News in Greece and the islands

As announced few days ago by the Greek Ministry of Culture, the most important museums and archaeological sites in Greece will extend their hours of operation from April 1st until October 31st, 2014. In particular, 33 top attractions and museums in the country will stay open to the public every day from 8 am until 8 pm.

Aristotle is the most famous personality of human history, according to a recent study of the American University MIT. In fact, 6 of the 10 winners in the world's field of popularity are Greeks.

Five Greek islands (Naxos, Kefalonia, Milos, Santorini and Paros) have been voted by visitors of TripAdvisor among the top 10 island destinations in Europe for 2014.

Airberlin, Germany's second largest airline, is expanding its tourist flights to Greece this summer, adding more flights to Santorini, Kos, Zakynthos, Heraklion and other regional airports in the country.

Starting from April 1st, Ryanair is to launch flights from London Stansted, Milan Bergamo and Paphos in Cyprus to Athens. The low-cost air company recently announced its decision to open a new base in the Greek capital and also an additional base in Thessaloniki.

Direct flights from Athens and Kalamata to Hamburg Germany will start from spring 2014. Aegean Airlines will fly three times a week from Athens and EasyJet will fly twice per week from Kalamata.

This year, the small maritime company Small Cyclades Lines was awarded by Lloyd's as the best shipping company. With its only ferry, the legendary Express Skopelitis, this company connects the islands of Naxos, Amorgos, Donoussa, Koufonissia, Schinoussa and Iraklia all year round.

Authorities in Greece and Turkey are working on adopting a new visa procedure in an effort to increase the tourist flow between the two countries. This coffee visa will cover daily visits and will not require any visa procedures.

Low-cost airline carrier EasyJet announced the launch of five new routes to and from Greece for tourist season 2014, particularly to and from Athens, Heraklion, Kos, Mykonos and Corfu.

A luxurious Roman villa and a bath complex of large dimensions were recently excavated in the location Katounistra in Loutraki. These findings testify the importance of the Corinth Canal in the antiquity and the development of thermalism in the region.

The first two diving parks in Greece are estimated to open in summer 2014 and they are found in the region of Pylos-Methoni, south western Peloponnese.

The Central Archaeological Board of Greece voted few days ago for the total erection of the ancient fortress of Aegosthena (modern Porto Germeno), on the western side of Attica.

The 3rd Saronic Chamber Music Festival will welcome once more the Leondari Ensemble to islands and regions of the Saronic Gulf. A series of six concerts will take place in Methana, Hydra, Galatas and Poros from July 26th to August 3rd, 2013.

For the 50th year on the row, the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club organized the Aegean Rally. This year, the regatta with depart from Faliro on July 19th and will visit the islands of Syros, Patmos and Koufonisi, before finishing in Cape Sounion Attica.

A bill of the Ministry of Development is deposited today in the Greek Parliament for the return of hydroplanes in Greece. Seven years after the first attempt to introduce seaplane services in Greece, it appears that sea-borne aircraft will soon get a second chance in our country.

Greece News - Page 3

Greece news

Extended hours for top sites and museums

Most world famous figures are Greeks

Five Greek islands among world top

Airberlin expands flights to Greece

Ryanair flies to Athens and Thessaloniki

Direct flights from Hamburg in summer

Ferry Express Skopelitis awarded for its offer

Coffee visa between Greece and Turkey

New EasyJet routes to Greece

Roman villa and bath excavated in Loutraki

First two diving parks open in summer 2014

Restoration of Fortress in Porto Germeno

Saronic Chamber Music Festival 2013

Aegean Rally 2013

Second chance for hydroplanes