its wonderful architecture to the Knights of St John who came to the island in 1309 and built their dwellings, fortifications and churches on the remains of structures left by previous Roman and Byzantine rulers. In 1291 the Knights had been forced out of Jerusalem and after a brief, unsuccessful period in Cyprus, they selected Rhodes as their new domain. The initial years on Rhodes, and some other small islands that also formed part of their occupation, were not entirely peaceful and some disquiet saw the knights attempt to assassinate their leader. Grand Master Foulques de Villaret, had instigated the conquest of Rhodes, but found himself seeking refuge in the castle at Lindos on the island, while another Grand Master was appointed to replace him.

Continue reading... Medieval Knights in Rhodes Festival

The festival is being organised by the Cyprus Centre of International Theatre, which was founded in 1977 to promote theatre on the island. During the month of July eight different theatre groups will be welcomed to the island with performances taking place at venues in Paphos, Limassol and Nicosia. Prices for each performance are 17 Euros.

Continue reading... Paphos venue for celebration of Drama

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

In late June, EcoFilms, an international film and visual arts festival takes place in Rhodes. The main venue for the festival is the Rodon Cinema Theatre in Rhodes Town.

Continue reading... Rhodes Eco Film Festival

For many visitors to the island of Rhodes, the history and architecture of Rhodes Old Town is bound to be the main attraction when looking to get away from the wonderful beaches. But halfway down the east coast of the island is another location that has its own share of Rhode's history and is certainly worth a visit.

Continue reading... The Second Jewel in Rhode's Crown

The first United Nations World Environment Day (WED) happened in 1972 and over the following 37 years the initiative has been gaining traction as a vehicle to generate awareness of environmental issues. Thomas Cook was one company that supported the initiative with action events all over Europe and in Egypt. A sustainable tourism fashion show fashion show was held in Italy and a coastal walk was organised on the Coast del Sol to raise money for a local charity. In Paphos on Cyprus, Gran Canaria and Zakynthos Thomas Cook staff took part in beach clean up initiatives. The company sees WED as a good opportunity to educate both staff and guests about the environmental impact of travel and the means of making leisure travel a sustainable option.

Continue reading... Zante Clean Up on World Environment Day

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 island of Rhodes certainly has plenty of history to call upon when it comes to creating festival events and a recent Medieval Festival that started in 2005 is repeated this year at the end of June.

Continue reading... Medieval Festival Planned for Rhodes

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 annual Kataklysmos Fair starts on 5th June in Larnaca, Cyprus with a performance of Greek dancing and music on the seafront stage, followed by a fireworks display. The word "kataklysmos" means flood and the celebration is unique to Cyprus, coinciding with the Greek Pentacost. The celebrations are thought to link back the birth of Aphrodite who emerged from the waves and turned the ground around her into a sea of flowers. The flood is celebrated as something that cleanses mankind and enables new life, and is a event marked in a similar manner in many cultures around the world.

Continue reading... Annual Kataklysmos Fair in Larnaca

The features that attract people to the Greek island of Rhodes include the weather, the beaches, high quality resorts and a typically warm welcome. These are all things that other locations can claim but very few have the history of Rhodes and a place like Lindos shows that side of Rhodes very well.

Continue reading... Old Rock in Lindos Rhodes

The regatta that took place in June last year consisted of a series of 5 races and included one race over the direct route from Marmaris to Rhodes that took the winning boat just under 3 hours. Sailing is an important part of the economy for Marmaris with several marinas in the area and the main port being one of the busiest along this part of the Turkish coast.

Continue reading... Rhodes and Marmaris Sail Together

There's a beach on the island of Zante that has been voted one of the most popular beaches in Europe and was given the title of best beach in Europe for tots and toddlers by The Times in 2005. But you won't find any water parks, amusement parks or stalls selling buckets and spades here.

Continue reading... Gerakas Beach in Zante

The mayor of Bodrum in Turkey has announced plans for a full scale replica of King Mausolus' Mausoleum to be built. Only ruins currently remain at the site of the structure which was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The mayor says that the thousands of visitors to the site would benefit from the model which will allow them to better appreciate the ancient tomb.

Continue reading... Bodrum plans Mausoleum Replica

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

Rhodes is one location where sport has brought huge increases in visitor numbers. In 2008 over 20 thousand people watched the annual windsurfing competition on Ialisos beach.

Continue reading... Greek Tourism turns to Sport for New Growth

So named after it's location near to the point where Aphrodite, the goddess of love allegedly emerged from the waves, Aphrodite Hills, the resort that includes the newest gold course in Cyprus, is receiving great reviews from all those who have played there.

Continue reading... Aphrodite Gets Rave reviews near Paphos

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

Authorities on the Greek island of Zante have issued requirements that all beaches within popular resorts of four council areas need to have full time lifeguards on duty. The two councils on the island that currently have Blue Flag beach status, namely those at Alykes and Arkadion already have permanent life guards on duty, as that is a requirement under the FEE scheme, but until now others have been left to make their own decision. The councils of Zakynthos and Lagana are the other two areas that fall under the new scheme.

Continue reading... Zante Improves Beach Safety

If you've ever been to Corfu, or Kerkyra, during your younger years then you probably spent most of your time either on the beach or in a bar or nightclub, but a return to the island later in life may reveal a different side. Traditional holiday hot spots for the twentysomethings include Benitses on the East coat and Kavos in the extreme south. Both have the benefit of the sheltered and warmer waters that lie between Corfu and the mainlands of Albania and Greece which are visible in the distance on a clear day.

Continue reading... A Return to Corfu

Fantastic beaches are what most people expect to find when they travel to a holiday island like Rhodes and they will not be disappointed.

Continue reading... Beaches of Rhodes