Category: Crete (page 1 of 9)

Travel writers explore Crete’s food, culture, hikes, history, hotels & landscapes

Share

Agia Roumeli village in Crete

Knossos Palace on Crete

Top photo: Mountains rise behind Agia Roumeli, a seaside village at the foot of the Samaria Gorge. Bottom picture: an artist sketches at the Minoan-era Palace of Knossos near Heraklion. The gorge and palace are two of the top visitor attractions on Crete, the biggest island in Greece. 

 

Big destination: If you’ve got your sights set on a holiday in the Greek Islands this year, but find yourself struggling to choose from the more than 200 possible destinations you could visit, keep this in mind: you can’t go wrong picking Crete.

It’s the biggest island in Greece — so big, in fact, that seasoned travellers often describe it as being more like its own country than just one of Greece’s many islands. Repeat visitors say it can take years, if not decades, to get to know it intimately. And because of its vast size, they’ll tell you that Crete is best suited for extended holidays of at least one or two weeks’ duration or, if possible, even longer (and the more time available, the better). But Crete is well worth seeing even if you can get there for only a short once-in-a-lifetime visit.

 

 

 

Crete has everything you might imagine when you think of Greece: spectacular scenery; impressive landscapes with mountains, valleys, plateaus and gorges; gorgeous beaches; exciting cities, buzzing resort towns and quiet villages; fascinating culture, galleries, museums and historic sites;  fabulous food and drink; plus activities, sports and entertainment for people of every age and lifestyle.

With so much to offer, it’s shouldn’t come as a surprise that Crete is one of the top travel destinations in Greece, drawing 5 million visitors in 2018. Numbers dropped during the Covid 19 pandemic, of course, but the island appears on track for a big rebound this year. In fact, Crete is very much on peoples’ minds — in the recently-announced Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022, Crete clinched Top 5 rankings in two major categories:

♦ 3rd place in the World list of Popular Destinations; and

♦ 5th spot in the World’s Top Destinations for Sun Seekers

Print and social media publications have also been casting an eye on Crete, profiling the island in feature stories, travel guides and trip reports, and hotel and resort reviews.

In this post, we have rounded up links to several Crete-focussed reports that have been published since the beginning of 2022, along with some of our favourite travel articles and hotel reviews from the summer and fall of last year.  They’re all interesting and informative reads, and could prove helpful for your personal trip planning if you’ve already decided to visit Crete. If you’re still unsure about where you’d like to spend your holiday in Greece, some of the reads might be all it takes to convince you that Crete is the right place to go.

 

TravelAwaits article My favourite Greek island to visit in winter

Even though spring is fast approaching, it’s not too soon to start thinking about holiday plans for next winter — especially if you can’t stand the heat, crowds and higher prices of summer travel, and prefer to go somewhere in the off-season.

And while a winter vacation on a Greek island might not be something you would ordinarily consider, writer Rebecca Hall’s latest article for TravelAwaits might convince you to give Crete — “the southernmost island in Europe” — some serious thought.

In My favourite Greek island to visit during winter, published on February 26, she notes while Crete can be cooler, cloudier and quiet in winter, daytime temperatures are still comfortable — and the island “offers plenty to do.”

Rebecca spotlights cities worth seeing, such as Chania and Rethymno, and describes major sites, attractions and activities that travellers can enjoy. She also recommends appropriate clothing to pack for winter holidays on the island.

 

Travel + Leisure magazine article Greek Revival

Photographer Thomas Gravanis captured this view of the city of Chania for the Greek Revival article in Travel + Leisure magazine

 

The March 2022 edition of Travel + Leisure has just been released, and Crete’s second-biggest city, Chania, is the subject of one of its feature stories.

Written by Gisela Williams, Greek Revival profiles some of the culture- and travel-oriented businesses recently established in Chania by “a growing group of young entrepreneurs who are breathing new life into their hometown.”

“For decades, the destination has been driven by mass-market tourism,” Williams observes, “but this energetic generation is bringing a more sophisticated type of traveler, luring them with restaurants, hotels, and art galleries that blend Chania’s rich history with a fresh outlook.”

At the moment, the article can be read only in the print issue as well as digital versions for subscribers, and through online magazine services including Apple News. It should be available on the T+ L website soon.

 

 

 

The Guardian article Walk like a Minoan

 

In Walk like a Minoan: Hiking and Foraging in eastern Crete, published by The Guardian in January, writer Heidi Fuller-Love recounts a December trip she undertook to “heal my soul — for a weekend, at least — by hiking through untamed landscapes and foraging for food in one of the wildest corners of Crete.”

The first day of Heidi’s 35 km trek included a hike along the Zakros Gorge (also known as the Gorge of the Dead), a lunch stop at Pano Zakros village, a walk across the Mavros Kambos plateau, a dinnertime pass through the long-abandoned settlement of Skalia, and an overnight stay in an apartment at Ziros village. Her second day of walking took her through the tiny mountain village of Armeni then down a long, winding dirt road to the end point of her journey, a hamlet called Vori, where she spent the night camped out under a sky full of stars.

Even if a hiking trip with an overnight campout isn’t your cup of tea, we think you’ll enjoy joining Heidi as she describes passing through parts of Crete most tourists won’t ever see — and experiencing a brief but blissful break from “the world of Covid.”

 

Crete article in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine

 

In the Luxury Lifestyle Magazine article Visit Crete for a glimpse into the Grecian way of life, published in mid-December, writer Rebecca Underwood provides an overview of Crete’s “most popular sites for intrepid explorers,” including:

♦ the ruins of the Palace of Knossos near the island’s capital city, Heraklion;

♦ the Samaria Gorge, which attracts more than 130,000 hikers annually;

♦ Venetian- and Ottoman-era landmarks in the picturesque town of Rethymno;

♦  the Arkadi Monastery in the foothills of Mount Psiloritis; and

♦ the cliffs and beach at Matala on the southern coast

 

Conde Nast Traveler magazine article on Crete

 

Rachel Howard has written about Greece travel topics for some of the world’s top magazines and newspapers. She has travelled extensively in Greece, and has been visiting Crete since the early 1990s. In The lesser-known side of Crete, published by Conde Nast Traveler magazine last August, she describes highlights of a return visit to the Chania prefecture — the western quarter of Crete that includes the city of Chania to the north and the rugged Sfakia region on the island’s southern coast.

“The legacy of Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman rule ripples through the fortified city of Chania, but there’s a contemporary edge to this spirited town of merchants and students. Over the past decade, a new generation of ambitious islanders have returned to their roots after studying and working abroad to refresh tired family businesses, renovate historic properties, and set up sustainably minded ventures,” she notes. 

Rachel meets with several of those entrepreneurs, and describes a visit to the ancient citadel of Polirinia, a hike through a miniature canyon, a swim at Kedrasos beach, and a lunch at a taverna at the foot of the Aradena gorge.

 

5 famous Greek Islands article in The Guardian

 

In Peace, antiquity and beaches: a guide to five famous Greek islands, one of which is Crete, writer John Malathronas suggests how to find authentic experiences away from the tourist “hotspots.”

Among John’s recommendations are a visit to the palm forest at Vai, a number of beaches that would be perfect for a lazy day at the seaside, two gorges that avid hikers would enjoy walking, several sites with Minoan ruins that history buffs won’t want to miss, and the cave that is the birthplace of the mythological Greek god, Zeus.

John also offers suggestions on places to eat, drink and stay.

 

 

 

Profiles & reviews of luxury hotels and resorts on Crete

 

Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa

 This private plunge pool terrace at Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa has an impressive view toward historic Spinalonga island. The resort, which bills itself as “the most elegant design hotel” in the Elounda area of Crete, has been written up recently in several influential publications.

 

Since Crete boasts an extensive array of holiday lodging, particularly in terms of luxury and design-oriented resorts,  writers regularly flock to the island to compile hotel profiles and reviews for leading travel, lifestyle and design publications.

If you’re interested in high-end hotel accommodations for your trip to Crete, these recent articles might give you ideas on where to stay:

♦ The Greek Revival article in Travel + Leisure magazine, which we spoke about earlier in this post, describes the Metohi Kindelis guesthouse and Ammos Hotel, both at Chania. Those two places, along with Cabanon Concrete Retreat near the village of Dermitziana, also were singled out in the Conde Nast Traveler article on “the lesser-known side of Crete.”

♦ In January 2022, four resorts — Acro Suites at Agia Pelagia, Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas at Agios Nikolaos, Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa at Elounda and The Syntopia Hotel at Rethymno — were ranked as The best hotels in Crete for 2022 if you’re looking for an upscale Greek island escape, in a Red magazine article by Ruth Doherty;

Galaxy Hotel in Heraklion was recommended in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine‘s December overview of  Crete;

♦ In December’s Domes of Elounda, Crete, Greece, Suitcase Magazine writer India Dowley takes a close look at “this vast-but-manages-to-feel-intimate hotel”;

♦ Nichola Murphy paid a visit to the Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa last fall and wrote about her experience in the Hello! Magazine story Looking for end of season sun? Crete’s luxurious resort is a must-try;

♦ Ellie Smith wrote Review: Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa, Crete for Country & Town House

♦ The Syntopia Hotel at Rethymno was the focus of Dennis Lye’s report How checking in to this Cretan hotel totally transformed my post-lockdown mental health, published last September in the U.K. edition of Glamour magazine;

♦ In their See, luxury can be fun! piece for Gay Times in September, Simon Gage and Stephen Unwin explain “why Crete’s Nana Princess is ticking all the right boxes” and

♦ Last May, Luxury Travel Magazine looked at Numo Ierapetra, Crete – A laidback resort with a grown-up vibe

 

The Syntopia hotel on Crete

Above: The swimming pool at The Syntopia Hotel in Rethymno; Below: an aerial view of some of the clifftop suites and private plunge pools at Acro Suites at Agia Pelagia.

Acro Suites on Crete

 

 

 

Where to go in Greece: A video guide to 25 beautiful places

Share

25 most beautiful towns to visit in Greece is a 27-minute film from Lifestyle Hal

 

So many pretty places:  A new video from a popular travel blogger might prove inspiring and helpful to people who are hoping to visit Greece for the first time, but don’t yet have a clue where they would like to go.

25 most beautiful towns to visit in Greece was released January 22 by U.K.-based photographer/videographer Hal, whose Lifestyle Hal travel channel on YouTube has nearly 32,000 subscribers.

We think the film is worth checking out by would-be Greece travel newbies since it provides a good introduction to some of the country’s leading island and mainland tourist destinations.

The video clocks in at just over 27 minutes, profiling each place in its own distinct and succinct segment of approximately one minute apiece. Beautiful aerial and ground-level video footage is accompanied by a voice-over narration in which Hal describes key features and attractions which distinguish each destination.

We feel the video’s title is a bit of a misnomer, though, since the film focusses primarily on islands, rather than towns, with a pair of major archaeological sites — Delphi and Delos — included in the list, along with the magnificent monastery-topped rock formations at Meteora, and Sarakiniko beach on Milos island.  

The film doesn’t reveal any off-the-beaten-path hidden gems or secret hideaways — all of the places that Hal highlights are long-established, well-known tourist draws reachable on regular ferry or flight schedules or, in the case of a handful of spots on mainland Greece, along major roadway routes.  But all are beautiful and well worth visiting as we can personally attest, having been to 16 of the spots on Hal’s top 25 so far.

And even though we’re familiar with all of the destinations, we still enjoyed watching Hal’s video of gorgeous sights and scenery, and hearing his personal perspective on each place’s attractions and attributes.

 

Travel mag suggests best Greek islands to visit in 2022

Share

Conde Nast Traveller best Greek Islands article

 

Island mini-guides:  If you’re hoping to pay a first-time visit to the Greek isles in 2022, or make a return trip to see one or more islands you’re not already familiar with, travel journalist Rachel Howard might help you find the places most suitable to your personal tastes and holiday priorities.

Howard writes extensively about Greece travel destinations, and her work appears regularly in leading international magazines and newspapers.

Her latest article for Conde Nast Traveller magazine,  The best Greek islands to visit in 2022, is a mini-guide that profiles nearly two dozen islands, ranging from such perenially-popular tourist magnets as Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes, to less-commercial and much quieter places in between, like Folegandros, Symi and Ithaca.

 

 

Howard’s guide suggests 23 islands she feels might be “the best” for specific traveller lifestyles and preferences, such as Serifos for “naturists and purists,”  Ithaca for “lovers and loners” seeking a “mythical retreat,” Zakynthos for “seaside holidays with toddlers or teens,” Paxos for “the perfect blend of seclusion and sophistication,” and Hydra for “a long weekend with the art crowd.” Of course, her list also includes islands that will be appealing for noteworthy natural features and distinctive local characteristics, like Amorgos for “deep blue seas and wide open spaces,” Tinos for “traditional villages and knockout tavernas,” Symi for “castaway coves and a picture-perfect port,” and Naxos for “endless sandy beaches.”

Looking for a honeymoon destination? An island renowned for exquisite cuisine? A decadent party haven or an authentic hideaway with a bohemian buzz? Howard has recommendations for islands perfect for those features, and more.

Her easy-to-read piece mentions highlight attractions on each island, top things to see and do, and places to stay.

The article is illustrated with a photo of a scene on each island (except Skiathos, for which the editors mistakenly selected a photograph of Elia beach on Mykonos), and is peppered with links to additional photo galleries, travel guides and previously-published magazine reports about some of the destinations.

 

An aerial journey at Chania, Crete

Share

In Chania, Crete | An Aerial Journey, filmmaker Paschalis Doumanis captures dramatic views of the splendid scenery in the Chania region of Crete

 

Scenic flight: If our recent post about the new tourism website for Chania got you considering a trip to Crete, this video by Pachalis Doumanis might be just the nudge you need to finalize your holiday booking.

With a running time of nearly three-and-a-half minutes, the film features  alluring aerial views of Chania, the city’s historic harbourfront and iconic 16th Century lighthouse, its beachfronts and coastlines, and the snow-capped Lefka Ori (White Mountains) nearby.

We only wish the video could have been longer, showing more of the Chania prefecture’s magnificent natural beauty; however, Doumanis has published other clips of Chania. If you’re interested in seeing them, take a look through the video playlist on his YouTube channel. The Chania films include some shot at sunrise and others at sunset, while there are clips of beautiful locations elsewhere in Greece that are also worth taking a peek at.

Crete city of Chania launches new tourism website

Share

New tourism website for the city of Chania on Crete island in Greece

Chania, the second-largest city on Crete island, introduced its new tourism website and travel promotion slogan — Chania: A City of Many Tales — on September 27 2021

 

New travel resource: If you’ve been considering a trip to the city of Chania on Crete island, whether for the first time or a repeat visit, there’s a new website you should bookmark  for your holiday research and planning. Launched in late September 2021 by the Chania Tourism Bureau, the site —  chaniatourism.gr — is chock full of information, descriptions, photos and maps that will assist travellers arriving for either a short city break or an extended vacation.

For people who haven’t yet been to Chania, or haven’t even had it on their travel radar, a few clicks through the website — starting with the “Why Chania” section — will quickly reveal why it’s a must-see destination, and in fact has been such throughout its rich and colourful history of 4,000+ years.

The website notes that, for centuries, Chania “has served as a nautical crossroad between three continents, a pole of attraction for powerful trade transactions and for Empires driven by intentions of conquest and expansion. Romans, Arabs, Venetians and Ottomans have marched, conquered and left a deep footprint, creating a modern, cultural mosaic on the architectural outlook of the city and a cosmopolitan feel at this remote corner of the Mediterranean.”

Chania also has been blessed with incredibly beautiful scenery and spectacular natural landscapes, ranging from stunning beaches, bays and coastlines to imposing mountains, gorges, caves and valleys. These unspoiled natural wonders, combined with the city’s abundant historical and cultural uniqueness, have made Chania an enticing year-round destination for travellers from around the world.

The city’s longevity and its endurance through eras of occupation and governance by foreign powers have left Chania with a richly storied history, which its tourism board’s new slogan — Chania: A City of Many Tales — invites visitors to discover,  while creating memorable stories of their own  as they explore, experience and enjoy the region.

 

Neighbourhoods section of the Chania Crete tourism website

The website’s Neighbourhoods: Little treasure islands page provides detailed descriptions, maps and photos of key spots in the old city and Chania’s modern suburbs — as well as suggested walking routes.

 

The tourism website will be informative and useful even to people who have been to Chania before, since it may reveal neighbourhoods, monuments, attractions and other points of interest they may have missed on their earlier visits.

One of the website features we were most pleased to see is the section entitled Neighbourhoods: Little treasure islands, which provides helpful information about nine significant and distinct parts of the city, along with maps and suggested walking routes that lead past important landmarks and points of interest. 

“Wandering around the different quarters of the city, feels like timelining backwards as if each decisive point in history is revealed like a layer,” the website says. “The Jewish quarter, the Turkish quarter, the Venetian harbor, the aristocratic neighborhood of Chalepa, the derelict industrial tanneries at Tabakaria, the coastal Koum Kapi and the beach town of Nea Chora, compose a colorful architectural and historical mosaic with complementary and contrasting characteristics, representative of the heritage each culture, era and economic stratum brought to the table.”

We’ve been to Chania twice, most recently in the autumn of 2017, and spent our entire time exploring the city on foot, wandering through streets and along harbour and seafront areas mentioned in a travel guide travel guide we had purchased in a local bookshop. We had a wonderful time, but our meandering definitely would have been far more enlightening and interesting with the website’s walking route maps (which pinpointed some noteworthy places we completely missed seeing.)

 

SCreenshot of the visit page of the Chania tourism website

 

Another excellent resource is the website’s Visit / An authentic experience section, which provides information and photos of highlight attractions within and close to the city, including:  monuments and top historic sites; beaches;  gorges and caves;  churches and monasteries;  museums and collections; and the Chania suburbs and nearby villages.

Be sure to check out the drop-down menu entitled “Don’t Miss,” which navigates to separate sections concerning such “unique experiences” as activities, local traditions and agritourism. The “local tips” page offers insights into local culture by suggesting things to see and do “where the people around you will be mostly locals.” 

Information on sports and both indoor and outdoor activities, as well as the world-famous Cretan Diet, can be found in other website sections.

 

To learn more about visiting Chania, follow these links to the tourism website and its related social media pages:

Web: Chania tourism

Facebook: @Chania.tourism

Instagram: @chaniatourism

Writers report on mood, hopes & fears at top Greece travel spots during & after the nation’s Covid-19 lockdown

Share

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

At his Greece Summer 2020 press conference on Santorini on June 13, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis formally announced Greece’s re-opening for summer tourism. Impressive backdrops for the international media event included views of the island’s clifftop village of Imerovigli (top photo) and a glorious sunset over nearby islands (bottom). Greece went into lockdown in late March to protect its citizens from the Covid-19 pandemic, and on June 15 began reopening its borders to tourism.

 

By mygreecetravelblog.com

 

“Greek tourism is back.”

Those words — spoken by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during an international press conference on Santorini island June 13 — must have been sweet music to the ears of people around the world who have been hoping to holiday in Greece this summer.

 

Please click on the link below to continue reading on page 2 of this post.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Pages: 1 2

New Royal Senses Resort & Spa opens on Crete this summer

Share

Screenshot of main web page for The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete

An artistic rendering of one of the four communal swimming pools at The Royal Senses Resort & Spa, a brand-new Troulis Royal Collection luxury hotel near Rethymno on Crete. 

 

Hotel profile by mygreecetravelblog.com

 

Our flight to Greece this month was cancelled by Covid-19 travel restrictions, but that hasn’t stopped us from daydreaming about taking a trip later this summer to enjoy some desperately-needed holiday downtime. One spot we find particularly appealing is a new luxury resort on Crete, where we fantasize of pampering ourselves with elegant accommodations and amenities, superb food and scenic surroundings — the perfect tonic to relieve pent-up stress and worry from the extended period of pandemic lockdowns this spring.

That place is The Royal Senses Resort & Spa near Rethymno, where we see ourselves social distancing in style in one of the spacious double rooms or a  junior suite equipped with a private swimming pool. Or perhaps we would splurge on a chic elite suite or a roomy grand villa with a stunning private infinity pool.  For a change of scenery we would lounge by one of the four communal pools, explore the resort’s farm and gardens, recharge with a massage or an herbal spa treatment, and then savor a delicious meal at one of the three restaurants or some of the pop-up food bars in the hotel’s Market Place. And of course we would take day trips to explore the island’s amazing sites and attractions.  How sweet it would be to revel in such comfort and luxury — and discover spectacular Crete — while putting the world’s tumultuous troubles temporarily out of mind!

It’s unlikely we will personally be able to visit Crete in the near future, since spring was the only time we could go to Greece in 2020, but other travellers will get to experience that dreamy holiday bliss when The Royal Senses welcomes its first guests this summer.

The resort is situated on the northern coast of Crete close to Panormos,  a traditional seaside fishing village with charming cobblestone streets, a medieval church and picturesque coves with sandy beaches. Also in convenient close proximity are Crete’s three biggest cities — Rethymno, just 20 minutes away, and Chania and Heraklion, each about an hour’s drive. All boast fascinating historic sites and a tremendous variety of beautiful attractions for visitors to discover.

The Royal Senses occupies a hillside location overlooking the 100-acre seafront property of its older sister hotel, The Royal Blue, which recently underwent a major renovation. The two are showpieces of the Troulis Royal Collection, a locally-owned and operated brand of destination lifestyle resorts which aim to make guests “feel like they are part of the unique life force of Cretan culture.” 

“We share a vision for heartfelt hospitality. We are agents of the Cretan culture and community. We create places that give value to guests, employees and the island. We are fully committed to our responsibility to the island, its people and our cultural says,” says a mission statement on the Collection’s website.

Please click on the link below to continue reading and see more of The Royal Senses on page 2 of this post.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Pages: 1 2

Our quarantine reads Part 2: Greek hotels and restaurants on travel hot lists for 2020

Share

Rendering of the main swimming pool at Royal Senses resort on Crete

A rendering of the main swimming pool at The Royal Senses Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in late June on Crete.  The Royal Senses was included on The Telegraph‘s list of 10 amazing new Greek island hotels to book in 2020.

 

Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens website hotel photo

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens, a legendary hotel on the Athens Riviera that re-opened last year following extensive renovations. The hotel was profiled this spring by World Traveller magazine.

 

A short social media promotional clip for Kaliya, a much-anticipated new restaurant opening this summer in Fira, the capital of Santorini. Kaliya is among several sumptuous Santorini dining spots cited by World Travel magazine.

 

Where to stay, dine and drink: Each winter and spring, major newspapers and travel magazines publish articles describing new and noteworthy places to stay and visit in Greece, and this year they’ve done it again, even though the Covid-19 pandemic turned international travel planning upside down and left everyone wondering if there would even be a tourist season in 2020.  Would any of the hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars described in the travel media be able to open this year?

It looks like there might be part of a summer travel season after all, now that the Greek government has announced (on April 28) its plans for lifting lockdowns, gradually restarting the country’s economy, and possibly re-opening its tourism infrastructure and facilities as early as July. Although details about when — and which — foreign visitors will be allowed to enter Greece are still up in the air, it appears summer holiday travel to Greece will be a possibility for some people.

Given that hopeful prospect, we have compiled this post to highlight travel articles we have read over the past month during our own coronavirus home quarantine.   It’s a round-up of recommendations and travel reports for hotels, resorts, villas and restaurants in Greece that captured the attention of international travel media experts.

If you’re among the fortunate people who get to visit Greece this summer and experience any of the properties and establishments described in these publications, do drop us a line once you’re back home, to let us know how you enjoyed them.

 

 

The Times article about 30 best places to go in Greece

 

If you’re having trouble choosing where to go once Greece re-opens its borders to international tourists, The Times article 30 best places to stay might help you narrow your options. Then again, it could confuse you even more, since it describes so many outstanding accommodations to consider.

Whether it’s adults-only on Santorini, kid-friendly on Rhodes, eco-conscious on Crete, a rustic mountain retreat or a luxury hilltop villa, the newspaper’s top picks cover most travel lifestyles, though the list does lean mainly towards higher-end and design-forward hotels. 

Hotel, resort and villa recommendations on the newspaper’s list include the following Greek island regions:

♦ Crete

♦ Antiparos, Folegandros, Mykonos, Santorini, Serifos and Syros in the Cyclades island chain

♦ Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Kythira, and Lefkada in the Ionian group of islands 

♦ Hydra and Spetses in the Saronic Gulf

♦ Skiathos and Skopelos in the Sporadic isles, and

♦ Kos and Rhodes in the Dodecanese archipelago

For mainland Greece and the Peloponnese, the article suggests stylish accommodations for:

♦ The Athens Riviera

♦ Halkidiki

♦ Monemvasia, Nafplio and The Mani in the Peloponnese;

♦ Parga, Perdika, Sivota and the Zagorochoria areas of northwestern Greece.

 

Santorini hotels, restaurants and wineries

World Travel Magazine February-March 2020 cover

Canaves Oia Epitome luxury hotel was the shooting location for the cover photo for World Travel Magazine’s February/March 2020 issue

 

When Nasos Kouzelis wrote What’s New Santorini?,  tourism-related businesses on the island were excitedly preparing for the launch of the 2020 travel season. “In just a few days’ time,” he said, restaurants would be setting their tables and wineries would be polishing their glasses to welcome their first guests of the year. His article was originally published in the February/March 2020 edition of World Travel magazine, so Kouzelis would have submitted it to the editors weeks before Greece went into lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Those opening plans have since been put on ice, of course, and at this time no-one knows exactly when Santorini’s tourist season for international travellers will finally start.

But by the time that happens, there will be even more built-up anticipation for the opening of some eagerly-awaited new restaurants and hotels that Kouzelis describes, along with the return of some much-talked-about accommodations and dining spots that made their debuts in 2019.

Among the hot spots Kouzelis mentions:

♦ in Oia village: the Canaves Oia Epitome and its Elements restaurant, and the Andronis Arcadia Hotel and its Opson restaurant;

♦ in Imerovigli village: Cavo Tagoo Santorini hotel and its restaurant, OVAC, plus OMMA Santorini hotel and restaurant;

♦ in Fira, the island capital: Katikies Garden hotel, Panigiri Restaurant, and the brand-new Kaliya restaurant;

♦ at Monolithos beach: the Nikki Beach Santorini Resort & Spa;

♦ at Baxedes beach near Oia: the all-day lounge restaurant Laze;

Avantis Cellar Door winery and restaurant in Kontochori near Fira, and Mikra Thira winery on nearby Thirasia island.

The article is illustrated with beautiful pictures by Christos Drazos, one of the most sought-after professional hotel and restaurant photographers in Greece.

 

Please click on the link below to read about more travel publication profiles of hotels and restaurants on Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Ios and the Athens Riviera.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Pages: 1 2

Older posts