Holidays In Greece

Exploring Corinth – Both Ancient and New

2011-02-08T07:56:00.001-08:00

You may have heard of Corinth. You may in fact remember it from your history books if your memory is good. But Corinth today is very different from its counterpart back in ancient times.

Ancient Corinth is sadly no longer there to be seen. An earthquake struck it and reduced it to rubble many years ago. This was the main reason why the new settlement as we know it today was created. The earthquake struck during the mid 1800s and while the city was rebuilt it was then known as New Corinth. The old one had disappeared forever.

In a sense then, visiting Corinth provides you with a wonderful opportunity to see both old and new. You will be able to see the ruins of certain major landmarks of the old city, before moving on to see the new settlement that was built close by. The ancient ruins contain what is left of the Temple of Apollo. Many of the pillars of the structure are actually still standing, some with the cross pieces sitting atop them. Sadly though, most of the structure is gone, as it was reduced to rubble which still lies beneath the sturdier columns today.

Most people would say it is worth seeing the modern Corinth too, but the ancient version definitely has more to offer in the way of dynamic surroundings. Perhaps the new version has not yet had enough time to really bed down and settle in, although a century and a half is a long time. However compared with the length of time that Ancient Corinth was standing, you can see how young the new settlement really is.

While you are in Corinth you should look out for the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth. There is plenty here to teach you more about the region and how it used to be. Everything you would hope to find from ancient times is in the museum, making it well worth a visit. It will help you to understand how different Ancient Corinth was from the place you would visit today.

The Mainland or the Islands?

2011-01-10T07:03:00.001-08:00

Whenever you think about visiting Greece you have one main decision to make before you do anything else. Will you visit the mainland and explore all that it has to offer, or will you opt for one or more of the islands instead?

Typically many people head for the likes of Crete, Rhodes and other beauties sitting out in the Aegean Sea. But the mainland has its own character and slew of places that are worth visiting. If you have the luxury of a two week break to look forward to, you may want to consider spending a week of it on an island and the other week in mainland Greece. This would mean you can successfully enjoy the best of both worlds.

Of course there is Athens to look forward to; indeed if you are flying out to one of the smaller islands you may find you have to fly to Athens before catching another flight out again. This would give you the perfect opportunity to explore this most famous of cities. Thessaloniki is another city you may be familiar with on the mainland; Larissa is another location worth looking at.

Most people are familiar with the bigger islands in Greece, but wherever you go you have to consider whether the mainland or the islands would prove to give you a better holiday. Obviously if you are going to visit a city you are not going to see too much in the way of beaches or the sea. This could give you something to think about and it might persuade you to limit a mainland trip to just a couple of days, before heading out to an island to indulge in the best of the beaches.

The point is that you should give careful consideration to the idea of where you want to go and what kind of holiday you want to have – before you book anything. The idea of a two centre holiday in Greece and its islands may not have occurred to you before, but it could be just the ticket if you are looking for this summer.

Mytilini On The Island Of Lesvos

2010-12-09T06:05:00.001-08:00

When you decide to have a holiday in Greece, you have two main choices. You can either go for the mainland or choose one of the delightful islands that are dotted around it.

One of these is Lesvos, and it has plenty to recommend it – not least the city of Mytilini. This is one of the main locations on the island and anyone flying there for a holiday will land at Mytilini Airport. Also known as Mytilene, it is worth spending a day or so in the area before you head off to other parts of Lesvos to enjoy your holiday there.

For starters Mytilene is an ancient location, a city pre-dating modern times by some considerable margin. The city has been the main capital of the island ever since the seventh century, so you can see it has a depth of history that is quite prevalent in Greece. Methymna was the other location that fought in a head to head battle – metaphorically speaking – with Mytilene to become known as the main city on the island. But clearly the latter won, and is still an important location there today.

One thing that is very noticeable in Mytilene is the number of students there. It is a popular area today and it is hard sometimes to look back and see just how long Mytilene’s history actually is. Even Aristotle lived in the area for a short while around the year 337BC, so you can see that it has an association with famous names from history as well.

Other names including Sappho, the famous poet, are also associated with the city, but perhaps the most important and fascinating thing of all is how it has developed throughout time. Given enough time to explore the city in more detail, you can learn a lot about how Mytilene has changed over time. It still remains as the capital of Lesvos though, and it welcomes many tourists to the island throughout the year. With the airport very close to the main city itself, you can get a bird’s eye view of it as you come in to land in Lesvos.

Visiting the Island of Delos

2010-11-10T05:40:00.000-08:00

Greece is composed of two parts – the mainland and the islands. One of these islands is probably unknown to you, but plenty of others have already discovered it, much to their delight.

We’re talking about Delos, an island that isn’t too far away from Mykonos – the island made famous by “Shirley Valentine”. As with much of Greece and its islands, Delos has been inhabited for a very long time. We can trace its history back to the 3rd Millennium BC, thanks to the discovery of stone huts on the island.

Delos itself is actually uninhabited but you can catch a boat to the island from Mykonos and it is well worth the trip. The island is known for its archaeological past. Not only are the stone huts on the island but you will also find temples and many other structures worth looking at. Some have called Delos a huge open air museum and there is really no better description of the island than this.

It is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as such you cannot stay here overnight. A night spent on the island would no doubt make you feel as if you were living in ancient times, but in fact this is impossible to do. The island is cleared of those visiting it at the end of the day, encouraging you to explore the lively possibilities of the Mykonos nightlife scene instead.

The Sanctuary of Apollo is one of the biggest sights on the island of Delos. Apollo, the Greek God, was apparently born here according to the myth, so it is reasonable that you would see links to the god on the island. But there is more to see as well so make sure you go with decent walking shoes and plenty of provisions. You will want to make the most of the day you spend there before catching a boat back to Mykonos again.

Delos may not receive the attention it deserves purely because you cannot stay on this uninhabited island. But as you can see it is well worth a closer look.

Parnitha National Park In Athens

2010-10-11T07:18:00.001-07:00

If you think of a site in Greece that has lots to show you, Athens is probably going to be one of the first places that come to mind. However it isn’t just about ancient ruins and so on; there are other places to see here as well.

Take the Parnitha National Park for example. You will find this in Athens although at present it is a shadow of its former self. This is due to the fact that a fire raged through the park in 2007, and consequently the area is still trying to recover.

The area itself is actually situated on a mountain, and the area is also protected to try and assist various forms of wildlife to flourish in the area. The park will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2011, and although it will not be back to how it looked before the fire, it will still be better than it was in 2007.

One of the best reasons for visiting the park is to take advantage of the hiking trails there. If you want a different kind of Greek holiday this is the very kind you might appreciate. Strap on your walking boots and see for yourself how the landscape is fighting back after the fire. It may not be as lush as it was beforehand, but it still looks quite amazing and also gives you the same spectacular views as it always has.

Be respectful of the Parnitha National Park as well; there are countless different animals and birds here and you can never tell when you might come across them. Remember that you are venturing into their territory and even though the fire may have reduced the dynamic scenery somewhat, you are still getting the chance to walk through an amazing park.

Parnitha may not be the first place you will hear about when you talk to people about Athens and what there is to go and see there. But don’t be fooled – it is well worth a visit, especially if you want to see a different side to Athens.

Good Reasons To Explore Delphi

2010-09-10T03:15:00.001-07:00

When a world location is named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site you know there will be plenty there to explore. This can be said of Delphi because it has earned that status quite easily indeed.

Most people have heard of Delphi but many tourists make a beeline for the Acropolis instead. This is definitely worth seeing of course but Delphi should not be ignored by anyone visiting mainland Greece. You will see ruins here that date back to ancient Greek times and this is the main attraction worth seeing.

One of the main sights is the theatre and amazingly enough this dates back to the 4th century. It is quite an experience to stand and appreciate the ruins at Delphi; you can imagine what happened here all those centuries ago and marvel at what still remains from those times. Even though these are largely ruins and not complete structures, there is still a lot to see and explore here. This is why so many people make the effort to visit Delphi to see into Greece’s past.

Unusually the site was eventually taken over by a village called Kastri. It was not until an earthquake damaged the village beyond repair that it was moved elsewhere and excavations began on the ancient site of Delphi. Although it must have been difficult for villagers at the time, we can thank them for relocating because it led to the ancient site being rediscovered.

While you are in Delphi to explore the major sights and remains, make sure you don’t miss out on a visit to the Archaeological Museum as well. Here you can learn more about Delphi and see some of the discoveries that were unearthed when ancient Delphi was found once more. It is the perfect companion to a day at the site, and it will reveal more about the site and its history.

But simply any visit to mainland Greece would be incomplete if you didn’t make the effort to explore Delphi for yourself. You will discover another side of Greece that not all holidaymakers get to see.

Treasures Suspended In The Air

2010-08-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

Suspended in the air – this is the literal translation of the location of Meteora in Greece, which is perhaps one of the most stunning locations you could ever hope to visit in the country.

And let’s be honest, Greece is certainly packed out with various different delights and sights to see while you are there. The area is home to a number of monasteries and when you consider the Meteora can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, you’ll see just how important it is.

But how can we describe this amazing area? Well, perhaps the easiest way to do so would be to describe each monastery as standing atop a rock peak. These peaks were created over the centuries as the natural process of erosion took place. They almost look like a series of fingers pointing up into the air, with several of them playing host to a monastery as well.

Needless to say the area is something of a Mecca for those who love to hike and to walk. The views from atop the peaks are sensational, and it provides more than just something to do on a day out. Reaching the monasteries at the top is an experience in itself. Make sure you are prepared for this journey.

Hermits used to live in the area, choosing it because of the difficulty that anyone else had in reaching the peaks themselves. No doubt they also enjoyed the views and the air of contemplation that can overtake the most hardened of people.

The peaks have outlived many people too – in fact they are some sixty million years old all told. And who is to say they will not still be there in another sixty million years?

As you might expect from an area that has such stunning views, Meteora tends to be on the busy side the further into the day you go. It’s well worth planning ahead and getting up early while you are on holiday so you can get there nice and early. This is especially true if you want to see the monasteries themselves.

Should You Give Santorini A Try?

2010-07-13T07:19:00.001-07:00

Plenty of other holidaymakers who have already tried this Greek island would give a hearty ‘Yes!’ as the answer to that particular question. You might also see it called Thera, but whatever you call it you’ll love everything you find out about it.

And it has quite a history, too. When you set foot on the island you are setting foot on the remains of a huge volcanic explosion that took place many years ago. Yes, this is a volcano, albeit a dormant one and one which has created the rather unusual island setting you will see before you today. It has been some fifty or so years since the last eruption was known here.

So what does it look like? Well try thinking of a square with one side removed for starters. The removed side is taken up by a small island by the name of Therasia. The other three sides consist of cliffs, affording spectacular views around the whole of Santorini. On one side you have the Aegean Sea and on the other – looking inwards – you have a lagoon. As you can see, this is certainly one of the most unusual Greek islands you will find off the mainland of Greece itself.

The lagoon is where the caldera, or volcanic crater, is located. So this truly does have a volcanic look and feel to it. And while the island was created of disaster and a cataclysmic event, it would not be as beautiful and stunning as it is today if that volcanic eruption had not taken place all those years ago.

There is plenty to do when you opt to spend your holiday on the island of Santorini. There are plenty of places to stay in and several key beaches including the Red Beach and Perissa Beach. There are some charming villages on Santorini too, including the capital of Fira. It has just over 1,500 permanent inhabitants, which tells you something about how small this island is.

So if you want to see another side of Greece – one that was borne of a destructive volcano - you can do little better than to try Santorini for size.

Experience The Delights Of Lesvos

2010-06-11T04:16:00.001-07:00

Mainland Greece has its own delights to offer you. The Greek islands are just as worthy of a visit too, but you don’t have to visit the most commonly known ones to see a slice of the real Greece.

One of the best of the lot is arguably Lesvos. This island has a vibrant gay scene but that shouldn’t put you off visiting it. In truth this is one of the few parts of Greece and the Greek islands that have not been completely taken over by the tourist industry. Wherever you end up staying you will probably find a nice selection of restaurants and bars to frequent, and you will always feel perfectly at home here.

There are some notable areas to visit on Lesvos as well. For example your first port of call on the island – by boat or landing in a small plane – is Mytilini. This is worth a day or two of exploration on its own, since it is a bustling and vibrant place that introduces you to this wonderful island.

If you want to visit a place geared up more for tourists you should head for Molyvos. This is really the best location on the island that caters for your every need. The only downside is that it can get very noisy during the summer.

Skala Eressos is another good place to go if you love having dinner by the sea. The beach is lined with a good number of delightful restaurants serving all kinds of authentic Greek dishes and much more besides. There is arguably nothing better than sitting here and watching the magnificent sunset as you sit back and enjoy your meal.

If you do nothing else while in Skala Eressos you should definitely go and visit the outdoor cinema. Sitting outside and watching a famous film with Greek subtitles is quite an experience, and definitely the most interesting way of watching a film you will ever see.

You can also visit Sigri, Petra, Xidera and many other destinations in Lesvos. And the chances are good that you will be entranced by every single one of them.

The Acropolis Of Athens

2010-05-13T04:07:00.001-07:00

There cannot be many cities that have the touch of the ancient world about them in quite the same way that Athens does. It has countless ancient buildings and structures that are worth seeing, and one of the main ones is the Acropolis of Athens.

No matter what kind of Top Ten lists you read, you should find the Acropolis on every single one of them. The word acropolis comes from the ancient Greek language, where akros meant edge and the word polis stood for city. Hence the acropolis stands at the edge of the city of Athens.

The word acropolis is far from being unique to Athens, but this particular example is so famous that many people refer to it as ‘the Acropolis’, and we all know that it is the one in Athens they are referring to. Not surprisingly, given its history and age, the Acropolis has been granted World Heritage Site status. Can you really imagine it not being included on such an important list of the world’s most notable and revered sites?

The Acropolis itself actually consists of many individual and very different structures. While some believe the Acropolis is a single entity, nothing could be further from the truth. One of the most famous parts of the Acropolis is the Parthenon, an ancient structure with majestic pillars rising into the sky that dates from around 447BC.

Alongside the Parthenon you will find many other temples, altars, statues and other delights of the ancient world that tourists flock to see on a regular basis. The Old Temple of Athena can be found here for example, although all that remains now are the ruins of what once was. You can still use your imagination to see how the building would once have looked though. In fact imagination is a good thing to bring to the Acropolis, as you can picture what it must have been like all those centuries ago when people used the various structures in their daily lives.

How can you possibly visit Athens and not take a trip up to the Acropolis to see all it has to show you?

Visiting Mycenae

2010-04-13T01:01:00.000-07:00

Greece is quite unique in many ways. It is probably one of the few countries in the world where you can pay a visit to certain areas and feel as if you are living several centuries earlier than you actually are. There are so many ruins and leftovers from ancient Greek times that you can easily imagine the Greek Gods taking charge over everything.

Mycenae is one such area in Greece that is likely to make you feel like this. Perseus was allegedly the founder of this place, and it is easy to believe this when you visit. Towards the end of the Bronze Age Mycenae was a powerful place, and hundreds of years on from those times Mycenae is still revered as a place where countless myths and legends stem from.

Not surprisingly the area is both an archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Various parts of Mycenae have been excavated over the last 150 years or so, revealing much of what you can visit today. One of the key sights in the region is the Lion Gates. These are the gates through which you will pass to see the acropolis. Many bodies have been found over the years, buried in the acropolis along with many different treasures.

The huge blocks which make up the Lion Gates make the whole structure quite breathtaking. It is known as one of the oldest structures of its type in the whole of Europe. You can walk underneath the gates just as many ancient Greeks would have done, and many people attest to getting goosebumps as they do so, as they think of all the ancient people who must have done the same thing.

You can also pay a visit to the Tomb of Agamemnon while you are in Mycenae. The whole place exudes a power that goes far beyond looking at some ancient ruins. You cannot fail to be captivated and awakened by such a sight, and it is well worth spending a few hours here to immerse yourself in one of the most notable sights of ancient Greece that still exists.

Visit Cape Sounion And The Temple Of Poseidon

2010-03-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone has heard of Poseidon. He was the God of the sea, and he is one of the most famous and best known of the Greek Gods. If you happen to be in Greece at any point in the future and you are near Athens, you should definitely make the trip out to Cape Sounion so that you can see the remains of a temple that was once dedicated to him.

Cape Sounion is very different from Athens as a whole. In order to see the Temple of Poseidon you need to travel out over forty miles away from the city. As the name might suggest, Cape Sounion is the furthest you can get out to the edge of the land before falling into the sea. And it is at this furthest point that you will find the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon.

The site is indeed little more than a ruin today, although there is enough left to give you a good idea of how it must once have looked. Nine pillars rise up majestically along one side, with only six on the other. The huge slabs which are laid across the top, joining one pillar to the one next to it still remain, although they are somewhat weathered. Perhaps it is no surprise, since the temple has been standing since halfway through the 5th century BC.

Even though we can only imagine what the entire Temple of Poseidon must have looked like, it is wonderful to see what remains of it today. Its position on the very edge of the land mass gives it a quiet dramatic feel that is quite something to see for yourself.

It also sits on the highest point of land in the area, making it a spectacle of the highest order and something you will be able to see long before you actually reach it by road. This temple - or what remains of it – may only remain in part, but it still offers you one of the most stunning sights in all of Greece. And it is still a wonderful tribute to an ancient Greek God.

Immerse Yourself In The History Of Olympia

2010-02-10T02:34:00.001-08:00

The modern Olympic Games are a far cry from how they used to be. And if you go to Greece on holiday you will have the chance to visit the site of the ancient games. As you might expect they took place in Olympia, which is located on the western side of Greece itself.

776BC is an age ago in terms of our concept of time; indeed it is hard to imagine what those original games must have been like. The Greeks who took part in those games would be amazed how much they have changed and been taken on by the whole world. Back in those early days the Olympic Games were mainly for people who came from all over Greece to compete, although some from other countries also attended. But back then, as is now, they took place every four years – and the space of four years was deemed to be an Olympiad.

Today you can go back and visit the area where these ancient games took place. Unlike today the games back then were fairly short in nature. They lasted for just five days and even those days were not exactly packed with sport. The Temple of Zeus was used to congratulate the winners on the final day, and much celebrating was done – just like it is today.

While the original Olympics were stopped due to an earthquake, you can still visit Olympia today and see signs of what used to be. The ruins of various temples – including the Temple of Hera – are there to view, and you can walk around the area that once was the place for the running track. It is all quite different to the modern games of today, but it provides a fascinating look back into history as well.

Over recent years the site has been excavated and many items have been found which date back to ancient times. The main excavations began back in 1875, and they have been responsible for giving us many of the exhibits to be found on the site today. So step back in history and imagine how the Olympic Games used to be.

Marvellous Mykonos

2010-01-12T00:19:00.001-08:00

Do you remember the hugely successful film “Shirley Valentine”? It may be twenty years or more since it was shown at the cinema, but few who saw it have forgotten the amazing Greek landscape it showed off to perfection.

The source of that scenery is Mykonos, a Greek island that draws many people to it every single year. Regardless of whether you are a fan of the film or not, you cannot fail to be impressed by the island itself. It has plenty to offer and remains one of the most popular Greek islands you can visit.

So what can you expect when you get there? Well for starters you can see some of the locations used in the filming of “Shirley Valentine” itself. Make sure you see Agios Ioannis, which is where the film was made. You will probably spot some of the locations there, in particular the lovely beach that awaits you. Why head anywhere else when you have a paradise like this to explore? You will see why Shirley herself wanted to stay so much!

Don’t miss Little Venice either. This is in Mykonos Town itself, and it offers a small taste of Venice in the Greek islands. You will also find many different shops here that are perfect if you are looking for some souvenirs to take home. You might even spot one of the famous residents of Mykonos – the pelicans that can be seen wandering around town.

One of the best things about Mykonos is the fact that you can enjoy all kinds of activities. If you want to experience some nightlife you can do that, whereas if a quiet meal in a nice restaurant is your idea of whiling away the evening you’ll find it is quite easy to do as well. And of course you have your pick of the beaches in Mykonos during the day – some of which are quieter than others.

In short, Mykonos really is marvellous for anyone wanting to enjoy a classic Greek island holiday. This is one occasion where the island in question really does live up to the hype.

Sights Of Ancient Greece In Athens

2009-11-06T01:55:00.001-08:00

You can’t fail to be entranced by Athens. Ancient Greek mythology and reality are stamped into the scenery wherever you go, but of course there are some main sights you won’t want to miss.

The Parthenon is one of the main places to go to. It dates from the mid 400s BC, so you can see how much history it has weathered and stood through. It is also known as the Temple of Athena, and while some of it has understandably been weathered and ruined over the centuries, it still stands in remarkably good condition considering how old it is.

But don’t spend too much time there because you’ll want to see the Acropolis of Athens as well. You can see this from a fair distance away, because it stands on top of a rock – and in fact the Parthenon forms one part of the Acropolis. There is plenty more here too though, which is why the two are usually spoken of as separate places to see and go. You’ll need most of the day to explore the site, as there are several temples, the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus, statues and much more besides. And you won’t want to miss anything out!

If you want to see a Greek temple that is even better preserved than the Acropolis, you need to head for the Temple of Hephaestus. This is really a stunning sight and if you view it from the eastern side you will notice that it looks pretty much intact. All that is missing is some of the right hand side of the triangular section which stands above the pillars. You could almost believe you were back in ancient Greek times, such is the impressive state of this particular ancient structure.

There is plenty more to discover in the way of ancient monuments, structures and temples in Athens as well. When you arrive make sure you grab a tourist map and mark all the places that are worth seeing. There aren’t many locations in the world that have this degree of ancient structures, and Athens definitely offers a huge insight into another world altogether.

Greek tourism goes ‘green’

2007-11-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

Greece is keen on implementing tourism measures that would be environmentally- friendly.

Greece’s Ministry of Tourism officially announced a new initiative promoting the country’s “Green tourism,” as part of a national strategic plan for tourism development over the next years.

This development comes two months after the catastrophic fires that afflicted regions all over the country, especially the western Peloponnese and the area near Ancient Olympia.

Greek Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos, who spoke at the recently-held 23rd International Tourism Exhibition Philoxenia, said that the country’s tourism ministry will devise a pilot program for tourism development for the whole country based on protection of the environment. According to him, environmentally-friendly tourist facilities and infrastructures will be developed.

The pilot program exploring the potential of such an effort will start with the Tourism Development Company (ETA) facilities in northern Greece, putting the tourism state property to good use.

Under the “green plan,” eco-campings, eco-marinas, mountain-hiking and walking tours, to name just a few, will be created, while holistic forms of tourism that are compatible with the environment (such us tourism villages and environmental friendly tourist accommodations), more effective waste management and a widespread use of alternative energy sources for use by tourist will be promoted.

According to Mr. Spiliotopoulos, “whatever the blend of tourist policy is, the ultimate success lies in two indispensable ingredients--the natural and cultural environment.”

In addition to adopting green tourism measure, the country’s new tourism model is being aimed directly at prioritizing Greece’s new key position as a preferred tourist destination, with quality being a top priority as well as advertising and promotion (including a digital technology strategy targeting tourism), and investments and business ventures.

Meanwhile, this year’s edition of the Philoxenia meet saw 803 exhibitors, with 690 of the total number being Greek and 113 from 30 countries such as Bulgaria, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Maldives, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan.

For more information click here

Sea Tourism

2007-07-16T03:10:00.000-07:00

The wealth and diversity of the Greek seas, the endless kilometres of the Greek coasts and the thousands of Greek islands, the protected sea areas covering thousands of square kilometres, the mild climate, the high percentage of sunshine and its interesting and varying landscape make Greece the ideal destination for the development of sea tourism activities.

This advantage is strengthened both by thousands of years of marine tradition and by conditions favourable for sea travelling: the Greek seas are considered safe, distances between coasts are small, while conditions related to wind strength, ambient and sea temperatures are equally favourable.

In Greece sea tourism started in the ‘60s and since then has been developing at a fast pace, especially in recent years. Cruise ships under Greek flag organising short or longer cruises to Greek ports and ports of other countries of the Eastern Mediterranean amount to more than 160,000 GRT units and have a total capacity of over 10,000 passengers. Greek ports, however, are also visited by cruise ships under foreign flags, which annually bring more than 500,000 passengers into the country by sea.

Greek Police Begin Security Operation for Athens Final

2007-05-22T03:22:00.000-07:00

21 May 2007

More than 7,500 police officers and thousands more security personnel on Monday started taking positions in and around the capital ahead of Wednesday's Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool.

With about 50,000 English and Italian fans expected in Athens, many of them without tickets, police are bracing for three days of potential clashes.

"It is not only the 7,500 officers who will patrol the city. Every single employee of the police force is on full alert until after Wednesday," a police official told.

Greece has activated a part of its successful Athens 2004 Olympics security plan, including cameras, helicopters and three security perimetres as well as limited vehicle access to the area around the Olympic stadium.

"We feel the need to show again that we as a society and as police are worthy hosts," Public Order Minister Byron Polidoras said following a security meeting on Sunday.

Polidoras and his senior officers have done their homework in the run-up to the final, liaising with British and Italian police for information regarding known trouble-makers but their main source of concern is potential demonstrations by their own officers on the day of the final.

Police unions seeking pay hikes and improved working conditions have pledged not to go on strike on Wednesday so as not to disrupt the match but have confirmed they will stage a demonstration on the day.

They have planned a rally in Athens some three hours before the start of the final.

"These actions by the unions for the day of the final are wrong. They must not take place," Polidoras said. "They could stain this major sports event and embarrass the nation."

Authorities have said they expect a total of about 35,000 Liverpool and AC Milan fans with tickets and at least another 15,000 who will travel to Greece without a match ticket.

Athens international airport has said Italian and English fans will not meet upon arrival and will be guided to the airport exits from separate routes.

"These fans will not meet at the airport. Our plan is for them not to meet throughout their stay in Athens," the police official said.

It is the second time in three seasons that Liverpool and Milan have played each other in the Champions League final following their first meeting in Istanbul in 2005 which passed without any major crowd trouble.

2006 a 'very good year' for Greek tourism

2007-02-01T03:39:00.000-08:00

Preliminary figures show that nearly 16 million tourists visited Greece in 2006, a 10 percent increase from the previous year, the tourism minister said on January 23.

The tourists spent an estimated 12bn euros ($15.7bn) last year, also an increase of 10 percent from 2005, Fani Pali Petralia said. Official figures on tourism for 2006 have not yet been released.

"Tourism is a blood donor for the Greek economy, contributing 1bn ($1.3 bn) to the national economy every month... 2006 was a very good year," Petralia said after meeting Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

The government plans to spend more than 40m euros ($52m) on its advertising campaign to promote Greece as a holiday destination - with international television ads taking up most of the cost.

"There was an increase in the order of 10 percent in tourist arrivals, close to 16 million visitors. That generated a 10 percent increase in currency revenue, equivalent to 12bn euros," Petralia said.

Government officials say private and public infrastructure improvements for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens have helped attract more visitors, as well as a general regard by travellers of Greece as a safe destination.

Charm School for Taxi Drivers, as Greek Tourism Seeks More Polite Image

2006-12-11T03:41:00.000-08:00

Greece's Tourism Ministry announced plans Monday to spend €1.8 million ($2.4 million) to teach taxi drivers better manners, as part of a campaign to improve services in the country's vital tourism industry.

Taxi drivers' behaviour has been cited in consumer surveys as a source of irritation to tourists visiting Athens.

'A key pillar of support to develop the industry is the quality of services and level of tourism awareness shown by professionals,' Tourism Minister Fani Pali-Petralia said.

She said about 5,000 taxi drivers would be eligible for the program, which is due to start next year. She gave no details of what the classes would involve.