Τρίτη 21 Φεβρουαρίου 2017

Crete: The Apokriés, or Carnival season in Rethymno, Brings Thousands of Tourists...

Since 1914 beautiful Renaissance Rethymnon has been celebrating the carnival with its many humoristic events. A carnival of another era leaving behind its nostalgic aroma of romantic balls and the Rethymnians through laughter and their comical antics paying their tribute to "His Excellence, The King of the Carnival."

The Treasure Hunt, an old custom dating back to when the Carnival of Rethymno began about a century ago, was the reason for the creation of 'teams' in 1990, which would give birth once again to this age-old tradition.

In 1993, the Municipality of Rethymnon decided to help fund this popular event and requested the teams to take on the challenging task of creating and organising the Carnival of Rethymnon, which has become the most popular and famous Carnival of Crete!

The whole town becomes one big party: for almost a whole month, the city plays host to a succession of fun-filled celebrations, bringing together locals and visitors who participate in this carnival because they love to enjoy every moment of their lives.

You will see groups of people sitting together in traditional cafés (kafeneia) drinking “tsikoudiá” (raki), tasting Cretan titbits and thinking up “mantinádes” (folk couplet songs) on the spot.

Carnival in Rethymno, an institution with a great history, has withstood the test of time and returns each year full of vigour. 

It is a superb way to raise your spirits, meet new people and experience an event that is pure magic.

Photo of the day

Sunny day walking, by the plakias beach..
Rethymno,Crete.. 
Plakiassuites


Τετάρτη 1 Φεβρουαρίου 2017

Have a great February

Enjoy the little things...

Positive Signs for Greek Tourism as Pre-bookings Grow

Tourists from Germany, Russia and the UK have already made plans to visit Greece this summer pushing the number of pre-bookings into positive territory and offering sector professionals a glimpse of what’s in store for 2017.

Arrivals from Germany are expected to grow by 40 percent, from the UK by 15 percent and from Russia by 25 percent compared to 2016.
At the same time, interest from other markets, including France, Switzerland and Canada, has also begun to warm up. Travelers this year are keen on visiting Crete, Rhodes and Kos — islands which are expected to draw in the crowds thanks to a number of newly launched direct flights.

Vacationers from the US are also expected to rise this year, following a double-digit increase in 2015-2016, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said while in the US for the New York Times Travel Show.

Meanwhile, TUI reports a 41 percent rise in the number of bookings for Greece, while Thomas Cook is describing Greece as this year’s “ultimate destination”.
Spain remains Greece’s main competitor as the leading choice for holidays together with rivals Italy and Portugal. Egypt, meanwhile is regaining ground due to affordable holiday deals.
(source:gtp)