Travelogue… with Bob Nicolaides.

Archaeological Study On in  Zakynthos

Zakynthos: Archeological finds

Authorities of Zakynthos island and the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities have bagan the mapping and archaeological study of the submerged archaeological site discovered off the Alikanas beach on northeast Zakynthos island.

The site covers about 3 hectares and lies 2 to 6 metres deep. According to the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities it contains a visible courtyard, dispersed building material and at least 20 circular column bases, with a 34cm hollow in the centre where a wooden column may have been inserted.

The pieces at initial assessment appear to belong to a large public building, possibly related to the ancient port, but dating is not possible yet as no pottery has been found on the surface. The size of the building however attests to the wealth of the community at Alikanas, archaeologists said.

Crystal Palace : Among Best 100 in RTK Group

Crystal Palace: Among best.

Crystal Palace of Crystal Group, opened in 2011, was voted among the global best 100 of RTK Travel Group of Germany. Millions of travelers voted the best 100 of the world through thousands of travel agencies operating under the organization of RTK.

RTK, among which the most influential and respected Travel Agents Corporation is, held its annual Congress in CCB of Berlin. Some 900 outstanding travel agencies, 120 tour operators, airlines, tourist offices, and executives of leading global hotel chains attended, and RTK was awarded First 100 Hotels among the 600 which it operates during the 4-day Congress held in October.

Crystal Palace Luxury Resort & Spa of Crystal Hotel Groups was among the best 1200 according to the votes of the travel agents and their customers. Primary criteria was Customer Satisfaction.

 

Santo Stafano: Near old Prison

Italian 'Unspoiled Paradise' Up for Sale.

 

Just days after it was disclosed that a New Zealand businessman had paid 2.94M euros for an Italian paradise isle, another of the country's gems is up for sale. The owner of Santo Stefano, part of the Pontino group of islands situated north-west of Naplesis 'open to negitiations' for the sale of about 25 acres out of a total of 28, according to an advertisment. The remaining three acres, belonging to the Government, along with the site of Borbonico prison where former Italian President Sandro Pertini was imprisoned during the fascist era are not for sale.

The seller reportedly has already received offers for the island described as 'unspoiled natural paradise,' though negotiations as well as price are confidential. The ad also boasts 'natural views, beautiful sea and a seabed rich in fish and marine flora, making it a unique setting for those who love the sea and water sports.'

The New Zealand businessman paid the above price for Budelli, part of the Maddalena group which lies between Sardinia and Corsica. Santo Stefano is known for Borbonico, the so-called 'celebrity prison' due to its notorious inmates who, besides President Pertini included writer Luigi Settembrini, the brigand Carmine Crocco, the anarchist Gaetano Bresci and the bandit Sante Pollastri.

Inaugurated in 1795, the prison was in use through 1965. 

 

Sex & The City Goes to Greece in Support of Tourism

 

It has been 3 years since  Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte since Carrie, Miranda headed to Abu Dhabi for the much publicized second Sex & The City sequel, but speculation grows that a third episode is in the pipeline, which could be shot in Greece. Lead actress and producer Sarah Jessica Parker has sparked rumors that she is scouting for filming locations after she spent most of August sailing around the Greek islands on a luxury yacht. 

Sex & City cast: Heading for Greece?

Her visit was followed by a SATC production team, which has been seen visiting several locations there in recent weeks with Messinia in southwestern Peloponnese projected as the most likely location to shoot the sequel according to the tourist organization marketing Greece.Local press has speculated that shooting could begin either September 2014 or May 2015.

Parker had previously expressed her vdesire to set one of the SATC episodes on Mykonos, the glamorous Cycladic island famed for its celebrity visitors. Back in May in fact, the actress portraying Carrie fueled rumors that a third episode was being considered despite the second installment being perceived as something of a flop. Parker admitted that there was still one story to tell and that if the time and place were right, "maybe we should tell it." However, both Cynthia Nixon who plays Miranda and Chris Noth who plays Carrie's love interest, Big, have previously poured cold water on the idea, saying they felt it was not needed.

 Sunday Brunch at Boutique Hotel St. George Lycabettus

La Suite at St George Lycabettus

Is it too late for breakfast and too early for lunch while in Athens? Then try Sunday Brunch atop of the Lycabettus hill at the St George Lycabettus boutique hotel's La Suite Lounge (2 Kleomenous St)  between noon and 4 pm. It's at the 6th floor with the panoramic view and was launched on nOvember 3rd and still going strong. There's a buffet and an a la Carte menu to satisfy all tastes, all at the modest price of 18 euros per person.
Begin with an energy boosting Smoothie and choose between Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon or Bacon, French Toast with Banana and Choocolate chips, 'golden eggs in Love' La Suite's Juicy Burger and much more.
Continue this gastronomic itinerary with fresh salads from the buffet, bagels, pancakes in maple syrup, and a variety of juices while all the time ogling at  the impressive fountain of chocolate. All this, while renown radio hostess Effie Maltezou of Galaxy FM entertains you. For information call 011-210-723-4435

 

Core Marine Cruise ship Operator to Transfer Home Port

Louis Cruises Chief K. Anastassiadis caption

Core Marine Ltd, the operator of Louis Cruises sea cruise vessels, expressed its interest in transfering its home port base from Piraeus port to that of Lavrio.  Company officials, speaking to ANA-MPA, said that the port of Piraeus was already considered to be congested and despite efforts made by the port's authority to promote new works, they would not be enough to avoid additional delays in sea cruise vessels' entry and exit from the port. The official noted that each day, from 5:00 to 9:00 am, sea cruise vessels are not allowed to dock in the port since priority is given to coastal shipping vessels and to larger containerships by COSCO.

 Core Marine officials also said that dozens of tourist buses were finding it difficult to transfer tourists to the Acropolis and other sightseeing locations around Athens due to increased traffic in the streets of Piraeus. Core Marine Ltd operates Louis Cruises' six sea cruise vessels. It currently operates two vessels in Greece using Piraus and Lavrio as its home ports.

 Commenting on Core Marine's plans, Stavros Hatzakos, managing director of Piraeus Port Organisation (OLP), said the Piraeus port cannot be compared with the Lavrio port since its installations are among the biggest in the Mediterranean, while he added that the organization's current investment plan included the creation of two more new generation-vessels docking stations.

 

Brest Fortress most-visited tourist attraction in Belarus

 

Brest Fortress is the most-visited tourist attraction in Belarus, Vadim Karmazin, Director of the Department of Tourism at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of Belarus, told media

The Brest Fortress



Brest Fortress: Most visited fort

“The top three most-visited tourist attractions in Belarus also include Mir and Nesvizh castles. Gomel Palace and Park is fourth,” said Vadim Karmazin. Minsk is also a popular tourist destination. In 2013 Belarus was visited by tourists from 167 countries. Citizens who come for permanent residence or to work are not taken into account. In 2013, most of the tourists to Belarus were from Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Latvia and Germany. These countries account for more than 93% of all arrivals in Belarus.

Commenting on reports that most frequent visitors in Belarus are Russians, Karmazin said: Russian tourists have become very demanding. The Russians can afford traveling to any destination.. We have found our niche for Russian tourists: excursion programs, farm holidays, health tourism, and this is a big plus for us,” he noted. “In tourism we need to start with the neighbors. If this turns out well, we can start exploring long-distance markets - China, India and other countries. Building on the theme of attracting tourists to Belarus,” Karmazin added: "in determining which regions can be promising, we focus primarily on the solvency of potential tourists.”

 

Hotel that Hosted Jen Aniston Named Africa’s Best

La Mamounia. Jen's Favorite

A luxury hotel in Marrakech which has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill to Jennifer Aniston and Vladimir Putin has been named the leading hotel in Africa. La Mamounia, with its royal, exotic gardens, hand-cut tiles and palatial grandeur, was given the crowning title over properties from the Four Seasons and Fairmont brands at the World Travel Awards Africa in Nairobi, Kenya this week, an event known as the Oscars of the travel world.

Most recently, Putin's daughter chose the lush hotel for her wedding nuptials last year. In 2009, to celebrate their grand re-opening following an extensive three-year renovation, the hotel threw a gala party that drew Hollywood A-listers such as Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow to Morocco.