Unplugging from our phones, tablets, laptops and other devices can have significant benefits on the mind and body, helping us de-stress and truly unwind. Holidays provide the perfect opportunity to detox from technology and enjoy a week or two away from emails, SMSs, social media and more.
The great walls that surround the ancient city of Lugo in Galicia, North-West Spain are widely considered to be the best-preserved Roman walls, not just in Spain, or Europe for that matter, but in the world!
It’s safe to say that many of the other Greek islands receive much more attention than little Paxos, which is only seven miles long. But its dramatic craggy coastline to the west and unspoilt villages along the east coast are just as inviting as the landscapes of many of the better-known Greek islands.
Puig d’Es Mila is a beautiful country villa that’s nestled amongst the emerald hills that slope below the San Salvador monastery near the bustling town of Felanitx on Mallorca. This sprawling and characterful rural abode has five bedrooms, six bathrooms and can sleep up to ten guests in comfort.
It is now even easier to enjoy the delights of Brittany this summer. If you live within range of Manchester Airport, thanks to FlyBe both Rennes and Nantes can now be reached by direct flights. This is ideal if you are thinking about a quick city break, or even a full family holiday. Flight times are only two hours, every Saturday from late May to the end of September 2016 for Rennes, and all year for Nantes, and up to seven flights a week each way in peak times.
Nissaki means ‘Little Island’ and several hundred years ago the town of Nissaki on Corfu was exactly that, a little island. The local people worked, shaping stones and local rocks transported by boat to the island. The stones were mainly used for building work. Eventually the chippings, over many years formed the beginnings of a causeway to the mainland of Corfu.
Epiphany is celebrated around the world, but in Spain it takes on somewhat more importance. Although Santa Claus has made recent inroads, the ‘Three Kings Day’ has been a part of Spanish culture, celebrated since the end of the 2nd century, in one form or another. On January 6th the Spanish celebrate the visit of the Kings to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, as well as Jesus being baptised by St John the Baptist, in the River Jordan.
Sat at the zenith of a verdant hillside above the steep gorge of the River Barbate slightly inland from the beautiful shores of the Costa de la Luz – the Coast of Light -, the whitewashed town of Vejer de la Frontera is a sight to behold, before you even reach it.
It’s that time of year again, when many sun-drenched destinations throughout Europe gear up for a heady festival of music and laughter in the sun. Such revelries can certainly be found on the island of Mallorca.
If you are currently on one of the splendid Islands within Greece, you will probably be enjoying a wonderful holiday, with glorious weather, eating fabulous food and engaging in chatter with the locals. Okay, some of the chatter may revolve around the current Greek situation but the main chatter will be fun, humorous, courteous and welcoming – just like the Greeks have always been.
Yes, Greece has its financial issues but to be honest it is not very evident on the Islands and life is very different to what it is in the capital. The islanders are a very self-sufficient, determined people.
For those of you who have a holiday booked to Greece and are yet to travel, you may be a little concerned but I can honestly say that all you should be concerned about is not missing your flight to get to your chosen Greek destination! As when you get there you will have the most fabulous holiday and you will clearly see that life goes on as normal.
There is food in the supermarkets, fuel in the pumps, wine in the fridge and yes money in the cash machines, some of them did run dry on Sunday evening of the 28th June (the cash machines not the banks) but only because of the demand – and these have now been refilled. Yes there is a €60 per day withdrawal limit but this is only applicable to holders of Greek bank accounts, if you are making a withdrawal with your UK bank card you can withdraw cash up to your usual limits.
So, do take your bank cards with you but also take more cash than you would normally. Credit cards are accepted as a form of payment but not all establishments accept cards – this is nothing new, those establishments that do not accept cards have probably never accepted them at all! And I wouldn’t dig out your old Drachmas just yet –if Greece did default (or come out of the Euro) it will be at least 18 months before they had a new currency.
For those of you reading this that have not booked a holiday, book Greece NOW – it is a wonderful destination its people are charming and hospitable, always pleased to stop for a chat or just pass the time of day. When you’re there your money will go a long way and you will be very pleasantly surprised on how reasonably priced the restaurants are, but make sure you give the waiter a good tip – they truly deserve it.
Spread the word, ‘like’ this, ‘share‘ this, ‘re-tweet’ this and support the Greeks.
Steve Eccles
Vintage Travel
Below is a letter from the Greek Ministry of Tourism
PRESS RELEASE 29/06/2015
Τhe Ministry for Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism would like to inform visitors to Greece that capital controls introduced by the Greek Government do not apply to those wishing to withdraw money from an ATM or carry out any other type of transaction using credit or debit cards issued abroad.
Moreover, the Ministry does not expect any inconvenience in visitor’s every day holiday experience, neither in the islands nor in mainland Greece, as there are adequate fuel supplies, products and services.
Greece continues to offer the highest quality of tourism services to its visitors, who have ranked Greece as one of the best destinations worldwide.
The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Mrs Elena Kountoura, said that Greece still is and will always be a favourite destination for holidaymakers. Visitors currently in Greece as well as people planning to visit Greece will not be affected by the latest developments and they can continue to enjoy their holidays in Greece without any problems whatsoever.
