According to Greek legendy, the island was created by Poseidon when he struck Corfu with his trident in effort to gain peace and quiet. The pebble beaches of Paxos are surrounded by sheer, precipitous cliffs that create scenery that is both breathtaking and expressive.

The sea around Paxos has vivid colours; it is pleasantly clean, clear, and cool. Dramatic fauna and flora are abundant, especially in spring. Ancient olive trees line the hillsides allowing the mind and senses escape to the treasure of comfort and beauty that awaits holidaymakers.

Seeing The Island

Paxos is charming and quaint and can be seen easily in a couple of days by motorbike or car. The three main towns on the island are Logos, Laka, and Gaios. All of which exhibit the classiul ac Hellenic Ionian style with bright and colourful homes lining the promenades.

The rural area environment has a landscape that features low stone homes surrounded by bountifnd lush gardens. There is always something beautiful to see and many photo opportunities while you’re sightseeing or walking. For those who like Crete holidays it’s familiar but at the same time unique enough to enjoy.

The three main resorts all have natural harbours – Gaios being the biggest and busiest.

Travelling further inland there are old churches and buildings and many hiking or biking trails if you seek to further explore the island’s rich history.

Hotels In Paxos And Things To Do

Travel around the entire island on a day or half day cruise. Picturesque wind-carved limestone cliffs, sculptural rock formations, and caverns line the way. Crystal clear, calm waters surrounding the island only add to the exquisite beauty. The weather and climate on Paxos is similar to the weather in Crete.

A bit of history from World War II is just off the island. Inside the cave called Papanikolis, a Greek submarine found refuge and hid during the war.

There is plenty of opportunity to swim, snorkel and relax. This island is wonderful for holidaymakers seeking relaxation and to get away from the rest of the world. The locals are all very friendly and happily greet visitors. A spectacular sunset can be seen by traveling to Erimitis, a bar which sits above the cliffs of the west coast.

Paxos is a worthwhile day trip if you don’t have a lot of time, but want to escape for a bit. There are many hiking and biking paths that go around the island via trails, coves, and beaches. There’s a few travel sites that have a map, often the same ones that have a Crete map.

You can easily take in the unhurried, traditional, and tranquil Greek lifestyle. Many people visit this wonderful island because of the miles of pathways that lead to unspoiled, secluded beaches and coves.

Hotels in Paxos fill quickly during peak travel season. Villa holidays are popular. Many villas have private pools and various villa companies include Paxos in their brochures, James Villas for example.

The island also has two hotels that often receive rave reviews from happy guests. The island of Paxos might be small compared to some islands like Kefalonia, but it offers an intimate charm and beauty for those who crave quiet, peaceful relaxation. Retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday modern living and escape from it all.

More information about the Greek islands are available on social media like reddit

The head of one of the UK’s leading holiday operators to Greece has said tourists shouldn’t be dissuaded from visiting the country in spite of recent threats from a terror organisation.

A declaration sent out by urban guerrilla group Sect of Revolutionaries last week warned: ‘Tourists should learn that Greece is no longer a safe haven of capitalism’. The group, which has already claimed the life of journalist Sokratis Giolias, went on to say that they ‘intend to turn [Greece] into a war zone of revolutionary activity with arson, sabotage, violent demonstrations, bombings and assassinations, and not a country that is a destination for holidays and pleasure’.

Managing director of Sunvil Holidays, Noel Josephides, said the company has been discounting Greek holidays in a bid to sell more late deals and that many of the major operators have been ’switching a lot of capacity from Greece to Egypt and Turkey which are a lot more fashionable this year’. While ‘people who know and love Greece are still going to go this year’, Mr Josephides conceded the country’s unsettled political situation may make those who have yet to decide where to spend their summer holidays think twice before travelling to the popular Greek islands such as Kefalonia, Crete and Corfu. Mr Josephides is also quick to add that there are some upsides to the situation for tourists.

‘There will be fewer people going to Greece over the summer, that means the beaches and resorts will be quieter, (and) prices about 10 per cent lower.’ The Greek government is adamant that tourists will be safe, saying in a public statement: ‘In relation to the recent events linked to the terrorist group Sect of Revolutionaries, there is absolutely no danger to tourists or the Greek public’.

For the latest weather in Corfu visit yourcorfu.net and for the Crete weather visit yourcrete.net

Any parent looking to head off for a luxury holiday while keeping a close eye on the purse strings  has one concern above all others: where can I find my own high-end paradise which, crucially, caters for children and doesn’t break the bank?

I was assured that the Sani Beach Resort in Halkidiki, Greece would provide the answer.

A privately-owned stretch of pine forest and olive groves, fringed by a long white sandy beach and the turquoise waters of the Aegean, the Sani Beach Club is a low-rise bungalow hotel set amongst landscaped gardens.

Of the four Sani hotels in the area, Sani Beach caters more specifically for families. The setting is peaceful and just a short shuttle bus ride away from the hustle and bustle of the local marina.

There are a number of room options on offer, from deluxe doubles to slightly larger suites – some with their own pool – and family rooms comprising two doubles with interconnecting door. Check in was swift, with an icy glass of sparkling wine and fresh juice making the process as painless as possible.

Our light and airy deluxe double room was stylishly furnished in pale blue and neutral sandstone tones, with a double bed and two sofa beds made up for our children Tallulah and George. As they tucked into the mouth-watering bowl of fresh fruit by their beds, Nick and I sipped another glass of fizz on the balcony and contemplated our first afternoon by the pool.

When we arrived at said pool, it felt like we had landed at ‘Boden-On-Sea’. No beer-induced shouting or squawking children, just small groups of impossibly cute under-fives playing beautifully in the shallow water while their parents looked on from cream, padded sun loungers. I did wonder whether I might be dreaming that a holiday with two young children could be like this.

It was all blissfully real though, from the crystal-clear pool and the private white sandy beach to the wondrous view out to Mount Olympus and the friendly Beach Club staff.

Any request was met with a big smile and a quick response and by the end of the week, our children were on first name terms with every waiter, concierge and golf cart driver they’d met.

Another big highlight for our children was the Sani’s Melissa Kids Club. The Beach Club has its own kids club run by British Childcare specialists, Worldwide Kids Company, and provides free daily entertainment for children over four and crèche facilities for younger children starting at 18 euros per session.

Lula loved making bracelets and building sandcastles with her new ‘best friend’, Alex, while George helped rebuild England’s football reputation in a mini ‘World Cup’ tournament.

For information about Crete holidays visit yourcrete.net and for Kefalonia holidays yourkefalonia.net

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.

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

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