Home</a><a class="Navigation_link__cz52C" href="/destinations">Destinations</a><a class="Navigation_link__cz52C" href="/collections">Interests</a><a class="Navigation_link__cz52C" href="/best-places-to-travel">Top Places to Travel by Month</a>SearchMenu<a href="/to/crete">Best time to go to Crete</a>
A glorious event where the whole town becomes one big family
The Rethymno Carnival is more than just a party—it's a showcase of Crete’s vibrant culture and artistic spirit. The Carnival will surely bring you lots of positive emotions, unforgettable experiences, and sweet memories. So, book your accommodation in advance and have a wonderful time!
This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.
<a class="breadCrumbLink" href="/tag/greece">Greece</a>Chevron
<a class="breadCrumbLink" href="/tag/crete">Crete</a>Chevron
Bluegr HotelsSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors
we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links
“Crete is known as the Zeus of the Greek archipelago,” says Maria Passarivaki
“The island is a tapestry of stories and has long been a crossroads of people and cultures.”
The incredible history here has been shaped by millennia of civilizations—from the ancient Minoans to the Venetians
Passarivaki says “you constantly forget that you are on an island,” adding that because you can find snow on many of its peaks (especially the White Mountains on the west)
Crete is an all-year destination that can be just as thrilling during the year’s colder months
the island is considered not only Greece’s breadbasket but its culinary legacy is often dubbed the quintessential Mediterranean diet
And winemaking here is in the throes of a renaissance; like much of the Mediterranean
wine has existed on Crete for thousands of years
But a phylloxera outbreak in the 1970s all but wiped out the island’s vineyards
Many farmers abandoned winemaking altogether in favor of other agricultural pursuits
but thankfully the last decade has seen a revival of Cretan viticulture
According to SteMa’s other founder Stefanos Gogos
“As one of the most important wine-producing regions
Crete is playing an increasingly important role in the new era of Greek wine
So if you like interspersing sugar-white beaches with archaeological sites and wine tastings
very few islands in the world will rival what Crete has to offer
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors
If you purchase something through our links
This story has been updated since its original publish date
The Ammos Hotel has been long beloved for its hip and quirky design scheme
In the west, not only does <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-lesser-known-side-of-crete-greece" target="_blank">Chania</a> have one of the island’s two major airports
This variety of experiences makes it the perfect launchpad for the rest of the island but it can also be the focus of a more focused itinerary
While he does everything from paintings to photography
you’re really there for the striking collection of timeless ceramics
Attention, beach lovers: The commute to Elafonisi Beach’s <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2016-04-19/the-most-beautiful-pink-sand-beaches-in-the-world" target="_blank">pink sands</a> is no joke
It’s a 90-minute drive southwest of the Old Town
but the powdery beach and the crystal clear waters justify the excursion
Equally pristine Balos Beach is another bucket-list destination
but you may need to ferry there from Kissamos port
a beach that requires a scrappy hike down to the bluest of waters
a bunch of adorable goats are known to pick through bathers’ beach bags
a husband-and-wife operation that focuses on western Crete’s less tourist-y southern coast
and if you’d rather simplify that beach trip to Balos
they can get you there and even add a stop on uninhabited Gramvousa island
Molavi serves a farmer-fresh menu of Mediterranean faves: taramosalata drizzled with bottarga and octopus carpaccio
a 20-room member of Design Hotels with a much more minimalist aesthetic
the hotel delivers a serene stay thanks to its off-the-beaten location plus a sleek spa with an equally Instagrammable gym
<a href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/HR4R9gBZvZ4obhv8e2RVbTT4gddNFyUdtiiS8wCuCmEvpLh4Ea3q4hS7LLaj3BwAaCtwqXgaiH2HCkEGNT3Xb1qdFKJMKSFhpbbL1VxUmjY17z9McY9V6wLHcot7BrxPZphbd6mUgRP17bGLowR9rJvWiA6mBaBwRrL6CGFdRtcJSqRdNBwAgAgb2xv" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" isAffiliateLink="true">Village Heights Resort</a> offers villa rentals in an amenity-full property
and a spa—all just 25 minutes away from the city
and maybe less alluring than the rest of the island
But there are perks to staying in this port city
Not only does it have the larger airport but it’s also much closer to the geographic center of the island
making the rest of Crete much more accessible
where you can get lost marveling at treasures of antiquity
from Snake Goddess figurines from 1,600 BC to the famous bull&#x27;s head rhyton
SteMa Journeys can also curate a deep dive into the island’s ancient heritage that includes visits to less known archaeological sites
you can tour the Minoan Palace of Phaistos as well as Gortys
a village an hour from Heraklion that’s known for its pottery
And if you want to pick up a unique souvenir, make an appointment at <a data-offer-url="https://studioparadissi.com/" class="external-link" data-event-click="{&quot;element&quot;:&quot;ExternalLink&quot;,&quot;outgoingURL&quot;:&quot;https://studioparadissi.com/&quot;}" href="https://studioparadissi.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Studio Paradissi</a>
where artist Eleni Psyllaki dreams up the most striking posters inspired by Cretan culture and history
Where to eat and drink: “Heraklion region boasts a wine making tradition that dates back centuries,” says Passarivaki
“Scattered among the vines remain a few small household wineries still reminiscent of those times.”
which operates a few wineries all over Greece
And the state-of-the-art tasting room overlooking lush vineyards is just 15 minutes from the city
with its bright patio and a kitchen churning out Cretan classics like potato with salted cod and snails cooked in vinegar
a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Heraklion
which has a sweet garden equipped with a grill
is less than a 15-minute walk to the archaeological museum
Rethymnon sits smack in the middle of tourist hubs Heraklion and Chania
Most travelers to Crete might split their time between Heraklion and Chania
but smack in the middle is historic Rethymnon (or Rethymno)
The walkable Old Town packs in great restaurants and colorful shops
You’ll be rewarded if you take time to explore beyond the city: Like many parts of Crete
there’s a great mix of farmland and natural beauty in the region
and fountains from the 16th and 17th century when it was all part of Venice
Case in point: the Rimondi Venetian Fountain—a beautifully preserved relic from that time period
along with the imposing fortress and the port
but even just strolling around the alleyways admiring the archways and grand mansions while slipping in and out of souvenir shops offers a great sense of place
Rethymno is the most charming old city in Crete
a city that does not fall into winter lethargy
but remains alive even outside the tourist season.”
You can start venturing away from the Old Town by enjoying as much of the seven-and-a-half-mile beach that stretches from Rethymno to Skaleta
The southern side of Rethymno—about 30 minutes from the Old Town—has plenty of fantastic beaches
too: Preveli is considered one of the most stunning thanks to the sandy beach and crystal-clear water
Gogos recommends the untouched beaches in Agia Fotini
“You can see a fisherman pull his catch from the waters and take it straight to the kitchen,” he says
Where to eat and drink: You’ll definitely want to make a reservation for a meal at <a data-offer-url="https://www.avli.gr/" class="external-link" data-event-click="{&quot;element&quot;:&quot;ExternalLink&quot;,&quot;outgoingURL&quot;:&quot;https://www.avli.gr/&quot;}" href="https://www.avli.gr/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Avli</a>; for decades
it’s been one of the best restaurants across the island
The courtyard of this Venetian villa with its mix-and-match furniture is an atmospheric spot for a lunch or dinner of classic Cretan fare
from crispy cheese rolls to grilled lobster served with tomato-loaded orzo
And in the mountains between Chania and Rethymno
seek out the modest taverna from Nektarios Tsitsiridis in Amoudari village near Askifou
Located on a plateau over 2,200 feet in altitude
the vibe here will transport you to an entirely different side of Crete
Tsitsiridis’ expertise regarding the island’s heartier mountain fare shows up on the Gardoumbakia
a selection of lamb and goat offals stewed with zucchini and potatoes or in the okra in tomato sauce
is a stylish two-bedroom apartment that puts you right in the heart of town
47-room Phāea Blue’s intimate footprint gives way to surprising delights
The on-site beach offers charming caïque (rowboat) that takes guests all over the island
Crete’s easternmost region is generally not as crowded as the rest of the island
Pockets like Elounda have been booming with tourism interest recently
but the eastern reaches of the island is better known for its untouched natural beauty
“but also fishermen in colorful caïques whisking sun worshippers to far-flung beaches and black robed grannies wandering around traditional hamlets,” Gogos explains
“It is this combination of glamor and unpolished beauty that makes Lasithi stand out.”
What to do: Agios Nikolaos and Elounda are two small coastal towns that have since become tourism darlings in the area
This is where you’ll find the beach bars and the more popular resorts
They are typically the busiest pockets of eastern Crete
but as the island’s stock continues to rise among travelers
many other areas are starting to land on tourism radars
which is flanked by the sea on one side and a lush palm forest on the other
take a day trip or two to a few gorgeous islands
You come for the blue bay waters and isolated beaches but you stay for the eye-popping history: This was once a leper colony up until about a 100 years ago
you can also sail from Ierapetra to the uninhabited Greek island of Chrissi
a protected nature reserve where you may spot lizards
and other wildlife as you sunbathe on its pure sand beaches
and pretty waterfalls will do their best to keep your heart rate even
And Passarivaki adds that the available menu is so seasonal
you could be tucking into slow-roasted wild goat
up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel
Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse
We understand that time is the greatest luxury
which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal
or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world
This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks
The action you just performed triggered the security solution
There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase
You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked
Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page
Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos
accompanied by a delegation of clergy and lay collaborators from his Metropolis
the Metropolitan and his delegation attended the Memorial Service presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Church of St
George in honor of the 57 victims of the Tempi train tragedy
the Patriarch welcomed the Metropolitan and his delegation at the Patriarchal Office
where they presented commemorative gifts marking the 200th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno
the Metropolitan expressed gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew for his blessings upon last year’s anniversary celebrations and sought his spiritual guidance as the faithful embark on the journey of Holy and Great Lent
the Patriarch extended his heartfelt blessings and best wishes for the Lenten season
encouraging the delegation in their spiritual endeavors
the Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women...
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos..
it was announced that two Roman Catholic institutions in Bavaria have decided to jointly..
A car once used by Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem is being transformed into a mobile..
the Monastery of Saint Vlash in Albania hosted a festal Divine Liturgy on the..
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece presided over the festal Great Vespers at the historic..
(function() {	window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || {		listeners: []
cb) {				window.mc4wp.listeners.push(					{						event   : evt
					callback: cb					}				);			}		}	}})();
© 2023 <a href="http://orthodoxtimes.com" title="OrthodoxTimes.com">OrthodoxTimes.com</a> - All rights reserved
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly
This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website
These cookies do not store any personal information
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics
other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies
It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website
The efforts of the municipality of Rethymno for the preservation and protection of the Castle of Fortezza are in the final stretch
as it was declared by the international organization “The Fortress Study Group” as one of the best-preserved castles in Crete
that the award belongs to all those who have worked over time for this monument
which was built with effort by our enslaved ancestors
Many conquerors have passed through our land
but fortunately all of them left and left their monuments
Rethymno is a meeting point of many cultures and we are happy about it
Referring to the conservation works of the monument
he stressed that it is no coincidence that a planning meeting is currently being implemented that we have signed with the Ministry of Culture
for the major project of the surrounding area
the reconstruction of the last building and very soon there will be a designer for the walls
remembered their bad self and commented on the condition of the walls
It is good for you experts to note that the walls are not simple lime walls
We are glad that everything is being done in the right way so that this building will remain for so many more centuries and then let others rebuild it
The non-profit organization The Fortress Study Group was founded in 1975 and is based in Oxford
Its purpose is to evaluate and highlight castles built around the world since the invention of gunpowder
“In addition to the architectural value of the fortresses
their conservation and restoration projects and all the technical interventions they have received are also taken into account,” explained the organization’s former president
The mission of “The Fortress Study Group” to Rethymno consists of 19 scientists who had the opportunity to tour the grounds of the Fortress and see for themselves the care that has been taken to maintain it in good condition
as well as the improvement and upgrading projects
The history of the Castle through the words of the Deputy Mayor of Culture Manos Tsakonas:
it proved too small to house the entire city
the Venetians surrendered to the Ottoman conquerors
the most important of which was perhaps the conversion of the Cathedral into a Mosque
the cooperation between the Municipality of Rethymno and the Archaeological Service has resulted in the continuous regeneration of the outdoor spaces
the surrounding area and accessibility for people with disabilities
as well as the restoration of the buildings and their conversion into cultural spaces
with dozens of events taking place here throughout the year
and the recently renovated Didymo building are some of them
and artistic groups from all the arts will present their inspirations and their creations
top music and theater groups from Greece and abroad are hosted
our Fortezza is not just a silent and imposing Venetian fortress on the sea
it is not just the favorite image on Instagram of visitors to our city
it is the favorite destination of all residents of the city on warm summer evenings.And for this reason alone
it would deserve additional praise.So our Castle is commendable
both the Municipality and Archaeology deserve praise
who through Culture keep it alive!We welcome you here today
and we thank you for honoring us with your presence
We thank you for the distinction you are bestowing on our City."
<a href="tourism-businesses/yachting/51634-nafplio-at-the-epicenter-of-world-yachting-with-the-10th-mediterranean-yacht-show.html">Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51631-samaria-gorge-%E2%80%9Cwar-zone%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9Cothers-decide-we-pay-the-price%E2%80%9D.html">Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price”</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51635-argosaronic-islands-need-for-a-long-term-strategy-and-modern-infrastructure.html">Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/travel-agents/51636-fedhatta-tourism-bridges-between-greece-and-the-chinese-province-of-guizhou.html">FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51633-top-distinctions-for-greece-and-santorini-at-the-american-leisure-lifestyle-awards-2025.html">Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51637-hotrec-supporting-smes-in-european-hospitality.html">HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51640-tourism-promoting-crete-in-the-arabian-gulf.html">Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51639-aegean-and-emirates-expand-their-partnership.html">Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51638-delta-athens-is-in-5th-place-in-american-searches-for-2025.html">Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025</a>
<a href="transport/51641-promotion-of-preveza-on-the-metro-and-tram-in-athens.html">Promotion of Preveza on the metro and tram in Athens</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51632-tripadvisor-awards-2025-elafonisi-beach-world-s-best-beach-9th-in-crete-sani-beach-award.html">TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World&#039;s Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51643-12th-bajagreece-motorsports-competition-in-western-macedonia.html">12th BAJAGREECE: Motorsports Competition in Western Macedonia</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51642-crete-also-invests-in-cycling-tourism-13th-pediadas-tour.html">Crete also invests in cycling tourism - 13th Pediadas Tour</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51644-competitions-with-a-summer-and-autumn-backdrop-attica-runs-at-the-pace-of-sports.html">Competitions with a summer and autumn backdrop: Attica runs at the pace of sports</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51628-atm-25-tourism-the-fight-against-food-waste-at-the-forefront-of-sustainable-development.html">ATM&#039;25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51629-easyjet-holidays-fam-trips-to-santorini-skiathos-and-rhodes.html">easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes</a>
<a href="tornos/city-breaks/51630-chania-the-next-actions-of-the-%E2%80%9Ctourism-partnership%E2%80%9D.html">Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership”</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51626-navarino-challenge-returns-on-may-9-11-2025.html">Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025</a>
<a href="transport/cruises/51645-cruise-takeoff-in-chania-%E2%80%93-record-arrivals-in-the-first-quarter-of-2025.html">Cruise Takeoff in Chania – Record Arrivals in the First Quarter of 2025</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51627-three-greek-beaches-among-the-world%E2%80%99s-50-best-%E2%80%93-triumph-for-the-ionian.html">Three Greek beaches among the world’s 50 best – Triumph for the Ionian</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51617-the-%E2%80%9Ctyphoon%E2%80%9D-that-saves-the-greek-coasts-from-garbage.html">The “Typhoon” that saves the Greek coasts from garbage</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51616-eot-at-the-%E2%80%9Carabian-travel-market%E2%80%9D-%7C-interest-from-gulf-countries-india-and-australia.html">EOT at the “Arabian Travel Market” | Interest from Gulf countries, India, and Australia</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51613-cert-to-manage-vasilitsa-ski-resort-%E2%80%93-investment-of-over-20-million-euros.html">CERT to manage Vasilitsa Ski Resort – Investment of over 20 million euros</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51611-is-american-tourism-in-europe-%E2%80%9Cslowing-down%E2%80%9D-what-do-professionals-see-for-2025-and-2026.html">Is American tourism in Europe “slowing down”? What do professionals see for 2025 and 2026</a>
<a href="tornos/city-breaks/51625-this-is-athens-partners-the-7-partners-renew-their-collaboration-the-joint-actions.html">This is Athens &amp; Partners | The 7 partners renew their collaboration - the joint actions</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/travel-agents/51614-fedhatta-dynamic-presence-of-greek-travel-agencies-at-the-international-dubai-exhibition-atm-2025.html">FedHATTA: Dynamic presence of Greek travel agencies at the international Dubai exhibition ATM 2025</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51615-ryanair-announces-new-offer-for-prime-members-on-june-flights.html">Ryanair announces new offer for Prime members on June flights</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/tour-operators-travel-agents/51619-thomas-ellerbeck-%7C-%E2%80%9Crhodes-can-become-a-model-of-sustainable-tourism-internationally%E2%80%9D.html">Thomas Ellerbeck | “Rhodes can become a model of sustainable tourism internationally”</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51618-the-times-the-perfect-time-to-experience-the-authentic-side-of-santorini.html">The Times | The perfect time to experience the authentic side of Santorini</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51621-chania-the-alternative-tourism-festival-returns-to-the-venetian-port.html">Chania: The Alternative Tourism Festival returns to the Venetian Port</a>
<a href="tornos/trends/51620-angela-gerekou-tourism-is-a-force-for-good-and-greece-can-play-a-leading-role.html">Angela Gerekou: &quot;Tourism is a force for good and Greece can play a leading role&quot;</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51623-new-flights-to-greece-in-2025-from-4-airlines.html">New flights to Greece in 2025 from 4 airlines</a>
<a href="greek-news/culture/51622-crete-welcomes-reveil-12-%E2%80%93-festival-of-sounds-and-ecology.html">Crete welcomes Reveil 12 – Festival of Sounds and Ecology</a>
<a href="tornos/city-breaks/51612-greek-tourism-3rd-quarter-97-of-arrivals-in-athens-and-thessaloniki.html">Greek tourism - 3rd quarter | 97% of arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/yachting/51624-modernization-aid-for-the-marinas-of-symi-and-messolonghi.html">Modernization aid for the marinas of Symi and Messolonghi</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51598-hotrec-assembly-focus-on-challenges-and-reforms-in-european-tourism.html">HOTREC Assembly: Focus on challenges and reforms in European tourism</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51599-aegean-2025-passenger-growth-and-fleet-expansion-with-an-eye-on-the-international-market.html">AEGEAN 2025: Passenger growth and fleet expansion with an eye on the international market</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/travel-agents/51600-fedhatta-cooperation-with-shaanxi-province-china.html">FedHATTA Cooperation with Shaanxi Province, China</a>
<a href="tornos/people/51602-greek-academic-in-finalists-of-european-sustainable-energy-awards-2025.html">Greek academic in finalists of European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025</a>
<a href="greek-news/culture/51601-thessaloniki-museums-join-forces-to-promote-the-city.html">Thessaloniki museums join forces to promote the city</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51603-gnto-introduces-%E2%80%9Csustainable-greece%E2%80%9D-to-british-agents.html">GNTO introduces “Sustainable Greece” to British Agents</a>
<a href="transport/cruises/51607-strategic-meeting-for-cruises-in-santorini.html">Strategic meeting for cruises in Santorini</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51606-a-message-of-friendship-and-cooperation-at-the-friendly-greek-turkish-football-match-in-chios.html">A message of friendship and cooperation at the friendly Greek-Turkish football match in Chios</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51605-municipality-of-xiromero-diving-tourism-request-for-sinking-of-a-decommissioned-warship.html">Municipality of Xiromero | Diving tourism: Request for sinking of a decommissioned warship</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51604-the-first-la-quinta-by-wyndham-in-batumi-georgia.html">The first La Quinta by Wyndham in Batumi, Georgia</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51593-double-racing-event-in-megalopolis-on-may-11-festival-enduro-and-theater-run-2025.html">Double racing event in Megalopolis on May 11: Festival Enduro and Theater Run 2025</a>
<a href="transport/cruises/51608-explora-journeys-start-of-the-summer-season-with-the-luxurious-explora-i-from-piraeus.html">Explora Journeys: Start of the summer season with the luxurious EXPLORA I from Piraeus</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51610-strong-start-in-2025-for-aegean-and-sky-express.html">Strong start in 2025 for Aegean and SKY Express</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/gastronomy/51609-xanthi-tastes-a-gastronomy-festival-with-a-cultural-flavor.html">Xanthi Tastes: A Gastronomy Festival with a Cultural Flavor</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51597-rhodes-these-are-the-five-star-hotels-with-the-highest-revenue-%E2%80%93-which-ones-%E2%80%9Cfill-up%E2%80%9D-first.html">Rhodes: These are the five-star hotels with the highest revenue – Which ones “fill up” first</a>
<a href="greek-news/economy/51596-greek-tourism-webhotelier-the-winners-and-losers-in-online-bookings-for-2025.html">Greek Tourism/Webhotelier: The Winners and Losers in Online Bookings for 2025</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51590-gnto-promotion-of-santorini-in-target-markets.html">GNTO | Promotion of Santorini in target markets</a>
<a href="world-news/51586-unprecedented-blackout-in-spain-portugal-france.html">Unprecedented blackout in Spain, Portugal, France</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51588-greece-can-play-a-leading-role-in-the-global-sports-tourism-scene.html">Greece can play a leading role in the global sports tourism scene</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51587-rhodes-event-for-the-protection-of-biodiversity.html">Rhodes | Event for the protection of biodiversity</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/real-estate/51589-attica-the-%E2%80%A6caribbean-of-the-germans.html">Attica, the …Caribbean of the Germans</a>
<a href="transport/cruises/51591-agios-nikolaos-cruise-season-kicks-off-with-arrival-of-luxury-silver-spirit.html">Agios Nikolaos | Cruise season kicks off with arrival of luxury Silver Spirit</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/gastronomy/51592-operational-plan-%E2%80%9Ccretan-food-culture-2026-2030%E2%80%9D.html">Operational Plan: “Cretan Food Culture 2026-2030”</a>
<a href="tornos/city-breaks/51594-destination-management-and-promotion-organization-in-thessaloniki.html">Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Thessaloniki</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51595-kefalonia-the-authentic-character-of-the-island-through-the-%E2%80%9Ctravel-reimagined%E2%80%9D-project.html">Kefalonia: The authentic character of the island through the “Travel Reimagined” project</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51585-hoteliers-vs-booking-com-the-european-uprising-has-begun.html">Hoteliers vs. Booking.com: The European uprising has begun</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51581-tourism-greece-4th-choice-for-europeans-holidays-in-2025-what-the-etc-survey-shows.html">Tourism | Greece 4th choice for Europeans&#039; holidays in 2025 - what the ETC survey shows</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51582-new-high-standard-heated-swimming-pool-in-chania-aimed-at-sports-tourism.html">New high-standard heated swimming pool in Chania, aimed at sports tourism</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51584-greeks-traveled-a-lot-in-2024-%E2%80%93-where-they-went-how-much-they-spent.html">Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51583-greek-american-dean-spanos-brings-the-nfl-to-greece-%E2%80%93-opportunities-for-promotion-in-the-usa.html">Greek-American Dean Spanos brings the NFL to Greece – Opportunities for promotion in the USA</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51569-lesvos-the-season-begins-with-birdwatching-tourists.html">Lesvos: The season begins with birdwatching tourists</a>
<a href="transport/cruises/51579-msc-cruises-strengthens-its-presence-in-greece-with-6-cruise-ships.html">MSC Cruises: Strengthens its presence in Greece with 6 cruise ships</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51571-new-luxury-arrival-in-crete-jw-marriott-crete-resort-spa-opens-on-june-2.html">New Luxury Arrival in Crete | JW Marriott Crete Resort &amp; Spa Opens on June 2</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51572-peloponnese-trails-inaugurated-today-new-network-of-trails-for-sustainable-tourism.html">&quot;Peloponnese Trails&quot; inaugurated today: New network of trails for sustainable tourism</a>
<a href="greek-news/culture/51580-knossos-125-years-since-the-excavations-of-arthur-evans.html">Knossos: 125 years since the excavations of Arthur Evans</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51570-the-spanish-tv-show-%E2%80%9Cviajeros-cuatro%E2%80%9D-in-corfu.html">The Spanish TV show “Viajeros Cuatro” in Corfu</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51574-wyndham-soliteight-40-super-8-hotels-in-spain-and-portugal.html">Wyndham - Soliteight | 40 Super 8 hotels in Spain and Portugal</a>
<a href="greek-news/51573-airbnb-final-price-now-displayed-in-accommodation-searches.html">Airbnb: Final price now displayed in accommodation searches</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/new-investments/51568-investments-in-the-beaches-of-the-attica-riviera.html">Investments in the beaches of the Attica Riviera</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51575-the-municipality-of-chania-at-the-%E2%80%9Cfrom-crete-to-side%E2%80%9D-festival-in-turkey.html">The Municipality of Chania at the “From Crete to Side” Festival in Turkey</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51578-region-of-central-macedonia-tourism-promotion-activities-in-poland-and-the-middle-east.html">Region of Central Macedonia: Tourism Promotion Activities in Poland and the Middle East</a>
<a href="greek-news/culture/51577-region-of-crete-connecting-minoan-palatial-centers-with-archaeological-sites.html">Region of Crete | Connecting Minoan Palatial Centers with Archaeological Sites</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51576-biodiversity-protection-plan-is-in-full-swing-in-elafonisi.html">Biodiversity protection plan is in full swing in Elafonisi</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/gastronomy/51561-record-participation-in-the-athena-international-olive-oil-competition-chania-8-10-may.html">Record participation in the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition | Chania 8 - 10 May</a>
<a href="tornos/people/51562-communities-at-the-heart-of-tourism-development.html">Communities at the heart of tourism development</a>
<a href="greek-news/51560-booking-com-no-to-limiting-tourists-yes-to-infrastructure-investments.html">Booking.com | No to limiting tourists, yes to infrastructure investments</a>
<a href="tornos/city-breaks/51563-thessaloniki%E2%80%99s-dynamic-presence-at-the-world-tourism-summit-in-hong-kong.html">Thessaloniki’s dynamic presence at the World Tourism Summit in Hong Kong</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51565-easyjet-summer-2026-sales-open.html">easyJet | Summer 2026 sales open</a>
<a href="transport/cruises/51564-cruise-turkey-doubles-its-share-new-opportunities-for-greek-ports.html">Cruise | Turkey doubles its share, new opportunities for Greek ports</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/yachting/51567-aid-for-the-upgrade-of-the-tourist-shelter-of-astakos-and-the-marina-of-alimos.html">Aid for the upgrade of the tourist shelter of Astakos and the Marina of Alimos</a>
<a href="tornos/trends/51566-preparing-the-settlement-of-kionia-for-the-tourist-season-an-example-to-follow.html">Preparing the settlement of Kionia for the tourist season: An example to follow</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/gastronomy/51546-the-action-of-the-region-of-crete-let-s-go-for-greens-concludes-this-weekend.html">The action of the region of Crete &quot;Let&#039;s go for... Greens&quot; concludes this weekend</a>
<a href="greek-news/culture/51547-%E2%80%9Cart-is-our-language%E2%80%9D-campaign-for-the-70th-anniversary-of-the-athens-epidaurus-festival.html">“Art is our Language”: Campaign for the 70th Anniversary of the Athens Epidaurus Festival</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51545-tourism-%7C-nostalgia-drives-brits%E2%80%99-travel-choices.html">Tourism | Nostalgia drives Brits’ travel choices</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/tour-operators-travel-agents/51548-eot-china-%7C-b2b-meetings-with-chengdu-s-tos-flights-to-athens-in-june.html">ΕΟΤ China | B2B meetings with Chengdu&#039;s t.os - Flights to Athens in June</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51549-state-of-the-art-conference-center-at-theartemis-palace-hotel-in-rethymno.html">State-of-the-art conference center at Theartemis Palace Hotel in Rethymno</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51550-zagori-collaboration-with-impact-hub-athens-for-sustainable-tourism-and-innovation.html">Zagori: Collaboration with Impact Hub Athens for sustainable tourism and innovation</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51556-cooperation-memorandum-between-development-athens-and-piraeus-university-on-tourism.html">Cooperation Memorandum between Development Athens and Piraeus University on Tourism</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51552-kos-new-advertising-campaigns-with-jet2-and-national-geographic-traveller-uk.html">Kos: New advertising campaigns with Jet2 and National Geographic Traveller UK</a>
<a href="transport/cruises/51551-five-cruise-ships-in-souda-by-saturday.html">Five cruise ships in Souda by Saturday</a>
<a href="tornos/events/51554-imbros-trail-run-hike-2025-a-sporting-tribute-to-the-history-of-sfakia.html">Imbros Trail Run &amp; Hike 2025: A sporting tribute to the History of Sfakia</a>
<a href="greek-news/culture/51553-cultural-days-and-sea-routes-in-piraeus.html">Cultural Days and Sea Routes in Piraeus</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/thematic-tourism/51555-religious-tourism-the-university-of-palermo-comes-to-panagia-nafpaktiotissa.html">Religious Tourism | The University of Palermo comes to Panagia Nafpaktiotissa</a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51557-audio-walk-in-the-sitia-geopark-a-different-exploration-experience-in-crete.html">Audio Walk in the Sitia Geopark: A Different Exploration Experience in Crete</a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51558-aegean-%E2%80%9Ctakes-off%E2%80%9D-larnaca-with-a-new-direct-flight-to-rome.html">AEGEAN “takes off” Larnaca with a new direct flight to Rome</a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/yachting/51634-nafplio-at-the-epicenter-of-world-yachting-with-the-10th-mediterranean-yacht-show.html">Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show </a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51632-tripadvisor-awards-2025-elafonisi-beach-world-s-best-beach-9th-in-crete-sani-beach-award.html">TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World&#039;s Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/50998-what-the-israeli-ambassador-discussed-at-the-chania-chamber.html">What the Israeli Ambassador discussed at the Chania Chamber </a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51631-samaria-gorge-%E2%80%9Cwar-zone%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9Cothers-decide-we-pay-the-price%E2%80%9D.html">Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” </a>
<a href="tornos/events/51633-top-distinctions-for-greece-and-santorini-at-the-american-leisure-lifestyle-awards-2025.html">Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025 </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/travel-agents/51636-fedhatta-tourism-bridges-between-greece-and-the-chinese-province-of-guizhou.html">FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/51637-hotrec-supporting-smes-in-european-hospitality.html">HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51396-north-macedonia-increase-in-foreign-tourists-in-2024.html">North Macedonia: Increase in foreign tourists in 2024 </a>
<a href="tornos/events/51628-atm-25-tourism-the-fight-against-food-waste-at-the-forefront-of-sustainable-development.html">ATM&#039;25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development </a>
<a href="tornos/events/50661-greece-s-permanent-delegation-to-unesco-organizing-concert-on-january-16.html">Greece&#039;s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO organizing concert on January 16 </a>
<a href="tornos/events/50684-pm-at-1st-greece-saudi-arabia-high-level-strategic-cooperation-council-on-monday.html">PM at 1st Greece-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council on Monday </a>
<a href="tornos/events/50697-what-to-expect-at-this-year%E2%80%99s-itb-berlin-exhibition-from-march-4-6.html">What to expect at this year’s ITB Berlin Exhibition from March 4-6 </a>
<a href="tornos/events/50683-athens-to-host-the-european-film-awards-in-2027.html">Athens to host the European Film Awards in 2027 </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/50688-german-tourism-advance-bookings-are-the-new-last-minute.html">German tourism: Advance bookings are the new &quot;last-minute&quot; </a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51635-argosaronic-islands-need-for-a-long-term-strategy-and-modern-infrastructure.html">Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/48896-elstat-hospitality-enterprises-turnover-grows-28-6-in-greece-during-q1.html">ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises&#039; turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1 </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/markets/51640-tourism-promoting-crete-in-the-arabian-gulf.html">Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf </a>
<a href="tornos/green-travel/51219-alonissos-tops-the-list-of-greek-destinations-without-mass-tourism.html">Alonissos tops the list of Greek destinations without mass tourism </a>
<a href="tornos/events/51437-athens-municipality-festival-2025-the-city-s-biggest-celebration-with-more-than-200-events.html">Athens Municipality Festival 2025 | The city&#039;s biggest celebration, with more than 200 events </a>
<a href="tornos/events/48384-tri-city-winter-luncheon-unites-upstate-new-york-philoptochos-chapters.html">Tri-city winter luncheon unites upstate New York Philoptochos chapters </a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51638-delta-athens-is-in-5th-place-in-american-searches-for-2025.html">Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025 </a>
<a href="greek-news/51088-greek-tourism-sets-new-records-in-2024-36-million-visitors-and-e22-billion-revenue.html">Greek tourism sets new records in 2024: 36 million visitors and €22 billion revenue </a>
<a href="tourism-businesses/hotels/50653-the-20-most-impressive-luxury-hotel-arrivals-in-greece-in-2025.html">The 20 &quot;loudest&quot; luxury hotel arrivals in Greece in 2025 </a>
<a href="transport/airlines/51639-aegean-and-emirates-expand-their-partnership.html">Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership </a>
<a href="transport/airlines/50991-direct-connection-of-chania-airport-to-israel-to-be-strengthened.html">Direct connection of Chania airport to Israel to be strengthened </a>
A pregnant American woman has lost her child and is reported to be in critical condition and intubated in the ICU of Crete’s Hania Hospital after falling down a ravine while hiking in the Rethymno region
The loss of the woman’s child was confirmed by the hospital’s director
she has lost the child she was carrying,” the doctor stated
and she is currently fighting for her life in critical condition,” he added
who was hiking along the Preveli trail in the Rethymno region
was rescued after a four-hour operation by rescue crews
She reportedly sustained serious chest and head injuries
The woman was initially taken to the Rethymno hospital but transferred to the Hania ICU once the severity of her injuries was determined
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fall
Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights
opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox
The newly built conference center of Theartemis Palace Hotel in Rethymno was visited by the Minister of Tourism
It is a state-of-the-art conference center of high technical and operational standards
with social and environmental international certification
with multi-modal facilities suitable to host conferences
Theartemis Palace Hotel &amp; Conference Center is located in the center of the city of Rethymno and is another important addition to the collective local effort to enhance the image of Rethymno and Crete as a destination for high-standard international conferences
this private tourism investment constitutes a substantial step for the city of Rethymno towards sustainable tourism development through the dissemination of specific target groups outside the peak tourist season
while contributing to the further stimulation and resilience of the local economy
The Minister of Tourism also met with the Board of Directors of the Rethymno Hoteliers Association
discussing with them the main issues of concern to tourism in the prefecture
The Association even submitted a memorandum with its positions on the main issues concerning the island and affecting tourism development
emphasized the promotion of public infrastructure that is being upgraded and will positively affect tourism
which is finally in the implementation phase
which can play a decisive role in extending the tourist season
A Memorandum of Cooperation with the Municipality of Rethymno
for the establishment and operation of a Destination Management and Promotion Organization (DMMO)
the Minister of Tourism underlined the crucial role of DMMOs as a tool for sustainable tourism development and strengthening the competitive position of Greek destinations
She also stated that these organizations focus on upgrading the quality of tourism services
targeted advertising and promotion of destinations
as well as on the creation of innovative travel experiences
“Our goal is for tourism development to be qualitative
and to effectively serve the demands of local communities
a governance system with good practices is being developed
which will constitute a link between public administration and private initiative
strengthening the coordinated cooperation of all stakeholders”
Kefalogianni made particular reference to the tourism potential of the region
underlining that Rethymno has exceptional natural and cultural resources
which can form the basis for the development of special forms of tourism such as cultural tourism
he stressed that the establishment of the DMMO will contribute to optimizing the advantages of the region
enhancing its visibility as an excellent tourist destination
with the aim of spreading the number of visitors throughout the year
The signing of the Memorandum was followed by an extended meeting with the Mayor of Rethymno
since the goal is to protect the natural landscape
The ticket is set at 5 euros per visitor for one day
while permanent residents of the Municipality of Agios Vasilios and other groups of the population who wish to cross it are exempt from paying the fee
It is characteristic that today the number of visitors is uncontrolled
the upper limit that should exist is 1,000 people per day
70% of the revenue paid by visitors will be attributed to the Municipality
which will be responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure and 30% will be used by OFYPEKA for actions to preserve and promote the biodiversity of the area
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is located in the southern prefecture of Rethymno
with its beginning near the village of Koxare
The gorge is formed between the mountains of Kouroupa and Xiro Oros and its walls are up to 600 meters high
Many caves are formed on the walls of the gorge
The gorge is crossed by the Kourtaliotis River
The name of the gorge may be due to the fact that the air when passing through the gorge sounds like rattles
The Holy Monastery of Panagia &#8220;Axion Esti&#8221; in Melbourne was entrusted with the sacred relics of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno – Manuel
and Nicholas – during a significant ceremony on Sunday
held to deepen the spiritual bond between Australia and Crete
marked a momentous occasion for the local Orthodox community
Joining the Archbishop were Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand
and Bishops Kyriakos of Melbourne and Evmenios of Chora
along with clergy from the Archdiocese of Australia and Rethymno
The relics were ceremonially handed over by Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno
marking the fulfillment of a decades-long wish by Melbourne&#8217;s Cretan community
The sacred artifacts will now reside permanently at the monastery
offering blessings to pilgrims across Melbourne
Archbishop Makarios described the event as divinely inspired
&#8220;The most beautiful moments in life and the Church are those orchestrated by God,&#8221; he said
encouraging the faithful to trust in divine providence
He also highlighted the symbolic timing of the ceremony
coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Australia and the 200th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Four New Martyrs
&#8220;This historic transfer of relics crowns our celebrations of both anniversaries,&#8221; he said
&#8220;Had we tried to design a more meaningful moment ourselves
we would have failed – but God has achieved it for us.&#8221;
Metropolitan Prodromos praised the devotion of Australia&#8217;s Greek Orthodox community
&#8220;The sacred relics will remain here forever
serving as a source of blessings in a land where God&#8217;s name is glorified,&#8221; he said
he expressed pride in their contributions to preserving their cultural and spiritual heritage abroad
The event also saw the attendance of notable dignitaries
including Greece&#8217;s Consul General in Melbourne
President of the Victorian Inter-Communities Council
and former Secretary General of Greeks Abroad
A total of 29 wildfires broke out across agroforested zones in Greece on Wednesday
Twenty-four of these fires were quickly extinguished
but firefighters are still battling five active blazes
An emergency alert has been issued for residents in Apodoulou to remain on standby
an evacuation alert was sent to the small village of Agia Paraskevi
and another notice urged residents and visitors in Chordaki and Agios Ioannis to stay vigilant
Police are conducting door-to-door checks in Agia Paraskevi to ensure that residents
“The fire has reached some residential yards
burning through fields and olive groves,” local authorities reported
Current firefighting efforts include 190 firefighters
the blaze is proving difficult to control as it has spread into ravines
<a href="https://www.argophilia.com/news/">Argophilia</a>
<a href="https://www.argophilia.com/news/author/mig/" title="Posts by Mihaela Lica Butler" rel="author">Mihaela Lica Butler</a> - January 30th
The serenity of Kourtaliotiko Gorge was rudely interrupted Tuesday morning by a new rockfall
While local officials and residents collectively held their breath
luck once again delivered a miraculous save—no one got hurt
this was the latest in a series of increasingly dicey rock-related incidents in the gorge
a boulder large enough to make a cameo in a Hollywood disaster movie came crashing down onto a passing car
nature kept its aim exclusively on the road
but the close call was enough to heighten already persistent worries about the area&#8217;s safety
the Rethymno region has seen a flurry of concerned discussions and promises of action
A hefty €2 million budget was earmarked for safety measures across local gorges just days ago
focusing on stabilizing the more treacherous spots
officials plan to conduct an on-site inspection to assess the damage from this latest incident
But don&#8217;t pop the celebratory champagne just yet
This stopgap strategy may slow the problem but doesn&#8217;t seem poised to solve it
she argued that the only viable solution was constructing a tunnel
building a route that eliminates the gorge is the only way to ensure safety
While rock-induced anxiety looms over Kourtaliotiko
residents in southern Rethymno might finally breathe a sigh of relief
the long-closed Kotsyfos Gorge road should reopen
promising smoother travel in that section of the region
the larger issue remains: without tunnels or comprehensive solutions
the challenges across Rethymno&#8217;s gorges seem destined to stay on repeat
tourists should keep their helmets handy and cross their fingers
they&#8217;ve been on a roll—quite literally
For updates on the latest safety interventions at Kourtaliotiko, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2099682_rethymno-anisyhia-meta-ti-nea-ptosi-brahon-sto-koyrtaliotiko-faraggi-vid" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nea Kriti&#8217;s coverage</a>
2025-04-22 By <a href="https://www.argophilia.com/news/author/manuel-santos/" class="entry-author-link" rel="author">Manuel Santos</a> 
A young Dutch tourist was hospitalized after falling 25 meters in Samaria Gorge
He is in stable condition at Chania Hospital&#8217;s Neurosurgery Clinic
2025-04-22 By <a href="https://www.argophilia.com/news/author/victoria-udrea/" class="entry-author-link" rel="author">Victoria Udrea</a> 
Let&#8217;s Go for Horta in Chania from April 26-27
the study to revive and reuse the illustrious Villa Pologiorgis in Amperia officially got a handshake—or
No sooner had the mayor’s pen touched paper than a room of deputies
The contract—routinely titled “Study for [&hellip;]
2025-04-22 By <a href="https://www.argophilia.com/news/author/iorgos-pappas/" class="entry-author-link" rel="author">Iorgos Pappas</a> 
and demand fueled by good weather and tradition
2025-04-22 By <a href="https://www.argophilia.com/news/author/mig/" class="entry-author-link" rel="author">Mihaela Lica Butler</a> 
Hoteliers in Crete witnessed record Easter occupancy
but the Crete tourist season hurdles are just starting
<a href="https://www.argophilia.com/news/category/crete/" title="Crete">More Crete travel news</a>
COPYRIGHT &#x000A9;&nbsp;2025 &middot; ARGOPHILIA TRAVEL NEWS
Rethymno is taking an important step towards upgrading cleanliness and sustainability by implementing the innovative “Separation at Source” program on Monday
The program aims to collect waste from health-related stores in the Old Town
promoting environmental responsibility and improving the aesthetic image of the historic center
The program was presented at a large meeting held in the Municipal Council room of Rethymno City Hall in the presence of Mayor Giorgis Marinakis
and representatives of the Catering and Recreation Association
Deputy Mayor Spanoudakis stressed the importance of this new program
modern and very important program for the collection of waste from health-related stores is being put into effect
which responds to two basic needs: on the one hand
the implementation of the current Law that obliges shopkeepers to proceed with sorting at source
to collect their waste and mainly biological waste within their businesses
the necessary improvement of the image of the Old City
which in many cases is miserable and certainly cannot continue.”
The Deputy Mayor clarified that the program concerns waste from four streams (organic
which will be collected by the competent Municipality service by appointment at specific points in the Old City and at specific times
in order to ensure a smooth flow.“We have tested the process in rehearsals
and we also published relevant forms and maps to inform business people
while all the information is also available in electronic form
If shopkeepers do not comply with the program
then they will take on the responsibility of transporting the waste and placing it in bins outside the Old City.”
For the smooth implementation of the program
trial applications have already been carried out
and information forms and electronic instructions have been issued for professionals
expressed its support and willingness for additional information actions
business people in the area expressed questions and concerns about the details of the implementation of the measure
Mayor Giorgis Marinakis assured everyone that cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility and warned of strict sanctions in cases of non-compliance
as well as the new digital application 'Mystreet' for controlling the arbitrary use of public spaces
will ensure order and quality,” he stressed
The Mayor also referred to the tightening of the rules of the Port Fund
which now even includes the revocation of operating permits for shops on the coastal road in case of serious violations
With the comprehensive implementation of the “Separation at Source” program
Rethymno seeks to become a model of cleanliness and proper waste management
upgrading its tourist image and the quality of life of its residents and visitors
at the historic Church of Saint Nicholas of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens
the Synaxis of all the Saints of Crete was celebrated
A celebration that was established by a synodal decision of the Church in Crete and its approval by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
This particular celebration took place by the initiative of the president Mr
Georgios Vlatakis and the members of the Board of Directors of the historical association of Rethymno in Attica “TO ARKADI”
in the context of the events for the 200th anniversary of the miraculous martyrdom of the Four Holy New Martyrs of Rethymno (1824-2024)
His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea
Director of the Representative Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens
presided over the Divine Liturgy and was joined in concelebration by His Grace Bishop Nikiforos of Amorion
Stavropegic and Patriarchal Monastery of Vlatadon in Thessaloniki
with the participation of Archimandrite Simeon Avgoustakis and other Clergymen and Hierodeacons
the talanto but also with a lot of reverence
emotion and obvious devotional love they welcomed for the first time the holy relics of Holy Four New Martyrs of Rethymno
both His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea and the Cretans of Athens
while they spread rugs for the Saint’s relics to pass over
The Church of Saint Nicholas of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was filled with the presence of Crete
thus honouring all the Saints of Crete and at the same time the Holy Four New Martyrs of Rethymno
the blessing of the five loaves took place (Artoklasia)
as well as the blessing of the Holy Kolliva of the Saints
His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea duly expressed his thanks for this brilliant celebration of the Cretans
singling out the initiative of the president
Archon Nomofilakos of the Great Church of Christ
and the members of the Association of Rethymno in Attica
with the participation of many Cretan associations
Metropolitan Theodoritos distributed to the whole congregation a small box with on both sides the icons of the Saints of Crete and the Holy Four New Martyrs
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy
a rich Cretan meal was offered to all who were in attendance
The planning of the Municipality of Rethymno is in full swing in view of this year's tourist season
with the aim of excellent preparation and the promotion of hospitality at the highest level
the annual meeting of the Municipality's Tourism Development and Promotion Committee was held
where actions and interventions for the smooth operation of the city during the season were discussed
Traffic regulations and management of the Old Town
Particular emphasis was placed on traffic regulation
Need for immediate support for Rethymno Hospital
The situation of Rethymno Hospital remains an important issue
"The picture at the Hospital is disappointing
There are no doctors or triage areas in the Emergency Departments
The situation is borderline and poses risks for both residents and visitors."
The Municipality of Rethymno continues its interventions
seeking to ensure a tourist season with the best possible conditions for both visitors and residents
is being fought by 35 firefighters using nine fire engines and two helicopters
The 112 emergency alert system has issued a message instructing residents of Agios Vasileios to be prepared for evacuation if necessary
Everything is ready for the great celebration of Crete
The 2025 Rethymno Carnival "raises the curtain" and with a full three-day event
invites young and old "to come into the light"
as is the message of this year's thematic event
The first three-day event begins next Friday
which is included for the first time in the program of carnival events in our city
It includes a large Costume Exhibition with this year's costumes of all groups
which will be held at the House of Culture
The exhibition is curated by artist Chrysi Skepetzi and director Kostis Kapelonis
giving their own important tone to the presentation of the costumes of the groups participating in this year's carnival
The opening of the exhibition will take place at 7 pm on Friday and admission will be free for the public throughout its operation
The exhibition will be open daily until Wednesday
another new event comes to give its own color and pulse to the renewed carnival program
The presentation of the theme "Come into the Light" is made through a spectacular event that will take place at the QUEENS Room Club
It includes a costume contest that will imaginatively capture the theme and thus the Carnival queen will be chosen by voting via Instagram and by the vote of a special jury
which includes many surprises as well as the closing ceremony of the Online Treasure Hunt organized by the group “Adiforoi – Adiaforoi”
will begin at 9 pm on Saturday and admission is free for the public
The official opening ceremony will follow on Sunday
will declare the opening of the Rethymno Carnival and the Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra will introduce us to the carnival spirit with its unique participation
will culminate with the grand concert of the youth's favorite performer Lila
which is expected to thrill young and old alike
Admission to this event is also free for the public
The times we are living in are interesting and multidimensional
but they also hide their little darknesses
modern societies are becoming more complex
human relationships are becoming more difficult
the black color of loneliness and negative emotions finds ample space to spread
black has the natural property of absorbing all other colors…
Rethymno is a city that is bathed in light almost all year round
with its narrow alleys leading to bright squares
is a magical journey into past civilizations
Rethymno responds with the light of the Cretan Renaissance
and with the light of artistic and literary creation
the entire history of the city is a continuous sequence of darkness and light
the darkness of the difficult Ottoman period
the light of unique architectural monuments
This miraculous light has endured through time
and is what many different cultures have scattered and continue to scatter generously in the city
The Rethymno Carnival is closely linked to this creative light
With more than a century of recorded history
deeply rooted in traditional events and rituals
with a close cultural affinity with the Venetian theater and the Comedia Del’ Arte
it has always expressed the light and optimism of the creative impulse of an entire city
the city is the ideal setting to wander around
to become a hero/heroine of classic fairy tales
and to come to the light of a unique experience
The Rethymno Carnival has always been the brightest point in time
with thousands of people eagerly awaiting it
to feel the joy of entertainment away from negative emotions and sad thoughts
This year's Rethymno Carnival campaign once again borrows elements from Comedia Del Arte
to explore aspects of the city and the emotions that make the experience of Carnival Events in Rethymno unforgettable
we will try to bring to the surface positive emotions like a Renaissance chiaroscuro painting where bright forms emerge from the dark background
Leave the dark side of life behind!Come into the light
A wildfire that broke out in Rethymno, Crete, on Wednesday afternoon has spread to three fronts in the Orne area, prompting an emergency evacuation alert for residents.
A 112 emergency alert advised residents in Agia Paraskevi to evacuate south towards Mandres Rethymnou. Earlier alerts urged residents and visitors in Chordaki and Agios Ioannis to remain on standby.
The fire is burning through grassland and difficult terrain. 
The fire is being tackled by 70 firefighters, 22 vehicles and volunteers. Two water-dropping helicopters are also assisting.
Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.
 On the occasion of the dour anniversary “To Vima” on Monday published several testimonies of eyewitnesses of the Marfin attack
 The protest follows the government’s announcement that AI will be used in courts for automatic translation of legal documents, interpretation and transcription of foreign witness testimonies, and voice-to-text recording of oral court proceedings
 Later reaction by PM, as the incident comes a few days after masked suspects beat an individual and interrupted an event at the Athens Law School
Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras presented the projects and initiatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in the Region of Crete at an event held in Rethymno on Thursday
The projects outlined in Staikouras’ presentation are: Construction of the Northern Road Axis of Crete
also known as the A90; construction of the new international airport in Iraklio; operation and utilization of the existing Iraklio airport; tapping the water potential of Tavronitis River; reinforcing the Bramanian reservoir; construction of the dam at Platy and study of irrigation networks in Gerakari
Rethymno; utilization of the reservoir of the Amari river dam; new police headquarters in Rethymno; construction and upgrade of courthouses; restoration of damage on bridges on the A90; study of the Southern Bypass of Rethymno; and creation of school infrastructure
A wildfire that began early Saturday in Chionochori in the northern region of Serres is burning forest land in a remote area
The blaze is being fought by 35 firefighters
has no active front but is still being managed by 34 firefighters
Both fires are not near residential areas but are challenging due to difficult terrain
Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire on the Greek island of Crete
in the Rethymno area where at least eight villages have been evacuated
According to<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greece-wildfire-crete-island-village-evacuations-17378e1c2d13b7929f1978eb706bc29f" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Associated Press</a>
but posed no immediate threat to the busy holiday resorts along the island&#8217;s coast
A total of 250 firefighters with 14 groups of forest firefighters
23 aerial units and volunteers are on site at the Amari and Aghios Vassilios municipalities
They are supported by water trucks and earthworks machinery and from the Armed Forces and Region of Crete
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias has also arrived on the scene to oversee the effort
The fire service said 40 members of a specialist unit from Athens joined the operation in the island&#8217;s central Rethymno area late Thursday
No injuries or severe damage to homes have been reported as firefighters were hoping to take advantage of an overnight lull in the wind to bring the blaze under control
Authorities have said this year carries the highest fire risk in the past 20 years
More than 2,000 wildfires have erupted all over Greece this summer
This year is expected to be warmest year on record
according to Copernicus Climate Change Service
July was marked by record heatwaves in Greece
where temperatures exceeded 48 degrees Celsius
Europe experienced its second warmest July
while global ocean temperatures remained high
Last month recorded the second highest sea surface temperature in history
promising it is less crowded than popular spots like Mykonos
As <a class="TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l" href="https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/all-about/europe" target="_self" aria-label="" tabindex="0">Europe</a> begins to bask in <a class="TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l" href="https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/all-about/weather" target="_self" aria-label="" tabindex="0">warmer temperatures and sunshine</a>
the allure of escaping everyday life for a trip abroad grows stronger
perhaps prompting you to start planning a summer adventure
While vacations can often come with a hefty price tag
this time of year offers the chance to snag some attractive deals
Steering clear of tourist hotspots not only helps save money but also uncovers hidden treasures away from the usual paths
This approach allows travellers to enjoy tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle
London-based travel vlogger Sandy, known online as<a class="TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sandymakessense" target="_self" aria-label="" tabindex="0"> @sandymakessense</a>, has a passion for discovering unique experiences and lesser-known destinations. During her travels last summer, she stumbled upon a &quot;hidden gem&quot; in Greece, which she now ranks as one of the top places to visit.
Sandy explored Rethymno, also spelled Rethimno, on the island of Crete and was captivated by its charm. She advised: &quot;The number one mistake people make in Greece is to only visit Santorini, Mykonos or Athens. Don&#x27;t get me wrong, they are beautiful, but if you want to escape the crowds this summer I recommend a trip to Crete and to a cute, secret city called Rethymno.&quot;
She further praised the town, saying: &quot;This is the beautiful town of Rethymnon and to me it is one of the best places to visit in Greece, when trying to avoid the overly touristy spots.&quot;
Rethymno, Crete&#x27;s third biggest city, is not just about its size but boasts an enchanting old town brimming with history. It&#x27;s home to one of Greece&#x27;s most well-maintained medieval urban centres. Dominating the skyline, the Venetian Fortezza Castle makes Rethymno exceptionally picturesque; despite much of the star-shaped fortress succumbing to WWII bombings, the remaining ruins have been beautifully preserved.
Plus, the locality flaunts an exhaustive strip of beachfront hotels running along coastal settlements. The Venetian Harbour is a superb choice for a leisurely day, offering an array of dining options, chill-out places, boat hires, and of course, the spectacular port views.
Night-owls won&#x27;t be disappointed either, as Rethymno Town&#x27;s energetic nightlife beckons, with Baja Beach Club serving as an ideal venue for a luxury day out with pals.
Trip Advisor endorses this sentiment, saying: &quot;Rethymnon is one of the most well-preserved Venetian old towns on the island of Crete. Its 16th-century buildings are stunning examples of ancient architecture, and the monolithic Fortezza reflects both European and Moorish influences.
&quot;Explore the magical waterfalls, rock formations, and &#x27;cave church&#x27; of Saint Anthony Gorge before taking a pleasant evening stroll along the colorful Venetian Harbor. Relax in a taverna over a plate of Cretan meze, like fresh feta drizzled with local olive oil.&quot;
Direct flights from the UK to Rethymno are not available. However, you can fly to either Chania or Heraklion airports in Crete and then travel by bus, taxi, or hire a car.
Crete Chania Airport is approximately 21.6 miles away from Rethymno, while Crete Heraklion Airport is around 40.0 miles distant.
A number of airlines including EasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, British Airways, and Malta Air offer direct flights from the UK to Crete Chania Airport. The average flight duration is four hours and four minutes.
According to Skyscanner, the best return flights are currently priced at £53. The most affordable date to fly to Crete Chania Airport at present is April 22.
Fancy a trip to this lesser-known city in Crete? Let us know in the comments below....
Elder Metropolitan Demetrios of Princes&#8217; Islands received Archbishop Eugenios of Crete on Friday
extending a warm welcome to the distinguished guests
Accompanying Archbishop Eugenios were Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos
and devoted believers from Rethymno and Heraklion
the Metropolitan of Princes&#8217; Islands extended his heartfelt wishes to the new Archbishop of Crete
offering words of encouragement and strength in his roles as the Shepherd of Heraklion and President of the Provincial Synod of Crete
He also extended congratulations to the new Hierarch of the island of Crete
Archbishop Eugenios expressed gratitude to Elder Metropolitan Demetrios for the gracious reception extended to him and his esteemed entourage
Elder Metropolitan Demetrios warmly welcomed the believers
Archbishop Demetrios accompanied Archbishop Eugenios and his esteemed entourage to the Church of St
All official European Union website addresses are in the europa.eu domain
Average temperatures across Europe are rising faster than the global average
and Europe&#x27;s cities are feeling the impacts of climate change more regularly and more severely
With the summer of 2023 breaking temperature records
the case for investing in societal resilience to climate change has never been clearer
The Museum of Ancient Eleutherna near Rethymno
Crete celebrated its 8th anniversary with the inauguration of an exhibition on Pablo Picasso that included Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou
the former queen of Spain Sophia and her sister Irene
the Museum hosts the exhibition “Picasso on Crete: Joy of Life”
curated by the excavator of Eleutherna and currently Director of the Acropolis Museum
They were joined by the general director of the Vatican Museums Barbara Jatta
the prime minister’s wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis
composer Stavros Xarhakos and singer Giorgos Dalaras
who performed for the guests that came from Greece and abroad
which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary since excavations began
the works by Picasso were linked to the Museum’s permanent artifacts to celebrate the depiction of the joy of life
Picasso had developed a special relationship with Greece’s light
and led him to abandon the distorted images influenced by World War II to incorporate figures of Greek mythology in his art
The president cited art critic Frank Elgar
who had described Picasso as “more Greek than the Greeks”
and created works that converse with one another continuously in the present moment
who is responsible for creating the Archaeological Park of Eleutherna and the Museum
said that Paloma Picasso and he selected those pieces of her father’s work where nature
animals and the Mediterranean light danced in harmony with the ancient Greek myths
“We chose the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna as a site for the exhibition
within a magical archaeological space where the ancient breeze still blows and whispers secrets of the joy of life,” he said
Paloma Picasso said the exhibit’s purpose is tho share the directness that was characteristic of Picasso
and said the 62 works by his hands converse with 24 themes from the Museum
proving the deep influence that Greek mythology and antiquity had on her father
She also said the exhibition was dedicated to and honored her late brother Claude (who died in 2023)
and hoped to convey that sense of joy and inspiration that both exprienced as children growing up in a world of imagination and reality that were linked
felt very strongly about Crete and the Aegean
where he asked that his ashes be scattered
A book related to the exhibition and to family life with Picasso is dedicated to him
Paloma Picasso will be signing copies of the book for visitors to the Museum of Ancient Eleutherna
After an overnight battle with a large wildfire on a craggy hillside in Rethymno
firefighters were able to bring the blaze under relative control by Wednesday morning
First light also allowed water-dumping aircraft to take to the skies and help ground crews deal with the remaining pockets of the blaze
on Tuesday night on the outskirts of the Municipality of Agios Vasileios
some 150 firefighters have been dispatched to the location from all over the island
as the blaze is burning near farms and may
The municipal authority and residents also threw themselves into the battle to contain the blaze
A village on the Greek island of Crete has been evacuated and others prepare as hundreds of firefighters combated a large wildfire late Wednesday
According to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/greece-wildfire-crete-evacuation-rethymno-b1c633443d1ae9a33a35f182fe2f0fb4#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Associated Press</a>
the fire forced authorities to evacuate the village as more than 200 firefighters were battling the flames in the Rethymno district of western Crete
The fire service said 222 firefighters were on task including 32 flown in from other parts of Greece
There were no immediate reports of damages or injuries but the village of Agia Paraskevi was evacuated as a precaution
Three neighbouring villages were also warned to be prepared to leave if needed
Kathimerini reported that a total of 29 wildfires broke out
Wednesday across agroforest land in Greece, and that the fire in Rethymno expanded to <a href="https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/environment/1245772/greece-faces-29-wildfires-on-wednesday-rethymno-blaze-persists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">three fronts</a>
Most fires across Greece have been extinguished within hours with more investment and precaution this year
was unanimously elected the new Metropolitan of Rethymno
who a few days ago had spoken in flattering words about the current Bishop of Knossos
was the one who announced Bishop Prodromos&#8217;s election to the Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos
immediately after the announcement of the election
all the hierarchs were transferred to the building of the Archdiocese of Crete
where the new Metropolitan will give the Mikro Minima before the Holy Eparchial Synod and then they will go again to the Holy Temple of Agios Minas to give the Mega Minima
the hierarchs had been transferred from the Archdiocese building to the Holy Metropolitan Church of Agios Minas for the three-person (triprosopo) voting process and then for the election of the new Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos
the Holy Eparchial Synod met after the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Crete
Kamanjit Singh arrived on the island of Crete from India 12 years ago to work
He remains on the island to this day and is one of about 1,000 members of the Indian community that has been established in two communities of the Rethymno region
Six hundred live in the Hamalevri and Stavromenos communities and 400 in Rethymno
“They came here [from the Punjab in northwest India] because Creta Farm was looking for employees
but also because there is a lot of arable land
We embraced them from the beginning,” says community leader Dimitris Serlis
30 of the 180 students belong to the Indian community
one of the prominent students that took part in the March 25 national parade was Bubhinder Singh
 Between flowering courtyards and azure seas
these graceful hotels transform traditions into unforgettable sojourns
Traditional customs blend with warm hospitality
scents and flavors that linger in travelers&rsquo; memories
Easter reveals its true character: genuine
rich in tradition and exceptional hospitality
every detail is thoughtfully designed to capture Easter&rsquo;s authentic Greek spirit while providing outstanding hospitality and amenities
From decorated courtyards and festive tables featuring Cretan delicacies to family activities and evenings by the sea
Easter at Grecotel&rsquo;s Cretan properties offers a deeply meaningful experience of island hospitality
Rethymno &ndash; a genuine paradise for guests of all ages
and focus on wellbeing make a stay at Amirandes a multifaceted pleasure
surrounded by original Pablo Picasso ceramics
and exceptional cuisine from talented chefs create a memorable experience
<a href="http://Amirandes.com">Amirandes.com</a>
Next is <a href="https://www.grecotel.com/caramel/">Caramel</a>
a boutique luxury resort with aristocratic atmosphere and retro appeal that charms guests instantly
the hotel offers exceptional privacy and uninterrupted sea views
creating an environment that captures the essence of a perfect retreat
Holy Week at Caramel is infused with light and sea breezes
Festive tables feature rich dishes from traditional Cretan Easter recipes
Every resort detail has been carefully selected: from handmade tiles and distinctive furniture to quality fabrics and thoughtful d&eacute;cor
everything contributes to an atmosphere of warmth
<a href="http://Caramel.com">Caramel.com</a>
At <a href="https://www.grecotel.com/luxme-whitepalace/">White</a>
guests discover a complete sensory experience where tranquility meets luxurious comfort right at the water&rsquo;s edge
the hotel transforms into a haven of warmth
The blooming gardens overlooking the Cretan Sea make an immediate impression
while the white architectural design complements the natural landscape
This sets the stage for your Easter experience
Mornings begin with sunlight filtering through light curtains
while breakfast on your private balcony offers flavorful dishes and freshly brewed coffee
Children enjoy creative games and activities while adults relax at the <a href="https://www.grecotel.com/luxme-whitepalace/luxury-spa-hotel/">Hippie Spa</a>
traditions come alive through regional specialties
The day concludes against the backdrop of an Aegean sunset
<a href="http://luxmewhite.com">luxmewhite.com</a>
<a href="https://www.cretapalace.com/">Creta Palace</a> exemplifies genuine Cretan hospitality
In this family-friendly paradise in Rethymno
with pathways winding through flowering gardens and areas reminiscent of traditional Cretan villages
welcomes visitors to an experience where luxury and tradition exist in perfect balance
and exceptional cuisine enhance this special experience
Located on a beautiful sandy beach just minutes from Rethymno
Creta Palace combines authentic hospitality with understated luxury
creating an ideal setting for an Easter escape
Bungalows designed to reflect traditional architecture are scattered throughout flowering gardens and courtyards
Young guests enjoy unforgettable experiences through creative activities
while adults relax at the spa or savor meals showcasing Cretan gastronomy
<a href="https://www.cretapalace.com">cretapalace.com</a>
A true family oasis awaits at <a href="https://www.grecotel.com/marine-palace/">Marine Palace &amp; Aqua Park</a>. Designed to resemble a traditional Cretan village with stone pathways and flower-filled courtyards, it features a themed water paradise &ndash; the <a href="https://www.grecotel.com/marine-palace/aqua-park-water-slides/">Aqua Park Kingdom of Poseidon</a> &ndash; complete with water slides
adults can unwind at the spa with treatments inspired by Ancient Greece or enjoy peaceful dining
Easter here is a genuine family celebration
naturally featuring festive tables with Cretan specialties
whether family rooms or beachfront maisonettes
offering the perfect place to rest after a day of activities
<a href="http://Marine-palace.com">Marine-palace.com</a>
This year&rsquo;s Easter in Crete promises to be distinctive
Traditions are honored authentically and hospitality flows generously
all with Grecotel&rsquo;s signature touch of excellence
In the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic
Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and conducted the Great Blessing of the Waters at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple in Rethymno on the morning of Saturday
marking the momentous occasion of the Epiphany
Metropolitan Prodromos extended a warm welcome to the President of the Hellenic Republic
acknowledging her inaugural visit to Rethymno on the island of Crete
He shared a heartfelt wish for all present to embrace the guiding light of Christ amidst the encroaching darkness
emphasizing the illuminating influence of Christ’s Light on our decisions and actions
the Metropolitan stressed the significance of the year 2024 for the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos
commemorating 200 years since the martyrdom of the Holy Four New Martyrs
He then invited the President of the Hellenic Republic to attend the concluding events scheduled later this year and presented her with the Holy Icon of the Holy Four New Martyrs as a token of appreciation
Following the Divine Liturgy and the sacred ritual of the Great Blessing of the Waters
a procession took place toward the Venetian Port of the city of Rethymno
amidst the presence of hundreds of devoted believers
the ceremony of diving for the Cross was conducted
Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
Metropolitan Eugenios of Rethymno is the new Archbishop of Crete
The decision was made by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that met today in the Phanar
The Metropolitan was elected among the Triprosopo which was initially formed by the Eparchial Synod of Crete for the election of the new Archbishop
The Triprosopo consisted of the Metropolitans Eugenios of Rethymno
The election of the new Archbishop of Crete took place after the dismissal of Archbishop Eirinaios from his duties by the Ecumenical Patriarchate
the Synod of Crete had unanimously decided to dismiss the Archbishop of Crete Eirinaios from his duties
after taking into account the affidavits of three doctors-University Professors
for the chronic health problems of Archbishop Eirinaios
According to the announcement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate the newly-elected Archbishop is expected in the Phanar to read the Announcement of his election (Mikro Minima) and the Formal Election Announcement (Mega Minima)
before leaving for the Phanar met the former Archbishop of Crete
As reported by <a href="https://www.cretalive.gr/eida-akoysa/o-neos-arhiepiskopos-kritis-kai-i-eylogia-toy-eirinaioy?fbclid=IwAR2AgtEOZsgMl3E84oI500CGOdz5bcr_Z7g5IG0hCvd6BX6VJwSgZlGpMAs">cretalive.gr</a>
and Archbishop Eugenios received the blessing of his predecessor
It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.