Latest news with #Crete
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
I stayed at the super relaxing Greek resort with hidden beaches, laid-back DJ tunes and private pools
ALL I can hear is the rustling of the tamarisk trees, splashing water and the occasional scrape of a patio chair. My inability to relax on holiday is certainly being tested. I could get used to this. 5 5 That's the ethos of the Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort tucked into the southern curve of Crete — slow and easy living. Having joined the Hilton's Curio Collection last year, the adults-only 5H resort still feels sparklingly new, despite having opened its doors in 2021. I spent the next few days in utter bliss. Barely an hour after checking in, my first stop was the spa for the hotel's complimentary 15-minute massage. I was surprised at how such a short session was one of the best I've ever had. The stubborn knots lining my shoulder blades were easily unkinked within a few minutes. The relaxation continued at the hotel swimming pools, with two to choose from. The main, bigger pool is the most popular, lined with sun loungers covered in squishy striped covers you sink into as you sunbathe, or snooze. Live DJ sets and even saxophone players sprang up throughout the day, but they did not feel overwhelming. There is just a laid-back, beach club vibe. I became a frequent visitor to the pool bar too, making it my mission to try all the signature cocktails. The Numo Tequila Sunrise was a firm favourite. The TUI guide to Crete from best beaches to passport rules The smaller, tucked-away swimming pool is the place for a quiet escape, with no music and just serene, bright-blue water overlooked by the mountains. While Crete doesn't have private beaches, the dark sandy one behind Numo feels secluded enough when swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Fish tacos But the star of the show was my grandly named King Evergreen Absolute Suite, which was surrounded by a huge outdoor deck with its own plunge pool. While Crete doesn't have private beaches, the dark sandy one behind Numo feels secluded enough when swimming in the Mediterranean Sea When I craved some privacy in the evenings, I relaxed on private loungers while dipping my toes into the water. Rooms are inspired by the tamarisk trees that line the coastline, with muted green, grey and brown decor. Even the entry-level rooms come with this modern palette and a balcony or terrace. My suite was definitely a step up, though, with a cosy lounge area, spacious bedroom and huge open-plan bathroom complete with a roll-top bath. A day of drinking wine on the patio meant I needed to line my stomach, and stays at the Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort can include breakfast or half-board with dinner. The buffet restaurant Tamarisk has some of the best views of the house, with the pool to one side and the beach to the other. But what the buffet lacks in size, it makes up for in taste. One evening, my rich lamb was accompanied by spinach orzo, and a cabbage and kimchee salad. The next day, I gorged on creamy pasta with barbecued chicken and a variety of Greek salads. The spread at breakfast includes fresh hot pastries, bread, fruit and cooked options. There is also a speciality restaurant called Menoa, serving Peruvian cuisine such as fresh fish tacos, and you will get a discount if staying half-board. Guests can head to Kafené, the onsite cafe and gift shop, for an authentic Greek coffee made by heating it in sand. I was amazed by how quiet the resort felt, despite being at full capacity. And there is more than enough to keep you busy. A highlight was the outdoor cinema, screening films such as Mamma Mia! and Barbie every evening. You can spend the afternoon browsing the hotel's clothes shop before a personal training session at the gym. While the resort does its best to stop you from wanting to leave, we took a day trip to nearby Kristas. One of the oldest villages on the island, it has pretty, winding alleyways and hundreds of plants surrounding doorways. 5 5 It is also the best place for a souvenir, with locally made jewellery and clothing stores alongside more touristy trinket spots, selling magnets and pottery. It is only as the midday heat started getting to me that I was tempted back to the hotel for a dip in the ocean before yet another delicious dinner. I had certainly never felt so zen. Who needs yoga when you can head to Numo instead?
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
6.1-magnitude quake hits off Greek island of Crete
The Aegean Sea, located where the African and Anatolian tectonic plates converge, is often hit by quakes. (AP pic) ATHENS : A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit off the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini today, the US Geological Survey said. The strong quake struck 82km northeast of Crete's capital Heraklion, at a depth of 68km, the USGS said. The region popular with tourists has been rattled by multiple tremors in recent months, prompting schools in Santorini and neighbouring islands to close temporarily. Thousands of earthquakes, mainly of low magnitude, were recorded from late January between the islands of Santorini, Amorgos, Ios and Anafi in the Cyclades group southeast of the Greek mainland. The seismic swarm caused no casualties or significant damage. Located where the African and Anatolian tectonic plates converge, the Aegean Sea is often hit by quakes. But the region had not experienced a phenomenon of such magnitude since records began in 1964, experts said.
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Greece Hooks Up Undersea Power Link to Crete as Part of Mediterranean Grid Plans
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece announced Monday it has completed the work on an undersea power cable link connecting the mainland to the island of Crete, a key step in its ambitious plan for a wider expansion of the grid in the Eastern Mediterranean that will eventually include Cyprus and Israel. The 1 billion euro ($1.14 billion) link spanning 330 kilometers (205 miles) was plugged in on Saturday and is expected to be fully operational this summer, Greece's grid operator said.
Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Planeterra and easyJet holidays partner in Crete
Planeterra and easyJet holidays partner for three years to support biodiversity-positive community tourism enterprises in Crete, enhancing meaningful and sustainable travel experiences. LONDON & TORONTO – In celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity 2025, Planeterra – leading non-profit organization using tourism to uplift communities – and package holiday provider, easyJet holidays, announce a three-year partnership. This collaboration marks a major step forward in integrating community tourism into easyJet holidays' portfolio while supporting experiences delivering a Nature Positive approach, benefiting both people and the planet. Through this initiative, Planeterra and easyJet holidays will identify, support, and integrate Community Tourism Enterprises in Crete, Greece into Planeterra's Global Community Tourism Network. These enterprises will be selected based on their commitment to deliver Nature Positive Tourism practices, including climate change adaptation, biodiversity regeneration, and community resilience. In the first year, Planeterra and easyJet holidays will: Onboard and train 10+ community tourism enterprises in Crete. Identify enterprises already working towards – or showing strong potential for – biodiversity regeneration and climate change impact resilience. Collaborate with easyJet holidays and their partners in destination to integrate 3–4 of these community-led experiences into easyJet holidays' product offerings beginning in year two. By supporting community enterprises that are delivering Nature Positive Tourism approaches, easyJet holidays' customers will gain access to even more meaningful travel experiences that celebrate the rich cultural and environmental heritage of Crete – while uplifting local communities and protecting the ecosystems they rely on. 'This partnership with easyJet holidays shows how the tourism industry, by working together, can create a positive impact for communities and the natural environments they depend on,' said Planeterra President, Jamie Sweeting. 'By supporting local enterprises that champion biodiversity and community well-being, we're not only enriching travel experiences but also helping to safeguard Crete's cultural and ecological heritage for future generations.' 'At easyJet holidays, we're committed to making more sustainable holidays mainstream, by having a positive impact on the people and places that make our holidays so special.' said Matt Callaghan, Chief Operating Officer, easyJet holidays. 'At the heart of our ESG strategy is a commitment to being community conscious, so we want to support our destinations, and ensure tourism uplifts local communities. That's why we're proud to launch this exciting partnership with Planeterra – supporting biodiversity and empowering local communities in one of our customers' favourite destinations.' 'We look forward to championing inspiring local enterprises and integrating meaningful, high-impact initiatives into our holiday experiences.' This collaboration builds on easyJet holidays' broader 'Holiday Better' sustainability strategy and supports their leadership in responsible tourism. Named UK & Ireland Travel Company of the Year 2024 and winner of the Sustainable Future Award at the Globe Travel Awards, easyJet holidays continues to show that tourism can be a force for good for destinations, customers, and communities alike. Together, Planeterra and easyJet holidays are setting a new standard for community-led, biodiversity-positive travel – championing the spirit of International Biodiversity Day and driving meaningful change for a better planet.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Greece hooks up an undersea power link to Crete that's key to Mediterranean grid expansion
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece announced Monday it has completed the work on an undersea power cable link connecting the mainland to the island of Crete, a key step in its ambitious plan for a wider expansion of the grid in the Eastern Mediterranean that will eventually include Cyprus and Israel. The 1 billion euro ($1.14 billion) link spanning 330 kilometers (205 miles) was plugged in on Saturday and is expected to be fully operational this summer, Greece's grid operator said. The project, for which the European Union provided the bulk of funding through grants and loans, aims to bolster energy diversification after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Athens hopes to extend the link to Cyprus and Israel — dubbed the Great Sea Interconnector — by the end of the decade. The project is also a move toward Crete being able to replace fossil fuel-based power generation with renewables, government officials said. 'Crete is becoming a central pillar for the country's energy transition,' Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said. 'We're moving forward with the development of an integrated network of electrical interconnections, strengthening our country as a strategic energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.' However, the wider project has been complicated by financial disagreements and ongoing maritime disputes between Greece and Turkey. Greece and Egypt also want to establish a separate undersea link on a similar timetable that would bypass the island of Crete and connect directly to the Greek mainland, near Athens. The undersea cables to Crete have been laid at a depth of 1,200 meters (nearly 4,000 feet) and will support a capacity of 1,000 megawatts using high-voltage direct current transmission systems. Supervised by a subsidiary of Greece's Independent Power Transmission Operator, the project involved private contractors Siemens Energy of Germany, Greek construction firm TERNA and the Italy-based Prysmian Group cable company, among others.
