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A few minutes from Porto Heli can be found the town of Ermioni, a picturesque place that brings the Greek islands to mind and warmly embraces the visitor with its impressive architecture and its relaxed pace. The beaches of Ermioni, the sights and the natural beauty make the town ideal for a quick trip, especially if you are at Argolida on your vacation.

Whether you take a walk at the port of Ermioni or drink coffee and have lunch in one of its cafes and restaurants with the magnificent views, the sea breeze as well as the peace and quiet will win you over immediately. If you wish to swim there are various beaches at Ermioni to choose from: Kouverta, Maderi, Petrothalassa and finally Bisti, that borders a wonderful pine forest. Wooded areas and impressive natural formations are quite prominent in the region. Go to Katafyki, a gorge a bit outside Ermioni, Fragthi cave and Thermisia lake.

A beautiful time to visit Ermioni is Easter. During Easter Sunday the Burning of Judas takes place in the port. The locals burn an effigy of Judas, made of flammable materials. The spectacle is breathtaking, since many boats that come from other little ports around Ermioni participate with torches.

Ermioni has been inhabited since the ancient times because of its excellent position and its climate. Being really close to other beautiful cities in Argolida, like Porto Heli and Nafplio, it is ideal for a quick trip for a meal, a drink or a swim.

Peloponnese Hotels – Ermioni – AKS Porto Heli

One of the major benefits of vacationing in Argolida is the ability to go on daily excursions to magnificent places, each time choosing a different setting. If you want beaches, you will go to the cosmopolitan Porto Heli, which will after all be your base of operations, or Tolo; if you want forests, head to the impressive mountains of Argolida; and if you want to see ancient sites, Epidaurus sounds ideal. Ancient Troizina (or Troezen), however, combines all of the above. Hidden within a wooded environment and really close to the coast, Troizina, from which Theseus embarked on his adventures, and its ancient site is a place that is waiting for you to discover and explore. The site itself is massive, since there are the ruins of the Hippolytus sanctuary, a sanatorium, a theater and a stadium; there is also a church built in the sixth century AD. The Palace of Theseus is also of note, formed in the ancient years but completed during the Middle Ages. The area around the ancient site of Troizina might not be famous for its beaches, but there are some nice little beaches around that you need to look for. But if you want some Greek island flavor, then you will take the ferry or the boat to Poros and visit the sea there, drink a cup of coffee or have your lunch. Peloponnese Hotels | AKS Porto Heli

Summer is approaching rapidly and AKS Hotels in Porto Heli, Crete and Paros are ready to open for the new season. Our opening dates are as follows:

• AKS Porto Heli Hotel                 17.04.2014
• AKS Hinitsa Bay Hotel               17.04.2014
• AKS Chroma Paros Hotel          15.05.2014
• AKS Minoa Palace                         11.04.2014
• AKS Annabelle Beach Resort   11.04.2014

Join us for unforgettable holidays, relaxation and fun!

Argolida is a rich, blessed land. It’s been inhabited since the ancient years, with important towns that contributed significantly to Greek history, that’s why it is full of ancient monuments and ruins, like Mycenae and Epidaurus. It is by the sea and endued with amazing beaches and picturesque settlements, like Porto Heli. It has a fertile plain and products, like its oranges, that are sought for throughout the world. And finally is has an unknown side, its mountains and forests that can bring the visitor really close to nature.

It is normal to prefer staying close to the towns and beaches of Argolida, when you make the, admittedly easy, decision to visit it. But if you have time some day, we would advise you to spend it on a quick trip to the traditional villages in the mountains of Argolida, like Karya or Krya Vrysi. With people experienced in hardship, but also smiling, with a simple yet refreshing life, surrounded by endless virgin forests, these villages will give you a new perspective in life. Breathe the absolutely clean air, drink crystal clear water from the springs, discover creaks and gulches, just walk, far away from civilization.

This is a day we all have need of. Argolida, which offers everything else we seek for when on vacation, can also offer this.

Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli – AKS Hinitsa Bay

Porto Heli, Hinitsa, Tolo, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Ermioni. Argolida is so close to Athens and its beaches are in no way inferior to those on the Greek islands. Whether you’re looking for a weekend of relaxation or vacations of a longer duration, then Argolida might be an ideal destination because it combines the mountains and the sea, modern towns and ancient monuments, all very close to the capital. The biggest question if of course which beach in Argolida is the best. And since in such cases it’s all a matter of opinion, we will declare our preference to be Hinitsa with its wonderful sand, the beautiful scenery, the good crowds and its facilities. This doesn’t mean that the other beaches fall behind. If your base of operations is, for example, Porto Heli, then it’s very easy to enjoy the beaches of the magical Ermioni, go to Tolo, where you might find the biggest crowds, and discover the relatively unknown beaches close to Nafplio, like Katharonas, which the locals trust unquestioningly. The variety of beaches in Argolida is rare for the Greek mainland. The fact that they’re only a short drive away from Athens is a bonus to those who wish to escape and do something different. The Peloponnese, after all, is not only its beaches. It has everything and it offers it to the visitor. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay

The Epidaurus Festival 2014 will transport you once more to the magic of the ancient Greek theater with select performances prepared by prominent as well as promising directors and protagonists. Under the umbrella of the Greek Festival, every summer Epidaurus brings to life the most glorious moments of the art of theater. The performances this year include traditional and more daring choices and it is certain that they won’t hesitate to face the difficult issues that torment today’s society. The program of the Epidaurus Festival 2014 is as follows:

• Eleni, by Euripides. Director: Dimitris Karantzas (July 5)
• Prometheus Bound, by Aeschylus. Director: Ektoras Lygizos (July 12)
• Philoctetes, by Sophocles. Director: Kostas Filippoglou (July 18-19)
• Hippolytus, by Euripides. Director: Lydia Koniordou (July 25-26)
• The Frogs, by Aristophanes. Director: Giannis Kakleas (August 1-2)
• Bacchae, by Euripides. Director: Angela Brouskou (August 8-9)
• The Persians, by Aeschylus. Director: Nikaiti Kontouri (August 15-16)

It is refreshing and hopeful to see many women directors trying to bring a modern and inquisitive eye to the traditional performances. If we could, we’d watch each and every one, but if we had to choose, we must admit that we are mostly interested in the approach of Philoctetes by the Theater of Patras and definitely in Lydia Koniordou’s Hippolytus. Finally we are certain that the struggle between Angela Brouskou and Euripides’ difficult satyrical drama will have the audience as winners. Hotels in Peloponnese – AKS Porto Heli

A text found buried in the ground in a palace basement, written in an unknown alphabet, dated to a time about which we know very little: The circular clay Phaistos Disc has everything it needs to attract dozens of archeologists who want to solve one of the biggest mysteries of mankind. After more than a century of study, since the Phaistos Disc was found in 1908 from the Italian Luigi Pernier and is now at the Heralkion Archaeological Museum, the questions remain more than the answers.

Was the disc made in Crete? In which language is it written? What was its purpose? None of these has a definite answer, even if there are conspiracy theories that claim it is the oldest text in the world; this, of course, is not true, since the Phaistos Disc was made approximately in the seventeenth century BC while, for example, the ancient Sumerian cuneiform writing and the Egyptian hieroglyphics were already being used during the fourth millennium BC.

So, what do we know about the disc? It is probably not written in Greek (there is no absolute certainty on that, though). Its alphabet is called Linear A and it hasn’t been deciphered, as opposed to the Mycenaean (and completely Greek) Linear B, which we can read. The rest of our knowledge is archaeological details, accompanied by a healthy dose of conjectures and arbitrary conclusions. What’s certain is that it will keep archeologists busy for quite some time still.

Myths and Truths about the Benefits of Orange Juice

Orange juice cures your cold or flu, orange juice makes you strong, orange juice fixes your blood, orange juice contains antioxidants, orange juice has Vitamin C. We constantly hear these phrases. The Mediterranean climate and Greece favor the orange-tree and in Argolida grow some of the sweetest oranges in the world. However, is orange juice that miraculous food that seems to solve all health issues and keep our bodies in shipshape? The answer is yes and no.

Is orange juice good for us in general?

Yes. It is rich in Vitamin C and fiber and it contains traces of Vitamin A and B-6, Potassium and Calcium. That is true, though, only if the juice contains as much of the original orange as possible. Strain the juice and it’s just orange-flavored sugar water.

Is orange juice fattening?

As much as a typical soft drink. A small glass of orange juice or soft drink contains about forty calories. But juice has so many added benefits, while soft drinks have none.

Can orange juice prevent cold?

Not exactly. A 2007 study showed that under normal living conditions people who drank juice got sick as often as those who didn’t. Under extreme circumstances (really cold climates, intense physical exercise), however, orange juice seems to help.

Should we drink orange juice then?

Absolutely! Every day! We have daily access to fresh delicious oranges from Argos, Nafplio or Porto Heli; shouldn’t we take advantage of that?

Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay – AKS Porto Heli

Anyone that has been to the beautiful county of Argolida and has visited Nafplio, has without doubt turned his head upwards to look at the fortress, Palamidi, that overlooks the city. Built by the Venetians at the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth, it is probably the most famous fortress in Greece for its imposing appearance, its ambitious architecture and because within its bastions the cell of the Greek hero of the revolution, Kolokotronis, can be located.

A tour of Palamidi is not complete if the visitor does not confront the equally known 999 steps, or at least that’s the number according to tradition. Most people probably prefer getting to the fortress using the road and climb down the steps when they leave. The truth is that the 999 steps are a myth, sustained because the number sounds magical. From the town to the main area of the fortress the steps are about 860 and end up being more than 1000 if someone reaches the top. These numbers, however, are not impressive. The 999 steps have been linked to occult practices, they have been mentioned by poets and novelists and found a place in songs. If someone has climbed them and counted them differently, then somewhere, somehow a mistake was made…

Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli -AKS Hinitsa Bay

Christmas is approaching, the kids have started making their lists and writing their letters to Santa. Many ‘big kids’ are also waiting for Christmas in order to leave behind the daily routine and live their own fairy tale. Christmas trees and Christmas lights have already appeared in houses, shop windows, public places and everything is on a countdown to December 25th.

Christmas has always been a celebration of love, hope and happiness. They are the days in which families and friends gathered round to enjoy each others company. If we strip those days from the materialism of modern Christmas, which we all have includeded in our life and expecations we will feel relaxed without any anxiety of the coming holidays. We will discover the true meaning of Christmas without expensive gifts or glamorous dinners. These days are days of offering. Let us think of the people next to us that may not be as fortunate as we are, and lets share what we can with them, even if we do not have that much to share. These are the moments that will reveal the true meaning of Christmas….

Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli