News Flash
Date: 16th May I have received emails from people concerned by the recent news coverage of the political situation in Greece and asking for honest information regarding holidays on the islands. Sadly once again there has been some scaremongering in the media regarding holidays in Greece this summer. If (and it is very doubtful) Greece… Continue Reading…
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Olympic Torch starts its journey to London
The Olympic flame is due to be handed over to organisers of the London Games at a rain-drenched ceremony in Athens today. Since it was lit in Olympia on 10 May the flame has been carried in a week-long relay across Greece. After receiving the flame in the Panathenaic Stadium, a British delegation including David… Continue Reading…
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June 17 Elections
For those who have booked holidays on the Greek islands that coincide with the forthcoming elections and are worried about any disruptions, please be advised it is unlikely that you will even notice that the elections are taking place. During the last election, unless you drove past one of the polling stations, you wouldn’t have… Continue Reading…
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Wreckage of missing ‘First World War’ plane found on Thassos
During the First World War, Britain’s Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) operated from airbases in the Northern Aegean against the German alliance countries (known as the Central Powers). One such airbase was located near the village of Prinos, situated on the west coast of Thassos. Between May 1916 and the end of the war, British… Continue Reading…
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Tui upbeat about bookings
Tui Travel, the parent company of UK based Thomson Holidays has said that it is upbeat about the outlook for summer bookings. As of 29th April, the firm reported bookings were up on last year in all its markets except the UK and France. Europe’s biggest travel group also reported a 3% rise in revenues… Continue Reading…
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The Atlantis connection
Contemporary ‘Minoan’ portrayal of Santorini (Thira) I cover the history of the volcano and the story of Atlantis in the book, based on the latest research. However, having received e-mails regarding the confusing and contradictory information that continues to be presented in the majority of guide books and the numerous poorly researched Atlantis ‘documentaries’, I… Continue Reading…
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Major discounts on internal flights from Aegean Airways
This summer Aegean Airways are offering major discounts on internal flights within Greece. The discount offer includes 80,000 seats starting from 39€ and refers to direct flights operated by Aegean from/to Athens and Thessaloniki to all domestic destinations. Offer is valid for bookings until 11/05/2012 and for flights from 20/05/2012 to 27/10/2012. The period of… Continue Reading…
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Persian army was hit by a tsunami
German geologists believe a tsunami recorded by the ancient historian Herodotus did indeed protect a Greek village from Persian invaders. They say they have found evidence in northern Greece that the event in 479 BC saved the village of Potidaea. Herodotus recorded that huge waves had killed hundreds of Persian soldiers during the siege of… Continue Reading…
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Great news for UK tourists to Greece!
The great news for UK tourists planning to visit Greece this summer is that the falling value of the euro in the last month means that holidays on the Greek islands could be even better value for money this summer. This and the traditionally low prices for tourist purchases such as food, drink and entertainment… Continue Reading…
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German airline offers discounted flights to Greece
The German based airline Condor is offering its customers 50 euro off flights to Greece in a bid to entice reluctant German holidaymakers to the Mediterranean nation after a slump in bookings. For example, Condor’s website showed a one-way flight to Crete or Rhodes from Frankfurt costing mostly around 169-179 euro, with the cheapest starting… Continue Reading…
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Akrotiri open to the public!
Akrotiri has re-opened I am pleased to confirm that the amazing archaeological site of Akrotiri re-opened to the public today, 11th April, following its inauguration by Deputy Culture Minister Petros Alivizatos and Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos. The site will be open from 10:00 until 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday), the entrance fee is 5€… Continue Reading…
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Consular “time-wasters”
William Hague has criticised Britons who waste the time of consular staff with “ludicrous requests” and “bizarre demands” while abroad. They included a caller who had lost their false teeth, and a tourist asking how to say “I love you” in Hungarian, the foreign secretary said. A Briton in Greece struggling to erect a chicken… Continue Reading…
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Tablet/Smartphone versus printed book?
We are constantly assessing new technology, so that we can bring you the best and most innovative travel guides available. With the increased use of tablets and smartphones, we have looked at the usefulness of supplying our guide books in both printed and digital form. To check tourists’ reaction, we undertook an early season assessment… Continue Reading…
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Thassos gets “5 Star rating” from holidaymakers
The beautiful North Aegean island of Thassos has received top marks for another year from Thomson holiday customers. This is not surprising as the island holds the record for the most return visits of any Greek island. Still a well kept secret to Western Europeans, Thassos is known as the “Emerald island” due to the… Continue Reading…
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2012 ‘A to Z’ Exclusive Offer to Istanbul
As many tourists return year after year to Thassos, we decided to put together an exclusive offer for our readers to help add a little extra ‘spice’ to their 2012 holiday on Thassos. The city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) is the cultural heart of Turkey, with a population of nearly 20 million covering an area… Continue Reading…
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Driving licence
If you intend to hire a car during your holiday in Greece, you will require an ‘International Driving Licence’ if you are not a resident of the European Union. Some car hire companies will not demand this, but if you are stopped by the police, you will be fined. EU residents can use their normal… Continue Reading…
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Lower mobile charges within the E.U.
In a speedy show of consensus, the European Union’s three law-making institutions have agreed on new rules that will cut mobile-phone roaming charges for consumers within the Union’s borders. Under the new rules, the cost of a call would be no more than €0.29 (US$0.38) per minute to make and €0.08 per minute to receive…. Continue Reading…
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Tourism set to increase
Greece’s tourism sector will grow moderately this year, a top United Nations official reported today. Visits to Greece’s sun-drenched islands and ancient ruins account for about 15 percent of the economy and one in five jobs, making income from tourism crucial for a country grappling with a fifth year of recession. Roughly 10 percent more… Continue Reading…
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Nothing is new!
Tourism in Greece and in so many other countries may be a highly sophisticated modern industry and a key, closely watched sector of the present day economy, but eager, sight-seeking travellers and the businesses and travel guides that cater to them were already a feature of ancient Greek and Roman life more than 2,000 years… Continue Reading…
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TripAdvisor removed
Our primary aim at ‘A to Z Guides’ is to offer our readers independent and accurate information to help make their holidays memorable and problem free. Initially on this website we added links to TripAdvisor reviews on hotels and restaurants on the islands, however recent media articles and more direct instances of problems have persuaded… Continue Reading…
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“Olympias” is to go on display at this year’s Olympics
The trireme “Olympias”, a full-scale replica of the ancient warship that helped the ancient Greeks defeat the Persians at the naval battle of Salamis 2,500 years ago, is to go on display in London during the 2012 Olympic Games taking place in the city this summer. Afterwards, the ship will embark on a tour of… Continue Reading…
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Budget airline cost comparison
To help the independent traveller to the Greek islands, we have added links to two budget airline comparison websites. The sites will allow you to simply check the flight costs of the main budget airlines who offer flights to your desired destination. We have chosen two of the main comparison sites, one for UK residents… Continue Reading…
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European emergency number
Most people do not know the number to call in the event of an emergency on holiday in Europe, a survey suggests. The British Foreign Office poll of more than 2,000 people in the UK found that just 14% were aware the 112 number could reach the emergency services. Some 12% thought it connected to… Continue Reading…
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Austrian tourism to rise
Austrian travel agencies expect holiday bookings for Greece to rise in the coming months as they have expanded their Greek programmes, while several low-cost airlines have begun raising their charter flights to Greek destinations. Recently, Lauda Air raised its weekly flights to 19 Greek destinations from 58 to 63, while Fly Niki raised its weekly… Continue Reading…
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Substantial increase in 2011 tourist arrivals
2011 tourist arrivals in Greece through the country’s 13 major airports was up 8.65 percent on the 2010 figures.
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Thassos and more in 2012
For the adventurous traveller to Thassos, we suggest that the island can also act as a perfect base for exploring further afield within Greece. The recently completed main northern motorway the E90 passes within 2 km of Kavala, allowing fast access to both the east and west of northern Greece*. If flying independently into Thessaloniki,… Continue Reading…
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‘A to Z’ Discount scheme
To add further value to the ‘A to Z’ guides, in 2011 we trialed a discount offer with our Thassos book and it proved highly successful with readers confirming they has saved up to 120€ during their stay. So we are continuing the offer and by presenting the 2012 Thassos edition at participating businesses, our readers… Continue Reading…
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Direct flights from New York to Athens
Hellenic Imperial Airways have suspended flights between Athens and JFK New York until December 31st 2011, attributing the move to delays in the delivery of their new A320 aircraft. In 2012 they plan to resume four flights a week between Athens and New York, flying out on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays. Passengers should benefit… Continue Reading…
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Best selling guide book
We are pleased to confirm that the ‘A to Z Guide to Kos’ was the 2011 best selling guide book of those dedicated solely to Kos and the nearby attractions of Nisyros and Bodrum. The Kos book joins the ‘A to Z Guide to Thassos’ which is already the international best seller to Thassos. We… Continue Reading…
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Thank you to our eBay customers
We would like to thank all our eBay customers for their positive reviews. It is gratifying to learn that you believe we are achieving our aim of “publishing the most comprehensive, accurate and impartial travel guides to the Greek islands“. However, we are constantly researching ways of improving both the books and this website to… Continue Reading…
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Thessaloniki to Istanbul flights
In 2011 Turkish airlines inaugurated a new route linking the Greek northern port city of Thessaloniki and Istanbul. The flights servicing the Thessaloniki to Istanbul route include four departures a week. (Photo above of the Blue Mosque, Istanbul. Click to enlarge)
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Island Maps
Whilst we add island maps in the front of all the ‘A to Z’ books, the book size restricts the level of information that can be presented. However, on the ‘Downloads’ page, we have posted more comprehensive maps for you to print off in A4 format. In addition you can obtain one of the large… Continue Reading…
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European Health Insurance Card
Due to changes in European Union regulations, from 1 May 2010, E101 cards will be replaced for British and EU citizens working, living and travelling in the EU by the now designated A1 card. If you already have an E-card, do not worry, it will remain valid until it expires. Both E and A1 cards entitle… Continue Reading…
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