Anemos Luxury Grand Resort with 4 TUI Awards

TUI company, one of the biggest tourism organizations in the world, honored Anemos Luxury Grand Resort in Chania with 4 TUI Awards: the TUI Holly 2019 Award, the TUI Top Quality 2019 Award, the Family Champion 2019 Award and the TUI Environmental Champion 2019 Award.

The TUI Holly is the highest accolade that can be accorded a TUI Hotel. It stands for everything that makes a TUI holiday perfect: Great attention to detail, superb service and outstanding cuisine. The hotel’s guests are the jury. The TUI Holly is the premium prize for the 100 most popular TUI hotels worldwide.

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Portfolio expansion for Exceptional Villas

LEADING luxury villa rental provider, Exceptional Villas announced today that they have further expanded their portfolio across many new markets in #Europe for the 2019 season. The company which are also considered to be one of the most trusted #villas rental companies in the world have added luxury vacation rentals in Ibiza, Mallorca, Italy, Greece and the Greek Islands, France and Italy.

#Italy is the company's most popular European destination. The country has some of the world's most beautiful cities such as Florence, Venice, Rome, Sienna and Milan as well as the beautiful hilltop villages of Tuscany, gorgeous vineyards, the majestic Italian Alps, Italian Islands such as Capri and the stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast.

It is a country that has something for everyone with properties to suit all tastes and all budgets too. Exceptional Villas expects to see a large increase in visitors travelling to Italy this year, especially from its US clientele.

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Heading for some winter sun

WITH the winter chill predicted to last four months in the U.K. Brits will be heading abroad for some winter sun in their droves. Research conducted by beach holiday specialist On the Beach has revealed Spain as the most popular winter sun destination this year, with the Canary Islands and resorts across the mainland attracting more Brits than any other destination in Europe, with Turkey firmly back in the Top 5 winter sun destinations.

Top 10 most popular winter sun destinations:

1.   Canary Islands
2.   Mainland Spain
3.   Balearic Islands
4.   Turkey
5.   Algarve (Portugal)
6.   Greece
7.   Malta
8.   Morocco
9.   Egypt
10. Cyprus

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Slovakia lights up the sky

AT the Rostec International Fireworks Festival in Moscow, Slovakia was the  winner of the festival which is one of the world's greatest events related to fireworks. Second place went to Greece, and the USA took third place. All three teams took part in the festival in Moscow for the first time. 

The Rostec International Fireworks Festival was held for the fourth time this year and teams from Austria, Andorra, Bulgaria, Italy, the UK, Greece, Slovakia and the USA took part in it.

The teams presented programs consisting of two parts: fireworks in the colors of a national flag with national music, which was a participant's presentation; there was also a free program on the theme of goodness and magic.  A world-class jury monitored the technical aspect of the performances including eminent pyrotechnicians from the USA, Romania, Portugal, Canada and Spain.



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Did you know . . .

THIS summer, wildfires have burned out of control in California and Greece. Leading travel insurance comparison website, Squaremouth, says whether your home or travel destination is in the fire's path, travel insurance may be able to help. But before buying a policy, here are 3 things travelers don't know about coverage for wildfires, but should.

1. Cause of the fire determines coverage - Most Trip Cancellation-style travel insurance policies will reimburse you if a natural disaster, such as a wildfire, prevents you from taking your trip as planned. However, travelers may not be aware that the original cause of the fire can dictate if this coverage is available.

In general, travel insurance policies consider a "natural disaster" something that occurred "due to natural causes". Meaning, if arson or other human error is to blame, the event may not be considered a "natural disaster", and coverage may not be available at all.

2. Cutoff date for getting coverage can be complicated - In order to have travel insurance coverage for any event, a policy must be purchased before the event occurs. Unfortunately for natural disasters like wildfires, and other events under investigation, it can be difficult to pinpoint the date it first occurred. As a general rule, travelers should remember that by the time an event is in the news and commonly known, it is too late to buy a travel insurance policy for any coverage related to that event.

3. Coverage available if home is in danger - Most travelers associate travel insurance coverage with a problem at their destination, however most don't know coverage can be available if your home is affected. Most Trip Cancellation-style policies cover travelers whose residence becomes uninhabitable or inaccessible by a natural disaster, such as a wildfire. This benefit covers the cost for the traveler to cancel their trip, or return home early, as well as any unused expenses due to the early return.


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ABTA advises think twice

ABTA – The Travel Association is strongly advising holidaymakers and other travellers to think twice before hiring mopeds whilst overseas, and to only ride quad bikes as part of an organised excursion.  Every year many people have dangerous accidents while on holiday after driving quad bikes on the road and hiring mopeds – causing serious injuries and some accidents have been fatal.

ABTA Members reported 36 quad bike accidents and seven moped accidents in 2017. So far in 2018, seven people have been involved in quad bike accidents on the road. These figures represent just those cases reported by ABTA Members – and ABTA believes the total number of accidents to be much higher.

New figures from ABTA reveal as many as 4.5 million Britons have hired a moped or quad bike whilst overseas – the equivalent of one in ten British holidaymakers. Younger adults are most likely to put themselves at risk - one in seven (16%) British 18-24 year olds who have taken an overseas holiday in the last 12 months said they had hired either a quad bike or a moped.

In recent years, quad bikes have become increasingly popular, particularly in places like Greece, Cape Verde & Turkey. Hiring mopeds has also become common among British travellers in countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. Whether in Europe or further afield, these vehicles give little protection in an accident, and riders are particularly vulnerable on the open roads.

ABTA is advising anyone travelling abroad that there are always safer alternatives to hiring mopeds and quad bikes, including hiring a car, taking a taxi or using public transport, and to only ride quad bikes as part of an organised excursion. It is also reminding holidaymakers of the limitations and exclusions of standard travel insurance policies – many of which will not cover accidents from quad bikes and mopeds, leaving seriously injured holidaymakers facing unaffordable medical bills.


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Lufthansa offers six new destinations from Frankfurt and Munich

IF you want to escape the foul weather in autumn and winter, you can now book additional and attractive winter destinations with Lufthansa. Because Europe’s leading airline is expanding its offers from Frankfurt and Munich to include six new tourist destinations. 

Lufthansa now flies from Frankfurt and Munich to Eilat (Ovda), the attractive holiday resort on the Red Sea in the south of Israel. 

Starting this winter, Lufthansa will fly to Agadir (Morocco) located on the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco, in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas mountains. The capital of the province of Agadir Ida-Ou Tanane is a popular holiday destination featuring golf courses and endless beaches. 

Trieste (Italy), the capital of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the north-east of Italy, is considered one of the literary capitals of Europe, and its many ethnic and religious groups have earned it the moniker of ‘early New York’. 

From winter 2018, Lufthansa once again offers flights to Thessaloniki (Greece) from Frankfurt. The town is the ideal starting point for hikes and explorations of the north of Greece, and it is the transit airport for onward travel to Chalkidiki in the south east. 

Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is the new European destination from Munich. From December 2018, Lufthansa will fly to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh not only has an interesting old town, it is also the perfect starting point for visiting the Highlands. 

Munich is also the starting point for another new destination, Tromsø (Norway). The city is an important cultural centre north of the Arctic Circle and is regarded as an ideal starting point for experiencing the Northern Lights.
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Greece second in the world for blue flag awards

FOR a second consecutive year, Anemos Luxury Grand Resort beach has been accredited with the “BLUE FLAG”, a symbol of excellence awarded when high standards of water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety are achieved. Anemos Luxury Grand Resort is a unique luxury resort and Spa in the magnificent location of Georgioupolis, Chania, on the island of #Crete.

More than 45 countries around the globe have joined the Blue Flag programme. Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature is the national operator of the programme in #Greece. In 2018, Greece ranked on the second place in the world, with 519 Greek beaches, 15 marinas and 1 sustainable tourism boat receiving the Blue Flag award.

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TUI's 'greenest' resort

CRETA MARIS Beach Resort has emerged as a top-quality but also as one of the “greenest” resorts, by receiving two great distinctions, the “Tui Umwelt Champion 2018” and “Tui Top Quality 2018” awards, from the world’s leading tourism group TUI.

With particularly strict criteria, the "Tui Umwelt Champion" award received by Creta Maris Beach Resort is one of the most important distinctions awarded by TUI, as the rating is given by the visitors themselves to those hotels that take actions to protect the environment and implement a sustainability program.

The second distinction "TUI Top Quality" rewards the overall holidays’ experience enjoyed by the guests while staying at the hotel. The guests of the resort, distinguished Creta Maris for the provision of high quality services.

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Drawn to Italy

CALLED a “pastel-hued perfection” by Lonely Planet, Cinque Terre is comprised of five cliff-side villages along the Italian Riviera whose colorful beauty draws thousands of visitors every year. It is also one of the inspirations for Art Walk Italy, a unique, seven-night walking vacation offered by ‘The Blue Walk’, a vacation specialist with tours in France, Italy and Greece.

The Blue Walk offers small-group walking vacations in unique and undiscovered regions of France, Italy, Greece, and England. Its clients enjoy leisurely strolls along the beautiful coastlines, village squares and open spaces of Europe while staying at luxury four or five-star boutique hotels and resorts. Each tour includes daily one hour to half-day walks in some of the world’s most serene surroundings. The Blue Walk also offers themed vacations with well-known, talented and creative teachers.

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ITB Berlin honours exhibitors

THE Creta Maris Beach Resort participated in ΙΤΒ Berlin 2018, one of the largest and well-known fairs worldwide, that took place from Wednesday, 07 March to Sunday, 11 March 2018 in Berlin. Among the 150 exhibitors, the resort had the honor to be awarded as "Top Hotel Partner 2017" by the German travel agency Schauinsland!

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Greek boutique

THE Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa is now the first officially certified “Boutique Hotel” in #Greece, based on the demanding standards of the “Boutique Hotel” classification inaugurated by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels. 

The designation as a “Boutique Hotel” was preceded by the recognition of the special architectural and decorative design concept of Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa by a Special Group of Advisors of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, and the validation of the upgraded services that the hotel offers to its guests by an authorized inspection & control third-party body.

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On the runway . . . .

TUI the UK’s largest holiday brand, has today announced it has added an additional weekly flight to the popular Greek island of Kos and Turkish destination of Dalaman for summer 2018 operating out of Bristol Airport.

As well as the additional flights to Kos and Dalaman residents from in and around Bristol now have a wider choice of destinations to choose from when booking their holidays this summer with new routes to Hurghada in Egypt and Skiathos in Greece already on sale.

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Making a splash in Cyprus

CYPRUS top tourist destination, WaterWorld Water Park which was ranked the #1 in Europe and #14 in the world is set to open its doors for the summer in April 2018. 

The Ancient Greek themed water park, located in Ayia Napa, features mythical rides and attractions, restaurants and souvenir shops. The largest themed water park in Europe, WaterWorld Water Park provides a day of fun for the entire family. Take a relaxing dip in Aphrodite’s Baths or, if you’re a risk-taker, dare to take the plunge on the Drop to Atlantis. 

WaterWorld also offers unique water park experiences with their Thea VIP Suite, a private cabana and hot tub overlooking the park or their Hygeia fish spa where visitors can dip their feet in a tub of fish and receive a fish pedicure. 

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Glorious views and golf

THE countdown to the 2nd Messinia Pro-Am tournament at Costa Navarino has now begun. Taking place February 21-24 it has already received extensive interest globally, counting participants from 14 countries.

This year has seen a much higher interest from golfers; so far, more than 35 teams have registered. Each of the 50 teams will consist of one professional and three amateur golfers who will compete in three rounds at the two 18-hole signature golf courses. The Dunes Course and The Bay Course are set amidst the eternal olive trees overlooking the stunning views of the Ionian Sea and the Bay of Navarino.

Costa Navarino is a prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese. One of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside Mediterranean landscapes, this area has been shaped by 4,500 years of history. Its philosophy is driven by a genuine desire to promote Messinia, while protecting and preserving its natural beauty and heritage.

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'Handy' services at Santa Marina Beach in Crete

THE Santa Marina Beach in Crete recently introduced the new ‘Handy’ smartphone service for a revolutionary guest experience. With the ‘Handy’ services in-house guests of the Hotel will have unlimited mobile Internet access, free local & IDD calls, an informative ‘digital Island Guide’ as well as the latest offers of the Hotel. All of this is totally free of charge.

In each guest room, a smartphone named “Handy” can be found. This smartphone, which in-house guests can take outside the Hotel during their stay, provides several services -such as unlimited 3G Internet access- allowing them to stay connected with their relatives, friends and clients while abroad.

In-house guests can also make local and IDD calls to specified regions, including the EU, USA, Canada, Israel; share updates of their trip on social media anytime, have access to destination-specific content, exclusive hotel offers and promotions, comprehensive city guides and recommended shops, bars, restaurants and places to visit.

Santa Marina Beach is one of the first hotels in Crete to introduce this communication service, used by over 10 million hotel guests globally.

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Luxury Greek Spa

THE newly built Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, which opened its doors in 2016, is located in a privileged setting at the edge of Oia. 

Santo Maris Oia offers seclusion and direct views to the renowned sunset of Oia. Accommodation is offered in 44 suites & private villas and facilities include four outdoor swimming pools, the 300 sq.m. Luxury Spa with indoor swimming pool and the Alios Ilios restaurant.

The Spa has been nominated in the category “Greece’s Best Resort Spa for 2017” at the prestigious World Spa Awards.

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Three things you have to do when in Zakynthos: Part 2

ZAKYNTHOS Marine Park is located along the southern coast of Zakynthos and the Strofades, two small islands 50 nautical miles southern of Zakynthos. The marine park was set up in 1999 to protect not only the Caretta Caretta sea turtle and the Mediterranean Seals Monachus-Monachus but all wildlife found in the Southern part of the island.

The Caretta Caretta Turtle spawns along the beaches of the Laganas Gulf. and always on the same beach it was born, the nesting period is from June to August when the females come on to the beaches to lay their eggs.

They can have considerable dimensions (the largest weights 140 kg. and measures circa 120 cm whereas the smallest measures 80 cm.) but, in spite of this, they are very fast, with a big anterior and stiff posterior fins they can reach 30km/hour and so protect themselves from possible dangers.

Whilst on the island you can join many boat trips to catch a glimpse of the Caretta Caretta and sail to Marathonisi - a pine-covered islet nicknamed ‘Turtle Island’. 


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Three things you have to do when in Zakynthos: Part 1

 ZAKYNTHOS or Zante as you may more commonly know it as, is an amazingly beautiful place and is part of the Ionian Islands of Greece. It's most famously photographed beach Navagio or Shipwreck Beach is only accessible by boat from one of the small ports nearby.  

My husband, daughter and I took a small boat carrying 20 of us from Port Vromi towards Navagio stopping in a large sea cave for a swim along the way in the beautiful clear blue waters. The water was so blue in the caves that it made our bodies glow blue as it reflected off the limestone walls.

We then boarded the boat again for the choppy ride to Shipwreck Beach. The swell around this part of the island can be quite significant and after a storm there are no boat trips for 2 days until the swell has settled again. 

Arriving at Shipwreck Beach, along with all the other boats, we were greeted by the site of about 500 people on this small beach and it was only 11am. Due to a storm a few days previously the tours were all playing catch up! 

The MV Panagiotis, ran aground in the waters around Zakynthos Island on Navagio Beach during stormy weather in 1980. It has been claimed the ship was smuggling contraband cigarettes. The shipwreck is obviously very rusty now after being beached here for 37 years and care needs to be taken but you can still climb aboard and explore the wreck.

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Athens Airport Sees Healthy Passenger Traffic Growth in May

#ATHENS International Airport (AIA) served four percent more passengers in May to 1.87 million, compared to the same month last year.

International passengers enjoyed robust rise of 7.3 percent, whereas domestic passengers were below 2016 levels. 

Greek residents presented an overall growth at the level of 12 percent, while foreign residents presented an overall slight drop of one percent. 

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