With easyCruise you can cruise to the Greek islands on a budget with no frills and basic rooms it allows you to spend a lot of time exploring each island and relaxing on the mnany varied beaches of Greece.  With Thomson cruises you can enjoy a little bit more luxury with most thingsincluded on the ship.  Whatever your budget I would have a look at our new guide and see what you think then go ahead and book for Summer 2011.

More information can be found on the guide here: Cruise around Crete

Dancers from all over the island some in traditional dress formed a chain from Chania to Lassithi with the human chain stretching over 125 miles or 200km.  The local police helped out and stopped traffic and locals and toursist alike tapped their feet to local Greek folk music as the event happened over the space of around 15 minutes.

The organisers had expected over 200,000 people to attend but said they were happy at the turnout and look forward to challenging the record again next year.

“We feel proud. We believe we’ve set a new world record,” Spyros Prevezanos, head of the organizing group Planet Crete told Reuters. “Tonight we sent a message of hope, which is not related to money. We proved that there are more important values.”

Its a great thing for the island of Crete and Greece as a whole as most struggle with the government austerity measures set with strikes and blockades happening on a weekly basis. 

Lets hope this event and record lifts the spirits of the Cretan people and Greek nation as a whole.

IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL 2010 Line-Up:

Barb Wire Dolls (USA/GR), Angwish (USA), Black Ocean (USA/GR), Bad Motherf*cker (USA), Puta Volcano (USA/GR), Mighty Shakers (GR), Xipoliti Stratia (GR), Pulse. (GR), New Kourites All-Star Jam Band (USA/GR), Host MC: Queen Isis (Barb Wire Dolls), + Very Special Surprise Guests (see more info on bands below)

Ikarus Rock Festival is Crete, Greece’s Biggest International Rock Festival held in the festival grounds of the Traditional village of Avdou.

With only a 10 Euro entrance fee, starting at 6pm on Friday, August 6th, 2010, over eight bands from the USA and Greece will be performing in Avdou. FREE camping will be allowed for the night on the festival grounds. Until sunset there will be a Pro Skate Demo on the mini-ramp in the parking lot next to the stage.

The festival attracts and brings together thousands of local Greeks and vacationing European youths, who annually travel to Crete during the hot summer months to party and experience a new kind of freedom not usually found at home. The festival’s intention, along with exposing upcoming dands from around the World, is to melt modern rock music and the festival audiences with traditonal Cretan hospitality and culture; creating an experience unique unto itself.

The festival’s main organizer Tas (of band Black Ocean), was a promoter in Los Angeles before coming to Greece and he has booked some of the biggest bands in the world, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ramones, and Nine Inch Nails. Tas working now hand in hand with the Cultural Affairs Council of Avdou, is working diligently to make Ikarus Rock Festival in Crete one of the most vital rock festivals in Greece. To be an experience that is extraordinary.

The Cretan festival brings together the youth of Europe together in one place, at one time, in a setting that is totally Cretan and purely magical. In the mountains of Avdou, where legend has it that Minoan Palace architect Daedalos and his son Ikarus took flight from the cave above the village, tourists will not just see the glitz and disco-hip hop clubbing scene in the heavily populated beaches of Hersonissos and Malia, but will actually take a drive through the mountainside and experience another side and perspective of Crete and its world famous culture.

The festival site Avdou, is centrally located and easily accessible from many city and touristic hubs like Heraklion, Chersonissos, Malia, and Agios Nikoloas. The festival site is surrounded by mountains and rolling hills full of olive groves, and a Byzantine Church on the grounds adds to its natural charm. Ikarus Rock Festival is part of the summer concert series of Avdou, which is nationally recognized, always bringing the local Cretan positive vibe to its neighboring citizens.

Ikarus Rock Festival was created by the founders of The Ikarus, an Artist Commune nestled quietly within the village borders. Artists from all over the world have been living and creating Art in Avdou for many years, from painters to world famous musicians, including many of the bands/acts that play the festival. The Ikarus also has an Art Gallery, Recording Studio, and Holistic Healing Center in the village center that is open during the summer months.

For more information on this even please visit http://www.myspace.com/theikarusintlrockfestival

Spending a week in Rhodes is never enough and you need a longer stay when money permits but this guide will show you some of the best sights to see on your holiday in Rhodes.

Stop first in Rhodes town where you can marvel at the medieval architecture of the Palace of the Grandmasters built in the 14^th Century by the knights of Rhodes which is now a museum for the archaeological artefacts found around Rhodes.  There is so much more to see in Rhodes Town with the Acropolis of Rhodes, one of the most popular.  Make sure you spend some time in the bustling town of Rhodes and for authentic Greek culture try and stay in the Old Town of Rhodes where you will find charming cafes and small shops selling assorted gifts.

Moving on from Rhodes town you can visit Rodini Park which is believed to have been the first landscaped park in the world, built and enjoyed by the Romans you can still see the old aqueduct they built.  The park is home to wild Peacocks who breed naturally here and even on a hot day the cooling shade of the trees and relaxing flow of the stream make it an ideal place to relax and unwind.

Moving down the coast you will find one of the most popular places in Rhodes to visit.  The town of Lindos starts on the beach and creeps up the imposing rock which characterises the town.  The rock is home to the Acropolis of Lindos and for 6 euro’s you can visit the Acropolis and get stunning views over Lindos bay and town.  We recommend paying the 5 extra euro’s for the donkey ride up the hillside.  Lindos has some of the most magnificent beaches with golden sand sloping gently into the sheltered bay.

If it’s stunning beaches you’re after then you need to travel further down the coast to Tsambika beach.  This is a popular stop off for cruise ships as the beach is one of the best in Rhodes.  The beach is served by a small Taverna where you can buy drinks and snacks, and you will find the beach un-crowded and sheltered from the wind.  The beach is also one of the few nudist beaches in Rhodes but only a small section is dedicated to those who want to go clothes free so if you are not inclined to bare all of your skin to the sun then you have nothing to worry about.

Just above the beach of Tsambika you will find Tsambika monastery, after following the road up from the beach you will have to climb 350 steps to the summit at which point you will come across the small Byzantine church dedicated to Our Lady.  The views from the top over Rhodes are fantastic and make for some great holiday shots.

If you have a family then you need to be taking them to the waterpark in Rhodes which sits near the party resort of Faliraki.  The waterpark was voted number one place to visit in Rhodes by TripAdvisor members.  It’s not the biggest park in Greece but it does offer some excellent rides and some good facilities including cafe bars, lockers and shower rooms as well and fully qualified lifeguards.

If you don’t like spending your day on the beach or by the poolside then visit the Valley of the Butterflies just 27km from Rhodes Town.  This is one of the most attractive destinations in Rhodes and is at its best towards the end of May.  Millions of butterflies congregate in the valley towards the end of the wet season and it’s a fantastic sight that the kids will love.  Remember you cannot disturb the butterflies as they are in steep decline due to the disturbance of the many visitors.

There are so many more places you can visit on your Rhodes holiday including Seven Springs, Filemiros, Ancient Rhodes and Kamiros and much more.  But we won’t spoil it and let you explore this breathtaking island for yourselves and we guarantee you will return on holiday year after year as even people who live in Rhodes are finding new things to see and do every day.

We apologise for the inconvenince but while your waiting for the changes please take a look at our holiday websites

Crete holidays – http://www.holidays2crete.com
Zante holidays – http://www.holidays2zante.com
Rhodes holidays – http://www.holidays2rhodes.com

Regards

The management

What do I mean by a healthy holiday? Well taking a holiday or a break from your regular work or social schedule will benefit you in many ways, firstly you will get a chance to breath, re-couparate and get your thoughts back in order.  Another reason is that it gives your body a rest as your not trudging or driving to work, keeping up with your family and social circle and allowing your body to be at ease.

If you have seen that Olivio advert about people in the Mediterranean living longer than most its more than just an advert to sell butter.  People in the Med have sunshine for at least 200 days of the year which boosts your immune system and lifts your mood, the food in Greece is usually cooked in olive oil and the food in general is fresh from the fields and free of any additives.

When choosing your Greek holiday, then aim somewhere for less bustling resorts, with more of a local feel.  Keeping away from the crowds means your less likely to get stressed, there wont be as many cars or bikes and there is always less pollution and noise.  The pace of life in smaller less popular resorts is a lot slower and taking a week in one of these small towns is worthwhile.  We chose 3  villages as popular resorts on our favourite islands to get you de-stressed and make sure you have a healthy holiday. 

The first village is Vassilikos in Zante, a small village about 90 minutes from the main airport but its surrounded by soothing pine forests which you can explore or take trips into the hills surrounding the village to see the local wildlife.  The beach here is pleasently uncrowded and the Tavernas here are absoloutley amazing serving up the freshest fish and meat dishes. 

Moving onto Crete you will find the holiday resort of Matala, again its about 90 minutes from Heraklion airport but the resort has a lovely beach, not too crowded and many hidden coves to explore and find a peaceful days sunbathing.  Just imagine relaxing in one of the few Tavernas or Cafes and watching the sunset with the one you love, this village offers pure contentment.  Another gem that this village hides is the mud baths just above in the hills, ask the locals and they will direct you and you can take a relaxing soak and cleanse your pores and skin of all the toxins.

Our final village has to be Pefkos, slightly busier than the other 2 villages but still full of friendly locals, quiet beaches and lovely family run Tavernas.  Its a bit closer to Rhodes main airport and ideally placed on the stunning coastline of Rhodes and the isghts such as the Lindos Acropolis.  We have enjoyed many a relaxing break staying in small studios near the beach and you cant beat that feeling of waking up in the morning to the sun shining down on you.

If you need any more convincing about how a holiday can boost your immune system and general well being then think back to that last holiday you had, the sun waking you up as it creeps through the curtains in the morning, the exquisite food of Greece with its healthy salads and olive oils and the feeling when you return home with a golden tan which keeps you smiling for weeks.

Please feel free to share your comments and suggestions for a healthy holiday below.

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When most people visit the Greek islands they aim for the more developed resorts with large sprawling hotels and all inclusive complexes which have lost a lot of the charm, friendliness and character that drew people to Greece in the first place.

When booking a holiday in Greece try going a little of the beaten track, choose smaller resorts which may be a little further away from the airports but offer a more traditional feel and welcome. 

This is what Greece is all about!

Within the smaller villages you will find that hotels are replaced by smaller studios and family run apartments, the owner will make you feel really welcome and go out of their way to help you throughout the holiday.  They have so much ingrained local knowledge about what to do around their local area and can help you find many hidden gems of Greece and your chosen island.

Take for instance Loutro in Crete, its not even accessible by road and can only be reached by foot or by boat, there is a small handful of studios that you can just turn up at and rent, the owners will know your name by the end of your stay and most likely you will have become firm friends and looking to come back again next year. 

The village of Loutro has some excellent small local Tavernas serving up traditional Greek dishes all home cooked and freshly caught fish dishes.  You wont find many places like this back at home, the food on your table is usually locally grown, bred or caught and the fish is usually served up freshly caught from the sea that day.

Villages that are off the beaten track are usually less likely to attract the crowds and you might not even see another tourist for days.  Beaches can be your own private little hideaway for the day with the chance of seeing anyone else that day rare. 

There is so much potential in smaller villages and towns that are away from the main popular resorts and they can easily be found online through travel guide websites like Crete Holidays and Rhodes Holidays.  If you are going to book a holiday to Greece this year then try something different from the norm and ask your travel agent or travel website for off the beaten track holidays; or why not go it alone and book rooms and flights independent.

If you have any resorts that you think potential visitors to Greece my like then please email us at enquiries@holidays2crete.com or comment below.