Greek natural cosmetics have earned wide appeal on the international market and are currently in high demand.

The history of natural cosmetics goes way back into the gorges of time to all the great civilizations. The Ancient Greeks used to make cosmetics with balsam, myrrh, common lime leaves, and iris.

They would also dye their hair with sage leaves and myrtle fruit, and spread oilon their bodies. Thousands of years later, it has now become a trend to use natural cosmetics and healthy beauty methods. The secrets of Natural health and beauty exist in a wide range of products that are commonly found in the stores we shop in daily. But did you know you can make some of them on your own too?

Visit here for Natural Greek Cosmetic Recipes

Image Courtesy of The Daven Blog

Someone recently asked me what does happiness mean to me?  I thought for a while and came up with many potential answers, but in the final analysis I responded, “taking a Greek Island Trip”.  The Greek Islands are magical and most dream about getting there when it is time to retire.  But why wait until then?  What if retirement never comes?  The Greek Islands are waiting for you today and what makes it even more tempting is that the prices are right, the weather is getting better by the day and before you know it it will be April and time to swim!

The Greek Islands are diverse, from the dry and baron like Folegandros to the green and lush like Skiathos.  Or if you prefer a different pace try the Ionian Sea which lies in between Greece and Italy,  and explore the magical island of Zakinthos, pictured here.  Another favorite island of mine is Corfu with its deep and rich history featuring a tremendous Venetian influence offering a culinary delight at every turn.    In addition Corfu offers spectacular beaches, a vibrant town  and a vibe to rival any of the other Greek Islands.

What ever your Island of choice you will not be disappointed with the infamous Greek Filoxenia which will greet you in all corners of Greece. Life is short and the time is now to live.  A good resource to begin planning your Greek Island Trip can be found here.

Can you think of a better place to honeymoon than the Greek Islands?  Perfect Climate with no rain in the summer, no humidity and barely a cloud to see.  The rates have gotten cheaper, the US dollar has gotten Stronger and the folks on the Greek Island await to give you the best service of your life.

There are dozens of Greek Islands to choose from ranging from the Cosmopolitan Mykonos with great nightlife and beaches, to the fast moving Rhodes with tons of things to do including a world class casino.  The Greek Islands are easy to reach by either a quick domestic flight or high speed luxury ferry boat service.

One of my favorite places to visit is the city of Chania on the Greek Island of Crete.  Chania with over 350km of coastline and more than 80 beaches – most of which awarded with a blue flag, hosts some of the most beautiful exotic beaches in all of Greece.  A great day trip while in Chania is Elafoniss which is only 80km southwest of the city.  Elafoniss appears to be an Island but is an oblong peninsula which is connected to the mainland of Crete, featuring a shallow underwater passage where the surrounded lagoon is no deeper than 1m.

A great source of Honeymoon Ideas can be found on a website featuring Greek Island honeymoons.  Visit the Greek Honeymoon website here.

The Cyclades are best known for their beaches and whitewashed towns.  The most famous of all is the cliff top town of Fira on Santorini.  There are 56 islands in the group with only 24 inhabited some tiny and docile like Folegandros, and others like Mykonos, Paros and Ios pulsate with nightlife till dawn.  Most of the islands are arid and rocky, with the exception of wooded Andros, Kea and Naxos.   So how to visit more than just a few Greek Islands, during your Greek Island Hop?  The most efficient and economic solution is to sail the Greek Islands.  If you do not have access to a sail boat do not fret since the Greek Island Ferry Boat System is a great alternative.

Visit Greece, just published an article on sailing the Greek Islands of the Cyclades and here are some tips:

Greek Island Sailing Tips:

-The lunar landscape at Sarakiniko on Milos Island
-The leeward harbor of Faros on Sifnos Island
-Windsurfing and waterskiing at Pounda beach on Paros Island
-The crazy nightlife of Mykonos Island
-The safest dock of Syros Island is Foinikas
-The “Old Lady’s Leap”beach on Andros Island
-The monastery of “Panagia Chozoviotissa” on Amorgos Island, visible only by the sea
-The traditional pigeon-houses on Tinos Island
-The relaxed atmosphere of Antiparos Island
-The golden beaches and the crystal blue waters of Ios Island
-The small scenic harbors and coves accessible by boat only on Kimolos
-The golden cave on Folegandros Island

Visit Here to Learn about the Greek Island Cyclades

Today I came across a great new website for Greek Wine Enthusiasts called Grape Rover published by Cornelius Wesseling.  Cornelius a true wine aficionado and cook, has worked his way traveling around the world for many years as a cook in various degrees. His interest for wine he developed during cooking at, and visits to, various wineries in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

He has a great fondness for the Greek Islands and during the first six months of 2012, and again during the early spring 2013,  Cornelius was/is on the move to most of the Greek wine regions, meeting winemakers, tasting their wines and gathering extensive information on Greek wines in general and, more specific, the numerous indigenous Greek grape varieties.  He has also developed some Greek Island wine applications that are free to download.

For more information on Greek wines and wine making in Greece Visit our previous post

According to Stella Tsolakidou from the Greek Reporter, the best part of Christmas is the anxiously expected Christmas table where Greeks gather with friends and family to enjoy traditional recipes passed on from generation to generation.

The basic Christmas menu differs from region to region across the country with local delicacies being praised from Christmas Eve to Christmas day.

Five Greek Christmas Recipe Ideas

1. Avgolemono (Egg-Lemon Chicken Soup)

2. Pork, Fennel and Leek ragout (hirino me prasa)

3. Melomakarona

4. Kourabiedes (Kourabiethes)

5. Loukoumades (Loukoumathes)

Click here for the Greek Recipes

Image Credit; Greeks Know how to Party

According the Up Greek Tourism team a new project is in the works for the promotion of Greece and her Islands.  “Following the success of our New York and Washington campaigns which was only possible thanks to all your generous support and contributions of the Greek Diaspora, Up Greek Tourism is preparing to land in London’s Piccadilly Circus!”

Currently there is a fundraising campaign going on to finance the new billboard to be featured in London’s most famous circles.   Piccadilly Circus is surrounded by several major tourist attractions, including the Shaftesbury Memorial, Criterion Theatre, London Pavilion and several major retail stores. Numerous nightclubs and bars are located in the area and neighboring Soho, including the former Chinawhite club.

Surely this will be the perfect location to help promote Greece and The Greek Islands this winter.  To contribute to the Up Greek Tourism Fundraising campaign, please visit this link on Loud Sauce to safely contribute with over 7,000 p0unds have been contributed at the time of this post.

Target: £12,000 or more

Media: outdoor campaign on one of Piccadilly Circus’ famous billboards

Plan: funding period throughout December and advertising campaign in February 2013

The creative message will remind London residents about the beauties of Greece as a holiday destination and ask them to visit Greece this summer.

up Greek Tourism More info here 

Like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UPGreekTourism

Greek Island Hopping is fun and exciting once the trip is planned and you are in a plane about to take off, but it can not be so fun when it comes to planning your trip. It is always recommended to consult with a travel professional with a vast expertise of the Greek Islands. Most travel agents do not have the knowledge or the resources to properly plan your Greek Island Hop so do your homework before starting to do business with one.

Yes it can be exciting to play travel agent but when things go wrong who do you turn to?  In addition travel sites such a Orbitz or Expedia can seem like they are offering a great deal, but good old fashioned one on one human interaction goes a long way should problems arise.    A good starting point can be The Greek Tourism Board for a Greek Travel Agent.   I have added a page of links that can get you pointed in the right direction. Basil Boziotis Greek Island Travel Tools

Another great resource can be found on Delos Vacations Greece page.   if you have a Greek Island Travel Resource that you like to use, please feel free to send to me so that I can post on my Greek Island Blog.

Greece and its Greek Islands are having a tough time these days and tourism which is one of the main driving fores for Greece is in a funk.  Yes typically a big money advertising campaign can solve the problem, but Greece like many countries is out of money.  Thus the best solution is a Grass Roots Campaign via Social Media Networks to get the word out on what an amazing Travel Destination the Greek Islands are.  Time and Time again I have heard how Greece is on ones “bucket list” and that “one day” they would like to Visit Greece.  Well folks the time is now to Visit Greece.  Prices are falling for Airfare, Ferry Tickets and Hotels.  The Islanders and ready and willing to be your host, so why wait?

Basil Boziotis visiting Akrotiri Santorini

In the recent past private citizens have taken matters into their own hands when it came to getting the word out on the Greek Islands.  The Up Greek Tourism Campaign was one notable example that made a huge difference.   Below are a few recent Greek Island Blog Stories.

Up Greek Tourism Campaign Promotes Greece

Up Greek Tourism Time Squares Billboard

Greek Islands going on Sale

Contact Basil Boziotis to discuss your Greek Island Hotel or Island Business, he would like to help get the word out and help you promote Greece!  Click here to contact Basil Boziotis

Thank you,
Basil Boziotis

The Premier Greek Film Festival is the annual event taking place in Greece’s wonderful northern city of Thessaloniki.  In November, Thessaloniki, Greece otherwise known as the  arts city – becomes the center of international film making.  Both Greek and foreign film artists arrive  to compete.

 
The festival was established in 1960; it has since then remained in the center of the Greek film production and has provided the means for promoting great film producers according to Visit Greece.  The best news is that University students, the unemployed and persons over the age of 65 are entitled to free admission– provided there are seats available – to all screenings starting before 15:00. A valid student pass / unemployment card / ID must be presented.

For more Information of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival Screenings visit here