HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Santorini Santorini is the right place to see the most authentic and spiritual Greek traditions culminating with the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Visitors can witness many religious events during the Easter Week in Santorini the Greeks make Easter bread called tsoureki melitinia (sweet cheese and honey pasrtry) as well as red-colored Easter eggs when many people go to church to commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross people go to churches for the all-night service which ends with a massive celebration on Easter Sunday and the patrons of the church throw fireworks in the yard to celebrate the victory of life over death families also celebrate the holiday at home with traditional Easter food One of the best destinations on the island during Easter is Pyrgos Village many towns have funeral processions to mourn the crucifixion of Jesus Christ people light up candles in church and carry them to their homes through town every house is illuminated with dozens of candles and several candlelit processions march through the streets a great feast is held on the Saturday of Lazarus right at the central square of the village a huge 39-foot (12-meter) cross is erected at the central square of town Then the cross is decorated with flowers and herbs which local women and men had collected in baskets The cross remains in its place until the Ascension Smaller crosses or “Lazars” are also decorated in many people's homes the picturesque church of Panagia Platsani is the center of Easter celebrations and ceremonies the miraculous icon of Panagia is placed at Panagia Platsani square the square gets illuminated with fireworks Most villages mark Good Friday with a procession of the epitaph there are two epitaph processions that meet in the central square Easter preparations all over Santorini also include white-washing houses and decorating churches with flowers Easter is a beautiful time to visit Santorini but keep in mind that tavernas might be closed on Good Friday Easter Sunday is a public holiday when most businesses don't operate ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters and volunteers in southern Greece battled a wildfire for a third day that has killed two people and devastated a large forested area prompting pledges of assistance from other European Union countries Three waterbombing aircraft from Italy and Croatia were due to arrive later Tuesday after Greece requested help through the 27-country bloc’s emergency civil protection mechanism The authorities were optimistic that progress had been made as the main front of the blaze was out it remained unclear whether that success could be expanded on before winds whipped up and spread the blaze again Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said firefighters had been hampered in their initial response by the difficult terrain and poor road network firetrucks had great difficulty approaching (the blaze) because of the narrow roads,” he said “The many ravines and the gale-force winds blowing that day greatly impeded” the firefighting effort Officials ordered that another village be evacuated as a precaution Tuesday a day after half a dozen similar orders were issued A major highway that was closed overnight as flames swept close by was reopened on Tuesday The blaze destroyed a historic church in the mountains and reportedly damaged buildings outside the threatened villages but the fire service was not immediately able to provide further details This year’s had been flagged as the most dangerous fire season in two decades after the countryside was left parched by a protracted drought and early summer heatwaves Greece’s big investments in extra water-bombing aircraft warning drones and other equipment have led to most blazes being extinguished shortly after they broke out © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins A major section of the Patra-Pyrgos road will be completed on July 31 and opened for use shortly after while the entire road will be completed by December the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry said on Tuesday The 65-kilometer highway will be completed and turned over for use in two sections This includes the main Pyrgos-Alissos section which will be completed on November 30 this year Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox A major section of the Patras-Pyrgos road will be completed on July 31 and opened for use shortly after the Infrastructure & Transport Ministry said on Tuesday the ministry gave an update on the entire Elefsina-Corinth-Patras-Pyrgos-Tsakona roadway as follows:  - The Patras-Pyrgos section (65 km) will be completed and turned over to use in two sections and dates Works will include expansion and paving of the parallel road network and creation of junctions (within the project) as well as repair of existing roads (Industrial Area of Patras and Ancient Olympia) along with antiflood works along the Patras-Pyrgos roadway (beyond the scope of the concession project) These projects are budgeted at nearly 72.5 million euros and will be funded by the ministry - The Pyrgos-Alfios River Junction-Kalo Nero-Tsakona section of the Elefsina-Tsakona roadway is now included in the Olympia Odos highway concession Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA  Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025 HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025 Promotion of Preveza on the metro and tram in Athens TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award 12th BAJAGREECE: Motorsports Competition in Western Macedonia Crete also invests in cycling tourism - 13th Pediadas Tour Competitions with a summer and autumn backdrop: Attica runs at the pace of sports ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership” Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Cruise Takeoff in Chania – Record Arrivals in the First Quarter of 2025 Three Greek beaches among the world’s 50 best – Triumph for the Ionian The “Typhoon” that saves the Greek coasts from garbage EOT at the “Arabian Travel Market” | Interest from Gulf countries, India, and Australia CERT to manage Vasilitsa Ski Resort – Investment of over 20 million euros Is American tourism in Europe “slowing down”? What do professionals see for 2025 and 2026 This is Athens & Partners | The 7 partners renew their collaboration - the joint actions FedHATTA: Dynamic presence of Greek travel agencies at the international Dubai exhibition ATM 2025 Ryanair announces new offer for Prime members on June flights Thomas Ellerbeck | “Rhodes can become a model of sustainable tourism internationally” The Times | The perfect time to experience the authentic side of Santorini Chania: The Alternative Tourism Festival returns to the Venetian Port Angela Gerekou: "Tourism is a force for good and Greece can play a leading role" New flights to Greece in 2025 from 4 airlines Crete welcomes Reveil 12 – Festival of Sounds and Ecology Greek tourism - 3rd quarter | 97% of arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki Modernization aid for the marinas of Symi and Messolonghi HOTREC Assembly: Focus on challenges and reforms in European tourism AEGEAN 2025: Passenger growth and fleet expansion with an eye on the international market FedHATTA Cooperation with Shaanxi Province, China Greek academic in finalists of European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 Thessaloniki museums join forces to promote the city GNTO introduces “Sustainable Greece” to British Agents Strategic meeting for cruises in Santorini A message of friendship and cooperation at the friendly Greek-Turkish football match in Chios Municipality of Xiromero | Diving tourism: Request for sinking of a decommissioned warship The first La Quinta by Wyndham in Batumi, Georgia Double racing event in Megalopolis on May 11: Festival Enduro and Theater Run 2025 Explora Journeys: Start of the summer season with the luxurious EXPLORA I from Piraeus Strong start in 2025 for Aegean and SKY Express Xanthi Tastes: A Gastronomy Festival with a Cultural Flavor Rhodes: These are the five-star hotels with the highest revenue – Which ones “fill up” first Greek Tourism/Webhotelier: The Winners and Losers in Online Bookings for 2025 GNTO | Promotion of Santorini in target markets Unprecedented blackout in Spain, Portugal, France Greece can play a leading role in the global sports tourism scene Rhodes | Event for the protection of biodiversity Attica, the …Caribbean of the Germans Agios Nikolaos | Cruise season kicks off with arrival of luxury Silver Spirit Operational Plan: “Cretan Food Culture 2026-2030” Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Thessaloniki Kefalonia: The authentic character of the island through the “Travel Reimagined” project Hoteliers vs. Booking.com: The European uprising has begun Tourism | Greece 4th choice for Europeans' holidays in 2025 - what the ETC survey shows New high-standard heated swimming pool in Chania, aimed at sports tourism Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent Greek-American Dean Spanos brings the NFL to Greece – Opportunities for promotion in the USA Lesvos: The season begins with birdwatching tourists MSC Cruises: Strengthens its presence in Greece with 6 cruise ships New Luxury Arrival in Crete | JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa Opens on June 2 "Peloponnese Trails" inaugurated today: New network of trails for sustainable tourism Knossos: 125 years since the excavations of Arthur Evans The Spanish TV show “Viajeros Cuatro” in Corfu Wyndham - Soliteight | 40 Super 8 hotels in Spain and Portugal Airbnb: Final price now displayed in accommodation searches Investments in the beaches of the Attica Riviera The Municipality of Chania at the “From Crete to Side” Festival in Turkey Region of Central Macedonia: Tourism Promotion Activities in Poland and the Middle East Region of Crete | Connecting Minoan Palatial Centers with Archaeological Sites Biodiversity protection plan is in full swing in Elafonisi Record participation in the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition | Chania 8 - 10 May Communities at the heart of tourism development Booking.com | No to limiting tourists, yes to infrastructure investments Thessaloniki’s dynamic presence at the World Tourism Summit in Hong Kong easyJet | Summer 2026 sales open Cruise | Turkey doubles its share, new opportunities for Greek ports Aid for the upgrade of the tourist shelter of Astakos and the Marina of Alimos Preparing the settlement of Kionia for the tourist season: An example to follow The action of the region of Crete "Let's go for... Greens" concludes this weekend “Art is our Language”: Campaign for the 70th Anniversary of the Athens Epidaurus Festival Tourism | Nostalgia drives Brits’ travel choices ΕΟΤ China | B2B meetings with Chengdu's t.os - Flights to Athens in June State-of-the-art conference center at Theartemis Palace Hotel in Rethymno Zagori: Collaboration with Impact Hub Athens for sustainable tourism and innovation Cooperation Memorandum between Development Athens and Piraeus University on Tourism Kos: New advertising campaigns with Jet2 and National Geographic Traveller UK Five cruise ships in Souda by Saturday Imbros Trail Run & Hike 2025: A sporting tribute to the History of Sfakia Cultural Days and Sea Routes in Piraeus Religious Tourism | The University of Palermo comes to Panagia Nafpaktiotissa Audio Walk in the Sitia Geopark: A Different Exploration Experience in Crete AEGEAN “takes off” Larnaca with a new direct flight to Rome FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025 Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025 Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development Promotion of Preveza on the metro and tram in Athens Crete also invests in cycling tourism - 13th Pediadas Tour Competitions with a summer and autumn backdrop: Attica runs at the pace of sports 12th BAJAGREECE: Motorsports Competition in Western Macedonia Cruise Takeoff in Chania – Record Arrivals in the First Quarter of 2025 The 20 "loudest" luxury hotel arrivals in Greece in 2025 Athens Municipality Festival 2025 | The city's biggest celebration, with more than 200 events What to expect at this year’s ITB Berlin Exhibition from March 4-6 PM at 1st Greece-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council on Monday New flights to Greece in 2025 from 4 airlines Greece's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO organizing concert on January 16 easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes North Macedonia: Increase in foreign tourists in 2024 Athens to host the European Film Awards in 2027 Cyprus Post is currently accepting applications of residents of the Community of Pyrgos and surrounding areas who are interested in undertaking the management of the local post agency as well as the delivery of mail and parcels in the form of assignment of duties and not employment Application deadline: 10 February 2025    Statistical research will be conducted to reassess the remuneration in due time interested parties may contact the Lemesos District Postal Officer at 25802257 and 25802254 as the concessionaire of Athens-Patras-Pyrgos highway implemented the “Smart Tunnels” innovation for predictive maintenance in four of the longest tunnels on the Patras Bypass This marks the beginning of the large-scale rollout of the innovation tested since 2019 with the goal of ultimately equipping all tunnels on the highway in the future The “Smart Tunnel” innovation ensures that tunnel equipment Rather than waiting for systems to fail at the end of their lifecycle the innovation allows to identify the optimal moment for repair or replacement before failure Developed in collaboration with the startups ES Systems and Ex Machina and the solution uses sensors to collect live data on tunnel equipment which is transmitted wirelessly to the cloud Artificial intelligence analyzes this data to detect patterns and predict potential issues enabling timely interventions and reducing unplanned downtime launched in the 700-meter Girokomio tunnel near Patras confirmed the feasibility of retrofitting existing tunnel equipment with sensors and using IoT system and it is anticipated to achieve maintenance improvements e.g: equipment failures reduced by 30% maintenance response times improved by 25% and lifespan of equipment extended about 25% (batteries) and about 50% (pumps and fans) With the start of the large-scale deployment Olympia Odos is setting new technological standards for the performance of highway systems As part of its commitment to continuous improvement Olympia Odos recently introduced Greece’s first adaptive lighting system which optimizes energy consumption while maintaining high visibility for drivers These initiatives demonstrate not only the company’s dedication to enhancing the performance of the highway but also drivers can now count on tunnels that remain fully operational while fewer maintenance operations reduce disruptions that can affect traffic flow to receive information about our actions and get the news of Olympia Odos See here Terms of use and Privacy Notice Main The project Tolls / OLYMPIA PASS Services Road Safety Discover Press Office Contact Terms of use Privacy Notice Cookies Policy CCTV Powered by MayaGraphics You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience It is rare in the scholarship of Bronze Age Crete during a period as old as the third and second millennia BCE to present an inclusive account and analysis of all the seals together with tablets and inscriptions in Linear A achieves this in publishing comprehensively the evidence for sealing and inscribing practices at the prosperous and long-lived settlement at Myrtos–Pyrgos on the south coast of Crete Twenty-four documents of Pyrgos are published here and one discussed from Tel Haror in Israel that is likely to come from Pyrgos or nearby This diachronic approach places the documents in their changing contexts during the life of Pyrgos for around a millennium from Early Minoan II to Late Minoan IB showing the development in the provinces of Crete of seal use — and writing — from simple soft-stone designs through hard- and soft-stone prisms with Cretan Hieroglyphic signs that were found with Linear A documents in the shrine treasury of the Country House at Pyrgos when it was destroyed by fire in the 15th century BC These documents also illustrate the changing cultural — and probably political — relationships of the Pyrgos settlement: in the late Prepalatial period with both central Crete around Knossos and the probably separate polity of Malia to a strong connection with Malia (on the other side of the Lasithi Mountains) and the Malia–Lasithi–Mirabello cultural and probably political region in late Protopalatial and then reverting to ties with Knossos in Neopalatial Late Minoan I — when the Country House and its Knossian-style architecture looks to have been an outpost of Knossos’s rule in Crete The multimedia of Myrtos–Pyrgos make an intriguing story that is valuable for being seen from a provincial perspective outside the immediate hinterland of Knossos and Malia and enriches our understanding of how Minoan Crete functioned and what could be achieved anywhere in the island Multimedia at Minoan Myrtos–Pyrgos, Crete by Judith Weingarten Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" the HEPL blog series authors will be given the opportunity to provide short updates on their country/region’s continuing response to this worldwide catastrophe and their further reflections on those responses Each update will be labelled accordingly with the original response at the bottom of each post Paul Clarke (Chief Technology Officer at Ocado) documents Ocado’s journey with building synthetic models of its business its platforms and its underlying technologies He explores the potential benefits of digital twins including the opportunities for creating digital twins at […] International Women’s Day 2020 falls on Sunday each week day we’ll be highlighting one woman whose accomplishments in science engineering and/or mathematics not only elevated their fields but also took us one step closer to a gender-equal world We invited Trautmann to tell us why he writes about Indian war elephants He touched on several topics in the process: the value of analytical accidents and the power and pluralism of human logics Learn how a group of ordinary people inspired the book when they reclaimed over 240,000 apartments back from corporate landlords 🔗 Seok-Woo Song — Photos exploring the pressures and loneliness of life in Korea Federico Borella & Michela Balboni — Photographing rural Italy’s “tree men” AikBeng Chia — Recreating vivid scenes from 1970s Singapore with the help of AI WePresent is the arts platform of WeTransfer.The simplest way to send big files A platform to empower creatives while using business as a force for good In the sun-dappled village of Pyrgos, on the Greek island of Tinos, huge clumps of marble spout out of the ground like daisies. In days gone by, the demand for this glittering rock to be turned into functional, immortal objects was high. These days, less so. Writer and marble carver Sarah Souli and photographer Marco Arguello travelled to these near-mythical lands to meet the dusty happy craftsmen keeping the ancient tradition of marble carving alive It’s difficult to write about Greece and not begin with a mention of the extraordinary light: a hazy dapple that is unique even by sun-drenched Mediterranean standards It’s particularly prevalent on the Cycladic island of Tinos where the endless expanse of white crystalline rock reflects the golden sun “The light in Greece is so special,” confirms Petros Marmarinos “Light is an integral part of both the sculpting process and the finished product.” which is the direction his main studio faces; his tools and artworks bathed in a glowing light that highlights the shadows and depths of carved surfaces the scent of fig and oranges heavy in the air moonlights as a storage space for half-completed marble pieces and sleepy cats using jump over leaning slabs of marble as makeshift beds Marmarinos’ backyard is a fairly common sight in Pyrgos Nearly everything in the village is made of marble: the sidewalks and the fountains and motifs decorating the facades of houses Above the door of one house I see a marble sculpture of a weary-eyed long haired woman cupping her right breast or what series of events led to her clutching her bosom on an island in the middle of the Aegean sea I started carving marble because everyone else was making ceramics; an obnoxious aspect of my personality that quickly blossomed into an obsession and spent hours carving lines till my right bicep grew bigger than my left and my hands turned numb a second-generation marble sculptor patiently answered my questions: How do you feel when you carve Tinos is the birthplace of some of Greece’s most famous modern sculptors Marble sculpting is so interwoven into the history and cultural identity of Tinos that it was granted UNESCO Intangible Heritage status in 2016 You can find Tinian marble in the Parthenon the Louvre and in Buckingham Palace; Tinian sculptors helped to rebuild many of Greece’s most important archaeological sites I arrived in Tinos on a cloudy November afternoon that turned into a storm-drenched evening – much in the same way the ancient sculptor of Zeus at Olympia (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) arrived 2,500 years ago marble sculpting in Tinos has its roots in mythology: Phidias landed in Tinos on his way to the holy religious site of Delos While moored on the island due to bad weather the prolific sculptor taught his craft to the locals – and thus a new way of life was born It helps that the geographical morphology of Tinos is such that marble seems to physically sprout out of the ground particularly where it is most concentrated in the northwestern part of the island Marble quarries – of which there are now only two still left operating on the island – employed many men in Pyrgos and supplied marble to construction sites across Greece There are eight types of marble originating from there; the most famous having a swirled green pattern that looks like futuristic melted ice cream around 500 of which were involved in the production of marble It seemed everyone was somehow related to a marble worker there are only around 10 professional sculptors left in the village most of whom carve away in the winter (small boats Cycladic miniatures) and sell their wares to tourists in the summer months The village is so small that all the sculptors know each other and have personal preferences for one’s work or style though rivalries are generally non-existent I arrived on Tinos with only Marmarinos’ number in my phone; within a few hours I had met everyone else the tombs of deceased sculptors are marked by a carved hammer and chisel people mark their territory using cans of spray paint; in Pyrgos it’s a rite of passage to carve into the streets and stairs themselves Walk around the island and you’ll find a most artistic form of graffiti: facial profiles “The village is a class itself,” says Leonidas Chalepas director of sculpture at the Tinos School of Fine Arts which opened in 1955 and currently has 35 students enrolled “There’s an osmosis with the society.” The school has been instrumental in cementing Tinos’ role in contemporary marble sculpting and attracts students from all over the country Students are taught the process of sculpting in clay just a short walk from the center of Pyrgos remains an active participant in Tinos’ marble community His eyes are still sharp and lively; upon arriving at his house his stooped wife kindly brings out Turkish coffee and spoon sweets while Vidos plays a rousing tune on his guitar He is a living example of marble history: sent to the marble quarries at age 12 he worked there until World War II came knocking on the doorstep He was trained as a soldier by the British in Palestine “Whoever survived came back,” he said with a nonchalant shrug Adonis returned and went back to work in the quarry until he realized he could make more money working on ships The shed in his garden is crowded with creamy white statutes “I feel like I’m leaving something behind for the younger generation,” he said holding a white marble dove “the younger generation doesn’t care about this so much.” Here lay two reasons for the decline of sculpting in Greece – it’s no longer an economically viable way to live He says sculpture is “a way of life,” which is true in that it’s so much more physically engaging than other art forms Artists’ bodies become impacted by sculpting: biceps bulge Cigarettes seem to be the perfect accompaniment to sculpting; most sculptors I met spent their formative years in a cloud of blue smoke And time is an integral part of the process – creating just a small marble cup takes a full day’s work “Marble sculpting isn’t a philosophy,” says sculptor Yannis Kasirogis with a laugh it’s my life.” I met Yannis on his birthday and his wife brought out a chocolate cake and cups of herbal tea for us “There’s a real obsession here,” says Marmarinos “Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m doing I’m convinced it’s something genetic in me Sometimes you are just born correctly in a place to do what you are supposed to do.” Like many Tinians and most of the men in his family worked in the quarries “The emotion is the most important thing in sculpture,” he continues I can’t sculpt.” The space and the tools come in second place it’s impossible to carve without at least the most basic tools and each sculptor has his or her own hammer and chisel Marmarinos picks up a several-decades old hammer the wood perfectly dented to fit his large hand after years of use Perched on the winding road leading out of Pyrgos is the small For the past 28 years he’s been making tools for the island’s marble sculptors chiseling his own signature into the tools he approximates that 80% of the tools he made were for sculptors “We’ve been making these tools the same way for thousands of years you will see that they used the same tools that I make,” says Chathis How poetically beautiful to dedicate one’s life to hacking away at squares to make another shape (“Don’t think of it as taking away space,” Chalepas told me “think of it as adding space”) using the same tools and techniques as one’s ancestors and the smells are largely the same as they were back in ancient times I leave the dust and grime of the workshop and walk on to the road which affords a stunning panorama of rolling green hills the sugar cube white houses of Pyrgos in the valley The wind whips up the salt of the sea; I can taste it on my tongue reflected in the environment and the craftsmanship that I find sorely lacking in most of our lives so consumed they are by the instant gratification and speed of capitalism Unlike so many other forms of physical labor which has replaced bodies with robots and cranes there is a humanness that is threaded through marble sculpting History can seem so scrubbed and sanitized; here it is laid bare with the spectrum of its qualities on display The beautiful finished product contrasted with the economic hardship the sweaty un-Instagrammable characteristic of it all Want (even) more WePresent?Sign up to our monthly newsletter and surrounded areas who are interested in undertaking the management of the local postal agency interested parties may contact the Lemesos District Postal Officer at 25802257 or 25802254 In order to facilitate the construction of the New Patras-Pyrgos Motorway traffic arrangements will be applied on the section of Patras-Pyrgos National Road between the Industrial Area of Patras (VIPE) Interchange and the At-grade Intersection of Agiovlassitika/Railway Station in the area of Kato Achaia The traffic arrangements will enter into force on Sunday January 26 2025 and are expected to last for approximately three months the Patras-Pyrgos National Road will be closed for 6.5 km (from k.p so the traffic will be directed as follows: In case of emergency (passage of ambulances or fire engines) provision has been made for their passage through the closed section accompanied by vehicles of the construction company AVAX SA the company in charge will construct the new semi-interchange in the area of Alissos which were not included in the original design The TimesNowhere says “chic Cycladic getaway’’ quite like Santorini: the island’s cliff-hugging whitewashed villages blue-domed Greek Orthodox churches and fiery sunsets are the stuff of Instagram-grid legend also home to a diverse spread of standout hotels While spellbinding views and sunny alfresco living come pretty much guaranteed less expected are delights such as cave-style rooms in a former sea captain’s abode crater’s-edge pool decks and superlative vegan cuisine —all of which you’ll find among the captivating properties gathered here Whether you plan to spend days pottering around the endlessly photogenic villages of Fira a Bronze Age city preserved under volcanic ash taste-testing the island’s crisp assyrtiko wines or simply catching up on some holiday reading shoreside you’ll want your accommodation to be a stylish sanctuary in which to relax and unwind With options that range from more-bang-for-your-buck inland beauties to wellness-themed stays offering easy access to black-sand beaches these are the Santorini hotels to have on your radar for your next Greek island odyssey Santo Pure Oia Suites & VillasBest for resort-style staysOia may cling picturesquely to the caldera’s impressive cliffs but there’s another side to the village on its gentler Santo Pure has the advantage of much larger rooms than the cliff-face hotels along with greater privacy and a sense (elevated by an excellent spa) of total relaxation The 85 suites and villas are spread across six discrete “neighbourhoods” Evenings see guests gathering on the main pool deck’s beanbags and loungers for sunset cocktails followed by immersive but unfussy fine dining at Alios Ilios restaurant • Read our full review of Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas Perivolas (Mr & Mrs Smith)Best for exclusive escapes Scores of Santorini hotels have rooms burrowed in the caldera this luxury retreat has set the highest of standards and it still retains a remarkable So loyal is its fan base that it’s often completely sold out; but if you’re lucky enough to score one of its all-sea-view traditionally minimal and packed with character Being adult-only (except for the villa set back from the cliff) and with hotel facilities reserved just for guests Altana Heritage SuitesBest for authentic character This former sea captain’s house dating from the late 1800s has been restored from a ruin into an authentically lovely boutique hotel cave-style rooms — each unique — include antique furniture among their traditional touches for a look that balances minimalism with stacks of personality It’s conveniently located above the footpath to Fira but its best feature is the (smallish) pool at the very top of the property from where you can look down on the iconic blue domes and tower of Anastaseos Church Nimbus SantoriniBest for escaping the crowdsSantorini’s cliff-edge villages throng with sunset-seekers but only those in the know find their way to Finikia Located at the top of the village is Nimbus Santorini which has top-of-the-world views across the caldera and down towards Oia (a 20-minute walk or five-minute drive away) This chic hotel embraces island architecture through volcanic stone and earthy tones that anchor it to its surroundings while Sunset Bar lives up to its name for golden hour views (it’s also a handy pitstop for walkers on the cliff-edge footpath) Aria Suites (Expedia)Best for party peopleNearby Mykonos is rightly known as the region’s party hotspot but Fira (Santorini’s capital) also has plenty of late-night bars Throw yourself into the scene from this central and comfortable boutique hotel whose generously sized suites on the crater’s edge offer plenty of space to crash out up to two bedrooms and access to a communal pool the ten suites and villas are perfectly suited for couples The pool deck faces west: ideal for crowd-free sunset-gazing Andronis Concept Wellness Resort (Booking.com)Best for holistic holidays Health-conscious holidaymakers will appreciate the “eat well feel well” philosophy woven into this high-end resort At the heart of it all is the spa (one of the island’s largest) where highly trained therapists offer signature treatments in a characterful The wellness theme extends to Thoubi restaurant where à la carte breakfasts include fresh-made smoothies Rooms have private plunge pools and either sunset (caldera) or sunrise (garden) views; opt for the latter if you wish to enjoy your sanctuary without interruption from hikers passing on the adjacent footpath • Read our full review of Andronis Concept hotel Santorini SkyBest for honeymoonsAs the name suggests this property has lofty aspirations thanks to its hilltop location in Pyrgos so its tree-shaded central square feels delightfully local Santorini Sky itself comprises 19 villas that blend panoramic views with impeccable service and extraordinary seclusion A commitment to sustainable practices adds further feel-good factor by using recycled materials harvesting drinking water from natural humidity Spa N (but in-suite treatments can be arranged)Pool NPrice £££ • Best things to do in Santorini• Best villas in Santorini Katikies Chromata (Expedia)Best for sunsetsSantorini is famous for magical sunsets but this luxury hideaway — a member of Leading Hotels of the World — is arguably the very best spot from which to watch the golden orb sink behind a watery horizon The panorama takes in the entirety of the caldera’s sweep; and with Imerovigli occupying the highest point on the caldera the giant cruise ships anchored far below seem like oversized bath toys cascades down a series of terraces where slate-grey steps connect 26 rooms: all in caves Tsitouras Collection (Booking.com)Best for caldera viewsFirostefani hits that caldera sweet spot in between Imerovigli’s scrum of hotels and Fira’s sunset fanfare It also has a great selection of places to eat with sunset views; and of course there’s super-characterful Tsitouras Collection Unlike the island’s go-to style of minimalist Cycladic chic five-suite boutique hotel is done out individually with art antiques and treasures from the owner’s personal hoard It perfectly complements the 18th-century townhouse setting Keeping things classy is the Maria Callas Terrace with cliffside infinity pool and bust of the legendary singer in-suite breakfasts or even babysitting) shines Istoria (British Airways Holidays)Best for beach breaksAegean views are more traditional (and selfie stick-free) on the east coast where Santorini slides smoothly into the deep blue sea the island’s volcanic heritage is evident in the beaches made of dark sand and even darker wave-worn pebbles peppered here and there with lighter-than-air bits of pumice Perivolos is the best of these shores; and right above it stands Istoria it’s a very grown-up affair with 12 seafront suites occupying a former stable block it’s the best hotel on this side of the island Ambassador Aegean Luxury Hotel & Suites (Booking.com)Best for Indiana Jones wannabesWant to get as far as you can from the crowds that throng the streets of Oia at the opposite end of this sickle-shaped isle This is also where you’ll find the ruins of ancient Akrotiri: an archaeological site that’s Greece’s answer to Pompeii cave-style accommodations in traditional sugar-cube buildings each with private pool and caldera views (perfect for watching the sun set behind Thirassia islet and Oia) this part of the island feels very much off the tourist trail • Best cave hotels in Santorini• Which is the best Greek island for you? Imerovigli (Booking.com)Best for hiding awayWith just seven suites this boutique property is as intimate as it is gorgeous Like something from the pages of an interiors magazine bright and finished with tasteful flair thanks to marble tables concrete basins and monochrome shower rooms sunny terraces and vertigo-inducing views come as standard and it’s one of the few hotels hereabouts to have a full-size lap pool for morning swims (it’s heated too Service is spot-on and every detail is bespoke from in-suite breakfasts to candlelit dinners paired with sips from a sibling winery Mill Houses Elegant Suites (Booking.com)Best for fine diningNamed for the bijou windmill that acts as a focal point for the property the 13 suites that comprise Mill Houses are as lovely as anywhere on this famous crater The decor is all whitewashed simplicity under typically arched ceilings alcoves and storage spaces carved into the walls Each suite’s sunset-ready terrace looks over the crater to Thirassia and slumbering Nea Kameni islets; but the real highlight is Mylos Champagne Bar-Restaurant this is destination dining that blends Mediterranean ingredients with Asian techniques and some decadent all-Greek desserts Aqua Blue Hotel (Jet2)Best for family holidaysNot everyone comes to Santorini for sunsets and Instagram photoshoots beach time is essential; so this family-friendly three outdoor pools (including a kids’ pool) and buffet-style dining ensure a laid-back and comfortable stay; and where better than the black shores of Perissa for learning about volcanoes Geography is much more compelling with evidence of the volcano’s destruction all around you There’s more conventional fun nearby at Santorini Water Park’s pools and slides • Best family-friendly hotels in Santorini• Santorini v Mykonos: which is best? Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here Jacob Kessler | +1 516-776-6472 | Jacob@studentsforafreetibet.orgWill Hoyles | +44 7772 512-519 | Will@freetibet.org Media inquiries regarding upcoming trials: Michael Polak | +44 74 1519 1591 | contact@justiceabroad.co.ukAlexis Anagnostakis | +306937448412 | alexis@anagnostakis-law-offices.com HUMAN RIGHTS NGOS CALL ON GREEK COURTS TO DELIVER “NOT GUILTY” VERDICTS FOR NONVIOLENT HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AT UPCOMING ACROPOLIS TRIAL’ ON 26 JANUARY 2022 AND ‘OLYMPIA TRIAL’ ON 3 FEBRUARY 2022 a 21-year-old Hong Kongese-American activist waved the Tibetan flag and a flag in support of freedom in Hong Kong from scaffolding at the Acropolis site in Athens while chanting “Boycott Beijing 2022” and “Free Tibet.” Greek authorities promptly confiscated their flag and the student activists were detained by Greek police and kept in jail overnight joined by American and British human rights activists protested during the Olympic Torch Lighting Ceremony in Olympia The activists shouted slogans and held a banner reading “No Genocide Games” as well as a Tibetan flag The three protesters were promptly tackled to the ground by security and were detained and held for more than 2 days in a local jail in Pyrgos Greece before being released pending trial The activists are now awaiting trial facing charges of attempting to “pollute a charge punishable by up to five years imprisonment under Greek law The activists facing charges in relation to the protests at the Acropolis will stand trial in Athens while the activists facing charges in relation to the Olympia protest will stand trial in Pyrgos on February 3rd the eve of the opening of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Lawyers representing the activists dispute the charges and believe the group of activists as young as 18-years-old have been handed unfounded charges beyond the scope of any of their actions The activists’ legal representation further believe that the prosecution for these charges constitutes a breach of their rights to Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Thought and Conscience under the European Convention on Human Rights.  “Activists that peacefully protest to condemn human rights violations are not criminals The six activists facing trial are upstanding compassionate members of society who have taken a stand against injustice The international community must not allow them to be scape-goated through Beijing’s growing influence in democratic countries.” “No destruction of any historical monument by human rights activists took place in Greece—on October 18th I held a ‘No Genocide Games’ banner and asked a single question: ‘How can Beijing be allowed to host the games given that they are committing a genocide against the Uyghurs?’ No court can believe this makes me guilty of ‘attempting to destroy a historical site’ without losing its legitimacy as an impartial and fair judiciary body The real destruction of historical monuments by the Chinese government happens throughout Tibet every day and even a monastic school were violently demolished by the Chinese government in Drago local community members were detained and tortured for simply sharing information yet the IOC rewards China with the Winter Olympics.”  No destruction of historical monuments took place instead it was a symbolic peaceful protest protected by domestic and international law The protesters’ action was an act of raising awareness and informing the global public about the crimes of occupation and violation of human rights in Tibet and elsewhere They chose the Acropolis and Olympia as symbols of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization they symbolically defended democracy and the freedom of the people The protesters deserve praise instead of arrests and handcuffs.”  The Kato Pyrgos Tillyria Community Authority is renewing its push for the reopening of the Kokkina crossing point a move they argue is essential for revitalizing the region and addressing longstanding grievances President of the Kato Pyrgos Tillyria Community Council emphasized that the area is still suffering from the effects of past conflicts particularly the closure of the Kokkina crossing in 1963 He noted that despite the passage of 60 years the region continues to struggle with economic and social challenges exacerbated by the lack of support from the state Kleanthous expressed frustration that while other crossing points across Cyprus have been reopened often benefiting Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish-occupied side He argued that its closure has left the area isolated hindering both its recovery and development “We should have raised the Kokkina crossing issue right from the start when discussions about opening barricades began,” Kleanthous said and its continued closure keeps the area trapped.” He revealed that the community has been in discussions with the government and has been assured that the Kokkina issue is a priority there is frustration that no new crossing points will be considered until the Kokkina crossing is addressed a representative of the remaining residents in Kato Pyrgos Tillyria urging the government to contribute to the area's revitalization including developing forest roads and providing necessary funding Kyriakou expressed dissatisfaction with having to travel through occupied territories to reach Nicosia highlighting the difficulties faced by residents due to the current restrictions The call for action reflects ongoing concerns over regional neglect and the need for a balanced approach to addressing both historical grievances and current practical needs in the Tillyria area Yiannis Hondroyiannis knew how to use a hammer and chisel at the age of 7 “I learned all about marble and its secrets in my father’s workshop I would go to the School of Marble Sculpture after regular school and have worked with marble ever since I graduated,” says one of many marble sculptors in Pyrgos a village on the Aegean island of Tinos renowned for the craft Hondroyiannis took up the profession of his father and his father before him With the craft passed down through dozens of generations it comes as little surprise that the village resembles an open-air museum signs and smaller objects all reveal that marble is an intrinsic part of life in what is Tinos’s second-biggest settlement after the main town Hondroyiannis runs one of seven workshops that have been operating for the past few years in the neighborhood of Exo Meria Together with his brother – who only claims apprentice status – they take on commissions that can range from residential decorative features and utilitarian objects to church elements and busts I decided to work with marble at an older age,” says Dimitris Hondroyiannis It’s a really fascinating job because every new assignment is different but you need to respect the material and stay focused the piece loses its sense of perfection and needs to be done from the start.” The reputation of the marble sculptors of Pyrgos (also known as Panormos) has traveled beyond the island as they have taken part in major restoration projects Petros Marmarinos has run a workshop for the past 20 years and today sells his creations to foreign buyers He also makes smaller decorative and utilitarian pieces that he sells via his website and social media to people all over the world “The crisis forced me to look for solutions beyond Greece’s borders,” he says but I also have quite a few in the United States and China but market prices have dropped and our work does not pay as well as it once did,” he notes The crisis has affected most of the marble craftsmen in the area and Markos Trigonis is no exception “Our profession has been hit hard because anything related to ornamentation is not a priority,” he says but I have my reservations about encouraging him given the situation because I love what I do and I want to honor the legacy of my forebears things may get better in the years to come.” A volley of pings from hammers striking stone rings out from the Pyrgos School of Fine Arts as students learn the craft which belongs to the Greek Ministry of Culture and is funded by the Evangelistria of Tinos Foundation is instrumental in propagating the tradition of marble crafts who come here because they want to learn how to work marble either for art or to do restorations,” says sculpture professor Leonidas Halepas a graduate of the Athens School of Fine Arts who returned to Greece recently after several years abroad Halepas has run the Tinos school for the past three years and together with teachers in painting and marble sculpting teaches some 40 pupils “It’s a three-year course that is open to all age groups Our students are aged from 18 to 45 and 35 percent are women,” he notes Grigoris Androulakis is 25 years old and came to the island from Thessaloniki in northern Greece two years ago with a yearning to learn everything about marble to have such specialized skills in this job market “I see it as an expertise that is not taught anywhere else,” he says “I believe that the knowledge I am obtaining here will be useful in helping me get into a specialized field that has a future.” is also a stepping stone to the Athens School of Fine Arts as it offers two scholarships a year for the respected institution • Scotland open World Cup preparations at Aviva Stadium in Dublin• Vern Cotter names 25-man squad with four potential new caps The Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Henry Pyrgos will captain Scotland when they kick off their World Cup preparations with Saturday’s match against Ireland in Dublin. has named a 25-man squad for the Aviva Stadium Test Allan Dell and Stuart McInally – all hoping they will make their international bow when the starting XV is confirmed on Thursday The Ireland fixture is the first of four warm-up internationals that Cotter will use to assess his group before slashing an extended 47-man squad to his final list of 31 Scotland take on Japan in Gloucester in their opening Pool B match on 23 September New Motorway Patras-Pyrgos is a project of particular importance as it will trigger a series of beneficial effects on the economic social and cultural development of the entire region of Western Peloponnese while it will reinstate the connection of the capital with Ancient Olympia Patras-Pyrgos section is an old road axis presenting particularly bad statistics regarding road safety millions of vehicle kilometers will be traveled in safe reducing the total travel time by ~ 40 minutes.  Thanks to the integration of Patras-Pyrgos Motorway in the Concession Project Olympia Odos becomes the third longer motorway in Greece The new 75km of the modern motorway will link Patras Bypass with the northern entrance of Pyrgos.   2022 FACT SHEET EN   2022 FACT SHEET EN