Rock, roll and vibrate!

At the new Heraklion Natural History Museum (on the seafront) an earthquake simulator both thrills and educates about the actual experience and what best to do during an earthquake (great for “Adults and Kids”!).

Displays of wildlife are superbly designed and quite well explained.

Apart from the quaking experience, there is splendid children’s area on the lower floor (that’s where I had most fun, those caves and things!).

About 1 kilometre west of the Marina and the bottom of 25th August Street (20 minute walk).

Open daily.

Don’t ask about the price..it’s very affordable.

Museum website: http://www.nhmc.uoc.gr/

At last – the ferry times for Santorini to Crete and Crete to Santorini

Starting April 9th 2009 – the high speed catamaran service

Crete (Heraklion port) > Santorini > Ios > Paros >Mykonos.

09.45 In the morning depart Heraklion port Crete – arrive 11.25 Santorini

17.45 (5.45 PM) In the afternoon depart Santorini – arrive in Crete at Heraklion port at 19.25 (7.25 PM).

Prices remain the same as last year

This information will soon appear in Schedule form at
www.CreteTravel.com/ferries

Online ticketing at www.hellenicseaways.gr

Ferry Schedules have started to be updated (from 12 March 2009) and will continue to be added to over the next week – including sailings to Santorini, Crete and Athens (Pireas/Piraeus).

Santorini >
http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Ferries_Crete_Santorini.htm

Crete – still updating, ongoing as new schedules are compiled, announced and confirmed >
http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Ferries_Crete.htm

Plain sailing !

Starting 26 July 2008 – EasyJet will fly from Berlin to Heraklion twice a week.

From the Brandenberg gate to Knossos in no time at all!

All future ideas and questions about how to get to Crete try out the flights page for Crete:
http://cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Flights_Crete.htm

When you get to Crete where will you stay?

Plan in advance baby! Here> http://www.Crete-Hotels-Rooms.com

Heraklion’s Archaeology museum which houses thousands of the most significant archaeological finds from all over Crete is now open.

The current exhibits are just a small part of what will ulitmately be available when the new buildings and total refurbishment of the museum is complete – but at last visitors will not leave dissapointed at being unable to visit this resource.

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.

The current plan is for the Archaeological museum in Heraklion to open in August with a temporary (partial) selection of exhibits.

This date is much delayed from the originally intended April opening, but it is still by no means certain.

Will “resignations be forthcoming” because of this delay? Only if the Greek populace start demanding more from their politicians and bureaucrats (just like anywhere else)…which they show little sign of doing. However we believe in better futures and pleasant surprises. Come on guys and gals!

It might be a timely reminder – politicians and bureaucrats are paid out of the money derived from individuals’ taxes (yes yours too ! )…believe it or not they are there to serve the people and serve them well! :icon_redface:

The all-new Crete Aquarium is open. Making use of part of the old US military base at Gouves (on the north coast ) near Heraklion – the new Aquarium is currently open daily – every day – from 10:30 until 1730 hours.

Admission is a lucky seven Euros.

The Aquarium is an integral part of Thalassokosmos (Thalassocosmos) which justly claims a well-aimed spotlight on science, education and enlightening you and me about the marine world.

There are more than 30 tanks, fifty viewing points, and visitor operable cameras to delve into the more concealed areas of the habitat.

Go now before membership availability runs out…..just kidding !
There is no membership fee of course.
If you wish to phone before visiting the number is 2810 337 788 – (+30) prefix from outside Greece.

Opening hours will be longer from April onwards as we spring past winter and head for summer.

Technopolis or Teknopolis has just opened. A cinema multiplex which also offers a cafe, branch of the essential Goody’s food chain, fountains and an outdoor amphitheatre.

The cineastes at CreteTravel.com and SuperbGreece have not yet inspected this new entertainment venue….but it will be of absolutely essential and compelling interest to you to know that we, well, we look forward to it…

A news summary buzz:

New power station in Crete at Atherinolakos gradually delivers…power pylons in place though many still looking for cables : it’s a strange sight to see pylons undressed, without their cables. The power station will provide some of the power for all of the island, is on the south coast between Xerokambos and Goudouras (the journey between the two places is most scenic and dramatic).

Aparently Greece is one of the most popular destinations for US travellers – glad to hear it (Conde Nast Traveler).

Germanwings will add weekly flights to Heraklion from Germany next year during the “season” starting on 6 March 2006…a great connection for travel to and from Germany and onward (or inward) from other European centers ( see http://www.germanwings.com )

Updated bus Schedules for Crete now ready to view and use for your next trip!

14-16 October showed that wonderful warm sunny weather on the south coast of Crete still abounds. The south coast is a pretty good bet for sunny heart-warming weather in October and on many days throughout the winter. North coast Crete gets more of a winter sampling however (some magic micro-climate areas like Mochlos seem milder than the norm and Sitia is a good mild Christmas stop).