Starting by at least June 17 this year, a new “Flying Dolphin” mega-sized Catamaran will come into service offering a 4.5 hour travel time from Chania to Piraeus and vice versa. This is a new route for Hellas Flying Dolphins.

Planned schedule is:

Piraeus-Chania departure at 15.45 hours, arriving Chania at 20.15 hours
Chania-Piraeus departure at 20.45 hours, arriving Piraeus at 01.15 hours (why couldn’t it be at a more civilized time of day, I ask? )

But look at the improvements, the coming of age of travel in Greece…..decent travel times ( and judging by the similar services already existing….higher standards of service).

There will be Economy, Business and VIP class (sign me up for VIP now…) sections.

The daily sailings will accommodate over 800 passengers and 150+ cars.

Prices have not been announced yet…

Check at www.dolphins.gr or our friends at www.ferries.gr in a week or two, for prices.

Of course the guide to Crete http://www.cretetravel.com will have more info as soon as we receive it…or prize it out of Hellas Flying Dolphins! Hi boys…!

Something else, another view, impression and suggestions about Athens:
http://www.spectator.co.uk/article_archive.php?id=5566

And the evergreen guide to Athens if you are going there (and surely you are ?) >
http://www.cretetravel.com/Athens

ThalassoKosmos (sea world) will open at Gouves on Crete’s north coast, a few kilometres east of Heraklion, in March 2005.

Claimed to be the largest and most up to date attraction and educational spectator exhibit in the Mediterranean, this puts an abandoned air base to good use.

Features include:
-32 tanks
-4000 sea organisms and creature
-300 square metres of glass walls
-50 observation points
-Over one and a half million litres of recycled sea water

There will also be – this is essential – Cafes, Restaurants and other expected facilities.

At a guess, over 175,000 people will visit the attraction each year

The project is supported by the Hellenic Centre of Marine Research and the Institutes of Marine Biology and of Fish Farming (how’s that for marine muscle!).

I\m excited to see this new attraction and how aesthetically pleasing the installation may be…

Calypso will soon commense construction. This is to become the largest Sea Park in all Greece.

It will be situated on the north coast of Crete on a large piece of seaside (of course!) land in Souda.

No completion date is yet announced – but if not 2005, then 2006!

A fresh look to CreteTravel.com’s website family.

New and consistent colour schemes plus a sparkling redesign, improve the pleasure and usability of the prime guide to Crete http://www.CreteTravel.com and the unique service for discerning travellers wishing to stay only in the most enchanting hotels and villas http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com

Take a look and enjoy planning your trip to Crete….

Oh yes – driving in Crete is really the best way to go! Best way to see the real deal, the cute villages, the surprise “find” of a beach and get to those magnificent view spots – so even the car rental website has been refined and joins the family look >http://www.crete-car-rental.com

Two masterfully refurbished – from remains and rubble – traditional houses are now available to rent in Crete\’s most gorgeous villages — yes they are that good!

Dorovinis Country houses are set in the village of Anotoli on Crete’s south coast inland from Ierapetra.
Created by an expert in the architectural heritage, restoration, renovation and conservation of buildings and evn whole villages in Greece – they are smart, exquisitley furnished and crafted. Great views, terraces and many nooks and sitting areas. Style abounds.
CreteTravel.com and their CreteHotelRooms.com offer these together with the fabled service, advice and knowledge which has set a new standard in travel to Crete. Tempted? Take a look:
http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com/Reservations/Dorovinis_Houses.htm

Abelos Villas provides two neighbouring houses in an estate rich with fruit trees, flowers, a large swiimming pool and views to the sea in the historic village of Roustica, inland from Rethymno, yet just a 25 minute drive from the south coast.
http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com/Reservations/Abelos_Villa.htm

CreteTravel.com with their Crete-Hotels-Rooms.com have the tastiest places to stay in Crete and a superb level of service, advice, suggestions that come from another age. They are also donating one Euro to support the Indian Ocean Tsunami relief for every single reservation completed in January 2005.

Wishing a fine New year to all in Crete, Greece and the community which is our world.

Deepest sympathy for all those most directly affected by the Indian Ocean eathquake and Tsunami.

We move forward. We are in Crete. Roads are being improved in a few areas: the New National Road now continues without significant detour, past Spilia and Kolymbari on its way to Kissamos – though it dwindles to a two lane road.
The bridge, allowing widening of the new National Road at Heraklion, has been completed.
The coast-front road from central Heraklion to the stadium and 62 Martyrs/the Moires junction of the main road is advancing well.
Chania will see (protests-permitting) several new stores open this year including a large Carrefour supermarket…as may (though this is open to more question) Heraklion see the DIY / home improvement store Praktiker, appear on the scene.

But more than this….there are the mountains, now glistening in their snow-capped white domes, as the sun shines on the first day of the New Year. Oh Hello again Lefka Ori and Psiloritis!

Where there is vision – there is a future .