Ammoudara, the beach boogie and beach hotel strip adjoining Heraklion in Crete, has yet another multi-screen cinema complex.
This time it is in a shopping centre “Talos Plaza” which also offers the first Starbucks coffee shop to open in Crete.
Many other shops to explore and underground parking is offered.
During the Olympics and the whole summer Chania and Heraklion have a variety of arts events.
Singled out amongsts many:
Heraklion – Pix Lax (popular and enjoyable even for non-Greek speakers) perform songs on 15 September at the Nikos Katzanzakis Theatre
Chania – dance contest and classic dance and ballet performance on Monday 9 August
More information :
HERAKLION: http://www.heraklion.gr/English/index-en.htm (but be Warned, clicking on “Programme” entails a long, slow, PDF download!)
CHANIA: http://www.chania.gr/events.jsp?lang=en
The summer festival in Avdou starting on July 24th and ending on the 15th of August this year, is usually very lively and well-attended (10000 people in 2003).
Most of the events are produced in Greek, but some of them can be enjoyed by foreign visitors as well, such as concerts by local bands, dancing…and an exhibition of the area’s most delicious dishes (a variety of 200 different dishes is promised for this year for you to taste).
Other events include a treasure hunt, plays, singing from the village’s old women and children.
Some dates to aim for:
- 24 July (Saturday), concert of local bands (Th. Papakonstaninou, Y. Aggelakas)
- 30 July (Friday), tribute to the Vyzantine churches of the area. The Vyzantine chorus of St. Minas participates in this event.
- 1 August (Sunday), musical and theatrical performance with the Avdou women’s chorus.
- 6 August (Friday), traditional music concert, band “Octava”
- 8 August (Sunday), feast with local traditional dishes and cretan music playing
- 14 August (Saturday), greek music night with band “Pandos kairou”
Events are all al fresco – open air and you just turn up if you wish!
Place to stay in the area:
Avdou Villas (houses & studios in an organic farm estate, with shared pool)
http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com/Reservations/Avdou_Villas.htm