If you were lucky enough to be enjoying the warmer weather on Cyprus in January then various music and motoring events may have been of interest to you.

Continue reading... Motor Show and Music Sundays in Cyprus

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

Barely a day goes by in Larnaca without some kind of cultural, artistic or sporting event taking place, even during the quieter months of the holiday season. We have already reported on the classical music concerts being performed by the island's Symphony Orchestra and the visit by one of China's best-known international dance troupes, both were in early October.

Continue reading... October Culture in Larnaca

In Cyprus the towns of Larnaca and Paphos are favourites of both British tourists and ex-pats who have gone there to live and enjoy the milder climate. As you might expect the Christmas cultures of the towns are both a mix of Greek Cypriot traditions and those more modern derivatives that the mix of nationalities brings to the area.

Continue reading... December Culture in Larnaca and Paphos

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 islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote are no strangers to the international film industry. Tenerife hosts an international film festival, the next edition of which happens in June 2010 and the islands have also been used numerous times in films such as The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy and also several episodes of Dr Who.

Continue reading... Film Crew in the Canaries

This local festival first started back in 2006, despite its name which would indicate it dates back much further than that. The content however does look back many years to the ancient traditions of an island that has plenty of history to recall.

Continue reading... Ayia Napa Medieval Festival

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 Florida during the month of October have a choice of local festivals to try out as an alternative to lazy days on the beach.

Continue reading... Florida Festivals in October

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

Portugal's Algarve coastline will become a film set for part of summer 2010 when production staff and celebrity stars including Brad Pitt will use locations near Portimao for a classic remake. The new race track on the Algarve will be the base for filming over two weeks next summer.

Continue reading... Algarve Film Set

September is a wonderful month to spend some time in Cyprus and this year was no different. The very hot days of the high summer are gone and milder weather, together with a wide selection of cultural events, make the island a pleasant place to spend a week or two.

Continue reading... September Events in Cyprus

Visitors to Bodrum will be confronted with so many options to experience the history and culture of the town and the surrounding area that just lying on the beach in the sun may not seem possible given the time available. However, in order to ensure a relaxing break, visitors would be well advised to plan ahead. A visit to Bodrum Castle is recommended, for younger people a night at Bodrum's huge outdoor nightclub would be a shame to miss and for everyone, a Turkish bath, if only to be able to say that you've tried one.

Continue reading... Hamam in Bodrum

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 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

With year round sunshine and warm temperatures, a treasure trove of ancient landmarks and cultural sites, and the backdrop of coastal Cyprus, Paphos is a dazzling and exciting place to visit.

Continue reading... Paphos A Cultural Delight

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

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

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

July and August is the time when many towns in Cyprus hold their annuals cultural festivals.Paphos in the west of the island is currently hosting a festival of ancient Greek theatre with numerous performances of famous Greek plays being performed in the outdoor amphitheatre in the town. In Larnaca the festival is more varied but also includes performances of ancient Greek Theatre.

Continue reading... Larnaca Festival during July

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 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

There are many things that are different about the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm el Sheikh and traditional fashion culture is one of them. Egypt is a country steeped in history, culture and customs. The native population conforms to many religious and cultural traditions as far as dress is concerned, but those rules seem to be quietly forgotten in the cosmopolitan resorts of Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea. However a new campaign, being promoted by travel magazine Wanderlust, aims to make tourists more aware of local expectations in terms of what to wear and hopes it will encourage people to take more care to be respectful of local traditions when it comes to choosing appropriate clothing.

Continue reading... Sharm an Egyptian Fashion Enigma

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 coastline around Bodrum has a rich history dating back many through thousands of years of rule by Persians, Ancient Greeks, Crusader Knights and the Ottoman Empire. All that has left the area scattered with enough relics and artifacts to keep today's archaeologists very happy and the museum in Bodrum is a popular attraction for them.

Continue reading... Return of Artifacts to Bodrum

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

With an abundance of ancient ruins, rich cultural traditions and panoramic beaches, Larnaca is an irresistable holiday destination. Holidaying in Larnaca means never having to choose between a beach vacation and a cultural experience because Larnaca is blessed with both: truly magnificent beaches and some of the ancient world's most riveting historical sites.

Continue reading... Larnaca - Cyprus - Part 1

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

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

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

The town of Larnanca in Cyprus is famous for all kinds of reasons. It has a large modern airport, is a popular destination for holidaymakers from all over Europe and also hosts a large Summer festival that features all kinds of music, dance and theatrical events. Many international performers are booked for this year's festivities.

Continue reading... Larnaca Prepares for Summer Season