Sunday, 21 February 2010
Saturday, 6 February 2010
BLUE FLAGS IN GREECE.
| Beach name | Municipality | Region |
|---|---|---|
| 4o Km Alexandroupolis-Komotinis | ALEXANDROUPOLIS | Evros |
| Aboula Psarou | ALYKON | Zakynthos |
| Achladies | SKIATHOS | Magnisia |
| Adelianos Kampos A | ARKADIOU | Rethymno |
| Afantou 2 | AFANTOU | Dodekanisa |
| Ag. Panteleimonas | AG. NIKOLAOS | Lasithi |
| Ag. AnnaMaragas | NAXOS | Kyklades |
| Ag. Apostoloi 1 | NEA KYDONIA | Chania |
| Ag. Apostoloi 2 | NEA KYDONIA | Chania |
| Ag. Fotia | IERAPETRA | Lasithi |
| Ag.Galini/YsteroVarkotopi | Lampis | Rethymno |
| Ag. Georgios | KORISION | Corfu / Kerkyra |
| Ag. Georgios | NAXOS | Kyklades |
| Ag. Georgios 1 | CHERSONISOS | Irakleio |
| AG. GEORGIOS 2/PAN.RYZI | CHERSONISOS | Irakleio |
| Ag. Georgios 3 | CHERSONISOS | Irakleio |
| Ag. Gordios | ACHILLION | Corfu / Kerkyra |
| Ag. Ioannis Strogylis | MELITIEON | Corfu / Kerkyra |
| Ag. Isidoros | ANTIKYRA | Voiotia |
| Ag. Isidoros | PLOMARI | Lesvos |
| Ag. Marina | NEA KYDONIA | Chania |
| Ag. Mathaios | MELITIEON | Corfu / Kerkyra |
| Ag. Nikolaos 1 | AG. NIKOLAOS | Lasithi |
| Ag. Nikolaos 2 | AG. NIKOLAOS |
READ MORE
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COMMUNITY TOURISM
What is Community Tourism?
Tourism that benefits local people
Community tourism (sometimes called community-based tourism) is a form of tourism which aims to include and benefit local communities, particularly indigenous peoples and villagers in the rural South (ie 'developing world'). For instance, villagers might host tourists in their village, managing the scheme communally and sharing the profits. There are many types of community tourism project, including many in which the 'community' works with a commercial tour operator, but all community tourism projects should give local people a fair share of the benefits/profits and a say in deciding how incoming tourism is managed.
Tourism that benefits tourists
These tours open up a world of adventure and opportunity. Visit the Amazon… trek through the Andes or the Sinai… experience the magic of the central Australian desert… Good community-based tours take you beyond mainstream tourism. You'll meet people from different countries and learn far more about them and their culture than on conventional tours. You'll feel better knowing that your visit is genuinely helping your hosts. And if you want to simply lie on a beach.... well, there are tours here that feature some of the best beaches on the planet.
You'll find a more detailed discussion of community tourism in Tourism Concern's book, The Ethical Travel Guide, as well as more complete descriptions of the tours in the directory. Click here to buy the book!
You'll find a more detailed discussion of community tourism in Tourism Concern's book, The Ethical Travel Guide, as well as more complete descriptions of the tours in the directory. Click here to buy the book!
Community tourism should...
1. Be run with the involvement and consent of local communities.
(Local people should participate in planning and managing the tour.)
2. Give a fair share of profits back to the local community.
(Ideally this will include community projects (health, schools, etc).)
3. Involve communities rather than individuals.
(Working with individuals can disrupt social structures.)
4. Be environmentally sustainable
(Local people must be involved if conservation projects are to succeed.)
5. Respect traditional culture and social structures.
6. Have mechanisms to help communities cope with the impact of western tourists.
7. Keep groups small to minimise cultural / environmental impact.
8. Brief tourists before the trip on appropriate behaviour.
9. Not make local people perform inappropriate ceremonies, etc.
10. Leave communities alone if they don't want tourism.
(People should have the right to say 'no' to tourism.)
(Local people should participate in planning and managing the tour.)
2. Give a fair share of profits back to the local community.
(Ideally this will include community projects (health, schools, etc).)
3. Involve communities rather than individuals.
(Working with individuals can disrupt social structures.)
4. Be environmentally sustainable
(Local people must be involved if conservation projects are to succeed.)
5. Respect traditional culture and social structures.
6. Have mechanisms to help communities cope with the impact of western tourists.
7. Keep groups small to minimise cultural / environmental impact.
8. Brief tourists before the trip on appropriate behaviour.
9. Not make local people perform inappropriate ceremonies, etc.
10. Leave communities alone if they don't want tourism.
(People should have the right to say 'no' to tourism.)
AUTHENTICITY AND UNIQUENESS
Long term and myopic planning strategies
Julian Zarb
As the saying goes: “a week is a long time in politics.” Perhaps this needs to be applied in some quarters of our political structures here on these islands. Last Sunday we heard about the irreversible (at least that is what the emphatic statement sounded like) question of privatisation of the National Airline, immediately after that we had an equally emphatic reply from the Government Ministry responsible for the transportation – there is no privatization. The real question is – can we predict what will happen five or ten years or more into the future and state with great surety what the national policy could be? Or are we being a little too premature in this respect?
Today’s fast moving economic activity requires a very specific, though sometimes generic and ideal, long term plan and objectives but it also means that we need to be ready to take appropriate action when the moment requires this. Take the situation in 2009 – could anybody have predicted the disastrous impact the economic downturn would have on the global stage? Could anyone have thought that the ripple effect would have such impact on the tourism industry? Up to a few years ago, the UNWTO had predicted a global increase in travel and tourism of 10 per cent - today...well...everyone is being a little more cautious in their statements, even those that are very short term.
What we should be doing for sure, is building on a sustainable tourism infrastructure that will enhance our product offering and emphasize the importance of providing a genuine experience based on authenticity and uniqueness. Government and Parliament set the policy and national strategy based on the needs of the stakeholder and the public quality of life; the aspect of offering a genuine tourism product is dependant on the stakeholder initiative and the local resident response to the visitor participation in local culture, traditions and lifestyles that need to be preserved, not as some side show or theatrical experience but as part of that genuine experience which provides an authentic intercultural exchange. Medium and long term Policy and Strategy plans should provide the guidelines to these unique experiences.
Over the past few years we have experienced a number of government initiatives which have built up this concept of medium to long term planning; admittedly, sometimes these work, other times they do not and at othe
Today’s fast moving economic activity requires a very specific, though sometimes generic and ideal, long term plan and objectives but it also means that we need to be ready to take appropriate action when the moment requires this. Take the situation in 2009 – could anybody have predicted the disastrous impact the economic downturn would have on the global stage? Could anyone have thought that the ripple effect would have such impact on the tourism industry? Up to a few years ago, the UNWTO had predicted a global increase in travel and tourism of 10 per cent - today...well...everyone is being a little more cautious in their statements, even those that are very short term.
What we should be doing for sure, is building on a sustainable tourism infrastructure that will enhance our product offering and emphasize the importance of providing a genuine experience based on authenticity and uniqueness. Government and Parliament set the policy and national strategy based on the needs of the stakeholder and the public quality of life; the aspect of offering a genuine tourism product is dependant on the stakeholder initiative and the local resident response to the visitor participation in local culture, traditions and lifestyles that need to be preserved, not as some side show or theatrical experience but as part of that genuine experience which provides an authentic intercultural exchange. Medium and long term Policy and Strategy plans should provide the guidelines to these unique experiences.
Over the past few years we have experienced a number of government initiatives which have built up this concept of medium to long term planning; admittedly, sometimes these work, other times they do not and at othe
Friday, 5 February 2010
MOUNT ATHOS - WATCH WHAT WE FOUND ON FLICKR
Mount Athos (Greek: Όρος Άθως) is a mountain on the peninsula of the same name in Macedonia, of northern Greece, called in Greek Άγιον Όρος (Agion Oros, transliterated often as Hagion Oros), or in English, "Holy Mountain". In Classical times, the peninsula was called Ακτή (Acte or Akte). Politically it is known in Greece as the Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain. This World Heritage Site is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The peninsula, the easternmost "leg" of the larger Chalcidice peninsula, protrudes into the Aegean Sea for some 60 kilometres (37 mi) at a width between 7 to 12 km and covers an area of 335.637 square kilometres (129.59 sq mi), with the actual Mount Athos and its steep, densely forested slopes reaching up to 2,033 metres (6,670 ft). The seas around the end of the peninsula can be dangerous.
Though land-linked, it is accessible only by boat. The number of visitors is restricted and all are required to get a special entrance permit before entering Mount Athos. Only males are allowed entrance into Mount Athos, which is called "Garden of the Virgin" by monks, and Orthodox Christians take precedence in the permit issuance procedure. Only males over the age of 18 who are members of the Eastern Orthodox Church are allowed to live on Athos. There are religious guards, who are not monks, that assist the monks, and any other people not monks are required to live in the peninsula's capital, Karyes. The 2001 Greek national census counted a population of 2,262 inhabitants.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos
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TRIPADVISOR RETWEETED!
Most important factor in choosing a hotel? TA/USAToday survey: location 40%; price 28%; user reviews 19%; amenities 8%; service 5%
TAKE YOUR VALENTINE TO GREECE!
To celebrate the Taste of Greece and on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, the Greek National Tourism Organisation is bringing cocktail master Aristotelis Papadopoulos to serve his award winning “Discernment Blue” cocktail (with Greek Saffron and Johnnie Walker Blue Label, combining tradition with modern distillery) and other new inventions like the Baklava Martini and Tzatziki Martini.
Join the party on Friday 12th of February at 18:00 hours, at the cool Traffic Bar (Victoria House 1 Vernon Place, London, WC1A 2EP) in High Holborn.
Traffic bar has been carefully crafted by an international architect and interior designer with bespoke lighting, intriguing artwork and super comfy seating. Located on the ground floor of the landmark Victoria House, opposite the famous Sicilian Avenue in the heart of Holborn, it really is fast becoming a new discerning choice for the West End.
Come and join the fun, on the 12th of February and watch Aristotelis, world’s best “mixologist”, work his magic, enter our competition and have a chance to win a romantic holiday to Greece travelling with Aegean Airlines and relaxing at the 5* Aldemar Hotels.
For information about more “Taste of Greece” bars & restaurants visit: www.tasteofgreece.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TASTE_OF_GREECE
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greek-National-Tourism-Organisation-UK-Ireland/98423917079
This year take your Valentine to Greece!
Join the party on Friday 12th of February at 18:00 hours, at the cool Traffic Bar (Victoria House 1 Vernon Place, London, WC1A 2EP) in High Holborn.
Traffic bar has been carefully crafted by an international architect and interior designer with bespoke lighting, intriguing artwork and super comfy seating. Located on the ground floor of the landmark Victoria House, opposite the famous Sicilian Avenue in the heart of Holborn, it really is fast becoming a new discerning choice for the West End.
Come and join the fun, on the 12th of February and watch Aristotelis, world’s best “mixologist”, work his magic, enter our competition and have a chance to win a romantic holiday to Greece travelling with Aegean Airlines and relaxing at the 5* Aldemar Hotels.
For information about more “Taste of Greece” bars & restaurants visit: www.tasteofgreece.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TASTE_OF_GREECE
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greek-National-Tourism-Organisation-UK-Ireland/98423917079
This year take your Valentine to Greece!
Thursday, 4 February 2010
ORGANIC MARKETS
Organic farmers’ markets have a twelve-year tradition in Greece. Today their number has increased and totals 22 in the entire country. Organic growers can sell there their certified produce. Organic certification is regulated by the relevant law in force.
At these markets, consumers can purchase fresh and manufactured organic products (fruit and vegetables, edible olives, olive oil, wine, etc). They also have the chance to get information about farmers’ organic estates which they can actually visit so as to be better acquainted with rural lifestyle.
These markets serve as a bridge between the urban centres and the countryside. Town inhabitants and visitors learn about organic growing methods by coming into contact with farmers. Moreover, these markets foster ecological awareness and promote the important role of rural societies as a whole.
For further information, you can contact the:
ATTICA ASSOCIATION OF ORGANIC FARMERS’ MARKETS
3, Sakellaridis St., Athens, postcode: 11253
Tel.: 6937287899
Fax: 2108614659
Email: sybilaat@otenet.gr
3, Sakellaridis St., Athens, postcode: 11253
Tel.: 6937287899
Fax: 2108614659
Email: sybilaat@otenet.gr
GREEK FETA CHEESE - A GUIDE
Feta is a brined curd cheese traditionally made in Greece with ewe’s and goat’s milk. On October 14, 2002 it was officially decided that feta cheese is a Greek product, which can be produced only in certain parts of Greece with strictly specified regulations. Its production is a limited to the Greek areas of Macedonia, Thrace, Epiros, Sterea Hellas, Peloponese, and the island of Lesvos. These areas have a history of herding cultures, which is why feta production originated in these regions. The production of feta is allowed in only mountainous regions, where fertilizers are not used. This preserves its organic maintenance.
A VISIT TO MONEMVASIA - GREEK HISTORY AND CULTURE!
Monemvasia (Μονεμβάσια) is located in the southeastern Peloponnese in the prefecture of Laconia, 400 meters from land having been separated from the mainland by an earthquake in 375 A.D. Its name derives from two Greek words, mone and emvassi, meaning "single entrance". It was called Malmsey by old English writers, Napoli de Malvasia by the Venetians and Malvoisie by the French.
It was founded by the Byzantines in the sixth century and shortly after it became an important port. It remained in Byzantine possession for almost seven hundred years until it was captured by the Franks in 1249 after a three year siege. However, it returned to Byzantine hands ten years later and became the chief port of the Despotate of Mystra.
In the War of Independence, Monemvasia was the first of the major Turkish fortresses to fall after a four month siege in July 1821. On August 1st 1821, overcome by misery and illness the Turks agreed to surrender to Demetrios Ypsilantis.
During World War II the New Zealand 6 Brigade numbering several thousand men was successfully evacuated on April 28th 1941 mainly from the causeway and the two piers. Soon after the Germans entered Monemvasia, which was not used as a defensive position but rather as a place for wounded soldiers to recover.
It was founded by the Byzantines in the sixth century and shortly after it became an important port. It remained in Byzantine possession for almost seven hundred years until it was captured by the Franks in 1249 after a three year siege. However, it returned to Byzantine hands ten years later and became the chief port of the Despotate of Mystra.
When the rest of the region was captured by the Turks in 1460, Monemvasia remained unharmed by placing itself under the control of the papacy (1460-1464) and later under the Venetians (1464-1540). In 1540 the Turks gained control of Monemvasia after the Venetians abandoned their garrison. Although Monemvasia experienced decline under Turkish control, it underwent a revival when it returned to Venetian hands between 1690 and 1715.
In the War of Independence, Monemvasia was the first of the major Turkish fortresses to fall after a four month siege in July 1821. On August 1st 1821, overcome by misery and illness the Turks agreed to surrender to Demetrios Ypsilantis.
During World War II the New Zealand 6 Brigade numbering several thousand men was successfully evacuated on April 28th 1941 mainly from the causeway and the two piers. Soon after the Germans entered Monemvasia, which was not used as a defensive position but rather as a place for wounded soldiers to recover.
Today a causeway links the mainland town of Yefira/New Monemvasia to Monemvasia or Kastro (castle). The Kastro is divided into a lower and an upper town. Many ruins of the original 800 houses and only four out of the original forty churches can be found in the lower town. Among them is the Church of the Elkomenos Christ (Christ Dragged), which is named after a famous icon of Christ given in 1700 to the church by Andreas Likinios, philosopher and chief physician to the ruler of Moldavia, Dimitirs Kandimir. The oldest church is St. Paul’s, which was built in 956, and today houses the museum. Further on, towards the eastern edge of the lower town and closer to the sea is the whitewashed Our Lady of Hrisafittisa, which was built in the sixteenth century.
High above, castle walls protect the upper town on the summit. There one can see the remains of Byzantine houses and public buildings and a vast cistern that ensured a water supply at times of siege. A fortified zigzag path from the upper town leads to the Fortress of Goulas on the summit overlooking the town. It is entered by a tunnel that still retains its ironbound gates. Among the ruins of houses and cisterns of the acropolis of the upper town stands St. Sophia, a Byzantine church founded by Andronikos II Paleologos on a plan similar to that of Daphni in Athens.
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