Cypria

Chania, Crete

 

Chania harbour

Chania is the second largest city of Crete after the capital city Heraklion, occupying an area of 11 square kilometres and having a population of about 60,000. It lies on the eastern coast of Crete at 60 km from Rethymno and 145 km from Heraklion. Archaeological  research has proved that the city of Chania was built in prehistoric times on the ruins of the ancient city of Kidonia named after Kidonas who was, according to the Cretans, Mercury's son.

Chania City as seen from the old port

The old port in Chania

The lighthouse which predominates the old port.

Alexandroupolis and Chania are the most picturesque seaside cities I've visited in Greece. What I liked most in Chania is the lighthouse pre-dominating the old port. The Prefecture of Chania is a nature lover's paradise. Apart from its ravines, lakes, plateaus, rivers and pristine beaches Chania boasts the largest gorge in Europe - the Samarian Gorge which has been declared a National Park.

The Prefecture of Chania

Chania - the old city

If you feel like tasting the authentic Greek and Cretan cuisine, I strongly recommend Semiramis Taverna at Skoufon Street, right off the old town. From June to September, you will enjoy live Greek music (no microphones) and excellent food. Don't forget to order their traditional kalitsounia - delicious cheese pastries. Here's the recipe. 

Semiramis Taverna

Traditional Greek cuisine and Cretan dishes at Semiramis Taverna

 

In Chania, you will find some of Crete's greatest beaches. Here are only a few of the very best:

• Elafonisi  
• Marathi
• Giorgoupoli
• Souyia
• Balos-Gramvousa
• Sfinari
• Platanias

Where to Stay

Here's a wide range of hotels and appartments you can choose from.

How to get there

Chania has an international airport with scheduled flights year round and abundant charter flights serving much of Europe during the season - April to October. [see Flights to/from Chania]
Buses from the airport are virtually non-existent [see bus timetable]. If you're not driving, you should take a taxi.
Ferries sail to and from Athens (Pireas) daily - the port for ferries for Chania is at Souda, a few kilometres away. [see Ferry schedules]
When the ferry arrives, if you manage to scamper onto the bus in time, this will take you to Chania. But it is best to plan to take a taxi. Of course if you are renting a car on arrival, you can drive to your chosen destination at will!
If a pause in Souda before your first sighting of Chania seems just right, try "Exandas" cafe which serves Illy coffee and the famed, welcoming treat of a "bougatsa" (pastry with cheese or cream filling).
Reaching Chania by bus from other places in Crete - bus schedules.

(from CreteTravel)

Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa - Chania, Crete

The Greek word  “avra” means aura but also the cool breeze from the sea.  As soon as my husband and I set foot in Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa located at about 25 km from Chania on the island of Crete, we could feel this unique aura of class and discrete luxury in an amazingly elegant environment.  The minimal decor and colour white predominating all over the hotel won my heart.

The Lobby

The Lobby

Check-in took a minute and immediately afterwards, we were welcomed by Anna – the PR Officer – who showed us to one of the hotel’s imperial suites consisting of a large bedroom, a very comfortable living-room with an espresso machine(!) and a private outdoor swimming pool.   We also greatly enjoyed the Jacuzzi opposite the bed, the fruit and wine in the living-room which was the courtesy of the management and, of course, the swimming-pool! The swimming-pool area is furnished with sunbeds, a couch and a coffee table – all you need to make your stay a memorable one.  Considering the heat wave during our stay, we’d appreciate an umbrella!

Part of the living-room in our suite.-loved the espresso machine!

The living-room in our suite

The Bedroom

Both my husband and I were thoroughly impressed with the excellent housekeeping services and the impeccable cleanliness in our suite. Bath towels and beach towels were changed twice a day. We also got espresso capsules daily. We hardly left our suite as we both looked forward  to relaxing, swimming in our very own swimming-pool for a week and sunbathing for me.  We did try the beach, though, and truly enjoyed the crystal-clear waters, but we didn’t really like the pebble beach. It was so hard to walk barefoot on the hot pebbles. You also need special shoes to go into the sea, which we didn’t have.

Our Private Swimming Pool

The Main Swimming-Pool

The Bridge over the Main Swimming - Pool

We were on half-board terms – breakfast and dinner.  Both the breakfast and dinner buffets are an ode to the palate! The food is excellent!  Quantity never outweighs quality. For just one week, I forgot all about dieting and didn’t worry too much since the Cretan Cuisine is based on olive-oil and a healthy eating pattern. However, the dinner buffet includes a wide variety of dishes from all over the world including cheeses and desserts which are impossible to resist! No wonder I put on weight!  Breakfast consists of everything you should really indulge in to your heart’s content: live cooking (waffles, pancakes,  fried eggs),  a variety of delicatessen and cheeses, a wide range of fresh fruit, desserts, local pies,  rolls, croissants, bread and freshly squeezed orange juice to mention only a few.

The Pool Bar

Al Fresco Restaurant

We also tried the hotel’s Italian restaurant Al Fresco. For starters, we recommend Carpaccio from veal fillet, rocket salad, parmesan and marinated mushrooms, homemade pizza italiana with prosciutto, tomatoes and mozzarella and for main course try their fresh pasta. We had fresh tortellini with spinach and  cheese  in wine sauce.  Congratulations to Manolis – the  Executive Chef.

We would also like to thank a million the General Manager Mr Costas Papachristoforou for doing his very best to make our holiday one of the best we’ve ever had,  the F & B Manager Mr Elias Tsirmbas  who was also very helpful, especially at lunch, the waitress Evangelia  for being so helpful, friendly and polite, the waiter Yiannis and the head waiter Giorgos  as well as the waitress at the bar whose name I forget. There are so many people we’d like to thank from the bottom of our hearts, like all the staff at the reception and the maids who did their best to keep our suite perfectly clean.

Immaculate Cleanliness in Our Suite!

The Cretan Salad - my favourite - on the lunch menu at Al Fresco Restaurant.

Last but not least, considering quality and services, the Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa is great value for money. We truly hope that we’ll go back soon.

Lefkara, Cyprus

 

On the way to Lefkara

 

Lefkara is a village of the Larnaca district and it is located about 34 kilometres south-west of the city of Larnaca. The community is built on an average altitude of 480 metres. The terrain is hilly and the altitude in the north-east of the settlement reaches up to 417 metres ("Shinokefalos" hilltop). The landscape is fragmented by the rivers Syrkatis and Argaki, and of St. Minas, all tributaries of the Pentaschoinos river. The village receives an annual rainfall of about 570 millimetres. In the village's limited cultivable land, vines (of wine-making varieties), olive, almond, and carob trees, a few citrus-trees, forage plants, broad beans, a few fruit-trees such as pomegranate, and plum trees, and very few vegetables are cultivated. However, the village's greatest part is uncultivated and wild, natural vegetation grows in it, mainly pine-trees, thorny burnets and brooms, sages (cistus), thyme, and wild carob and olive trees.

To Spiti Ton Anemon Taverna

As far as transportation is concerned,  Lefkara is connected to the neighbouring village of Pano (Upper) Lefkara in the north-west (about 1 km), with the village Kato Drys in the south-west (about 4 km.), and with the Skarinou Station in the south-east via the Nicosia - Limassol Highway (about 8 km).

 

Once a haunt of nobleman of Venice and France, this old charm is simply captivating. Strolling through the narrow, winding streets and alleys of the village of Lefkara is an utter delight. In Pano (Upper) Lefkara, the houses built from local limestone have stood there for centuries and have been preserved and restored. As you pass by open doorways, beautiful courtyards filled with flowers or vine shelters are revealed.

The Village of Lefkara

 

Leonardo Da Vinci visited Lefkara by the invitation of the last Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro. Legend has it that Da Vinci took with him Lefkara lace, which he then donated as an altar cloth to the Cathedral of Milan. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Lefkara was a prominent town. Since then, Lefkara has been renowned for its embroidery and lace works. Women can still be seen sitting out in the alleys or courtyards carrying out their fine needlework. As a direct result of the lace trade, Lefkara has now taken a more sophisticated turn distinguishing it from other Cypriot villages. Many women have left working in the fields and turned to needlework and embroidery - a tradition that has been handed down to younger girls and women as well.

Lefkara lacework

 

The Museum of Folk Art, also known as the Patsalos Museum pays a tribute to the fine art of lacemaking in Lefkara. Patsalos refers to the surname of the wealthy family that once owned the house where the museum now stands. On entering the museum you will see the beautiful courtyard - an example of Lefkara's unique architecture. From here you can visit the original staff quarters which house images with information on the village's history. The steps leading to the main house display the rooms restored to their original decorative order with authentic furniture from bygone times. The original stone oven still takes pride of place in the courtyard as it is still used today by locals for the famous dish Ttavas Lefkaritikos - a slow-baked lamb with onions, potatoes, local herbs, bay leaves, cumin and cinnamon. You can also see local costumes and lacework displayed here.

Local Wine and Starters

 

Just behind the village's main square, you will come across the 14th century church of Timios Stavros (Church of the Holy Cross). Here you will find  one of the two pieces of the Holy Cross brought to the island by Saint Helen. The other piece is kept at the Stavrovouni Monastery.

Souvla Kotopoulo me Patates sto Fourno -Juicy Chicken on the Skewer with baked potatoes

 

Information collected from Larnaca Tourism Board

and Where to Cyprus

The Golden Coast Hotel, Protaras, Cyprus

The Golden Coast Hotel - Protaras, Cyprus

The Golden Coast Hotel has been, by far, my most favourite hotel in Protaras since it was built in 1986. Since then, many renovations have been made - the most recent  ones being in 2003 when 56 rooms were added to the main building. Out of 228 rooms there are 4 grand suites, 8 mini suites, 8 family rooms and ...30 kids' suites with bunk beds. I'd personally appreciate some more hangers in the wardrobe!

Wedding Arrangement at the Golden Coast Hotel

The Swimming Pool by Night

 

  Last year, the older rooms and public areas were also renovated. A new, modern design, new furniture with colour white predominating in the public areas mingle playfully with the call from the sea which, I must admit, is irresistible! No where have I seen so many shades of blue merging into an azure sky and ending in glorious sunsets which you can admire from the balcony of your room or the patio of Hesperides Bar.

Sunset from the Golden Coast Hotel

The renovated rooms at the Golden Coast Hotel

This is what you will wake to at the Golden Coast Hotel

 

As soon as you arrive, you will be welcomed by the friendly and very efficient staff  at the reception and you may choose to have your welcome drink outside in the patio or inside in the fully air-conditioned lobby. If you are an all-inclusive guest or on half-board / full-board terms, you will have cold meats, cheese and fruit in your room considering you arrive after 10 pm.

The Golden Coast Lobby

The patio at Hesperides Bar

Breakfast will reward you late-comers! At the Atrium Restaurant, live cooking outdoors includes pancakes, omelettes, waffles, scrambled eggs in addition to an endless buffet  including crispy rolls, croissants, various kinds of bread, jam, delicatessen, cheeses, sweets, cereals, yoghurts, fresh fruit, hot drinks and fruit juices. I truly hope that the French brioche will be added soon...as well as hot croissants!

Relaxing at the Golden Coast Hotel

Red Mullet

...and fried calamari

 

The Golden Coast Hotel is above all a family four-star hotel and a small paradise for children. There are special menus and buffets for children and a cute little restaurant for the very young guests. 

Entertainment for the very young guests

Amongst the various amenities, you can enjoy the health club including sauna, gym and massage in addition to a variety of entertainment which starts soon after breakfast in the swimming pool with activities including water polo or acqua aerobics  and competitions which give you the opportunity to win a bottle of sparkling wine. In the evening, right after dinner, you will enjoy a variety of events , like the amazing fire show last week, at Wood and Deck... right on the beach.

The Fire Show

 

Or you may just as well choose to bask in the sun all day,  somewhere in the luxuriant gardens of the Golden Coast. The golden beach just below is a public beach and if you choose to stay there, you will have to pay €5 for a sunbed and an umbrella as the beach belongs to the community of Paralimni.

The golden beach

Eating at the Golden Coast has always been for me an ode to the palate! Mr Panayiotis Aspris, the executive chef, will go out of his way to adapt his divine cooking to your taste.

Last but not least, at the Golden Coast Hotel you can close your eyes and forget all about worries and problems for a few days while you and your children enjoy a unique holiday in the eastern Med.

All photos by Anastasia Marou

 

Christmas in Greece

Are you trying to decide where to go on your Christmas holidays and still haven't made up your mind? Why not consider Christmas in Greece? True, it is not the traditional Christmas holiday destination, but it has so much to offer that it will be one of the most unforgettable holidays in your life!

There are two sides to Christmas in Greece; one is religious and solemn, while the other is festive and glamorous. Both of them have their charm. Most towns in Greece are decorated with bright lights, bells, angels and other Christmasy objects. According to Christmas traditions in Greece, the patron saint of the holiday is Saint Nicolas, who is also the protector of sailors. For this reason, you will often see boats decorated with many sparkling lights, rather than the traditional Christmas trees. The Christmas season in Greece begins on December 6 th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6 th, which is the Feast of the Epiphany (Theophania). Celebrations really pick-up from the 20 th of December, as Christmas day gets closer. If you are an amateur photographer, you will be constantly taking Christmas pictures in Greece.

Christmas Shopping in Greece

Christmas shopping in Greece is an absolute delight. Streets are packed with people buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, as well as Christmas carolers singing Christmas songs. Since gifts are traditionally given on New Year's Eve, Christmas shopping in Greece continues way after the 25 th of December. Shops are decorated with all the usual Christmas ornaments, and an upbeat atmosphere is apparent as you walk along the streets and in the shops. Therefore, Xmas shopping in Greece isn't just shopping. It's a festive experience!

Christmas Festivities in Greece

If you come to Greece at Christmas, you will have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of events and festivities. In the country's major cities, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Heraklion, etc, the municipal authorities organize music concerts, theatrical performance, and a number of other cultural events. Christmas in Athens is a fantastic time of the year. The largest Christmas tree in Europe is lit in Syntagma Square, the location of the capital's Christmas village, where little elf houses sell candy and children can take part in a number of activities. There is no limit to Christmas fun in Greece!

Christmas Traditions in Greece

Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas in no exception. Christmas caroling is very popular, and although you might hear them being sung at any given moment during the holiday season, there are actually three "official" caroling days. The custom is that children go from house to house singing the carol, with the accompaniment of a triangle, and residents of the houses give them a small amount of money. Greek Christmas carols (calanda) are sung on the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany.

According to tradition, during the Greek 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 6), goblins come out to tease people and eat their food. This tradition is based on the legend that the "waters aren't christened" since Christ has not yet been baptized. The goblins are renowned for their ugliness and their impishness. They are not very intelligent and can't really hurt anybody. It is said that they enter houses through chimneys, and this is the reason people, especially in villages, keep the fireplace lit during the 12 days of Christmas.

In many parts of Greece, people hang a pomegranate above the front door of their house. By the New Year, when the fruit will have dried, Greeks throw it on the ground so it breaks, and step into their house on their right foot. According to tradition, this brings good luck for the year to come.

Christmas Food in Greece

Christmas, like many other holidays in Greece, is a time for feasting. In the past years, Christmas turkey has become very popular as the main dish of the holiday. Traditionally, the main course of Christmas dinner in Greece is roast pork, with a variety of side delicacies. No matter what the main dish is, one thing is certain: Christmas food in Greece is delicious!

Melomakarona and kourabiedes are the two varieties of Christmas and New Year's cookies in Greece. The first are semolina, cinnamon, and clove cookies drenched in honey, while the second are rosewater and fresh butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar that are normally served on New Year's but many succumb to temptation and begin consuming them earlier.

Christopsomo is the bread that is made on Christmas Eve, which has a cross carved into the top crust before it is baked. On Christmas Day, the head of the household makes the sign of the cross above the loaf of bread, cuts it and gives a piece to each person at the dining table.

Vasilopita is a cake that is eaten on New Year's Day. Before the cake is baked, a coin covered in foil is placed in it. The New Year is written on top of the cake with almonds. The person who cuts the cake makes the sign of the cross three times above it and then starts serving the pieces, one to each person, the house, Christ, The Virgin Mary and Saint Vasileios. Whoever has the coin in his piece of cake will have luck for the rest of the year.

Religious Christmas in Greece

Due to the nature of the Christian Orthodox religion, Christmas is a very religious holiday in Greece. The season starts of with Saint Nicolas day and continues with many other saints' days up till Christmas. It is customary for those of faith to go to church on Christmas morning for the religious service. New Year's Day is also Saint Vasileios day. The Christmas season winds down with the Theophania on January 6 th. On this day around Greece, waters are blessed and a cross is thrown into the waters. Dozens of brave young people dive into the freezing water to retrieve the cross, which is said to bring good luck to the person that reaches it first.

Christmas in Greece: Holiday Destinations

Some of the most charming features in Greece are its villages, especially those located on the beautiful mountainsides. At Christmas time in Greece, the tall mountains are snowcapped, as are the lush evergreen trees that cover the countryside. Most villages in Mainland Greece have picturesque stone-brick houses and narrow alleyways, which in the wintertime, resemble a small Santa's village. They are the ideal places to spend a white Christmas in Greece!

If you want to fit some skiing or other winter sports into your Christmas holiday in Greece, we recommend staying a while in one of the many winter resorts in the countryside. Most offer quaint accommodations that are located close to snow centers. The most popular snow centers are Parnassos near the town of Arcahova, Pertouli and Pilio in the region of Thessaly, Tymfristos in the Karpenissi area, Helmos in the town of Kalavrita, Mainalos in Vytina, Peloponnese, Vasilitsa in Grevena and Kaimaktsalan in Edessa.

 

via www.united-hellas.com

Latouros Restaurant - Mazotos, Cyprus

Mazotos is a small village in Cyprus, numbering about 1200 inhabitants and situated at about 20km west of Larnaca. It's off the beaten track and the bright touristy attractions of the island. But that's where you can find Latouros Restaurant which caters practically for every taste. Having visited most restaurants and tavernas on the outskirts of Larnaca, Latouros Restaurant is by far the best restaurant ever in the area. It is right next to Aldiana Hotel on the old road to Zygi and Limassol.

The new owner will greet you and welcome you personally, whether you are a repeat customer or visiting for the first time. The rest of the staff are friendly and helpful and really make you feel "at home" even though the service is not always fast. But Latouros Restaurant isn't a fast food restaurant and , believe me, it's worth waiting 20 minutes for your meal to arrive. Try their grilled seabream (lavraki) right out of the fisherman's net -the shore is only 2 km away- or try their barbecue (souvla) and ofton kleftikon usually served on Sundays. Have a glass of their homemade wine - made by a friend of the owner at the village of Dora. And... Don't say no to their homemade pishies for dessert -served with nuts and honey. You'll love them!

Soutsos Taverna - Pervolia, Larnaca

 

Photo by Anastasia for Cypria

Soutsos Taverna is located at the picturesque village of Pervolia at about 14 km south of Larnaca, Cyprus. Since I first discovered it two years ago, it's been one of my favourite haunts on a Sunday outing. Although the taverna features some international dishes for the less adventurous, I wouldn't recommend them. Soutsos is by far one of the best tavernas in Cyprus specialising in local cuisine. Try their copious meze, their divine souvlaki and sheftalies, their moussaka, their afelia or their king size grilled calamari.The staff are very friendly and helpful - and the service is fast and efficient.  Rembetica live music and Cypriot dancing will entertain you every Friday and Saturday night.

 Starters at Soutsos

Photo by Anastasia for Cypria

Souvlakia with Sheftalies and crispy chips

Photo by Anastasia for Cypria

In the winter, the taverna has two large fireplaces which create a very cosy atmosphere while you are enjoying your meal.

For reservations (strongly recommended):

24424832 / 99682957

Rethymno, Crete

Where is it?:
Rethymno is located on the northwestern coast of the Greek island of Crete, west of Heraklion and east of Chania. Like numbers? Here's the latitude and longitude: 24° 32' 3" E. Latitude: 35° 12' 52" N.

Photo Credit

Why You Should Go:
Less hectic than Heraklion, with better shopping than Chania, this is a Cretan small city that grows on you.

If you're traveling to Greece during Carnival Season, Rethimno puts on a memorable one. They also have a summer-long cultural festival.

Photo Credit - Rethymno Harbour

Where to Stay and Dine:
Find a room in the old Venetian-Turkish section for an evocative stay close to several days' worth of dining and shopping. The Hotel Ideon is conveniently located near both the harbor and the old town. For the more adventurous, try Olga's Pension, an unusual collection of rooms above the old shoemaker's street.

Hotels in Rethymno

For dining, Taverna Gounas is renowned for its live Cretan music and traditional atmosphere, though the food may be a bit too traditional for some - simple boiled lamb and boiled chicken are the house specialties; Taverna Castelo, in an old Venetian building without a roof, provides starlit fine dining which may make you completely rethink Greek cuisine. But the restaurant choices are abundant, and it's hard to stay faithful to the idea of returning to that cute taverna you noticed in the afternoon once dinner time arrives.

Don't Miss Seeing:
The Venetian fortress provides a long, cool place to walk along the seawall, especially at sunset when you'll find yourself accompanied by many Greeks - some even jogging.

Travel Tip:
A taxi to or from Heraklion will cost you about €40 ($50). If you don't mind dragging your own luggage, regular buses travel several times a day between the two cities for just a few Euro per person.

via gogreece.about.com

Golden Valentine's at the Golden Bay Beach Hotel, Larnaca, Cyprus

In the past few years, it's been a tradition for The Golden Bay Beach Hotel to celebrate love by organising a romantic gala dinner on Saint Valentine's Day. Love and Romance were in the air as soon as you stepped into Les Etoiles Restaurant amongst rose petals decorating the floor. Marina, the PR Officer and Nikos, the Assistant Maitre D', welcomed the guests offering a gorgeous red rose to the ladies. Then the heart and soul of the restaurant, Kyriacos - the Maitre D' - showed us to our table. The restaurant was dressed in red and white. Long white linen tablecloths were placed on every table in the middle of which stood a pair of red balloons with white hearts and a white candle in an elegant vase filled with sand and two red hearts. In their hearts of hearts, even the most passionate opponents of Valentine's Day would have given in to romance.

As for the food, it surpassed our expectations. It was an ode to the palate. The first starter - King Prawns and Maki Sushi with soy sauce was followed by marinated duck on Napa exotic salad with honey sauce. The fruit sherbet with calvados prepared the palate for the main course: millefeuille with deer, beef and wild pork on roesti potatoes and a variety of vegetables served with champagne sauce. The dessert was a real work of art : strawberry and rose panacota married to vanilla mousse and coulis sauce. My compliments to the Executive Chef.

And while we were enjoying this divine dinner, the dancers of the group Rythmos - probably the best in Cyprus - were given a big hand. They were truly amazing! And of course we danced away the hours to the love songs of the home band. This unique golden Valentine cost €75 ($100) per person including accommodation for the night.

10 Top Greek Restaurants in Athens

In Athens there is a wide variety of restaurants and tavernas where you can find all sorts of international cuisine. However, in Athens you will also find some of the best Greek restaurants and tavernas in the country. Listed below , you will find the 10 top Greek  restaurants and tavernas in Athens and my rating since they also happen to be my favourite 10. They all specialise in traditional and modern greek cuisine.

1. To Petrino*****

Themistokleous and Academias Street - +30-210-3804100 /3822625

2. To Kafeneion*****

26, Loukianou Str - Kolonaki - +30-210-7229056/7237277

3. Stoa Attalos****

9, Adrianou Str - Thisio - +30-210-3219520/3212488

 4. 1002 NYXTES***

10, Karaiskou str - Psiri - +30-210-3317293

5. 48 The Restaurant*****

48 Armatolon Klefton - Ampelokipi - +30-210-6411082

6. Achinos*****

51, Akti Themistokleous - Freatida, Pireus - +30-210-4526944

7. To Kouti****

23, Adrianou - Thisio - +30-210- 3213229

8. Tzitzikas kai Mermingas****

26, Aeschylou str and Ayiou Georgiou - Chalandri - +30-210-6810529

9. Peri Orexeos Oudis Logos****

43, Ayias Zonis - Kypseli - +30-210-8617493

10. O Geros tou Moria*****

27, Mnisikleous str - Plaka - +30-210-3221753

 

FROM CONSTANTINOS - GUEST AUTHOR