Travelogue…… with Bob Nicolaides

 

 

Get a Quote from Swan Hellenic and Sail the Seven Seas

 

The MV Minerva

 

 

Are you looking for a Swan Hellenic cruise at an unbelievable low price? If yes, this is the right place for it! Since the Cruise ompany was launched in 1984, it has helped more than three million travelers save hundreds of million dollars on sailings worldwide. Swan Hellenic's ship, the MV Minerva, visits popular and exotic destinations throughout the world, including ports in Asia, the Black Sea, the British Isles, the Caribbean, the Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and South America. Their itineraries range between 11 and 28 nights aboard the ship, during which you will be transported with all comforts to breathtaking ports such as Venice, Italy, Motril, Spain, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Muscat, Oman, Cochin, India, Mykonos, Greece, in all, 178 wonderful spots around the globe that will fascinate you and afford you the most memorable trip of a lifetime.

Moreover, Swan Hellenic's prices fluctuate frequently, affording you the opportunity to search and find the lowest prices desirable for your trip.

Are you ready to sail? Call 800-338-4962 or e-mail customerservice@swanhellenic.com for a quote or reservation. Swan's MV Minerva brings a rare touch of comfortable, informal refinement to travel. Here, the glow of fine burnished woods, gleaming brass and handsome works of original art create an atmosphere that is both elegant and stylish yet unpretencious. Listen in on some of the fascinating lectures by the onboard team of eminent naturalists, geologists, zoologists, historians and ornithologists. At the end of the day, curl-up with one of 5,000 volumes in the wood-paneled library or sip a glass of wine while listening to the concert pianist in one of the cozy lounges. 

Hellenic's specialists are ready to help you plan a fantastic vacation.

 

  

Breathtaking Resort, Lagging Restaurants



The Romanos, Navarino Dunes

 John Behrakis, a frequent traveler, reviewed for Trip-Advisor Romanos Resort in Navarino Dunes, Messinia, Costa Navarino in Greece. He says it is a fantastic hotel but seriously, they need to do something with their restaurants! The Flame restaurant by far the best along with the Inbi (but both over priced)! The Taverna...”well I just had a nice plate with an overdose of salt-no reaction from the restaurant when complained! The Da Luigi... just ok but the service is pitiful! It’s my third year and it gets more and more expensive and the food situation still medium-bad for one of the best hotels in Mediterranean.”

 

The Tritoxo Guesthouse in Epirus

 

To Tritixon

In the beautiful village of Koukouli in Zagori is where Eleftheria Dimou’s guesthouse, To Tritoxo is located, offering you unique hospitality, friendly family environment and excellent service. This family business meets the standards of the Hellenic Tourism Organization and offers the visitor warm hospitality in a family atmosphere. It is housed in a renovated traditional stone structure built in 1822 in the center of graphic Koukouli village.
To Tritoxo is open year-round and its seven rooms are equipped with refrigerators, television, central heating and is charmingly decorated. Wake-up in one of its rooms with the aromas of the flowers around you and enjoy nature in its glory.  

Abraham's Lost City in Turkey's Kilis?

Archaologists recently announced the discovery ofthat  a lost city in Kilis bearing evidence that ancient patriarch Abraham once dwelled there. The Province's Oylum tumulus also yielded coins from the era of Alexander the Great. Researchers in the area have discovered have discovered what they term as

Ullis excavated in Kilis

 a 'lost city,' as per the head of the excavation team, Gumhuriet University Archaelogy Department Associate professor Atilla Engin.


"According to a papyrus document from the Iron Age the lost city we have found is where Abraham lived. We have also found 134 silver coins form Alexander the Great's treasure," Engin said. He added that the Oylum tumulus where the artifacts were found was one of the largest in the region, shedding light on that area's history. He also said that Ullis, the lost city, was thought to be in the eastern mediterranean region, but the new discoveries show that the Oylum tumulus was the site instead. "The name Ullis is mentioned in ancient Akat documents and matches with the name mentioned in Hittite documents. The papyrus documents place Abraham in the Ullis plain where there is a center that relates to the name Abraham. We have stumbled upon important information here," the academician concluded.
With the pieces unearthed so far, the Kilis Museum has been established and the hope is that as new pieces come to light, those as well will be displayed in the museum.

Emirates Palace to Host World Luxury Expo



The Palace at Abu Dhabi

The third edition of  the World Luxury Expo, Abu Dhabi, will take place at the Emirates Palace between the 27th and 29th of September. The event will showcase a selection of luxury brands to an 'invitation-only' group of high net worth clients from across the GCC. Categories include fine art, jewelry and fashion, hand-crafter time pieces, designer fur
niture and table settings, automobiles fine dining, private aviation and luxury travel.
Some of the participating firms are Porsche, Gold & Co London which will be showcasing a 24-carat gold-plated Arabian stallion, the House of Sillage and Al Barari Luxury Villas.
Following the Abu Dhabi edition, World Luxury Expo will be held next in Doha November 14 to 16, 2013.

A Visit by Sea to the Holy Land.

Louis Cruises ships have sailed the oceans of the world and pioneered innovative itineraries for over 20 years. Their Greek officers and European crew profess gracious hospitality and nautical tradition and bet on offering you an unforgettable experience on the m/v Orient Queen. Sailing destinations only in July and August of every year, Louis Cruises offer a wide variety of cruises in the range of 3 to 10 days.


Mosque of the Prophet & Wall (Bottom)

With their affiliate, Salamis Cruises of Cyprus you can also take advantage of a 3-day/2 night cruise from Limassol in Cyprus to the Holy Land (Haifa, Israel,) and back to LImassol, a Wednesday through Friday sailings on October 2 and 14, 2013, affording you the opportunity to take in the church of the Nativity and the grotto which was built over the place Jesus was born, the church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Golgotha in Jerusalem, as well as the famous Wailing Wall, the panoramic view of the Garden of Gethsemane and the church of All Nations. The sailings are on Salamis' Filoxenia and Glory.
 It must be noted that the weather around October in the holy Land is warm enough for a swim in the Mediterranean waters, as well as in the many resorts on the Dead Sea which can be reached within hours. Bear in mind that there's ample time for all those sights to be seen since the ship remains in Haifa from the time it arrives at 6 am until sailing time which isn't due until as late as 8 pm.
Furthermore you can enjoy a 4-day/3-night cruise to Patmos and Kastelorizo, leaving Limassol on October 4 and retyurning on the 7. Another option is to visit Samos, Mytilini, Chios and Sumi from Limassol on October 7 returning to LImassol on the 14.

Yet another choice is the 4-day/3-night sailing to Kos with an overnight visit to Rhodes, which sails from Limassol on Friday, October 11, returning Monday, October 14.
 

Uganda: A National Park Among Best 

Kidepo National Park-third Best

Kidepo Valley National Park has been voted the third best tourist attraction on the African continent by CNN Travel. Because of the achievement, the National Park has become one of the most sought after attractions in Uganda. :In five years we expect to triple the number of visitors from 2,700 to about 7,000," said the area conservation manager, Johnson Masereka, while launching a new product called The Ik On Moru Engole nature walk. "The revenue will double last year's collection."  There are investment opportunities for the private sector within the park, which are three hotel sites waiting for developmentand needs transport services as well as aggressive tour operators. The UWA marketing officer, Ingrid Nyankabwa said the park has 120 lions. She advised tour operators to include the National Park when marketing gorilla tracking,  nature walks and bird watching. "The game drive treats you to a wide variety of attractions from giraffes, elephants, zebras, water bucks and ostriches," she added.
The packaged tours offer a nature walk, 460 birds, traditional dances, butterflies and interesting communities.
 



Russian Transaero working With Virgin America

Transaero Airlines, Russia's second largest carrier, announced the launch of its Interline Agreement and Special Pro-Rate Agreement (SPA) with US carrier Virgin America. The interline agreement will provide opportunities for TRansaero's passengers to acquire e-tickets for travel between Moscow and the extensive route network of Virgin America in the US via the connecting cities of Los Angeles and New York. On the other hand, US travelers can now start their journey with VIrgin America's flight to LA or NYC and continue their journey to Moscow onboard Transaero's flights.



A deal between carriers



The special pro-rate agreement allows passengers to buy tickets at special, competitive prices. Special fares are available on the routes bewteen moscow with a connection in Los Angeles to such US cities as Washngton, DC, Boston, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas, Seattle, Portland, San Jose, San Francisco and Las Vegas. Moreover, the through fares are also offered  on routes between Moscow and San Francisco or Las Vegas via New York.

 

 

 

 

Spain is Winner of 1st Half of 2013 Tourism

 

Spain recorded its highest visitor numbers todate in the first half of 2013.

Over 34 million international tourists visited the region-the highest figure on record, according to statistics. This July was also a banner month with 7.9 million international tourists heading for Spain, representing a 2.9% year-on-year increase. The UK saw a 3.4 annual increase in visitors to Spain on July 2013 and this period accounted for almost a quarter (23.3%) of all international visitors.

During July, Catalonia was the most popular tourist Spanish destination, welcoming more than 2.1 million tourists (up 3.1%,) and capturing more than a quarter (26.7%) of all international tourists to spain in that period. The Balearics followed closely registering over 2 mil multi-ethnic tourists (up 1.7%) with Germany, the UK, the  Nordic countries and Russia, all contributing positively to this growth. 

Andalucia saw the largest year-to-year rise in international tourist visits, welcoming almost  one million foreign tourists (up 8.5%) in July, with Scandinavians and the UK accounting for the majority of this groth. The Canary Islands saw in excess of 840,000 visitors (up 2.7%,) with the UK and Scandinavia registering the majority of visitors.

 

You Too Can Win a Hospitality Award

 

If one intends to participate in the Worldwide Hospitality Award competition this is the last call. Registration deadline is September 29. The Awards return for their 14th edition with a prestigious ceremony taking place November 12, 2013 at the breathtaking InterContinental Paris le Grande.

Hospitality Awards in Paris

Hotel groups, independent hotels, hotel chains as well as hospitality schools of the world get a chance to compete with  their featured projects that move the Industry. It's your chance to showcase your innovations and projects extraordinaire, evaluate the work of your team, turn the spotlight on your institution for this remarkable event and thus celebrate Hospitality!Categories of the Worldwide Hospitality Awards to be won are:

• Best Communication
• Best Marketing
• Best Initiative in Social Responsibility
• Best Innovation, Room Area
• Best Innovation, Public Area
• Best 'People & Talent' Management Program
• Best General Manager, Luxury Hotel
• Best General Manager, Upscale Hotel
• Best General Manager, Economic/Midscale

 

Book Review

Is Greek Aristocracy a product of Asia Minor?

By Bob Nicolaides

 

Fearful History

Demetrius Horologas-Giannakopoulos

Periplous Publications-25pp.

 

“Although most of modern habitants of Greece are far from being Greeks,” writes Horologas in his e-book “civilizations of the past, like colonies of antiquity, the Hellenistic realms and the Byzantine Empire, were an acquisition of the supposedly history of a small Balkan country, for the well-being of which they shed their blood even Greeks of Asia Minor, without their off-springs having recorded it in their own collective memory. The usual suspect is present here too! The prime movers of the so-called Revival of 1821, which had to do with the revolt of Slavic and Albanian peasants of Peloponnese and Roumeli against the Ottoman Empire, are Greeks of Asia Minor, of aristocratic lineage, with roots to the Byzantine period. The Ypsilanti of Trebizond, the Mavrokordati of Phanar and even thousands of soldiers who fought in Greece and elsewhere, the members of the famous Ionian Phalanx and the Sacred Batallion (Hieros Lochos), rendered invaluable services to the revolted Arvanitovlachs. Even the theoretic moving spirit of ethnic Hellenization of False-Greeks, the great scholar of Modern Greek Enlightenment, Adamantios Korais, who laid the intellectual foundations for the Greek struggle for independence, originated from Smyrna.”

The paragraph above can be found in the final chapter of Demetrius Horologas-Giannakopoulos’ e-book called Fearful History, a 25-page dissertation on civilization which thrived in what is today the Turkish peninsula and all the races which have settled or invaded its numerous and vastly diverse  regions from the 11^th Century BC to modern day. An activist on Greek and Anatolian causes who lives in Armania with his native wife, accompanies the e-book with an extensive bibliography pointing the source of Mr. Horologas’ information, information which is both interesting and intriguing.

For instance, how many of us knew that between 11.000 BC and 7.000 BC we have the first permanent settlements of humans cultivating the land. “Thus” writes Horologas, “the so-called “Culture of the hills” emerged in Anatolia, as these first farmers began to build settlements on the lower hills for apparently defensive reasons. From the west coast of today’s Turkey to the inland of Asia Minor we come across remains of prehistoric dwellings and primitive rural settlements. Quite recently the archaeological shovel discovered accidentally, near Bayrakli, suburb of Smyrna, a village of wooden huts, dating from the 7th millennium B.C. Traces of wood and reed, which abounded in the swamps of the coast line of that period, reveal a small Neolithic settlement which is quite unimportant.”

Chronologically, the book recounts the emergence of great cities around 3500 BC in the Neolithic era, dubbed Çatal Höyük in the Turkish language, which along with the pre-biblical Jericho in Palestine claim to be the most ancient cities in the world’s history.

Eventually the book descends from the ancient kingdoms of Phrygia, Lydia, the kingdom of the Hittites, Urartu (modern Armenia) and Catpaduha which is identified to later Cappadocia, to the Minoan civilization and subsequently that Achaeans as the first Hellenes to colonize the shores of Asia Minor. “In the rest of the peninsula,” Horologas is quoted, “nations like Pisidae, Pamphylii, Lycaones, Isauri, Doliones, Carians, Phrygians, Thracians and Lycians give an image of panspermia in archaic Anatolia, mingling with aboriginals. 

Horologas in a colorful way describes the transition from that archaic period into the Hellenistic, then Roman and subsequently Byzantine periods. He mentions the Greek dynasties of the period such as Komninos and Paleologos, the last emperor of which, Constantine the Exadactylos defended Constantinople during the siege that had the city fallen to the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conquror. It continues on to the Greek Uprising, the Vlachs, the Arvanites and all the races that intermingled and are making up today’s Balkans.

Fearful History makes for good reading and I recommend it strongly for all buffs of genealogy and history. 

 

As The World Churns 1013

By Bob Nicolaides



Hera:Celebrated on Samos

The General Assembly of the UN, by unanimous vote adopted a resolution designating April 8^thas Athletics Worldwide Day for Growth and Peace in the presence of president of the International Olympics Committee Dr. Jacques Rogge and a plethora of athletes, among them tennis champ Novak Djokovic of Serbia. The decision to choose April 6^th as Athletics Worldwide Day as opposed to June 23^rd as it had been originally proposed emanates from a proposal made by the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN, as this is the day of the rebirth of the modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896……Over 350 volunteers participated in the Heraia-Pythagoreia festival celebrating the ancient Greek women's races first introduced to the eastern Aegean island of Samos 2,200 years ago. In the seventh annual festival, events which began on August 18 with concerts at the archaeological museum and the ancient theatre of Pythagoreion, the central town, a procession replicating the ancient tradition took place and headed to the port. This was preceded by the lighting of a torch at the ancient sanctuary of Hera and women's races from the temple to Pythagoreio. In antiquity, the celebrations included women's foot races at night accompanied by torches, musicians, with poetry contests also held, among other religious and cultural events. The events wrapping up the next night, a full moon night celebrated at archaeological sites throughout Greece. On Samos, the celebration under the stars was dedicated to Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca.

The village of Carguese or Karzes, this Greek corner of Corsica was founded by Mani fugitives who wanted to save themselves from the Turkish yoke. Street names, monuments, all are reminiscent of something Greek. But most of all, is the Byzantine church of Karzes, with the marvelous icons, brought by the Maniates from Greece in the 17th century....Archaeologists working in an ancient church somewhere in Turkey think they've unearthed a piece of the world's most famous cross, the one used to crucify Jesus. It was in a stone chest unearthed during excavations at a 1350-year-old house of worship with the chest filled with relics associated with the Crucifixion.

Overheard outside the Greek Consulate General in New York the other day: "Let's take a photo of the building with you in it, son, so we can show pappou." I got curious and I asked. The speaker explained. "My son is half Greek from his mother who speaks fluent Greek, and I wanted to show her father his gradson standing outside the Consulate.".... George Capsis who publishes a Village weekly paper called WestView was at a Christine Quinn fundraiser when he turned and slapped first a Congressman and then an aid to Quinn, the aspiring mayoral candidate in NYC. Why did he do it? As far as the Congressman because he wouldn't listen to his complaining about the closure of St. Vincent Hospital which robbed Capsis of precious moments with his dying wife Andromache who was transferred to the Bronx, and died a few days before the incident and the aide because he restrained him wanting to eject him from the event....



Stamos:NO spotlight Hogging

Theroux with Aniston: Coming Nuptials

Saks Fifth Avenue and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) are proud to announce Jennifer Aniston, long-time supporter of cancer causes, as the spokesperson for their 2013 Key to the Cure campaign. This year marks the 15th annual campaign, and it will raise funds for EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund by selling a limited edition Emilio Pucci T-shirt, in addition to holding a charity shopping weekend. By the way, Aniston's wedding was faltering for a while  due to difference of opinion. The former Friends star also admits she falls to pieces when she is due to step on a plane, and even alcohol fails to calm her nerves. New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s TVer Greek Spirit show producer-host and good friend George Burlotos has compacted his Sunday evening production from a two-hour show to a one hour (8-9 pm) and everyone wonders how does he do it managing to contain in half the time all the rich content that he spread over two hours. But he does, and does it with gusto…. “He seldom hogs the spotlight as the star,” writes Bill Newcott in a profile of John Stamos. More often, he’ll pop up to provide essential support on TV, in movies or on Broadway (or with the beach Boys, as their semi-regular drummer.) But John is a guy we’re always glad to see, whose sheer joy for his craft is positively contagious. “Then he continues: I’m ready to have kids” the actor wo divorced in 2005 says. Meanwhile, he’s the spokesman for Project Cuddle fighting baby abandonment…. New releases from Greek American Alexander Payne and other directors will be featured at the New York Film Festival, which opened Sept. 27,.the

 

Karamitsos: Co-director

TV's Devlantes: Celebrates

On Thursday, September 5, a private, exclusive joint end-of-summer rooftop soiree at the riverside rooftop StarDeck of the hot newly refurbished bar Estate Ultra Bar, celebrates the 10th anniversary of Chicago's Greek Media Club, co-hosted by that club in tandem with I On The Scene and Ladies Night Chicago. Co-sponsor was Estate Ultra Bar with live 50s-60s music by singer guitarist Skip Griparis. A toast to the GMC's 10th anniversary, it's raising some cash for charity, introduces individuals associated with each respective group to one another's membership. I On The Scene is one of Chicago's foremost celebrity blogs, written by entrepreneuse and former General Hospital actress Irene Michaels. GMC is a social networking group of media, film, PR/advertising and other creative and communicatively-inclined individuals which was co-founded by George Bliss, FOX32 News anchor Anna Devlantes and media entrepreneur and NFL Replay Assistant Terry Poulos. Ladies Night Chicago is a women's networking group founded by Shari Duffy. Also, writer-editor Maria Karamitsos is one of the current GMC co-directors...George Drakoulias, a Long  Island-bread musician from Greece was the music producer for the flick Stupid, Crazy Love....Greek thrush Maria Farantouri celebrates her 50 years in singing with a big concert at the Herod Atticus Theatre (Irodio) on September 17. Farantouri has sung for major Greek composers, including Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis. She was joined on stage by Elli Paspala and Savina Yiannatou to sing of "the human who insists on seeking the elusive dream and utopia"…. The western Greek city of Agrinio hosted its third annual jazz festival on September 6 and 7 at the Kipotheatro outdoor theatre, with international musicians taking to the stage with Greek performers. On September 6, guitarist Davide Jambon (Italy), drummer Attila Qyarfas (Hungary) and local double bassist Grigoris Theodoridis gave the opening performance. They were followed by trumpeter Andreas Polyzogopoulos and his quartet improvising Pink Floyd songs. The day was wrapped up with a concert by Shahar Elnatar (Israel) on organ jazz with standards and his own original work, George Kontrafouris on organ, and Vassilis Podaras on drums with Dimitris Tsakas on saxophone. Locals Possible Trio opened the second day, with Serafim Fengoulis on drums, Pantelis Tzialas on guitar and Menios Gounaris on piano. The festival wrapped up with a concert by pianist Juraj Stanik (Holland) improvising on jazz greats, joined by drummer David Barker (Holland) and saxophonist Furni Gomez (Spain)….Upcoming events in Athens during this Fall: "Little Paris of Athens", October 9-16, with events performed at Athenian Streets named after French historical personalities; International Meeting of Graphic Arts, October 17-20, Technopolis; "Store of the Future" events, October 22-24, Technopolis, a virtual reproduction of retail trade stores and spaces, presenting all new trends and technologies in retail trade; and Athens Photo Festival, November 1-20, Technopolis...

 

Tritoxo Hotel

In the beautiful village of Koukouli in Zagori is where Eleftheria Dimou’s guesthouse, To Tritoxo is located, offering you unique hospitality, friendly family environment and excelent service. This family business meets the standards of the Hellenic Tourism Organization and offers the visitor warm hospitality in a family atmosphere. It is housed in a renovated traditional stone structure built in 1822 in the center of graphic Koukouli village. To Tritoxo is open year-round and its seven rooms are equipped with refrigirator, television, central heating and is charmingly decorated. Wake-up in one of its rooms with the aromas of the flowers around you and enjoy nature in its glory.

Word of the Month: Gnome: from the Greek, γνώμη, from γιγνώσκειν. Opinion, Knowledge.