Mamma Mia! A Bicycling Tour on the Greek Island of Crete
Posted October 17, 2009 , comments closedMamma Mia! A Bicycling Tour on the Greek Island of Crete
Each September I attempt to extend my New York summer by a week or two and “get” more cycling miles in a warmer place. The venue should have beauty, culture, history and outstanding beaches. The experience would be enhanced if it is a place I haven’t previously visited. When I planned the September, 2009 trip earlier in the year, the economy was still in its sick state so keeping costs within moderate parameters was also an objective.
I had previously enjoyed a bicycle tour of the Greece mainland and one its islands, Zakynthos with Classic adventures.com in 1998 and noticed in their 2009 brochure they were running one on another of its islands, Crete in September.
Crete had been on my mind since I had appreciated the beauty of the Greek islands as settings for “ Momma Mia”, “Zorba, the Greek” and other motion pictures. The price of the ten day tour which included almost everything (the use of a Trek road bike, most meals, etc.) was $3500 ($4100 for a single room. Round trip airfare which was additional from New York to Crete was $830 via Delta, Air France and Aegean airlines. In my opinion, the price of $320 per night represented a real value for a bike tour—it was substantially less than most other bike tours.
The founder of Classic, Dale Hart is a retired college professor of Greek History and gave us many insights regarding the sites we cycled by. The tour began in Crete’s largest city, Heraklion, and included such highlights as ancient Knossos, the Lassith and Omolos plateaus, the Minoan site of Karphi, the Potami River Valley, the Libyan Sea, the Plain of Messara, the Amari Valley, Palm Beach, Prevali Monastery, Souda Bay,, Samarian Gorge and the Harbor at Chiana.
Virtually all parts of the island were included in our biking and hiking itinerary. There were ten biking days. The group was split into two sections. The “Extreme” people rode about 60-70 miles daily, usually “climbing” about a mile each day. Cyclists could opt for a less demanding route in terms of both mileage and hills. The two groups were reunited each evening and used the same restaurants and hotels..The less demanding group was shuttled in a minibus over the
difficult stretches and could take advantage of cultural and historical attractions along the way while waiting to be reunited with the extreme group.
I was a member of the extreme group. Another tour ran in May. Bicycling Magazine called the Tour “one of the best 50 rides on the planet”. Scenery included spectacular and stunning mountain, sea and canyon vistas, vineyards and olive groves, donkeys, goats, cows, sheep and birds. Some of the hotels had swimming pools and/or were easily accessible to Crete’s famous beaches. Dinners included Greek culinary specialties such as honey, yogurt, grilled seafood , feta cheese, olive oils, lamb tzatziki ( a succulent mix of yogurt, cucumber, garlic and olive oil). moussaka and baklava. Breakfasts and almost all dinners (usually with wine) were included.
Classic’s support staff of 3 were all members of the Hart family, Dale, his wife Dianne and son Benton (the heir apparent) They checked the mechanics of each bike daily. One day Benton discovered and repaired a mechanical flaw in my bike’s shifting mechanism which I had never noticed. They also fixed flat tires and made emergency bike repairs on the road as needed. One of the hard working, capable and friendly Hart family members drove a minibus which carried cyclists’ luggage between hotels. It was also used to shuttle tired cyclists or those who had opted for the less demanding routes.
There also were two days with hiking options. One (which I did) was a memorable 12 mile trek down Crete’s famous Samaran Gorge. The local Cretan population generally gave us a warm reception. The condition of the roads was surprisingly good—comparable to those in my home county in New York state. We were fortunate to have had good cycling weather—daily temps in the mid to upper 70’s and virtually no rain. According to the historical climate data I checked, this is generally typical for Crete at this time of the year.
The fourteen members of our cycling group ranged in age from their forties to about 70 and included a mix of couples and solo travelers. There was a couple from Calgary, Alberta and a solo American woman who has been living in Germany. The remainder were from various U.SA. locations.
The level of restaurants and hotels was generally good but neither luxurious nor exceptional.
Facilities at this level simply did not exist along some of the outstanding bike routes we took and as I pointed out the price of the tour was by no means excessive. However I was never uncomfortable.
Although some of the hotels didn’t have a/c it didn’t seem to be hot in any of them (it may have been in midsummer) Several times there seemed to be a hot water shortage, but in most cases we were able to get it by either running a the tap for a while or asking the desk to turn it on.
Our hotel for the last two nights was the Almyrida Residence, a modern and new Miami Beach style hotel with ground level and rooftop pools and an adjacent appealing Mediterranean beach.
On the only evening for which dinner was not provided by Classic, ten of us shared an hour long taxi ride to the cobbled streets of the old town of Rethymno for an unforgettable culinary experience—dinner at the wonderful AVLI restaurant, one of Greece’s best. All of us greatly enjoyed our dinner selections and outstanding Greek wines served outdoors in a lush garden.
To “work off” some of the excellent menu offerings, the “extreme” bike routes were very hilly and difficult for most cyclists. Some of the hills (I should say mountains) were very steep and long.
There were as many as 15 switchbacks on the way up—at the end (turns) of the switchbacks it was sometimes very windy. When we finally reached the summit and looked down the view resembled a panorama from an airplane—Our vantage point was so high. I was impressed by the courage and effort of the cyclists.—all of them were not in the “supercyclist” category, age and genderwise. Of course, all had the option of demoting themselves permanently or temporarily to the non extreme program (which I did on a very windy day!) They could also take a day off from the grueling 10 days in a row cycling schedule. (which I also did—spending it with a book and writing this piece on a relaxing and gorgeous Cretan beach).
I still wound up biking about 440 mostly hilly miles in 8 days. Of the 60+ multiday bike I tours I have done, this ranks among the 3 or 4 most difficult!.
Things to do in Athens
Posted September 24, 2009 , comments closed
There is an abundance of places to go and things to do in the city of Athens, Greece. You should have no trouble filling your time in Athens with wonderful memories and beautiful snapshots. Here are some places to get you started: Make sure that you see the Acropolis and the Parthenon. This is known as one of the many wonders of the ancient world. Not only is this a great place to spend your time, but also your money. There is a ticket you can purchase that allows you to see the other major archaeological sites as well. Traveling overseas is an expensive thing to do, even if you budget wisely, but that doesn’t mean that you need to limit the sightseeing that you do to bare minimum. In an ideal world you will make time to visit the Theater of Herod Atticus, Theater of Dionysious, and the Ancient Agoraare during your vacation in Athens since each of these places will have its own merits that you will want to uncover. Make sure that you set aside ample time to explore these areas so that you do not feel too rushed. The National Archeological Museum in Athens is only a short walk from Syntagma. It will likely take you a half hour to an hour to comfortably complete the walk. It may seem like a long walk, but when you get there you will find that it was more than worth your effort to get there. There is no better museum on the planet to see a collection of ancient Greek sculpture. Jewelery, pottery, and items found in a shipwreck off the island of Antikithera are also on exhibit at the National Archeological Museum. Even if you are not a history buff or the slightest bit interested in history, you will have a difficult time not finding just about everything in the National Archeological Museum fascinating. For those of you that already can’t get enough of history, you will probably want to camp out here and never leave. There is such a vast array of exhibits at the National Archeological Museum that you can’t help but get carried away and want to spend all day there. Regardless of how you feel about shopping, no trip to Athens is complete without a trip to the Angora-Athens Market. Completely regardless of your tastes and preferences of fish, meat, and vegetables you will find that the most likely place around is the Central market on Athinas Street. Make a stop at the market whenever it fits into your day. Early in the morning trucks unload and you can join most of the Athenian shoppers around midday. During this time you will get to feel like you are a native to Athens. Make sure that you ask the locals about their favorite foods at this market. They shop here all the time and can point you in the direction of some foods and finds that you would not have an opportunity to try any other time. Even if it is something that you are not entirely comfortable with, try to give new foods that you find at this market a try if you want to have a real Greek experience during your stay in Athens. If you are able to, you may seriously wish to consider taking some time to climb Mount Lycabettus. If you choose to put in the effort a breathtaking view and outstanding cafe will await you. If you are not able to make the trek but do want to see the top of the mountain you can take a train close to the top of the mountain. Many visitors say that walking down the mountain is a lot of fun, even if the climb up the mountain was difficult. You will likely walk through a neighborhood or two on your way down the mountain. Each of these tiny neighborhoods have their own townspeople with aspects of their Greek culture that is unique to their neighborhood. If you have been fascinated by Greek ways up until this point in your trip you may want to consider trying to spend some extra time on your stroll down the wonderful Mount Lycabettus.
Athens – Controlled Chaos
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a commentMany cities can claim to be old, aging, but few can be said to be still walking the same streets as the ancients. And in many ways, as we walk to the streets of Athens, you really can feel the millions of feet that have trodden the same path…perhaps not on exactly the same piece of bitumen, but you know what I mean. There are so many things to see and do in Athens, that they simply cannot all be listed. But I am hoping to give a tasty selection which will entice any traveller to the home of the many gods of our modern day. The city itself can be bustling, so just remember to breathe and enjoy the sights.
The Acropolis
Listed in my book as one of the 3 million Wonders of the World, the Acropolis is astounding not just for its size, but for the view it gives onto the rest of Athens. You can also see the Gates of Zeus, to the east of the Acropolis, where in 2007, the first meeting occurred of the Followers of Zeus, for a thousand years. The religion or sect was banned in Greece when polytheism was outlawed. The climb to this great monument is not so tiring, but if you are doing it during summer, it would be best in the morning, as the sun can be quite crushing in Athens. The Acropolis is not just the Parthenon, which is the major building structure you see in all the photos. There are a range of garden type areas to walk through with various stone relics. Here you can wander the stones as if you were an ancient philosopher, decry Sophocles or have your epiphany like Archimedes, and proclaim ‘Eureka!’. However, as he was in the bath at the time, it may not be so wise…
Wonders of Ancient Greece - Acropolis and Parthenon
National Gardens of Athens
Located at the border of four popular suburbs of Athens, this jewel in the midst of the city is easy to find, and can lead you to a variety of locations once you are done.
The gardens are located at the edge of Plaka, Acropolis, Thission, Monastiraki, and Psiri. It was designed primarily by the wife of King Otto, Amalia, to complement the new palace. Intended to hold plants and trees from all over the world, it maintains a rainforest feel right in the middle of the city. The area includes two large duck ponds which accommodate a massive brood of Daffys, which can be quite aggressive about their feeding times. As you walk the paths, beware! As they seem to have found a haven, and will go for anyone who has even a whiff of breadcrumbs about them.
Changing of the guard and batteries in Athens
As you exit the gardens, there are various ways to go. One of the more interesting is to go out to Irodou Atikou street, and to the left are the Evzones – the group that guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Evzones are soldiers who previously have guarded the Royal Palace, who are chosen for their height and character. They were founded in 1824, and in 1863 became the elite force of Greece. They are also the soldiers who wear those little pompoms on their feel and the cute dress skirt kilts. They look too sweet to be soldiers.
If you like museums, stay on this street and you will come to Vassilias Sophias street where there is the Benaki Museum. Continuing up the hill you will hit Kokonaki Square. If you take a right on Vassilias Sophias street, the Byzantine Museum and the War Museum are right next to each other, which offer really old pieces from…surprising Byzantium era; and really quite scary war pieces from Greek campaigns.
The Metro
Now you should be warned, the Metro of Athens or Attica Metro, is not just a set of railway stations, it is a beautifully designed and wonderfully curated museum that just happens to house the city’s public transport inside it. This all began when the city was preparing for the Olympics of 2004. During the construction of two new rail lines, over 30, 000 artefacts were found on 70,000 square metres. The archaeologists initially worked in front of and then eventually alongside of excavators for a total of 6 years. They uncovered ancients streets, houses, workshops, cemeteries, kilns, aqueducts, drains, foundry pits and sewage tunnels, which allowed a new insight into ancient topography of the city. The stations which hold the majority of the relics discovered are Syntagma, Evangelismos, Academia and the University of Athens, where one can see skeletons, old pottery items, grave stones and even a 2,000 year old beehive! These stations are also fantastically designed, and a real treat as a change from many of the main city stations which are crowded with advertising and rushing hordes. So it is great if you can take the time to wander through these stations, rather than dash for the next train. It may have taken Athens a long time to get their metro going, but at least they got it right!
Monastiraki Flea Market
Sundays are awash with locals at Monastariki, which is a flea market located between Plaka and Syntagma stations. These markets are full of almost anything you could want and not need. From antiques to souvenirs, there is choice aplenty. However, to really get the feel of the area, it would be a good idea to stroll around the area of Psiri, which has a history of being part of the underworld back in the 19th century, and is now the home of a jumping nightlife after dark. Psiri was also the area Lord Byron lived in while in Athens, and where he wrote ‘Maid of Athens’ about Theresa Makris, a girl who lived next to his boarding house.
Don’t leave Athens without trying a souflaki!
During the day, Psiri is an almost quiet semi-industrial area, however, after 6pm is when the tables and chairs come onto the footpath, and the lights come out. There are dozens of places to choose from for good and cheap meals, often accompanied by traditional guitarists, and a bit of a dance later on.
And just as a final note, while you are in the city, try to look up at the tops of the houses – many of them will appear unfinished. This, I am told, is due to the fact that if the building has no top floor, you don’t have to pay some taxes. Maybe this is true, but it will certainly give you a sense of Greek style! Don’t forget to sample all the feta you can, and the fabulous olive oil, I drool as I think of all the fantastic food there. So dig in, fill up, and enjoy what there is in one on my favourite cities!
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Athens tours & things to do in Athens, from Athens walking tours to Athens sightseeing and dinner show. Or take a day trip from Athens on a cultural tour to Delphi or Olympia.
Popular Holiday Website Finds Millions Of Cheap Holidays To Fill The Last Minute Demand This Summer
Posted August 7, 2009 , add a comment) With searches for cheap holidays seeing a big increase in the last few weeks due to the UK weather, Holiday Holiday Holiday has added millions of more holidays to its website. In response to demand there is now a huge range of September and August 2009 holidays live and accounting for over 50% of the millions of offers available on the holiday website.
The most popular searched destination on holiday holiday holiday still remains as Turkey at the moment, with Greece, Spain, and the Balearic Islands following closely behind. Majorca is still a popular searched destination despite recent news and long haul destinations such as the Caribbean have seen a renewed interest as people look to escape the rain and visit sunnier climates. The abundance of last minute holidays available at the moment has been largely due to the previously slow take up of foreign holidays this year, with many people previously looking towards UK holidays.
With the opportunity now of some great last minute deals to be had, many people have now refocused their search, using holiday websites such as holidayholidayholiday.co.uk, in order to find a cheap holiday bargain. With the great British summer turning out to be a bit of a washout so far and the forecast for August relatively bleak, holiday makers are looking to holidays abroad to fill the sunshine gap, with many opting for all inclusive holidays to help them stick to a budget and plan for their holiday ahead.
Holiday Holiday Holiday Marketing Director Emma Healey said “We are experiencing a noticeable rise in last minute holiday searches on the website as holidaymakers resign themselves to the fact that a summer holiday in the UK is increasingly unlikely and look instead to foreign shores for guaranteed sunshine”.
“With a wide range of holidays on offer, from all inclusive to cheap holidays on a budget, and the expertise on offer through the hundreds of travel agents using our site, holidayholidayholiday.co.uk is extremely well equipped to offer holiday makers everything they need to find their perfect holiday”.
Holiday Holiday Holiday re-launched with a new design and improved search facilities on the 1st July this year, whilst also securing a deal with hundreds of travel agents to increase the total amount of holidays on the website to many millions.
Hostel Summer Sale 2009 by HostelBookers.com - prices from just ?3 per person per night
Posted , add a comment) The heat is on as HostelBookers launches its first ever hostel summer sale with as much as 70% off selected European hostel prices in August. HostelBookers guarantees to offer the cheapest accommodation around, as rooms are available for as little as £3 per person per night.
Over one hundred participating hostels throughout Malta, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus are offering the opportunity to bag the most amazing bargain for bookings and travel in August.
Stay in Madeira for just £3.80 at the Os Manos - Lodging which is offering savings of 40%. The lodgings are situated in the Santana area of the island, which offers some of Madeira’s most dramatic scenery, from the rugged coast to inland mountains. There are eight bedrooms all with satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.
The Splendid Guesthouse in Malta is offering a massive 70% off with rooms starting at just £5 per person per night. The guesthouse is situated in Mellieha, a picturesque hilltop town in Malta. One of Malta’s leading beaches (Mellieha Bay) is only 15 minutes’ walk away. Alternatively the guesthouse’s sun terrace with its picturesque view of Comino and Gozo offers an ideal place to while away lazy afternoons.
Save 50% in Corfu staying at the Gorgona St & Apts for just £8.50 per person per night. The apartments are ideally placed in the tourist village of Ipsos, only 50 metres from a beautiful long, sandy beach and only 20 minutes from Corfu’s historic old town, Corfu Town.
Art lovers won’t be able to resist the 30% discount at La Controra Flashpackers Hostel in Naples. La Controra is a converted monastery right in the centre of Naples.
Its recently refurbished rooms are decorated by art sculptures, Neapolitan coffee pots, garlic and chilli peppers.
The lounge bar is used for contemporary art exhibitions and the garden hammocks offer the best way to relax after a day exploring this bustling city. Prices start from just £10 per night for a dormitory room.
Experience cosmopolitan Spain at the Apartments El Pilar situated in the beautiful historical centre of Valencia. The spacious apartments with their own kitchen and dining area are just two minutes from Valencia train station. Prices start from just £13.50 per person per night with a 20% discount and include daily cleaning, airport pick-up and return, and catering service.
HostelBookers features 14,000 hostels in over 3,000 destinations and is the only website in the industry not to charge a booking fee ? its lowest price guarantee means that prices are on average 4.2% less expensive than other well-known hostel booking companies.
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For further information please contact: Givi Basilia at 020 7406 1805 or
Email: Givi.Basilia@Hostelbookers.com
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