Travel Postcard: 48 Hours in idyllic Paros and Santorini

Travel Postcard: 48 Hours in idyllic Paros and Santorini | Reuters

How your Greek summer holiday can help save Greece

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/jun/22/greek-summer-holiday-save-greece?newsfeed=true

"What sort of welcome can we expect to receive?

Open arms and bear hugs. Chris Wright, managing director of GIC The Villa Collection, says that it's like the Greece of 20 years ago – very friendly and very welcoming."

Greek Islands travel guide

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/greece/73192/Greek-Islands-travel-guide.html

"There’s been a resurgence of pride in regional specialties (including wine), and more careful cooking based on the superb raw materials that were always a mainstay of tavernas patronised by Greeks rather than tourists."

The Summer of Discontent?

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/world/europe/the-summer-of-discontent-1.1329968

"I reached the island of Poros on the dot of 6pm.............Gratification is rarely so instant. By 6.03pm, I was sitting in a café with a bottle of Mythos, a bowl of olives and a grin."

Attaboy!

Forget the Greek crisis - you'll still get a warm welcome in the land of Zeus

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2151197/Holidays-Greece-Youll-warm-welcome-land-Zeus.html

Life is still sweet in Crete: Expect a warm welcome on the friendly Greek island

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2163920/Holidays-Greece-Dont-panic-life-sweet-island-Crete.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

How your Greek summer holiday can help save Greece

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/jun/22/greek-summer-holiday-save-greece

A good article in the Guardian.

Domus Festival at the Venetian Museum Naxos

These concerts are in the lovely setting of a very old building in the kastro in Naxos Chora. 
http://www.naxosfestival.com/domus-festival

Bouzouki  Evening - Greek Popular Music Songs Laiko- Rebetiko –Smyrnaiko

Piano Evening  - Jazz and Blues Improvisations

SUNSET CONCERT - Naxos Traditional Music, songs dances – Dancers in traditional costumes.  Listen to the Naxos bagpipe!

 

Violin and Piano Concerts 

8th International Festival of the Aegean to be Held on Syros, July 9-22

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/06/16/8th-international-festival-of-the-aegean-to-be-held-on-syros-july-9-22/

Ermpouli, the main town on Syros, with its large buildings, is is some way like a west European city in miniature.

Don't panic: all your travel questions answered about Greece

http://travel.uk.msn.com/travel-advice/dont-panic-all-your-travel-questions-answered-about-greece

Forget the Greek crisis - you'll still get a warm welcome in the land of Zeus

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2151197/Holidays-Greece-Youll-warm-welcome-land-Zeus.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

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.

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.

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. "

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/

SETE: Political Turmoil Brings 50% Decline in Tourism

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/05/10/sete-political-turmoil-brings-50-decline-in-tourism/

Discounts at 13 Airports Across Greece Expected to Boost Tourism

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/05/09/discounts-at-13-airports-across-greece-expected-to-boost-tourism/
Get on that ferry - or plane!

Greek tourism needs boost from grim outlook

http://www.neurope.eu/article/greek-tourism-needs-boost-grim-outlook

Greek Tourist Agencies Provide Huge Discounts to Attract Travelers

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/04/27/greek-tourist-agencies-provide-huge-discounts-to-attract-travelers/

The discounts are likely to be on package holidays.  When  you make your own arrangements, you are free to go when and where you want.  

Greek unrest could put off travellers

Greek Ferry Firms on the Verge of Bankruptcy

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/04/23/greek-ferry-firms-on-the-verge-of-bankruptcy/