The people who live in this village have managed to preserve the flavor and heart of it by embracing the history and sharing it with visitors to this unique location.  The customs of medieval times are still carried out by the people of the village and you can have an experience like no other if you visit this beautiful and intriguing place.

When following the Ring-Road of the castle, the homes that have been built on the right side of the wall are of modern construction; however, the wall on the left side is the Wall of the castle.  Staying right in the heart of the medieval village is an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.  Many of the suites that are available in Mesta are a blend of the old and the modern with everything you could possibly need while still giving you the experience of life in the medieval village.

Mesta is a wonderful place to visit on Chios Island and will be a large part of your holiday.  The rest of the island is an unspoiled natural wonder as well.  From the stunning beaches to the lovely old world charm that you will find everywhere on the island, there is something for everyone.

The village of Mesta has recently come into the public’s awareness as one of the most well preserved medieval villages in the world.  It is for this reason that many people choose to come to this island and explore the ancient artifacts and the rich history of this amazing community.

While you are on Chios Island, consider a tour of the castle in Mesta and take part in the many cultural activities that are taking place all year round.  Enjoy the work of the local artists and learn about the history of this village through the work of these talented people.  And depending on what time of the year you travel to Mesta, you will be able to witness the many festivals and celebrations that take place on the island.  Enjoy the traditional foods and music of Mesta during your stay in this truly unique village.

If you are planning on visiting Chios learn more about the village of Mesta, Chios Greece. For reservations on Chios Hotels you might want to consider Medieval Castle Suites Hotel which offers all modern facilities with the experience of living in a 14th Century village.

The serious partying for both tourists and natives of Mykonos starts around 11 at the Skandinavian Bar and Disco which happens to be one of the toppers among the World’s Best Bars. It is right in the centre of a highly travelled pedestrian intersection and it also happens to trendiest and most happening social gathering spots in the entire Cyclades. You are likely to meet and hook up with people who you met at the beach. It is also the starting point for partying through the night!

The Skandinavian Bar is made up of two tiny outdoor bars, an outdoor patio which is on a higher level and a disco which is bursting with DJ music, dancers and drinkers! The entire unit takes up a whole block. Large beers are available for just four Euros and cocktails are just six Euros making drinks extremely cheap at this bar which is why it’s a haven of fun, fun and more fun!

After giving the party spirit a good start, head over to the Celebrities! Great music, energetic employees and unending fun is what it is all about. Seargo is also a good bar which is the right place when you want to take a break and get back onto your feet after lots of drinking and dancing.

Space Bar is the largest dance club on the party-island. Plenty of people who are looking to dance flock into this bar. With its ability to give space to thousand dancers at a time, it happens to be one of the largest bars in the Greek Isles. Non-stop techno fills the bar while the cover is ten Euros and so are the beers! However, people come here to dance, not to drink!

Mykonos also has a Hard Rock Cafe which is a little out of town. On the other hand there are pink shuttle buses which head out from the port every thirty minutes. Although it is a little on the higher side of the price scale, it does have a superb go-kart course and of course a poolside outdoor dance club.

Inside town, the bars close the doors around 4 a.m. On the other hand, as the weekends roll around, clubs stay open until 6 a.m. However, take care because at Mykonos is really difficult to keep track of days because of all the partying. If you still want to party, head down to the ferry dock to the bar which never closes! Unofficially it is called the Port Bar or The Yacht Club but in reality it is nameless.

Mykonos nights are all about parties!

When in Mykonos make sure you pay visit to Super Paradise Mykonos Beach Bar Club for an unforgetable time.

The more famous tourist beaches can be found around the southern coastlines of the island. The most famous of these southern beaches are Paradise and Super Paradise. These are beautiful beaches suited for young clubbers. The beach setting is very much like paradise but not the type of paradise for a fun family picnic. There is music blaring from huge speakers. Partying with the waves and the sand goes on around the clock during the high season. A lot of obscene dancing is done by scantily clad gorgeous dancers. If you are looking to build a sand castle on the beach, this is not the place!

Both these paradise-like beaches are nudist friendly. Less people visit Super Paradise during the day time. The left side of the beach is usually dedicated to dancers while the right side is mostly for nudists and the gay.

A quick travel north east from the Super Paradise coast, will take you to the lovely and quiet cove of Agrari and to the east of this cove is Elia Beach. The longest beach, Elia Beach, is beautiful yet frenzy-filled. The Watermania at Elia is a family-friendly water park with plenty of aqua activities, dancing and music.

Other beaches suited for the family are available along the west of Paradise. Ornos is a great beach about two and a half kilometers south of Mykonos Town and Psarou is another great beach from where you can launch your water sport adventures. A wide range of activities such as water skiing, windsurfing and diving equipment is available for you to take an adventurous dip.

A convenient and quiet beach would be the town beach located in the middle of Hora and the ferry port. Although it is not an exciting place, it is a great place for a quiet swim. The next available sets of beaches which are closes to the town are towards the north. Tourlos is just two kilometers away and Agios Stefanos is a further two kilometers north. Both can be quiet during the off season, but will get crowded between June and September.

Windsurfers can take shelter in the northern beaches in Panormas Bay. The aggressive “meltemi” north wind makes it a great place for windsurfing and a less fun place for swimmers or other beach goers. Panormos and Ayios Sostios have very little tourist facilities and so are better for beach lover who just want to have some quiet “beach time.”

The variety of Mykonos beaches will surely satisfy most visitors.

When in Mykonos make sure you pay visit to Super Paradise Mykonos Beach Bar Club for an unforgetable time.

Among the best reasons to visit Mykonos is that it is a feast for all of the senses. The iconic white architecture, the extremely amenable climate, proliferation of archeological and historical hotspots are all among the many reasons to spend your vacation days on Mykonos. And let’s not forget about the magnificent beaches of Mykonos! The island is dotted with stunning beaches to suit the needs of every tourist, even those who prefer to take advantage of the “clothing optional” rule that some beaches have in place.

Of all the beautiful beaches on Mykonos, by far the most popular are Platis Gialos, Psarou, Paranga, Kalafatis, Elia and Agrari. Platis Gialos offers vistors an excellent choice of water sports, while Psarou is home to a first-rate diving center. Kalafatis is the island’s largest beach, and Elia is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. On Elia Beach, you’ll find many secluded hiding spots, perfect for a romantic moment or just some alone time.

On Mykonos, every street is a postcard image in the making, and around every turn is a new adventure. The scenery here is a study in contrasts, from the stark whitewash of the buildings to the sapphire blue sea, the rainbow-colored windows. The personality of the island bleeds through into its nightlife, too: When the sun goes down, many of the island’s taverns, restaurants and discos come alive and are flooded with people, tourists and locals alike. The air is filled with a tangle of music from driving rock to soothing jazz. There’s something for everyone.

If you fancy a little retail therapy, Mykonos can accommodate you, too. There are many shops on the island selling all kinds of local and tourist-aimed products of just about any category you can imagine. To soak in a little culture, the island of Mykonos has many museums for your enjoyment.

For a fun day trip from Mykonos, head to nearby Delos. There are organized tours leaving daily from Mykonos for Delos, an island that at one time was the cultural and religious epicenter of all of the Cyclades and for Greece as a whole. (For you legend lovers, the story goes that Apollo, god of the sun, and his sister Artemis; goddess of the hunt, were born on Delos. These days, it’s an idyllic island with a very interesting museum and some breathtaking architectural monuments to see. While you’re visiting Mykonos, you might as well take a day and see Delos, as well. (Oh, and as a note, the name “Mykonos” has a legend attached to it, too. It is named for Apollo’s grandson. Legend also says that the rock terrain of Mykonos was formed by the bodies of giants being turned to stone by Zeus!)

Whether your perfect getaway involves nothing more than lounging on a beautiful beach while you take in the fresh sea air or whether you want to soak up a little culture and history, the Greek island of Mykonos has something to make your vacation the most memorable it can be. Be sure to bring along your camera and lots of film or extra memory cards when you go. Mykonos is a shutterbug’s paradise!

There is much to enjoy about Mykonos, but a word to the wise about timing: Avoid travelling mid-July through August. This is peak season and it seems that anyone who is anyone is here at that time. But the again, if you thrive off of the energy that can only be given off by excited crowds, peak season may be the best time to go. You’ll have to decide that for yourself, but for first time visitors it may be a good idea to visit Mykonos in the early part of July.

It’s close enough to peak time that it will be somewhat busy, enough so that you can get an idea of what Mykonos nightlife is like, but it won’t be so overrun by visitors that you won’t be able to enjoy some solitude. Remember that during peak time, even find a table, any table, at a restaurant can be an insurmountable challenge. During high season, if you don’t make a reservation well in advance, you’ll likely be out of luck when it comes to finding a table.

The “reserve early or else” caveat associated with travelling to Mykonos doesn’t just pertain to restaurants, either. Unless you plan on sleeping under the stars (which is frowned upon by the police), book your accommodations well in advance of your visit, especially if you are coming during peak season.

If you visit Mykonos in mid-September through the month of October, you’ll experience a totally different island. During this time you’ll get to know the quieter side of Mykonos. This side of Mykonos still offers visitors lively nightlife choices, but the streets and you won’t have to clamor for a table or for room on the dance floor.

Fortunately, unlike many of the other Greek islands, Mykonos has an active cultural and social current year round. Even in winter, when the island hosts numerous cultural events such as a small (yet very enjoyable!) film festival, Mykonos is a great place to visit. If you don’t want to brave the summer crowds and are looking for some off-season fun, wintertime is a good option as well.

No matter what time of year you decide to go to Mykonos, there are a few things to know about how to get around the island. Since the government decreed that Hora was an architectural landmark, motorized traffic is prohibited on its streets. The best ways to get around the streets on foot, on a bike, or on a donkey! The island also features a good transportation system, so there are lots of ways to get around if mobility is not a concern.

If you prefer to travel by taxi, be warned that inside the town itself you’ll be picked up by a scooter, not a car. Car taxis are only available for destinations outside the town itself. The scooters can be found at the port, where they will pick you up and deliver you to your accommodation. It’s a good idea to use this service, as most of the island’s hotels can be a bit tricky to find.

No matter what time of year you decide to visit Mykonos, there will be something fun to do and some beautiful scenery to take in. The choice of when to visit just depends upon whether you want to bump elbows with other tourists, or take in the life of the locals.

• Athens
• Alexandroupoli
• Astipalea
• Thessaloniki
• Zakynthos
• Santorini
• Ioannina
• Ikaria
• Kavala
• Karpathos
• Kasos
• Kastellorizo
• Kastoria
• Corfu
• Kefallonia
• Kozani
• Kythira
• Kos
• Leros
• Limnos
• Milos
• Mykonos
• Mitilene
• Naxos
• Paros
• Samos
• Sitia
• Skiathos
• Skiros
• Syros
• Chania
• Chios

Olympic Airlines fly to the following worldwide destinations:

• Alexandria
• Berlin
• Brussels
• Geneva
• Kouweit
• London
• Malta
• Monaco
• Bahrain
• Düsseldorf
• Prague
• Stuttgart
• Tirana
• Amsterdam
• Vienna
• Cairo
• Istanbul
• Lisbon
• Manchester
• Montreal
• New York
• Odyssos
• Rome
• Sidney
• Toronto
• Belgrade
• Johannesburg
• Keeve
• Lanoka
• Madrid
• Milan
• Dubai
• Paris
• Sofia
• Tel Aviv
• Frankfurt

With Olympic Airlines’ “Icarus” Frequent Flyer Program, flying can be converted into privileges. Your membership card unlocks benefits and free travel opportunities. Your account will automatically be deposited with miles every time you fly Olympic or use the services of our partners on code share flights. Earning opportunities can be much easier since “Icarus” FFP offers top flight partnerships with car rental partners as well as credit card partners. There are three levels, with three corresponding cards, waiting for you to reach the top. So, if you wish the miles you travel to earn points with you, join “Icarus”Flyer Program.

For more information about Olympic Airlines or to buy Olympic Airlines Air Tickets or for a guide to Airline Carriers

Aegean Airlines is a well established Airline Company with a fast growing international presence. This full service airline operates between Greece and European destinations alongside some additional neighbouring countries. Aegean has a well developed network with regular flights to 12 international destinations and 17 Greek airports. As a regional partner of Lufthansa they can also provide access to the Lufthansa global network and so expand their flight paths mutually.

With a strengthening bond between Aegean Airlines, Air One and TAP Air Portugal the company has been able to create a strong positive relationship and provide a more dominant presence in the Italian and Portuguese sector.

Aegean Airlines is a well established air operation and was founded in 1987 under the name Aegean Aviation and has been going from strength to strength ever since with three new destinations opening up in November 2003 to Chios, Kos and Milan through to ordering six more A320’s in September 2007.

The company also takes pride in its environmental concerns and received the ISO 14001 certification for environmental protection in September 2008.

Services of Aegean Airlines

Aegean Airlines was originally a dedicated VIP/Business operator providing specialised executive services which has been the pride of the Greek airline service worldwide since 1994.

Now available to the public this luxury airline provider offers web chick-in services so you can check in where ever you are for one or more flights with ease and comfort. You can select your preferred seat for the journey and cut down on your checking in time dramatically. Simply check in online and go straight to the departure gate.

Thanks to their association with Lufthansa, Aegean Airlines have now included a frequent flyer program called “Miles & Bonus”. This innovative program was specially designed to offer a high quality service with unique frequent flyer privileges every time you fly with Aegean. You can earn more miles for your journey’s and spend them either on reward flights or on car rental services at your destination. Furthermore, this offer extends over both companies so you can earn more miles by travelling with Lufthansa or Aegean Airlines.

The company also offers various e-services available online where you can search for flights and trace your baggage or cargo. You can also dive into their magazine “Blue” on your journey and read up on the arts, culture and entertainment in many Aegean destinations, the background story of Feta and the celebration of Feta as a registered Greek trademark, a guide to some of the most exquisite Aegean Monasteries and latest hot new fashions. You can even have a quick look through their “Shop on Board” magazine with a sumptuous collection of items for sale on board. It’s no wonder Aegean Airlines won the ERA Gold award for Airline of the year 08/09.

To learn more about Aegean Airlines visit myhellas.com where you can also order Aegean Airline Air Tickets
and where you can also find a guide to Airline Carriers

]]> http://greeknews.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/aegean-airlines/feed/ 0 GK http://greeknews.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/destination-greece/ http://greeknews.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/destination-greece/#comments Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:32:46 +0000 GK http://greeknews.wordpress.com/?p=14 ]]> Greece is quickly making itself known as a need-to-visit tour site. With its excellent all-season climate, beautiful landscapes, and great tourist spots, visiting Greece is truly a no-brainer. In ancient times, it was the center of modern democracy, culture, and the arts, and it retains this high status even today. Being a city of both ancient influences and modern conveniences, Greece is sure to have something in it for everyone.

If you’re the kind of person that likes to relax and just experience nature, the warm Mediterranean country offers thousands of miles of beaches to explore. The soothing turquoise waters and long stretches of white sand create ideal places to just lie back and enjoy yourself. Secluded coves surrounded by gigantic cliffs and palm and pine tree forests abound in Greece, and one should definitely see the country’s beautiful seashore in their lifetime – it’s an experience you can’t forget.

If sight-seeing is more of your thing, no worries: Greece has lots to offer. Towering monuments to ancient Greek gods like Zeus and Athena still stand tall, a testament to the great architectural prowess of the early Grecians. The sophisticated structures of famous buildings like the monumental Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon are truly beautiful sights to behold. Intricate columns and carefully crafted sculptures also flourish. Many modern cities like Washington D.C. borrow the concepts first put into use by the Greeks and their Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian columns are still major inspirations in current architecture.

Greece is also a country of wonderfully rich culture, stemming from the fact that it was the center of sophistication in the ancient world. Traditions, language, music, foods, and wine are all major parts of the Greek culture and leave a lasting impression on all tourists that visit it. Visitors can listen to traditional Greek folk music, Dimotiko Tragoudi, which originated in the early 9th century while partaking in the rich cuisine of the country. Known for its high-quality products and amazing, rich taste, Greek food is some of the best in the world. Unique herbs and spices dot traditional dishes like paidaka, tender and juicy lamb ribs, and pastitsio, a dish reminiscent of Italian lasagna. The hearty Greek diet is also accompanied by some of the best wines, many locally produced in family-owned vineries.

In short, Greece has much to offer to prospective travelers. Stunning beaches, towering monuments, advanced culture, and delicious dining are just some of the many attractions of the country. The tour industry in Greece is becoming more and more advanced and accessible to the average person, as opposed to when only high-class citizens could travel there just decades ago. This is yet another reason to observe the wonders of the country. Online all-in-one booking on websites such as ours makes traveling there even easier. Whatever your reasons are, visiting Greece is a remarkable experience that will go above and beyond your expectations.

Travel Arrangements
Flight to Greece
Hotels in Greece
Transfers in Greece
Cruises in Greece
Car Rentals in Greece

Original article appeared in myHellas

Greece can satisfy even the most demanding of its visitors. It has beautiful scenery and great man made establishments, it has sea but also mountains, it has archaeological sites and night clubs as well, it has crowded areas but it also has nice and quite places. The best of all is that all these are not far away from each other. I don’t think its an overstatement to say that Greece is a traveler’s paradise.

Where to find such places ??

If you want to find fancy restaurants and Hotels and all the comforts a man can get those are the services every known place has and they are actually difficult to miss. Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, Samos are among the most visited destinations in Greece. If you need luxurious accommodations, fancy restaurants, loud music, packed cafes, lots of visitors you can find them here.

Places that are not crowded but still have lot to offer are more difficult to find. There are less services and less money to be gained from visitors and therefore are not heavily promoted. If you are looking for those places don’t ask at your local travel agent. Don’t arrange a Cruise hoping to find them. The are usually very close to the crowded centers but not much is mentioned of them.

Lots of smaller islands that are not heavily advertised, and island satellites to famous ones usually fall under this category and would be ideal places for people that want to explore the alternative Greece. For the sake of the discussion I am going to mention Gaudos, Paxoi, Fournoi, Sifnos, Ikaria, Chios but this is not extensive by any means. These places are usually recommended from people that have already gone there. If you have not had such recommendations then I would advise you to prepare your trip to the most favorable location leaving some room in your schedule for visiting places that the locals will undoubtedly suggest. An inquiry to a local Greek travel agent or a Greek Habitant might reveal some hidden treasures around the area. Keeping in mind the pros and cons presented right after, one can easily recognize such places.

With quiet destinations you avoid the mass tourism and the noise and you enjoy more the nature and the hospitality of people simple and not caught up at the great rush of our times. Nature is purer and the food is fresher and atmosphere is unspoiled and healthier. The prices are cheaper too. One great disadvantage is that such places don’t have many means of transportation to and from them and not to many comforts should be expected when looking for accommodation. Some of them don’t even have air connectivity with mainland Greece. They might have boat or bus connection 3-7 times a week from the near by Town.

Travel off high season

Greeks usually take their summer vacation around the 15th of August that is the biggest festivity in the Orthodox Christian world, commemorating the Assumption of Theotokos (Mary the mother of Jesus). Around these days everything gets very busy with boats running full and extra flights being added and all types of accommodation running at full capacity. These period makes for some very tiresome vacation and I would definitely avoid it if I had the choice. Planning either before or after August is probably the smartest thing one can do when traveling to Greece. You do avoid the headaches and prices are a whole lot different.

Almost all destinations in Greece are connected through Athens, so this gives an opportunity to the traveler to explore the Athenian lifestyle and Acropolis if he/she so chooses. Some alternative routes include Italy which has daily direct boat connections to the Ionian islands and Turkey which has daily boat connectivity to the nearby islands of the Aegean.

Arranging your car rental before hand

Small places usually luck the public transportation of the big and famous cities. Buses usually run not very frequently and planning your excursions around them usually is not an easy chore. The more crowded places will probably have cars booked fully for the high season times. So if you are planning on using a car arranging it ahead of time is always good choice.

Alternative accommodations for rent

If you are not interested in the standard services of a hotel (food, everyday cleaning/towels/sheets pools and restaurants) you can rent villas or homes at cheaper prices. Usually the such places provide a high level of service compared to what you pay for them. Plenty of non Hotel accommodations are spread at all possible places and the go by the names of “studios” “apartments” “homes” “rooms to let” “homes”. Some times its even possible to rent such places a monthly rental fee, provided you will stay for at least 1 1/2 months there.

Travel Arrangements

Alternative Destinations in Greece
Flight to Greece
Hotels in Greece
Transfers in Greece
Cruises in Greece
Car Rentals in Greece

Original article appeared in myhellas.com

Greece can satisfy even the most demanding of its visitors. It has beautiful scenery and great man made establishments, it has sea but also mountains, it has archaeological sites and night clubs as well, it has crowded areas but it also has nice and quite places. The best of all is that all these are not far away from each other. I don’t think its an overstatement to say that Greece is a traveler’s paradise.

Where can you find such places.

If you want to find fancy restaurants and Hotels and all the comforts a man can get those are the services every known place has and they are actually difficult to miss. Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, Samos are among the most visited destinations in Greece. If you need luxurious accommodations, fancy restaurants, loud music, packed cafes, lots of visitors you can find them here.

Places that are not crowded but still have lot to offer are more difficult to find. There are less services and less money to be gained from visitors and therefore are not heavily promoted. If you are looking for those places don’t ask at your local travel agent. Don’t arrange a Cruise hoping to find them. The are usually very close to the crowded centers but not much is mentioned of them.

Lots of smaller islands that are not heavily advertised, and island satellites to famous ones usually fall under this category and would be ideal places for people that want to explore the alternative Greece. For the sake of the discussion I am going to mention Gaudos, Paxoi, Fournoi, Sifnos, Ikaria, Chios but this is not extensive by any means. These places are usually recommended from people that have already gone there. If you have not had such recommendations then I would advise you to prepare your trip to the most favorable location leaving some room in your schedule for visiting places that the locals will undoubtedly suggest. An inquiry to a local Greek travel agent or a Greek Habitant might reveal some hidden treasures around the area. Keeping in mind the pros and cons presented right after, one can easily recognize such places.

With quiet destinations you avoid the mass tourism and the noise and you enjoy more the nature and the hospitality of people simple and not caught up at the great rush of our times. Nature is purer and the food is fresher and atmosphere is unspoiled and healthier. The prices are cheaper too. One great disadvantage is that such places don’t have many means of transportation to and from them and not to many comforts should be expected when looking for accommodation. Some of them don’t even have air connectivity with mainland Greece. They might have boat or bus connection 3-7 times a week from the near by Town.

Travel off high season

Greeks usually take their summer vacation around the 15th of August that is the biggest festivity in the Orthodox Christian world, commemorating the Assumption of Theotokos (Mary the mother of Jesus). Around these days everything gets very busy with boats running full and extra flights being added and all types of accommodation running at full capacity. These period makes for some very tiresome vacation and I would definitely avoid it if I had the choice. Planning either before or after August is probably the smartest thing one can do when traveling to Greece. You do avoid the headaches and prices are a whole lot different.

Almost all destinations in Greece are connected through Athens, so this gives an opportunity to the traveler to explore the Athenian lifestyle and Acropolis if he/she so chooses. Some alternative routes include Italy which has daily direct boat connections to the Ionian islands and Turkey which has daily boat connectivity to the nearby islands of the Aegean.

Arranging your car rental before hand

Small places usually luck the public transportation of the big and famous cities. Buses usually run not very frequently and planning your excursions around them usually is not an easy chore. The more crowded places will probably have cars booked fully for the high season times. So if you are planning on using a car arranging it ahead of time is always good choice.

Alternative accommodations for rent

If you are not interested in the standard services of a hotel (food, everyday cleaning/towels/sheets pools and restaurants) you can rent villas or homes at cheaper prices. Usually the such places provide a high level of service compared to what you pay for them. Plenty of non Hotel accommodations are spread at all possible places and the go by the names of “studios” “apartments” “homes” “rooms to let” “homes”. Some times its even possible to rent such places a monthly rental fee, provided you will stay for at least 1 1/2 months there.