A Travel Guide to Greece

Zakros

2009-06-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

About Zakros

One of the most picturesque villages of Crete, Zakros is located 19,5km from Palekastro. It has 1050 inhabitants, farmers, producing mainly olive oil. Kato Zakros is a small coastal village, site of the fourth large Minoan Palace, located 7,5km from Zakros at the bay of the same name.Within a few distance from the village of Zakros, starts the Gorge, which ends at the bay of Kato Zakros, almost near the Palace area. This gorge is of outstanding beauty, with large caves in its walls.
In those caves were discovered tombs from the Minoan period, and finds of great archaeological importance. That is the reason why the caves are named "The Caves of Deads" and the gorge "The Gorge of Deads. In Kato Zakros 1961 a great Greek archaeoligist N.Platon unearthed the fourth largest Minoan Palace.
Nowadays in Kato Zakros live a few people, occuping with farming, and fishing. There are some taverns and bars available for the visitors.

Zakros Palace
Zakros Palace in Crete is one of the latest vestiges of the ancient Minoan civilization that was unearthed in our time. Zakros Palace is the last of the Minoan Palaces that has come into light as a whole. The site of this Minoan palace is situated on Crete’s eastern coast, in the region of Zakros, just south of Palaikastro, another interesting Minoan settlement.

Of the four Minoan palaces to be discovered by archaeologists – the others being Malia, Phaistos and, of course, Knossos – the palace of Zakros is the smallest. The palace itself covered an extension of 4,500 square meters and crowned a flourishing urban centre with an area of over 8,000 square metres as a whole. However Zakros Palace is only a fifth of the size of Knossos, the latter being the largest of the Minoan palaces in Crete and the centre of the Minoan civilization in general.

The first excavations in the area occupied by Zakros Palace were done in the early 1900s. They were headed by David George Hogarth, an archaeologist and scholar who worked with the British School of Archaeology in Athens. Hogarth’s digs yielded about 10 Late Minoan houses and other valuable findings such as pottery, bronze tools and spurs of mail exchange dating back to the prehistorical era, yet the Second World War discontinued his project.

The ruins of Zakros Palace emerged when work at the site was resumed by renowned Greek archaeologist Nikolaos Platon in 1961. Much of what is known about Zakros Palace is due to Platon’s work. The excavations at Kato Zakros continue until today.

See
In those caves were discovered tombs from the Minoan period, and finds of great archaeological importance. That is the reason why the caves are named "The Caves of Deads" and the gorge "The Gorge of Deads".

Eat
Nowadays in Kato Zakros live a few people, occuping with farming, and fishing. There are some taverns and bars available for the visitors.

Sitia

2009-06-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

About Sitia

Sitia is a small and pleasant coastal town, built in a semicircle on the western side of the Bay of Sitia, a typical, peaceful Mediterranean port. It is the capital of the county with the same name and is sited 73 km east of Agios Nikolaos.
Visitors in Sitia particularly enjoy the climate and the wonderful beaches. The highest temperature in the summer is approx. 30 C. and the lowest in winter is 7 C.
Sitia is the seat of administrative and public services for the county and has road and sea connections with various places in the island and with Pireaus and other Aegean islands. There is also a small airport with connection to Athens, Kassos, Karpathos, Rhodes.

History
The name Sitia is derived from the ancient city of Itia, birthplace of one of the seven wise-men of the antiquity, Mison. In the site that the town is built today only few archaeological findings have been excavated. Middle-Minoan and Late-Minoan tombs, Geometrical and Hellenic statues and shells, Roman buildings and an Early-Christian Basilica.
Sitia existed during the Late-Minoan period and until the Venetian period. During the Venetian occupation the town of Sitia was destroyed three times. In 1508 by a terrible earthquake, in 1538 by the pirate Barbarosa and in 1651 by the Venetians so as not to fall in the hands of the Turks.
For two centuries Sitia ceased to exist as a town, until 1869. The present city was built in 1870. Since then, Sitia is developing to one of the most important urban areas in Crete.

Sights
The most imposing monument of the past that dominates Sitia is the fortress of the castle today called Kazarma from the "Casa di Arma". Kazarma was one of the buildings of Medieval Sitia, and it served as soldier's barracks and army headquarters. Kazarma and the imposing wall around it were originally built in the Late Byzantine period. The walls were repaired by the Venetians many times and especially after the terrible earthquake of 1508 and the attack by the pirate Barbarosa in 1538.

Tripitos is a small peninsula sited 3 km from Sitia. An artificial shelter for ships dug in the rocks, has been found there and is dated from the Hellenistic period. A Hellenistic city extends to all the peninsula, and several parts of its settlements have been excavated, as well as its strong wall in the south part of the city. A big number of clay pots, coins, jewels and lead weights have been excavated. The excavations are still going on today.

Sitia is the birth place of the great poet Vintsenzos Kornaros, who wrote a masterpiece of Medieval poetry, "Erotokritos". The poem narrates the story of the princess Aretousa, daughter of the king of Athens Hercules, and Erotokritos, son of Pezostratos, member of the king's court.

Sitia possesses an excellent library and an important Folklore Museum, with many exhibits, mainly handwoven materials, embroideries, local costumes, furniture.
There is also an Archaeological Museum where significant archaeological finds of the area are exhibited. The Museum exhibits cover a period of 4000 years, from 3500 BC to 500 AD.
An event that should not be missed by the visitor, is the celebration of soultanina (a type of raisin) that takes place every August in Sitia. It is a public feast that is famous beyond the borders of the island.

In Sitia the visitor can find many hotels, pensions and houses with rooms for rent, as well as a youth hostel. There are also many restaurants, taverns and cafes in the city and along the quay side.
Although the town is increasingly developing, it keeps its traditional character and the hospitable character of its people. The people are polite and friendly.
The Touristic Club of Sitia, the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Sitia and the educational and cultural association "Vintsenzos Kornaros", play an important role to the cultural life of the city. In particular the "Vintsenzos Kornaros" association has founded the library and the Folklore Museum in Sitia.
Sitia is a good starting point for several excursions throughout Eastern Crete. Some of the most important places to visit are Toplou Monastery>, Palaikastro, Vai, Zakros, Makri Gialos, Itanos.

See
It has been inhabited since the Minoan period. At Petra, to the east of the town, a section of ancient settlement has been excavated. There is a waterfront with restaurants and cafes, a large public beach, and an archaeological museum which holds many of the findings from Palekastro.

Sfakia

2009-06-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

About Sfakia

Sfakia is located in the southest side of Chania. It is a very beautiful village and to reach there you drive through a fantastic scenery road. From there you can go to many places such as Ag. Roumeli, Loutro, Foinikas, Gavdos, etc.

Sfakia, in the southwest of Crete homes, is the famous and most authentic region of Crete. Here you can find the last pieces of the old Cretan culture and nature, far away from mass tourism. Whether you are looking for the nice and quiet, on the natural beaches, or want to be active, with mountain hiking, swimming, diving and fishing: this is THE place! By the way, did you know Sfakia is Europe's southernmost part?

It is probable, that the majority of those setting foot in Sfakia may well have walked the length of the Samaria Gorge and be one of the many muscle-aching souls on one of the ferries that travel from the mouth of the gorge, at Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakia (or Sfakion).

There to be collected by buses to return them to their hotels all over Crete.

If Sfakia, the village or the region, is your destination, you will probably have driven, bused or taxied over the White Mountains - the Lefka Ori - from Chania and elsewhere on the Northern coast, a journey that is memorable both for the views, villages and the constantly repaired road that is possibly the "grand corniche" of Crete - many tight turns and steep drop-offs! Well worth the trip for the dramatic journey alone. The village of Chora Sfakia is both quiet - busy with individual or independent tourists in the summer - in its role as home and fishing village to local people, and a port for those travelling by ferry to Agia Roumeli, Sougia, Paleochora and the unspoilt island of Gavdos (see ferry schedules below). You could also approach the area from Plakias and the east on roads which are slow-going but pass through wonderful, distinctive Cretan scenery.
In antiquity a major exporter of meat to Athens, Sfakia is now a notorious region with much history and the quieter form of tourism. It's wonderful, rugged Lefka Ori mountains offer significant hiking opportunities ranging from difficult to hard-walking.

Rethimnon

2009-06-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

About Rethimnon

Rethimnon a small Mediterranean city with its Renaissance architecture, Venetian fortress, museums, endless beaches, monasteries and churches, Venetian and Turkish monuments, areas of great natural beauty and local people, famous for their hospitality that may share a glass of ‘raki’ with you.
The town is literally built in front of the sea, the Aegean Sea, the influence of which is felt deeply by its people. Behind the town rises majestically a scenic backdrop of hills and mountain peaks, the highest being Vrissina, at 858 metres.

Get in
There is a daily ferry from Pireaus (Athens), which arrives early in the morning.
There are regular bus services from both Chania and Heraklion. All busses stop at the bus station, just west of the center of Rethimno. From the bus station it's a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi-ride to the ferry.

By Ferry
Ferry services from Athens (Piraeus port) to Rethimno Crete island

By plane
The distance from Heraklion to Rethymno is 80 km and from Chania to Rethymno 45 km. Chania airport is much smaller and far less busy than Heraklion airport

Get around
Bus - as with most places in Greece, tickets must be purchased at a shop before boarding public buses.
Taxi/Cab - cabs can be hailed on the streets, but expect to share the cab with strangers who might also hail the cab on the way to where you're going.

See
Historic Buildings. Rethimno has many historic buildings remaining from the Venetian occupation of Crete (17th century) including the Fortessa and the lighthouse.
Beaches. The good sandy beach begins in the town and extends several miles to the east, backed by hotel developments. In the west, after a little industrial area, a rocky unspoilt coastline takes you towards another good beach 5 miles to the west of Rethimno, towards Georgiopoli.
Parks. There is a small park in the centre with a very small zoo containing some Cretan mountain goats.

Do
Boat Trips. Boat trips are available from the harbour.

Buy
During the main summer season, Rethimno is very touristic. Shops and visitors everywhere, the closer to the beach the more! They offer anything considered "souvenir". Recommend to ask your hotel receptionists for recommendations of local stores.
Olives, Raki, Ouzo and wines are common commodities of Crete origin. Cheapest at the locals supermarkets, away from the hotels/beaches (we got 1kg Olives at below 2 Euro). Aside Oranges/Orange juice, fruites and juices are rather expensive.

Eat
Pitta Gyros / Pitta Souvlaki
Very nice restaurants are located inside the city. The restaurants on the beach front are tourist oriented, though food quality is okay (though lower than in most of the small tavernas in the back streets). As the quality changes every season with new cooks/managements, your hotel receptionists will be able to give you quite good ideas.

Drink
Most of the bars close to the Rimondi Fountain are noisy and get very busy. but ok if you like to watch the crowd pass by. There are more relaxing places in the narrow streets nearby. Try the "PUNCH BOWL" just like a traditional Irish pub, it is full of curios and the landlady who is also Irish serves a great pint of Guinness. It' situated at number 42 Arabatzoglou.

For a late night drink try "EXTREME" a good venue for rock music, it's in the lane between the museum and the harbour. There are more disco style bars close by. The promenade has mostly coctail bars which are modern and brightly lit, with music going on to the early hours. Try "Metropolis" music club near Venetian harbour

Paleochora

2009-06-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

About Paleochora
Paleochora is a small town of about 2000 inhabitants nestling 75 km southwest of Chania, under the immense White Mountains on the Greek island of Crete. In the summer it entertains up to a couple of thousand tourists of all European nationalities.
On a small peninsula, at the southernmost tip of Europe, Paleochora enjoys very hot summers but with pleasant sea breezes.
Probably because of its distance from the airport in Chania it is fairly quiet even in high season and has retained a wonderful old-fashioned feel. Many visitors seem to return year after year.

Get around
There are many places where you can hire cars/scooters/motor bikes.
There is also a bus station that has frequent buses coming in and out of Paleochora.

See
The Acretan Museum next to the main church.
The flowers in the spring.
The carnival at the start of Lent.
The Fortress.
The Byzantine/Venitian frescos in the churches specially those in Kandanos.
There is a cinema in the summer – in the open air – with a reasonable choice of films, changed quite frequently but even if you're only there for a week there's a good chance you'll catch Zorba The Greek!
Dolphin spotting boats go out each day in the tourist season.

Do
Walk the local gorges.
Walk up to the radio masts for a stunning view of the area.
Visit the local villages - specialy Azogires with it's Museum in the old Monastery; it's 'evergreen' plane tree; The Holy Father's cave and the Alfa Kafenion.
Both the Paleochora Beaches are Blue Flag beaches and both have life guards in attendance in the peak season.
The Sandy Beach on the western side of the peninsula has a lovely sand, is well stocked with beach umbrellas and some bars. It provides fabulous safe bathing, and is well used by families. A treeline at the top of the beach provides extra shade. Watch out for the wind though!
The Rocky Beach on the east side is much smaller but has a very nice restaurant, The Wave, just next to it.
Catch a ferry, west to Elaphonisi or east to Chora Shakia.

Buy
The town enjoys a traditional long siesta, with shops open late into the night – very nice shops, too.
Several large supermarkets are in the town - these do not keep the siesta.

Eat
On the east is a Rocky beach, the harbour and some of the town's evening eateries - the remainder are mostly on the main street, which closes to traffic at 7PM from May to October, when the tables are set out. It's a great chance to hear the local music and enjoy some traditional Greek/Cretan cuisine.
Lots of choice of places to eat and drink - you'll hear the music bars but Agios, at the crossroads by the church, is good value.
Have a look for the local tavernas, in particular try ODAS next to the Agricultural bank.
For fish try: The Galaxy or The Caravella.
For fusion food try The CalypsoWhich offers a main menu and some wonderful daily specials board with dishes from Greece, The Med and beyond. Look out for superb homemade curries, the best fillet steaks and imaginative vegetarian options. [1]
The Grameno Taverna, 5 km out on the western road towards Kondura, is rewnowned for its authentic Cretan food and well worth a trip out of town.
In the opposite direction, there's the Alpha Kafenion at Azogires which does the world's best omlette!
Coronet Internet & Gaming Cafe, Paleochora (Main Street on the village)

Drink
If you find a 'locals' taverna you might be lucky and find the local krassi (wine) or tsikudia (raki).
During the night you can entertain in the Nostos Night Club, La Jettee and Skala. The annual Paleochora music festival from 1st to 10th of August hosts concerts, exhibitions and song contests.

Tourism
In Paleochora, the visitor can choose between a variety of day activities and watersports, such as windsurfing, scuba diving, fishing, canoeing. It also worth visiting the tiny village of Anydri and its little gorge which leads down to the wonderful beach of "Yianniskari" and its crystal-clear waters, the village of Azogires and the Byzantine churches and chapels of the area. The Church of Agios Georgios in the Anydri village exhibits 14th century frescoes by the local master, Pagomenos. Moreover, from Paleochora a six-hour coastal walk, partly by the E4 European Footpath, leads to Sougia. The walk passes through the ancient site of Lissos.

The village is an ideal base for trips to other nearby seaside destinations. There is daily small ferry to Sfakia, Sougia, Agia Roumeli and Loutro, leaving Paleochora at 9:45am and returning from Sfakia at 1pm. Three times per week boats depart from Paleochora at 8.30am to Gavdos and return at 3pm. Every day there are five buses to Chania and an early one (departure at 6am) to the Samaria Gorge.

Ierapetra

2009-06-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

About Ierapetra
Ierapetra, also called the "Nymph of the Libyan Sea" is the most southerly town of Europe with the most sunshine and the least rainfall on the whole of Crete.
Because of the mild climate, which favours the cultivation of spring crops, it is one of the most important vegetable-growing centres in Greece.

Get in
Having the distinction of being the southernmost town facing the African coast, Ierapetra enjoys the smoothest, almost rainless weather in Europe, with a temperature that rarely drops below 12 C all year long! No doubt Ierapetra, "the bride of the Libyan sea", is the sunniest holiday resort in Europe.

Get around
Ierapetra combines a brilliant past with a present of economic growth and extension. It has the largest population in the prefecture of Lassithi (East Crete) and the fourth largest in all Crete. In 2001 census 15,400 inhabitants were registered within the town, and the population of the Ierapetra municipality was 23,800.

See
The visitor can take a leisurely walk in the vivid center of the town, along the coast, in the small municipal park near the Town Hall, or in the quiet picturesque narrow streets of "Kato Mera" - the old part of the town.

Do
Anatoli Donkey Farm, Anatoli appointment. A self funded shelter for unwanted donkeys. Offering guided walks with the donkeys to carry the delicious picnic that is provided. Donkey rides for children. Farm visits to see donkeys and other animals. Get away from the tourists and enjoy the mountain air and peaceful nature and beauty. tba

Buy
The character and charm of the old warm neighborhood has been retained, whilst it has been given new life as a shopping and eating experience for the visitor. A tempting variety of shops, open-air cafes, bars, restaurants and traditional taverns, makes Ierapetra the ideal place to relax, enjoying shopping, eating, drinking or simply wondering around! Pick up a handmade gift from a colorful market stall and enjoy the exciting sounds of busy Cretan life!

Eat
Please try to avoid tourist-oriented restaurants. Ask at where you are staying, stressing that you are searching for some small place where locals would go eat, and try that instead.

Drink
The prefecture of Lassithi produces probably the best "raki" in Crete, a white spirit made from grapes. Try it at some local "taverna" or "kafenio", together with a variety of "meze" - local delicacies: The locals do that all the time!

Get out
The street near the Town Hall is where most bars and small night clubs are gathered. They are popular with locals, especially during the holidays (July-August, Christmas and Eastern), and at Friday and Saturday nights.

Eating and drinking is a major part of the Cretan merry-making, and can make a great night out on its own. You get find some excellent food in taverns in the villages around Ierapetra, either on the sea side, or further higher on the surrounding mountains.

Chersonissos

2009-06-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

About ChersonissosChersonissos (or Hersonissos) is well known as one of Crete’s liveliest resorts, and there is a wide range of tavernas, shops, cafes, discos and other tourist amenities.
Its sand and shingle beach offers a wide variety of water sports.
Nearby on the hillsides the villages of Koutouloufari and Piskopiano however are quieter and offer visitors a much more relaxed and lower key style of holiday.
The neighbouring coastal resort of Stalis has beautiful sandy beaches and a rather laid back atmosphere.
There is a wide choice of nightlife in the neighbouring resorts of Chersonissos and Malia, just a short taxi ride away.

Access
Regular public transportation is available for visiting Hersonissos.

History & Sights
In the site that the harbour of Hersonissos is built today, there was the city of ancient Hersonissos. The Roman Hersonissos had wonderful marble waterfalls.The city was first built during the Minoan times but experienced great prosperity during Roman and early Byzantine period.
Remnants of this period can be seen today in the area of Kastri, on a promontory where excavations have revealed an early Christian basilica.
The ancient city of Hersonissos was irrigated by an aqueduct, ruins of which can be found today at Xerokamares, at the village of Potamies.

Facilities
From the point of recreation there is a wonderful, sandy beach all along the coast, while a number of lovely small coves can be found both to the west at the area of Anissaras as well as to the east near Stalis (Stalida).
There is a variety of modern hotel installations and apartments providing every comfort and offering a wide price range to suite every pocket.

Elounda

2009-06-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

About EloundaElounda is a small fishing town on the Elounda Bay, on the island of Crete, Greece. It is popular with European tourists and has several hotels. Elounda is also the closest major town to the former leper colony of Spinalonga. The town is close to the city of Aghios Nikolaos and the village of Plaka (Lassithi).

History
Dating back to the Venetian era and the Ancient Greek period, Elounda has changed dramatically during its lifespan. The bulk of the ancient city of Olous was reclaimed by the sea towards the end of the Ancient Greek period and is still visible, in part, when diving in the bay of Elounda.
Olous was the harbour of the dorian city Dreros.
A Mosaic with geometrical decorations and fishes of an early Christian Basilika Church is among the remains of Olous.
During the early 1900s, Elounda acted as a stopping off point for lepers being transported to the leper colony at Spinalonga.

Tourism
Elounda is the self-proclaimed "most luxurious resort" in Greece. It is home to many luxury 5-star hotels as well as budget accommodation. Most of the major luxury hotels are located out of town, set in their own grounds.
Many bars and restaurants can be found in Elounda, supporting and supported by the growing tourist industry there. In 2003, some British tour operators stopped offering holidays to the town - these places were quickly filled by European (mostly French, German) tour operators.

Get around
Car rental is available. Good and modern public transport is provided by the KTEL bus company.

By Foot Elounda is a cosmopolitan town/village with a small fishing port. It has several sandy beaches all in walking distance from the centre (square)

The square has many bars,restaurants and fast food businesses. You can even find a few kafenions here the real traditional watering holes.

Elounda's fishing port also offers boat trips to the nearby Island of Spinalonga (Kalidon) which in the past was used as a leper colony.

Near the main beach a little way from the square is a children's play area. There are shops, bars and restaurants close by. The beach has been awarded the blue flag.

Near to this beach there is also boat trips and one boat called the Shark's Eye has a glass bottom and is a hydrofoil.

If you walk back through the square to the other end..you will see a street going up a bank. You probably came down this street on your coach. On this street there are shops, bars, restaurants and Jewellery shops, Fashion shops, tourist shops, and even a couple of night clubs.

Going further up this street you will see a cut going down to the left. You will see a sign saying "Sanken City Of Olous"(yes sanken) This was the original Elounda many questions are being asked about this city "was Olous the real Atlantis from Myths and Legends ?" As you walk along the causeway you may still see some of the walls of the city in the water. Keep walking and you will come across a small beach, with a large old stone building at the end of it. This building was origanally built as a storage building. Keep walking along and to you right you will see some old windmills. Here is a beautiful spot over the bridge a small canal with fishing boats to the side. You will also see the original stone bridge now broken. This Canal was built by the French many many Years ago. There are many things to see this side of the bridge .......and if you are fit and can put up with the heat even a beautiful fine white sand beach.

Going back towards Elounda after you have walked back over the causway turn right and keep walking along the seafront. You will pass beautifuly placed restaurants and Taverna's. Maybe this is a good time to stop have something to eat or just a cold glass of beer. Well keep walking and you are back in the centre again.

See
Spinalonga Island, the setting for the bestseller "The Island" by Victoria Hislop. Spinalonga Island is easily accessed by boat from Elounda and the small village of Plaka.
The island of Spinalonga (Kalidon) has captured the imagination of many throughout its long history. Since millenia past, artists, musicians and authors have romanticised and wrote about this island. It is pne of the most visited tourist attractions on Crete, and thousands of visitors walk along the narrow streets through the village on Spinalonga each year. Actually the name 'Spinalonga', which means 'Long Thorn', came from the Venitians after a small island near Venice. The official name is Kalidon, but so well known is its former name that even the sign posts and the boats that take you to the the island will call it only by its Venetian name.
Salt Pans 15th century salt evaporation pans which were still in use until the early 1970's.
Canal Built by French engineers to ease trade between Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.

There are many fine restaurants and bars in Elounda. These include the Friends Bar in the centre of Elounda, perhaps the most modern bar in the town. Restaurants in the town include the Kalidon, famous because it is set upon a floating platform. The town has one English cuising restaurant, 'Jennifers', and a speciality fish restaurant.

Chania

2009-06-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

About Chania
Chania is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania Prefecture. The official population of the municipal area is 55,838.

Geography

The city of Chania lies at the east end of the Gulf of Chania, a wide embayment between the Akrotiri peninsula in the east and the Spatha peninsula in the west. Kastelli Hill is a prominent landform within the city, which hill was a center of the ancient city of Kydonia.

History
Early history

Chania is the site of the Minoan settlement the Greeks called Cydonia, Greek for quince. It appears to have been inhabited since the Neolithic era. The city reemerged after the end of the Minoan period as an important city-state in Classical Greece, one whose domain extended from Hania Bay to the feet of the White Mountains. The first major wave of settlers from mainland Greece was by the Dorian Greeks who came around 1100 BC. Cydonia was constantly at war with other Cretan city-states such as Aptera, Falasarna and Polyrrinia and was important enough for the Cydonians to be mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. In 69 BC the Roman Consul Metellus defeated the Cretans and conquered Cydonia to which he granted the privileges of an independent city-state.

Byzantine Era

The early Christian period under Byzantine rule (First Byzantine Period, 395 - 824 AD) and the rule of the Arabs, who called the settlement Chania, are not well documented. During the former, Christianity spread in the island but during the latter, the Christian population was persecuted and moved to the mountains. The Byzantine Empire retook the city in 961 AD (Second Byzantine Period, until 1204 AD). They began to strongly fortify the city in order to prevent another Arab invasion, using materials from the ancient buildings of the area.

The Venetian era

After the Fourth Crusade (1204) and the fall of the Byzantium in the Hellenic area, Crete was given to Bonifacio, marchese de Montferrat. He, in turn, chose to sell it to the Venetians for 100 silver marks. In 1252 the Venetians managed to subdue the Cretans but in 1263, their rivals of Genoa, with local support, seized the city under the leadership of Enrico Pescatore, count of Malta, and held it until 1285, when the Venetians returned.

The Venetian rule was initially strict and oppressive but slowly the relations between the two parts improved. Contact with Venice led to close intertwining of Cretan and Venetian cultures, without, however, the Cretans losing their Greek Orthodox nature. The city's name became La Canea and fortifications were strengthened, giving Chania the form that it still has today. On the other hand, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, many priests, monks and artists took refuge to Crete and reinforced the Byzantine religion and culture on the island. The city of Chania during the period that followed was a blend of Byzantine, Venetian and Classical Greek cultural elements. Many of the important buildings of the town were built during this era and the intellectual activities (written word, music, education) were also promoted.

Ottoman Era

However the walls did not prevent the Turkish army overrunning the city in 1645 after just two months' siege. The Turks landed near the Monastery of Gonia in Kissamos, which they plundered and burnt. They seized Chania itself on 2 August 1645. The Turkish commander was executed on returning home for losing up to 40,000 men. Later, most churches were turned into mosques and the riches of the city were taken. The Turks resided mainly in the eastern quarters, Kastelli and Splantzia, where they converted the Dominican church of St Nicholas into the central Sovereign's Mosque. They also built new mosques such as "Kioutsouk Hassan Tzamissi" on the harbour. Public baths (hamam), and fountains were a feature of the Turkish city. The pasha of Crete resided in Chania.

In 1821, as Greece rose against the Ottoman Empire, there were conflicts between Greeks and Turks in Chania, leading to casualties from both sides, most of which were Christians though. In 1878, the Pact of Halepa was signed and Christians were granted certain rights. This was when a big part of the local muslim population moved to Turkey. The rest of them stayed until the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922.

Modern Greek Era

In 1898, during the final moves towards independence and enosis— union with Greece— the Great Powers made Chania the capital of the semi-autonomous Cretan State, with Prince George of Greece, the High Commissioner of Crete living here. During these years Crete issued its own stamps and money. This was a very important transitional period when, no longer an isolated vilayet of the Ottoman Empire, the city became more cosmopolitan and flourishing, regaining its role as the crossroad of civilizations, influenced by Europe as well as by the East. Many important buildings were built during this era, intellectual and artistic societies were created and a new class of local aristocracy brought a different atmosphere to the everyday life of the town. The district of Halepa has many fine neoclassical embassies and consulates dating from this period.

However the main goal was enosis with Greece which came after Venizelos's constant opposition to Prince George's rule over Crete. The series of conflicts includes the Revolution of Therissos in 1905, which overthrew Prince George and brought Alexandros Zaimis to rule Crete. Finally in 1908 Venizelos managed to establish a revolutionary government, recognized by the Great Powers. His later election as the prime minister of Greece (1910) was the last step before Crete was united with Greece on 1 December 1913. The Greek flag was raised for the first time at Fort Firca in the Old Harbour in the presence of Eleftherios Venizelos and King Constantine.

Eleftherios Venizelos, who hailed from Mournies near Chania, was the leader of the 1896-97 uprising against Ottoman rule and went on to be Prime Minister of Greece and a great statesman.

Modern Era

Fortunately, Chania and Crete in general escaped the disastrous consequences of the Greek Civil War of the postwar years. The city of Chania was slowly regaining its normal pace of development during the 1950s, trying to overcome the difficulties that the war had left as an aftermath. During the 1970s Crete became a major tourist destination for Greek and international tourists, something that gave a significant boost to the city's economy and affected the everyday life and the overall culture of the locals. The capital of Crete was moved to Heraklion in 1971.

Chania Old Harbour panorama

The city of Chania can be divided in two parts: the old town and the modern city which is the larger one.
Chania's Old Town is considered the most beautiful urban district on Crete, especially the crumbling Venetian harbour. The borders of the Old Town are the mostly destroyed old Venetian wall (and bulwarks) and this has been the cradle of all the civilizations which were developed in the area. The central part of the old town is named Kasteli and has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The Splantzia quarter (next to the east part of Kasteli) is also largely untouched and very atmospheric. The main square of the Old Town (next to the west end of Kasteli) is the Eleftherios Venizelos Square. It is the heart of the touristic activities in the area. Next to this (on the west side) lies the Topanas district, which used to be the Christian part of the city during the Turkish occupation. The Jewish quarter ("Evraiki" or "Ovraiki") was located at the north-west of the Old Town, behind the harbour and within the borders of Topanas. The whole Topanas area is generally very picturesque, with many narrow alleys and old charming buildings, some of which have been restored as hotels, restaurants, shops and bars. This makes it a lively and colourful place especially during the warm period (April-October). In the winter, it still remains a center of activities (especially for nightlife) but in a more quiet and atmospheric way.

Finally, a very distinctive area of the Old Town is the harbour itself and generally the seafront ("akti"). Akti Tompazi, Akti Kountouriotou and Akti Enoseos (marina) all feature several historical buildings and a thriving nightlife. The main street that combines the modern town with the old town is Halidon Str.

Landmarks

In Kasteli:

* The Kasteli Archaeological Area "Kanevaro" (Minoan)
* Part of the Byzantine walls
* The part of the Venetian wall close to the seafront
* The remains of the Government House ("Palazzo") of the Venetians (17th century)
* The former Santa Maria de Miracoli Monastery (1615)
* The Turkish Bath (hamam) on Katre Str.
* The house of the rectorate (now administration building of the Technical University of Crete)[4]

In Splantzia:

* The Dominican Monastery of St. Nicholas (Now "Agios Nikolaos" church, early 14th century)
* The church of St. Rocco (early 17th century)
* The church of Saint Catherine (Agia Aikaterini, late 16th century)
* The Minaret of St. Nicholas ("Hioughar Tzamissi")
* The Turkish Subterranean Fountain (18th century)

In Topanas and the Jewish quarter:

* The Renier building complex (Venetian, late 16th century)
* The church of San Salvatore (started 15th century)
* The Etz Hayyim Synagogue [3]
* The Turkish Bath (hamam) on Zambeliou Str.

On the harbour:

* The Lighthouse ("Faros", 15th century)
* The Mosque of the Janissaries ("Yiali Tzamissi", 17th century)
* The Venetian Shipyards ("Neoria", late 16th century)
* The Great Shipyard ("Megalo Arsenali", late 16th century)
* The Fort Firca (early 17th century)
* The Bulwark of St. Nicholas of Molos

Halidon street:

* The Greek Orthodox cathedral ("Trimartyri", 1860)
* The Roman Catholic cathedral (1879)
* The Franciscan Monastery of St. Francis (now archaeological museum)
* The Turkish Bath (hamam) on Halidon Str.
* "Stivanadika" (traditional leather stores) on Skridloff Str.

Other parts:

* The Church of "Agioi Anargyroi"
* The Bulwark San Salvatore (West)
* The Bulwark Lando or Schiave or St. Dimitrios (South West)
* The Bulwark of Santa Lucia (East)
* The Gate and Bulwark Sabbionara (Koum Kapi)

Other historical buildings in the area include Eleftherios Venizelos’s House (built 1876–1880), the old French school (now property of the Technical University of Crete, housing the Department of Architecture), the Church of Agia Magdalini (built 1901–1903) , The “Palace” (built 1882, house of Prince George during the period of the Cretan independence) and The Church of Evangelistria (built 1908–1923). Part of the marine area of Halepa is called Tabakaria, where a unique architectural complex of old leather processing houses is situated. The district of Koum Kapi (the Venetians had first named it "Sabbionara", which means "the Gate of the Sand", the same as "Koum Kapi") situated beyond the walls at the eastern part of the old town, was also one of the first places to be inhabited outside the fortification walls. Initially, it was home for the "Halikoutes", a group of bedouins from North Africa who had actually settled there since the last years of the Turkish occupation. Nowadays it is a developing area with many trendy cafes, bars and restaurants on its picturesque beach.

In the last two decades there has been a profound movement of Chania residents towards the suburbs, as well as towards areas around the city which used to be rural, mainly the Akrotiri Peninsula.

The Clock Tower on Dimokratias Str
The Episcopal residence
The church of Agia Magdalini in Halepa
The house of Manousos Koundouros

Culture

The cultural background of Chania is very rich, first of all due to the town's long history and its interaction with many diverse civilizations in the past. Furthermore the location of Crete (immediately connected to Athens, situated between Europe, Asia and Africa) as well as the cosmopolitan atmosphere that tourism creates, have generally kept the town up-to-date with modern advances in art and knowledge. Currently, there are several museums, art galleries, theatre and music groups, educational and research institutions within the city.

The most important museums in Chania are:

* Archaeological Museum (Old Town). It houses findings from different parts of the county and from several historical and prehistorical periods of the local history (Neolithic to Roman)
* Folklore Museum (Old Town)
* Historical Archive[5] (the second most important in Greece)
* Maritime Museum of Crete (Old Town)
* Municipal Art Gallery [4]
* Byzantine/Post-Byzantine Collection (Old Town)
* House of E. Venizelos [5]
* War Museum
* Museum of Chemistry

Entertainment/Night life

Chania is a family orientated town, traditionally Cretan in its charm. However, that does not stop it from boasting a fairly lively night life. The family atmosphere is more profound during the winter, something that is slowly changing with the reinforcement that the University students bring to the town. During the summer period (late April - early October) the place becomes more cosmopolitan with many tourists coming to the place from both mainland Greece and from any other part of the world. There is a selection of food choices, with plenty of Greek tavernas, many of them serving traditional Cretan specialities and a decent number of foreign cuisine restaurants. A big proportion of them is gathered in the Old Town, Nea Hora and Koum Kapi, the coastal areas of the town, but there are several choices around the city as well. The Old Town is the place to find a myriad of galley bars and cafes, carved into the cliff side and the age-old Venetian buildings. Some of them are quite popular among people who look for a relaxed and cosy night out, offering a more intellectual point of view on nightlife, with good music ranging from jazz to indie and to traditional Greece. Some other ones are very popular among specific types of visitors (Scandinavian Bars, American Bars etc).

The area of Koum Kapi has developed rapidly during the last decade and nowadays offers a variety of nice choices for mainstream cafes and some restaurants. The ratio of Greek people going there (either locals or visitors) is much higher than in the Old Town, where the atmosphere is more cosmopolitan (not meaning that it is not preferred by Greeks as well). There are also some clubs in town, which are usually closing in the summer, since people prefer to party closer to the beach resorts of Agia Marina and Platanias where the major clubs are located. During the summer, a main way of entertainment is the everyday swimming, which is often a kind of social outing especially for the locals, since it replaces the afternoon coffee that many Greeks fancy.

Cinema, theater and concerts are, among the already mentioned ones, some very common activities for entertainment in Chania, with a fair amount of choices offered and repertoires varying from independent to commercial. Some venues for live music focus on Greek traditional and perhaps Cretan artists. The outdoor evening feasts in the villages, usually related to religious celebrations, are quite popular during the summer.

Transportation

The city is served by Chania International Airport (IATA code: CHQ) on the Akrotiri Peninsula. The airport is named after Daskalogiannis, a Sfakiot hero who was skinned by the Turks in the 18th century.

There are several flights a day from Athens to Chania, with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines. From April to early November, there are many direct charter flights to Chania from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and other European countries. See Domestic flight schedules.

Agios Nikolaos

2009-06-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

About Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos, with 9.500 inhabitants, is the capital of the Lassithi province of Crete. It is built around a picturesque lake at the north-western side of the Merabello bay, the biggest bay in Crete. The beauty here is endless with the seasons succeeding one another. The climate is unique: Dry, without humidity. The area is inhabited since antiquity.

Today
Major administrative, cultural and communications center, Aghios Nikolaos is one of the most developed tourist areas, not only in Crete but in Greece in general. Having a valuable 30 year experience of organized tourism, its infrastructure matches that of any other European resort, for ideal and interesting vacation together with the traditional Cretan hospitality and the excellent climate. Thanks to the beautiful coasts, the great sights and the cosmopolitan life, this live city hosts every year thousands of visitors without losing one bit of its tranquillity and traditional hospitality. The modern city of Aghios Nikolaos became indernationally well-known during the 60's, "discovered" by famous cinema directors (Jules Dassin, Walt Disney etc.), BBC producers and many others. It was then, that the rapid tourist development of the area started. Today, Aghios Nikolaos is an international, cosmopolitan tourist resort, able to accommodate, effectively and efficiently, thousands of visitors each year.

Get in
Agios Nikolaos (Crete) is about 40 miles from Herakleion Airport (HER). The journey time is 45 - 60 minutes by car or taxi.
Ferry services run to Agios Nikolaos from Athens (Piraeusport), Rhodes, Chalki, Karpathos and Kassos.

Major ferry lines operate to the port of Herakleion, connecting with bus services at the main bus station near to the port. Ferries run directly to the town via LANE lines from Pireaus and Rhodes.

Get around
A walk around the shopping area of Aghios Nikolaos is always a pleasure. You can find everything! There are many tourist shops, full of excellent articles of traditional Cretan art, minoan copies and copies from the Popular Art museum, etc. One can also visit fine art galleries and woven handicrafts, jewellery shops, international bookstores, kiosks with greek and foreign press, cafeterias as well as traditional coffee shops, tavernas and restaurants with an inexhaustible assortment of snacks and specialities of greek and Cretan cooking, accompanied with all sorts of wines or the local strong "raki". At night, there are countless chances for fun at the numerous night clubs and discos, or at selected clubs with traditional Cretan dances, songs and mandinades or the latest hits of the greek and international charts.

See
There are boat trips up the coast to see Barbarossa's cave and the old leper colony (formerly a Venetian fortress) of Spinalonga, which are fascinating and amazing value (do not spend more than 10 euros, there is no need) and usually include an ocean swim.

Do
Go to Almyros beach, a long sandy beach with a cold water stream entering the sea at the southern end. Perfect for a cooling paddle if the heat gets too much. About a 20 minute walk from the town center but worth every step! Alternatively, a taxi from the town center will only cost you about €8.
If it is windy, consider a pebble beach rather than a sand beach, of which there is no shortage.

Eat
There are a good selection of restaurants and tavernas in the town, ranging from the small and friendly "Grigoris" to the superb "Mediterraneo" on the harbour.

Meze restaurants worth visiting are "Barko" which provides a modern slant on traditional dishes and "Chyssofillis" on Kitroplatia. Just around the corner is "9 Muses", a modern restaurant /cafe bar which is popular with local residents. The recently opened "Piato" near Ammoudi beach is an excellent contemporary meze restaurant. Near the taxi rank by tourist information is "Embassy".

For more northern European tastes, "Obelix" is a Dutch operated restaurant near Ammoudi beach which serves large portions with a daily special for variety.

Drink
Modern cafe bars on the right of the harbour include "Molto" and "En Plo". Yiannis Rock Bar is an institution and was formerly the haunt of rock stars such as Ozzie Osbourne, U2 and Jimmy Page.

"Puerto" is popular with the young locals and 25th March Street (25 Martiou) is busy at weekends with many of the local student population. Don't be misled by old tales about this street being the hub of the night life for tourists. It is entirely "Greek" and if you don't want to hear modern Greek music you will be in the wrong place.

The bars that have survived the change in tourist tastes over the last few years include "Aquarius", "Sorrento" and "Alexandros". The first two are "British" style tourist bars and the latter is a rooftop garden bar which has a small dance floor.

If you enjoy sport coverage, the two main venues are the small but friendly "Sky Bar" near to the Marina and the much larger and better equipped "Sportz Bar" which is next to "Aquarius".

Aghios Nikolaos is the ideal place for rest and fun, all year round and for all ages, combining the traditional hospitality with the authenticity of the genuine Cretan way of life. The visitor will feel secure and, if necessary, will enjoy a full range of medical assistance. At the Municipal play grounds, located at various points of the city, the children can enjoy themselves playing for hours. The Municipality has also a POLYCENDER, at the renovated traditional REX building with a movie theater and with a fully equipped CONVENTIONAL CENDER, suitable for 300 people.

Heraklion

2009-06-16T13:36:00.000-07:00

About Heraklion
Heraklion is the major city and capital of the largest Greek island of Crete. Its Archaeological Museum holds the remains of the 3000-year old Minoan civilization, which grew aroud the nearby legendary palace of Knossos (of Minotaur fame), as well as Byzantine churches and a well-preserved Venetian wall and fortress from the 15th century.

Climate
Heraklion has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry with clear skies. Dry hot days are often relieved by a system of seasonal breezes. Winters are mild with relatively little rain and rare frosts

Get in
Located in the middle of the island, all roads lead to Heraklion. Heraklion has a busy harbour and very busy airport and usually is the starting point of travels to Crete and nearby islands.

Get around
By Ferry
There are Highspeed Catamaran and normal ferries from/to Heraklion, Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion, Minoan Lines , Anek Lines and Superfast Ferries - and also from Thessaloniki, Cyclades and Dodecanese to Heraklion. G.A. Ferries , Sea Jets Santorini Maritime and Hellenic Seaways . The frequency is reduced in the winter. Also every summer there is One Day Cruise from Heraklion to Santorini by cruise boat or highspeed catamarans
By bus
You can use public city bus network to get around Heraklion but you have to figure out the line to your destination. There are usually no routes or schedules posted at the bus stops. Buses do not stop at bus stops, unless you signal the driver by raising your arm. Basic ticket costs 0,90 €.
Line 1 goes to/from the airport.
Line 2 takes you to/from Knossos.

See
Landmarks
The Minoan Palace of Knossos
Archaeological Museum and Knossos Site
Koules, the Venetian castle in the Harbour
Venetian Walls
Loggia
Morosini Fountain
St. Minas Cathedral
St. Titus Church
St. Chatherine of the Sinaites Church
St. Mark's Basilica

Museums and Galleries
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance
Museum of Natural History
Historical Museum of Crete
Lychnostatis
CretAquarium Thalassocosmos
Nikos Kazantzakis Museum

Do
Rock Climbing, localers and visitors can climb on a 50 foot rock at the suburb of Karteros, east of Heraklion. Safety equipment is provided, but one can use his own gear too.
Water fun, at the nearby Water City and Aqua Plus water parks
Heraklion Summer Arts Festival - from June to September
Amoudara the city's beach area; a three kilometer strip of sandy beach, lots of cafes, bars and hotels and the site of "Technopolis", a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theatre.
Horseback riding, experienced and amateur riders can ride at the beach of Karteros, or take riding lessons at Ippikos Omilos Hrakliou, located 6km east of Heraklion, in Karteros.

Eat
Heraklion Sailing Club Heraklion Harbour, GR-71262 Heraklion. Tel: 0030 2810 22 8118 Classic seafood restaurant facing the Venetian Castle, beloved by Heraklion's locals. Specialities include charcoal grilled fish, seafood salads, clams, and the award winning mussel risotto. Located in the harbour and opposite the Venezian castle (Koules)in the former premises of the port refrigeration plant, east of the Port Authority. Sailing Club membership is not required for the restaurant.
Pagopieion (Ice-Factory) is a "quirky", very different restaurant and cafe/bar, at St Titus square, by the church. You can sit outside and enjoy the setting, or you might be tempted by the dramatic decor to sit inside. Either way, the food is excellent, the menu different and interesting - Mediterranean with a twist. Good fish too.

Drink
Raki, also known as Tsikoudia, is the the trademark of Cretan day and night life, a strong clear drink similar to Grappa in Italy or Orujo in Spain. It is made out of the 'must' of grape skins and twiggs after the local production of the white wine. It doesn't taste like aniseed, as opposed to the Turkish raki. Most raki is 80 proof, about the strength of most vodkas, but some are much stronger. It's often served in small glasses after dinner with a plate of fruit or other dessert.
Cretan Wine: Try the distinctive Cretan wine, produced in the island for at least 4000 years. Labels: Sitia, Peza Union. The Cretans themselves drink so called 'open' wine, straight out of the barrel, like fresh white wine, and the sometimes very old dark rusty red wine, a bit like port.
alimeli, alikarnassos (near the main road ikarou), ☎ 2813009281. from 7 in the morning to 12 in the night. sweets,crepes,waffles,ice cremes

Get out
Faistos
Matala
Agios Nikolaos
Rethymno
Anogia
Chania
Samaria Gorge
Spinalonga

About Greece

2009-06-16T02:24:00.000-07:00

About Greece

Greece is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, ranking in the world's top 20 countries. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the nation received about 17 million visitors from January to mid August 2007, a large number for a small country of 11 million. Visitors are drawn to the country's beaches and reliable sunny summer weather, its nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty.

Understand

Over 90% of visitors who come to Greece come from other European countries, although in recent years there have been growing numbers of tourists from other world regions. The vast majority of visitors arrive during tourism season, which is April through October. Peak season is July through August, and most of the tourists and tourism industry are concentrated in Crete, the Dodecanese, Cyclades, and Western Greek Islands, and to a lesser extent: the Peloponnese, and the Halkidiki peninsula in Macedonia. There are still many rewarding areas in the country free of large-scale tourism.

Many first-time visitors arrive in Greece with specific images in mind and are surprised to discover a country with such regional and architectural diversity. The famous whitewashed homes and charming blue-domed churches only characterize a specific region of the country (the Cyclades Islands). Architecture varies greatly from one region to the next depending on the local history. Visitors will find Neoclassical architecture in the cities of Ermoupolis and Nafplio, Ottoman-influenced buildings in Grevená and Kozáni, whitewashed Cycladic homes on the island of Paros, and pastel-colored baroque homes and churches on Corfu. The nation's terrain is just as varied as its architectural heritage: idyllic beaches, towering mountain ranges, wine-producing valleys, vast stretches of olive orchards in the south, and lush forests in the north. Greece's historical sights are just as varied; the country is littered with just as many medieval churches and castles as classical ruins and temples.

History

Greece boasts a very long history, with the Greek language being present in the country for nearly 4,000 years.

The country's first inhabitants are now referred to as the Pelasgians. Little is known about them, but it is believed that they were a primitive people. The first advanced civilizations in Greece are known as the Cycladic in the Cyclades Islands, and the Minoan in Crete and Santorini. The Minoans had a written language which remains undecipherable to modern-day archaeologists. This is one of the most interesting and profound historical mysteries. It is a link to our modern civilization.
Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes were the most prominent of the city-states (with Athens being the most prestigious), but there were several other advanced city-states and colonies that had developed across the Aegean basin. Greek settlements were also established in southern Italy and other coastal areas of the Mediterranean colonized by Greeks. The legacy of Greek Civilization from this time period made a major impact on the world and continues to influence us to this day.

Climate

The most pleasant weather occurs in May-June and September-October. The warmest time of the year starts in mid-July and generally lasts until mid-August, when the annual meltémi winds from the north cool the country. Mid-July to mid-August is the height of summer, and the midday sun tends to get very strong; during this time, most Greeks avoid heavy physical activity outdoors between 1:00 and 5:00 PM. It is best advised to get in tune with the local way of life by waking up early, doing all sightseeing and errands in the cool morning hours, and then spending the afternoon in the relaxing shade or at the beach. In fact, the bulk of tourists arrive in Greece during the height of summer, to do just that! For visitors from more northerly climates, the off season from November through February can be a rewarding time to see Greece. It will not be beach weather, but temperatures are mild. The much added bonus is that there will be very few other tourists and reduced prices.

Summer evenings tend to be very rewarding. As strong as the sun may get on a summer afternoon, the low levels of atmospheric humidity in most areas of the country prevent the air from trapping much heat, and temperatures tend to dip to very pleasant levels in the evenings. But even during midday, high temperatures actually tend to be quite comfortable as long as the time is not spent doing a lot of walking or other physical activity. (Athens, however, can still be uncomfortably warm during summer afternoons due to the predominance of concrete in the city, an effect similar to New York City.) Coastal areas near open waters (away from tightly-closed bays and gulfs) especially on many of the islands, tend to be quite breezy, and can be quite cold at night.

Holidays and festivals

New Year's Day - January 1
Epiphany - January 6
Shrove Monday (First day of Lent) - movable
Independence Day and The Annunciation - March 25
Good Friday - movable
Easter -movable
Easter Monday - movable
May Day / Labor Day - May 1
Pentecost Monday - movable
Assumption of Our Lady - August 15
WWII Day / "OXI Day" - October 28
Christmas - December 25
Saint Stephen's - December 26

Major Trvel destinations

Athens - capital, acropolis, major museums and many nearby sites
Corfu - large island with many attractions
Crete - island with varied attractions
Delphi - site of the famous oracle of Apollo, major archeological site
Meteora - hilltop monasteries
Ithaca - famous home of Odysseus and the greek gods
Mount Athos - semi-independent ecclesiastical republic
Mykonos - world famous sophisticated vacation center
Olympia - sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, site of the ancient Olympics
Rhodes -island with ancient monuments, as well as beaches
Santorini - great natural wonder and Greece's major honeymoon destination

Get around

A frequently asked question of travelers in Greece is whether they should rent a car. The primary advantage of having a car is that you can cover a lot more ground per day if you're traveling in rural areas or on the larger islands: you can get almost anywhere in Greece by bus, but some isolated villages may only have one or two buses per day, and having your own car means you don't have to wait in the summer heat for the bus to come. Almost all archeological sites are accessible by bus, but at some of the more remote, less famous, sites, the bus may drop you off up to a mile away from the site, while with a car you can almost always get right to the site via at least a rough road.

On the other hand, going car-free in Greece is not only possible, but offers significant advantages, while driving involves a number of disadvantages. Though many people find driving in Greece easy and even pleasant, others are concerned by the high accident rate (one of the highest in Europe), the national reputation for risky driving, and the presence of many twisty mountainous roads, sometimes hugging the side of a cliff. Gas is as expensive as anywhere. (For more on driving conditions in Greece see below.) Driving in Athens and other big cities can be a frustrating, and sometimes hair-raising, experience, and finding parking can be very difficult. And having a car greatly restricts your flexibility when island-hopping, since only the larger, and usually slower, ferries offer car transport, which must be paid for in addition to your passenger ticket. Traveling by bus is not only cheaper but offers a greater chance of striking up conversations with both locals and other travelers than going by car. Language is not usually a problem for English speakers in using public transit: wherever there is significant tourism in Greece bus schedules are posted in English, and bus drivers and conductors, as well as taxi drivers, will understand at least enough English to answer your questions

Public transit can be supplemented by taxis (see below), which in many places, especially the islands, offer fixed rates to various beaches, which can be affordable especially if the price is shared among several people. And on many islands it's possible to get places by walking, which can be a pleasant experience in itself.

Eat

Greek cuisine is a blend of indigenous traditions and foreign influences. Neighboring Italy and Turkey have left a major impact on Greek cuisine, and there are shared dishes with both of these nations. The traditional Greek diet is very Mediterranean, espousing vegetables, herbs, and grains native to the Mediterranean biome. Being a highly maritime nation, the Greeks incorporate plenty of seafood into their diet. The country is also a major producer and consumer of lamb; beef, pork, and especially chicken are also popular. Olive oil is a staple in Greek cooking, and lemon and tomato paste are common ingredients. Bread and wine are always served at the dinner table.

Just-in-time

For things such as bread and fresh orange juice, the just-in-time principle is often used: bread or oranges are purchased by the cafe right after the first order is taken. So don't be surprised if your waiter returns to the cafe with a bag of oranges after accepting your order. And this is how fresh bread is guaranteed in most places.

Drink

Those wishing to partake of alcoholic beverages in Greece would be well advised to stick to the traditional domestic Greek products discussed below, which are freely available, mostly cheap by European standards, and usually of good quality. Any imported (i.e. non-Greek) alcoholic beverages are likely to be very expensive if genuine, and if cheap may well be "bomba," a locally distilled alcohol with flavorings which sometimes, especially in island bars catering to young people, masquerades as whiskey, gin, etc. If you drink it, you'll be very sorry.

Wines

To be able to purchase alcohol in Greece you must be 17, but there is no legal drinking age.

Greece, an ancient wine producing country, offer a wide variety of local wines, from indigenous and imported grape varieties, including fortified and even sparkling wines. Greek wines are generally not available on the international market, as production is relatively small, costs are quite high and little remains for export. However, in the past decade Greek wines have won many international prizes, with the rise of a new generation of wineries. Exports are rising as well.

Wine is most Greeks' drink of choice, "Krasi" (oenos: οίνος) and traditional spirits like ouzo, tsipouro, raki and tsikoudia (produced in Crete, similar to the Italian grappa). Retsina is a "resinated wine" with a strong, distinctive taste that can take some getting used to; the flavor comes from pine resin, which was once employed as a sealant for wine flasks and bottles. The most well-known and cheap-n-dirty is "Kourtaki Retsina".

Photography restrictions

It is strictly forbidden to take photos of military installations or other strategic locations. Authorities will take violations quite seriously. Obey signs prohibiting photography. In fact, it would be best not to take photographs of anything of military significance, including Greek navy ships, or of airports or any aircraft, even civilian ones: Greek authorities can be very sensitive about such things. Many museums prohibit photography without a permit; some prohibit only flash or tripod photography, and many ask visitors not to take photos of objects (statues, etc.) which include people standing by them, as this is considered disrespectful. But these specific cautions shouldn't discourage visitors from otherwise taking photos in Greece, which is one of the most photogenic places in the world.

Antiquities

Greece also has very strict laws concerning the export of antiquities, which can include not only ancient objects but coins, icons, folk art, and random pieces of stone from archeological sites. Before buying anything which could conceivably be considered an antiquity, you should become familiar with the current laws regarding what can be taken out of the country.