the-preferred-guest.com http://the-preferred-guest.com Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:29:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 The-preferred-guestcomhttp://feedburner.google.com Ios island. Golden sunny beaches, and affordable! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/DNSy69qDQ4g/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/06/ios-island-golden-sunny-beaches-and-affordable/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:08:46 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=160 It is well known in Greece as the Rock and Roll island. The place of low budget holidays but of great fun experiences! Where every teenager (plus) owes to pay a visit and spent a few wild days.

Welcome to Ios island, the party capital of Cyclades!

Ios is located at Cyclades, South Aegean. You can reach it by many ways and is on the way to Santorini. The capital city is named Chora. The island took it’s name from the Greek name of flower violet, though the traveler may hear locals call the island as “Nios”.

It is said to be the birthplace of Homer’s mother.

The whole island has this unique Cycladic style with white houses and blue painted roofs though the gold and crystal clear beaches of Mylopotas and Magganari are not less significant.

The lovers of history will find here the first Cycladic Settlement of Skarkos. The findings of that place are exhibited at the Archeological Museum of Ios where one can see that Ios was a fully developed –socially and culturally- area. Another place to visit is the almost Cyclopean dimensions Walls of Ios Ancient  City in the Northwestern part of Chora.

Liking a little folk color? Check out the famous windmills of the island of Ios. The only island with so many windmills gathered in one area. Three of them are revonated and fully operational and there are plans for one more.

Want a bite? Products here are cultivated and grown locally and so you can eat either meat or dairy or sweets and honey and herbs that are full of the Greek Aegean sun. This will give you some power.

Fancy culture? There is a number of events happening in the island. I suppose the most famous one is Homeria, tribute to Homer the ancient Greek poet of Iliada and Odysseia. This festival is dated from 1991 and takes place every May.

Ready and packed. Ios can be reached best from Santorini , Naxos , Heraklion – Crete island or directly from Piraeus with ferries and catamarans.

While you check more about the island do check how to book there through cheap holidays from OnTheBeach, and happy partying and relaxing.

For a nice collection of photos check here:

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/06/ios-island-golden-sunny-beaches-and-affordable/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/06/ios-island-golden-sunny-beaches-and-affordable/ Leipsoi. Small, beautiful, colorful island for peace http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/diDnvfFo3Vo/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/05/leipsoi-small-beautiful-colorful-island-for-peace/#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 08:34:51 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=152 The island consists of just around 16 sq.km but the continuous vista changes are just amazing.

Crystal clean beaches, amazing local food and wine products that will drive crazy the most demanding for green and ecological nutrition. Leipsoi (or Lipsi) are famous for their thyme honey. The island is moving forward also to its sustainability by adopting the “green energy” concept. It is alleged to be the second in Greece which fully utilizes energy production from renewable/recycled sources.

The island (or better, a group of islands) is located around 11 nautical miles east of Patmos (so you can also visit this magnificent with rich religious history island) and 8 n.m north of Leros. It still keeps the Aegean sea identity with beautiful white houses, tranquility, and peace.

Some significant monuments and places of interest are the churches of the island with some dated from the 16th century. An example of this is the church of Panagias of Harou, famous for the picture of Panagia (Virgin Mary) who holds on her hands the body of Christ after moved down from the cross.

The place is famous for the red wine they produce and every summer at the end ofAugust there is a large festivity celebrating wine which usually holds for 3 days.

For those who will choose to attend with their own or rented cruisers there is also a natural harbor available as well as a small but modern marina. Every summer open seas lovers are hosted here exploring the island beauty.

You won’t need a bus. The size of the island is suitable to go through it with either a bike, foot or the public bus. After all the only place with houses (the “city) is at the center of the island.

So, if you are seeking for a place where peace, good nutrition, ruby wine and friendly people co-exist Leipsoi is one of these places to stay for a few days.

You can see extremely nice photos from Lipsi (or Leipsoi) from here:

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/05/leipsoi-small-beautiful-colorful-island-for-peace/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/05/leipsoi-small-beautiful-colorful-island-for-peace/ Santorini is about Oia sunset. Not. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/stUhyt3-yj0/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/santorini-is-about-oia-sunset-not/#comments Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:49:18 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=141 Well, I think Santorini is one of the most famous islands all around the world. At least one of the most famous Greek islands, next to Myconos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and more. I have visited this island twice so far and I plan to visit it again this summer for a wedding. The interesting thing is that I visited the island of Santorini in two completely different periods of my life. One when I was around 17 and one around 40.

This allowed me to see the island again from a different perspective. I didn’t want the wildlife of sweet seventeen but I kinda missed it when I saw that the whole island was still vibrating with young people exploring life. I found it less noisy though…

What I saw was that Santorini kept the same feeling and balance between traditional houses and “tourist” attractions as it was all these years before. I got the same feeling more or less which is a plus for the Mayor and habitants of the island to manage to keep this unique sensation and style, this island has. I went through the different little pathways and narrow passages between houses, tasting some very nice snacks and plates during the days I spent there.

Some history

The island, located at Cyclades complex of islands, was formed in its current shape after an eruption of the famous Santorini volcano. Prior to this the island’s name was Strogili (round). The blast changed the shape of the island and thus the name (had to) change also. The back then habitants of the island are alleged to be linked with the Cretans/Minoans. After the eruption a Tsunami blasted measured around 70 feet high and with a 100km speed. Imagine the Minoans shock back then.

The magma still pure out slowly from the once above the sea level land. Actually the island Nea Kameni (which is a no-green ground) is like a cork on top of the underwater volcano and a result of magma spill from it. Slowly during all these years Nea Kameni was formed from spilled magma. I also visited this place with a boat cruise and climbed to the top (not easy at all and sulphur smells strongly at some points.

What to do

A plenitude of activities is available to all visitors to this island. Like going long boat cruises on wooden boats where you dive in many different places around the island and enjoy nice snacks aboard. A towel and a swimsuit is the formal dress code for these.

Or do the traditional donkey ride where I felt sympathy for those four legged fellows doing this up and down so many times per day. I visited beaches with crystal waters and jet skied for the first time in my life. If only I knew what I was missing all this time!!! To the surprise of many I didn’t watch the sunset at Oia. But tasted some nice wines.

Well, Santorini is a lot about wines. By talking with the people there I learned many details for which wines are good and which are less good. Why the quality of the black Santorini wine is different from the white ones and for what exact reasons. I am not going to tell you… you will have to either google it or taste it yourselves.  There are many wine tours and many winery’s in the island. Just ask the local restaurants or small shops which to visit depending the village you are staying in. Actually, specific food and wine tours are organized all the time. You have to try Vinsanto. Not so much for table wine than as a sweet desert.

I have heard that you can rent a seat in a small scuba boat and you can explore ruins in the bottom of the island sea. Well, don’t do it. They informed me that it was abandoned as a project and it was a scam after all.

I went all over the island, all the way to the lighthouse. And also to the top of the mountain above ancient Thera where you can see everything around and the vistas are spectacular.

The island is famous for weddings and a splendid honeymoon location. Many people, literally around the world, go the island to get married and spent their sweet first days as a couple there.

If you like photography the whole island is a set for cart postal shooting. Everything get into the frame and look dreamy.

The caves in Caldera where build as houses at first, from the first settlers due to their fear for pirates. Slowly, the villages of Oia and Fira sprung out. Until today, villagers do dig caves to store nets and their fishing equipment. But also the old caves I mentioned before transformed to high value houses. The climate in these cave (yet luxurious) houses is very good. Cool in summer and warm in winter. Also a specific and significant role in Santorini buildings is played by the arched roofs. These also serve very nice temperatures and they are part of the island’s scenery and particular characteristics.

Visitors will find a ton of apartments and hotels and studios to stay in the island. It depends on the taste, likes and what you want to do or where closer to be. Distances in the island are very logical and hog bikes are everywhere with controlled speed for those who don’t drive cars, nor bikes. Just try to find the best price for a room with a view. It is the first thing you will see at morning and it will pay all its money in feelings.

Some specific proposals

Yes, since you are there do take your significant other and do watch the sunset. It’s like a ritual for all visitors. But don’t do only that. There are numerous beaches even with different sand colors (black, red) which are crystal clear Aegean water. Visit the museum of Prehistoric Thera and learn something amazing (which I will also not share) for the island and how back it goes in history.

But most of all be aware. You will find that the island has a specific energy that seems to positively alter you energy to a higher level. You will indeed feel different from day one (or at least the day after un packing).

Taste the white eggplants. Very delicious. And tomatoes which are grown with almost no water (sounds like tomatoes from Malta actually), and cherry tomatoes. If you want to launch your taste ask for Fava, tomato-balls, cod fish with garlic, and for sure “chloro”. It’s goat cheese quite fresh. And finally seek for “Melitinia” small pies.

Other than that, do explore. The island is not an adventure destination and green is limited but it covers all the rest as any Aegean island.

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/santorini-is-about-oia-sunset-not/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/santorini-is-about-oia-sunset-not/ Crete is a place with special things to do http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/YzwgPKrb5NY/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/crete-is-a-place-with-special-things-to-do/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:28:12 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=133 This island is indeed one of the most unique ones. It serves all the kinds of things for leisure of business travelers to do. Either it is about getting pampered in one of the sunny beaches or organize a conference in one of the excellent hotels that are spread around it.

Exploring the mountains will offer new thrills and new excitements as the feeling and experiences change as you go up. Things go more wild but also the traveler will confront a unique type of hospitality from local people. One, that involves some drinking and strange taste experiences along with the gallantry of these proud people. The Cretans!

The island cannot be covered in one article and is indeed a huge island to go through and for many days of vacations or simply a way to return every year. You will not get bored of it. It is an entire topic with sub subjects by itself. For starters we will propose a list of 5 things that you need to do when you are in Crete.

Here it goes:

  • Taste tsikoudia (local drink with spirit) with water melon slices. It’s a local treat and It will “explode” and melt in your mouth. Also, tsikoudia, is accompanied with a specific variety of local peanuts.
  • Visit Knossos and Phaistos. For the lovers of archeology and seekers of secrets and the myths of Minotaur and Ariadne.
  • Visit, stay and experience the nightlife of Chania. This city is unique. Especially the old town. Also, visit Elafonisi (great place/great beaches), Preveli (also great beaches) and Frangocastello (great vistas).
  • Visit the Aquarium. It’s something great in the island, especially for the kids.
  • If you dare also walk the Samaria Gorge and National Park. It’s tough but it will pay out at the end…

As  I said Crete cannot be covered in just one article. More are about to come for this magnificent island. If you care to start digging for how to go or where to stay a very helpful way can be to click here and to organize your holidays in Crete.

Stay tuned for the next articles for this island.

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/crete-is-a-place-with-special-things-to-do/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/crete-is-a-place-with-special-things-to-do/ Macedonia is adventure by nature. Welcome to Grevena http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/F1wKcFzdPGQ/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/macedonia-is-adventure-by-nature-welcome-to-grevena/#comments Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:00:16 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=125 For those who seek adventure and wild nature in their travels here is another suggestion in Western Macedonia. You drive approximately 185km from Thessaloniki or 410km from Athens, and there you will discover one of the most beautiful destinations in Greece.

I have been in these mountains (and in many around for which I will describe in other articles) and the nature is indeed majestic.

You can see lots of photos from Flickr, right here: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Grevena&w=all

I remember I was also driving last winter through Mont Blanc  and I realized that in Grevena Greece the nature is exactly the same and embodied with the Greek spirit also. Huge forests and strong rivers and so much variety of different kinds of animals and plants. A place both for summer and winter, where it has to offer unparallel different experiences.

If you seek off-road experiences you will find them. Driving in valleys, hills full of black pine-tree forests, through peaceful traditional villages, tasting the famous hospitality and excellent food and wines.

The adventure seekers and photography lovers will meet many historical monuments, stone bridges, ponds, streams, wildlife and unique scenery.  Local villagers will be more than happy to provide information for secret trails and paths. Prehistoric relics of a mammoth were also found here. Do that and then relax in beautiful chalets and go off for more. Perhaps for trekking, gliding and climbing as the area has all the physical facilities for this type of adventure. So, pack your 4 X 4 gear and feel the area.

The miracle of Valia Calda (translated as Warm Valley)

Valia Calda is the national park of Pindos and rich in pine and beech pine trees. It’s around 7000 hectares of which 3300 are the center of the forest and the rest the district zone of the forestry. I have been there and didn’t know that such a magnificent place exists inside Greece.

The place has tons of things to offer to nature and adventure lovers, as well to those who are wildlife and nature photohraphers. You can read a lot about Valia Calda here:  http://www.katafigiovaliacalda.com/enpage3.html

Click this search query and enjoy more photos of Valia Calda from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=valia+calda

If you care to stay some nice hotels in Grevena are:

Of course there is also a good number of excellent small hotels and apartments in Grevena and the surrounding locations like Kalambaka. Do check Expedia, Booking.com or other channels for details and don’t forget to go through TripAdvisor to check further.

3494FMGJBQGP

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/macedonia-is-adventure-by-nature-welcome-to-grevena/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/macedonia-is-adventure-by-nature-welcome-to-grevena/ Mystical Patmos, Jerusalem of Aegean http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/QHxP8nQXMEU/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/mystical-patmos-jerusalem-of-aegean/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:43:32 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=91 History of Patmos emerges from the ancient years. The island where Apostle John wrote the Apocalypse. A rather mystical and threatening book which supposes to reveal the last days of humanity, judged by God. The book itself can be a Hollywood film by it’s own. A rather horrific film. However, and for the traveler’s shake, the island of Patmos located in Aegean little has in common with these apocalyptic words. It has one common though… The island of Patmos is a place to explore in order to have the marvels and secrets revealed in full length and depth.

Visitors who really love such religious (and respected leisure destinations) will find most interesting the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John wrote the Holy Book as well as the Holy Monastery of Apocalypse which was originally build as a castle.

Easter in Patmos is also magnificent (as well as in other parts of Greece), but there were the religious element is extremely high is a unique experience. The experience balances between deep religious feelings and witnessing the acts of pilgrims made to God if Him fulfills their wishes.

Of course apart from the religious factor the island has very good beaches with thin sand (some accessible only by boat, thankfully) and excellent villages to taste local food and local wines.

As for where to stay the island has some pretty good establishments. Some of them, as top choices, are:

In total, we can say that Patmos attracts religious and also sophisticated people and those who seek “quite” vacations.

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/mystical-patmos-jerusalem-of-aegean/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/03/mystical-patmos-jerusalem-of-aegean/ Mysterious Crete http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/FzEo4Shlaqo/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/02/mysterious-crete/#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:03:14 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=78 An interesting video with very nice music, presenting in short the beauty of Crete. This island is truly magnificent and the peculiarities of it’s habitat’s make it even more intriguing.

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/02/mysterious-crete/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/02/mysterious-crete/ Guide for gourmet and traditional Greek cuisine http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/OFIzqAgwDNQ/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/02/editorial-guidelines-for-gourmet-restaurants-and-traditional-greek-cuisine-taverns/#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:23:45 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=63 The “Guide Editorial gourmet restaurants and traditional Greek cuisine restaurants” is the new version of the expert on gastronomy Educational Group LE MONDE and publishers Les Livres du Tourisme.

The culinary Guide Editor is a useful manual for making the menu for all small or medium-sized Greek restaurants, taverns, and small and medium-sized hotels with catering. Its purpose is to help owners to highlight the culinary heritage of the area and to properly prepare a list of their business.

(Translated via)

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/02/editorial-guidelines-for-gourmet-restaurants-and-traditional-greek-cuisine-taverns/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/02/editorial-guidelines-for-gourmet-restaurants-and-traditional-greek-cuisine-taverns/ Preveza City Hotel – In the center of experience http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/6tU-PtYzq-g/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/01/preveza-city-hotel-inthe-center-of-experience/#comments Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:22:19 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=32

Preveza City Hotel is downtown, very close to the traditional, historic center and the shopping district. Preveza is a beautiful, vigorous destination, with excellent infrastructure. The city’s charming ambiance and the warm, hospitable people attract visitors all year round.

Preveza City Hotel offers high quality accommodation to visitors who travel on business or leisure and wish to truly enjoy their stay. It’s fully renovated, warm and with unique aesthetics and provides high quality services and amenities.

The area is of a particular historical, cultural and nature-related interest, since it boasts numerous monuments, archeological sites, astounding beaches and unique ecological destinations, creating the ideal conditions for a lovely stay.

Check http://masthotels.gr/prevezacity/

]]> http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/01/preveza-city-hotel-inthe-center-of-experience/feed/ 0 http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/01/preveza-city-hotel-inthe-center-of-experience/ Eleon Grand Resort in Zakynthos, Greece http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/The-preferred-guestcom/~3/QbV7qQR3w-0/ http://the-preferred-guest.com/2011/01/eleon-grand-resort-in-zakynthos-greece/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:58:26 +0000 admin http://the-preferred-guest.com/?p=4

At Tragaki location, on the southwestern part of the island, the newly built 5 stars hotel Eleon Grand Resort & Spa occupies its unique space. The name is by no means accidental, as the word “Eleon” means “olive grove”, and the hotel is based on a 41.000 m2 farm, full of olive trees. This Mediterranean scenery is complete with the Ionian Sea, which visitors can actually see in a few meters’ distance, once they reach the hotel’s lobby.

Well indeed this place is wonderful and standby for the new and much more photos that are coming up. We will update this post in the next few days.

The thing about this place is that they offer services and spa treatments plus a good number of activities based around olive and olive oil to be more specific. Olive oil is a very unique ingredient which is enhanced by the Greek sun. You can read a lot here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_oil but on top of all that this Resort is something not to just attend but to experience. Looking carefuly at it’s SPA and beauty services (of course it is far form trying all these) the visitor can get a very good idea of what is going there.

Zakynthos is a destination preferred by people from UK mostly but not only. The island is great for explorations and unique experiences.

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