The lush, green island of Lesvos is the third largest of the islands in Greece (behind Crete and Evia). It is a very beautiful island with wonderful beaches, picturesque villages and interesting architecture. Famous for its excellent ouzo, Lesvos is the perfect place to visit for people who want to experience the real Greece. The coastal towns of Petra, Plomari, Molyvos, and Erosos are very popular attractions for tourists.

There is a huge variety of fun and exciting things to do here.  You can enjoying the crystal clear waters – whether that be fishing, snorkeling, swimming, or just relaxing on a warm bed of sand gazing at other islands in the horizon. The nightlife is also one of the main highlights. A plethora of bars and clubs are filling the streets of the capital – Greek music, dancing, eating…

Named for the red stone castle that once dominated the port, Kastellorizo is the smallest of the Dodecanese – and the largest of the archipelago of tiny islets, which gives it its other name, Megisti. It is more than seventy nautical miles east of Rhodes, Greece just a stone’s throw from Kas on the Turkish coast. It’s rocky place with a small permanent population. Supplies are shipped from Rhodes or brought from Turkey. Photo by: AbsolutelyEverything

In the nineteenth century the population of this thriving community was over 10,ooo. After the two World Wars it was left almost deserted. Now the harbour resounds in the summer to Australian accents: many migrants are returning to find their roots, reclaim and rebuild their family homes. Another to draw to tourists number has been the Oscar – wining Italian film, Mediterraneo, which was filmed on the island. Photo by: craigaio

The only settlement is the harbour village and its suburb over the hill. The waterfront is lined with graceful neo-classical houses, and the path round the headland passes Greece’s only Lycian house-tomb. Peaceful walks around the island pass monasteries and ruins. On the zigzag stepped path to the top of the crag above the town you may see flocks of bee-eaters – the migration route of these colorful birds touches the island. Photo by: craigaio

There are no beaches, but very enjoyable swimming is possible from rocks, and from the ‘lido‘ platform at the mouth of the harbour. The water there is very clear-crystal and peacock-hued. Photo by: craigaio

When to go: May, June, early July and September (because of the high temperature during the high summer time). Population: 430. Getting there: Flight from Rhodes. Ferry from Rhodes and inter island ferries. Photo by: craigaio

The little island of Symi is part of the Dodecanese Islands and lying just 41 km north-west of the Turkish mainland. This mountainous island is separated by lovely valleys and its coast has rocky outcrops and sweet bays, many only accessible by boat. The main settlement, in the north-east of the island is also called Symi, but locals usually refer to it as Yialos. The town has an upper and lower part. The upper part is emerged as Chorio and is dominated by the fortress of the Knights of St John. The lower part of town, around the port area is stunning, surrounded as it is by green hills making a natural amphitheater. The two parts are linked by the Kali Strata, 350 steps lined with pastel-coloured neoclassical houses with flower-filled courtyards. Photo by: alexandros9

There are many lovely churches and monasteries on the island, some of which can be explored on foot, others that are only accessible by boat. The church of Constantinos and Eleni on the southern slopes of Vigla had beautiful gardens and terraces. Set in a bay to the south-west of the island is the monastery of the Archangel Michael at Panormitis, an important pilgrimage site visited by people from all over Greece. Photo by: Marite2007

Every year from July to September, the famous Symi Festival takes place on the island. The festival features dance and theatre events, as well as a host of open-air concerts by many musicians. Photo by: Marite2007

When to go: May to October. Population: 2, 606. How to get there: By boat or hydrofoil from Rhodes or Piraeus. You should know: Although the island used to be famous for its sponges, those one on sale on the island are imported. Photo by: Padmee

Photo by: alexandros9

Egina’s geographical position at the mouth of the Saronic Gulf, made it an important maritime power in classical times. The island is emerged as Greece’s leading pistachio producer, and a weekend beach resort for Athenians. Egina Town is an energetic, attractive place, with coloured fishing boat and yachts in a harbour that is lined with handsome buildings, cafes and restaurants. A single column marks the site of the Temple of Apollo, and there is a well-presented archeological museum. Photo by: Mi_ko

The island’s major resort, busy Ayia Marina, lies, with several smaller resorts, on the east coast. Inland, the pleasant countryside is mountainous. There are several isolated monasteries and churches, featuring the enormous church dedicated to the first Greek Orthodox saint of the 20th century, Saint Sophia. Central and western Egina is green and rolling, carpeted with pistachio orchards. Along the west coast lie further beaches, including the pretty harbour village of Perdhika. From here it is a short boat trip to the uninhabited islet of with its lovely beach and excellent swimming. Photo by: vicguinda

When to go: May and June, September and October. Population: 13, 552. Getting there: Ferry from Piraeus. You should know: Minted on the island in its heyday, the silver ‘turtle’ coins were the first in Greece. Photo by: vicguinda

Photo by: vicguinda

Danai Beach Resort is one of Greece’s premier luxury spa hotels. The resort overlooks pine fringed shores white sandy beaches and the clear azure waters of the Aegean Sea. Its beach is about 2.5 km long and it is attractive not only for its extensive golden sands, but also for the way the pine trees grow right down to the water’s edge. A world-class Wellness & Spa center“St Barth” in Moroccan-style design offers huge variety of professional therapies and health treatments.

SPA Treatments include: massages of all types, traditional Indian Ayurveda, Thalasso and purifying. Other fantasy treatments include specially designed stunning Turkish-tiled steam bath for inhalation therapy, green and pink clay packs, body peeling, the Laconium circular bio sauna, holistic trilogy steam rituals, rainwater treatment beds, balancing chakra tables, aromatherapy, Adventure showers with rain and tropic settings, classic Finnish hot detoxification sauna, treatment with calming oil massages on Tatami Japanese-style bed,

Guide price
A 60 minute full body massage costs 155 Euros. A 50 minute body peeling massage with coconut oil and papaya costs 105 Euros. Prices between June and September start from £1800.00 per person, based on 2 adults based on return scheduled flights to Thessaloniki, return airport private transfers and 5 nights B&B in a Double room.

Today Santorini, Greece gives a seemingly untouched backdrop of white hills, turquoise beaches and blue seas. The gem of Santorini is the Ikies Traditional Houses, sits high atop the archipelago of islands in the village of Oia. Ikies houses are divided into studios (one bedroom), maisonettes (loft bedroom), and suites.

Each house offers private patios, jacuzzi and own swimming pool, all of which are carefully crafted for viewing of Oia’s famous sunsets. Ikies has become famous for its obsession with service. One magazine review read,”Their staff lives for nothing more than to refill your cocktail.” Continental breakfast, light fare and cocktails are all served to your room (or terrace or pool area). For the romantically-inclined, Ikies also offers a full service honeymoon package, with champagne breakfasts, flowers, satin sheets and the works.

Ikies is a great example of what this region has to offer. Stay tuned to Wayfaring to learn the ins and outs of the best places to vacation in Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens.

Perivolas Hotel is a restored group of 300 year-old caves, once the homes, wineries and stables of fishermen and farmers, now a complex of 17 private houses. The hotel is nestled between an amphitheaterical landscape of curves stepping down to a central stone terrace, with a pool that flows over the edge of the cliff into an Aegean horizon. Perivolas encompasses 14,000 square metres of vineyards, wild fig trees and abundant flora.

The hotel is situated in Santorini, Greece. Santorini has the oldest vineyards in Europe, producing mostly white wine – and surprisingly good. They are scattered all over the island. One of the most welcoming is the Santo winery, close to Pirigas, where for a few euros you get a tour and a tasting of some choice bottles.

The rooms are all whitewashed walls, with no hard edges. Santorini’s fishing folk, it seems, had a thing for curves, and the effect it has on visitors is quite astounding.

Drinks in the charming town of Oia are walking distance away, and a spectacular cliff side dinner at Ambrosia. Although the restaurant occasionally overreached itself in terms of trendy food fusion, the quality of the produce shone through.

With a full service spa, impressive infinity pool and an exclusive restaurant serving a feast of Mediterranean delights and Greek delicacies, Perivolas offers both modern and ancient beauty. Prices start at €368

Nicaragua is staggeringly beautiful country. Though it may be poised to be Next Costa Rica, Nicaragua is still an old country. Nicaragua has roughly the size of Greece or the state of New York.

 

In Nicaragua, there’s a large rainforest region, with several large rivers running through it. The Rio Coco is the largest river in Central America and also flows in Nicaragua. The culture of the country has strong folklore traditions, deeply influenced by European culture. It was colonized by Spain and for that reason has a similar culture.

 

A great variety of birds can be observed including eagles, turkeys, toucans, parakeets and macaws. Animal life in the area includes different species of monkeys, ant-eaters, white-tailed deer and tapirs.

 

The majority of the Nicaraguan population is Mestizo and White. Mestizos and Whites mainly reside in the western region of the country and combined make up 86% of the Nicaraguan population, approximately 4.8 million people.

 

If you want to examine the human history into upward spiral, head to the new California Academy of Science located in Golden Gate Park. Designed by Mr. Piano, the academy has astonishing floating green roof of undulating mounds of plants.

 

‘This building’s greatness as architecture, however, is rooted in a cultural history that stretches back through Modernism to Classical Greece. ‘

 

This science academy gives the sense of weightlessness. A row of steel columns soaring 36 feet high along the facade lends the building a classical air. The impression of lightness is accentuated by a wafer-thin canopy above that creates the illusion that the roof is only millimeters thick.

 

A glass lobby allows you to gaze straight through the building to the park on the other side. Other views open into exhibition spaces with their own microclimates. The entire building serves as a sort of specimen case, a framework for pondering the natural world while straining to disturb it as little as possible.

 

The roof of the academy’s lobby, supported by a gossamer like web of cables, swells upward as if the entire room were breathing.One of the building’s many environmental features, these windows let warm air escape and create a gentle breeze that reinforces the connection to the natural setting.

 

The academy has a museum, with African Hall and gorgeous vaulted ceiling and dioramas of somnolent lions and grazing antelopes, integrating it into the new design.

 

Santorini is a place that doesn’t need much introduction- it’s a small circular archipelago of volcanic islands. Aigialos Hotel is among them in the island’s capital of Fira.

 

It’s a collection of antique villas from the eighteenth and nineteenth century, each one updated and renovated but hardly redesigned — the charm here is in the traditional architecture, the original period detailing, and the classic antiques and furnishings throughout. Floors and bathrooms are marble, and balconies and terraces look out over the caldera, inside the arc of this crescent-shaped island. As views go, it’s hard to think of many better ones, and Aigialos likes to boast that it’s privy to the world’s loveliest sunset — and they may have a point.

 

Room service is available 24 hours, a surprise in a hotel this sleepy and a town this small. There’s a pool as well, but not much more than that — Aigialos, and Santorini in general, is for getting away from it all, and a hike down to the black sand beach or a stroll into town for dinner is about as hectic as it gets.

Mykonos is a wonderful Greek island, a tourist destination famous for its cosmopolitan character, intense nightlife and jetsets playgrounds. The island has fabulous white-sand beaches with turquoise water in Greece.

This is a newly-opened Argentine restaurant set in the gorgeous art deco space of Mykonos’s open-air-cinema.

A spectacular overview of Mykonos Town, also known as Chora.

The picture displays the famous windmills, which are situated on a hill overlooking the town and the Little Venice area of the island.

Astra bar was created in the late 1980’s by local jeweler Minas, who incorporated a fiber-optic ‘’starlight’’ ceiling that pulses to the music. Amazing…! Twenty years on, the atmosphere still rocks, the parties often go until dawn.

The hotel is located in the area of Ekali in a short distance to Kifissia, with easy access to the main highways. It is about 20 minutes drive from downtown Athens.

The hotel has beautiful shelters with oasis around them, where the style is extremely modern. The Life Gallery’s exterior offers a green environment of exotic gardens, two spectacular pools, sapcious sundecks and outdoor terraces.

There are 30 rooms, studios and suites, decorated in earth tones and open-plan layouts that are complemented by views of the nearby Mount Parnes and Mount Penteli. The well-being of Life Gallery’s guests will also be cared for at the hotel’s extensive “Ananea” spa. Yoga and meditation treatments are available to soothe and rejuvenate, as well as a vitality pool, sauna and hammam, mud treatments and raindrops therapy. Whether on business or a cultural break, the Life Gallery will make sure its discerning guests see a new side of Athens.

Each spacious room-suite has TV, radio & free movie channels, in room Laptop (suites only), free high speed internet access in room, free Wi-Fi access in public areas, ethernet service, ISDN lines, working desk, minibar, safes , furnished balconies, VIP turndown service, laundry & valet service (subject to extra charge), limo (subject to extra charge), valet parking, non smoking rooms, 24 hours security.

Bulgaria is a much less mature market than other European property markets such as Spain. However Bulgaria has enjoyed a lot of interest recently and its tourism industry is growing at the fastest rate in Europe. Bulgaria is expected to enjoy 20 million annual tourists by 2010.
While Bulgarian buy-to-let properties are still in their infancy, there are strong pointers for a healthy future in the rental market.
Here is an outline of the pitfalls and plus points of the Bulgaria’s buy-to-let market and all the buy property in Bulgaria offers. Over the past five years demand for rental homes has shown a dramatic increase, both from the consumer and supplier. The arrival of low cost airlines from all over Europe, the growth of sea, ski and golf markets, plus increases in city-based jobs as foreign companies move into Bulgaria, are all reasons for the rise in demand.

The tourist summer season starts from May to September with a peak in July and August. However, that will increase in the future with year-round golf. Bulgarian autumn and spring turns out to offer excellent conditions for the golf industry. Expectations are for 8 months active tourism.

Bulgaria is rapidly becoming a cheap option for winter breaks as well. The season is from December to April, peaking in January and February. Low prices for property can offer buy-to-let customers a good deal. Rural tourism is becoming more and more popular. There are numerous cheap village properties available for those who wish to invest. However it’s important to select a home with comfortable interiors, pleasant outdoor areas and, preferably, a swimming pool. Places of interest in the surrounding areas are also a big plus. Ensuring the location is near an airport is a key factor.

Clever marketing in neighboring countries, such as Romania and Greece, is also important to succeed in the village rental market. The most popular holiday rentals are villas with pools, pleasant outdoor areas and close to the coast, mountain or spa resort.

Hotspots include big city rentals in Sofia , Plovdiv and Varna . Areas to watch are golf spots and sea towns with access to golf courses like Kavarna and Balchik.Other attractive areas include cities with Universities or so called Student Cities. Those would be Sofia ,Varna, Blagoevgrad and Veliko Turnovo. The rental potential is from 4% to 8 % annually. Moreover the rent and resale is easier as prospects are Bulgarian people not only foreigners like the holiday properties.

Before you buy, research the market thoroughly and assess realistically whether the rental income can pay part of the mortgage on a rental home.

The Bulgarian mortgage scene is still immature compared with many overseas countries and does not offer a wide range of products. Despite the strong market for rental property in Bulgaria, and the continuing general interest in Bulgarian property investment, there is only a one-size-fits-all mortgage available. When a bank is considering a Bulgarian mortgage application, it will not make any distinction between a main residence, a second holiday home, and a buy-to-let investment. As the market matures, a specific buy-to-let loan may be designed.For the present, all Bulgarian property investments are treated the same by mortgage lenders.