• BeAtRome recommends La Ruta de la Paz exhibition at Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy.

• USA Today share a link to an interesting article on airport food prices.

• VisitOslo recommends shopping at the Farmers’ market in Majorstua, Oslo, Norway.

• WhyGoGreece shares Tripso’s Top 5 Naked Events and Nude Beaches in Mykonos, Greece.

Photo of beach in Cancun, Mexico, by mdanys

From the physical appearance of the island as well as its many historical landmarks and monuments, these influences can be seen everywhere in modern-day Corfu (Kerkyra).

This is especially the case with its inhabitant’s warm attitude towards international visitors and the variety of the local cuisine that abounds on the island. Where nightlife and pubs in Corfu are concerned, the more popular establishments to visit to are the cafes situated on the Liston Promenade or those that are located at the northern end of the Splianada Square. Most of these cafes and pubs are open from early morning to late in the evening and are usually buzzing with activity.

You can also find a nice selection of bars and cafes on the major roads that run throughout the city. One thing is for certain. Delicious local cuisine and other delicacies are in abundance and all you need to do is just look for one of many establishments where a lot of locals are dining and hanging out. The following is a list of some of the best nightlife spots and pubs that you should consider when visiting Corfu.

1. Sonic Cocktail Bar (Acharavi)

For a fun time, great live music & some of the best cocktails in anywhere in town, the Sonic is a well-established part of Acharavi nightlife. You can party the night away 7 nights a week here.

3. Orpheus Restaurant (Acharavi)

A family-run bar and restaurant located on the main street in the city. You can experience the best of both English and Greek cuisine as well as your favorite drinks in this very friendly bar.

3. SOS Nightclub (Kavos)

This cocktail bar and pub features one of the best bar staffs, and DJ’s anywhere in the city. Here you will find some of the best dance remixes, karaoke, and party music to enjoy for the evening.

4. Kavos Summer Club (Kavos)

Enjoy great mixed drinks, hot music for all tastes, clear drinks, bright lights, and just a fantastic party atmosphere. The Summer club is located where you can take in some spectacular views of the beaches and forests, Mount Pellion standing as a stoic backdrop to the surrounding landscape.

5. Edem Beach Bar (Edem)

One of the most popular places to experience the Corfu nightlife. This establishment is for the extreme night-clubber. Unique cocktails are the norm and the Edem Beach Bar features a wide array of fantastic music and parties to satisfy every taste imaginable.

There are obviously many more choices when visiting Corfu and a quick search on the internet will avail you with numerous possibilities for enjoyable nightclubbing and nightlife in general while visiting the island.

1. Top 3 China Beach Resorts

A review of  the most beautiful beach resorts in China:  the gambling city of Macau with its exciting nightlife and casinos, the seaside resort of Hainan with its tropical beaches and fascinating temples, and the modern city of  Shenzhen with its exotic beaches and great Chinese food restaurants. Three fantastic travel destinations for a luxury beach holiday in China!

2. Top 8 Beaches in Athens, Greece

A blog post for travelers visiting Athens, Greece, who want to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. Votsalakia, Alimos, Glyfada, Voula Beach, Kavouri, Vouliagmeni Beach, Kokkino,  Limanaki, Varkiza Beach are the best seaside resorts and beaches near Athens.

3. Paris Street Food Delights

An article about the best street food in Paris: jambon-beurre sandwich, merguez sandwich and more French food for budget-conscious travelers who want to save money and have a quick lunch in the street of Paris.  

4. Top Gay-friendly travel destination: Crete, Greece

A blog post on gay nightlife and gay-friendly beach resorts in Crete, Greece, including the magnificient cities and picturesque villages of Chania, Heraklion, Lassithi and Rethymno. Four popular travel destinations in Greece for a fantastic gay holiday on the Mediterranean Sea.

5. How to get to Bratislava from Vienna

An article on how to travel from Vienna to Bratislava: Useful tips for people traveling by bus or by train from Austria to Slovakia or taking a Vienna-Bratislava boat trip on the River Danube.

Photo of  beach in Macau, China, by Puroticorico

The Acropolis

Any archaeological tour of Athens must start with the Acropolis. As if its status was not exalted enough already, in 2007 the Acropolis was declared to be the ‘preeminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list’. The Acropolis is a great place to visit whether you are interested in archaeology or not, but those who are will be overjoyed by the profusion of evidence from times gone by.

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens

If the Acropolis whet your appetite then head over to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. This covers the period extending from pre-history through to late-antiquity and has collections from Asia Minor and Egypt as well as an extensive collection of Greek artefacts. Since the museum is so large visitors will be best advised to examine the information available and selecting specific areas of interest rather than try to see everything. If you have no specific tastes then the museum does reward those who simply stroll around and the helpful staff are always on hand to offer advice. The museum is a five minute signposted walk from Viktoria metro station.

The Kerameikos

The Kerameikos area of the city, roughly northwest of the Acropolis, is also very interesting from a historical perspective. It is where the ceramic pots of the ancient city were made, indeed, the name is the etymological root of the word ‘ceramic’. The area also contains the Dipylon Gate and is archaeologically very rich. Visitors should be aware, though, that much of what you can see in the area has been reconstructed. This is a very good way of getting a feel of what the ancient city would have looked like but do not mistake it for original material.

Plaka

Finally, Plaka is an area where archaeology almost seems to come to life. The area hugs the slopes of the Acropolis where houses of various styles have stood since the most ancient times. To maintain the areas charm while balancing this with the needs of local residents, the city authorities have taken the step of banning cars from the area. Many people, while agreeing with this step, were quite amused since cars would be incapable of travelling through most of the streets in the area. Unfortunately the ‘picturesque’ area has become a real tourist hotspot and so visitors may want to think about visiting outside peak times at evenings and not in summer.

This is just a brief sample of the archaeological delights Athens has to offer. If you are interested in seeing more then the staff at the National Archaeological museum or guides around the Acropolis will be more than glad to help.

Photo of Acropolis of Athens, Greece, by jon crel

Aside from the tragic myth of Icarus’ escape, the ancient Minoan ruins at Knossos, stunning thousand-kilometer beaches, and top-quality olive oil, here are more interesting stuff which Crete has to offer!

1. Cretans Love their Guns (or Rifles)

Statistically speaking, Crete has the highest ratio of guns per person in the whole European Union. Although this is the case, Crete is still considered as one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. Don’t be startled to see Swiss cheese-like road signs on Crete because some Cretans believe they make pretty good targets. Fun fact: Firearms and big celebrations go together like bread and butter in Crete. This tradition is called balothies and it is customary for Cretans to fire their guns during weddings, baptisms, New Year, and even when their favorite soccer team wins!

2. Raki All You Can

If you’re the kind of person who needs booze to have fun, you won’t be disappointed if you are planning to visit Crete. Locals here are very fond of drinking Raki, the island’s traditional wine made from distilled grape skin. Cretans love Raki so much, each family have their own unique recipe. Fun fact: Cretans drink Raki after eating huge meals because they believe it could help with digesting the food.

3. Around Crete in 50 Days

If walking is your passion, maybe you can do exactly what Ivan Van Driesche did. A Belgian hiker who fell in love with the beauty of Crete, Ivan walked around Crete in exactly 50 days for a fund raiser to save stray animals in the island. Fun fact: Ivan carefully listed down details of his journey such as the number of steps he made, the calories he burned, the places he have seen and the people he met along the way.

4. Cretans Like to Keep it Simple

Cretans are well known in the Mediterranean to use their body and facial gestures as a means of communication so it helps to be observant when talking with locals. If you’re a tourist and you want to ask for help, don’t worry. Cretans are known to be the most helpful people and most of the population speaks English and German.

5. Dutch Treat is Not an Option

In terms of being hospitable, don’t be surprised if you are treated like royalty in Crete. If you have been invited by a Cretan or any Greek for that matter to a “Kafeneio” or cafe for a meal or drink and they offered to pay for it, let them. Refusing to this tradition will greatly embarrass and humiliate your host.

Photo of  road signs riddled with bullet holes in Crete, Greece, by Lone Black Rider

The wide array of special events, exhibits, festivals, and various ongoing presentations, continue to delight large numbers of travelers annually, all of which have been designed to show the city of Patras at its best. For those of you who have never experienced the city, it is one of the best examples of a true Greek city. In addition to its tourist industry, Patras relies heavily on agriculture, its prolific wine country, and its busy shipping industry.

However, it is also renowned for its colorful Carnival Season and how it has preserved the performances of ancient Greek theater. The city is oftentimes referred to as Patra and is located on the northern coast of Greek’s Peloponnesian peninsula. It is situated near the new Rio-Antirio Bridge which links the Greek mainland to the peninsula. The city was founded in 1,100 BC and at one time was one of the major port cities in all of Greece. Today, it is the Peloponnesian peninsula’s largest city and principal port. Should you decide to vacation in Patras, here is a list of attractions that you might want to consider.

Explore Plateia Yioryiou (George Square)

Sit and admire the different facades of the banks in the square as well as the neoclassical theater. These are newer buildings as Patras has been rocked by earthquakes as well having been nearly burned to the ground during the War of Independence with the Turks. Plateia Olga and Plateia Martiou which feature numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops are other areas you should explore.

See the mosaics in the Cathedral of  St. Andrew

Located near the waterfront, the Cathedral of  St. Andrew was built after World War II.   Its mosaics present a vivid picture of the city of “old” Patras. Be aware that appropriate dress is required. St. Andrew’s skull is on display in the cathedral near the right hand side of the altar. It is also a primary pilgrimage shrine. After touring the structure, take advantage of any one of the cafes situated in the shaded park located across the street from St. Andrew’s.

Visit the Archaeological Museum

Despite having been closed for recent renovations, if the Archaeological Museum is open it should be a priority on your agenda. It is usually open Tuesdays through Sundays and holds a wealth of displays about Greek culture and history as well as significant details about Patras’ past.

Spend the evening at the Roman Odeon

The  Roman Odeon is located just off Platia Martiou and worth the visit if you’re energetic and want to take in some of the nightlife. There are numerous bars and cafes situated around here on the many pedestrianized streets. Venture up any of the streets leading to the Patras Fortress for an additional adventure.

Photo of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Patras, Greece, by Adamos Maximus

The Mykonos Islands, Greece, are like a rare and beguiling jewel consisting of a wealth of culture and beautiful merging into a melting pot of lush landscape and golden beaches. The sandy beaches of Cyclades are in fact some of the most golden beaches in the regions. The sophistication of the Mykonos Islands only but enhances the attraction of this Greek holiday spot. Noted as being one of the most famously known islands in Greece, Mykonos will simply take your breath away.

Take the time to discover the neighboring island of Delos which is one of the most historical areas of Ancient Greece. In fact the Delos is a very small island at the heart of the Cyclades. The historical significance of the Delos makes this a superb location to explore dating back to the days of the Greek god of light called Apollo and Artemis, the goddess of hunting. The name Cyclades comes from the unique formation of near by islands to the Delos Island which begun to appear in circular configuration. The islands date as far back as the 3rd millennium B.C.

One of the islands most famous aspects and point of mention are the beaches. In two words golden and translucent best describe the beach experience waiting for you when you touch down at the airport of this glorious island. The closest beach to Mykonos town center is known as Agios Stefanos. Located on the north side, expect this beach to be one of the more overcrowded beaches due to its close proximately. Some of the facilities you will find at this beach include plenty of water sports and activities.

For the most popular beach you will definitely want to try the Platis Gialos. Local buses provide transportation to this beach for easy access and convenience. This beach can be described as golden sand with eye catching “turquoise” clear waters. Here you can also partake of an assortment of water sports activities along the shore. Water sports activities are available on almost every beach and are a large part to the island’s beach going experience. So, do expect them to be present on almost every beach in the region. This is great news for those who are aficionados in the way of all this water sport or water activity.

But, if you are in search of sandy white beaches and coves, the Agios Ioannis will mesmerize you with a collection of small coves especially available to the general public. This beach is quite the famous location for feature films such as “Shirley Valentine.” This beach is located on the west side of the island with an outlook of the Delos Island. It is said to be both relaxing and calming at the same time in comparison to the other numerous beach locations. General access to the beach is provided by way of a local bus service.

Photo of beach in Mykonos, Greece,  by NervousEnergy

Rich with culture and steeped with history dating back to ancient and mythological times, the island of Crete offers an abundance of attractions, dining, entertainment, and lodging to satisfy the tastes of any and all visitors. The gay and lesbian community has also found its local and tourist niche here as well, and today there is an abundance of things to see and do when visiting and exploring this legendary Mediterranean destination.

If it’s a quieter and relaxing vacation that you want, then stick to the West side of the island. On the other hand, if you’re craving entertainment and more of a night owl, then by all means, the Eastern side was made for you. In general, no matter where you travel and venture out onto the island, there is always something, so don’t let the East-West differentiation become a hard and fast rule. Here are some of the more popular gay destinations in Crete.

Recommended gay-friendly towns to visit on Crete

• Chania – the diverse landscape and location atop the Samana Gorge are reason enough to see this town. If you’re the active type, there is an abundance of paths and trails that you could spend days exploring.

• Heraklion – the city is most recognized for its numerous museums and the variety of sports venues. However, the cuisine that you will find here is some of the best anywhere on the island.

• Lassithi – the easternmost region of Crete. The mild year round climate and the stunning coastline attract many visitors annually. Excellent mass transportation here enables you to go anywhere with ease.

• Rethymno – rich in history with a Minoan emphasis, this city has so much to offer the tourist that a couple of days here surely won’t be enough time to explore the delights and events available.

Gay-friendly night spots on Crete

Depending on whether you want excitement or quiet, you have so many options with the gay nightlife on Crete.

• The Camelot is the spot for nightclubbing according to most critics. It’s lively and you are sure to make new friends spending an evening there.

• On the other hand, if you want to relax in a more subdued atmosphere, Vinnie’s Garden in Koutouloufari is the place. Privacy is key here and the quiet ambiance makes it perfect.

Picture of the Bay of Balos, Crete, Greece, by Wolfgang Staudt

All of the beaches near Athens get extremely busy during the months of May through July and even the more expensive bungalows and resort hotels need to be booked far in advance. Be aware that most of these beaches are “private”, meaning that you will have to pay an entrance fee to enjoy swimming.

The best beaches are located along the south-east coast in the Glyfada district, and the beaches north-east of the city near the Marathon district are very peaceful. You can also find some nice beaches along Athens’ east coast near Rafina, a smaller seaport near the city. However, most of the time, these beaches are very crowded.

The following is a list of the top 8 recommended beaches near Athens including the distance to them from the center of the city.

1. Votsalakia – Located 9km (5.6 mi.) from the center of Athens with beautiful sandy beaches and numerous sports facilities.
2. Alimos – located 11km (6.8 mi.) south of the center of Athens. Located directly north of Ellinikon airport (the older facility), there are sandy beaches and sports facilities awaiting the traveler.
3. Glyfada – located 16km (10 mi.) south and east from the center of Athens, this seaside resort area offers some of the best marinas and a large array of water sports. For those parents who are traveling with children, Glyfada is an ideal destination.
4. Voula Beach – located 17km (10.6 mi.) from the center of Athens, the clean and sandy beach features tennis and volleyball courts for hire should you be interested.
5. Kavouri – located 20km (12.4 mi.) south and east from the center of Athens, Kavouri is one of the “free” beaches that feature a very clean and sandy beach.
6. Vouliagmeni Beach – located 23km (14.3 mi.) from the center of Athens, this beach has every thing you need for enjoying a relaxing day. There is a children’s play area, tennis and volleyball courts, and a water slide. Additionally, Vouliagmeni is a “free” beach that features individual cabins as well as a canteen and a restaurant.
7. Kokkino Limanaki – located 26km (16.2 mi.) south and east of the center of Athens, the blue-green waters of this sandy beach are sure to impress you.
8. Varkiza Beach – located 27km (16.8 mi.) south and east of the center of Athens, Varkiza is one of the “free” beaches and very well organized. Tennis and volleyball courts (hired by the hour during the day or evening), a children’s play area, and several snack bars are all available to the traveling family.

Photo of Vola Beach, Greece, by RobW_

Hotel Gerofotis – Lakka (Ionian Islands)

Explore the picturesque Greek countryside and stay at the welcoming Guesthouse Gerofotis, a charming traditional Mediterranean house located in Lakka, Paxi Island, and offering stunning views over the Corinthian Bay. Special Rate till September 27, 2009: Double Room from 60 euros per night (prepaid, not refundable) with free breakfast.

Apollon Hotel – Parikia (Cyclades Islands)

Enjoy the stunning sceneries and idyllic beaches of Paros Island. Book your stay in Parikia at the 3-star Apollon Hotel located only a few steps from the lovely sandy beach of Lavidia. Special Offer till June 30, 2009: Double Room from 39 euros per night (prepaid, not refundable).

Dryades Garden Studios (Cyclades Islands)

Rent an apartment on Paros Island and save money on your Greek vacation.  Book your stay at the Dryades Garden Studios for only 40 euros per night (prepaid, not refundable).  Special Price available until September 27, 2009.

Hotel Saint George Lycabettus – Athens

Book a room at the luxury Hotel Saint George Lycabettus and enjoy a romantic break in Athens, Greece, for only 115 euros per night. Special hotel deal valid for a double room (prepaid, not refundable) until December 29, 2009.

1. What is the Most Beautiful Greek Island

Planning a summer holiday in Greece? Looking for the country’s sexiest beaches and most charming villages? Read this travel blog post and discover four of the most beautiful Greek islands: the postcard-like island of Santorini, the fascinating island of Ithaca, the idyllic Milos Island and the stunning Paxos Island.

2. Best Bars in Berlin

Traveling to Berlin and looking for great spots where to meet cool people and find the best German beer? Check out our Top 5 Berlin bars including the friendly Hops and Barley sport bar, the cozy Rosa Bar,  the trendy B Flat jazz music bar, the very nice Wuergeengel cocktail bar and the chic Bar Tausend.

3. Top 3 Seafood Restaurants in Rome

Planning a Rome vacation and want to know where to eat the best seafood in Rome? Check out these three Rome restaurants serving Spaghetti con le Vongole and more delicious Italian seafood specialties at a fair price: Da Franco ar Vicoletto (San Lorenzo), La Penna d’Oca (Piazza del Popolo) and La Rosetta (Pantheon).

4. Top 5 Architectural Landmarks in Antwerp, Belgium

Going to Antwerp, Belgium and wondering what to do and see in this charming city? Less popular with tourists than Bruges and Bruxelles, Antwerp has yet some of the most interesting architectural landmarks in Belgium, including the Gothic Cathedral of our Lady, Grote Markt town square,  The Stone castle, the Art Deco Boerentoren skyscraper and Vleeshuis Meat House.

5. Top 7 Things to Do in Eindhoven

Traveling through the Netherlands and planning a visit to Eindhoven? Check out our list of the best things to do and places to see in Eindhoven: The Evolution, Van Abbemuseum, PSV Eindhoven football stadium, Philips first Incandescent Lamp Factory, Eindhoven Art Centre,  Kempenland Museum and the Historic Open-Air Museum.

Photo of windmills in Oia,  Santorini, Greece by Wolfgang Staudt

The Soho Grand Hotel New York invites you to sample the Grand’s Signature Mac & Cheese recipe, the “perfect addition to Easter Sunday dinner”.

AK_Mom recommends cooking Apple Cinnamon Rolls for Easter brunch.

The May Fair Hotel London tries to tempt you with a delicious chocolate steam bath.

Living in Greece gives useful information to non-EU travelers who want to spend Easter holiday in Greece.

“Easter Egg Cocktail” photo by feastoffools

New York Hotels

Gridskipper lists the 5 best hotel terraces in New York, including the rooftop bar & restaurant of The Bentley Hotel and the exclusive terrace of Hotel Hudson.

Majorca Beaches

It’s A Beautiful Life lists the 10 best beaches in Majorca, Spain, including Platja de Palma, Sa Calobra, Alcudia Beach, Palma Nova, Cala D’Or, Es Trenc, Cala Millor, Camp de Mar, Puerto Pollense, Santa Ponça.

World Heritage Site Pictures

On WhyGo France, check out some beautiful pictures of World Heritage Site Mont Saint Michel, France.

Greece Vacation

Dreaming of a sunny holiday in Greece? On Travel To Santorini, watch the short video of a walk in Oia, a picturesque beach resort on Santorini Island.

Travel Writer

On Travel Blissful, read an interview with Travel Writer Rolf Potts who talks about his latest book “Marco Polo Didn’t Go There: Stories and Revelations from One Decade as a Postmodern Travel Writer (Travelers’ Tales Guides)”.

Photo of rooftop terrace courtesy of Hudson Hotel, Manhattan, NY. 

With over 6000 of the things you might be wondering where to start when picking a Greek Island to visit. It helps that there’s only inhabitants on 227 of them and then further helps that only 78 of them have over 100 people living on them. But then that’s still 78 to choose from and it’s a very hard choice. So what is the most beautiful Greek Island? This might have a few people disagreeing but here is a very short list to start you off.

Santorini

Santorini is postcard island and the one you’re probably thinking of when you started reading this. You can fly to the island from Athens in 40 minutes or in the summer get a high-speed boat from Piraeus. It’s become quite a hot-spot now on the tourist trail and, although there’s no denying the sheer beauty of the island, it’s quite a lively place especially at night so expect somewhere good to party.

Ithaca

Where the great Odysseus is said to come from and part of the Cefalonia and Ithaca Prefecture, Ithaca is a beautifully different island that has some rocky parts and is an overall a little more sophisticated in some ways from all the others. It has the largest natural harbour in the world for a start and the beaches all around the coast-line are beautiful white sand with crystal clear waters. Vathy Town on the southern side of the island is the capital but still a stunning and charming little fishing town in many other senses.

Milos Island

Part of the Cyclades set of islands, Milos is paradise. Famous for its statue of Venus of Milo, also known as Aphrodite the Goddess of love and beauty, but now on display in the Louvre in Paris. The unique lunar landscape makes the island seem like something from another world altogether. You’ll see pure white for miles around until you reach the blindingly blue seas that sweep into the cracks in the bays. If you want to get as near as you can to one of the most heavenly beaches on earth then try Papafragos beach and you’ll think you were the first person to ever set eyes on it.

Paxos

You could say the best has been saved until last. Paxos is simply a stunning place on this earth. It’s about 20kms from Corfu and only has around 2000 permanent residents. Thanks to a lack of airport, Paxos has remained unspoiled and largely unknown to many on the tourist trail. A boat drifts in now and then but it’s a peaceful place with very laid back and friendly locals. There’s enough bars and restaurants for you to be kept busy in the evenings too and the capital Gaios is the best spot for this. If you’re thinking of a place to honeymoon then this is one.

Panoramic view of Santorini by Wolfgang Staudt

It’s not uncommon for many Italians to drink a shot of the golden liquid as though it were a shot of alcohol or, better still, their daily medicine. But why does Italy worship olive oil so much? What is good olive oil and what is the secret?

Olive oil comes from olives that are the fruit of an olive tree, simple. The olive tree is a very easy one to spot. It looks a little bit like a bush or a big version of a bonsai tree. Round, short and bushy, with hard and dry little light-green leaves. The fruits are sometimes different colors and sizes depending on the variety and they each ripen at different speeds. It’s largely green olives that make olive oil though. When the olives are right for picking, in November and December normally, they are plucked off the tree and gathered for washing. Hand-picked olives will always give the best oil because each fruit will ripen at a slightly different speed and a person can be more choosy about which go to the press that a machine can.

Having been washed, the olives are then sandwiched between stone disks to crush them to a paste. The oil that drips from the disks at this stage is called virgin oil and you might already know that it’s the best on the market. After this, further pressing gives lower grade oil. Extra virgin oil is virtually free from acidity (oleic acid) at only 0.8%. It has suffered no treatment apart from washing, filtering and then pressing.

Unfiltered extra virgin olive oil is even better if you can get hold of it. It will have sediments of the pressed olives in the bottle as it’s literally come straight off the disk. This is the best oil to use as a condiment but it doesn’t last long so drink it quickly.

Look out for bottles that have the most recent harvest dates on the label, as newer olive oil will always be tastier. It’s not like wine where it gets better with age. The younger the oil, the more fresh it is, and the better it is. Anything over a year old should be avoided.

Check the labels for stamps from the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC) as they are the industry regulators and will make sure the oil is at the right standard. 85% of the world’s olive trees are signed up to the IOOC though so they’re not that hard to find.

Spain and Italy produce the most olive oil in the world but then their fellow Mediterranean’s Greece consume slightly more than them, at 26 litres a year per person, so perhaps it’d be worth looking at Greek olive oil as well as Italian for your next shopping list.

Olive oil has many other uses other than in your pasta and salad. It has many tried and tested medicinal qualities ranging from: body lotion, soaps, ear waxing, laxatives, prevention of heart disease and then also as fuel in lamps. It also plays a large part in some Jewish and Orthodox religious customs. As the Greek poet once said, it’s “liquid gold”.

Photo of Taggiasca olives, Italian Riviera originally posted by funadium.

it is a cliché that most clichés are true, but like most clichés that cliché is untrue.

I mention this by way of underlining that while some travel experiences may not be novel or imaginative that does not necessarily reduce their meaning or significance to the traveller.

The first and most glaring cliché of European travel has to be Paris. The very name carries such a weight of expectation in the minds of visitors that bitter disappointment follows as often as rapt enchantment. The queues of drunken tourists outside the Moulin Rouge each night are a bleary and rowdy testament to the perils of success in tourist marketing. Similarly, each obnoxious waiter or superior hotel receptionist is a blot on the face of the very city they serve. But on the other hand, each visit to the city can reveal new layers of intrigue and delight. The romantic capital of the world did not get its reputation for no reason. A naive belief that the city is amour made real will lead to nothing but disappointment, but if visitors open their eyes a little wider they will most likely find exactly what they are looking for and, probably, a whole lot more.

Our second cliché is the belief that by sampling a ready supply of drugs travellers are tapping into some deeper meaning and will change the world. This is particularly evident both the on island of Ibiza and in the city of Amsterdam. In my opinion it is no more ‘wrong’ for an American student to experiment with pot in Amsterdam than it is for a wine connoisseur to tour France. However, when they fall into the belief that they are ‘joining the counter-culture and subverting the mainstream’ we have to draw the line. The pot is legal and the sixties are over, enjoy your high and be quiet. In the same way, the ravers down on Ibiza are enjoying themselves and feeling agreeably ‘loved-up’ but they are not going to ‘change the world through the power of love’ and in the morning will feel only like having a cup of tea and going to bed. These people need a dose of perspective more than anything else.

When Louis De Bernieres wrote Captain Correlli’s Mandolin I wonder if he realised the effect it would have on travel to the region in which it was set? Who can blame the hordes of would be lovers who descend on the Greek islands each year looking for the last sweet fling or the first fluttering heartbeats of love? Who are we to cheapen their dreams? They may not leap nimbly onto their scooters as they once did, or scramble up to moonlit balconies, but the middle age spread and thinning hair is just a disguise for the youthful passions within. When the visitors return home, pink, hung-over and happy the cliché will have been fulfilled like a mid-life destiny or menopausal kismet.

As far as I can tell the point of Oktoberfest is not just to drink a lot of beer, since that can be done at home. Nor is it to drink a lot of beer with other people who are drinking a lot of beer. It is, in fact, to drink a lot of beer surrounded by people in Lederhosen while listening to Oompah music. I suppose what makes the Oktoberfest such a cliché is the idolising of the beer. Ben Franklin’s saying that ‘beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy’ has clearly been taken to heart despite the fact that it is idiotic. If God loves us so much he wouldn’t have invented the hangover because, as it is, beer is in fact God’s joke at our expense, joy and happiness being directly linked to pain and suffering. Is this a metaphor for life? Perhaps, but it is a cliché none the less.

A literary fate has befallen Provence in a similar manner to the Greek Islands. It is difficult to know how a book of finely drawn characters and deft observational humour could have had such devastating consequences but Peter Mayle and his ‘A year in Provence’ has managed it. Yuppies, the bane of anyone with a meagre ration of intelligence, taste and good humour have descended on Provence like a herd of braying cattle. Children named Tarquin and Chardonnay run around smearing their organic yoghurt over every available surface, mangled French is bellowed at waiters and no-one notices as the prices spiral ever higher. Evidence of the plague is in the number of rustic farmhouses converted to gourmet family hotels, with parking for several Range-Rovers on the tarmac covered lawn. Unlike other examples on this list this is not a quaint or endearing curiosity, this is a cold and clinical cliché of materialism at rest. It’s ugly and it’s offensive but people need to be warned.

To point out a cliché should not (just) be an exercise in mockery. That destinations and experiences can become so popular suggests a quality that is worth investigating, even if that quality has become overstated through time. Through looking at what is popular, and why, we can focus on real quality and perhaps spot the ‘next big thing.’ Unfortunately of course that will soon become a cliché of its own and so the cycle continues.

Photo of Euroepan flag originally posted by rockcohen

My fifteen-year old cousin remarked upon his first visit to Canada, his first time outside of Greece, “my lord, things are awfully organized here….I don’t like it.” There is however, a secret rule that does guide most of Greek life; the rule of filotimo. Derived from the word for friendship, this term has various definitions depending on who you talk to. The concept essentially means to take pride in your treatment of others, from fighting to the death over who pays the check regardless of how much money either person makes, to overfilling your guests with food and wine (after commenting “not to worry, they like them chubby here.”). It’s not surprising that most filotimo situations involve food and drink.

To the untrained eye, the concept is about boastfulness, but in reality is very much a transition from the ancient belief in xenophilia, or hospitality. In Greek myth, the laws of hospitality prevail over all others, and often the Gods disguised themselves as poor dusty travelers to trip rich landowners into breaking the law and thus incurring their wrath. In today’s Greece, there is little chance of being turned into a goat for a lack of hospitality, but filotimo still aspires that once you’ve exchanged pleasantries with a traveler, you should insist on having them over for lunch.

In the rural parts of Greece, this is an ongoing practice, but rarer in tourist destinations for obvious reasons. If you’ve happened to strike up a conversation with an old Greek waitress while sitting at a tavern, she may invite you to lunch the next day, with no specific time implied and vague directions it is your duty as a guest in the country to appear. There are unspoken guidelines to responding to an act of filotimo.

First, despite the assurance that you should show up at any time, do not show up in the late afternoon; siesta time for most Greeks and your appearance will be welcomed but not appreciated. Second, never show up empty handed. Fournos (bakeries) and zaharoplastios (pastry shops) are on every corner so there is no excuse for mooching off your host. Finally, eat whatever if put in front of you with a smile, whether it be decadent desserts or a plate of liquid cheese and tarts made of garden weeds. Gushing over any effort made by your host is essential for making sure you have a place to crash in the future.

Picture of Greek village, Santorini originally posted by grosz3city

Corfu, which belongs to the Ionian Islands, has earned its reputation in Greek gastronomy via the unique specialties in local dishes. One of them is Corfiot Pastitsada.

What is pastitsada?

For those who love meat, pastitsada is a delicious journey to the land of spices and fresh tomatoes. Use fresh ingredients and taste a heavenly dish! If you don’t want to cook it yourself, you can order it or eat it at a local taverna, but bear in mind that there are two options: Pastitsada made from beef and pastitsada made from cock or chicken. Although these dishes are cooked by following similar cooking instructions, the taste is distinctly different in each dish. Beef has a much better taste than poultry. Moreover, if you would like to try cock, which is much more delicious than ordinary chicken, make sure the dish you get consists of cock and not chicken. The latter is a bit cheaper to get.

The ingredients: meat of poultry?

So, pastitsada made from beef is actually a dish that consists of the following ingredients:

Some pieces of lean beef cooked in thick tomato sauce made from olive oil and flavored with garlic, onion, cinnamon, salt and black pepper. However, the best taste is achieved by using a fresh piece of meat and not a frozen one. The meat has to be cut into large chunks and be lean and red. Most tavernas on the island use fresh meat, but you can ask before ordering to make sure. Chicken dishes are often prepared with frozen poultry, but cock pastitsada is usually made from fresh cock on special days, such as national celebrations, so it is not an every day dish.

If you cook at home, substitute beef with cock, add the same sauce and spices, and you have a new version of pastitsada. Cooking time differs too, as beef needs more time to become tender than poultry. When ready, the sauce is thick and dark red and the meat tender. Use a fork to test it. If you taste a well cooked pastitsada, you do not need a knife to cut the meat.

The secret

The secret of the special flavor of this dish is to add 1-2 dry leaves of laurel in the sauce as well as a stick of cinnamon, while if you get freshly ground black pepper instead of ready made pepper sold in super markets, you get a much more tasteful result.

How to serve it

Corfiot pastitsada has to be served with freshly made pasta, such as rigatoni, boiled in salty water, topped with ample ground Parmesan cheese. Accompany that dish with fresh salad, such as the Greek salad made from sliced tomatoes, green peppers, cucumber, onions, olives and feta cheese drenched in olive oil, and you have the most popular local dish. Some fresh whole meal bread is always necessary to enhance the flavor of every local specialty. Don’t forget that Greeks eat a lot of bread, and nothing tastes better than a fresh loaf!

Photo of pasta with pastitsada by Liana Metal

Mount Pantocrator (sometimes Pantokrator) is the nest of many small villages, such as Korakiana, Skripero, Petalia, Perithia, Episkepsi and Spartilas. Nature lovers can enjoy a beautiful view from those and smell the aroma of the fresh herbs and wild flowers that grow on the mount.

Healing nature

Chamomile is plentiful in fields on the mount but the visitor should take care to know where to pick it up and not trespass private property. Oregano grows in many places up there too, as well as wild tea which is called ‘faskomilo’ by the local people. Faskomilo has got a special aroma that is very distinct and different from the common tea. In winter time the visitors can find arbutus berries which are beautiful to see and taste. There are also blue berries and rosemary, wild figs and thyme bushes. You can smell pine, myrtle and laurel which are abundant. You can pick a bunch of everything and let it dry in a dark corner so as to feel the nature in your house.

Breathtaking landscapes

At the top of Mount Pantocrator there is a small monastery that celebrates God every year on the 6th of August. Lots of people visit the monastery on that day, both local and travelers. To enjoy the trip more, you can visit the monastery a day before the celebration, or right after. The road up there is narrow and winding so it may take you a long time to reach the top. Once there, you will have a beautiful view or a romantic sunset.

Hiking trails

For sport lovers, hiking is a very good idea. The road is full of green and you will breathe fresh air mixed with the aroma of herbs and wild plants. It is a pure place that will revive and de-stress any person. There are paths you can follow but you should be careful when the weather is hot as snakes come out and some of them may be poisonous. The best is to follow the road to the top. Many travelers cycle to the top, so this is an alternative solution, though rather tiring as the road is uphill.

All around the route you can see endless olive groves and cypress trees. As you walk you will see the red tiled houses of the villages and the church towers in each of them. Some villages have got more than one churches. Orchards and vineyards lie in between the green as well as oak and pine trees.

Picturesque villages

Pantocrator is a small paradise mount for green travelers and nature sensitive people. Visitors can stay overnight at village houses without having booked in advance. They just have to ask the people at the café (there is always one café for the local people) of the village and they will find a place. In busy months though, they have to be prepared in advance (and maybe book a hotel accommodation in the area, such as Hotel Pantokrator).

The mount is the perfect holiday combination for all nature lovers, including families and independent travelers who seek local flavor. It is within easy reach of the beaches and the tourist resorts and it is only half an hour drive away from the town of Corfu!

Photo originally posted by sonderzeichen