Greece - Kalo Taxidi! Notes from Greece and the Greek Islands.
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Ingenuity and allotments provide relief in Greece
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18228577
I have noticed more vegetable growing in Greece this year, with vegetable plots in gardens where I would normally expect to see pretty flowers, not edible plants.
I have noticed more vegetable growing in Greece this year, with vegetable plots in gardens where I would normally expect to see pretty flowers, not edible plants.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Greek Crisis Scaring Off Tourists, Numbers Fall 15%
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/05/25/greek-crisis-scaring-off-tourists-numbers-fall-15/
Going by what I've seen in Naxos and Amorgos, I say that tourist numbers have dropped by much more than 15%. I'd guess that there are only 10% of the usual number of tourists. Of course that is only a very rough and ready guess. It is the land based tourists who are few and far between. There are quite a few yachts around.
Going by what I've seen in Naxos and Amorgos, I say that tourist numbers have dropped by much more than 15%. I'd guess that there are only 10% of the usual number of tourists. Of course that is only a very rough and ready guess. It is the land based tourists who are few and far between. There are quite a few yachts around.
Friday, 25 May 2012
Euro crisis: Why Whitehall dare not mention the C-word (Contingency)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18196642
"Plans are in place to help tourists but mass evacuations are not anticipated"
"Plans are in place to help tourists but mass evacuations are not anticipated"
2012 Blue Flags: Greek Beaches and Marinas Rank Second in the World
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/05/23/2012-blue-flags-greek-beaches-and-marinas-rank-second-in-the-world/
Get on that ferry! And come on in, the water's lovely..............
These are the beaches listed
Evros (2), Rodopi (4), Xanthi (1), Kavala (16), Thessaloniki (11), Chalkidiki (35), Pieria (10), Larissa (6), Magnesia (15), Fthiotida (8), Evia (2), Viotia (2), Attica (12), Korinthia (11), Argolida (2), Arcadia (1), Lakonia (7), Messinia (5), Elia (7), Achaia (4), Etoloakarnania (2), Corfu (35), Lefkada (7), Kefalonia (11), Chania (25), Rethymno (18), Heraklion (14), Lasithion (40), Rhodes (32), Kos (5), Santorini (3), Ios (3), Sifnos (2), Paros (4), Naxos (3), Myconos (1), Andros (3), Kea (1), Chios (1), Lesbos (7), Limnos (3), MARINAS: Chalkidiki (2), Attica (2), Korintia (1), Lefkada (1), Corfu (1), Lasithi (1), Kos (1).
I'm wondering what the criteria for listing are, and if there are beautiful beaches on small islands too small to be considered.
Get on that ferry! And come on in, the water's lovely..............
These are the beaches listed
Evros (2), Rodopi (4), Xanthi (1), Kavala (16), Thessaloniki (11), Chalkidiki (35), Pieria (10), Larissa (6), Magnesia (15), Fthiotida (8), Evia (2), Viotia (2), Attica (12), Korinthia (11), Argolida (2), Arcadia (1), Lakonia (7), Messinia (5), Elia (7), Achaia (4), Etoloakarnania (2), Corfu (35), Lefkada (7), Kefalonia (11), Chania (25), Rethymno (18), Heraklion (14), Lasithion (40), Rhodes (32), Kos (5), Santorini (3), Ios (3), Sifnos (2), Paros (4), Naxos (3), Myconos (1), Andros (3), Kea (1), Chios (1), Lesbos (7), Limnos (3), MARINAS: Chalkidiki (2), Attica (2), Korintia (1), Lefkada (1), Corfu (1), Lasithi (1), Kos (1).
I'm wondering what the criteria for listing are, and if there are beautiful beaches on small islands too small to be considered.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Visitors to Greece warned over possible euro exit
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/9284971/Visitors-to-Greece-warned-over-possible-euro-exit.html
"Holidaymakers warned over possible food and fuel shortages, but Greek tourism official says "there's never been a better time” to visit. "
"Holidaymakers warned over possible food and fuel shortages, but Greek tourism official says "there's never been a better time” to visit. "
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Greece: The upside of default (escaping the golden corset)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18143078
"................so Greece does not have to leave the euro if it defaults on loans to private bankers.
So Greece will show the world not only that there is an alternative, but that the alternative could be very good."
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Reversing the holiday brain drain
http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20120518-reversing-the-holiday-brain-drain
"Packing Plato in with your sunscreen" - mmmm, I'v brought a Kindle to Greece for the second time. I've not (yet ............) got any Plato loaded. I was reading Jerome K Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat" yesterday on the ferry. I do keep my marbles in shape when I'm on holiday.
"Packing Plato in with your sunscreen" - mmmm, I'v brought a Kindle to Greece for the second time. I've not (yet ............) got any Plato loaded. I was reading Jerome K Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat" yesterday on the ferry. I do keep my marbles in shape when I'm on holiday.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Is it cheaper to put Greek train passengers in taxis?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18032721
I have travelled on the Athens metro many times, but don't remember ever travelling on a Greek train.
I have travelled on the Athens metro many times, but don't remember ever travelling on a Greek train.
Salaturi - skate salad
Skate salad is one of my favourite lunches in Greece - and I have only found it on the menu at a small ouzerie on Naxos. Strips of warm skate, finely chopped red onion, parsley, olive oil, and chunks of bread. Mmmmmmmm!
Last time I googled "salaturi", I found no results. Now there are some results.
Skate salad (Gourmet traveller). This recipe includes lemon juice and salted capers. There was probably lemon juice in the version I like, but not discernable.
Skate salad (How to cook fish) This is a recipe for a more substantial dish, including potatoes.
Last time I googled "salaturi", I found no results. Now there are some results.
Skate salad (Gourmet traveller). This recipe includes lemon juice and salted capers. There was probably lemon juice in the version I like, but not discernable.
Skate salad (How to cook fish) This is a recipe for a more substantial dish, including potatoes.
Greek Food
Whet your tastebuds, and get on that ferry! Imagine a sunny day, sitting in a taverna by the sea, and dipping into a selection of mezes.
http://greekfood.about.com/
http://greekfood.about.com/
Friday, 11 May 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Monday, 7 May 2012
Greek governing parties 'lose majority' at polls
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17975370
What now?
Second: (left wing coaltion)
Third: (centre left)
What now?
Coalition negotiations can take place over three days. If they fail, the party in second place can try to form a coalition, and if still unsuccessful, the third party will receive the mandate.First: New Democracy (centre right)
If still no coalition emerges, Greece will hold another election.
Second: (left wing coaltion)
Third: (centre left)
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Unspolit Greece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/may/04/unspoilt-greece-beach-holidays-family?newsfeed=true
When I see an article with this title, I have a sigh of relief when my favourite places are not listed! Too much publicity might destroy the atmosphere that lovers of "unspoilt" places like to find.
When I see an article with this title, I have a sigh of relief when my favourite places are not listed! Too much publicity might destroy the atmosphere that lovers of "unspoilt" places like to find.