Crete Among Top 5 Travel Spots for Best Mix of Culture, Relaxation and Fun Issue no. 65 Vol. 7 March 2019
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One dead, bridges collapsed, landslides all over Chania, major infrastructure destroyed!
“Oceanis� storm caused major
closed to traffic due to restodamage in the infrastructure ration works and opened again of Chania. Platanias bridge col- just one day before collapsing. lapsed during the night! Major Also, part of the bridge in Platadamage occurred in the Vene- nias collapsed. Four other bridges collapsed in tian Harbor of Chania. The total cost of the damage the Municipality of Platanias. reaches 100 mil. euros! Torrential rainfalls hit the island TRAGIC END of Crete. Crete remained at the Tragic end in the search and focus of the bad weather front striking the island for two consecutive days. Part of the historical Keritis bridge over Alikianos River, Platanias Municipality, collapsed, despite the efforts to strengthen its foundation the previous days. The 111-year-old bridge was
rescue operation for the missing shepherd at Embrosneros, Apokoronas, who was swept away in the river Vatoudiaris, during the storm The 60-year-old man was found dead in an area between Georgioupolis and Vrisses, 4km away from the place where firemen found his car.
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photo of the month
Venetian Port of Chania Disappears Under the Waves
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Crete Among Top 5 Travel Spots for Best Mix of Culture, Relaxation and Fun
The island of Crete is among the
by Stratos Solanakis CHANIA POST
Your local free paper by FTP Publications 73, El. Venizelou str., Chania, 73100 Tel. +30 6977 295075 Owner/Publisher: FTP Publlications Web: http://www.cretepost.gr E-mail: info@chaniapost.eu FB: http://www.facebook.com/chaniapost Twitter: @chaniapost Advertising: Chania Post, 73, El. Venizelou str., Chania Tel. +30 6977295075 http://www.ftp-publications.gr DTP: FTP Publications Find CHANIA POST at the following points: CHANIA Municipal Market, Airport, Public Bus Central Station, Old Harbour, Municipal Tourist Information Desk PLATANIAS Central Square Infokiosk, Botanical Park, Italian Factory Outlet and selected shops in Platanias KISSAMOS Gramvousa and Balos boats, Elafonissi, Falassarna KANDANOS-SELINO Paleochora Info Desk, Sougia, Kandanos SFAKIA Hora Sfakion Infokiosk, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, ANENDYK boats APOKORONAS Georgioupolis, Kavros, Vamos, Kalyves, Vrysses ...and also in more than 100 points throughout Chania Prefecture!
world’s top five holiday destinations for those seeking to get the best variety of culture, relaxation and entertainment, according to luxury travel specialist Sovereign, which has just launched an interactive tool to help users find their perfect holiday spot. The new tool breaks down the most popular vacation destinations around the world into entertainment, culture and relaxation, which cover everything from national landmarks and zoos, to museums and spas, and offers a quick way for travelers to choose their next holiday destination. “It can sometimes be difficult to agree on the perfect holiday destination when you’re not traveling alone. Everyone has their own preferences, which is why it’s helpful to be pointed towards the top destinations that really do offer something for everyone,” said Helen Adamson, Sovereign brand and commercial Director. Sovereign’s interactive tool also allows users to filter their options, highlighting the destinations offering the overall greatest holiday balance. This said, according to Sovereign in terms of greatest holiday balance, Italy’s Sardinia was named the best holiday hotspot for all types of vacationers, followed by Rome as the best choice for entertainment and culture, the Dominican Republic,
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Crete in Greece. Referring to Crete, the Sovereign report highlights the island’s offerings including tours, sights and landmarks, museums, shops, zoos and aquariums, water and amusement parks, nightlife, sports, fun & games, nature areas and parks, beaches, and spas and wellness facilities. Under “Best Balanced Breaks”, Sov-
ereign suggests a variety of options in all of the above areas on offer on Crete, including everything from adventure and beaches to culture and nightlife. “Hot, sunny, and formerly home to the labyrinth with its minotaur, after a day of sunbathing, Crete is great for local food in the tavernas and has over 180 nightlife hotspots,” Sovereign says. Completing the list of top 10 ‘best
balance’ destinations are Majorca in Spain, Cancun, Mexico, Portugal’s Algarve, Sri Lanka, and Bali in Indonesia. With over 45 years’ of experience in bespoke travel, Sovereign Luxury Travel is part of Travelopia, the world’s largest collection of specialist travel brands, and is fully ABTA, IATA and ATOL bonded. news.gtp.gr
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AIA pays agreed sum to extend airport concession by 20 years
Athens
International Airport (AIA) SA paid the full amount agreed for the extension of the Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport concession by 20 years - 1.403 billion euros, including VAT - thus concluding the process for extending the concession contract. According to estimates, the total amount that the Greek state stands to gain by extending the contract could exceed 6.0 billion euros. The net revenues for the privatisa-
tion programme comes to 1.132 billion euros, which is made up of the agreed sum of 1.115 billion euros, an additional sum of 16.676 million euros that corresponds to a 10.3 pct annual percentage adjustment calculated proportionately on a daily basis from January 1, 2019 as set out in the extension agreement between the Greek state, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) and AIA. In addition to the above sums, however, the state is also expected to benefit from the annual conces-
sion rights fee that amounts to 15 pct of AIA’s pre-tax profits (estimated at 1.1 billion euros in total), revenue from income tax in the same period amounting to 1.7 billion euros and dividend payments that could amount to an estimated 2.2 billion euros. According to HRADF, as a result of forecast increases in passenger traffic and tourism, AIA will be called upon to carry out additional investments of about 2.9 billion euros during that time, in order to gradually expand the airport’s ca-
pacity from 26 million passengers per year at present to 50 million passengers a year before the concession expires. Such investments will include extensions of the passenger terminals, new aircraft parking slots, extension of the road network and others. The further development of the airport and its activities, combined with an increase in tourism, are expected to lead to the creation of 180,000 new jobs throughout the country.
Greece’s GDP to surpass 200 bln euros in 2020, according to Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy Greece’s
GDP is expected to surpass 200 billion euros in 2020, based on the forecasts of the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy (MTFS) 2020-2023 that is to be tabled in parliament in the coming months. A circular issued by Alternate Finance Minister George Chou-
liarakis has requested all the government agencies involved (ministries, decentralised administration, supervised bodies etc) to provide specifics concerning the basic scenario of the new MTFS, which is based on the following forecasts: - GDP rising to 200.467 billion euros in 2020, from 195.924 billion
euros in 2019, with a GDP growth rate of 2.5 pct in 2019, 2.3 pct in 2020, 2.1 pct in 2021 and 1.8 pct in 2022-23. - Unemployment will continue to decline, falling to 16.6 pct in 2020 from 18.2 in 2019, and then 15.4 pct in 2021, 14.3 pct in 2022 and 13.2 pct in 2023. - Budget spending will increase to
58.113 billion euros in 2020 from 56.930 billion euros in 2019 and then remain roughly level, ranging between 58.5 and 58.8 billion euros until 2023. - Inflation will increase, with the harmonised index rising to 1.3 pct in 2020 from 1.2 pct in 2019, and then to 1.5 pct in 2021 and 1.7 pct in 2022-2023.
Helping families trace the fate of Nazi victims: Foreign Ministry presents Arolsen Archives A
one-day meeting at the Greek Foreign Ministry presented to the Greek public the long-standing efforts to document persecutions by the Nazis through international research centres, on February 27. The presentations in the English language explained the work of the International Documentation Center (IDC) and especially that of the Archives of the International Tracing Service (ITS), whose International Commission Greece is now presiding over.
The other members of the Commission included Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. ITS, renamed this year “Arolsen Archives”, holds 30 million documents on Nazi persecution. It is the most important record of inmates at Nazi concentration camps through documents seized by the Allies after WWII and kept from 1946 at a central
location in Germany. They were supplemented by documents on Displaced Persons after 1945 by the Allies. The Arolsen Archive is housed at the town of Bad Arolsen in Hesse, Germany and includes the Central Name Index, a collection of nearly 50 million index cards providing information on 17.5 million fates. The Archive helps families trace the fate of victims and focuses on three central topics: incarceration, forced labor, and the
liberated survivors. Since 2013 it has been included in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” Register. At the meeting on Wednesday (Feb. 27) at the Kranidiotis amphitheatre in the Foreign Ministry, the Greek presidency also inaugurated the exhibit “Stolen Memory” in the building and options for accessing the digitised archives electronically. Opening remarks were made by Deputy Foreign Minister Markos Bolaris.
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Travel Guide Top-10 beaches on the Greek island of Crete Crete
is widely known for its mesmerizing beaches. Many of these areas are protected under the international Natura 2000 program which was established in 1992 by the EU to protect the biodiversity of nature. Thus, always remember to respect nature when visiting these areas. Vai Beach, Sitia Located in the very eastern part of the island, Vai has the biggest palm forest in Europe. In addition to having beautiful palm trees, Vai also has a wonderful sandy beach and clear waters, making it one of the most beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean.
city of Heraklion, but like many other beautiful beaches in Crete, you need a car to get there. The beach is great for snorkeling and rock collecting.
It’s perfect for nature lovers who per hectare. want to stay in touch with the outside world too: there are shops and Lagoon of Balos, Kissamos tavernas a short walk up a hill. In the very western part of Crete the lagoon of Balos has beautiBeach of Chrissi Island, Ierapetra ful clear blue waters and amazing This small island was almost closed scenery. to the public once it was clear that The water is very shallow and the the ecosystem couldn’t handle the sand is very fine, so this beach is amount of litter tourists were leav- ideal for children. ing behind. Daily boat cruises are still orga- Korakas Beach, Rethymnon nized, but every visitor must prom- Close to the city of Rethymnon and ise to be responsible – the clear next to the village of Rodakino, this water and fresh smell of cedar are long beach is well-organized with worth it. tidy umbrellas, tavernas and even The island has the largest naturally rooms for rent, but on the other formed Lebanon cedar forest in Eu- end, it has some wild rocks and rope, which makes the beach even plenty of pebbles. more unique. The water is clear and there is lots The majority of the trees have an of room for everybody. average age of 200 years, and the density is approximately 28 trees The National Herald
Crete Island named Best Europe destination for 2019
is TUI’s top holiday destination for European travellers this year and Greece is the second country of choice after Spain, according to the holiday bookings made through the largest leisure, travel and tourism company in the world.
More holidaymakers are planning to book all-inclusive packages this summer than in previous years, according to comparison site TravelSupermarket. It said there had been a 14% increase in searches for all-inclusive holidays, which accounted for 31% of all holiday price searches on the Travelsupermaket site for summer 2019. This compares with 19% for B&B, 16% for half board, 15% self-catering, 15% room-only and 4% for full board. Out of the 30 most popular all-inclusive destinations for Britons, Benidorm (Costa Blanca) has seen
the biggest increase in all-inclusive holiday searches (+113% for this summer compared with last summer), followed by Salou, Costa Dorada (+66%), the Costa Brava in general (+66%) and Crete (+44%). Travelsupermarket said Spain was the cheapest of the most popular all-inclusive holiday destinations this year, rising from fifth place in 2018 following price drops of up to 14% on packages to Majorca and the Costa Dorada. It has replaced Bulgaria, which was the cheapest country last year for all-inclusive packages. TravelSupermarket said Turkey, which was the second most af-
fordable destination last year, had slipped into fourth place this year, after Spain, Morocco and Bulgaria. Corfu, which wasn’t in 2018’s top 10, is in fifth place this year. According to TravelSupermarket, the top 10 most affordable holiday resort areas are: 1. Costa Brava, Spain (-5% median price reduction, compared with last summer) 2. Agadir, Morocco (-14% price drop for this summer compared with last on all-inclusive package holiday prices) 3. Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain (-14%) 4. Costa Dorada, Spain (-14%)
5. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (-1.5%) 6. Turkey (Kusadasi and Bodrum and Antalya) (no year on year change) 7. Costa Blanca, Spain (-12%) 8. Corfu, Greece (-4%) 9. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain (-8%) 10. Crete, Greece (no year on year price change) TravelSupermarket said last month that its pricing data research has shown that the price of overseas package holidays from the UK this summer are as much as 36% cheaper than they were this time last year. TravelMole.com
The
Elafonissi Beach, Kissamos This beach used to be under the occupation of pirates, and it is understandable why – the view is just breathtaking and the white sand The Red Beach, Matala gives this beach an exotic look. Located in the southern part of You can choose to stay either at the the island close to Matala, the more organized or the more casual Red Beach is a great location for part of the beach, depending on free-spirited people – nudism is your preferences. completely acceptable. Close to the shore there’s a beauDitiko Beach, Lentas tiful big cave, and it’s possible to Ditiko Beach, also known as Diskos, swim quite far inside to investigate in the southern part of the island more. is an ideal place for even a longer stay, if you have your tent or hamPsaromoura Beach, Agia Pelagia mock with you. This beach is relatively close to the
Crete
All-inclusive packages are top choice of holidaying Brits this year. Crete and Corfu in top-10!
More than 30 million travellers came to Greece in 2018, central bank reports
Seitan Limania Beach, Akrotiri In the northwestern part of Crete, this beach is located at the bottom of two rocky hills, but it’s definitely worth the small hike. The water is calm and deep, and the beach even has some nice rocks to jump from. It’s very small though, so be prepared for crowds especially during the hottest tourist season. The beaches of Agios Nikolaos What’s best about the beautiful beaches of Agios Nikolaos is that they are located right in the center of the city and are easily accessible. These beaches are especially convenient for families since the local tavernas are within walking distance.
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According to an announcement, TUI vacationers from Europe this year rank Greece’ largest island Crete first in the destination list. The other top destinations are Majorca, Antalya, Rhodes and Larnaca in Cyprus. Three of the five most popular des-
tinations for Germans are found in Greece: Crete, Rhodes and Kos. Other most popular holiday regions include Majorca and Antalya. Greece is also very popular among Northern Europeans. For Norwegians, Swedes, Danes
and Finns, Greece is even the number one holiday destination… The same is the case for Austrians, who have a particular preference for Crete and Rhodes, with both destinations ranking 1st and 2nd in the Austrian top five.
number of people that travelled to Greece in 2018 rose to 30.12 million, reflecting a 10.8 pct increase in inbound traveller flows, up from 27.194 million in 2017, according to figures published by the Bank of Greece (BoG). Similarly, travel receipts presented an increase of 10.1 pct compared to 2017, rising to 16.113 billion euros. According to the BoG report, this is due to a 11.9 pct increase in travel receipts originating from the European Union, which came to 11.034 billion euros for 2018; and an increase, by 7.3 pct, in travel receipts from non-EU residents, which came to 4.662 billion euros. Regarding the tourists’ countries of origin, the the central bank figures showed that 21.398 million travellers came from the EU28, or
15.1 pct more than in 2017; while 8.725 million travellers to Greece were from non-EU countries, increasing marginally by 1.3 pct in comparison with 2017. Visitors from the euro area rose by 15.9 pct compared with 2017, and by 14.2 pct from EU coun-
tries not in the euro area. Specifically, the number of visitors from Germany increased by 18.2 pct to 4.381 million, as did the number of visitors from France, by 7.3 pct to 1.524 million. The number of visitors from the
United Kingdom decreased by 2.0 pct to 2.943 million. Finally, turning to non-EU28 countries, the number of visitors from Russia fell by 11.6 pct to 520 thousand, whereas the number of visitors from the United States rose by 26.9 pct to 1.097 million.
Crete: A rising destination for Americans The
island of Crete participated in the New York Times Travel Show for the second year in a row boosting its presence in the US market. The show was organized from 25 to 27 January 2019 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, New York. Local authorities from the Region of Crete have turned their attention on the lucrative US market,
targeting the American public in an effort to boost visits. The New York Times Travel Show is the longest-running trade show for tourism in North America aimed at both professionals in the field and consumers. This year, Greece was a silver sponsor and its pavilion, which was more impressive and larger than last year, was situated at the front part of the expo centre, thus offer-
ing higher exposure and more visits by the visitors and tourism professionals. The pavilion of the Region of Crete was at the centre of the stage and became the focus of interest by visitors, the media and tourist agents. Diplomatic officials and representatives of the Greek community also stopped by and talked with the staff at the Cretan pavilion. All of the visitors were treated by
the amazing display of a Cretan dance group that presented traditional dances. According to the Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), Greta Kamaterou, Greece has exceeded 1,200,000 visitors from America and Crete is a rising destination for visitors, as it can offer exceptional gastronomy and unique adventures. Tornos News
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Rethymno Carnival 2019... The party of your lifetime!
Arab group buys rusks industry Kriton Artos Dubai-based
Switz Group is the new owner of Athens-listed rusk manufacturer Kriton Artos. According to a bourse filing by the Cretan company, Switz Group Europe Ltd directly and indirectly possesses 3,222,351 common shares representing a 60.55 percent stake in Kriton Artos. Company sources add that it is likely the United Arab Emir-
ates-headquartered group, which is active in the baking industry, will raise its stake to 80 percent fairly soon. Switz Group is controlled by the Khorakiwala family, which began its activity with a bakery in Saudi Arabia in 1980. It now boasts an annual turnover of more than 250 million euros and employs 4,500 people in nine
countries (Turkey, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines). The group’s growth strategy is based on the ac quisition of small and medium-sized enterprises active in the bakery industry, bread retail, the production and distribution of bakery materials and the production and processing of eggs.
Kriton Artos was founded in 2004 with the acquisition of an old family-based company that made traditional Cretan bread products. In 2017 it had a turnover of 5.9 million euros and net profits of 326,000 euros. In June 2018 its obligations reached 3.03 million euros. eKathimerini.com
12.3 pct rise in passenger numbers for Greek peripheral airports. “Daskalogiannis” airport on top! The number of passengers trav-
International passengers recorded elling to peripheral airports in a rise of 23.6 pct compared to the Greece on Janurary was up by same period last year, with Thessaa 12,3 pct compared to Janu- loniki International airport “Maceary 2018, according to a Fraport donia” (63,585 more passengers) and Chania, Crete international airGreece announcement.
It’s
- Fix at least 1 person responsible for the safety & monitoring of infants been part of a team or on a float. - Fix at least 2 persons that will not consume any alcohol and that will be able to deal with emergencies that may occur. - Don’t leave any member of your team that is not feeling good unattended. - Make sure you consume good quality of food and drinks. - The day of the Grand Parade make sure all the members of your team have had breakfast. - Don’t forget to drink lots of water because big quantities of alcohol combined with tiredness can cause dehydration. - Check the weather forecast and make sure you’re properly dressed. - Check thoroughly the vehicle that will tow your float (tires, breaks, fluids etc) and make sure the driver is rested and sober. Have a driver of replacement available. - Beware of any source of fire you may have on the float (ex. coal). - Beware of the cigarettes so that they don’t fall on the float or on the spectators (it is recommended to have 2 ashtrays filled with sand onboard). - Beware of empty glass bottles (it is recommended to put them in a Safety Instructions for crews of bin and have them recycled). - Don’t use spray-foam. It is prohibcarnival floats: - Make sure on every float there are ited by law and it is very dangerous. 2 8 lt- powder fire extinguishers - After the end of the Parade, take and 2 heavy woolen blankets or 2 care of any team members that don’t feel well. fireproof blankets.
been one century, since a group of people from Rethymno – with optimistic mood and open heart to every pleasant challenge – decides to put some colour to the everyday life of the city, during the Carnival season. So, in 1914 the first Carnival of Rethymno was organized, bringing the original mark of the intentions of the people of Rethymno. Through the years, these intentions turned into actions that exceeded every time the expectations of their inspirers and finally turned to be an amazing event: the Carnival of Rethymno, a live organism, tending to reverse the natural route of life: the “older” it’s getting the better it is becoming! This year’s carnival subject is focused on this inversion and invites whoever deeply hopes for better days, whoever sees rainbow colors beyond grey to be part of the large, emotional and fresh Team of the Carnival of Rethymno and share, create, have fun and experience things that nobody wants to miss. We invite you to create and share this experience, having in our mind and our heart the fact that when people cooperate, every day becomes special and life itself becomes more beautiful. It is as simple as that.
- During the Grand Parade, you are kindly requested to facilitate the work of the Red Cross Volunteers and those who deal with safety matters during the Carnival. Have a Safe Carnival!
Elena Patsachaki, Kostas Moschakis, Manos Palafoytis, Rafail Manousakis, Katerina Manetaki, Nikos Markantonis.
Many years before... After nearly a century of celebrating the carnival, it is time to bid farewell and to pass on the carnival tradition to modern times. Since 1914 beautiful Renaissance Rethymnon has been celebrating the carnival with its many humoristic events. A carnival of another era leaving behind its nostalgic aroma of romantic balls and the Rethymnians through laughter and their comical antics paying their tribute to “His Excellence, The King of the Carnival.” The Treasure Hunt, an old custom dating back to when the Carnival of Rethymno began about a century ago, was the reason for the creation of ‘teams’ in 1990, which would give birth once again to this age-old tradition. In 1993, the Municipality of Rethymnon decided to help fund this popular event and requested the teams to take on the challenging task of creating and organising the Carnival of Rethymnon, which has become the most popular and famous Carnival of Crete!
ORGANIZATION: MUNICIPALITY OF RETHYMNO (Public Company of Rethymno)
The Organizing Committee of the Carnival welcomes you: Pepi Birliraki, Popi Diniakou-Kriovrisanaki,
Responsible for Sectors 2019: Manolis Alvanos, Antonis Alexakis, Christos Alexakis, Irini Andreadaki, Diamantoula Delimbasi, Natasa Dilinta, Georgia Karavostasiti, Thodoris Lelarakis, Maria Kitraki, Petros Klapsinos, Nikos Manousakis, Nikos Markantonis, Nikos Michalas, Giannis Nenedakis, Sofia Papadak-Kalampikana, Giorgos Pediavitakis, Michalis Petrakakis, Leonidas Piskopakis, Akis Plaitis, Ilias Satzetakis, Gianis Sidiropoulos, Nikos Skarstilakis, Michalis Starakis, Georgia Stavroulaki, Thanasis Stavoulakis, Michalis Tatarakis, Eleni Fanourgaki, Stefania Fragkiadaki, Maria Fotaki, Giorgos Hasikos, Valantis Hompis.
port “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” being higher in traveller’s choices. Fraport’s announcement also mentioned a 120.6 pct spike in traffic for Mykonos, which is largely due to the completion of works on the runway;
and a 63.4 pct surge at Kefalonia international airport “Anna Pollatou”. Finally, according to Fraport the total number of flights for January was 6,830, 14.7% higher compared to last January.
Air France to link Heraklion to French airports Air
France announced that it will continue to operate direct links between Athens and the airports of Nice, Toulouse and Marseille in France this summer, from July 20 until the end of August. The airline will also inaugurate a new direct flight between Mar-
seille and Heraklion airport in Crete. The flights from Nice will be take off twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday), those from Toulouse will fly out three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) and those from Marseille twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday).
The Irakleio-Marseille flight will be depart on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. In an announcement, the airline said that there was high demand for such medium-distance destinations during the summer months, among leisure travellers going on summer holidays, while the re-
duced traffic of passengers travelling for business allowed the airline to use its fleet for flights from regional airports. “In this way, Air France is optimising the use of its fleet and increasing capacity on its medium-stance network,” the airline announcement said.
‘Oh My Greece! Unlock the Feeling’ is Greece’s new promotional video Greece’s
new communication and promotion campaign to the markets of the world was presented on Wednesday at a special event by Marketing Greece, the company of the Greek Tourism Enterprises Union that is responsible for targeted promo-
tional actions. This year’s initiative by Marketing Greece is a video entitled “Oh My Greece! Unlock the Feeling” that features a cascade of images of the summertime in Greece and protagonists who urge travelers to live the experience of a Greek holiday.
In her address, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura thanked Marketing Greece for its long-standing collaboration, which actively supports the national tourist strategy of the tourism ministry and acts to complement the central work of the Greek National Tourism Organ-
isation (GNTO) to promote Greece’s tourist product worldwide. On her part, the managing director of Marketing Greece said that “with simple images and sounds we understand that we have every reason to say again and again “Oh My Greece!”.
University of Crete researchers develop platform for stroke response, win competition A
platform called “Time Is Brain”, developed by researchers at the Institute of Computer Science (ICS) of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), University of Crete, was awarded first prize at the first Hacking Health Hackathon (HHH) competition. The HHH competition, which took
place in Athens, fosters the development of innovative technological solutions that address health problems and their medical treatment, while the first prize winners received also a 2,000-euro cash prize. Time Is Brain is a complete platform aimed at the efficient management of acute incidents of stroke. It includes distinct applications
for paramedics and hospital teams that receive stroke patients, thus reducing the time between the first contact with a health professional and when a patient receives specialised treatment. This is particularly important, as the response time can literally save the life of stroke victims or significantly reduce their chances of developing a disability.
The FORTH team was headed by Aggelina Kouroubali, collaborating researcher. Other members were: Giorgios Kavlentakis, software development team coordinator; Ioannis Petrakis and Nikolaos Tselas, who cooperated with Assistant Professor of University of Crete Medical School George Notas.
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The Yesterdays of King Henry VIII. ( Part 1)
The Madness of March
by Hobson Tarrant
I know residents will have had
King Henry VIII ruled over En-
gland from 1509 until 1547. He married six times, struggled with the Catholic Church, dissolved the English monasteries, started wars on a whim and executed more than 70,000 of his subjects. He was a complex mix of proud athlete, spoilt child and sexual predator, yet still became one of history’s greatest English kings. The young Henry Tudor was never meant to be king it was supposed be his elder brother Arthur, the first born son of King Henry VII who won the crown from Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in Leicestershire in 1485. King Henry VII, was very frugal and closely managed England’s economy by raising taxes so that a prosperous kingdom would be passed to his son. England was always in danger of invasion from its powerful enemies, Spain and France. The king was determined to diminish this threat through a marital pact with Spain thus assuring a long lasting peace. Prince Arthur was to marry the King of Aragon’s daughter, Catherine of Aragon which would cement the two countries in friendship. They were married in 1501 but Arthur suddenly died of the sweating sickness a few months later. This made the young Henry Tudor heir to the throne whilst Catherine of Aragon became an expensive embarrassment for both England and
Spain. Prior to his brother’s death Henry Tudor had lived the life of a wealthy young nobleman, he had enjoyed all of the privileges but avoided the responsibilities of an heir to the throne. He had lived an outdoor life, hunting and fishing, Henry excelled at physical sports such as archery, swordsmanship, wrestling and even tennis. He had become a free spirit. In addition Henry had a keen brain, finely nurtured by the best tutors in Europe which he shared with his brother. King Henry VII died in 1509, the young Henry being only eighteen years of age. Prior to his death the father had grave concerns about Catherine of Aragon and the possible collapse of the peace with Spain. He considered marrying young Henry to her, but the Catholic Church, the primary English religion, would not countenance such an option. His only hope was to persuade the Pope in Rome to issue a special dispensation based upon Arthur and Catherine’s marriage never being consummated. The Pope eventually did this as a favour to the king rather than being based on proven facts. However, the young Henry initially refused, as a very pious religious scholar it conflicted with his Catholic teachings, although he finally recanted when requested by his father’s dying wish.
King Henry VIII and his Queen Catherine were crowned on 23rd June 1509 at Westminster Abbey. At the time Henry VIII was a fine specimen of six feet one inches tall and powerfully built. He had striking red hair and small watchful eyes. Living in an age where the average man rarely grew past five feet six inches, the new king must have appeared as a giant when moving amongst his people. Henry started his reign with good intentions. He recognised his father’s rule had imposed excessive taxes and fostered corruption in the offices of power, he also saw the strain suffered by the average family when merely struggling to survive. To prove he would make things change he immediately arrested two of his father’s most hated tax collectors and had them publically executed, he then redistributed a proportion of the taxes previously extorted from the poorest in society. This new king and queen soon became much loved, but Henry, unlike his father, was a spender. Fine clothes, expensive jewels, lavish settings and elaborate ceremonies became the order of the day and the kings court quickly became a running party for the most rich and famous nobles in the land. Still young, athletic and wallowing in self glory, Henry was hailed as the most handsome king in Europe.
He was also a proud and boastful sportsman who would challenge any takers when an adoring audience could be attracted. Queen Catherine was also adored by the people in her own right and they were delighted when she fell pregnant at the thought of a male heir joining the fold. The king in readiness arranged great celebrations and jousting competitions, plus he had written hundreds of letters announcing the new prince’s arrival. But when the child was born a girl, Mary, all such festivities were cancelled and the king’s feigned joy of a first born soon faded. The king desperately wanted a son to follow the Tudor line and the queen’s next pregnancies were miscarried or stillborn. Catherine was getting older and Henry took solace in his mistresses. One, Elisabeth Blount, gave him an illegitimate son which he acknowledged as Henry FitzRoy (son of the royal Henry), he was groomed for succession in the absence of a proper Tudor boy. But getting rid of Queen Catherine became the ‘Kings Great Matter’ in a Catholic world where divorce was forbidden. (To follow – Part 2 – Anne Boleyn). ‘The Yesterdays of King Henry VIII’ and the ‘Yesterdays of Crete’ are now available in paperback from Amazon and ebook or library from Kindle.
stories
p. 11
enough of this latest winter. After all the rain in December, a lot of which brought red sand, we had record rain (and more sand at times) in January. In February the winds changed to the north and we had the damaging deluge on 13th and I expect when the month is over we will find that there has been record rainfall for the second consecutive month. Thus I expect everyone will be looking for huge improvements in March. From the Nature viewpoint March on Crete is a wonderful month. Migrant birds, flowers and insects as well as the colours in the countryside are the highlights. As we enter March the last of the avian winter visitors will be leaving or have left; birds such as Song thrushes, Chiffchaffs and Robins. The winter visitors will be replaced by summer migrants or migrants on passage to areas further north. During March we usually see the first of the hoopoes in the first week, or so. I often get stopped and asked about this strange looking bird that has been seen. The persons asking the question seem always surprised to know that I can answer their query after a very short description and I often get a later comment that I was correct. These odd looking birds move further north to breed and are seen again on their return journey in August to September. I suspect a few hoopoe pairs may breed on the island but have unable to prove it.
Another lovely bird that passes through (but again may breed here) is the nightingale. Depending on the weather I usually hear the first by mid-March. Swallows, swifts and house martins should be here in numbers by the end of the month. I was very surprised in the second half of February this year (very soon after the damaging rains and cold winds) when I heard a couple of birds calling in Kalyves. I thought I was not hearing correctly but my eyes confirmed that a pair of House martins was flying around. I was even more surprised that their nest was ready and they were preparing for egg-laying. I can only assume they were blown off course by the strong southerly winds and arrived early - very early. Some warblers will be arriving at the island for breeding or on passage by the end of the month: and many of our resident birds will have started nesting by the end of March. The sound of birdsong is very moving. Many people say they cannot recognise any bird song. I respond by naming a few bird species that I know they would recognise. As I name more birds these people realise they know more than they thought they did. There is only one real way to learn birdsong and that is by going into the countryside with someone who knows a lot of different songs. One problem, even for experts is that they may hear a particular song only once a year or even once every few years. I suppose the most obvious sign of
March for most people is the colour provided by flowering plants in the countryside. At lower levels, despite the poor weather we have had recently, orchids will be flowering. In my area, Apokoronas, there are 18 species of spring flowering orchid and the greatest number of plants in flower will be toward the end of the month. It is important to note that all species of orchid are protected by National and International law. And if you considered breaking the law by digging a plant from the soil, to transplant it to your garden, it will not survive. If you wish to photograph an orchid please be careful and not tread on any close by. This year, and especially in areas that were damaged by fire last year, the Chrysanthemum (Marguerites or Glebionis sp, using the scientific name) should be spectacular. The white or yellow areas, depending on which of the two species is dominant in that location, should be obvious from a distance. Some of the most beautiful flowers are the smaller ones. That is also true of some of the stranger flowers like some of the iris species. It is often worthwhile getting on hands and knees to see the wonderful shapes and colours of many small flowering plants. The warmer weather will provide the conditions for reptiles to be more active. Snakes and lizards will be seen warming themselves – especially in early morning ready for the day’s main activity of staying alive. Despite the alarming loss of in-
by David Capon
sects, as I reported last year, and in our area that loss being compounded by light pollution, there will be many attractive or interesting insects flying during the month. For most people butterflies provide the best spectacle. The yellow male Cleopatra butterflies will be seen in numbers. The beautiful Swallowtail and Scarce swallowtail butterflies will emerge into the sun and the less common Festoon will be searching for food and members of the opposite sex. These aforementioned butterflies are quite large and colourful. Many other insects will also be appearing after the winter cold. These include some that are not so becoming to the average person, such as many beetle species, but grasshoppers and crickets, mantids (praying mantis) and moths will be seen (or heard) regular for the next few months. There are 72 known species of grasshopper (including crickets) on Crete of which 35 stridulate; that is make the sound that many associate with grasshoppers. As well as light pollution, insects numbers are being drastically reduced by pesticides and herbicides, other pollution, climate change, habitat fragmentation and habitat and vegetation loss. The latter is so worrying for insects that rely on one plant to survive. As far as I am concerned March is usually the most exciting month of the year on Crete. I say to everyone go out and enjoy it but at all times respect the needs of Nature.
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food & wine
p. 14
Greek Oxidative Stress Observatory: Mediterranean diet antioxidants help prevent up to 50 diseases Doctors,
nutritionists, agronomists, food technologists, chemists – more than a hundred scientists and researchers in total – have been involved with the Hellenic Oxidative Stress Observatory over the last six years, waging the “battle” to inform and evaluate agrifood products and identify valuable antioxidants that prevent dozens of diseases. A few days ago, at a tasting event of Greek and foreign olive oil in Thessaloniki, the Greek Observatory presented the beneficial properties of Greek olive oil that act against premature aging. Its components, such as Oleokanthal, inhibit free radicals and act proactively in the defense of the body. “Oleokanthal has been found to act as an anti-inflammatory drug, simi-
Crete
stands free of mainland Greece, complex and proud with wild, mountainous terrain and a strong traditional culture. Cretan cuisine is renowned both in Greece and internationally for its unique ingredients and flavours. Based on simple techniques, it’s the variety of local produce that distinguishes the dishes: mountain herbs and greens, bulbs, unique cheeses, fresh fish, the famous Cretan oil, and raki a bracing grape brandy. Don’t leave Crete without trying… Cretan Cheeses It seems that almost every Cretan village has its own signature cheese. They are usually made from sheep or goat’s milk, or a combination of both and each cheese variety has its local interpretation. Of the legion of delicious cheeses, look for graviera, a harder cheese that’s sweeter when new, but nutty and flavourful after aging. Soft, creamy cheeses, abound like pichtogalo Chanion, which has AOC protection, or myzithra, a young whey cheese with a lovely mild taste. Dakos The ever-popular dakos is known by regional names throughout Crete… some call it koukouvagia (literally ‘owl’); in the east they call it kouloukopsomo (literally ‘puppy bread’). What is it? A fantastic Greek meze or salad reminiscent of bruschetta, but based on barley rusks or paximadi, not on bread. The rusks are lightly soaked in water or olive oil to soften them, and then they are topped with
larly to ibuprofen,” said Dr. Apostolos Kyritzakis, chairman of the Hellenic Observatory for Oxidative Stresses, based in Thessaloniki. Smoking, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, air pollution, toxic substances, sedentary life –
along with obesity, pesticides and fatty tissue oxidation – are some of the most well-known factors associated with the occurrence of oxidative stress in the body. According to the chairman of the Greek Observatory, more than 50 dis-
Top 10 foods to try in Crete
grated fresh tomato and myzithra, the creamy sheep or goat’s milk cheese. They are then drizzled with Cretan virgin olive oil and dusted with salt, oregano, pepper. Fried snails (Chochlioi boubouristi) It’s not only the French who treat snails as a delicacy. In fact, snails have been eaten for millennia. In the Cretan dialect chochlios means snail, and in this dish they are fried with flour and hot olive oil in a pan, then doused with wine (or vinegar), and voila, ready to serve. Some like to add a dash of wild rosemary. Locally, women collect the snails by hand and the creatures are cooked up live. Cretan Cheese Pies (Kaltsounia) These small pies may look like the multitude of cheese pies you’ll encounter throughout Greece, but these are unique! To start, handmade pastry dough is a must, usually shaped into tiny cups. The fillings vary – every region and often each household has its favourite. They tend toward the sweet, and count on any number of those luscious Cretan cheeses, like myzithra or malaka, but not feta. We like the ones that incorporate a hint of rosewater. The final touch is Cretan honey on the top, making the pies a heady combination of sweet and savoury. Lamb with stamnagathi As with most Greek foods, Cretans have their own take on lamb. Their version incorporates stamnagathi, a wild green that has become trendy of late, and features on many top-end restaurant menus. The Cretan lamb is sautéed in hot olive oil and oregano
accompanied with the stamnagathi green and the well-known avgolemono (egg and lemon-based) sauce, or, more simply, a squeeze of fresh lemon. Gamopilafo As the name hints (gamos means ‘wedding’ in Greek) this rice dish is offered at traditional Cretan weddings. These days you will find it not only when the whole village is celebrating nuptials in the town square, but also in many Cretan tavernas. Like a deluxe risotto, it is prepared in a rich meat broth that you make from a lengthy simmering of goat, lamb or rooster. Then you incorporate a dash of lemon juice and liberal amounts of stakovoutiro – this is a butter created from the creamy skin that forms on the top of boiled fresh goat’s milk and is turned into a roux. It is the crème de la crème! Mountain Bulbs (Askordoulakous) Part of the magic of Cretan food are the ingredients gathered from hillsides and around villages. Askordoulakous are the bulbs of a wild green, and Cretans gather bulbs and eat them as a fresh salad, dressed with oil and vinegar or lemon. They also pickle them, or stew them with local olive oil, vinegar and flour. The delicate white blossoms of the green are also edible, simply boiled or used in other dishes. Smoked Pork (Hirina apakia) Not an easy one to recreate outside of Greece, this dish of succulent smoked pork, is made in a multi-day process. First, strips of pork are marinated in vinegar for several days. Then a fire is made using local herbs – sage, bay,
eases are associated with oxidative stress. Scientific observations have come to the conclusion that oxidative stress is the main factor responsible for premature aging. He added that the polyphenols in olive oil make a positive contribution to normal aging because they prevent the shrinking of telomeres in cells and activate the enzyme telomerase. “When there are more free radicals in our body than the antioxidants that we consume with food, then oxidative stress is the result,” said Kyritzakis. Counter to oxidative stress, dozens of Greek products that are components of the Mediterranean diet, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, nuts, aromatic plants, wine, legumes and, of course, olive oil, contain plentiful antioxidants that help eliminate the excess free radicals and protect health.
rosemary – and the meat is hung above it to smoke. The smoke is continuously stoked to keep the herby aroma infusing the meat. The final product tastes of the fresh herbs and can be served later, cold, in thin slices. Sfakia pies (Sfakianes pites) These yummy pies hale from southern Crete, from a mountainous coastal region called Sfakia. At a glance, these treats look like pancakes, but beyond the flour, the dough contains, local olive oil, and the infamous Cretan liquor, raki. Then, any number of the various Cretan fresh, soft, white goat or sheep’s milk cheeses like myzithra or pichtogalo Chanion are incorporated into the centre of the pie. Fried with only a light brushing of olive oil, they are eaten with a drizzling of thyme or heather honey. Cretan Brandy (Raki or Tsikoudia) In the fall, after the grape harvest, you will find villagers all around Crete carefully tending open fires under copper stills. They are making raki, the welcome pomace brandy distilled from grapes, which you will find served in every Cretan taverna and kafeneio (coffee house). The local version of tsipouro (which you find throughout the rest of Greece), raki is called tsikoudia in parts of Crete, and is drunk from shot glasses, with no water added. Not to be confused with ouzo, raki has no anise or any other herbs. People usually pair their raki with mezes, olives or barley rusks and drink it neat (sketo)! BBC/Good Food
culture
p. 16
History Tourism: Archanes village in Crete, a charming center of Minoan Culture
The village of Archanes is a perfect place for anyone looking for a true village experience in Crete. With only 3900 residents and almost as many cats, the place serves as a tranquil safe harbor for anyone escaping the rush of the city. Archanes will charm you with its small streets and cheerfully painted houses, adorable coffee shops, and fascinating history. Archanes is a must-see destination for every history enthusiast with ancient Minoan sites surrounding the outskirts of the village. Free from long lines and big crowds, the archaeological sites are open for visitors without charge at any time of the day. In the middle of the town lay the remains of a far less known Minoan palace. Said to have been as powerful and marvelous as the palace of Knossos, its main purpose was to serve as a place to control the many religious centers of the region. Mount Juktas (Giouchtas) was a very important place for the Minoans. Located close to Archanes, visitors will have a beautiful view of the mountain that has been said to resemble the profile of Zeus. The mountain is the site of one of the most important Minoan peak sanctuaries, which were places for religious rites. The Anemospilia temple is located on the north end of Mount Juktas, on a hillside facing north towards the palace of Knossos. It served as a place for sacred rituals, and al-
though some believe this included human sacrifice as well, most archaeologists deny this due to lack of evidence. To reach the archaeological cemetery of Fourni, visitors must climb up a hill northwest of Archanes and follow the signed path that starts from the village. The view is surely worth the hike – seeing Mount Juktas and the areas around it make it clear why the Minoans decided to choose the location for their sacred necropolis, the city of the dead. The cemetery itself is not open to the public, but it’s possible to hire a guard for a private tour inside the gates. The cemetery of Fourni was in use from approximately 2400 BCE until 1000 BCE. Long-lasting exca-
vations have revealed numerous graves, buildings, skeletons, and objects in the area, and because of these findings, it’s considered the most important Minoan cemetery in Crete. Most of the findings have been transferred to the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion where they are now on exhibit.
of famous sculptor Manolis Tzobanakis or visit the local Koronekes olive oil mill. How to get there Renting your own car in Crete is definitely the best way to get around the island, but with a bus it takes only a bit over half an hour to get to Archanes from Heraklion. One-way tickets cost around 2 euros and during the summer, the buses run almost every hour. The village is ideal for a day trip, but it also has a good variety of hotels and traditional houses for those who want to stay a bit longer – try Villa Archanes or Eliathos Hotel.
Museums and Workshops While having a stroll around the city visitors can learn a lot about the village at the various museums and workshops built and run by the locals. The Folklore Museum, the Cretan History Museum, and the Archaeological Museum make sure the village has something to offer to everyone. It’s also possi- The National Herald ble to join the sculpture workshop
“Nature loves Courage Festival” on Greek island of Crete on June 7-8, 2019
Artist and dancer Abyss X an-
nounced the launch of Nature Loves Courage, a 350-capacity, two-day festival to be held June 7-8 in the village of Sougia on her native island of Crete, Fact magazine reported. Experimental innovator Abyss X has put together a stellar line-up for a cosy 2-day festival. The initial lineup is impressive for electronic music fans. Scheduled performers include Aurora Halal, Juliana Huxtable, DEBONAIR, Nkisi, Rabit, Ziúr, Gabber Eleganza, DJ Paypal, Aquarian, Kilbourne, and Abyss X herself. A quote by American philosopher and anthropologist Terence McK-
make more time for appreciating beautiful surroundings, such as secluded Sougia Bay which is right next to the main area of the festival. Tickets for the festival are available online and more information is available on the Nature Loves Courage website: https://naturelovescouragefest. com and on Facebook. The setting for Nature Loves Courage is open-air club Fortuna and its nearby beach and surrounding enna inspired the festival’s name festival, it seems fitting that cloth- mountains are the ideal setting for ing is optional at the nearby Sou- engaging in nature before indulgaccording to Fact. ing in the cutting-edge line-up. Abyss X has featured McKenna in gia Beach,” Fact reported. many of her mixes and DJ sets and The festival aims to escape from Early bird tickets for Nature Loves “given McKenna’s influence on the the intensity of club settings and Courage are only €45.
pets & vets
p. 18
Young Greek man in Crete dedicates his life to stray dogs Nikos Tsikalakis is a 38 year old
primitive conditions. man who lives like a hermit in He moved there in July 2018 after Crete, his heart full of love for all having been kicked out of the place the unprotected and stray dogs where used to live in Christos, Ierathat have been brutally abused petra (Lasithi Prefecture) on Crete. He was living in an abandoned by cruel people. His situation is unique. Owning building along with the stray dogs one acre of land in Kalo Horio in of the village, trying to take good the municipality of Hersonissos care of them. in Heraklion, Crete, he lives under Nevertheless the villagers were unwilling to understand what he
did and why he did it so they kept harassing him in order to force him to leave the place – and they succeeded. Meanwhile a Swiss woman who had been informed about Tsikalakis’ touching story decided to help him by buying him one acre of land in Kalo Horio. Nikos settled in his new home – actually, he lives in a tent with no
electricity and no bathroom along with his 74 dogs. He has built some fences on his own and all of his dogs live two to a kennel. The money he gets from the state – 200 euros per month, since he is unemployed – is spent on buying food for his beloved dogs and a handful of people help him sterilize and vaccinate the animals.
The Spring Cleaning Solution To Your Dog’s Diet Nature
has innate repetitive actions that occur each month throughout the year to ensure health and vitality. The three months of spring focus on cleansing and supporting the body through the liver, immune, cardiac and digestive systems. As dog owners, we can help these systems thrive through the use of season-specific vegetables, proteins and herbs. Springtime supplementation for dogs Spring brings energy to the surface. The body wakes up and revitalizes itself by removing toxins and revving up the immune system via the liver. Among the five hundred-plus functions of the liver, it stabilizes the immune system, filters toxins out of the body, supports the kidneys and provides a foundation for a healthy digestive system. Seasonal supplementation helps maintain your dog’s
liver function by using whole foods that cleanse and assist the liver in spring when it needs it most. (We also recommend a liver tonic every spring and fall to help support your dog’s liver, digestive system and immune system.)
gus make this green stalk a powerful detoxifier. Asparagus comes in white, purple and green varieties that support the kidneys, liver and digestive system. I lightly steam my asparagus and share it with my dogs by eating the tops and feeding them the lower, chewy half of the stalks. My dogs eat a raw, mostly grain-free diet … however I do recommend small amounts of seasonal grains for dogs needing extra nourishment, protein and bulk. Springtime grains include: brown rice, barley and organic alfalfa. Protein changes can be an effective part of any seasonal supplementation strategy. I suggest rotating proteins throughout the year to avoid food sensitivities. (This advice goes for kibble feeders too.) Springtime proteins include turkey, rabbit, salmon, sardines, beef and eggs (free-range and organic).
Vegetables, Grains And Proteins For Spring Spring is the time to give your dog foods that support her immune system. Green leafy vegetables like kale, arugula, endive, romaine lettuce, collards, spinach and watercress contain toxin binding chlorophyll. Chlorophyll adheres to toxins and heavy metals, transporting them out of the body. Watercress is an immune system powerhouse high in beta-carotene, vitamins B, C, calcium and iron. Green beans, zucchini, asparagus, alfalfa and broccoli sprouts are excellent additions to the spring diet. High levels of folate, vitamin C, E, potassium and glutathione in aspara- Three beneficial springtime herbs
for dogs 1. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Dandelion detoxifies the liver and stimulates the digestive system. Add finely chopped dandelions and roots to your dog’s food. 2. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) Milk thistle helps protect liver systems and enhances detoxification of heavy metals. Use milk thistle in tincture form, giving two drops per ten pounds of your dog’s weight three times a day. 3. Burdock root (Arctium lappa) Burdock root cleanses the blood, supports healthy skin and coat and helps the liver excrete wastes. Administer burdock root chopped up in food or in tincture form (using the same dosage as for milk thistle). All three of these herbs can safely be given daily over a two to three month period.
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p. 20
plants & gardening
Flowers can change your life
Find all our new plants and varieties at “En Kipo� shop in Plaka, Apokoronas
health & nutrition
p. 22
7 Ways to Prepare for Spring Allergies Don’t wait for spring allergies to
ful. “There are newer treatments and play havoc with your head. Get set combinations of therapy that may offer renewed hope for feeling better,” for allergy season now. Dr. Josephson says. Get Set for Allergy Season You can feel it in the air — spring allergies are fast approaching. With the changing of the seasons comes an increase of pollen and mold in the environment, which means a lot of people are going to be reaching for a box of tissues. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), pollen season can begin as early as February and last through October, although weather patterns and your location can alter the start and end dates. If you’re already dreading the return of sneezing, sniffles, stuffiness, and itchy, watery or dry eyes, take steps to keep allergy symptoms from activating your immune system.
See an Allergist Before Spring Allergies Start Don’t wait for allergy symptoms to make you miserable before seeing your allergist, advises Jaime Landman, MD, president of Florida Center for Allergy and Asthma Care in Miami. “You should start drugs, which were previously effective, early in the season, before pollen peaks. This should be before we start seeing pollen in trees throughout the country in February, and possibly January for southern states like Florida. We are mainly referring to antihistamines, ideally not the ones that make you drowsy.” Jordan S. Josephson, MD, ear, nose, and throat specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and author of Sinus Relief Now, encourages people to see an allergy or sinus specialist before pollen counts rise, even if previous attempts at treatment weren’t success-
Stay on the ‘Outs’ With Pollen Enjoy a respite from spring allergies inside your home by shutting out pollen. As tempting as it may be to let the spring breeze in, keep doors and windows closed to minimize allergy symptoms. When spring cleaning, focus on areas in your home where allergens tend to accumulate — air filters, bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting. Vacuum often — floors, furniture, rugs — and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Try these other tips: - Change clothes once you get home, says Dr. Landman. Pollen sticks to fabric, and you could end up spreading pollen spores throughout your home. (Avoid hanging clothes outside to dry for the same reason.) - Shower before bed, Josephson urges. Transferring allergens from your hair or face to your pillow can make matters worse. - Change the filters on your air conditioning unit frequently and use a high efficiency grade filter. Mold-Proof Your Home Pollen isn’t the only spring allergy culprit. Mold can also kick your allergy symptoms into overdrive. The AAAAI recommends keeping mold out of your home by focusing on areas where mold is most common — basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and any areas with leaks. Here’s more: - Remove mold from hard surfaces with water and detergent. If a mixture of water and 5-percent bleach is needed, be sure not to mix the bleach with other cleansers. - Wash fabric materials with soap and water. If the mold cannot be cleaned
out, it’s best to discard the item. - Repair and seal leaks in pipes, windows, or roofs. - If you use a dehumidifier, be sure to empty the water often and keep the unit clean to prevent mildew. - If mold returns to an area that has been cleaned, check for leaks or a lack of proper ventilation.
ing a Neilmed Netipot or a Grossan Hydropulse will help to wash the spring allergens out of your nose as allergy seasons starts,” says Josephson. “This will alleviate symptoms like sneezing, itching, sinus headaches, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, hoarseness, and feeling run down or fatigued before they start because it will protect your sinus membranes Plan Your Schedule to Dodge Peak from the spring allergens.” Just be cerAllergy Hours tain to use bottled or filtered water in As frustrating as it may be, try to plan your neti pot, since using it with tap your schedule so that you can avoid water has been linked to dangerous outdoor activities when the pollen brain infections. count is highest, typically 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. says Landman. When making Try Acupuncture for Spring Allerplans to spend time outside during gies allergy season, keep in mind that hot, A study published in the European dry days will have a greater amount of Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immupollen in the environment than cold, nology, found significant reduction rainy days, he adds. of allergy symptoms for study participants who received acupuncture Track Allergen Levels treatments 3 times per week for 4 Check the Web sites of your favorite weeks, as compared to participants weather stations during allergy sea- who did not receive it. Kelly LeGenson to see if they offer daily pollen dre, LAc, owner of The Fix Communiand mold count reports. If your aller- ty Acupuncture in Tucson, Ariz., says gist has a site, chances are you can the earlier you start acupuncture as find the information listed there as a proactive measure to treat allergies, well. Bookmark your favorite sites on the better. “It can take a little while to your computer for easy daily access. correct the underlying imbalances If you use a smart phone, download a that allow the symptoms to develop, weather app that also provides pollen and that time varies based on the seand mold count reports. The Weather verity of the imbalance. There should Channel app offers this feature. definitely be a noticeable reduction in symptoms after a few months, but seConsider Nasal Irrigation vere cases may require ongoing treatTalk with your doctor about nasal ir- ment.” Acupuncture can also help if alrigation options, like a low-tech yet lergies have already flared. “If you wait effective neti pot. A study of 211 pa- until you’re experiencing symptoms, tients from the University of California I can usually reduce or resolve sympSan Diego Nasal Dysfunction Clinic toms such as runny nose, coughing, concluded that participants experi- sneezing, wheezing, and red, itchy enced relief from 23 out of 30 nasal eyes, but you may need to continue symptoms after using nasal irrigation treatment throughout the allergy seatwo times each day for 3 to 6 weeks. son to maintain improvements.” “Irrigating your nose and sinuses us-
A life changing visit to our pharmacy can make you change the way you see life and put your body and mind in harmony. Have you ever visited a pharmacy to taste health? A different pharmacy in the centre of the old town of Chania is waiting to share with you secrets of well being and longevity. Taste the biolo gical honey, the royal jelly, tea from plants carefully chosen in therapeutic recipes, high concentration and purity juices of pomegranate, cranberry, aloe. Orthomolecular nutrition with suggestions on detox programs and a carefully selected range of supplements, vitamins an gluten free products from all over the world. In the same premises you can find a live homeopathic lab with 6.000 homeopathic remedies in stock and the ability to produce any kind of homeopathic form i.e. pills, granules, solutions etc Evangelia Sakka is the pharmacist in charge who has created that special pharmacy and will be happy to introduce you to that fantastic world but also suggest whatever will be more settable for you. Our philosophy doesn’t stop on food and supplements but we want you to think of your mind and body as well. That’s why we have created next to our pharmacy the Green Care SPA. A SPA that helps to uplift your mind and body with biological face an body treatments, reflexology, reiky, su jok and moxa treatment, Bach flower remedies, homeopathy sessions, bowtech as well as nail therapies. We are waiting for you to restart your life at Daskalogianni 43 - 45, SAKKA Pharmacy www.my-pharmacy.gr / www.greencarespa.gr