Kayak and hike in Crete

Hotel/tour package that features kayaking along the southern coast of Crete, the largest island in Greece, plus hiking along its majestic White Mountains and exploring seaside villages and Roman ruins. The real deal: Seven nights' accommodations, some meals, public transportation, and sea kayaking for $1,160 per person. The escorted tour package includes seven nights' accommodations in local hotels chosen by the tour organizers. The journey begins in Chania, the second-largest city on Crete.

The Greco Amirandes in Crete

Apparently Amirandes in Greece, on the island of Crete, is the place to stay when you're a fugitive Greek who has run a Ponzi scheme hedge fund into the ground. That's according to this New York Post article, which says this find may not have a happy ending. Greece won't extradite a naturalized citizen unless he's guilty of something like murder, not just stealing $80 million from defrauded investors. Angelo Haligiannis is certainly having a grand time with the stolen money: About a month after he cut off his ankle bracelet and vanished on Jan. 10, 2006 - he was to be sentenced the next day to 15 years in jail - Haligiannis was living it up, gambling at the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, a swanky retreat and spa on a gorgeous beach near Athens, sources said.

Tourists on alert as fires rage in Greece

Tour operators were last night closely monitoring Greek forest fires that have already claimed 57 lives. The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said its members only had a handful of holidaymakers in the areas most affected by the blazes. Firms, however, are bracing themselves for action in case winds change and popular resorts are put at risk. Half the country has been affected but the worst fires are blazing in the dry forested hillsides of the Peloponnese region.

Get walking in the Greek mountains

The mountain range is home to one of the world's deepest gorges, Vikos Gorge, and a walking holiday is a great way of seeing the cliffs, ravines, rivers and waterfalls of the gorge and the surrounding mountains. There are more than 50 different varieties of orchids in the mountains, and almost 2,000 varieties of wild flowers. One of the popular trails in the mountains is the Vradeto Steps - a winding series of steps descending a vertical cliff, where you can also see rare orchids and wild herbs.

Wildfires have put Greece under siege

Flames fueled by gale-force winds scorched the edges of Athens Saturday. With a known death toll of at least 49, Greece declared a national state of emergency as dozens of fresh fires broke out. An additional 500 soldiers were expected to join firefighters today while at least 12 countries were sending reinforcements and equipment, including firefighting aircraft and crews.

Nakheel has sold the island of Greece on The World offshore Dubai development for $15.5m

Nakheel, Dubai centered world's largest privately held property development firm, has earlier announced the sale of the island of Ireland in its iconic 'The World' real estate project to an Irish business consortium. Ireland has been sold for Dh142 million and will now bring the total number of islands sold on The World to 40%.

Massive forest fires rage across Greece

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - An unprecedented wave of massive fires fanned by gale-force winds raged out of control across Greece Friday, sweeping into towns and villages and killing at least 17 people, the country's deadliest forest fire toll in decades. Firefighting services were stretched to the limit, and hundreds of people were reportedly trapped by the flames in mountainous villages in the western Peloponnese, near the town of Zaharo. The military was called in to help, and 500 soldiers, as well as several military helicopters, were to join the firefighting efforts at first light on Saturday, said fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis.

Greece: Mount Olympus – a must on the itinerary

These tours focus on the Pelopenese Peninsula in the west of Greece and include visits to the major ancient sanctuaries dedicated to the Greek Gods. While it is possible to drive the route, I recommend travelling with a tour company. Our guide held a PhD in archaeology and it was fascinating to sit back in the coach, relax and listen to him passionately recounting the Greek legends. A visit to Olympia is just one highlight of the tour. Built in 435BC and dedicated to the God Zeus, this sanctuary was also home of the ancient Olympic Games and the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World (The Statue of Zeus).

Crete Trying to Be Green, With Very Little Water

ONE of the Mediterranean’s prized stretches of virgin coast lies on the eastern tip of the Greek island of Crete — more than 6,000 acres of land on a craggy peninsula dotted with scrubby bouquets of thyme and sage. If all goes as planned, a group of international investors will turn that land into Cavo Sidero, which is already being promoted as the largest eco-friendly luxury tourism development in southeastern Europe.

Classical Greek sculpture shown in Athens

Following a debut at the Louvre, the marvelous works of 4th C. BC sculptor Praxiteles is on exhibit in Athens until October 31. Works collected from the British Museum, the Vatican and Capitolium museums are displayed. THE GREATEST sculptor of 4th century BC Attica, Praxiteles was the first to capture the female figure in the nude: a full-scale representation of Aphrodite (the so-called Cnidian statue type) modelled after Thespian courtesan Phryne.

Greece Government announces long term lease of tourist facilities

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Greek Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said the decisions, such as a long-term lease of a Rhodes golf course (including the upgrading and expansion of existing facilities) and a business unit at Alykes in Anavissos, were of great importance for the country's economic development.
The Commission also agreed to a long-term lease of the Xenia hotels in Vytina and Skiathos and the sale of Corfu casino. The meeting discussed a plan for the long-term lease of the Phaliro marina and other smaller projects. Alogoskoufis said all procedures were progressing very fast.

Mykonos: windmills, pelicans and white sand

Sun-scorched Mykonos, one of the most sophisticated of the Greek islands, is an antidote to another dismal British summer. Adding to its appeal is the fact that you can now get there on direct scheduled flights, avoiding the tiresome change in Athens or a charter flight. The club scene in the main town rivals that of Ibiza, drawing young backpackers and gay holidaymakers, and an older, more traditional set frequents the town's chic hotels and bars.

Cephalonia, Greece

Cephalonia is the largest of the seven-island Ionian group and undoubtedly the best, but then I’m biased. We looked at 13 destinations before building a villa here and we’ve never regretted it. Cephalonia was slow to bite the tourism apple and as a result, the islanders learnt a lot from other people’s mistakes. Development is heavily restricted and low key - there are no buildings above three storeys, no hotels closer than 100 metres to the shore.

A day trip to the Island of Kos

The island of Kos has an area of 290 square kilometers with a population of 30.000. It belongs to the geographic chain of Dodocanese islands like Rhodes and Charpotos. This group of islands is in fact more than 12 including many volcanic rocks. It is the 3rd biggest of this chain which was created after a volcanic eruption of give-or-take 200.000 years ago. About one million tourists visit the island of Kos every year by boat or by plane. The first thing we did was to take the mini train ride around the streets of the island. The second priority was to find the plane tree of Hypocrates said to be 2500 years old and nearby the Turkish mosque and the castle of the Knights of St.John.

Cephalonia, Greece

Cephalonia is the largest of the seven-island Ionian group and undoubtedly the best, but then I’m biased. We looked at 13 destinations before building a villa here and we’ve never regretted it. Cephalonia was slow to bite the tourism apple and as a result, the islanders learnt a lot from other people’s mistakes. Development is heavily restricted and low key - there are no buildings above three storeys, no hotels closer than 100 metres to the shore and none of those ribbon developments of discos and eating places aimed at the British. There is no crime, no unemployment and only one traffic light. There is also no Club 18-30, which has signed the death warrant for other resorts.

Greece's only seaplane operator promises tourists cheaper and faster access to remote islands

ATHENS (Reuters) - However, regulatory and safety issues have meant that AirSea Lines has endured a bumpy ride since its launch last year. The Canadian-led company had to stop flying its two Twin Otter DHC-6 planes, that can carry up to 19 passengers each, to meet new safety standards just two months after acquiring routes serving the popular Aegean island market.

Top 10 Greek Holiday Attractions

The Acropolis and the Parthenon The symbol of Athens, the iconic Parthenon sits atop the Acropolis, overlooking the city. The remains of the sacred temple to the Greek godess Athena, the Parthenon, with its simple Doric style, has been copied in public architecture worldwide. Accessed by the Athens Metro, it is always crowded, so try for a visit early mornings or late afternoons. Mykonos Considered over-developed by some, but remaining the most famous of Greek islands, Mykonos attracts international sophisticates and budget travelers alike for its stunning beaches.

Big dry hits Greek islands

Greece yesterday declared a state of emergency on the Cyclades islands, including the popular holiday destinations of Mykonos and Santorini, because of water shortages caused by a drought and heatwave. The interior ministry said it took the decision, which amounts to little more than an administrative procedure, to force officials to speed up work on improving water supplies.

Travel To Paros Paradise

Renowned since antiquity for its fine Parian marble, Paros is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands of the Aegean Sea in Greece and is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. The island is located in the heart of the Cyclades-the ring of islands located in the central of the Aegean Sea. Although Paros is often skipped on the shorter cruises in favor of the bigger-name islands in the Cyclades, like Mykonos and Santorini, Paros, which is one of the larger islands of the Cyclades constellation, offers numerous breathtaking natural beauties that attract thousand of visitors every year and make it one of the most exciting travel destinations around the world.

Greek Aegean Airlines H1 traffic rises 19 pct to 2.3 mln passengers

Greek Aegean Airlines said that passenger traffic in the first half of the year rose 19 pct year on year to 2.3 mln passengers, up from 1.9 mln passengers over the same period in 2006. The airline attributed the increase to healthy travel demand, the company's strengthening brand awareness, and its international network expansion. Flights in the first half of the year also rose 16 pct year on year to 25,628 flights, resulting in an average of 91 passengers per flight in the first half of 2007 against 89 in the same period of 2006.