Hospitable Robots

Actroid - Gnsin (Wikipedia commons)

Machines have replaced people in all too many fields, but so far, in the hospitality sector, human contact, trust and a warm smile have always been at the center of a hotel stay.

Hen-na Hotel that will open in July at Sasebo, Nagasaki, within a theme park, wants to change all that. The hotel employees are going to be replaced by robots, which will operate all the necessary hospitality functions. The goal of the hotel is to become really efficient and keep the cost low, so it can offer better prices for its guests.

At the reception you’ll see robots with mechanical smiles and face recognition software, that will help them tell the guests apart. These robots, called Actroids, have been designed to mimic human behavior as best as possible, while they are also capable of speaking in various languages.

But allow us to say that nothing can be compared to the human warmth that can provide the guests with everything they need and solve any and all problems. AKS Hotels have long standing investments in the human factor and are famous for the excellent behavior of their highly trained employees. Robots might be an interesting novelty, but they are about to be proven nothing but a gimmick that cannot replace man.

Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

 

Skiing in Crete

ski - skim.gr

Forget all you know! Now you can go to Crete not just for its amazing beaches, its long history and tradition, its exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, its happy yet idiosyncratic people. Now you’ll be going to Crete to ski!

No, there is no ski resort in Crete yet. The temperate, which sometimes wants to think of itself as tropical, climate of the island wouldn’t allow that, while its mountains wouldn’t be able to accommodate a proper ski resort with many slopes for beginners and experts. That doesn’t mean however that you can’t ski in Crete. If you love adventure, then Psiloreitis (or Idi) is perfect for ski mountaineering. In other words, grab your skis, climb up the mountain any way you can and climb down in the most fun way you can imagine!

Of course we would only suggest such a thing to experienced skiers that make sure to follow all safety measures, with the most important being having good knowledge of the mountain. According to experts at skim.gr you can go up in a car (or at least a 4×4) until the shelters of Mygeros and Toumpotos Prinos (or at least to a point near them) and from there you can start skiing down. You should be careful, because the snow might be frozen which would make skiing impossible, even though this is a problem mainly in winter, while in spring, before the snow melts, the conditions are probably ideal.

So, how about it? Are you ready for something completely different?

Hotels in Crete – AKS Minoa Palace

The Samaria Gorge

Samaria - Fiore S. Barbato It is one of the longest gorges in Europe and definitely one that will provide you with the opportunity to find adventure, to see amazing and hidden locations, to enjoy nature, and also to test your mettle. The Samaria gorge is rightfully considered one of the best activities for visitors to Crete, even if it is for the most part far away from its beaches and its ancient sights. The Samaria gorge is located in west Crete, to the south of Chania and next to the imposing Lefka Ori (White Mountains). The two edges of the gorge are Aghia Roumeli at the southern coast and Ksyloskalo at the Omalos plateau. It is not necessary to walk through all eighteen kilometers of its length, since this will take a long time. Choose the route you want to do and just let this majestic and wild gorge drive you away from everyday stress. While at the Samaria gorge, you should know that it’s forbidden to disturb the flora and fauna of the area. The latter includes the famous kr-kri, the goat species found only in Crete and nowhere else on Earth. If you find yourselves vacationing in Crete, then a visit to the Samaria gorge is a must. Hersonissos with its nightlife, Knossos that takes you to the past and beaches like the palm tree forest at Vai might seem to suit summer best, but if you’re looking for something different, you won’t find it anywhere else. Crete Hotels – AKS Minoa Palace

The Archaeological Sites of Argolida

Mycenae - Jason Ramos (1)

Argolida is a region with many thousands of years of history. The temperate climate, the fertile soil, the generous sea provide the ideal conditions for settlements which, in turn, become powerful cities. Around Porto Heli and farther away you can find some of the most important archeological sites in Greece. Epidaurus It is perhaps the most famous theater in the world. Epidaurus has many thousands of visitors every year; they don’t only want to see this architectural marvel, but watch magical performances, an experience that, for theater lovers, can be compared with few things in life. Mycenae The palace and the city of Mycenae show the glorious distant past of Greece. Imposing graves, huge walls and impressive findings make Mycenae a place that is almost imperative to visit. Frahthi This cave hosted the most ancient neolithic settlement in Greece. Even today the archeologists discover new things that give us information on people who lived there tens of thousands of years ago. Troizina That’s where Theseus started his journey; today it is a beautiful archeological site, hidden in the trees. It is very close to Porto Heli and a visit there will be an ideal way to spend your day. Tiryns Tiryns is a site near Argos and Nafplion. It has the added advantage of being close to one of the best beaches in Argolida, Tolo. Combine them for a perfect trip. Porto Heli Porto Heli has its own archeological site. What’s most impressive is that half of it is on land and the other in the sea. If you feel like scuba diving, this is where you’ll find what you’re looking for! Argolida Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

Trips around Porto Heli II

Koilada_Argolidas - Xalaros (1)

Porto Heli may be able to keep your interest during your vacation, but it is also surrounded by wonderful locations that can attract your attention, if you feel like going for a drive around beautiful Argolida. Here we will only suggest a few of the places you can choose to go.
Ververonta lagoon

With an impressive beach and excellent little taverns, Ververonta beach is ideal for a completely calm and idyllic day. Swim in the sea, drink some ouzo, forget your problems in a place that was used in the past as a haven by pirates. It is also said that the waters there are therapeutic.

Koilada

Koilada in Argolida is one of those villages that you’ll fall in love with at first sight. Picturesque, calm and comely, Koilada isn’t for a long stay, but it is definitely worth going there during your explorations. Don’t forget to go by the shipyard, since the boats built in Koilada are famous for their sturdiness and their reliability.

Avgou Monastery

Argolida might have a lot of ancient sights, but it is not lacking in newer attractions. Avgou Monastery cannot however be considered that new, since it’s been standing by the rock and the forest since at least the eleventh century. Impressive architecture, a solemn atmosphere, trees and a river make the landscape perfect for a visit.

Ermioni Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay

Trips around Porto Heli

ermioni-barelos

Porto Heli isn’t just an amazing town, ideal for spending there a few idyllic days of your vacation. It also offers you infinite possibilities for trips around it, since Argolida is full of wonderful locations that you can visit either for their beaches, or their taverns, or the beautiful landscape. In this article we will talk about two of the closer trips around Porto Heli.

Ermioni

Ermioni is only a few minutes away from Porto Heli. It is a very impressive town, really taken care of by its residents, because they want it to be unforgettable to visitors. Ermioni is surrounded by pine trees, and is not lacking in popular beaches: Kouverta, Maderi, Petrothalassa and Bisti are only some of them. A bit further outside is Katafyki gorge, if you feel like a hike and an adventure in nature.
Aghios Aimilianos

The cape and the village of Aghios Aimilianos is perhaps the region that attracts the largest number of the rich and famous from all over the world after Mykonos. The green landscape, the magnificent view to the sea, the picturesque architecture have led many to build their mansions in the area and enjoy the best things in life so close to Porto Heli and Athens itself.

Ermioni Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay

 

The Archeological Site at Tiryns

Tiryns - Sarah Murray

The archeological site at Tiryns is one of the most impressive in Greece, even if it isn’t as famous as the nearby Mycenae. It is located a bit outside Nafplion, not too far from Porto Heli and it is perfect for a pleasant trip, also because of the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds it. Even though there are in Tiryns some ruins from the neolithic era, the most important and most impressive belong to the Mycenaean era, when the region flourished the most, since, during the historical years, studies have shown that it was destroyed by the much mightier Argos. When you visit the site, during the tour you’ll see the Upper Acropolis that includes the eastern gate and the Lower Acropolis, where the palace can be found. The whole hill is surrounded by the Cyclopean walls, a truly amazing work, given the technical capabilities of the times, since their thickness can reach up to eight meters. The waterworks system of the city is also pretty interesting. Finally, a bit farther out from the Acropolis there are some beehive tombs, evidence of the important personalities that resided in the area. If you have time to spare, a visit to Tiryns from Porto Heli is definitely worth it. You can easily combine it with a quick cup of coffee at Nafplion or Argos and your day will be more than pleasant. Peloponnese Hotels– AKS Porto Heli

The Best Beaches in the Peloponnese

hinitsa beach (1)

The Peloponnese is full of beautiful beaches that are quite often more than comparable to the ones on the Greek islands. What’s more, it is even easier to take a spontaneous trip to the Peloponnesian coast, since all you need is a car and a taste for exploration. Today we have chosen and present to you some of the best beaches in the Peloponnese. Hinitsa It may be small, but it is very impressive. Surrounded by trees, perfectly organized, with a blue flag and a wonderful view of the island with the same name, Hinitsa beach at Porto Heli has enchanted thousands of AKS Hotels guests and not only them. Tolo If you’re looking for a larger beach, organized and with ease of access, then go no further. The beach at Tolo is exactly what you want. It is suitable both for families and groups of friends, it has crystal clear waters and offers various water sports and other activities. Kaiafas On the other side of the Peloponnese, you can find the beach of Kaiafa or Zaharo. It’s got many kilometers of sand, perfect for camping, but it is welcoming to families as well. Its great advantage is that it is close to the ancient site of Olympia. AKS Porto Heli and AKS Hinitsa Bay Hotels are in the ideal location for those who want to see the Peloponnese, strategically placed close to Athens and some of the best beaches in the region. With 204 rooms and 9 suites in the former and 206 rooms and 10 suites in the latter, and also many amenities you won’t find elsewhere, AKS Hotels can guarantee you a perfect stay. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

Fast and reliable internet at AKS Porto Heli and AKS Hinitsa Bay Hotels

AKS Porto Heli and AKS Hinitsa Bay Hotels will now provide you with the fastest and most stable internet in the area. In cooperation with Vodafone Greece, AKS Hotels at Porto Heli can guarantee a fast internet connection for their guests. This way you can enjoy having access everywhere in the world at the same time you’re enjoying the unique services of AKS Hotels that can make your vacations amazing. The new internet connection includes a dedicated line and guarantees that the world wide web and your email will always be available to you with a network specially designed to reroute traffic when it encounters obstacles. You don’t have to do anything, just connect to the hotel’s wireless network and our cutting edge technological equipment will make sure to bring data to your device fast and safely. The same equipment will also give you better phone service at any given moment. AKS Porto Heli and AKS Hinitsa Bay Hotels will offer you only the best of services, which we make sure to constantly improve to stay on the forefront of innovation. Upgrading our internet and communication services is only one of the surprises that await you this year at AKS Porto Heli and AKS Hinitsa Bay Hotels.

A Trip to Tiryns

 

 

 

Porto Heli and Argolida can offer you the opportunity for amazing trips to ancient sites and unique natural landscapes. Tiryns is just such a trip, an imposing archeological site with a history that reaches back to the neolithic era. Tiryns is just off the road that connects Nafplion and Argos, on a hill from which the visitor can admire the green plains of Argolida, while towards the south there are the crystal clear waters of the Argolic gulf. From Porto Heli the Tiryns archeological site is a bit more than an hour’s drive away, and it can be combined with a visit to beautiful Naflplion, the beach at Tolo, and so many other places of magical Argolida. The city of Tiryns is probably even mentioned in Homer, but when Pausanias got to it, during the second century AD, it had already been destroyed and lay in ruins. In the centuries that followed, several small settlements and monasteries were built, without however gaining any importance. It was Heinrich Schliemann that came to dig the site and brought the acropolis, as well as the Cyclopean walls to light. A trip to Tiryns is an ideal way to spend your day, even though, to be honest, there is an abundance of other options. Mycenae, Troizina, Nafplio and Ermioni, all of these places are very close to Porto Heli and AKS Hotels. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Hotels