Κύπρος και Κρήτη μαζί, σε μουσικούς δρόμους.

Μουσική και τραγούδια που ακολουθούν την ελευθερία των τοπίων της Κύπρου και της Κρήτης  θα έχει την ευκαιρία να απολαύσει το κοινό, με την παράσταση του Κύπριου μουσικοσυνθέτη Ανδρέα Α. Αρτέμη, «Της Θάλασσας και  τ’ Ουρανού Αέρινη ηχώ», που θα δοθεί την Παρασκευή 23 Αυγούστου,στο Ηράκλειο.

 

Φωτογραφία από συναυλία του Ανδρέα Α. Αρτέμη από το ιστολόγιο του συνθέτη: http://aartemhscomposer.blogspot.gr/

Η εκδήλωση έχει προγραμματισθεί να  πραγματοποιηθεί στις 9:00 το βράδυ,στην "Πύλη της Βηθλεέμ" και οργανώνεται από την Περιφέρεια Κρήτης με τη στήριξη των Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών του Υπουργείου Παιδείας και Πολιτισμού της Κύπρου και του Δήμου Ηρακλείου. Μάλιστα, οι οργανωτές αναφέρουν ότι "μουσική και ερμηνείες των τραγουδιών είναι υφασμένα  με την υπογραφή του Κύπριου μουσικοσυνθέτη και τους ποιητικούς στοχασμούς σπουδαίων δημιουργών από την αρχαιότητα μέχρι τις μέρες μας. Η Ιστορία των δύο νησιών που ταξιδεύει για πάντα, νικώντας το ποτέ. Με το μπλε της λάμψης και την ελπίδα της επιστροφής στη γενέθλια γη… Για να μας φέρνει με ‘ένα βήμα Ελπίδας , ακόμα πιο κοντά μ’ όλους της τέχνης τους ήχους".

Λαμβάνουν μέρος οι:

Ανδρέας Α. Αρτέμης:  πλήκτρα, τραγούδι και Διεύθυνση.

Κώστας Παναγιώτου: κιθάρα- τραγούδι

Γιώργος Σαξιατέ:  κιθάρα- τραγούδι  

Μαρία Τυράκη: τραγούδι

Στις αφηγήσεις η Μαρία Διακάκη. Στην παράσταση συμμετέχει η Σχολή Μπαλέτου της Ντίνας Βασιλάκη σε χορογραφημένες συνθέσεις  Ανδρέα  Α. Αρτέμη.

Minoan full moon at Malia

Concert at the Archaeological site of Malia will give the night of the full moon (21^st of August), the famous Cretan lute player Michael Fragkiadakis and the music group "Gate of Sound." This is music night that takes place in the Minoan palace in recent years, during the August full moon.

Music event has been organized by the Region of Crete and Hersonissos Municipality in collaboration with the CCT Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. The organizers even said: "The full moon of August is the most special in the year and praised unabated for years by poets and songwriters, and a stimulus of inspiration for artists. Guests, each time increasing in most institutionalized event held at the archaeological site Minoan Palace of Malia, enjoyed every time a unique experience counting their steps as modern browsers on the side of history. "

 

Famous Cretan lute player Michael Fragkiadakis (up) and the music group "Gate of Sound."

  Regarding the recent one institution, the Region of Crete notes that nationwide involving more than 70 archaeological sites, while the universal voluntary workers who will arrange for the night operation and storage of archaeological sites.

Πανσέληνος του Αυγούστου στο Μινωικό Ανάκτορο Μαλίων

       Συναυλία στον Αρχαιολογικό Χώρο Μαλίων θα δώσει τη βραδιά της Πανσελήνου, ο γνωστός κρητικός λαουτιέρης Μιχάλης Φραγκιαδάκης και το συγκρότημα  «Πύλη του Ήχου». Πρόκειται για τη μουσική βραδιά που  πραγματοποιείται στο μινωικό ανάκτορο τα τελευταία χρόνια, κατά την αυγουστιάτικη Πανσέληνο. 

   

 Το συγκρότημα του Μιχάλη Φραγκιαδάκη απαρτίζουν οι: Μαρία Σκουλά (λύρα, τραγούδι), Μανόλης Αντωνογιαννάκης (λαουτάκι, τραγούδι), Κωστής Μαλαξιανάκης (μεσαιωνικό λαούτο, τραγούδι), Βαγγέλης Σκουλάς (κιθάρα, τραγούδι), Στρατής Φραγκιαδάκης (λαούτο), Γιώργος Σαλούστρος (θιαμπόλι, ασκομαντούρα) και Γιώργος Ξυλούρης (κρουστά).

  

Τη μουσική εκδήλωση οργανώνουν η Περιφέρεια Κρήτης- Π.Ε. Ηρακλείου  και ο Δήμος Χερσονήσου με τη συνεργασία της ΚΔ΄ Εφορείας Προϊστορικών και Κλασικών Αρχαιοτήτων. Οι οργανωτές μάλιστα αναφέρουν: "Η πανσέληνος του Αυγούστου είναι η πιο ξεχωριστή στο έτος και υμνείται αμείωτα για χρόνια από ποιητές και στιχουργούς, ενώ αποτελεί ερέθισμα έμπνευσης για τους καλλιτέχνες.  Οι επισκέπτες, που κάθε χρόνο αυξάνονται στη θεσμοθετημένη πλέον εκδήλωση που πραγματοποιείται στον αρχαιολογικό χώρο του Μινωικού ανακτόρου Μαλίων, απολαμβάνουν κάθε φορά μια μοναδική εμπειρία μετρώντας τα βήματα τους ως σύγχρονοι περιηγητές στο πλάι της ιστορίας".

  Όσον αφορά στον πρόσφατο αυτό θεσμό η Περιφέρεια Κρήτης σημειώνει ότι πανελλαδικά συμμετέχουν περισσότεροι από 70 αρχαιολογικοί χώροι, ενώ είναι καθολική η εθελοντική προσφορά των εργαζομένων που θα μεριμνήσουν για τη νυχτερινή λειτουργία και φύλαξη των αρχαιολογικών χώρων.

30% more Russian tourists this year

 

The tourist flow from Russia to Greece, the new season, will be increased by 30% compared to last year. This is confirmed by the representatives of local authorities and relevant stakeholders who participated in the mission profile of Crete at the great tourism exhibition in Moscow MITT 2013.

 In a positive and effective presence on Crete in Russia reported with their statements, the head of the mission, Vice Prefect, Mr. Euripides Koukiadakis, President of the Travel Agents of Crete, Mr. Michael Vlatakis, and the President of the Hoteliers Association Mr. Manolis Chalkiadakis. "Crete, via Prefecture of Crete, in cooperation with tour operators was very much present and projected in the Russian market but also internationally. The growth of the Russian market in Crete is estimated to exceed 30% this year, "said Mr. Koukiadakis adding that" the region with similar actions and involvement of local bodies promotes the development of quality tourism and increasing exports of Cretan certified products. "

"We have very positive messages and the common presence of Prefecture and tourist operators were successful and effective in terms of contact and projection of Crete ..." said Mr. Vlatakis.

Crete had its own pavilion, which was composed by the Region of Crete and attracted many visitors. The visitors were impressed and stated they were happy to see pictures of the beauties and attractions of Crete, but, also, to taste the Cretan, traditional raki and wine, accompanied by the also traditional qualitative Cretan dishes.

The stand was visited by the Regional Secretary of Tourism, Anastasios Liaskos, the Ambassador of Greece in Moscow, Mr. Michael Spinellis and the Consul of Greece in the Russian capital, Mr. John Plotas, the Secretary General of ESO, Mr. Panos Livadas and executives ESO office in Moscow.

The head of the Cretan presence, Mr. Koukiadakis, together with the President of Travel Agents Crete, Mr. Michael Vlatakis and President of the Hotel Association, Mr. Emmanuel Chalkiadakis had the opportunity to meet with the Bishop of Moscow and Finance Officer Church of Russia, Mr. Tikhon and other Russian agents, who took them the interest of Russians in Crete, Greece and especially religious tourism. Indeed, it was agreed in the context of enlargement of the cooperation of the Church of Moscow and the Region of Crete and tourism operators on the island to accommodate the next time 25-member Russian ecclesiastical mission operators, specialized in religious tourism, religious and media to record , organize and then raise to the Russian market Cretan Christian monuments and historical and nature destinations.

Also on the stand Crete hosted meetings for the promotion of Cretan products in the presence of representatives of Heraklion and Development Network winemakers, which was represented by Mr. Nicholas Miliarakis.

Electronically, Crete is displayed by its website that the Pregecture has created: www.incrediblecrete.gr.

The first tourists arrived at Heraklion

  

 

  The first charter flight landed at Heraklion Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" today, launching the new season.

  The Condor flight from Frankfurt with 174 German tourists arrived shortly before 9 am.The first tourists for the new season will stay in Crete for about two weeks. Most of them have visited  Crete before.

  The charter arrivals will continue today with another two flights.The first one will arive at one o'clock from Tel Aviv, with 166 Israelis and the other one will arrive later in the afternoon from Düsseldorf, with 162 tourists.

Sources: www.mpa.gr 

 www.kathimerini.gr

We are back

It has been so long...
We are going to come back soon.

The Forum: "Mapping the Future"

We are at the end of preparation of a forum intended to reinforce the Hellenic – Russian relationships in tourism. That means more power at the stability of the benign relationships between two countries, rooted in history but contemporary years also.

 Hellenic – Russian  Forum for Tourism entitled "Mapping the Future", organized by the Greek-Russian Chamber of Commerce in Knossos Royal in Hersonissos on 3-4 of September concerns throughout the Greek tourist who has or wants to have relations with Russia and takes place in ideal period for conclusion or confirmation partnerships and pre-season signing contracts.

Performed under the auspices of:

Ministry of Tourism - EOT - Russian Embassy in Greece - SETE - XEE - POX

 It attracts participation:

• the major Russian TO: Coral Travel - Labirint - Panteon Travel - Solvex Tourne St. Petersburg - South Cross - TEZ Tour - TUI Russia & CIS - Versa Travel

 • Organizations tourism promotion in Russia: ATOR (Association Tour Operator of Russia) - RST (Russian Union of Tourism Industry) - Media TRAVEL (Top Hotels) - Media Engineering - Banko Service

• The Ministry of Tourism of Greece

• Region of Crete 

• Region Dodecanese 

• Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises 

• Hellenic Chamber of Hotels 

Supported by:

• The Gold Sponsors: Aegean Airlines - Aldemar Hotels & Spa-Bluebird Airways

• The Sponsor Contact: Media Engineering

• The Technical Support Sponsor: Podimatas Audio Visual 

Knossos Royal where forum will take place

 

The program of forum is: 

3 September 2012

Hall 1 – Ermis / Apollon

09:30 - 10:15 Registration

10:30 - 11:00 Opening Speakers

Vladimir I. Chkhikvishvili, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Greek Republic

Anastasios Liaskos, General Secretary of Tourism

Stavros Arnaoutakis, Regional Governor of Crete

Fotis Chatzidiakos, Vice-Governor of the South Aegean Region

Christos Dimas, President / Hellenic Russian Chamber of Commerce

11:00 - 12:30 «Mapping the Future between Greece – Russia»

Keynote Speakers

Spyros Danellis, Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Committee of Transport &

Tourism (TRAN)

Andreas Andreadis, President / Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises

Georgios Tsakiris, President / Hellenic Chamber of Hotels

Yury Barzykin, Vice President / Russian Union of Tour Industry

Irina Turina, Press Secretary / Russian Union of Tour Industry

Alexandros Angelopoulos, Vice President / Aldemar Hotels & Spa

13:00 - 13:30 Honorary Speech by Mrs. Olga Kegalogianni, Minister of Tourism, in the area

of the ‘Fontana Amorosa’ restaurant

Speech by Mr. Eftichios Vasilakis, Vice President /Aegean Airlines

13:30 - 15:00 Lunch

Session Αʹ

15:30 - 17:00 Panel: «Visa – Air Transportation - Airports»

Panel Coordinator

Maya Lomidze, Executive Director /Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR)

Introduction by

Capt. Marios Sabrakos, Quality Manager - Flight Safety Manager & Security Officer /Bluebird

Airways

Panelists

Ioanna Papadopoulou, Consultant B’ in the C4 Dept. of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(confirmation pending)

Eftichios Vasilakis, Vice President / Aegean Airlines

Capt. Marios Sabrakos, Quality Manager - Flight Safety Manager & Security Officer/

Bluebird Airways

Georgios Pliakas, Airport Manager / Heraklion International Airport in Crete, “N. KAZANTZAKIS”

Tatiana Zotova, Commercial Director of Labirint

Andrey Agapov, Commercial Director of Solvex Tourne, St. Petersburg

Questions & Answers

17:00 - 17:15 Afternoon Coffee Break

 

Session Βʹ

17:15 - 18:45 Panel: «Marketing & Sales in Russia – Characteristics of a Russian

Client - Shopping Tourism»

Panel Coordinator

Tatiana Dmitrova, President / BANKO Service

Panelists

Alexander Burtin, Commercial Director / TEZ Tour

Zurab Dzhaparashvili, Vice President /TEZ Tour

Marina Borisovskaya, General Director of South Cross

Arsen Saakyan, Owner / Media Engineering

Yulia Shakirova, Senior Account Manager / Media Engineering

Anna Bondarenko, General Manager / Media Travel (Top Hotels)

Dimitris Charitidis, Development & Sales Director / Aldemar Hotels & Spa

Questions & Answers

 

4 September 2012

Conference Rooms Klio/Efterpi, Thalia/Melpo,

Kalia/Erato, PolymnEa/Ourania

09:00 - 10:00 Arrivals – Morning Coffee

10:00 - 14:00 Β2Β Meeting sessions of Russian Tour Operators and Greek Companies

Tour Operators

Coral Travel - Labirint - Panteon Travel - Solvex Tourne St. Petersburg - South Cross - TEZ Tour

TUI Russia & CIS - Versa Travel

Coffee –cookies & beverages offered throughout the B2B meeting sessions .

GOLD PARTNERS

Aegean Airlines

Aldemar Hotels & Spa

Bluebird Airways

COMMUNICATION PARTNER

Media Engineering

TECHNICAL SUPPORT PARTNER

Podimatas Audio Visual

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Athens

Greek National Tourism Organisation

Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises

Hellenic Chamber of Hotels

Hellenic Hotel Federation

 

Dia Island: Beautiful, pure and fortunately uninhabited!

Photo of the island from plane

Crete has several islets around who accompany as good friends for centuries. Some of these have experienced human presence and intervention "climbing" the ladder of tourism development. But there are several uninhabited resisting yet. It is welcoming to man, as he has learned to set the terms of their daily survival. 

One of these is the island of Dia, 6 nautical miles northeast of Heraklion, just because that is deserted by humans, has a very important ecosystem and a special biodiversity, so it is a protected area of ​​the network Natura. Many protected native species, the snail Albinaria retusa, the lizard "Podarcis erhardii schiebeli", the wild rabbit "Oryctolagus cuniculus cnossius", the "Mavropetrίtis" falcon- a kind  that its population monitored by ornithologists-but plants like "chasmophyte Carlina diae" are some of the samples from the rich biodiversity of the island. Now, how the island can be a controlled hunting area, this only authorities  can explain it!

 For the origin of the name of the island there are several opinions. Indicates that the name Zeus (Zeus is Dias in simple Greek) is related to Minos' daughter Ariadne, who had been left on the island behind by Theseus, when he returned to Athens. Others, relate to  Dionysades islands, located northeast of  Crete. A third option is that the name of the island have been taken by the nickname of goddess Aphrodite: Dia. 

Stones and shrubs: the main physical features of the island

 Geomorphological point of Dia is 5km long, 3 km wide and size of 12 square kilometers, oriented from west to east. On the south side of the island are sheltered four sheltered bays : The St George's Bay, where there is a unique harbor and beach of the island, the Bay of Capers, the "Panayiά's Bay" (means thw Holy Mother's bay) and the Bay of Wild Olivetree. To the east is the Bay of Artichokes. The maximum height is 220 feet and is generally compatible with the unique landscape of rocks and bushes. There are areas with wild cliffs reaching 60 meters. North of Dia Two small islands full of gulls, "Paximadi" and "Petalidi".

Human intervention ... fortunately small

 The legend behind the story says that it was created by Zeus: Once, Zeus ruled the world from his throne in Olympus, looked toward the birthplace of Crete, and then surprised he saw   the Cretans to hunt with bows and spears, wiping his favorite wild goats (Kri Kri), children of Amalthea nourished him with her milk when hiding from his father Saturn in "Idέon Άndron" cave . He got angry so much that he decided to kill all Cretans. Immediately threw a thunderbolt at sea and a huge monster emerged with the purpose of destroying the Cretans. However, the other gods tried to make him change his mind, but in vain. Then Neptune, who from his kingdom, the sea, the beast came, he said to Zeus: "Father and my King that can devastate the Curetes, so will repay whatever good you have made? '. Curetes were Cretans who banged loudly of their shields to not  his father Saturn hear his son crying  and eat him. Zeus immediately changed his mind. Then she took two pieces of rusk and flew off Crete. So when did the monster to eat him with a thunderbolt petrified with the rusks. Thus was born the Dia both islands, Paximadi (paximadi in Greek means rusk) and Petalidi. 

The colorful seabed of the island

Flying fish by Dia

 The island's history is intense since the Minoan period, thanks to great for navigation position. It was the island that reminded mariners that the coasts and harbors of Crete was near. A fortified coastal Minoan settlement has been located near the Gulf of St George confirms the habitation of the island. On the surface, the end of the island have been identified and other traces of habitation, and we know that there was a small vineyard cultivation until 1937, made ​​by anglers.  

The Harbour

 

The years 1974-75, the great French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who tried to find the lost city of Atlantis lies between Crete and Santorini, with the help of a submersible discovered 7 ancient shipwrecks in Dia , with many amphorae and other archaeological finds dredged. The next year he discovered the Cyclopean Walls, as named by the experts. It is squared and rectangular rocks that made ​​up an artificial breakwater. He Cousteau believed it was the largest and most important harbor of Knossos, which plummeted from the eruption of Santorini. Today, it is believed that the jetty is even older, however, new archaeological research to prove his paternity has not yet taken place. 

Achilles Tagaris in Illustrated History (Vol 143, 1980) states that the island was overgrown with lush forests and crystal springs. Forests destroyed for shipbuilding, the sources dried up, while the eruption of Santorini in 1450 BC ended at any sign of life of Zeus, as the huge tidal waves swept away everything in their path.

Cousteau with M. Voutsala and his research team.

 In the sea area between Heraklion and Dia discovered by Cousteau and Herakleion Manolis Voutsala (Bloblos) and the wreck of the French ship of the 17th century "La Therese". The ship was part of the French aid was sent to Candia during the siege by the Ottomans and was the only ship that sank on June 24, 1669. Was yponafarchida fleet and was sunk by the explosion of gunpowder. 

The church of St. George

On the island, there are no facilities except a tavern near the harbor of the island on the Bay of St. George. There is the beautiful church of St. George, where you can agnantefsete Crete. Access to the island by boats that run day trips.   Source: lexifilia.blogspot.gr

Xerokampos: Evenings full of stars and tranquility

 
 The central beach

If you want to forget even your name and if you want to isolate at the edge of Crete, Xerokampos of  Sitia is the safest option. An unscathed by the hordes of tourists, secluded and beautiful area, located 48 km from Sitia, 29 km from Palekastro and 9 km from the coast of Kato Zakros. Almost 6 Km rich coastal bays and crystal sea but surrounded a desolate, uninhabited rocky and harsh landscape.









The "Mazdά Ammos" beach


The "Gerontόlakos" beach.

The beaches surrounding area is beautiful and ideal for those seeking tranquility, rest and relaxing vacation and at the same time, the shallow crystal clear waters make Xerokampos ideal destination for families with children.





 The rare, white lily of the sand at  "Katsounάki" beach of Xerokampos

Xerokambos offers all kinds of beaches with golden sand, white sand, pebbles and even clay for lovers of natural spa.  


 The "Άrgilos" beach

The wild beauty of the mountains and canyons combined with fantastic deserted beaches and coves carved, palms and olive groves and creates a magical setting. The islands opposite, named "Kάvali",   await lovers of the deep and good swimmers to discover the secrets they keep. 


 The "Alatsolίmni" beach

You will not find many touristic infrastructures. But you can secure comfortable accommodation possibilities, including plenty of food  and very well cooked.  There are 5 restaurants in Xerokampos, a snack-bar and a supermarket, but no other kind of tourist shops, kiosks or any luxury hotel, disco or bank ATMs.Credit card is accepted only at the tavern "Akrogiali" (Ambelos Beach) and Taverna "Kostas" (with Internet Point).



 The "Amάtu" beach
 The nearest medical help is 25 minutes by car and is provided in Ziros (at the military base that exists), you can find a pharmacy and a bank. The petrol station is at Zakros (10 min by car).The first equipped hospital is about 50 minutes by car to Sitia.



The "Potamόs" beach

Therefore it is essential fluids procuring essential drugs and money before you arrive. Xerokambos is a small oasis, a place without unnecessary luxuries of any kind!


The "Ligiάs Lάkos" beach
Pure, chaste, away from the chaos, nothing here could not bring you back to the stress of everyday life. The evenings are still full of stars and tranquility.

Source: lexifilia.blogspot.gr