The move is designed to repair the damage done to its important tourism industry as a result of industrial action and the ash cloud caused by the Iceland volcano. Athens issued the undertaking as the country faced a wave of protests called by unions against government austerity cuts.

Pavlos Geroulanos, the Culture Minister announced the government would “guarantee” extra room and board payments if return flights are cancelled or postponed. “We are certain that it will be a calm summer and that there will be no major strike disruptions,” an official said. “But just in case something happens, the Greek state is prepared to cover these costs.” He said: “We are guaranteeing to pay any extra room and board any visitor in Greece pays even if stuck here because of a volcano in Iceland.”

Tourism generates almost one-fifth of the Greek gross domestic product but bookings have collapsed 10 per cent since the onset of the financial crisis. Budget cuts have provoked stoppages and strikes among public sector workers.

Public life has been met with continual disruption since the Greek government hit the financial buffers last year. Railway employees this week embarked on a series of two hour stoppages, disrupting mainline trains and service to Athens International airport. A Communist-controlled sailors union is planning to mount a blockade of the main port of Piraeus. But Mr Geroulanos said there were indications that visitor numbers would be better than forecast.

“The numbers are not really as gloomy as they were with the first cancellations,” he said. “Some destinations have suffered greatly due to the crisis, but others are doing better than before.” Greece has moved to ensure that the cost of visiting is reduced. It has suspended landing fees at all regional airports and relaxed visa rules for Russians and Ukrainians.

For Crete holidays visit yourcrete.net

Crete is one of the best places this summer for those who like villa holidays according to the Daily Mail, who say:

Two of the priciest areas to rent a villa in Greece are northeast Corfu, a playground for bankers, politicians and Russian oligarchs – nicknamed Kensington-on-Sea – and near the upmarket resort of Fiscardo in northern Kefalonia.

Greek Islands Club (020 8232 9780, www.greekislandsclub.com) calculated that villas of similar quality in southern parts of Corfu and Kefalonia cost about 20 to 25 per cent less to rent.

Crete is also good value, says the company. As the most southerly part of Greece, the season is longer than in other parts of the country, so villa owners don’t feel the need to raise their prices so much in the prime summer months.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1278845/Cheap-self-catering-villa-holidays-Languedoc-Orlando.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0sdX35fIO

The addition of the capital of Crete, Heraklion, and Palma de Mallorca extend still further the list of Malév’s hit summer destinations. The airline’s services to Split, Malaga and St. Petersburg are already extremely popular with Hungarian passengers; Malév reckons that the two new destinations will soon become equally popular and the 20 tickets available for each flight will quickly find buyers. The airline is making a total of 1200 seats available on the once-a-week flights running from mid-June to the end of September. Of course, the majority of seats are reserved by travel agencies for their own package programmes.

Crete and Mallorca

Crete is one of the most popular European summer destinations, offering the perfect blend of culture and relaxation. The largest island in Greece is famous for the Palace of Knossos, renowned Cretan hospitality, its charming villages, gorgeous beaches and unequalled natural attractions such as Samaria, Europe’s longest gorge.

Mallorca is the popular Spanish island of unclouded relaxation and unforgettable excursions, a true paradise for beachgoers. Aside from the sandy seashore, Mediterranean restaurants and fun nightlife, a holiday here is spiced with plenty of sights, for instance Palma Cathedral, Bellver Castle, the Palma-Soler railway and Dragon Cave.

More details including the Crete weather is at yourcrete.net

Mediterranean countries are proving more popular among those searching for overseas property as the focus turns away from wintry destinations to summer dreams, according to the latest foreign real estate index.

Some 60% of locations saw an increase in searches, with Alentejo in Portugal the top climber in February going up 22 places with searches up by 27.3% in the Rightmove overseas monthly index.

Tuscany consolidates its place as the favourite Italian region with an increase of 12.5% in searches, the report also shows.

Emigration hotspots New Zealand, Australia, and Canada are biggest losers in the country chart, down an average of 17% on January as the peak emigration season starts to tail away and those simply dreaming of emigration, rather than actively investigating it, loses impetus.

Oceania’s loss was the Mediterranean’s gain though, with good lifts in search activity for Greece, up 8.2%, Malta up 11.3%, Spain up 2.5% and Italy up 0.9%.

But Germany’s recent climb has halted with Berlin the biggest faller, down 44.6% on January. But the gains made through summer 2009 look like being permanent and it may only be a matter of time before Germany joins the Top 10, according to the report.

‘After adjusting for this being the shortest month, February actually saw an increase on January searches, in stark contrast to last year’s drop off after the January peak. Year on Year February searches are up 54% on 2009 which is really encouraging for the market,’ said Robin Wilson, head of overseas at Rightmove.

Talisker
Sleeps 8

Got a bonus to spend? Then slap a deposit down on this palace near Elounda immediately. Everything about it is ravishing: the sharp, contemporary lines, the enormous, airy interiors, the terraced garden, the elevated sea views. You’ll never want to leave. Heraklion airport is a 75-minute drive. £8,500/£6,500

–

Villa Olous
Sleeps 16

Here are some things you never thought you’d need on a Cretan villa holiday: grand piano, antique snooker table, tennis court, croquet lawn and private Greek Orthodox chapel, looking out to sea. Elegant and enormous, Villa Olous has the lot — topped off by magnificent sea views. Heraklion airport is a 55-minute drive. £24,545 year-round

–

Haniotena Cottage
Sleeps 2

A couple of history-heads will love this place in the village of Kritsa, above Agios Nikolaos. It’s said to be one of the oldest surviving villages in Crete, and there’s no doubt the ground floor is pretty ancient, with a higgledy-piggledy front door and enormous stone walls. Nearby is Lato — one of those neglected but wildly romantic classical ruins that litter the Cretan countryside. Heraklion airport is an hour’s drive. £1,430/£930

–

The Stonemason’s House
Sleeps 4

If you’re serious about finding “the real Crete”, this is where to come — a simple house, full of antiques and hand-sewn fabrics, in the tiny village of Embrosnero. The owners, Maria and Yannis, live nearby, and are part of the appeal, as Maria is an excellent cook. Chania airport is an hour’s drive. £625/£599

–

Villa Galania
Sleeps 4

It might lack architectural grace and Cretan atmosphere, but this well-equipped hilltop house near the north coast would make a superb setting for go-nowhere family holidays. It’s the array of outside spaces that make it special: a children’s pool next to the main one, shady terraces and balconies, a big deck with wicker armchairs and table football, a barbecue area with a traditional oven and a herb garden. Chances are you’ll never get bored. Chania airport is 45 minutes by car. £1,775/£660

–

Haritakis House
Sleeps 6

It’s a simple proposition: a stone house in the middle of nowhere, with lovely sea views and a shady terrace for meals. There’s no pool, no air-con, no fancy sinks in the bathroom — and even in high season, it works out at less than £115pp a week. The nearest beach is at Ligres, five minutes away. Chania airport is two hours by car. £680/£385

–

Villa Svega
Sleeps 6

In the 15th century, they used to store acorns and carrots here — under two arched stone vaults. Now one of those vaults provides dramatic high-ceilinged rooms on the ground floor, while the other is the perfect place for shaded alfresco meals. The house, in the middle of the village of Gallou, near Rethymnon, also has a pretty garden, a rooftop terrace and its own pool. Heraklion airport is 90 minutes by car. £1,450/£930

A full choice of Crete villa holidays is available with James Villas

Rumours of Greece’s demise as a value-for-money destination are greatly exaggerated. Greece is significantly cheaper for 2010, with prices down by 9.5 per cent compared with 12 months ago, according to the Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, which places Greece 12th in its league table of 30 countries. This is partly because the euro is down on last year, but also because real local prices have gone down too, giving Greece an even bigger edge over its next-door rival Turkey, where the survey claims prices are a whopping 44 per cent higher than 12 months ago.

To read the article more click here

For more information about Crete, including Crete holidays visit http://www.yourcrete.net/holidays

They say:

Greece is still as popular as ever with its picturesque islands and stunning beaches attracting the masses. Last year’s film ‘Mama Mia’ set on the islands of Skiathos and Skopelos, made Brits go gaga over Greece and the trend is sure to continue into 2010. Thomson is set to add to the Greek islands on offer by launching its first ever weekly flights to Mykonos (from Manchester and Gatwick). The island boasts a fantastic range of accommodation that’s sure to see the island become a hit with our customers seeking that little bit more from their summer holiday. Whilst Mykonos’ central hub and capital, Mykonos Town, plays host to a mass of bars, nightclubs and restaurants, the island also has its measure of fine sandy beaches and coves dotting the coastline. For the more adventurous holidaymaker, there is a range of water sports on offer and for those looking for a cultural experience, the World Heritage-listed island of Delos is just a couple of kilometres off-shore. Thomson Holidays offer seven night holidays in Greece staying at the 3T+ Hotel Vanilla in Mykonos, on a bed and breakfast basis from £375 per person based on two sharing. Departing on 14th May 2010 from London Gatwick Airport, the price includes return flights, accommodation, transfers and all taxes and charges.

Crete is, of course, steeped in a rich and varied culture and history. With little effort on your part, some of that history and culture will be absorbed during your holiday. It is a delightful bonus of spending time on the island. But frankly speaking, most people who are contemplating where to spend their holidays are primarily interested in the accommodations, the beaches and the food. For exactly those reasons, you should take a close look at Crete.

For those who act quickly, the entire range of accommodations can be reserved at good discounts. From hostels to high end hotels to villas, discounts are available. Hostels, which appeal to young tourists and the more adventurous older tourists, can be reserved with a 5 to 7 euros per night discount. Most hotels in the moderate price range are offering 7 to 10 percent per night discounts. At some establishments, you can stay seven nights for the price of six. The high end hotels are offering as much as 12.5 percent discounts per night. With a little intensive investigation, you may even find better deals than these mentioned.

Villas are also being offered at discounts of about 10 to 12 percent per night. This is where you can see some really interesting savings, particularly if you have a large group and are planning on sharing expenses. Many five and six bedroom villas are available in different parts of the island when you look at a Crete map

Villas are quite attractive because many of them are in prime locations: close to towns and sandy beaches. They also feature lovely pools and stunning patio views.

Virtually every town in which you find yourself, taverns and restaurants abound with delicious local fare. Obviously there is a distinct Mediterranean influence in most of the local cuisine. But like the rest of the world, other cultural cuisines can be found as well.

If sunshiny, lazy days by the seashore appeals to you, give Crete a good look and take advantage of the discounts that can be had. The only caveat is that you must act quickly to reserve your dream holiday. As you get closer to the holiday, fewer discounts will be available, and can Crete really wait another year?

Alcudia Pollensa

Create Your Badge