HERAKLION SUMMER 2010 FESTIVAL

Dear friends of Beeinnet,

As the summer is here, the city of Heraklion, is pereparing a wide range of cultural events.

Find the message of the mayor of the city following concerning the Festival :

"Welcome to the 2010 Heraklion Summer Arts Festival, and to one of the


best established cultural institutions run by our Municipality, which has

been held every summer for the past 32 years.

Through the plays, music, dance and open air cinema shows on offer in this

year’s programme, held in the historic, highly attractive venues around the

Venetian Walls, we aim to offer enjoyment and optimism in the tough times

we are currently experiencing.

In addition to the performances in the main festival, we have arranged various

other events in all the neighbourhoods in the central and outlying municipal

wards, to which admission is free.

In doing so, we attain one of our fundamental goals, which is to support and

showcase local groups of artists via the programme.

At the same time, we have included events that promote our tradition and

hand on the lasting values in our culture to younger people.

We firmly believe that contact with cultural values is a fundamental need for

all citizens, which the state and the Town Hall have an obligation to meet on

their own. Despite the tough financial climate now prevailing, the Municipality

of Heraklion is doing everything in its power to cater for that need.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, healthy and optimistic

time this summer."
 
You can find some of the evnets in our site http://www.beeinnet.com/

ANOTHER BEEINNET SUGGESTION

As we try to give you the best of everything here in the Beeinnet Travel Blog, here is another suggestion to have a wonderful time in Crete.

Just a few minutes off Heraklion in the village of Gouves, the most successful nightlife team in heraklion opened the beach bar/restaurant Isla.

Although the sea in the specific spot is not the best compared to other secluded spots in Crete, the whole feel is more than great. You will find excellent wooden sunbeds with matresses, umbrellas, a 5*+ service on the beach. The waiters will try to help whatever your requirement might be.
You can have coffee, drinks or a light lunch on your sunbed.

The restaurant for lunch is excellent also. Not to mention dinner where you can dine on the deck by the sea...

The plates are executed very nicely most of the times. The meat used is of very good quality! It is not very often to find waiters that know how to service you and isla is one of these places that will remind you a micelin restaurant by the sea, in a quite affordable price.

A BEEINNET BLOG SUGGESTION

As holidays, especially in the summer are not only about lodging and hotels, and Villas etc. It is also about good food, nice wine, tasting local specialties, relaxing under the stars by the sea...

We thought to suggest one of the places we prefer to spend our nights, eating out.

This is the Olive & Mint Restaurant in Skalani. Skalani is a little village just outside Heraklion, it is very close to the city, it was actually planned to host the office of the prefecture. Just 5 min. drive off the city center you will be able to experience the narrow streets of a little cretan village, people sitting on their porch...
It is very easy to find Olive&mint as there are signs everywhere, plus you can ask the locals to guide you.

Argyro the lady owner of Olive&Mint is a really talented chef, a multi winner of the greek gourmet awards. The restaurant, her pride and joy is really a temple of good fooding.

The backgound of Argyro is local, so the basis of her recipes is the local traditional cretan cuisine, however, understanding that the modern Cretan needs a refinement in taste she has made minor inspirational alterations in traditional plates so they will easily fuse the needs of a foreigner or a younger person, without insulting nor the taste nor tradition.
By visitng Argyro you will have a clear and full idea of what the Cretan cuisine is all about. In the experience you can add one of the selected Cretan wines of the restaurant or a specially selected wine from Chile (I admit my personal favourite...) or a red full wine from northern Greece or even France...

Argyro and her daughter will make the extra mile to satisfy your needs and make you enjoy your dinner there.

During your visit please mention Beeinnet to Argyro to enjoy a privileged treatment.

A BOOK FOR UNDER THE SUN

VICTORIA HISLOP - "THE ISLAND"

This Book that got excellent critique from The Times and other Book reviews will accmpany your holidays in Crete and imagine reading it somewhere in Elounda, having a great view of Spinalonga that is all about this book.
Also there is a TV series shoot about this Book for the Greek TV these days and who knows you might bump into the crew or the actors and have a chat about the book and how the are going to turn it into a mini TV series.

Beware of Rumours About Greece

Dear Friends of Beeinnet,

In the last few days we have observed a certain behaviour in some internet forums regarding Greece.
Some forum authors are constantly trying to disseminate rumours that Greece is unsafe, that there are violent rioting that might endanger ths safety of visitors.
Let us put things straight here.
There are no special traveling advises from governments like USA or UK that advise their citizens to avoid Greece.
Greece despite the financial problems that escalated recently, is a democratic, constitutional country with deep respect to the tourist that decides to visit Greece.
It is true that there are protests outside the parliament but they rarely go out of hand and never these protests endangered the life of any of the thousands of tourists that are visiting Athens.
One other factor, in the islands like Crete the protests are almost non existent, there is peace and quiet and no one is going to harm a tourist that is in the area to have decent fun, enjoy the sun and the sea and relax. Greece like any other country has laws that must be obeyed by everybody like we do at home but that's understandable I think...Therefore anyone who expects to go out of hand in Greece and get away with it is far from it.

Greece is in the EU, and a coup or an airport occupation (even for protesting reasons) is far from truth and not a possibility.

Persons or services disseminating these rumours together with some bogus state department reports are those who profit to damage greek tourism, especially now.

Crete is a beautiful island, worth to discover. People in the villages are polite, hospitable, beaches are clean and magical, food is healthy and tasty, plus that prices are competitive and worth the investment...

If you plan your holidays in Greece come and you will have a great time. It is more than certain you will come back again and again...

A NEW SERVICE FROM BEEINNET - FERRY TICKETS!!!!

We are always thinking of ways how to facilitate the holidays of the Beeinnet friends.

Thinking how to make their life during holidays a lot easier, we have established a cooperation with major Greek Ferries shipping companies. Superfast ferries and Seajets.
Now any beeinnet visitor will be able to issue ONLINE his/hers ferry ticket and travel to the Greek islands, easily, cheap, and -above all- hassle free...

WHY NOT ENJOY THE WOLRD CUP IN CRETE?

The World Cup is about to start in a few days. Do you have tickets and arrangements for South Africa? No? You are right, too far away, and the prices these days....sky rocketing.
Then we have another suggestion for you. You might not be able to smell the sweat of the players, yet you can enjoy few days or relaxation without taking another mortgage.

You can visit a hotel in Crete, in Greece. These days, due to the economic crisis, Greece is an ideal destination. Prices are falling as all local businesses are desperately looking for money. Hotel deals are on their best, qulaity of sun, and sea is exceptional.

Plus all hoteliers are well equiped with large screens, where you can enjoy the football matches together with free drinks, beers local finger food...

Is there anything better, than having a great time with less money? Plus not to miss the World Cup?