Travel Photo of the Week: Mykonos Windmills, Greece

I have had the pleasure (read ‘jealous pleasure’) of spying some amazing photos in my Facebook newsfeed recently from many of my friends who have escaped a Melbourne winter to travel to such destinations as Thailand, Cambodia, far north Queensland, America and of course Europe. One friend in particular had a few weeks away visiting Crete and some of the Greek Islands. I couldn’t help but share one here of the Mykonos windmills which are an iconic feature of the Greek island, Mykonos. 

Photo courtesy of Travel Tips Plus reader Harry.

As the home to one of the earliest civilizations in Europe, Crete is steeped in history and culture. And with a landscape as rich and diverse as it’s history, it’s easy to see why around 2 million people will enjoy a Crete holiday.

With so much on offer, the choice can be overwhelming so here is a rundown of the best things to do in Crete so all you have to do is book your flights and sort out that all important holiday wardrobe.

Discover an Ancient Civilisation

As the epicentre of the Minoan civilisation, Knossos palace has stood on this site at Heraklion since around 1900 B.C. and making it an integral part of Greek History.

It is also a central part of Greek Mythology: it played host to Theseus’s fight with the Minotaur and housed Daedelus – the master craftsman of the Labrynth – and Icaurus his ill fated, wax-winged son. The impact that this palace has had on Western story telling cannot be underestimated.

First discovered by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900, this is an historical site definitely worth discovering for yourself on your Crete holidays in 2012.

If you want to delve deeper into the history of Crete, then head to the Heraklion Archeological Museum where you will find one of the largest collections of artefacts in Greece, from the Neolithic to Roman periods. However, if Mythology is more your thing then head up the Dicte Mountain range in East Crete and seek out the Dikteon Cave. This is reputed to be the birthplace of Zeus, the God of Gods.

Natural beauty at Samaria Gorge

One of Greece’s oldest National Parks, Samaria Gorge stretches 16km along the south coastal region of Chania and has been protected since 1692. It is a haven for nature enthusiasts and hikers keen to glimpse Greece’s flora and fauna in all their glory.

Visitors should be prepared for a long and challenging walk but rest assured, the views are worth it and dinner afterwards will be well deserved. Many who made the journey said it was one of the best things about their Crete holidays in 2012. So lace up your walking boots and head over to www.west-crete.com/samaria-gorge.htm for details on how to get there.

Relax in idyllic surroundings at Elafonissi Beach

No trip to Greece would be complete without the obligatory time spent on the beach. And this one is a real treat. With turquoise blue seas, pink sands and breathtaking sunsets, Elafonissi has to be seen to be believed. Situated on the west coast of the island, the beach is around an hour from Chania but is well worth the drive and the perfect place to relax after taking in all that history and nature.

 

 

Where to Party in Greece?

What do Kos, Faliraki and Malia all have in common? That’s right; they have for a number of years been the top places for young and lively crowds to head to for some fun in the sun. But what are they really like? Where is the best place to visit if you have to choose and which one is more suited to your needs?

Once these three destinations are put side by side and compared in terms of the main needs and wants for people aboard, it becomes clear that they each have their own stand out features.

Best Beach: Malia

All three destinations have their fair share of beaches, most of which are busy and bustling full of people usually recovering from the night before. For these reasons, if you want a bit of peace and quiet it can become a bit of a challenge. However, Malia has a stretch of beach which is largely free from the commercial side of things and offers visitors the perfect place to laze in the sun. Potamos Beach is around 500 metres from the bigger beach where the vast majority of holidaymakers and travellers spend their time. If you want a quiet afternoon, Potamos Beach is the place to head to is you want a bit of peace on holidays in Crete.

Best Nightlife: Faliraki

All three of the destinations can claim to have the best nightlife, but many would agree that Faliraki just about comes out on top thanks to the fact that it has actually become less rowdy as it was back in the early 2000’s. The local authorities clamped down on the over the top antics which once upon a time were common place, with these days the bars being frequented by slightly older patrons just looking for a good time. Club Street is the aptly named strip of bars and clubs which most people head to and there is plenty to keep you entertained throughout the night and into the early hours.

Best Backdrop: Malia

There is a belief that these types of resorts are all the same, and let’s face it, a bit bland. But visitors to Malia may be a bit surprised when they drop by as the Old Town is a fantastically traditional place which offers an insight into how the area looked before mass tourism took over. The tight winding streets lead to all sorts of unexpected sights including hidden churches and small taverns. You could easily get lost here for a day or so – even if you spend the majority of your time elsewhere, make sure you head to the Old Town at least once on your visit.

Best Food: Kos

If you manage to drag yourself away from the local McDonalds, the resorts of Malia, Kos and Faliraki have some lovely restaurants with dishes made from the freshest ingredients on offer. The pick of the bunch are found on Kos though, where there are plenty of options open to you. Tigiaki has a number of budget friendly but vey well respected restaurants where you can try the local cuisine, which in typical Greek fashion centres on fresh fish, local vegetables and lugs of olive oil. The best thing to do is to avoid the restaurants which are geared towards the tourists and take to the side streets. Here you’ll find locals eating for usually a fraction of the price and in much more traditional surroundings.

All three islands have their attractions and in many instances it is hard to separate them. If you want a holiday destination where you can get all of the luxuries from home, you’ll be hard pressed to find places better than Kos, Malia and Faliraki. All three have their good bits – it is just a case of deciding whether you value beaches, nightlife, food or places of interest higher when on cheap holidays to Greece!

Guest post written by Ricky Durrance for Beat the Brochure.

Going Through Your Paces on Holiday!

From climbing Kilimanjaro to walking the Great Wall of China, it seems there is a new trend in putting your body through its paces on holiday. If you’re an excercise-aholic then the annual Athens marathon offers the perfect opportunity to combine some summer sunshine with the challenge of a real endurance race- with a dose of culture, history and delicious food thrown in for good measure!

Why Athens…?

There are now 500 marathon races worldwide each year, but the annual Athens event remains the original and, many argue, the best.
Athens is, of course, synonymous with ancient civilisations, historical monuments and the Olympics. Legend has it that it’s also the place where a soldier named Pheidippides collapsed and died, having run 26.2 miles, without stopping, to announce that the Athenians had beaten the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.

In 1896, when the International Olympics Committee formed and started to plan the first modern Olympic Games, a French delegate named Michel Bréal was so captivated by the legend of Pheidippides that he proposed the inclusion of a long-distance running event to celebrate the story. Other delegates loved the idea and the legend was used to drum up interest in the games. Bréal even donated a silver trophy for the winner and the marathon as we know it was born.

The first marathon was the final event at the 1896 Athens Olympics, and inspired replica races all around the world with Boston being one of the initial cities to follow suit.

This year’s race…

This year’s race takes place on Sunday November 11th, which gives you a good ten months to get training! It’s open to anyone over 18 and there’s no qualifying time so amateurs and professionals alike can take part. You can use BUPA’s training plan to help you prepare for the challenge, if you plan to run.

Temperatures in Athens in November peak at about 18°c, but with the race starting at 9am it should be much cooler for the bulk of the run.

The course…

The route starts at the battlefield in Marathon which Pheidippides is said to have run from, and follows his route to Athens. Today, the terrain of the 26.2 miles (42.2 km) is wholly tarmac, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing your running shoes – look out for good support and cushioning. The first 12km of the route is fairly flat, with the next 19km being made up of gently sloping hills and the last 11km providing a downhill finish.

You’ll be following the very route that was used in the 2004 Athens Olympics and with the race ending at the world-famous Olympic Stadium, so you’ll truly feel like an elite athlete as you cross the finish line.

Once you’re in Athens, make the most of it…

You’ll probably want a day or two of chilling out by a swimming pool or on the beach post-race. However, once you’re up to it there’s a whole host of things to see and do in Athens; from devouring delicious cuisine, to exploring the ancient ruins, to shopping in quaint markets!

Where to recuperate…

If R&R is top of your agenda then take a trip to Greece’s original Fish Spa (Aiolou 45) and let the garra rufa fish sooth your worn feet or enjoy some reflexology or a traditional massage. There’s also the Hammam Baths (Melidoni 1) where you can enjoy a full body scrub and then a traditional massage on warm marbles- booking is advised. Finally, why not bag yourself a bargain at the fleamarket in Monastiraki or hit a more modern shopping precinct on Ermou Street where you can reward yourself for all your hard work and commitment?

Where to eat…

Greek food is world-renowned and Athens is home to some incredible restaurants. Favourites include Strofi (25 Rovertou Galli) which offers traditional Greek dishes- the feta parcels and baklava are both recommended – and a view of the Acropolis to die for from the open-air top level; Oroscopo (42-44 Antinoros Street), where the fantastic service is regularly praised and beautifully fresh seafood is on offer; and Funky Gourmet (Paramithias 13 & Salaminos)- the destination for cutting-edge, experimental haute cuisine, prepared by classically-trained chefs. What better way to replenish the calories you lost running the marathon?

What to see…

If you’re after some culture, you’ll be able to find it in every nook and cranny in the city! You must, of course, visit the famous ruins and there are plenty for you to choose from, from the big names: the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion , to the lesser-known Temple of Hephaestus, the Agora and the Odeum of Herodes Atticus.

Where to Stay…

For under £400pp, the 4* Polis Grand is right next to the Acropolis and close to the old streets of Plaka, where markets are held. The hotel also has a roof garden where you can chill out after a long day in the November sun. There is also, the 4* Hotel Titania is in the historical hub of Athens, with a Greek brasserie restaurant for guests and a top floor piano bar that has stunning views of the Acropolis. It’s located between Syntagma and Omonia Square, so you’re in the right place for exploring the city and seeing the marathon.

How to Get There…

Athens is easily reached from major UK airports such as London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh, with easyJet Holidays. The flight time is just over 3 hours and you’ll arrive in Athens International Airport, just 20km from the main city centre, just a short bus or taxi ride away.