The mountain area behind Nidri, near the village of Karia has been on fire since yesterday afternoon.  You may well hear about this soon on the international news but we wanted to let people know that

A fire service plane battles the fires on Lefkada

everyone is ok and so far we are told that no lives have been lost.

Strong winds yesterday made the job of controlling the fire very difficult for the many fire fighters that have gathered from all over the island and extra firefighters have arrived from as far as Corfu and Patras.  One large helicopter and 4 sea planes were dispatched to help put the fire out and they had to stop at night but have continued again since dawn.

Some photos have been posted on Facebook and you can go to www.mylefkada.gr to see more photos.

The smoke from the fire caused zero visibility and could be seen from many miles away.  The fire has caused damage in an area that lies between the villages of Eglouvi, Vafkeri, Karia and Platystoma.  This is an area of beautiful pine forests and a few small settlements.

Some Greeks have left the island to go back to Athens a little earlier than planned because of this but the same happened when the large earthquake hit the island back in August 2003.

The fire fighters  & military now have the fire under control and have done an amazing job to keep everyone safe.

It is sad to see that this has happened and we await news to find out how the fire started.

Nikiana , Lefkas ..a helicopter fills with water as tourists look on.

Greek tourism has also suffered the effects of the eruption of a volcano in Iceland, which spewed vast quantities of ash into the sky for days, blocking air routes.

“We are guaranteeing to pay any extra room and board any visitor in Greece pays even if stuck here because of a volcano in Iceland,” said Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos.

Mr Geroulanos said tourism seemed to be recovering, although it was too early to make accurate forecasts.
“The numbers are not really as gloomy as they were with the first cancellations,” he told a press conference
“Some destinations have suffered greatly due to the crisis, but others are doing better than before.”
The Greek government is imposing a swathe of austerity measures in return for a 110bn-euro (£95bn) bail-out from the EU and IMF.

The aim is to cut the country’s public deficit to less than 3% of GDP by 2014. It currently stands at 13.6%.
But strikes in protest at the measures have brought the country to a standstill on several occasions, closing airports, roads and railways.
Mr Geroulanos also unveiled a new internet drive to advertise Greece as a tourist destination.

Extract from BBC

Lefkada is like no other Greek island. It has its unique hospitable atmosphere that touches your heart and you want to be here for much more time than you have planned. The sunny summer weather, the mild climate and the Ionian sea offer the tourists an amazing relaxation during their holiday. The picturesque landscapes who one enjoys are for the whole life.

One of the most beautiful beaches of Lefkada is the beach of Athani which is about 40 kilometers from the town of Lefkada. The beach is famous for its place because from here one can go to Lefkada Cape. Here, according to an old legend, Sapfo killed herself because of her unfulfilled love for Faona. Although this story is very sad the landscape here is impressive and mysterious and many people come here to feel this unique atmosphere. not far from here there is the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos. And interesting fact is that the lighthouse of Lefkada was built on an ancient temple dedicated to the God of Apollo. This was one of the most important temples of the whole island. This place for sacrifice can retell you many interesting stories if you are a good listener. From here one can reach the beach of Porto-Katsiki which with its sharp rocks , the light colored sand and the green blue waters attracts people from all over the world every year. There is no doubt left that because of the great interest to this place there are no rooms left during the hot season-July and August. But this is another sign of the visitors` interest to Athani. Once being here one can come back again to look at the magical sun shines who play with the waves of the Ionian sea and to swim in the crystal clear waters of the sea.

Of course, there are other places in Lefkada where one can stay and relax. Fir instance, in the beautiful village of Agios Nikitas which is only twelve kilometers from Lefkada town. This village is the only one at the sea level along the western coast. The main street leads down to the beautiful blue sea. The Pefkouli beach is with such golden sands that everybody wants to walk on the sand to get some power from it or better to be lying all day on the beach. This is such a quiet and peaceful place.

On the south-east side of Lefkada there is another village-Nydri. Some years ago this was a normal small fishing village. But the tourists who search more and more beautiful places found this wonderful village some years ago and today it develops very fast. There is also a charming little harbor where luxury yachts, sailboats and small fishing boats anchor. The beautiful and clean sandy beach has all the opportunities o offer different kinds of water sports. But not only the natural beauties attract people here, Nydri is a place where recent excavations show that there was a high standard of civilization in prehistoric times. The remains could be seen in the small museum in the village.

Lefkada-an island full of mysteries, beautiful mountains, green forests and splendid beaches! What a beautiful place for everyone!

Greece and Spain’s economic struggles have weighed on the strength of the Euro, and that means one thing for travelers: Greek Holidays  keep getting more affordable. Greek Island Villa Rentals have never been better value.

The Euro is down 15 percent compared to this time last year, add that to the price depreciation of the villas,yacht charter and restaurants, and the savings are 40-50 percent. That’s not a sales pitch – it’s fact.

The Greek National Tourism Organization has recently  announced that there has never been a better time for travelers  to visit Greece than summer of 2010.  Prices are lower for everything from hotel rooms and villa rentals to yacht charters and cruises to restaurants and attractions. Now, more than ever, Greece – one of the world’s most fascinating tourism destinations – is open and eagerly welcoming visitors to come and enjoy their own Greek Odyssey this summer.

“Greece is a destination where comfort, style and culture meet to provide an unforgettable vacation experience,” said Mr. Nicolas Kanellopoulos, President of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO). “The Greek tourism sector is investing in modernization of key facilities and historic attractions. We could not be more enthusiastic to welcome our new guests for the 2010 season.”

“We are planning a family trip for just a few days. That is my family, my brother’s family, and my other brother’s family. Our mother will be joining us, too. That makes four households, seven adults and six children all under three years old. Praise to my brave (foolish?) wife who has somehow volunteered to coordinate the arrangements.

Even reserving months in advance, we were unable to get four rooms adjoining at the hotel, all with the right view and on the right level. If we were going for longer, we would probably rent a house as we have done before. There are vacation rentals in almost every corner of the world, but they are particularly common in high-tourist areas like Greece and the Mediterranean countries.”

Here is my top ten list of why a family should pick a Villa rental (and specifically a villa rental home):

• 1. No hard work to find ideal, adjoining rooms.


Lots of space & private pool

• 2. Everybody gets privacy, without having to worry about where the kids are.
• 3. You don’t have to share the common area with strangers, but you can still lounge around together.
• 4. More than one bathroom. Need I say more?
• 5. Lots and lots and lots of more room. This is usually the main selling feature.
• 6. Private pool, in most cases.
• 7. Almost always cost less than hotels.
• 8. Store cold drinks, ice creams, fresh fruit or any other snacks you fancy, which is a huge cost saver.
• 9. Barbecue any time you want. You can still eat out, but you don’t HAVE to.
• 10. You don’t have to take home several weeks’ supply of dirty laundry.

Typical Villa Floorplan (2nd Fllor)

“There you have it. My top ten reasons to choose a villa rental.in Greece

Of course, I you still prefer a tent on a beach, but you might have some difficulty convincing my mother to join us there.”

John

Author: James Yee

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip, there are several important things to keep in mind before calling your travel agent and booking your next Holiday:

1. Time of year: While “Paris in the Springtime” sounds very romantic, the truth is that you’re liable to spend many days indoors, because the weather can be cold and rainy. On the other hand, the French Riviera in the springtime boasts warm temperatures, sunshine and beautiful places to visit. If you’re not sure of weather patterns, check with your travel agent who can advise you on rainy seasons or other weather-related issues for traveling to a specific spot.

2. Your Budget: Decide how much you’ve got to spend, and don’t forget to include extras like tourist attractions, getting around, souvenirs and meals (which are typically more expensive in Europe than in the states — dinner can cost upwards of 50 Euros per person, especially in metropolitan cities). If your budget is smaller, consider visiting Eastern Europe, looking for packaged tours, or, if you’re flexible, book a “last-minute” trip, which can often save you 30% or more. Check out the current exchange rate between your currency and that of the country you’ll be visiting, to have a better idea of what your Holiday is going to actually cost you. Whenever possible, travel during an off-peak season to save even more.

3. Your secret dreams or “someday” wishes: For most of us, taking a Holiday is something we get to do only once a year, and often plan and save the whole year for. So if you have always wanted to visit somewhere or do something special — why wait? Include it in your next Holiday plans.

4. Political Climate: While most countries that rely on tourism make every effort to ensure the safety of tourists, these days it’s always a good idea to keep up on the current political climate of the country you’re planning to visit, especially if there have been problems in the past.

5. Your own “internal clock”: If you prefer sleeping in in the mornings, and “doing your own thing” then a guided tour is probably not for you. Most guided tours start early in the morning, and you’re on the go until evening. You may visit several cities in a country or countries within a specified amount of time, and you’re required to stay with the group.

On the other hand, if you don’t like traveling alone, you enjoy the companionship of others and getting to see as much as possible in the time you’ve got, a guided tour or cruise may be just the thing for you.

6. How you like to spend your time: Take a little time to think about what you like doing before planning your trip. Do you prefer the water, or the mountains? Lying on the beach, or rock-climbing? Adrenaline rushes or visiting an art museum?

While going outside your comfort zone and trying new things can be a great experience, spending your time doing something that bores you silly or makes you uncomfortable and unhappy just doesn’t make sense. Once you know what you want to do, figure out what you’ll have time to do. Many times, in an effort to get the “most bang for our buck” we tend to over plan the Holiday, and end up needing a Holiday from the Holiday when we get home! Prioritize your list, and be willing to save some activities or attractions for another trip.

7. Use the resources that are available to make your trip special and save money: Today’s travelers have numerous options when planning their Holiday. You can use the Internet to find out more about the cities or countries you want to visit, check out prices, even book your flight or hotel room. If you’re visiting a place for the first time, check with a travel agent, talk to someone who’s “been there, done that” on an Internet Forum, or contact local chambers or commerce or travel councils to get more information about where to go, what to see and what to do.

8. Get organized: You can use trip-planning software, or your own favorite organizing system to organize and plan your trip. Don’t forget things like making sure your passport and picture ID are up-to-date, finding out if travel insurance is something you need, and how and where to exchange your money. The more organized you are in the beginning, the better Holiday you’ll have.

9. Pack lightly: Most of us take too much on a Holiday, and end up lugging heavy suitcases and other bags along filled with items that we either don’t use or don’t need. When planning your trip, look at your wardrobe and pack as lightly as you can. Take only what you’ll really need, and remember that if you forget or end up needing something, chances are you can get it once you reach your destination.

10. Have fun! Get organized, make your plans and expect the best. That way, once you’re on your way, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy yourself. But remember, there are very few “perfect” Holidays, so if something does go wrong, try to relax and “go with the flow” as much as possible. Experienced travelers say that sometimes their best Holidays have been the ones where the unexpected happened.

About the Author:

James Yee enjoys travelling and photography. His useful information on travel is available on www.sogoodnews.com

This is a disposable credit card. You do not physically get a card, instead you get a number much the same as buying credit for your mobile phone.
However, a financial adviser known to this journalist is adamant you can get a Visa Electron card by logging into www.entropay.com.

There is a small transaction charge, around 4.9pc, but it still works out markedly less expensive than paying credit card charges to airlines.

1) Don’t fly with Ryanair, easyJet, etc

2) Get a Visa Electron card

The problem is that the Visa Electron card, which is the only card most of the budget airlines don’t charge for transactions, is a rare acquisition for the kind of person who tends to buy flights.

Visa Electron is a very limited Visa debit card, designed for teenagers and students. It won’t allow you to go overdrawn and cannot be used in as many places.

If your bank offered you one, normally you’d be a bit offended. But it has one advantage – it does mean you don’t have to pay £5 per person each way to book a Ryanair flight.

Holiday Villas Greece

Of course the winter is a good time to come visit too. Trust me I live here, and most days it is really nice even in January and February. Of course the summer and early in the summer are the best

So if you want to be sure your family lands in that awesome Greek Island rental you’ve had your eye on for the family summer holiday  now’s the time to book it and get confirmed. Otherwise someone else may beat you to the punch. I have some really nice beach rentals in the inventory now. There are some really special Greek Island Villas on our website.

Many homeowners even offer reduced rates for booking early, so you may want to take advantage of these lower rates if that is the case.

Even if you’re not ready to book yet, it’s never too early to start planning that greek islands holiday that will crea

Port Spilla in the morning

te those precious lifelong memories of time well-spent with loved ones on the Greek Ionian Islands.

Why not talk to us about creating a custom dream holiday where for on week you and your family stay in an amazing luxury private villa and then one week sailing in Greece aboard one of our spacious modern yacht. Depending on your experience you can skipper the yacht yourself or we can provide a skipper and hostess!

New language options on Ionian Dreams

The links to the new languange versions are located on the top right hand side of the pages.

These new pages should help our search engine results hugely for the new languages. We welcome any comments or more ideas you might have.