Direct flights Amsterdam to Sitia new for 2012
Dutch charter airline ArkeFly, part of the travel giant TUI, are advertising flights direct Amsterdam-Sitia flights for summer 2012. The booking form shows a twice weekly service, with return flights operating Thursdays and Sundays, starting 26/04/2012. The last flight is 18/10/2011.
Based on a sample search, prices don't appear too competitive, especially for non-Dutch flyers who must travel via Amsterdam, but it's a move in the right direction for the much anticipated development of the airport, and welcome news for east Crete tourism and visitors wanting an easier journey to this end of the island.
More information, and a booking form, can be found (in Dutch) on the ArkeFly website at http://www.arkefly.nl/vliegtickets/kreta-sitia.aspx.
In Sitia - east Crete travel guide
'In Sitia' is a free travel guide with some great tips for places to visit in east Crete, and a must-have for anyone looking for day-trip ideas from Makrigialos.
The guide is an impressive booklet of over 100 pages, made free by the sponsorship of local tourism businesses, and presenting a good deal of information on the beaches, history, and sights, of east Crete, alongside suggestions for dining, entertainment, shopping, and of course accommodation, and car and bike rental.
For visitors staying in Makrigialos the guide has a run-down of the best local beaches and offers some great ideas for exploring east Crete, including Sitia itself, Toplou Monastery, the restored Venetian manor at Etia, Kapsa Monastery, and the far eastern attractions of Vai palm forest, the Palekastro area, and the Minoan complex at Kato Zakros.
This is a very informative, well put together guide that no visitor should be without. Pick up your copy in Makrigialos at the Remax/maCreteland Tours office near the harbour.
Mid-July Music Weekend
The mid-July weekend social calendar is getting busy now, with a variety of events to suit all tastes. As well as the regular traditional Cretan music evenings at Votsalakia taverna in Koutsouras (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), Aposperitis and Tramuntana tavernas in Makry-Gialos (Friday), and the Piperia taverna in Pefki (Sunday), this weekend sees back to back beach parties; at Diaskari beach on Friday 15th, and the Green Beach Bar in Makry-Gialos on Saturday.
For those who prefer their evenings to be a little more traditional, Ilios Cafe in the harbour at Makrigialos is hosting a traditional Greek night on Saturday Evening, whilst Miltos Pashalidis, Greek guitarist with 9 albums to his name, plays Koursaros Cafe in Koutsouras. The weekend winds down with local musician and Casa dei Mezzo festival veteran Socrates (+1) winding up a 2nd-hand sale in support of the Community Association of Lithines with modern Greek music on the Remax/maCreteland Tours terrace (sale starts 17:00, music starts 20:00).
For details of upcoming events throughout the summer, be sure to check back with South East Crete Holidays.
Live Music and Dance
Enjoy traditional live Cretan music at the following venues throughout the summer.
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Regular Live Music Venues
- Aposperitis taverna, Makrigialos, every Friday evening
- Tramuntana taverna, Makrigialos, every Friday evening
- Porphyra taverna, Makrigialos, every Sunday evening
- Votsalakia taverna, Koutsouras, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening
The Piperia taverna in Pefki also stages traditional Cretan dancing every Sunday evening (pictured). Members of the audience, as well as sundry items of taverna furnishing, are co-opted into the performance, and this is a popular opportunity to experience as well as witness a taste of Cretan culture.
In addition to regular events, there are a number of one-off events throughout the summer, ranging from modern/cosmopolitan music to traditional village celebrations. Keep an eye out for posters advertising what's on locally during your stay.
Casa dei Mezzo Music Festival 2011
The 8th annual Casa dei Mezzo Music Festival opened on 23rd June with a children's concert, featuring performances from local children, followed by a Cretan Extravaganza of traditional music and dance, in Makrigialos harbour. The festival features 6 days of classical music performed by an international cast of musicians, and concludes with a Grand Finale concert on June 28th at the Casa dei Mezzo, in the foothills above Makrigialos.
South East Crete Videos
Watch videos shot in Makrigialos and east Crete on the new South East Crete Holidays YouTube channel. The Editor's Picks videos, representing the best quality videos, are available right here on the South East Crete Holidays video gallery. In addition, a growing collection of videos are being organised into playlists on the the new South East Crete Holidays YouTube channel.
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Current Video Playlists...
- Editor's Picks
Chosen for their professional or near-professional production quality - South East Crete Villages
High quality series of videos produced for the Makry-Gialos accommodation association (Greek commentary) - Holiday Videos
Posted by visitors to Makry-Gialos and south east Crete - Local Businesses
Videos produced by local tourism businesses
Blue Flag Beaches
Two Makrigialos beaches appear in the list of blue flag beaches recently published by The Greek Society for the Protection of Nature. The main beach at Makrigialos ("Analipsi Beach"), and Lagoufa Beach, below the Sunwing hotel, both retain their blue flag accreditation this year. To be awarded blue flag status a beach must meet a number of criteria relating to water quality, safety, information, and environmental management. A total of 40 beaches in east Crete (Lasithi prefecture) have been awarded the blue flag, including south eastern Crete beaches at Agia Fotia, Kato Zakros, and Koutsounari.
Related Links...
New for 2011
New in Makrigialos for the 2011 season, Lucky Luke's has moved across the road, changing its name to Makis' Grillhouse in the process. Now located on the sea-front close to the harbour, Makis' has an elevated terrace with shaded seating, and more tables set along the promenade outside the shop.
Further towards the harbour, Lithos Bar is under new ownership this year, with Christina (originally from Austria) taking over from Jim and Tina as host.
Also new for 2011 is The PUB. Formerly Notos Cafe, located on the main road just down from Villea Village, the PUB has been opened by two local ex-pat couples. Serving food and drink from 09:00 every day, The PUB also offers pool table, internet terminal and wi-fi access, darts, and a book exchange.
Independance Day
March 25th is a national holiday in Greece, marking the anniversary of the start of the Greek War of Independence. On this day in 1821 Greeks rose up against Ottoman rule, eventually establishing in 1832 an independent Greek state in what is modern day central Greece and the Peloponnese. Two days previously marks the anniversary of the Theriso revolt when, on March 23rd 1905, the most famous son of Crete and future Greek prime minister Eleftherios Venizelos led attempts to bring the then autonomous Crete into union with Greece, a union which was eventually declared in 1908, and officially recognised in 1913.
New Pictures on Facebook
The latest images from south east Crete can be found on the South East Crete Holidays Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SouthEastCreteHolidays. Recent additions include hawks soaring against a cliff face on the western edge of the Thripti mountains, spring flowers carpeting olive groves lit up by bright blue skies, and the last storms of winter painting Makrigialos with some impressive colours. You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the page, but if you do, and you like what you see, you can 'Like' the page and get to see new images as they are posted.
Spring is coming
The first weekend in March this year marks the beginning of Lent, during which locals will fast in the run up to Easter (which this year sees the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Easters coincide on April 24th). On Sunday 6th the annual carnival parade is held in Sitia, on the north coast some 45 minutes drive from Makrigialos. Monday 7th is 'Clean Monday', traditionally the first day of spring, and also the first day of Lent proper and a bank holiday in Greece. This is the day when everyone takes to the mountains and beaches for picnics and kite-flying. In Makrigialos, the weekend begins on Saturday night at 8p.m., in Botsalo restaurant close to the harbour, which is hosting an evening of live Cretan music.
Edit 02/03/2011: Other events over the long weekend include Carnival Party at Fever on Saturday 5th from 23:00, Fancy Dress party at The Pub on Sunday 6th from 16:00, with buffet at 19:00, and Clean Monday party at the Piperia in Pefki.
New Winter Flights to Athens
easyJet have announced a new route to Athens from Edinburgh airport, Scotland, to commence in September. The new schedule, which will operate three flights per week, is the only option for direct flights between Scotland and Athens. Operations begin on September 20th, with fares from £36.99.
With direct summer flights to Crete ceasing at the end of the summer season every year, requiring visitors to connect via Athens, this new service increases the options available for people, especially in the north of the UK, wishing to experience Crete in winter.
Olympia Apartments mid-season prices reduced by 20%
Olympia Apartments are offering a 20% discount on 2010 prices for stays in April, May, September, and October. Normal pricing outside of the high season is €80 per night, but with the 20% discount this is reduced to €64 per night.
Olympia was newly renovated in 2008, and offers 4 high quality 2-bedroom apartments on the sea-front, located close to amenities in central Makrigialos, and just a short beach walk from the harbour. The apartments feature sea-view balconies, fully equipped kitchens (including dishwasher and washing machine), and even a lift.
Korali Studios and Apartments
Korali Studios and Apartments is the latest addition to the portfolio of accommodation that can be booked online here on South East Crete Holidays. The accommodation is located centrally in Makrigialos, less than 100 yards (90 metres) from the beach, close to shops, and just a short walk to both the top end of town restaurants and the harbour.
For the 2011 season, 4 of the studios are currently being remodelled, and will be available for the summer as two newly renovated 2-bedroom apartments furnished with one double and two single beds, and also feature a fully equipped kitchen and washing machine. Prices for the studios, meanwhile, have been reduced from last year, with high season (July and August) prices at €40 per night (was €45), and €30 per night (was €35) for the other months.
View full details for Korali Studios and Apartments and make a booking
New on the web
South East Crete Holidays was launched in March 2009 as a portal site, designed primarily to provide information of interest for visitors to Makrigialos in particular, and south east Crete in general. A year later, the facility to book accommodation online was added, but as the site grew, it became cluttered and confusing.
The objective of this new design is to provide a crisp, clear, easily navigated site that allows the visitor to find the information they are seeking quickly and easily. The new design also creates the framework to add even more functionality without compromising the basic principle that the site should be easy to use.
Soon the facility to book car rental online will be added, the first in a series of developments designed to bring this fabulous corner of the globe into your homes, and perhaps persuade you to visit this fabulous corner of the globe in person.This is just one of the many investments popping up on the world wide web that have been attracted to this coastal village on the south east coast of Crete. Here are a few more...
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http://www.candiadevelopments.eu
- Crete-based real estate development company offering benchmarked property investments for second homes and/or rental income in East Crete.
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http://www.bayviewcrete.eu
- Prestigious new development of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and penthouses, 2 bedroom bungalows and townhouses, and 4 and 5 bedroom villas available for holiday rentals, located 300m from the beach, near Makrigialos, in undiscovered south east Crete.
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http://www.bayviewcrete.co.uk
- Holiday accommodation in the new Bay View Resort at Lagada beach, near Makrigialos, comprising a 2-bedroom townhouse and 1-bedroom apartment.
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http://www.creteapartment.co.uk
- One-bedroom apartment available for holiday rental at Bay View Resort at Lagada beach, near Makrigialos.
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http://www.442crete.com
- Four apartments available for holiday rental - Two 1-bedroom penthouse with roof terraces, and 2 one-bedroom middle apartments - at Bay View Resort. The site is available in English and German, with the facility to book online. These apartments can also be booked online here on southeastcreteholidays.com.
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http://www.villa-lagada.com
- Villa Lagada is a luxury 5-bedroom villa with private pool, accommodating up to 11 people, located at Lagada ridge, near Lagada beach, 5 minutes drive from Makrigialos. Brand new for 2010, full details can be found on its website, available in English and German.
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http://www.east-crete-property-management.com
- East Crete Property Management is a new business offer property management services, including management, maintenance, gardening, rental servicing, and pool maintenance, for absentee owners and owners of holiday accommodation in east Crete. Full details, in English and German, can be found on their new website.
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http://www.stelin-makrygialos.com
- Stelin Tours, providing travel services from their office opposite the Sun Wing hotel in Makry-Gialos, have a revamped website under a new domain name which uses the latest form of spelling for the village. Visitors can still find the website at the old address, but will be automatically redirected to the new address.
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http://www.east-crete-apartment.com
- New luxury 2-bedroom penthouse apartment with roof terrace nearing completion at Bay View Resort and now taking bookings for summer 2011.
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http://www.hemera-crete-apartments.com
- Another new luxury 2-bedroom penthouse apartment with roof terrace at Bay View Resort gearing up for the summer season with a new website and now taking bookings for summer 2011.
Summer 2011 Flight Schedules
Summer 2011 flights from the UK to Heraklion airport are now on sale, with April, May, and June prices currently being advertised from £89 return. EasyJet, Thomas Cook, Monarch, Thomson, and Jet2 have all announced their summer schedules to Heraklion, between them operating from 14 UK airports.
Search cheap flights for summer 2011 from any UK airport to Heraklion.
