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Crete is a lot more than just an island in the South Aegean. Its natural landscapes cannot only be found in its amazing beaches that are visited by millions of tourists every year. Inland, Crete is equally attractive and there are many people who want a change, want to get away from life close to the sea and wander around in the mountains of Crete. The three main mountains of the island, Mt Dikti in the east, Psiloritis (or Idi) between Heraklion and Rethymno, and Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in the west will offer you plenty of opportunities to hike among amazing natural formations, forests and gorges, the most famous being of course the Samaria gorge. E4 European trail The mountains of Crete are part of the great E4 European trail that starts from Spain and goes through France, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, mainland Greece, Crete, and Cyprus. This means that, in theory, you can cross almost all of Europe while avoiding the major city hubs and using a ferry when needed. In Crete the trail starts from Kissamos and reaches all the way to Zakros, passing through all the mountain masses of the island. There are usually yellow signs indicating the course you may take. In some parts the signs aren’t sufficient, but if you enjoy adventure, this shouldn’t be a problem. A simple GPS can help you find your way. The best trails There is no doubt that wherever you hike in Crete, you’ll be able to admire the magnificence of nature. From the Samaria gorge to the forest of Rouvas in Heralkion, from the old monasteries (like the one in Preveli) to the remote yet well taken care of stretches with olive trees and vineyards, and from the small villages to sheer rocks, the trails in Crete will bring you into contact with an aspect of mankind that modern life has left a bit behind. Preparations and precautions The temperate climate of Crete allows hiking in several months of the year, especially from spring to the beginning of autumn. During the summer months you should have plenty of water with you, wear a hat and sunscreen. In spring and autumn it would be wise to check the weather forecast, because you don’t want it to rain while hiking. Whenever you go, however, your shoes must be appropriate for hiking, which means they have to provide protection to the ankles, grip properly and, most importantly, they shouldn’t be entirely new. The various trails can keep you occupied for more than three hours and injuries is the last thing you want. Hotels in Crete – AKS Minoa Palace

1) Elafonisos

At the south of the Peloponnese there is a small island, Elafonisos, which makes visitors fall in love with it. It’s a quiet place, with few inhabitants and unparalleled beaches that will remind you of the tropical islands in the Carribean. You’ll get there after a short trip by ferry and then you’ll be able to enjoy this heaven on earth. The first beach that you need to visit is Sarakiniko and the one next to it, Simos, so you can see why those who have been to Elafonisos, come back again and again. At Elafonisos you’ll eat fresh fish, sold every day by the fishing boats to the little taverns on the island. We would suggest you hike towards the interior of the island, just to enjoy from a height the crystal clear waters that surround it.

2) The mountains of Arcadia

Karytaina, Dimitsana, Vytina. These are the magnificent villages of the mountains of Arcadia; just going from one place to the other will take you to a heaven on earth. Besides, it is no accident that the name of Arcadia is connected in ancient Greek and Latin tradition to just that: a heaven unattainable for many…but not for the visitors to the Peloponnese, since the forests and rivers of Arcadia are within easy reach, just a short drive away after Tripoli.

These are just a miniscule portion of the magic of the Peloponnese. It is, however, a good start to get acquainted with a place that can offer you everything.

Peloponnisos Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay – AKS Porto Heli

Who knows all the secrets of the Peloponnese? The answer is no one. This region of Greece has so many hidden charms that you can take a trip to a different place every weekend and still have seen just a little of what it can offer. Today we’ll suggest three places in the Peloponnese that you have to see, even if it’s just for a short trip. We have even chosen locations with diverse character, so as to satisfy any and all preferences. 1) Astros and Paralio Astros Kilometers of clean sandy beach, picturesque houses, a little harbor with fishing boats and mountains with forests all around . . . can you imagine anything better for a relaxing stay? All these are offered by Paralio Astros, a short drive away from its big brother, Astros, that is essentially the focal point of the area. You’ll not go to Paralio Astros for the clubs and the nightlife, but to enjoy the clear waters of its really long beach, to walk along the harbor and the old castle, to take your mind off the difficulties of everyday life. Paralio Astros can be found on the western coast of the Argolic Gulf, across Porto Heli. 2) Lake Stymfalia As we enter the heart of the Peloponnese, a bit after Nemea as we come from Athens, we can find Lake Stymfalia. If there is a place that is connected to the myths of Greece, then that’s Stymfalia, the theater for one of the labors of Hercules. Of course, you won’t go to Stymfalia to trace the course of the hero, though some activities, like archery, refer to him, but to enjoy the impressive natural landscape that is home to hundreds of species of birds and other animals. And since you’re there, we would suggest exploring the mountains of Korinthia, its forests and creaks. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay

Greece may be in a tough spot the past few years, but there is no doubt that it is a blessed country; with a pleasant climate for the duration of the year, with unique natural landscapes, seas, mountains, plains, with rich history. And among the Greek lands, Crete is the one that stands out, that looks like it has the knowledge and the willingness to push Greece ahead. Snail farming, as weird as it may sound, belongs to those innovations that for Greece started out mainly in Crete (but also in other regions, admittedly, like in Macedonia) and gave Greeks new avenues and new opportunities for business. There was a period of infancy in the beginning, since snail farming seemed like a trend and the proper farming rules weren’t always followed. It wasn’t clear whether the farming would be of open or enclosed pasture, whether to use imported or local snails to reproduce. However, nowadays, the Cretan snails, or chochlioi, can be found at the dinner tables of many European (and not only European) countries. At the plains of Crete, snails are now a veritable industry that has some companies that construct proper snail farms, or other companies that have research facilities and conduct tours for those who want to see what a snail farm looks like. The Greek and especially the Cretan snail recipes have conquered many countries, even those which, unlike France, didn’t use to consume this special, but perhaps misunderstood food. If we realize how difficult it is for some people to introduce snails in their meals, we can understand how big a success is for Crete and the whole of Greece to send snails abroad. Once more, Crete is the pioneer that promotes a positive image of Greece and this time not just as an ideal vacation destination. A Cretan recipe for snails: chochlioi boubouristoi Ingredients

• 30 large snails
• 150 ml olive oil
• 100 ml wine vinegar (or more)
• rosemary
• salt, pepper

Instructions After you have selected the live snails by putting them in water to see which ones stick their heads out and after you have given them a quick boil and washed them thoroughly to remove foreign bodies, put them in a hot pan with just a pinch of salt. Add olive oil as soon as frying has begun. Five minutes later add as much rosemary as you think is good for you (don’t overdo it). Wait another five minutes, pour the vinegar and take them off the heat. If you want them spicier, add pepper, but don’t add any more herbs or spices. Serve immediately either as a main course or a side dish.

There are more than a few people who would consider the Peloponnese the most beautiful region in Greece. It combines the mountains and the sea, the city and the countryside, history and modern living. From its green forests to its amazing beaches, the Peloponnese has countless hidden secrets waiting to be discovered by the visitors. And, to be honest, we highly doubt that there is at least one person who knows every aspect of the region. That’s why today we will suggest you take a road trip in the Peloponnese, a trip that will bring you to as many places as possible, so you can enjoy the magic of the southern Greek mainland. You should know that we will try to ignore the big highways and try to follow the smaller roads. First stop: Porto Heli If you start from Athens, your first stop and overnight stay should be Porto Heli. Especially if your trip takes place during the summer, Porto Heli, with its wonderful beaches and nice little harbor, which also gives you the opportunity to spend a few hours across the sea at Spetses, is ideal to host the beginning of your journey. If you want, you can just relax in this idyllic town or take short drives to Ermioni, Epidaurus, Troizina or Tolo. Second stop: Dimitsana and Karytaina When you’re ready to leave Porto Heli, head west, towards Tripoli, but drive past it and start climbing the mountain towards the historical villages of Dimitsana and Karytaina. The name of Arcadia has been a synonym of paradise for centuries and when you find yourselves in its mountains and forests, you’ll know why. We could suggest that after Porto Heli you can go south to Astros and Leonidio, but for our third stop we have better beaches to show you. Third stop: Olympia and Kaiafas Ancient Olympia belongs to the most important ancient sights in Greece and you’ll be too close not to visit. From there you’ll go south to Kaiafas with its extraordinary lake and long beach, one of the best in the Peloponnese. Here we will let you choose your own route. If you have days to spare, go south to Pylos and Methoni, or north to Patra to take a peak at the more modern Peloponnese. If you feel like continuing with your adventures, cross the bridge at Rio and go towards Mesologgi or Nafpaktos. Greece has so many beautiful places that it’s impossible to see everything. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay

Only a few days are left until the end of this year’s holiday season and AKS Hotels would like to renew their appointment with you for next spring, when Paros, Crete and Porto Heli will be ready to welcome once more visitors who know that they’re going to have a good time at these destinations.

AKS Hotels are lucky to be located in three of the most beautiful places of the country: Paros, that has something for even the most demanding travelers, Crete, that combines everything you’d want from your vacation, and Porto Heli, that offers you the mountains, the sea and the sights while being so close to Athens.

Summer this year was majestic. At Paros, we did water sports, windsurfing and kitesurfing, we had drinks at Naoussa, right where the waves break, we swam at the best beaches of the island, Kolibithres and Santa Maria. At Porto Heli, we learned why Hinitsa has a blue flag every year, we took trips all over Argolida, from Epidaurus to Troizina and from Ermioni to the mountains, while we also traveled to the beginnings of humanity with the prehistoric settlement at Frahthi cave. At Crete, we danced at the bars of Hersonissos, we visited the beautiful archeological sites of Knossos and Phaistos and we went all the way to the palm tree forest at Vai.

We are certain that next summer will offer us equally amazing experiences.

The summer in Crete is over, but the summer continues. Autumn in Crete, one of the southernmost regions in Greece, is nothing else but the continuation of the summer. Especially September and the beginning of October will give you the feeling that August never ended, but was simply extended.

The beaches are bustling with life, with people swimming and sunbathing, the restaurants are crowded, the party is still going on at bars and clubs. You may see that it is easier to get a table, that service is quicker, that at the archeological sites you don’t find tourists everywhere taking pictures, but these can only be considered an advantage. After all, many believe that the beginning of autumn is the perfect time of year to go on vacation, and Crete, with its wonderful climate, is living proof of that.

However, Crete in autumn offers many other opportunities as well, not just at its beaches and sights, but also inland, at the forests and mountains. And that’s because the weather might be nice, but there’s definitely no heat wave, which means that it is easier to explore its exquisite nature, to hike, for example, at Psiloritis or the Samaria Gorge.

Autumn in Crete does not fall short in comparison to summer. So, don’t hesitate to visit the island even this time of year!

Crete Hotels – AKS Minoa Palace

Knossos, near Heraklion, may be the star of Minoan palaces, but Crete is full of archeological sites from the Minoan era, when it was at the center of the civilization of the Aegean Sea. One of the most important palaces is Zakros, found in the Siteia region in Lasithi. The Zakros Palace has not been restored, like in the case of Knossos, but you can see it exactly as it was brought to light by archeologists. The works started at the beginning of the twentieth century and go on until today. Most of them happened around the mid twentieth century, by the archeologist Nikolaos Platonas. It is a labyrinthine and complex palace, a specimen of its magnificence and luxury, since it is assumed that it used to be a significant financial, religious and administrative center of Crete, because of its strategic location at the east of the island. The palace’s treasury has been found, untouched by people looking to steal antiquities, since the volcano that destroyed the palace, also helped erase it from the memories of the people. Around the Zakros palace, a city was built. Some of the houses are really extravagant with a large number of rooms. They didn’t necessarily belong to the upper class of the era, since the archeologists believe that they used to house various functions and services of the palace. If you’re ever at Crete, it is definitely worth a trip to Zakros to get to know first hand the glorious history of the island. Crete Hotels – AKS Minoa Palace

If you came to Porto Heli last weekend, then on your way from Athens you might have found yourselves really close to Nemea, where the Great Days of Nemea were being held, promoting the local wine production. The festivities were also celebrating their tenth year, ten years with wine, which haws been enjoyed in Greece since the ancient years, always at the center of attention.

The Great Days of Nemea are trying to promote wine not only in Greece but to the world itself; they are trying to show why Nemea is the most important wine producing region in Greece and the Balkans as well. The event this year included speeches, video projection from a visit by famous wine bloggers from all over the world, wine tasting, cooking recipes that include wine designed by known chefs, fairy tale narration, music concerts and of course wine bars with tasty delicacies at a very affordable price. Greece is still going through some tough times and it would be best if we remembered that local products along with the love and passion of the people for them can contribute to the situation becoming better for everyone. In any case, Nemea and the Peloponnese have great prospects in becoming attractions for the wine-tourism crowds, something that can help the whole region.

From the end of August to the first days of September, Turanor Planet Solar, a technological marvel of a boat, has conducted research on the seabed near the Argolida Frahthi cave, found a few minutes outside beautiful Porto Heli. Greek and Swiss archeologists have tried to discover human traces from the paleolithic era. This cave was officially discovered by Adonis Kyrou in the mid 60s, even though until then shepherds used to use it as a shelter for their sheep. If we think about it, people found themselves there even 30,000 years before modern era and utilized the cave as a base for hunting, fishing and food gathering; we’ll see then that this particular location has seen use for the entirety of the history of the human kind. Coming to the neolithic era, its use was expanded and it practically became a residence for the people there, since various tools have been found that tell us that there was an extensive use of the surrounding areas. The boat that helps with the research is a cutting edge solar powered catamaran with equipment that has helped the archeologists not only to find out where they should dive, but also where the sea levels were ten or twenty thousand years ago. With the help of science and the passion of its people, some of the first steps of humans in Europe can be discovered in Greece. Argolida Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay