Touristic attractions of Naxos

 

"Portara", temple entrance-landmark of Naxos town

The island of Naxos is the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades.
Due to its important agricultural production, it was one of the latest to open itself to tourism. For that reason, it has kept its authentic beauty which attracts every year more and more visitors.
Naxos has a great variety of things to offer to the visitor: impressive mountainous landscapes with many isolated traditional villages, some of Europe’s most beautiful golden sandy beaches, a charming capital with its Venetian quarter, picturesque fishing villages, many Byzantine churches, ruins, active night life…
Naxos is world famous for its endless golden sandy beaches with crystal waters situated in the western coast.
Some of these beaches has kept their natural beauty and are considered as some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe: Agios Prokopios, Orkos or Plaka.

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Antiparos:Caves, History and Cycladic Charm

Paros has for years been a household name even to those who have never visited the Greek islands.
But Antiparos – just 30 minutes by boat from Parikia, the capital of Paros, or a mere six minutes by ferry from Paros’ popular Pounta Beach – has yet to be discovered by more than those who have already been initiated in its hidden treasures:
One of the oldest and loveliest stalactite and stalagmite caves in the world; the remains of a Venetian Castle built in 1440 to protect inhabitants from pirate raids; innumerable white churches with blue domes scattered all over the island; secluded emerald beaches.
On Faneromeni beach, at the small church of Panagia Faneromeni, the September 7 annual Festival will once again treat lucky visitors with grilled octopus, tsikoudia – and warm hospitality.

To the south-west of Antiparos lies uninhabited Despotiko islet, the archaeological findings of which are turning it into an Archaeological Park.

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

Crete, the island of miracles

Crete, land of Daidalos and Ikaros, is the largest island of Greece, separating the Aegean from the Libyan Sea and marking the boundary between Europe and Africa. On Crete, the scenery is constantly changing.

Majestic mountains rise in its centre –the Lefka Ori, Psiloritis, Dikti– full of legends and history, while its plateaus are split by deep gorges, ending up in lush valleys.

This island’s fertile soil and towering peaks witnessed the development of one of the most important civilizations on earth, the Minoan (2800-1150 B.C.).

With its clear, warm sea, boundless beaches lined with tamarisks and mild starry nights, Crete is an idyllic place for vacation but for living as well, in bustling Iraklio, cosmopolitan Aghios Nikolaos, picturesque Rethymno or enchanting Chania.

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

Blue Flags 2010

Greece was awarded Blue Flags for 421 Beaches and 9 Marinas by the International Blue Flag Jury, winning second place among 41 countries. 
The prefectures of Lasithi (on Crete), and Halkidiki (northern Greece), as well as the islands of Corfu and Rhodes were awarded the highest number of Blue Flags.
The Blue Flag is an internationally recognized standard for quality, develporewarding sustainable development at beaches and marinas, relying on strict criteria, such as water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety.
Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature: Greek Beachs awarded the Blue Flag for 2010
Greek News Agenda: 425 Blue Flags for Greece

The Hidden Fabulous Greece

(www.minpress.gr / The Observer , 10.05.09)  Greece has been a popular tourist destination for decades. Despite the mass tourism, quiet villages and deserted beaches do still exist. Nicola Iseard of “The Observer” assembled a panel of experts and persuaded them to reveal their personal favorites of Greece.   The extensive article features secret islands like Kastellorizo in the  Dodecanese, Milos in the Southern Cyclades and Antipaxoi in the  Ionian Sea and hidden fabulous beaches like Egremni in Lefkada Island.   Moreover there are suggestions for special places to stay like Milia Settlement in Crete and suggestions for the best taverns serving traditional Greek food. For the more adventurous ones, the article suggests active escapes like rock climbing in Kalymnos Island. Read the whole article here.

Explore Greek Seas and Mountains

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   There is no doubt that the Greek beaches are magical. Nevertheless, spending one’s summer holidays in the Greek mountains is a rare experience. In addition, if one combines the sea and the mountain, then one’s holidays will be unforgettable. Besides, Greece has a unique advantage; it offers tourists the possibility to access its safe, vast, sandy, crystal-clear beaches easily and in no time at all!  The portal www.agrotravel.gr is a gateway to dream holidays in mainland Greece too, in the mountains, in forests, near valleys, rivers and lakes, in places where air-conditioning is unnecessary, because nature provides cool temperatures.