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CRETE NEWS > CRETE NEWS

Greek Architectural Reality in the '60s
09/11/2002 - 10/11/2002

As part of the side events that are presented on the occasion of the exhibition "Landscapes of Modernization. Greek Architecture, '60s & '90s," organized by the Center of Mediterranean Architecture in Chania, Crete, the Megalo Arsenali venue hosts a two-day Symposium, entitled "Greek Architectural Reality in the '60s through the work of important Architects." The two-day Symposium starts on the day after the exhibition's opening, on Saturday, November 9. The Symposium "Greek Architectural Reality in the '60s through the work of important Architects," takes place with the participation of twelve in total speakers that analyze and comment on the '60s through the works of the architects of that time. Among the speakers are the following architects and academics: Agelos Dimitriou, Panos Dragonas, Matina Kalogerakou, Zissia Kotionis, Elias Konstantopoulos, Kostas Manolidis, Yorgos Panetsos, Lois Papadopoulos, Eleni Tsigante, Yannis Aesopos and CMA's artistic director, Dimitris Antonakakis. Side events in Chania are also the following: - Theatre monologue entitled "Do you love Brahms?" (November 11) - Music performance entitled "License to ride a bicycle" (December 2-3). CMA's work The Center of Mediterranean Architecture is the Municipal Cultural institution of the city of Chania, chich was founded in order to bring about several activities that would trigger the interest of the people of Chania, Crete, Greece and the Mediterranean basin in architecture. It also aims to highlight all these architectural characteristics that represent what we call today "Mediterranean identity." These are the elements that come up from the way we create as caretakers of space in the Mediterranean countries. CMA's aim is also to try to give back to the built environment its value as a work of art and culture. In what concerns architects themselves, CMA aims to encourage research, give further support to the development of architecture and its cultural character.

Author : Greek Ministry of Culture




35 years without Che Guevara Photography exhibition in Rethymnon
14 Dec 2002 - 02 Feb 2003

Rethymnon Centre for Contemporary Art, in collaboration with the University of Crete and the State Museum of Comtemporary Art, presents the photography exhibition Che Guevara's death at Art Room 8 in Rethymnon. The exhibition curated by Nikos Hatzinikolaou, professor of History of Art at the University of Crete, is also to be presented shortly in Thessaloniki, at Moni Lazariston.

Organized 35 years after Guevara's assassination, this exhibition pays respect to a moral personality - an example of objectivity, disinterest and militancy. It is presented in order to aggregate the evidence concerning the way the artistic circle reacted, when the news and the photographs of Guevara's assasination, travelled worldwide in October 1967.

The exhibits (paintings, engravings and posters) presented, belong to diverse collections in Latin America, USA and Europe. Original photographs by Freddy Alborta are also exhibited.

The exhibition also includes works by Raul Arellano, Antonio Frasconi, Oskar Rojas, Ian Hillenberg, Ruth Weisberg, Yiannis Gaitis, Dimitris Zouroudis, Kyriakos Katzourakis, Despoina Meimaroglou and Aggelos Skourtis.

Author : Greek Ministry of Culture




INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL 2003
March 15 - April 15 2003

Omma Center of Contemporary Art, together with the Perfecture of Chania, the Municipal Government of Hania, Crete, Greece and DI.PE.H (Public Cultural Organization), are organizing a huge International Fine Arts Exhibition from 15 until 15 April 2003 at the NEORIA public exhibition center in the Old Town of Hania. The exhibition space, a converted 15th century vaulted Venetian shipyard, is over 4000 square meters in area (in the picture the Neoria Exhibition Center with the two halls from right to left have been converted to an exhibition center). It will be the largest art exhibition ever held in Hania and one of the largest ever held in Greece, and will be covered accordingly by the local and national media.

UNDER THE AIGIS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CHANIA

Author : Despina & Thomas Tunberg - Omma Center of Conemporary Art




Fossils & Rocks of Crete
Wednesday 19 May 2004

We invite you to the opening of the exhibition "Fossils & Rocks of Crete", from the collection of Iakovos Tsourounakis, on Wednesday 19 May, at 7:00 p.m. At 8:30 Pr. Manolis Manoutsoglou will present the collection and give a talk about fossils The exhibition will continue until 30 May, 2004. Co-organizers: Omma Center of Contemporary Art - Iakovos Tsourounakis. Classification and dating Pr. Manolis Manoutsoglou - Technical University of Crete. With the support of the Technical University of Crete The exhibits are not for sale. Opening hours: daily 10 - 2 morning and 7- 10 evening. Closed: Saturday evening and Sunday all day Address: 43 E. Venizelou St., Chania, Crete, tel. & fax 28210 42100

Author : Omma




Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries at the Adventures in Travel Expos
22 December 2004

Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries organizes distinctive educational travel programs covering all that Crete has to offer – ancient history, culture, wild nature, organic agriculture and cuisine. CCS founder, Nikki Rose, is speaking on the panel, “What’s Hot in Adventure Travel” at the Adventures in Travel Expos in Chicago (January 7, Stephens Convention Center), New York (January 14, Javits Convention Center) and Washington, DC (January 28, Washington Convention Center). CCS will also have an exhibition booth at the Chicago and DC shows. (PRWEB) December 17, 2004 -- Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries organizes distinctive educational travel programs covering all that Crete has to offer – ancient history, culture, wild nature, organic agriculture and cuisine. CCS founder, Nikki Rose, is speaking on the panel, “What’s Hot in Adventure Travel” at the Adventures in Travel Expos in Chicago (January 7, Stephens Convention Center), New York (January 14, Javits Convention Center) and Washington, DC (January 28, Washington Convention Center). CCS will also have an exhibition booth at the Chicago and DC shows.

CCS programs are tailored to small groups and presented exclusively by resident experts. Intensive classes in Crete’s renowned healthy cuisine and organic gardening, including the seasonal production of olive oil, cheese and wine are intertwined with visits to ancient sites, botanic treks and optional sports such as rock climbing and paragliding. “We instinctively follow sustainable tourism guidelines,” said Rose. “We collaborate with local groups that specialize in a wide range of activities. Our guests join us in villages they may never find on their own and really get to know residents who are passionate and knowledgeable about the rich history and culture of their island. Any place we visit, whether it be New York or Nepal, is much more memorable when we spend time with local people. That’s the connection we make in Crete, while sharing valuable cultural, culinary and gardening information with our guests.

Rose is a Greek-American, professional chef and writer (primarily for Slow Food) who lived in Crete for four years. She now divides her time between the U.S. and Crete, working on a book and documentary that mirrors CCS programs in Crete. She has designed cultural-culinary seminars since 1997, featuring prominent chefs from the diplomatic sector, culinary schools and fine dining establishments from around the world.

Kostas Bouyouris, the Greek co-designer of the CCS project, is a noted agronomist and founding member of the Mediterranean Association for Soil Health. Bouyouris lives on Crete and has worked for over a decade on innovative projects to encourage the expansion of sustainable organic production in Crete. His training programs and cooperative incentives link organic farmers directly to restaurant kitchens and create an essential bridge between the two primary industries in Crete – agriculture and tourism. MedASH is involved in many ancillary community projects, such as training young farmers and organizing children’s gardens.

“Alternative travel has evolved into cultural immersion travel,” said Rose. “We often hear that climbing a mountain in a foreign land was exhilarating, but getting to know local people was the most memorable part of the journey. Travelers are searching for more than an ideal climate, natural beauty or extreme sports in places they choose to pass through in their lifetime. They are also more concerned about the impact their visit may have on the local communities. It’s wonderful to be a part of such a dynamic group at the Adventures in Travel Expos who are working on programs like ours to create a lasting bond between visitors and residents. Crete has a significant ancient past, but people still live there and they can be quite fascinating, when we make the time to know them.

Author : Nikki Rose




PAINTING EXHIBITION
11 Jan 2005

LYSSANDROS MHTSOTAKIS OPENING FRIDAY 14 JANOUARY 7.00 p.m. Exhibition lasts until February 5 2005 OMMA CENTER of CONTEMPORARY ART 43 E. Venizelou Chania Crete Tel 2821042100

Author : Omma Art Gallery




Exhibition
9-25 February 2005

We invite you to the opening reception of the exhibition of the artists: Gudrun Ploetz, Nando Martins, Dimitris Gratsias, Paul Shatheese, Valeria Dimitrova Ghita Khadraoui on Wednesday 9 February, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. The exhibition will continue until 25 February, 2005. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10 - 2 morning Evening: Tuesday, Thursday and Wednesday 6- 9 Address: 43 E. Venizelou St., Chania, Crete, tel. & fax 28210 42100

Author : www.Travel-to-Crete.com




Wihlelmina's Lof exhibition
Friday, May 6 2005

Opening of Wihlelmina's Lof exhibition at the OMMA Center of Contemporary Arts in Chania on Friday, May 6, from 7 pm to 9 pm

Author : OMMA




Travel through Zorba the Greek country
17 August 2005

Of all the islands in the Aegean, Greece’s millpond-calm sea studded with largely unspoilt tourist magnets, Crete holds a special place. It could be its colourful history: it features large in Greek mythology when the demi-god Theseus, slew the Minotaur (half-man, half-bull) with the help of Ariadne (daughter of the king of Knossos) and in more contemporary times the Cretan resistance wrote volumes of heroism during the island’s involvement in the second World War. It could be the allure of its archaeology (the Minotaur may be mythical but the palace at Knossos actually exists) or it could be the combination of wild mountains and calm seas that form its landscape.

The attraction is felt by more than half a million visitors each year who, outnumbering the island’s population by about two to one, visit their favourite haunts again and again, becoming, in the process, honorary Cretans rather than tourists.

Enter into Chania, one of the island’s largest cities and the most probable place you’ll disembark (or land) in and you’ll be surprised by two things: its size (it’s much larger than you’d expect) and the mind-blowing combination of rugged mountains in the background and wine-calm sea in its harbour and many scenic beaches.

This is a tale that’s repeated every time you strike out in Crete. The mountains are rugged beyond belief. The beaches appear unspoilt. You take one look at Samaria Gorge (which can be traversed with the help of a guide and his train of donkeys – or for the more hardy, on your own) and you instantly realise that the larger-than-life character played by Anthony Quinn in Zorba the Greek could have come only from Crete.

Cretans are fiercely proud of their island and its history that dates back to the Phoenician times in 800BC but they’re also incredibly welcoming and go to great lengths to make visitors feel at home. Whilst, obviously, much of the island’s income comes from tourism Crete is large enough and rich enough to not rely entirely on visitors so when Cretans go to seemingly extraordinary lengths to make you feel at home it’s because they genuinely like you and want to impress you with the tradition of their hospitality rather than because they’re after your tourist-dollars.

I have had friends being offered the loan of a taverna-owner’s car when they couldn’t find transport and the number of instances when Cretans have helped tourists find accommodation, food, or simply an out-of-the-way beach are too numerous to mention.

This is a place which while feeling fully integrated into Europe (internet cafes abound and there are few places on the island where your mobile phone will be out of reach of a signal) it is still safe enough for locals to leave their front doors unlocked and visitors to come back to their unattended towels on the beach and find their mobile phones and digital cameras (left in plain view) still there.

It’s little wonder that so many of them, each year, decide to sell-up back home and settle permanently on the island. Of course no such move is ever culture-shock free and this is probably more true for Crete than most places.

While many Cretans speak English (and French and German) the island’s incredibly long history makes for a culture that’s multi-layered and hard to penetrate –at least initially- add to it a level of bureaucracy that even native Cretans hate and the fact that the language of officialdom is Greek and you begin to realise that a love affair with the island must be deep indeed to go the distance.

That so many expatriates decide it’s worth the trouble speaks volumes about the island’s incredible beauty and its ability to work its magic upon its visitors. One of these expats is Carol Palioudaki who, eighteen years ago, was just one of many island-struck backpackers coming off the boat from Athens (the capital of Greece) to check out the island they’d heard so many tales about.

Married into a Cretan family and the mother of two children Carol is living testament to the island’s allure. “You consciously give up a certain way of life back home,” she says “but the compensations make it more than worth it. This is a place where children can grow up in complete safety, where the past is never far from the present and where history makes itself felt in almost everything you do.”

To step onto the island is unlike anything you’ve experienced. The Crete of today is as much a magical amalgam of past and present as it ever was and just a few hours spent walking the narrow streets of the old part of Chania are enough to strip away the façade of modernity and bring back to life larger-than-life heroes and colourful characters. There is a zest for living here that instantly transports you into the heart of Zorba the Greek, and explains why Crete is still called the island of dreams.

Author : Melissa Jones




Partial solar eclipse will be visible from Crete on Monday
September 29, 2005

Weather permitting, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Greece next Monday, October 3.

The eclipse will be total for sections of Spain, Portugal and Africa and partial in Greece, with a maximum 57 per cent coverage of the sun's surface over Iraklio, Crete.

The phenomenon will begin on Crete at around 11:42 and reach its peak coverage at 12:40, ending after three hours at 14:11.

The eclipse will be observed by astronomy students at Crete University using a telescope with a special solar filter and through a telescope owned by the Crete University Physics Department, again equipped with a special solar filter. Both telescopes will be placed on the roof of the physics department, eight kilometres outside the city of Iraklio.

Scientists also warned that special glasses or other specialised equipment are needed in order to observe a solar eclipse and cautioned the public against using ordinary sunglasses, which do not provide adequate protection. They also noted that smoked glass, which is often used in order to observe an eclipse, does not block ultraviolet rays.

Author : Athens News Agency




Byzantine Churches and Monasteries of Crete
October 28, 2005

Byzantine Churches and Monasteries of Crete is a lovingly prepared and fully illustrated book, and not merely a documentary collection of churches on Greece’s biggest island; much more than that, it tells the spiritual history of Crete, weaving together legends, myths and vivid historical facts into a narrative that both recounts and guides. It is thus both a wonderful book to browse while at home, and an indispensable companion for travelers headed for Crete and interested in the Orthodox heritage, so vital to Greece and its people.

Reviewed by Christopher Deliso

More on Blakanalysis

Author : By Nikos Psilakis




China Shipping Group Favors Greek Island
November 11, 2005

The state-owned China Shipping Group may launch a project to develop a transshipment container terminal on the Greek island of Crete, the Merchant Marine Ministry said Friday.

The company's president, Li Kelin, wrote to Greek Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis earlier this week stating that after visits to a number of European locations, "Crete was the highlight."

"The geographical location of Crete makes it an ideal choice to develop a transshipment center for the East Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea," Li added.

Li said the port of Timbaki on Crete's south coast "with all its features is a good site for transshipment terminals."

The shipping group is one of the world's largest and its intention to set up a transshipment center in the Mediterranean was a reflection of China's growing exports to Europe.

In his letter, Li said that establishing China Shipping's own transshipment hub in the Mediterranean was firmly on the company's agenda given the rapid growth of the company's container volume on its Far East-Mediterranean services.

The company has carried between 800,000 and 1 million containers to the Mediterranean so far this year.

China Shipping operates a total fleet of 400 vessels with an aggregate deadweight of 11.5 million metric tons (12.68 million tons). The company's container unit, China Shipping Containers Co. Ltd., has more than 100 vessels with a total shipping capacity of nearly 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs. One TEU unit is equal to around 40.9 cubic meters.

Author : Associated Press




Early Greek writing unearthed on Crete
November 15, 2005

Archaeologists in Crete have found an important trove of archaeological treasures containing some of the earliest known examples of Greek writing, the Culture Ministry said Saturday.

It said the finds were excavated at a long-abandoned site on a hill overlooking the port of Hania in western Crete, which has been identified with the Minoan city of Kydonia.

Among the discoveries was an amphora containing an intact text written in Linear B, the language of the court at Mycenae where the legendary Agamemnon ruled.

Also found were two terracotta tablets containing texts in Linear A, an even older alphabet — used around 1,700 years before the common era — which has not yet been deciphered. The ministry said the archaeologists found evidence of a violent fire believed to have destroyed a town on the site around 1450 BC. Possible connection with Santorini eruption?(AFP)

Author : ekathimerini.com




Jennifer Aniston seeks solace in Greece
December 14, 2005

Actress Jennifer Aniston, short for Anastassakis, is planning a trip to Greece to explore her family's roots in Crete (where her family has a farm) in a bid to escape the limelight.

The former Friends actress is desperate to escape the media frenzy which has surrounded her since splitting from ex-husband Brad Pitt in January.

And she hopes a visit to her family's farm will give her the opportunity to live a normal life for a few weeks.

She says: I'm going to take some time off, travel. I want to go to Greece and some other countries.

I lived there for a year when I was five or six. We lived in Athens for six months, then we lived in Crete.

My family has a beautiful farm. I've only gone back there once. It would be a refreshing thing to be out of this (Los Angeles) bubble.

Author : Thomas Crosbie Media




International Property exhibition to be held in London
December 21, 2005

The 12th international property exhibition will be held in London on 4th and 5th February, 2006. The venue for the real estate exhibition is Le Meridien Grosvenor House, 86-90 Park Lane.

The exhibition will show among others case real estate projects in Crete. The event will provide information on homes, villas and property overseas.

Author : Travel to Crete




Meals On Reels
December 21, 2005

The crew from Television New Zealand was coming to Crete to film an episode of Taste Takes Off, their award-winning culinary travel program. They asked us to introduce them to the people, places and cuisine that characterize Crete.

Long before the crew arrived, Kostas Bouyouris and I conducted a recce, pronounced ricky. It's film lingo for researching story ideas and coordinating shooting schedules. With our growing network of great farmers and chefs, we had to make agonizing decisions. What are the most important stories? Who are the best people to tell them? To minimize crew travel time, we had to choose a single region of Crete, and decided it would Rethymno on the northern coast. The casting decisions required several visits and lots of meze to work it all out.

Not everyone in the world wants to be on television, especially foreign television that may never be aired in Crete. Some farmers are indifferent to such exposure and suspicious of people asking questions about their cheesemaking techniques. But New Zealanders are historically friends of Crete, and many people went out of their way to help.

More on Slowfood

Author : Nikki Rose




Crete to get new airport
February 8, 2006

The Greek government has announced plans to build a new international airport in Crete within eight to ten years.

Crete's current airport, Nikos Kazantzakis in Iraklion, has become overused during the peak holiday season and is situated near a built up area.

With a proposed size of 70,000 square metres, the new airport will be almost twice as large as Nikos Kazantzakis and will be able to handle 5,000 holidaymakers a day.

Greek ministers Mihalis Liapis and Manolis Kefaloyiannis unveiled the project last week, stressing that the new airport would promote Crete as an eastern Mediterranean hub.

They also asserted that the project would boost the local economy.

The new airport will be based in Kasteli near Iraklion in the north of the island.

Costing a projected €1.1 billion, the development will be funded by both the government and private investors.

Crete's airport already receives more international charter flights during peak season than any other Greek hub, according to Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

Author : e-Kathimerini




Total solar eclipse visible on Crete
March 29, 2006

The first total solar eclipse visible from Greek territory after decades will come on Wednesday, with residents and visitors to the remote island of Kastellorizo -- southeast of Rhodes and just across from the Turkish resort town of Kas -- able to see the natural phenomenon.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible elsewhere in Greece, primary in the Dodecanese islands and Crete, although it will also be partially visible from Athens and Thessaloniki.

The last two total solar eclipses in Greece were recorded in 1936 and 1870, whereas the next one is scheduled for far-off 2088.

The eclipse will begin in Kastellorizo (ancient Megisti) at 12:34 p.m. and be completed at 3:10 p.m.

Caption: A partial solar eclipse, visible from the large island of Crete, is seen in this Oct. 3, 2005 file photo. ANA-MPA / S. Rapanis.

Author : Athens News Agency




Thalassokosmos
July 22, 2006

The aquarium Thalassokosmos (Sea world) was inaugurated in Iraklio, Crete on Saturday by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis and Deputy Development Minister Yiannis Papathanassiou. Sioufas described the Cretan aquarium as a work which advertises research, promotes education and projects culture.

He added that it was a work which is a motivating lever for elevating the region.

In statements after the inauguration, the development minister stressed that the Cretan aquarium consitutes an acquisition for science, research, Crete and the whole of Greece, and this makes us feel proud.

Sioufas added that the entire complex constitutes, as of today, a valuable tool for the special scientists who study the sea life of the eastern Mediterranean.

by Athens News Agency

Author : Travel to Crete




The old Venetian lighthouse in Chania reopens at the end of August
July 22, 2006

The old Venetian lighthouse in Chania on the Greek island of Crete officially reopens at the end of August, authorities said last week. The lighthouse, one of Crete’s most famous landmarks, has undergone reconstruction and reinforcing work for two and a half years.

Author : South East European Times




Thomas Cook reports Crete as top destination for Britons
July 28, 2006

Thomas Cook said it had seen an upturn in foreign holiday bookings with people reckoning they can cope better abroad with high temperatures. Thomas Cook said Majorca, Crete, the Greek island of Zante and Dalaman in Turkey were the top destinations for Britons at present.

Author : Manchester Evening News




International Healing Conference in Crete
August 25, 2006

The Enigma Group Announces International Healing Conference in Crete, Greece, October 12 - 19, 2006

This powerful tour to the magical island of Crete offers an excellent opportunity in the perfect environment to explore the cutting edge paradigms of healing with some of the important pioneers in the field. With these world renown teachers and healers you will experience techniques and experiential teachings on deeper levels of healing than you have ever known before in addition to witnessing Greek power places and ancient sacred sites.

Magical Crete, with its special mystical energy and powerful sense of nurturing, provides the perfect environment for this International Healing Conference. Join Dr. Hulda Clark, and other holistic teachers and pioneers to explore cutting edge paradigms of healing, as well as for networking, rejuvenation and relaxation. Nestled in this protected power place known as Crete, you will experience techniques and experiential teachings on deeper levels of healing than you have ever known before. Enjoy yourself and relax while you explore and experience the power of this health retreat and pilgrimage tour!

More info on International Healing Conference

Author : Travel to Crete




The Passion of Christ - a painting by El Greco
August 24, 2006

AN AMATEUR collector went to his grave 60 years ago, unable to convince scholars that he had discovered a 1566 painting by El Greco.

Now Emilios Velimezis, a Greek businessman who bought icons of the 15th and 16th centuries, has been proved right after all, to the excitement of today’s art experts.

The Passion of Christ — Pietà with Angels, painted in 1566 by the Master dubbed a prophet of modern art, will be unveiled to the British public this week, as part of an important exhibition at the British Library. The attribution was clinched by the discovery of a fading photograph taken in 1938 which shows that the painting once bore the artist’s signature — under his real name, Domenikos Theotokopoulos — beneath Christ’s feet.

The painting, which measures 68.7cm by 45cm (27in by 18in), had been photographed just before the signature was removed, along with old varnish, by an overzealous restorer.

El Greco (1541-1614), who is thought to have raised enough money from the sale of this painting to leave his native island of Crete, was one of the most original artists of his age.

More on Times online

Author : Dalya Alberge




Taste of Crete, a gourmet food company, won Gold for its marquee Taste of Crete PDO extra virgin olive oil from Greece in the prestigious International Olive Oils of the World Competition.
September 15, 2006

Taste of Crete PDO Extra Virgin Olive Oil, from Greece, won a Gold Medal in this year’s 2006 competition, recognizing it as one of the best extra virgin olive oils. It also carries the DOP or PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) classification which means that it has been recognized by the European Union with highest distinction in quality and adherence to traditional production methods in its geographical region. Taste of Crete’s fine artisan extra virgin olive oil with an extremely low acidity of 0.3% is from the region of Sitia, Crete, Greece.

The International Olive Oils of the World Competition is a special competition open to olive oils produced throughout the world. Since its inception in 2000, it has quickly grown to world stature and is now the largest olive oil competition in the United States with major participation from Spanish, French, Greek, Californian and Italian extra virgin olive oils and all other olive oil producing countries. It is held in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Fair, The California Olive Oil Council and their panel of international tasters.

Esther Psarakis, President of Taste of Crete, based in Bridgewater New Jersey, states: “We are extremely honored to be awarded Gold in this competition. It gives well deserved recognition to the farmers in Sitia who take exceptional pride in their extra virgin olive oil’s careful cultivation and production. Last year, our first year in business, Taste of Crete won a Silver medal” Esther Psarakis started the company because her husband is from Crete and she has developed a passion for the culture, food and people of Crete. She elaborates “I have known for years that some of the finest extra virgin olive oil is from Crete, Greece, and I am dedicated to importing its finest quality natural food products”. In addition to her Gold winning extra virgin olive oil, she imports raw varietal honeys from various areas of Greece and she has created a line of traditional Greek cookies based on her mother in law’s recipes. Ms. Psarakis is a 2005 Success Award Winner for the Small Business Development Centers and a 2005 Stevie Award Finalist for Best New Company.

Do you know that the people of Crete have the highest consumption of olive oil in the world? she asks. The nutritional benefits of extra virgin olive oil are an important component of the diet of Crete, one of the healthiest versions of the Mediterranean diet. My goal is to bring Taste of Crete PDO extra virgin olive oil to health conscious and gourmet food loving Americans. Winning again, and this time the Gold, in this prestigious competition, is wonderful recognition for Greek extra virgin olive oil.

Taste of Crete will be participating in the Summer Fancy Foods Show being held at Jacob Javits in New York City from July 9-11. They will be at booth 3061 and are also represented by Steiner Foods at booth 1036 and Importika at booth 176. Taste of Crete products will also be showcased at the European Union’s European Authentic Tastes Pavilion and the New Jersey Pavilion. Additional information on Taste of Crete can be found on their website, www.tasteofcrete.com, or by calling 908 685 2035.

Author : Travel to Crete




Global Volunteers
September 15, 2006

Like thousands of North Americans, Stamford residents Denise Greenman and her daughter Jennifer, 17, traveled to Crete this summer. Yet, unlike the typical sun and scooter island experience, theirs was a unique journey of learning and service.

For two weeks in July, this adventurous mother and daughter joined a Global Volunteers team that taught English at a summer camp in the community of Gazi, located along the northern coast of Crete near the city of Iraklion.

The summer camp was attended by youngsters from several local villages who rarely have an opportunity to practice their oral language skills, let alone meet North Americans. They participated in informal classes that often took the form of crafts lessons, song sessions and recreational games.

As is often the case, the teachers learned more than the students as they immersed themselves in the local culture. The Greenmans enjoyed sharing their lives with local villagers.

During free time, the volunteers had the opportunity to explore ancient Minoan ruins at Knossos and Phaestos [dating back to 2000-1400 B.C.], historical museums, Crete's breathtaking gorges and the coastal ports of Chania and Matala.

More on The Stamford Times, Global Volunteers

Author : Travel to Crete




The new Archbishop of Crete
September 26, 2006

The new Archbishop of Crete, Irenaios, leads a procession through the rain-soaked streets of Iraklion towards the Aghios Minas Cathedral for his enthronement yesterday. The Ecumenical Patriarchate named Irenaios as the new archbishop of Crete last month. The 73-year-old Irenaios takes over the post following the death of Archbishop Timotheos in July. Timotheos had served in the position for 28 years.

Author : e-Kathimerini




Culinary Tourism in Crete
18/5/2007

The shepherds go up on the mountains to milk their goats. There are no milking machines, not even any electricity to run them if there were! Instead, the men use highly trained dogs to round up the goats from wherever they are on the mountain, then herd them into a pen, pushing them forward so the men can grab them and milk them by hand, rapidly squirting the milk into a large can set into a concrete holder.
The local cheese makers process the milk obtained from the goats. They make several kinds of fresh and aged cheeses there.
The traditional way of roasting meat in Crete, is skewering the meat on spikes and resting it on stakes pounded into the ground so the fat drips away from the meat without creating flare-ups. Inside the village community centre a massive display of foods is lining the perimeter of a large room. Each woman in the village brings a different traditional dish.
There are pastries made with homemade strawberry and apricot jams, tiny fried pastry pockets filled with sweet cheese, savory pockets stuffed with spinach or wild greens, pork with wild greens, cured olives, umpteen artichoke dishes, rabbit and much more.

Author : Travel To Crete




European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning EC-TEL
July 4, 2007

he flagship of the PROLEARN Academy is the European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning EC-TEL, an annual conference for the technology enhanced learning community in Europe. Last year, the EC-TEL 2006 took place in Crete, Greece. This year (big surprise), the EC-TEL 2007 will take place in Crete, Greece.

More on PROLEARN Academy

Author : Travel to Crete




EC-TEL 2007 - Second European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning
July 16, 2007

Second European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning - Creating new learning experiences on a global scale, 17-20 September 2007, Crete, Greece.

With the advance of metadata standards, learning objects, Web 2.0 approaches to rip, mix & burn learning, wikis, blogs, syndication, user generated content, interactive TV, games and the ubiquitous availability of computing devices we can and have to offer more flexible learning services on a global scale. As one of the new objectives of the 7th Framework Program of the European Commission puts it: we need Responsive environments for technology-enhanced learning that motivate, engage and inspire learners, and which are embedded in the business processes and human resources management systems of organizations". An important challenge is to bridge between informal learning strategies of the knowledge society and formal competence development programs of organizations.

Author : Travel to Crete




Best Beach Vacations - Europe
27 April 2011

Good news from Tripadvisor, where Crete is listed at the No 4 in Europe best beaches proposals.

Although Crete is Greece biggest island, its popularity has caught up with it and caused some overcrowding on its east coast. Those who venture farther west and south will find unspoiled beaches, low-key resorts and 300 days of sunshine to worship each year.

More information on Best Beach Vacations - Europe

Author : Travel to Crete




Events for the award of the coast of Chania with the Blue Flag
July 17, 2011

Once again, 11 beaches in the municipal units of Chania - from 25 in the entire prefecture of Chania - were awarded the Blue Flag by the Greek Society for the Protection of Nature. The beaches were awarded this year with the Blue Flag are (in alphabetical order):

1. Agia Marina,
2. Holy Apostles 1,
3. Holy Apostles 2,
4. Saint Onoufrios,
5. Kalathas,
6. Kalamaki
7. Marathi
8. New Country,
9. Stalos,
10. Cross
11. gold coast

With this award, certified both the suitability of bathing waters, and the excellent infrastructure to ensure safe and convenient service to bathers. It should also be kept and the remaining 31 strict criteria relating to both the cleanliness, organization, information, safety of bathers and visitors, and protect the natural wealth of the coast and the coastal area, while environmental awareness.

Author : TtC




The Island of Crete - See for yourself, feel for yourself
July 28th, 2012

Greece has nothing to do with the way the international press presents the current situation. Enjoy the video of Crete, Greece, Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra, Anogia Tympaki, Kandanos

Author : TtC




Crete on 3rd place at Best Honeymoon Destinations
October 15th, 2012

Crete was voted as top honeymoon destination according to U.S. News Travel.

According to U.S. News Travel about Crete: The large Greek isle of Crete is broken into four distinct regions that offer very different experiences, from jungle adventures to beach-bum lazing. The sands are lovely, as are the hotels, spas, and Greek cuisine.

More information: 17 Best Honeymoon Destinations by U.S. News Travel

Author : TtC




Rethymno Carnival 2013
February 3, 2013

For 2013 the big parade will be on March 17.

In the beautiful Renaissance city of Rethymnon, the carnival dates as far back as 1914. Halloween of another era bygone era. Nostalgic scent, lots of dances and romantic Rethymno greets His Majesty King Carnival!

A custom of that old Rethemniotikis Carnival of the last century, the "Treasure Hunt" becomes the occasion, in the early 1990s, to create the "Groups" which later, in 1993, invited by the Municipality of Rethymno, as helper and financier, to undertake, support and give creative life to Carnival, a carnival that at the dawn of the 21st century has deservedly established itself as the "Carnival of Crete!"

Author : TtC




Chania Wins Council Of Europe's “12 Star City” Award!
June 20th, 2013

it's worth mentioning that last year, the Council of Europe awarded to the Municipality of Chania - for the first time - the prize of “12 Star City” on the occasion of the successful participation of the Municipality in this pan-European initiative.

The participation of Municipality Chania in the European Local Democracy Week 2012, aims to:

  • spread of culture on human rights at local level.
  • promote social rights at local level and ensure a better access to municipal services and social support structures to all people in need.
  • encourage involvement among under-represented groups, such as youth and elderly, in public life.
  • enhance the intergenerational cooperation and solidarity.
  • defense the most vulnerable groups of population and enhance the public awareness on human rights.


More information on Municipality of Chania on European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) 2012

Author : TtC






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