Greece and Cyprus: Birthplaces of legends
From the birthplace of democracy to the site of the first Olympic games, why not offer your clients a slice of history with their sunshine in Greece and Cyprus, writes Dave Richardson.
Cradle of democracy
The ancient city-state of Athens is considered to be the first place in the world to involve ordinary people in government, rather than simply the elite or royalty. The main classical site that can still be enjoyed today is the Acropolis dating from the 5th century BC, which includes the famous Parthenon temple. An advantage of staying on the Attica peninsula outside Athens rather than in the city itself is that you’re close to beaches and to other historical sites including beautiful Cape Sounion, with the temple of Poseidon, god of the sea.
Gary Boyer, Classic Collection head of purchasing, says: “The Attica peninsula offers visitors huge variety within the same holiday – one of the most beautiful sites in ancient Greece and the chance to dip in and out of Athens, a combination hard to match anywhere else in the Mediterranean.”
Book it: Classic Collection offers seven nights’ B&B at the Grand Resort Lagonissi from £1,128pp, including return flights to Athens and private transfers.
Aristotle, godfather of philosophy
This year sees the 2,400th anniversary of the birth of a philosopher and scientist whose writings also cover subjects ranging from physics to poetry and theatre. Aristotle was born at Stagira on the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece, where you can also enjoy beaches and views of Mount Athos, a monastic state.
Dudley der Parthog, Sunvil’s programme director for Greece, says: “Our hotels will be offering guided tours of Aristotle’s birthplace, plus guided walks along the newly opened Aristotle Trail and a cooking workshop with recipes from ancient times. The Liotopi and Akroyiali hotels in Olymbiada offer wonderful home-cooked taverna fare, near excellent, little-known beaches, including one directly below the ruins of Aristotle’s birthplace.”
Book it: Sunvil offers seven nights half-board at the Liotopi Hotel in Olymbiada from £677pp including flights and transfers. The operator is sponsoring talks by a professor on seven dates.
Home of the Oracle
One of the most beautiful and important sites of ancient Greece, Delphi’s 5th century Temple of Apollo was home to a priestess whose pronouncements were considered to be from the gods. As Delphi is about three hours by road from Athens but not close to any resorts, it is often visited on a tour that also takes in other classical sites including Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus. These and many other sites are visited on Trafalgar’s Secrets of Greece tour that also takes in Athens and Corfu.
Julie Brooker, Trafalgar’s head of sales, says: “We’ve crafted a truly exceptional journey which gives guests a real sense and flavour of Greece, with guided tours bringing ancient civilisations to life. Our customers truly immerse themselves in Greek culture with a ‘Be My Guest’ dinner of authentic local cuisine, wine tasting and dancing at a family-run olive farm.”
Book it: Trafalgar’s Secrets of Greece tour leads in from £1,795pp, and includes 10 nights’ B&B plus three dinners. Price excludes flights.
Alexander the Great
Regarded by historians as one of the greatest military leaders, 4th century BC ruler Alexander the Great controlled an empire stretching out from ancient Greece as far as Egypt and India. A great deal of mythology surrounds Alexander, not least because he is thought to have remained undefeated.
History specialist Peter Sommers traces Alexander’s legacy on a tour through northern Greece in areas around Mount Olympus, the country’s highest peak, accessible via Thessaloniki. The company’s founder Peter Sommers says: “We not only visit the palace of Pella where he was born but also the beautiful glade of Mieza where he was taught by Aristotle. Along the way, guests will experience the area’s culture through its gastronomy, and travel through some of Greece’s key wine-growing areas.”
Book it: Peter Sommers’ Exploring Thessaloniki and Northern Greece tour, departing on August 27, costs £2,450pp for eight days (not including flights) and is escorted by two expert guides.
Where the Games began
Olympia, on the Peloponnese peninsula in the south, gave its name to the modern Olympics movement and the Olympic flame is lit here wherever the games are held. The games were held at this site every four years between the 8th century BC and 4th century
AD and originally also had great religious significance.
Olympia can be reached on a day trip from Athens but is more accessible from Peloponnese resorts such as Kalamata, featured by Olympic Holidays. “The Peloponnese is widely recognised as the ‘true Greece’ – an area of outstanding natural beauty recalling centuries of history and mythology, that also has many fine beaches and thus has wide holiday appeal,” according to commercial director Photis Lambrianides.
Book it: Olympic offers seven nights’ B&B at the five-star Horizon Blu Hotel in Kalamata from £550pp. Price valid for departure in June from Gatwick and includes flights.
Half bull, half man
The largest resorts of Crete are within easy reach of the ruins of the Minoan civilisation, close to the island capital of Heraklion. The palace of Knossos was at the heart of Minoan culture and dates from 1900 BC, including a labyrinth that concealed the Minotaur, with
the head of a bull and the body of a human.
It is a must-see attraction in Crete, while Heraklion’s archaeological museum is also a top draw. Olympic Holidays’ commercial director, Photis Lambrianides, adds: “The uninhabited island of Spinalonga, which featured in the British TV series Who Pays the Ferryman?, also makes a popular excursion. In addition to the abandoned leper colony and fortress, it also has small pebble beaches and is easily accessed by boat from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.”
Book it: Olympic offers seven nights’ B&B at the three-star Palmera Beach Hotel & Spa in Hersonissos, Crete, from £342pp, departing in June – price includes flights.
The island of love
At the heart of Cyprus’s cultural appeal is Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, whose mythology can be explored at various locations and who had many lovers both divine and human. These include Aphrodite’s Rock, where she is said to have risen from the sea, and another natural feature, the Baths of Aphrodite, in the west of the island, where she met the god Adonis.
Greta Tuomaite, product and commercial executive of Monarch Holidays, says: “Cyprus has an inspirational blend of ancient history, and Aphrodite’s Rock, in between Paphos and Limassol, creates an amazing picture for those who love and appreciate nature.”
Book it: Monarch offers seven nights at the Poseidonia Beach Hotel in Limassol from £525pp including flights. Price valid for departures in October.
Richard the Lionheart
England’s crusader king, according to legend, married Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol Castle, Cyprus in 1191 and made her Queen of England, during the third crusade to the Holy Land. This gives an unusual slant on the ancient history of the island, otherwise known for the Greco-Roman Kourion amphitheatre constructed in the 2nd century BC and used for gladiatorial combat.
Cyplon sales and marketing director Tass Anastasi says Limassol makes a good base for anyone interested in history, adding: “Kourion has a spectacular setting just a few miles from Limassol, whereas Limassol Castle is in the old town. Other sites
I would recommend are Aphrodite’s Rock and the House of Dionysos (the god of wine) in Paphos.”
Book it: Cyplon offers seven nights’ half-board at the Navarria Hotel, Limassol for £345pp. Price valid for departures in June.
60 seconds with...
Natasha Michaelides, marketing and communications director at Thanos Hotels and Resorts, Cyprus
What changes can guests expect at the revamped Anassa? There is new furniture and fabrics in all the rooms, a boutique created by the same designer for Prada’s shops, and new villas. The hotel is 18 years old but looks fresh. We’re very excited that it’s complete. And we’ve just started a three-year refurbishment at sister hotel the Annabelle.
What was the inspiration behind the new villas? We had a client that wanted to stay for three months at the hotel but in a villa, so we built it for her. Afterwards, we saw the villa was constantly booked – mainly with families who liked the exclusivity of the villa with its private dining room, pool and terrace, but enjoyed the service of the hotel and didn’t want to be secluded. Responding to that demand, we built another three villas.
What’s new in Cyprus? Paphos will be the European Capital of Culture in 2017. There will be lots of events taking place, such as film festivals, art exhibitions and concerts throughout the year.
What are Thanos’s three properties doing to celebrate the landmark? We’re doing a series of monthly pop-ups with local artists at the Almyra. Every month there is an event, with ceramics, photography or paintings. It’s all contemporary art and the pop-ups will carry on until 2017. For us it’s a way to support the local community and it fits perfectly with the concept of the Almyra.
How can agents book your hotels? Thanos Hotels and Resorts are sold through operators including ITC Luxury, Carrier, Kuoni and Classic Collection.
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