Crete Blog

If you’re considering a holiday on one of the Greek islands for this year or next, Paxos might be worth considering for a family holiday, or for a romantic getaway for couples.

According to Greek legendy, the island was created by Poseidon when he struck Corfu with his trident in effort to gain peace and quiet. The pebble beaches of Paxos are surrounded by sheer, precipitous cliffs that create scenery that is both breathtaking and expressive.

The sea around Paxos has vivid colours; it is pleasantly clean, clear, and cool. Dramatic fauna and flora are abundant, especially in spring. Ancient olive trees line the hillsides allowing the mind and senses escape to the treasure of comfort and beauty that awaits holidaymakers.

Seeing The Island

Paxos is charming and quaint and can be seen easily in a couple of days by motorbike or car. The three main towns on the island are Logos, Laka, and Gaios. All of which exhibit the classiul ac Hellenic Ionian style with bright and colourful homes lining the promenades.

The rural area environment has a landscape that features low stone homes surrounded by bountifnd lush gardens. There is always something beautiful to see and many photo opportunities while you’re sightseeing or walking. For those who like Crete holidays it’s familiar but at the same time unique enough to enjoy.

The three main resorts all have natural harbours - Gaios being the biggest and busiest.

Travelling further inland there are old churches and buildings and many hiking or biking trails if you seek to further explore the island’s rich history.

Hotels In Paxos And Things To Do

Travel around the entire island on a day or half day cruise. Picturesque wind-carved limestone cliffs, sculptural rock formations, and caverns line the way. Crystal clear, calm waters surrounding the island only add to the exquisite beauty. The weather and climate on Paxos is similar to the weather in Crete.

A bit of history from World War II is just off the island. Inside the cave called Papanikolis, a Greek submarine found refuge and hid during the war.

There is plenty of opportunity to swim, snorkel and relax. This island is wonderful for holidaymakers seeking relaxation and to get away from the rest of the world. The locals are all very friendly and happily greet visitors. A spectacular sunset can be seen by traveling to Erimitis, a bar which sits above the cliffs of the west coast.

Paxos is a worthwhile day trip if you don’t have a lot of time, but want to escape for a bit. There are many hiking and biking paths that go around the island via trails, coves, and beaches. There’s a few travel sites that have a map, often the same ones that have a Crete map.

You can easily take in the unhurried, traditional, and tranquil Greek lifestyle. Many people visit this wonderful island because of the miles of pathways that lead to unspoiled, secluded beaches and coves.

Hotels in Paxos fill quickly during peak travel season. Villa holidays are popular. Many villas have private pools and various villa companies include Paxos in their brochures, James Villas for example.

The island also has two hotels that often receive rave reviews from happy guests. The island of Paxos might be small compared to some islands like Kefalonia, but it offers an intimate charm and beauty for those who crave quiet, peaceful relaxation. Retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday modern living and escape from it all.

More information about the Greek islands are available on social media like reddit

Menorca Blog

With the banking crises and subsequent recession in Europe and the U.S. over its worst (hopefully) this year had all the signs of being a good one for the Menorca holidays industry.

Tourist arrivals to the island has been down in the last couple of years, in common with most Mediterranean islands, as a direct result of the bank failures and subsequent recession that hit consumer spending on things like overseas holidays hard.

But a turnaround was definitely on the cards with good early bookings, and a sense of optimism was in the air among the hotel owners and flight operators.

But then came along Eyjafjallajokull - or as it’s become better known in Europe and the wider world, the Iceland volcano - which after erupting continuously for over a month caused an ash cloud that grounded planes, left holidaymakers stranded, and caused a lot of people to reconsider their Menorca holidays for this year.

The direct consequence has been that instead of booking a few months ahead many tourists have held off and are booking their Menorca holidays much closer to their intended arrival dates - leaving some tour operators and villa holiday companies with excess accommodation and reducing prices.

And airlines lost out big time as those based in the EU had to pay for accommodation for those passengers they couldn’t fly home, even though insurers often got away with paying out. The airlines industry feel that as the governments stopped them flying, they should now pay their bills without some will run at a loss this year.

It’s not just Menorca that has been affected by the volcano among the Mediterranean islands where tourism forms an important part of the local economy, and is reliant on flights to bring the tourists in to their hotels and for their villa holidays for a week or two.

Malta for example saw a sharp decline in visitors in April and May, and local media have reported that the national flag carrier Air Malta could have lost over 3 million Euros in April alone as their planes were effectively grounded and flights to their important UK market halted altogether for some time.

Unlike Malta, Menorca doesn’t have an airline to speak of that it can call her own, but Mahon Airport is well served with both low cost airlines and tour operators from both the UK and Germany have regular flights to Menorca at various times of the day, with scheduled flights available out of the holidays season.

But there is some good news around, despite the awful start to the year. While there were plenty of Menorca villa holidays available for June and July to be booked when looking for availability in early May, a month later a lot of them had gone by early June, showing that potential visitors were gaining confidence as the volcano quietened down.

And the price cuts that were showing are now back to something like their normal level. But for those thinking of taking a villa holiday in September when the weather is still normally good, there are some available for under UK 700 - it’s quiter then with the schools back and if Menorca villa holidays are something to be considered it could be worth investigating further and booking ahead to get a good deal.

More details about Menorca, including a forecast and today’s Menorca weather are at yourmenorca.net and for independent comments visit social media like jumptags

Depression can come in many forms and the causes be varied.

Unemployment and poverty are well known and understandable causes of depression, but suicide isn’t unknown among the successful and wealthy too.

Something as simple as the weather can have affect some people – the SAD syndrome has become more known about in recent years in both Europe and Northern America, where long dark winters impact some.

Diet is another cause for depression, and for those whose illness is due to diet happily something can often be done about this. Not eating and low blood sugar levels can cause erractic mood swings.

The general consensus among health professionals is that most people are not paying enough attention to their diets. Few are getting enough daily physical activity. Even more alarming are statistics showing that many people are dying from preventable illnesses. Others are becoming increasingly depressed or affected by emotional problems.

For many depression carries a stigma, and that’s it’s considered a mental illness results in many people being unwilling to seek qualified medical help.

Dealing with Depression

Depression affects many facets of a person’s health. It can affect the body’s normal functions, moods and thoughts and the way they behave. Depression varies in severity from person to person. Some sufferers may not even realise that they are displaying symptoms of the illness. Some of these symptoms are:

Trouble concentrating

Constantly feeling sad without knowing why

Sudden mood swings

Unusual behavior

A diagnosis is usually made if these and other symptoms persist for more than two weeks. For severe cases, drugs may be prescribed, but treatment recommendations also include exercise and changes in diet. In many cases a combination treatment option is best.

Diet as a Treatment for Depression

It is an acknowledged fact that diet does not affect the body only on a physical level. It also has an effect on a psychological level. While not considered a complete course of treatment, diet can lead to positive changes for people suffering from depression. Some suggestions for alleviating the symptoms of depression with proper diet are:

Eating foods rich in antioxidants, as this helps to prevent free radical damage, which can affect brain function.

Getting enough protein to help improve concentration and energy levels.

Consuming healthy carbohydrates instead of processed carbohydrates. It is best to consume whole grains and legumes to maintain overall mood and reduce stress levels.

Using Holidays To Help Deal with Depression

The significance of getting away from it all to help battle depression can never be overstated. Many people use the chance to go on holiday to keep stress at bay. For many Brits, nothing beats the Spanish island of Menorca. With its pristine beaches and diverse offerings, it is one way to battle stress and depression.

Its healthy Mediterranean diet also includes the foods listed above. Anyone who spends time in Menorca could put themselves on the path to healthier living. It places a lot of emphasis on healthy carbohydrates and unrefined cereals, fish, vegetables and fruit. Studies have shown that following a diet rich in these foods may even help keep depression at bay.

Menorca is known for her quiet fishing villages and laid back resorts. Its holiday package differs from those of other islands in the area. It is geared more towards holidaymakers seeking relaxation as opposed to hard partying. The island also has a variety of attractions and sights to keep any visitor engaged.

Part of Menorca’s appeal rests on the fact that overdevelopment has been strenuously resisted. Her numerous green spaces make it a refuge for tourists who like to enjoy nature’s unspoilt beauty. The capital of Mahon and old capital Ciutadella offer numerous sight seeing opportunities, just the thing to wrap up a stress free holiday.

Menorca holidays needn’t be expensive, especially for UK residents. There’s an array of airlines who provide flights to Menorca.

For accommodation there’s a good choice of hotels, and companies like James Villa Holidays have a good choice of villa holidays in Menorca – often coming with its own pool.

There are no straightforward rules for beating depression. Making lifestyle changes, even small ones, can help improve one’s overall sense of well-being. Going on holiday to de-stress is an important part of the journey towards good mental and physical health. Whether you choose Menorca or some other destination, it will have a positive impact in the long run.

More details for Menorca are at http://www.yourmenorca.net including holiday deals, articles and news on their Menorca information blog while holidaymakers often recount their travel experiences on the island via social media

An article appeared on the internet recently that’s worth having a look at, if you’re considering holidays in Menorca at the moment.

Here’s an extract:

Get out your thesaurus and look up “Holiday heaven”, and a “Son Bou villa” will be first on the list. Well ok, that may not be strictly true - but it should be! This small but lively resort on the Spanish island of Menorca is the quintessential holiday maker’s paradise.

Even though Menorca is one of the lesser visited Balearic islands, Son Bou is a hive of activity in the high season. It might be the crystal clear waters, it might be the temperate climate, or it just might be the fact that Son Bou can lay claim to the longest (and widest) beach on the island. Its fine white sands stretch for nearly three miles, and unlike some of Menorca’s other beaches, it is also unusually wide.

The beach area in front of the commercial centre of town is the centre of the action. Every kind of activity you could want on your Son Bou holiday is on offer; pedalos, inflatable rides, canoes, water-skiing and jet-skiing for the energetic; and sun loungers and beach umbrellas those just wanting to laze away the day and top up their tan! The beach itself is gently shelved and gives way to the crystal clear waters of the shallows, which form an ideal natural paddling pool for young children. Out further, the currents can get strong, and although the beach is mostly patrolled by a life guard, it is always wise to heed the flag warning system in place.

Son Bou is an ideal family destination. Many of the hotels cater specifically for families, and the San Jaime complex houses a maze, tennis courts, children’s playgrounds and a fantastic water chute which will entertain children (and parents!)of all ages. There is also a great little ‘fun train’ running from the resort right down along the beach and back again. Perfect for a bit of family fun or just to take you back to your Son Bou villa, to save your legs after a long day spent relaxing on the beach!

To read the full article click here

For information about James Villa holidays visit yourmenorca.net

http://www.menorcaprops.com

The latest travel industry news from holiday companies in the UK confirms that Spain should be the number one destination for holidays in 2008, despite the Pound falling against the Euro, and prices typically some fifteen per cent more expensive than last year.

A survey found that once in Spain, if the holiday is based in a resort, three quarters of British tourists stay in the resort for the duration, apart from getting to and from the airport. It would appear that the majority of British tourists aren’t interested in finding out about where they are staying, and perhaps Spain is more popular than countries like Greece simply because the flight is shorter.

And while the internet has taken the travel world by storm, the package holiday, which started en masse in the 1960’s, is still very much alive and kicking.

A package holiday is when both flights and accommodation are booked with the same company, for example expedia - and often the flight and hotel aren’t owned by the travel company handling the booking.

Part of this can be put put down to the fact that the successful chains of travel agents in the 1960’s onwards who would have a shop on every town’s high street in the UK have also successfully mirrored their success on-line.

‘A holiday is a major expense for most families’, comments one British company with travel sites for Majorca and Menorca, ‘and people grew up with travel companies who could be trusted - and those companies have used their brand awareness to great effect on-line, with the result that given a choice many people will book their holidays to places like Menorca and Majorca with the same company they have always used - but instead of doing it in a shop they are doing it on a computer in their office or at home.’

In today’s world where the interests of the environment is being promoted by governments as being paramount, the switch from shop based holiday companies to the internet is a plus for the travel market.

Just ten years ago the majority of people looking to book a summer holiday would visit one or two bricks and mortar based travel shops, and come away with three or four printed brochures from each. The volume of paper saved by the internet from the hotels and holidays industry alone must by now be very significant.

One island popular both ten years ago and today for European holidaymakers is Menorca, especially for family holidays.

Menorca is the second largest of Spain’s three Balearic Islands. This island is in the Mediterranean, between Spain and the North African coast. The other two islands are Majorca and Ibiza.

Daytime summer temperatures hover around 27C in the summer months. Lovely peaceful days are on the menu on this island, a pace that differs from the party atmosphere of Majorca.

The beach area in the holiday resort of Santo Thomas for example offers popular busier stretches and quaint hideaways - at 3 km long, it’s never overcrowded and offers protection with its surrounding sand dunes. The beach, patrolled for safety, is long and narrow. It offers an excellent swimming habitat, fine sand and warm surf. Scenic countryside and woods provide a backdrop to the sand and the Mediterranean waters.

As long as Menorca remains popular, people who have booked package holidays in the past will probably continue with the habit, and package holidays will remain a feature of the travel industry in 2009 and beyond too.

Menorca, home to many resorts and towns in eight municipalities, is very rich in history and culture. Several celebrities visit Menorca year after year for fun, relaxation and family time. Museums, art galleries and musical events are among the attractions that draw people to the Balearic Islands and Menorca.

Binibeca is on the south coast of Menorca, only five miles from the capital city of Mao (Mahon). It is considered to be one of the quietest resort areas on Menorca. Some say it is too quiet to suit their tastes. Binibeca offers more privacy than the larger areas of the island because it consists primarily of residential housing as opposed to large resorts and hotels. Most of Binibeca’s tourist housing is self-catering, with a variety of supermarkets to supply daily needs. The few hotels and clubhouses in Binibeca are outnumbered by the privately owned Menorca villas - rental villas in Binibeca vary from one to three bedrooms and most offer spectacular views of the sea from nearly every room. Villas offer added privacy for a more worry-free family vacation. Most rentals in Binibeca are within a five-mile walking distance to the Med and her beaches.

Many fun activities await tourists in Binibeca. Diving classes and tours are available for novices and experienced divers alike. The crystal clear waters around Binibeca are perfect for snorkeling and diving. Binibeca also has a very nice yacht club. Sightseeing tours are abundant, both by land and from the air. Small, light aircraft tours offer a bird’s-eye view of the entire island. In addition to air tours, the airfield also boasts a go-kart track that appeals to the young and the young at heart. With a short trip to Sant Climent, you will find an equestrian school where you can pay to ride the horses. The school often fills up weeks in advance, so it is best to book your ride ahead of time.

Binibeca Vell is the primary town in the area. It was created in the image of a traditional fishing village. The village is whitewashed and always freshly painted. All patios are perfectly decorated in an effort to capture the traditional feel. The village itself is constructed with authentic cobbled streets and arches. Due to the family appeal, the village’s nightlife is relatively low-key. There are several clubs and bars, though they do not stay open until dawn like clubs in the more populated resort areas.

The coastline from Cala Torret holds several sheltered coves. The rocky coastline has many paths and steps that lead to specific swimming platforms. These coves and private areas are great for families who don’t wish to be disturbed by large crowds. Swimming and diving are very good in these areas. Be sure to follow all safety measures and double check for rocks before diving into the water.

The quiet, peaceful nature of Binibeca isn’t for everyone. Some people look for a more lively vacation spot. Menorca offers a very wide variety of resort locations to fit nearly every need. Some resorts offer golfing, go-kart rides, guided tours and musical performances. The 2008 jazz festival kicked off in March and is expected to last through the summer and into autumn. Many museums, theme parks and water parks also await.

If you’re wondering where to go for your 2009 holiday, if you want a good family vacation, take a look at Menorca as it could be just what you’re looking for!