20/02/2012 by Dave.

By: Dan Williams

If you have always fancied a holiday on a Greek island but were worried about busy beaches and crowded bars and night clubs full of noisy young people having fun then perhaps Rhodes is the destination you’ve been looking for. Perhaps it’s the location of Rhodes that sets it apart from other Greek islands, being much nearer to the coast of Turkey than Greece. Rhodes certainly has a slightly different feel to the other main islands like Corfu, Kos, Mykonos, Naxos and Kefallonia and Zakynthos off the west coast. It seems to attract an older cross section of travellers and more family groups.

As you read through the reviews posted by people about their visits to the island, the common theme is quiet beaches, relaxed surroundings and peaceful days in the sun.

Quality is another word associated with Rhodes and the island has its fair share of luxury 5 Star Hotels.

Rhodes is lucky enough to enjoy over 250 kilometers of coast and therefore has a great choice of beaches. One of the best is the oddly named Anthony beach, named after the actor Anthony Quinn who fell in love with the island while filming The Guns of Navarone and ended up buying some land on the island. This beach is small and beautiful but not well suited for families with young children as the rocks and stones are tricky underfoot.

A more developed beach with full facilities can be found at Faliraki Beach. It is one of the biggest and most developed beaches on the island and has lots of golden sand and clear waters to keep holidaymakers happy. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants on hand and also a choice of watersports activities for more active people. Kalathos beach and Tsabika beach both offer soft sand, but many beaches on Rhodes are stony so families with children should check carefully where they head for.

Like many Greek islands, the main town has the same name as the island itself and Rhodes town is certainly full of interesting attractions. It has its fair share of tourist developments, including large hotels and shopping areas but it also has a wealth of history to explore and enjoy. The medieval part of the city, sitting high above the harbour, dates back many hundreds of years and old fortifications indicate that the town was often subjected to siege and invasion over the centuries. It is this part of Rhodes that attracts many visitors. The large palace surrounded by paved walkways and alleyways, combined with squares, courtyards and gateways provides an old town that illustrates architecture and style throughout the ages. The main fortress is divided into northern and southern halves. In the south the Hora houses a Turkish bazaar and other markets, while the northern section, the Kollakio, has the Street of Knights the palace of the Grand Master. Rhodes town, which is accessed by one of eleven ancient gateways, has been nominated as a site of world cultural heritage by UNESCO, one of only 878 in the world.

Rhodes is also a very green town, with areas of grassland between the old castles and many tree lined avenues. It certainly makes a stroll around the town a very pleasant way to pass the time.

The harbour is a central focal point for the capital and, although not large by any means, has an interesting mix of old and modern boats. It is also a stopping point for larger passenger ships and island hopping cruise ships.

Flights into Rhodes arrive at Diagoras International Airport, which is situated south west of Rhodes town, about 15 kilometers away. The airport takes a mix of national flights, mainly from Athens and charter flights from abroad bringing holidaymakers to the island. The airport was opened in the late seventies but benefits from a new terminal which opened 3 years ago.

Author Resource:->  Islands like Rhodes are popular tourist destinations and Dan Williams has all the information people look for before they travel. He can also help tourists find cheap flights to Rhodes and other locations such as those offered on http://book.flythomascook.com the FlyThomasCook website.

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19/02/2012 by Dave.

By: Dan Williams

There are over 2000 Greek islands in total that lie in the Ionian Sea on the west of the mainland, though the south past Crete and into the Aegean Sea to the east. Despite all these islands around a third of the country’s population lies I the city of Athens and around 10 per cent live on the various islands.

Many of the islands are tiny and uninhabited but the larger ones like Corfu, Kefallonia, Crete, Rhodes and Evvoia are famous in their own right.

Crete is the largest and most southerly of the islands and benefits from a mixed terrain of sandy beaches and mountainous regions. It has a rich history following thousands of year’s worth of invasions and occupations by various groups. Besides attracting holidaymakers with it bustling beach resorts, the island mountain ranges provide some wonderful routes for walkers.

The next largest island is the surprisingly little known Evvoia ( or Euboea) which lies in the northern reaches of the Aegean. This island has a population of only 220,000 people, about a third the population of Crete and has largely been untouched by tourism to date. The coastline of the island closely mirrors that of the mainland and it’s obvious that the two were joined in the past. Volcanic activity separated the two, although the two short bridges in the capital Chalkida, one which has existed since 410 BC, join the island to the mainland.

For tourism the islands of Corfu, Kefallonia and Zante ( or Zakynthos) have much higher profiles. All three lie in the Ionian Sea with Kefallonia being the biggest, Corfu the most visited and Zante perhaps the most beautiful.

The main Zakythos Town was almost levelled by a series of 4 earthquakes in 1953. It has been reported that over 27,000 homes were destroyed on Zante and surrounding islands, and 455 people were killed. Of course earthquakes are not uncommon in this part of Europe. In 1908 an earthquake and subsequent maremoto or tsunami killed over 100,000 in southern Italy and Sicily. Even as recently as 2006 a sequence of moderate tremors started lasting for over a week. Citizens on the islands were obviously terrified and became more fearful as the tremors got stronger, however seismologists confidently predicted that the situation would not get worse and in fact no properties were badly damaged.

Following the 1953 disaster the town of Zakynthos has been completely rebuilt using traditional and sympathetic designs and the place now has a pleasing and elegant feel. The same cannot be said for every part of the island although authorities and preservation groups are working hard to avoid the worst aspects of mass tourism.

The area most affected by tourism is Laganas, a town on the eastern coast of the island that sits at the centre of a 9 mile stretch of sandy beach. The place attracts a younger set of visitors and the trinket shops, bars and nightclubs keep the place busy all day and most of the night.

However just 12 kilometers around the coast to the east and you could be in a different world. The beach at Gerakas has been voted as one of the best beaches in Europe and it remains strangely quiet except perhaps during the peak periods. It’s almost as if the islanders of Zante want to keep this place a secret. Instead of development slowly making its mark here, all buildings and signs of development are gradually being removed. Beach traders no longer walk the shoreline and the beach bar has been taken down and rebuilt away from the beach front. Conservationists guard the beach and ensure that the nesting grounds of Loggerhead turtles are not affected by tourists. During the nesting periods a maximum stay of 3 hours is enforced on visitors and the beach is closed to everyone between the hours of dusk and dawn. It really is a remarkable place considering you can see the lights of Laganas across the bay.

Author Resource:->  Zakynthos is one of the best Ionian islands for visitors. Dan Williams has visited several times and rates it highly. Dan reviews online resources like http://book.flythomascook.com/ for finding flights to Zakynthos and suggests trying the wide choice of villa and hotel accommodation on the island.

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19/02/2012 by Dave.

By: Tony Maniscalco

Crete, the largest and most southerly of the Greek islands, offers beautiful weather, stunning scenery, the world famous hospitality of its local people and, quite simply, some of the most superb places to go walking in Greece.

Samaria Gorge

At around 18 kilometres in length, the Samaria Gorge is the longest in Europe and is one of the biggest tourist attractions on the island, playing host to thousands of visitors between May and October each year. Situated in the prefecture of Chania in south west Crete, the gorge runs from the Omalos Plateau in the White Mountains to the village of Agia Roumeli on the southern coast. Taking between four and seven hours to walk, the route covers some quite rough terrain but is still suitable for the inexperienced, although walkers are recommended to wear sensible walking boots. Those taking part in the guided walk during the summer months, especially during July and August, are also advised to take plenty of sun screen and drinking water along with them, although there are places en route where you can buy bottled water. With steep cliffs and forests of pine and cypress, the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and the gorge is also home to around 450 different species of plants (all of which are protected and may not be picked or removed from the gorge). If you are lucky, you might also catch sight of one of Crete’s famous inhabitants, the increasingly rare Agrimia, or Kri Kri goats as they are commonly known. With other endemic species in and around the gorge, this is a wonderful place to visit and it certainly represents one of the highlights for anyone walking in Greece.

Deliana Gorge

The walk along the Deliana Gorge is an unchallenging one, but one which is rewarding for those walking in Greece due to its beautiful scenery. During the cooler times of the year, a stream runs alongside the path and down the rocks, accompanying your walk with a soft tinkling sound. You are likely to see many goats during your walk, but most visitors come here to see the Griffon vultures which can be spotted throughout the year. The walk through the gorge and back again is not a long one and is only likely to take around two hours in total depending on your fitness or walking ability.

Arkoudospilios Cave

The walk to the Arkoudospilios Cave on the Akrotiri Peninsula in the municipality of Chania is about two kilometres and affords some spectacular views. Starting at the monasteries of Gouverneto and Agias Triadas and following a footpath which often features steep drops to one side, you will come to the cave where there stands a large stalagmite in the shape of a bear bowed over a cistern. Several different legends account for the significance of the animal. Some believe that it was once alive and that it used to drink the water from the cistern, leaving nothing for the local inhabitants and the monks. When one of the monks prayed to the Virgin for help, it is said that the beast was petrified and has stood in its position in the centre of the cave ever since. Others believe that the goddess Artemis, who was worshipped by the Pelasgians in the form of a bear, was worshipped here and that the stalagmite is a sacred representation of her. The footpath which continues from the cave also leads to the ruins of the Monastery Katholiko and the church of St John the Hermit. As you stand underneath the towering rock face in this extremely isolated place, it is not hard to imagine why the monks who used it many years ago sought their sanctuary here. With so much spectacular beauty along this route, walking in Greece will not only be enjoyable for the senses, but an experience which will open you up to wanting to learn more about this fascinating and stunning island.

Author Resource:->  Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us on Turkey walks (http://www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/Holiday_Search.aspx?Search=2&utm_campaign=MAP_Turkey&utm_source=ramblers&utm_medium=web) to see the country’s finest scenery.

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17/02/2012 by Dave.

By: Ken Sand

Rhodes is one of the most beautiful Greece Island. This island is very closely located at southwest side of Turkey. This island is considered as one of the largest island of the world having land area around 18 km and population around 1, 20,000. This is an amazing tourist destination and several people from different part of world visit this island daily. The main attraction of this island is Colossus of Rhodes which is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Also the Medieval Old City of Rhodes is considered as one of the best World Heritage.

This island has an amazing spearhead shape with dimension 78 Kms length and 38 Kms width and around 1400 square meter area. Rhodes is a bit closer to Asia Minor in comparison to rest of Greece. Interior of Rhodes Island is very mountainous and surrounded with dense forest of Cyprus and Pine. This island can also be called as home of Rhodian deer. There are lots of small towns, villages and resorts around this island. Few of them are Lindos, Haraki, Pardisi , Embona and many more. Main source of income here is the Tourism and locals are totally dependent on tourism for their life earning. This island also experience several earthquakes. Most recent earth quake took place on July 2008 by 6.3 magnitudes.

People of Rhodes follow Greece orthodox religion. This is the capital city of Dodecanese. Transportation facility is pretty good here because they have to deal with lots of tourist guys daily. Bus services are mainly handled by 2 operators. RODA operator also serves suburban areas and entire west coast while KTEL operator serves villages and resorts in the east coast. This island has total 3 airports but only one of them is for public use. Diagoras airport is one of the biggest airports in Greece. This island is also connected with other major Greece cities as well as with other major European cities through various chartered flights.

Rhodes has total 5 ports. 3 of them are in Rhodes city, 1 in east coast near Lardos and last one in west coast near Kamiros. There are many astonishing beaches in Rhodes. These beaches have crystal clear deep water and look very beautiful. These are the main attraction of visitors and their unique beauty attracts lots of visitors. The beach of kalathos is located just over 55Kms from Rhodes city. This beach has velvet look and water is too crystal clear. Here you can take wooden beds and umbrella from rent. This beach is just 10 kms away from the main town. The main attraction about this beach is its hot medicinal springs. This island has very beautiful and sweet climate and amazing locations. This island attracts more than million people per year from all over the world. There are plenty of hotels and resorts for visitors. This island totally depends on tourism and local people of this island keep on improving in order to attract more and more visitors.

Rhodos is a great island to visit. You can get around quite easily and the climate is bikini friendly from March to October.

Author Resource:->  Ken owns an ice-cream bar in Cyprus, but has visited Rhodes a lot over the later years: http://www.ayianapatruth.com

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02/02/2012 by Dave.

By: Jessica Nielson

The crescent shaped island of Santorini was born in the Bronze Age from the powerful blow of nature. The famous Santorini Island is a renowned vacation place with cluster of volcanic islands. As far as viewing the sun set is concerned Santorini is the one of the most prominent places in the earth that leaves an unforgettable and unique impression upon the visitors.

The Island is surrounded by Small towns and villages. Most of the buildings are colored with dazzling white and the color of doors, windows and church domes are blue. In Santorini you will find the frequently stepped and snaky narrow streets. The economy of Santorini Island is greatly depending upon the Tourism, Wine, tomato export, nuts export and volcanic soil delivery of to the cement industry.

Santorini is a must see Island varied in size and characteristics, the ruinations, amazing landscape, beautiful beaches, white Villages, the spectacular sunset and the cliffs of the volcanoes are must to attract visitors from all over the world. This Island is also regarded as Thira. No needs to be worried about the accommodation, as all fascilities are available for you in budget. For your easy accommodation there are luxury hotels, resorts, apartments and villas.

Beautiful and popular beaches of Santorini Greece:

The beaches of Santorini beautify this island greatly. To take the charm of beaches during your staying in Santorini, You should know few of the very popular and magnificent beaches in Santorini Island as follows:

Akrotiri Red Beach in Santorini:

The Red Beach is one of the most popular and exquisite of the beaches in Santorini which is situated near the ancient site Akrotiri. It is famed as red beach because of the impressive red lava cliffs and the sparkling red sands. You can find foods and drinks at near by hotel. This place is accessible by cars and then by walk.

Perissa Santorini black Beach:

The Perissa black beach resort is located at the 15 kilometers south east of the Fira with crowded tourist and long black sandy beach. The beach is extended for 7 kilometers. The significant of perissa is that it is protected from the summer Aegean winds. Perissa is very different from other villages, which built with the soul purpose to welcome the tourists. It also offers accommodation facilities, sea sports facilities, fine dining at the sea front taverns and bars. It is well connected with the rest of the Island via public buses. Access to this beach is possible by public buses, by foot, by rent cars or private cars and motor bikes

Monolithos beach:

This beach is situated at the eastern part of the island and close to the Kamari black beach with dark sand and deep blue crystal clear water. It is very quite and offers a very few hotels and rooms, cafes and restaurants. The Monolithos beach is very beautiful with children play area, basket ball court and footballs pitch. This place is better accessible by cars and public buses run frequently in summer.

Kamari Santorini black beach:

This beach is one of the most popular, crowded and highly developed beaches situated 10 kilometers south east of Fira. It is a long, impressive and stretches up more than five kilometers with black sandy beach and crystal clear ocean water.

The black beach of kamari is well organized to allure international visitors with all kind of modern facilities such as various types of water sports, sun chairs and umbrellas. You will also find a large number of taverns, cafes, hotels, rooms, restaurants and bars along the beach.

Author Resource:->  Jessica Nielson will guide you through your holiday destinations prior to your departure. Just read and go over her articles at cheap holidays 24 - http://cheapholidays24.co.uk If you want to read about Santorini go to http://www.cheapholidays24.co.uk/holidays-in-santorini.aspx

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02/02/2012 by Dave.

By: Meredith Bond

The island of Santorini, the first top destination in Greece and among the top ten destinations in the world, receives more than 6 million tourists every summer who come to appreciate its wonderful landscape, the active Volcano and the Cycladic authenticity.

Visitors to Santorini Greece are most of all amazed of the caldera, the most characteristic feature of the island. Small, white houses built on the edge of this rocky caldera provide a beautiful contrast in colour. Fira and Oia, the most picturesque villages of Santorini, are actually built around the caldera and offer wonderful views to stay in mind for many years to come.

Many hotels are also built around it and millions of travelers prefer to find their Santorini hotel there, rather than on the beaches or the other villages of the island. A Santorini hotel close to the caldera gives views to romantic sunsets, the second thing Santorini is famous for, calm sunrises and night views of softly-lightened villages.

It is not difficult to find a Santorini hotel as there are many. Most of them also offer many modern amenities, such as swimming pools, Jacuzzi, Internet access and more to make holidays comfortable and luxurious.

Tourists are often advised to check out that their Santorini hotel is built according to the local architecture, which requires small rooms made of stone, wooden beds attached to the walls, narrow windows and a shape like cave. This is how traditional houses on Santorini look like and you can find many of them all over the island. The owner of an ideal Santorini hotel will probably have kept this traditional style and will also have added some modern elements, to make the hotel more comfortable and attractive to modern guests.

Apart from these facilities, you will find that your Santorini hotel has nice and welcoming staff, ready to satisfy your needs. People in Greece are generally famous for their hospitality and the locals, who deal every day with foreigners, have certainly learned how to make them appreciate the Greek spirit and the beauties of their island.

Not only that, but you will also find that your Santorini hotel, even if it seems quite far from central locations, is actually very close to them, as transportation on the island is frequent and easy. So, do not worry about the location, just make sure that your Santorini hotel keeps you in touch with the romantic spirit of this wonderful place and with its special features that attract so many people from around the world.

Author Resource:->  Santorini Hotel Pegasus Suites on Santorini Island Greece, Discover Pegasus Suites on Santorini and also information about Santorini Island Greece for Santorini Hotel, Pegasus suites, studios, imerovigli santorini, accommodation, rooms and vacation. Need a good price? check Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock Series 3

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25/10/2011 by Dave.

The reputation of the Greek Islands as a holiday destination has waxed and waned
over the years. Originally billed as peaceful, near deserted oases of sea, sun
and sand, some of the islands have in recent times been seen as too busy, almost
rowdy places where the number of tourists has overwhelmed the capacity of the
resort. Although this is true to some extent of a small minority of island
resorts, it is by no means true of most of them. Even within one island you can
find quiet, idyllic beaches with charming and comfortable hotels and other
facilities just a few miles away from the more overcrowded places. The key to
having a fantastic holiday is to choose an island and a particular resort on
that island, that best suits your needs.

The fact that there are hundreds of islands all around can make it difficult to
decide which one to visit. The variety is such, however, that you can be sure to
find the perfect island, whether it is peace and quiet you are looking for or a
busy and exciting nightlife. In fact, many resorts can offer the best of both
worlds.

Crete
The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete is a great example of this mixture of
busy resorts and smaller, more peaceful ones, all within a short distance of
each other. The east of the island is the place to go for bars, nightclubs and
restaurants. In contrast, the western side of Crete is full of unspoilt villages
with perfect beaches, ideal for holidaymakers searching for undisturbed
relaxation.

Lesbos
Another large island, Lesbos also has both mass tourist destinations and quieter
spots. Much of this beautiful island is covered in olive groves set around
picturesque villages that give a taste of authentic Greek life. There are also
many unblemished beaches for sun worshippers to enjoy.

Lipsi
For those looking for a small, undisturbed island with few tourists, Lipsi is an
ideal choice. Although it has a town with some bars and tavernas geared towards
visitors, it is not a place that is dominated by tourism and offers a pleasant
and relaxed atmosphere.

Skyros
If you really want to get away from it all, then Skyros might be the answer. One
of the most isolated of the Greek Islands, it gets very few visitors, perhaps
because it has fewer sandy beaches than other islands. It is, however, a place
that is well worth exploring if you like to get off the beaten track and enjoy
the tranquillity of its many remote coves and inlets. It is also notable as the
burial place of the poet Rupert Brooke.

This is just a small selection of the many Greek Islands you could visit. The
one thing that all of the islands share is a fantastic climate. You are almost
guaranteed warm, sunny weather from early spring, through the summer months and
into the autumn. Prices for holidays do vary throughout the year, however, so be
sure to check  for any Groupon deals before booking your holiday

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13/09/2011 by Dave.

By: Dan Williams

The Greek islands form one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Europe. Over 1400 separate islands are spread across the Ionian, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas and make up a fifth of the land mass of Greece. The influx of tourism has had different effects on different islands with some happy to rush along with the demands that modern tourism enforce, while others have been more cautious and are now reaping the rewards of not succumbing to over development. These are beautiful islands and many retain that original charm of vast historical culture wrapped up amongst fertile forest areas, spectacular coastal scenery and charming village life.

Corfu was my first experience of the Greek islands twenty five years ago now. In those days preferences were for action packed beach side holidays with younger companions and Corfu did not disappoint. These days the island still satisfies that need but in a more sophisticated manner and Corfu Town provides that cosmopolitan experience for those that need more that just sun and sand.

Ninth on my top ten list is another Ionian island. Zakynthos, although having a wealth of history behind it, is almost a brand new island in construction terms. In 1953 it took the brunt of a huge earthquake that had its epicentre very close by and almost all of the buildings on the island were destroyed. There was some minor loss of life but the weak construction techniques of years gone by were found out and over the past fifty years the island had been going through a huge reconstruction programme. The poorer elements of this still remain with concrete hotel developments from the seventies scattered around but now building is tightly controlled from a stability and aesthetic perspective. I’ll come back to the Ionian Islands later with a more favoured choice.

Crete is eighth ranked for me and is the largest of all the Greek islands. It has suffered negligent occupations in its past from Turks and by Nazi Germany during the Second World War but the Cretans are resilient and have word hard to retain their own culture. For all the poor tourist areas of Crete there are some spectacular attractions and for that reason I can feature it. Most liked are some of its hidden and quiet beach areas like Xerokampos tucked away on the south eastern corner of the island. Quiet, peaceful and untouched by mass tourism, it defines the get away from it all dream beach we all yearn for. The Samaria Gorge walk, although popular with visitors, should all so be experienced.

Next we have Rhodes, an island closer to Turkey than Greece. Again, this is a large island that has its spoilt tourist areas like Faliraki, but places of culture and great beauty are never too far away. The Street of Knights in Rhodes Old Town takes visitors right back to the era when the Knights of the Order of St John bought the island from a pirate.

Eighty miles north of Crete lies the volcanic island of Santorini in the Cyclades. The crescent shaped island can only be reached by boat and, if arriving by cruise ship, a steep walk or donkey trek up a cliff path to the town of Thira. Another casualty of an earthquake in 1956, Thira has been rebuilt with terraced white houses perching high on the cliffs. Inland the island has charming villages and a wonderful black sand beach at Kamari.

Fourth and fifth come the island pair of Naxos and Paros, the main islands in the centre of the Cyclades group. Both have mountain villages, quaint fishing harbours and sweeping beaches combined with a history of settlements dating back 5000 years.

My third best rated Greek island is Leros. Less well known and quieter for it, it has the same beautiful beaches and wooded interior of others without the hectic feel of tourism intruding.

Preferable to both Naxos and Paros is the nearby island of Mykonos, the post popular island of this group in the Aegean. Classed as an island for the upper well educated classes, it tries to retain that with museums and art galleries everywhere. The beaches are spectacular in places like Platys Gialos.

Finally here is the island I love best. It may not be the choice of everyone but for beauty, peace and relaxation combined with an interesting mix of history and culture Kythira has it all. The reason this island is so quiet is that many residents deserted it to emigrate to Australia, perhaps fearing further earthquakes in the 1950’s. A renovated airport and a new harbour make getting here a little easier now and the mix of amazing beaches, quiet coves and lush valleys really appeal.

Author Resource:->  Dan Williams rates Zakynthos in his best ten Greek islands for visitors. Dan has written widely on the island and suggests flooking for cheap flights to Zakynthos on http://book.flythomascook.com which also offers flights to other European destinations.

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24/09/2010 by Dave.

By: Rod Ritchie

The tiny Greek island of Paxos, with its groves of olive trees, secluded beaches and coves, and pretty coastal villages, has become a favourite destination for music lovers during its annual jazz and classical music festivals.

In June, the Paxos Jazz Festival attracts talented and well-known musicians from far and wide to perform in open-air, idyllic locations with perfect summer weather. And from 2–13 September 2006 the renowned Paxos International Music Festival features classical music concerts in Loggos.

Since 1986, this Festival has established a tradition of excellence in performance, and has developed a loyal following of visitors and locals. As well as presenting major works from the chamber music repertoire, the Festival has commissioned new pieces especially for the Island. These included We Shall be Here, for a thousand and a thousand more years, a cantata tracing the history of Paxos from its mythological beginnings to the present day and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf translated into Greek. Now directed by the UK’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the 2006 Festival will present major works by composers who have anniversaries this year, including Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet; Schumann’s Piano Quintet; a Bartok String Quartet and a Shostakovich piano trio. And Guildhall students and teachers will give five special concerts. For the first time in Paxos, singers will present a repertoire of songs and arias.

The cosmopolitan capital of the Island, Gaios, bustles with life at festival time and its harbour is packed with yachts and cruisers. Cafe bars and restaurants line the waterfront, nestled between charming villas with their Venetian architecture, and the island’s nightlife includes late-night music bars overlooking the harbour. At the waterfront terrace of Bar Taxidi, in picture-postcard Loggos, you might even find Spiros, the owner, making traditional music.

Some of the best accommodation on Paxos is to be found in the lovely little fishing harbour of Loggos but, be warned, with limited accommodation Paxos villas are in high demand at the time of the music festival so be sure to make your booking way in advance.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes for many publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. Visit Sunisle Greek Holidays for a selection of great value villas on Paxos.

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24/09/2010 by Dave.

By: Webmaster Nexos

Naxos Island is the largest of the Cycladic islands. It is located in the centre of the Aegean Sea and has some of the best beaches in the Greek islands. Being a very popular tourist destination, each year thousands of tourists make a beeline to visit Naxos. Apart from its traditional style and natural beauty, the island is also reputed for its well developed tourism infrastructure. Fabulous and luxurious Naxos hotels are found all over the island. Most of these Naxos hotels are located right amidst the most famous tourist resorts. Many villages have turned into popular tourist hubs due to the innumerable Naxos hotels that have sprung there.

Beaches on Naxos are usually crowded in summer season. Many Naxos hotels are located close to the beach areas. Some Naxos hotels can even be spotted in the traditional mountainous villages. These villages are very picturesque and the surrounding landscape is amazingly panoramic. Thus, these Naxos hotels come with great views of the landscape in which the hotel is situated. The guests get a full opportunity to admire the beauty of this enormous island. Lush green vegetation, olive plantations, wild flowers and a vast endless blue sea looks better than a picture postcard. All Naxos hotels have spacious rooms and good dining options. Their location is of great advantage to tourists, since most Naxos hotels are situated at a walking distance from the centre of the village or a beach.

Almost all Naxos hotels provide excursion tours to their guests, as villages are filled with some wonderful spots. There you can admire the architecture or get lost in time when you visit the various museums and monuments. Many Naxos hotels have good transportation facilities for their guests. Some can arrange luxury air-conditioned buses to take their guests on a tour around the island. If requested to the hotel staff, they can hire a car for you to travel on your pace. Some Naxos hotels can also pick you up at your departure and drop you off when you leave. Those Naxos hotels that do not have their own private transportation facilities will definitely have contacts with the numerous car agencies on the island to render you the opportunity to hire a car or motorcycle.

Naxos hotels located near the beach can provide you with boat excursion trips to some beautiful nearby islands, like Iraklia, Koufonisia or Schinoussa. Usually, these boat trips last for one day at the maximum. You can also have the chance to enjoy adventurous water sport options here at the beaches. Many Naxos hotels provide trainers and staff to guide amateurs and over enthusiastic tourists during wind surfing, kayaking, water skiing or scuba diving. Some Naxos hotels even have their own parts on the beach. You might come across loungers and umbrellas on such a beach. There will be beach taverns and beach bars catering snacks and cool drinks. You can eat something while you watch the beach crowds enjoying themselves. Many have spaces for beach volley to provide some entertainment to tourists.

Naxos hotels are quite reputed for their impeccable services. Usually all Naxos hotels provide 24-hour room service to their guests. Some of the expensive suites come with their very own butlers and they can fulfill all your requests and wishes. Each of the Naxos hotels have their respective brochures that you can read through to know the services available here. Some brochures are very informative and let you know about the island and the touristy spots that you can visit during your stay. Most Naxos hotels also have their own websites on the internet. It is advisable to make your reservation ahead of the tourist season if you desire to get the best room, with the best views. Naxos is an island full of surprises and opportunities. Once you visit, you will never want to leave. Naxos hotels really know the art to pamper their guests thereby making them long to stay on this island forever.

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Naxos Hotels, the most beautiful island of Cyclades and to enjoy the best tourist facilities you could require from Naxos Hotels. Plaza Beach Hotel combines the comforts and luxury of all ( www.plazabeachhotel.gr ) Naxos Hotels to make sure that you will truly enjoy your summer holidays !

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