Last updated on May 30th, 2022 at 05:29 pm
Here are some very typical examples of behaviors that could easily characterize these assholes.
Typical behaviors of Greek, English and French Malakas are following.
So you get a complete picture of what we mean when we call someone a Malaka (or better asshole).
It’s a lot simpler than you thought!
Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 09:58 pm
Our list of Movies Filmed in Greece will be of great inspiration if you plan a trip to Corfu, Santorini, Crete, Kefalonia, Zante, Mykonos, or other Greek islands.
The Greek islands have a well-deserved reputation for being among the most amazing places on the planet.
They combine the warmth of the southern sun, the Mediterranean Sea’s freshness, and the mountain rocks’ beauty.
Exotic fruits, delicious wine, cheeses, and seafood – a fantastic diversity of these delicacies add to Greek residents’ and travelers’ everyday life bright colors and flavors.
It is no wonder that these lands have always attracted artists and, starting with the 20th century, filmmakers to live and create there.
As a result, a lot of movies are connected to this area. These are mainly dramas, love stories, and comedies.
We offer you a list of the most popular and exciting films made in Greece and the Greek Islands.
Summer Lovers is a youth romantic movie.
The main characters’ summer romance takes place on the island of Santorini in Greece.
Santorini’s characteristic snow-white houses on the island’s rocky shores were the most distinctive elements of this movie’s theatrical posters.
There are many picturesque places in Greece, but the film creators managed to spot the best-fitting locations.
The directors aimed to emphasize youth yearning for freedom, the atmosphere of summer and warmth, and romance.
Often, the dialogues of the main characters shoot on sandy beaches. Some scenes were shooted at real excavations in Greece.
During the shooting, professional archaeologists who were actually working under the camera lenses found several artifacts dating back over 3500 years.
The director of the film claimed that choosing Santorini as the major location was not a coincidence.
According to the scriptwriters, this place enticed them with its nature and architecture, inspiring them to reflect on youth love and summer romance’s essence.
Luke Besson made this amazing movie in 1988.
The narrative acquaints us with the life story of two freedivers who broke the world record of diving to depth without any equipment.
The story is partly real, as it is based on the lives of two divers – Enzo and Jacques.
As it quite often is with the art world, in the film, their achievements are exaggerated. But this film has not made their stories simplified or less attractive.
Most of the scenes were filmed in the waters near Amorgos Island in Greece.
This location was chosen for a reason. According to the directors, this is where the Mediterranean Sea has an unusual shade; thus, many beautiful diving scenes were filmed.
The film has received many international awards, even though it failed in primary distribution.
This film is based on the novel by the writer Louis de Bernieres, which depicts the early days of the second world war.
The action takes place on the Ionian Islands of Greece, presented to a viewer as a beautiful nameless narrative at the beginning of the film.
The story emanates from historical events of the Italian occupation of the Ionian islands in 1943.
These tragic events and the breathtaking scenery of Kefalonia are used as a set for unraveling complicated relationships between peaceful island inhabitants and men of war.
And, of course, the central focal point is a romantic one, portrayed by Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz as leading actors in the movie.
Part of the filming took place in Kefalonia, which is nowadays a top-rated destination among tourists and travelers looking for romantic getaways.
This place is famous for its numerous bays with sandy beaches, where the water is emerald, which is not often found in Greece and famous for its rocky cliffs.
The directors have successfully managed to show the charm of tranquil Greece against the background of World War II.
The Italian film portrays eight soldiers who found themselves on one of the Greek islands during World War II.
They survived the shipwreck, so they had to stay on the island and temporarily settle: learn to live there and establish contacts with locals.
This film has won many international awards. In all its glory, you can see the architecture and culture of the Greeks in the mid-40s.
Film critics highly praise the thriller starring Matt Damon.
It is a story about a special agent, who constantly gets into trouble in different parts of the world.
The shooting was partially held in Mykonos, Greece. This small town is famous for its beautiful and atmospheric berth and its new port.
Only 4000 inhabitants live in this picturesque city.
Every year the place is visited by many tourists who admire the cozy atmosphere of Greek maritime architecture.
This follow-up to the successful first part of the series about Lara Croft was filmed mainly on the Greek island of Santorini.
According to the plot, after the earthquake, the Luna temple emerged after being hidden from human eyes for many centuries.
As it turns out, the long-lost treasures of Alexander the Great are revealed in the temple: attracting treasure hunters, including Lara Croft (who works for British exploration of Mi 6) and her nemeses.
In the movie scenes, you will see many Santorini archipelago locations.
The population of the main island is only 15,000 people. But since it became highly popular with tourists, the island welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Santorini is admired for its beaches that spread for dozens of kilometers. On the rocky terrain are houses of locals and numerous hotels with picturesque views.
The 2003 film tells the story of the protagonist, whose grandfather owns a spice shop in Istanbul.
Over time, the whole family is deported to Greece, but the main character’s grandfather stays in Turkey with his shop.
This film shows the national food culture of Greece in all its glory.
After a while, the protagonist named Phannis begins to spend more and more time in the kitchen, cooking various dishes and helping others to prepare national Greek and Turkish dishes.
You will not see many of Greece’s tourist beauties, but the narrative fully reveals the theme of the Mediterranean kitchen.
This musical film is the result of a successful international co-production.
Mamma mia! would definitely be of particular interest to ABBA band admirers since it is all set around their songs.
The filmmakers decided to film most of the scenes on a Greek island called Kalokairi (a fictional name as the real island is Skopelos).
This is probably one of the most commercially successful movies made in the Greek islands.
But after the Mamma Mia! premiere, the island of Skopelos saw a significant increase in its tourist flow ( probably, fans of the ABBA).
In the film’s shots, you can see numerous churches and temples. About 300 of them are on the island.
Many buildings we see in this movie preserved since the 3rd-5th century AD. This adds to the unique authenticity of the film.
Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 09:55 pm
A fascinating idea for newlyweds is a honeymoon in Greece.
Planning such a trip with your other half to the Greek islands is always enjoyable.
Most of the time, the idea of a fairytale trip seems impossible for the newlyweds.
But is it that difficult?
Certainly not!
A trip to the best honeymoon destinations in Greece can be very exciting and enjoyable.
Many couples get excited about exploring the islands of this country while on their honeymoon.
Greece is known all over the world for many things.
Apart from its beauty is known for its rich Greek mythology and the thousands of Greek islands.
Therefore, your wedding can start in the best way by planning a trip to Greece.
If you do not know what Greece can offer you, then rethink the country and the pleasant surprises it may hide for you.
It has more than six thousand islands and a unique identity that sets it apart from other countries.
Newlyweds can have many experiences in Greece.
In addition, the country can charm a couple with its diverse nature and beauty.
Greece is divided into the mainland and the islands. While the country area offers unique experiences such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis, thousands of museums, and unique natural beauties. The Greek islands are unlimited in numbers and names.
Therefore, you can enjoy the scattered islands of the Mediterranean surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters, with each island looking stunning.
It is one of the best honeymoon destinations in Greece, an ideal island for newlyweds.
And this is because the seventh-largest island in Greece, in addition to the countless beauties and attractions, also offers a romantic atmosphere diffused in the air.
It gives you the opportunity to spend a few days and make plans for a dreamy stay here.
Corfu offers sunny blue waters on fantastic beaches, green mountains, and majestic nature.
You can stay in romantic resorts and hotels throughout the island and live a dream honeymoon.
If you are planning to come to Athens for your romantic trip, you can not miss the possibility of a visit to the very nearby and famous island of Santorini.
It is one of the most popular islands in the world for newlyweds and is only a few hours away by boat from Athens.
It offers many, such as red volcanic beaches for exploration and amazing landscapes, a spectacle that no one should miss.
The island is volcanic and this can be seen since the sand of its beaches and the hills are dominated by red and black colors.
Right at the top of its cliffs, whitewashed villages add uniqueness to the landscape.
In northern Santorini, there is the popular village Oia, also called the balcony of Santorini. It is the stunning view of the caldera that gives it this name.
There are also impressive archeological sites, such as Akrotiri, near the Red Beach, which is the archeological site of Greece’s Pompeii, as this ancient settlement was buried under the ashes of a volcanic eruption 5000 years ago!
Greek cuisine here is becoming more delicious and is also one of the main reasons to consider the island as one of the best destinations for a honeymoon.
Greece is considered an adventurous destination for mainly young couples.
If you are of those who love nightlife and intense life then this is your island. Mykonos promotes a frantic lifestyle and can quickly add vibrant colors to your trip with its many pubs and clubs.
Apart from the spree in Mykonos, you will have the opportunity to visit the Maritime Museum, the amazing beaches, and the traditional whitewashed windmills.
Couples can spend most of their time here and plan an amazing trip by island-hopping in the Cyclades islands cluster for the first days of their wedding.
The beauty of Athens is due to the many archeological sites that testify to its huge history and its heritage. Βut also its wonderful structure is captivating.
With modern infrastructure and traditional neighborhoods is well, an example is Plaka, a district exactly under the holy rock of Acropolis.
The Greek Capital offers very picturesque places for an unforgettable honeymoon in Greece. You can combine many activities and see landmarks such as the National Gardens, the Acropolis Museum, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Zeus.
If you are seduced by Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses, the mythological monsters, see the temple of Zeus, the Parthenon, a temple of classical times dedicated to the patron goddess of the city Athena, the goddess of wisdom.
This Town really offers hundreds of opportunities for a dreaming honeymoon.
Of course, you can’t ignore the giant churches of Greece. In their interior, you may remember the vows from the big day of your wedding.
Plaka is a unique area in Athens.
If you are planning a honeymoon in Greece, enjoy one or two days in Plaka.
It is a great place to spend the first days of your wedding.
Despite the development, the place remains the most picturesque neighborhood of Athens and offers excellent taverns with delicious cuisine and tasting restaurants, as well as picturesque attractions as it is located under the sacred rock of the Acropolis.
Also, Plaka is a place where you can get lost with your partner in its enchanting architecture.
The newlyweds here can spend most of their time exploring ancient Greek architecture.
Just like in Corfu, Rhodes is a destination for those planning a honeymoon in Greece full of explorations, along with their other half.
Do not miss any opportunity to visit the island of Rhodes.
Apart from the capital Rodes, the wonderful Lindos is another fascinating city, perhaps the ideal place for romantic visits.
The newlyweds can explore the beauty of the whitewashed villages of the island and bring back memories while they are on its stunning sunny beaches.
Visit the Acropolis of Lindos and take part in the many-day trips throughout the island.
You will definitely be excited about Greek cuisine here.
Plan your vacation in Rhodes. It is one of the best honeymoon destinations for many reasons.
Planning a trip to Zakynthos is an amazing idea for sea lovers.
Zante has the most photographed Greek beach and is a great place for an unforgettable honeymoon in Greece.
Basically, Navagio beach is famous for many reasons.
People who keep coming to Southern Europe will never miss a trip to these spectacular waters.
It can be a fun adventure for newlyweds. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy snorkeling and explore underwater life for fun.
The island is famous for its loggerhead turtles, called Caretta-caretta.
Gerakas beach at the southeastern tip of the island is a protected area that is the breeding ground of the turtle. The use of the beach is allowed at certain hours of the day.
According to travel guides for your honeymoon, the Greek islands and Greece in general, are ideal destinations.
Greece stands out for its romantic sunsets, its picturesque sights, its endless history that is imprinted everywhere, and the incomparable beauty in its adventurous unique landscapes.
Choose between the places we suggest and plan your trip accordingly.
Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 08:59 pm
Greek mythology is one of the richest in the world.
But why;
Most cultures don’t need such complex stories to explain the origin of the world, they use only the essentials.
But the Greeks overdid it.
Maybe not without a reason though and mythology was not just about myths.
As we know, most of the mythological elements come from 3 epic poems. The Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer and the Theogony of Hesiod.
In fact, most mythological monsters are mentioned in the Odyssey.
Homer and Hesiod were not historians but poets.
They wrote their poems based on old stories that were passed down orally from generation to generation. Every time with some degree of alteration since the imagination of the ancients raged.
After the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, around 1100BCE followed what is referred to as the dark ages of Greek civilization.
In fact, historical development and life did not stop, they just stopped recording the events for some reason.
It was the period that did not leave us with written documents about historical events.
But these continued to happen and their memory was preserved by oral speech.
The poets collected them and wrote their epics.
Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey around 760 BC while the Theogony of Hesiod was written about 50 years later, in 700 BC.
Epic poems in our opinion include myths but also historical events are slightly distorted and very embellished with fictional stories that made them more attractive to the audience of that time.
So in mythology and because of the absence of other more reliable sources, we have to look for historical truths and facts during the Greek Dark ages.
Certainly, there are historical truths in the epics. There is no other way to explain the volume of information and the countless people, historical and imaginary, who participate.
The Trojan War and the city of Troy as real facts and locations are disputed by many.
On the other hand, there is no evidence for the non-existence of Troy.
On the contrary, there are dozens of indications that there was a war and that the city of Troy existed.
The Iliad describes so many events and there are so many faces that it is not possible to be all figments of the imagination.
We do not know if the leader of the Achaeans Agamemnon was a historical or imaginary person, but it is indisputable that Mycenae and their culture really existed.
The same happens with the Myrmidons of Achilles, there was historically a Greek tribe of warriors in Phthia, today’s Fthiotida.
Also, all these Greek leaders who took part in the campaign against Troy could not be imaginary.
There is no smoke without fire.
Here and now, using simple logic, we can distinguish the imaginary from the real.
We can, with almost certainty, classify the sacrifice of Iphigenia, the abduction of the Beautiful Helen, if she ever exists, and other stories, in the realm of fantasy.
But we will keep things that seem logical.
If the Trojan War took place, it was not due to an unfaithful woman, but for economic reasons.
In the Black Sea, the Ancient Greeks had since established colonies and commercial activities with the peoples of the region, through their ships.
If there was a city that is believed to be Troy, it would certainly be in control of the Bosphorus Strait and most likely impose tariffs on merchant ships.
That was probably the reason for the war. The Greeks wanted to gain control of the straits.
This very logical explanation shows us that although man progressed after 32 centuries, in fact, he remained the same.
Through the Odyssey, we met many mythological monsters, witches, sirens, and cyclops.
But also People like the Phaeacians really existed and it is known that their island is today identified as the island of Corfu.
It is said that the island of Calypso was the largest island of the Diapontian islands north of Corfu, today’s Othonoi.
In fact, there is a cave on the island called the cave of Calypso.
Ithaca is also described in the Odyssey. According to Homer’s descriptions regarding the topology of the islands, it is not today’s Ithaca.
It is probably the western part of Kefalonia which at that time had not yet joined Kefalonia and was an independent island.
But also the stories of Hesiod that describe the origin of the Greeks may also contain some historical truths.
And why believe Bible tales that have no historical basis and question our own history?
As funny as a war between the Titans and the gods seems, it is ten times more ridiculous for a (non-existent) god to give his ten commandments to Abraham on a mountain.
A war between the Titans and the gods may have actually taken place between two groups of people or aliens? and passed into the realm of myth.
The son of Deucalion and Pyrrha, Hellene, settled in Phthia (Fthiotida) where according to Hesiod the first nucleus of the Greeks emerged.
From there comes the mythical Achilles, his possible descendant, and leader of the historic Myrmidons.
In mythology, we find elements for both the Pelasgians in the islands and the Minoans in Crete.
People that have been proven to exist.
One may not be able to prove the existence of king Minos, of course, the Minotaur is out of the question, but the labyrinth used to prison the minotaur, exist. Discovered by Arthur Evans after excavations in Knossos.
The Pelasgians flourished in the Cyclades and Crete 5000 years ago. Before the Achaean civilization in the Peloponnese and Mycenae.
They lived in the Late Bronze Age and had their own writing system, Linear A, until the 16th century BC when their civilization collapsed, possibly due to an eruption of the Thera(Santorini) volcano.
Linear A found in several archaeological finds but could not be deciphered.
Its oldest specimens date back to 3000 BC.
After the Minoans collapse, the Achaeans of Mycenae possibly took over the islands and Crete. They transformed Linear A to Linear B in order to make it suit better to their language.
That is the reason, we believe, that Linear B deciphered while Linear A didn’t. Linear A was used for a different language, unknown until today, while Linear B was a syllabary system adapted to suit the Greek language.
For this reason, probably the Minoans were non-Greek-speaking people.
But if not, what they were, where they come from?
There were many speculations about the Minoan’s origin. Some spoke about north African origin, some others that they were settlers from Anatolia or the Middle East.
Until DNA studies revealed the historical truth and put an end to these speculations.
A team of researchers in the United States and Greece has used mitochondrial DNA analysis of Minoan skeletal remains to determine the likely ancestors of these ancient people.
Results published on May 14th, 2013 in Nature Communications suggest that the Minoan civilization arose from the population already living in Bronze Age Crete.
The findings indicate that these people probably were descendants of the first humans to reach Crete about 9,000 years ago and that they have the greatest genetic similarity with modern European populations.
They were local Cretan people without genetic relations with Africans or middle Easterns other than cultural influences!
Clay tablets with Linear B texts are found almost all over Greece with the oldest dating back to 1650 BC.
Linear B is the evolution of A and was used both by the inhabitants of the Aegean islands and Crete and by the Mycenaeans from 1650BCE onwards.
This writing was deciphered by the young architect Michael Ventris with the help of the philologist John Chadwick in 1952.
Linear B used linear characters, something that distinguishes it from hieroglyphics. Every character was depicted as a syllable, therefore it was a syllabic script.
It includes 89 letters, which represent syllables, and around 260 logograms, ie small linear icons that each give a whole word. There are also symbols for numbers.
It turned out that this writing rendered the Greek language. The decryption revealed Greek words and names of an archaic Greek dialect.
Linear B was therefore a Greek script used to write an archaic Greek dialect.
And more than 5000 samples of Linear B inscriptions have been found. The clay tablets of Linear B are the first written monuments of the Greek language.
In 1200BCE the Mycenean civilization collapsed. And by 1100BCE the script of Linear B gradually diminished until it was fully abandoned during the dark ages.
The pre-classic Greek civilization(Archaic) emerged again in 800BCE, with another writing system, the Greek alphabet. The names of several deities and the language remained unchanged.
This is extraordinary, names such as Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Hera, Ares, Dionysos, Artemis, and others, were found written with the Greek alphabet in 800BCE. As they were in the oldest of Linear B texts, unchanged in time.
Without a doubt, there is cultural continuity between Mycenaean times and classical times despite the 3 centuries of illiteracy and stagnation.
Last updated on February 17th, 2022 at 10:50 am
South of Corfu town just after 12 km, you will find Benitses.
Benitses is the most known village of Corfu worldwide as it was the first tourist destination on the island since the 1960s.
The old traditional village is in the valley between the rocks of the surrounding mountains just 300 yards from the central square in the new port.
So, why you should visit Benitses Corfu? We give you at least 6 good reasons to do it!
In Benitses the beauty of the mountains of Stavros and Agioi Deka coexists with the turquoise blue sea of the Ionian sea.
The Residents are more than 900 and engaged primarily in tourism and fishing in the winter months. They are familiar with all cultures and their main characteristic is spontaneous hospitality and friendliness to all guests.
Here you can get to know new friends and enjoy an unforgettable holiday that will remain in your memory.
Benitses can satisfy every taste. Guests can enjoy a relaxing holiday with plenty of opportunities for water sports in the awarded with blue flag crystal clear water beaches.
Here you can enjoy water sports such as water ski, banana rings, fly with paragliding and more.
But there are activities for the more adventurous too such as organized climbing trips in the amazing and beautiful surrounding hills.
Also, the beaches down in the shores have crystal clear waters and are awarded the blue flag. The sea plant Posidonia does a perfect job cleaning and filtering the water, and provides settler for the new fishes.
You can taste the meals of your life in a wide variety of restaurants offering authentic Corfiot and international cuisine.
If you are a food lover you came to the best place in Corfu for it. Restaurants here offer quality and high gastronomical standards. If you eat in Benitses you won’t regret it for sure!
And don’t forget that you have a large choice of fine hotels to choose from for your holidays in Benitses.
In fact, Benitses is a famous hotspot for nightlife with many bars and clubs playing Greek and foreign music for those who want to stay awake and dancing all night.
The village’s main part is around the port and above the old road that leads to the reservoir settlement. But also it extends along the coastline to the settlement of Tsaki in the south, where you will reach the end of the Benitses area.
In Benitses there are remnants of Roman thermal baths dated back to the Roman era, very well preserved. You can find them at the center of the village, very close to the main road behind some houses.
In reality, it’s a villa with hot baths that belonged to a Roman noble dated around 200 ACE
You can also visit the sea museum with a rich collection of marine exhibits operating since 1989.
It’s good to visit the source of the aqueduct in a region called Vaska on the slopes of the mountain, as well as wonderful places in Corfu and on the opposite Greek mainland coast.
At a distance of 4 km, you must visit the Achilleion Palace, a neoclassical building made by Sisi, the empress of Austro-Hungary Elizabeth at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Palace is dedicated to the mythical Achilles, the hero of the Trojan war and it is decorated with at least two large statues of Achilles inside the large garden area.
Worth seeing are the gardens, the Palace with more statues of Greek philosophers and gods, the big painting of Achilles triumph by the Austrian Franz Matt, and much more.
Don’t miss it!
Paxos island just south of Corfu is easily accessible with ships that make daily trips there.
From the port, you can take boats that make daily cruises to many places in and around the island. Get in a boat and you can find yourself down to Kavos or Syvota on the Greek mainland. Boats leaving for Paxos and Antipaxos islands too, where one of the most famous beaches in Greece is, the amazing Voutoumi. And you can visit even Albania.
After all, Benitses lays in an ideal position in the center of the island, the perfect starting point for visits to the best beaches of the western Corfu coast as well as to the South of the island.
From Benitses you can discover the most that this enchanting island of Corfu can offer, with its numerous beaches, rare and varied natural beauty, great cuisine, and hospitable people.
Also with its long and turbulent history and culture that one can meet and get to know visiting the numerous museums and monuments of Corfu.
Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 02:20 pm
Being the largest of the Greek islands, Crete has plenty to offer. Many small islands around and especially some of the best beaches in Greece.
Crete is separated into 4 prefectures, as we go from west to East; the Prefecture of Chania, Prefecture of Rethymnon, Prefecture of Heraclion, and Prefecture of Lashiti.
Sandy, very busy beach-lagoon in Chania, Crete
One of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
Imagine, a lagoon with white sand, emerald shallow waters between the western tip of Crete, and a small round shaped island closing lagoon’s west side. Two more tiny islets called Gramvousa lay at the north. The closest is the mild Gramvousa and the farther wild Gramvousa.
This is Balos, one of the nicest beaches in Crete.
Tip: Balos is a folklore dance of the Aegean.
If you go there you may not feel like dancing Balos but you will definitely feel that you want to remain there forever.
Sandy large beach in Chania, Crete
Another gem in the south and west end of Crete.
A white sandy beach connects Elafonissi island with Crete and forms a beach in between.
A scenery similar to Balos but with its own magical beauty. Another Nature’s miracle and a NATURA protected area.
Go there and visit the island by walking on the sand, it’s a kind of magic.
Elafonisi means deer island, as Elafi is the Greek word for deer
Sandy organized, beach party beach in Chania, one of the best beaches in Greece
The beach at Falasarna is a huge beach on the west coast of Crete in the prefecture of Chania. It is considered the most beautiful in Crete and is included in the top 10 beaches in Europe, it has wonderful white fine sand and warm, crystal clear waters.
The area of Falasarna has a great variety of flora and fauna, but also a special natural beauty. Therefore is a protected Natura 2000 plan area.
The southern part of the beach is Pachia Ammos. Fully organized, with umbrellas and sunbeds, and gathers a large number of visitors.
Of course, due to the size, there are also quieter pieces where you can lie on your towel away from the crowds.
Choose the beach if you love windsurfing and don’t mind the winds but also if you are young since beach parties are often organized in the evenings.
Sandy remote beach in Rethymno, Crete, Perfect for families
A uniquely beautiful sandy beach 38 km from Rethymnon, on the south coast of Crete.
The river Kourtaliotis flows into the beach, on the banks of which there is a forest of palm trees that offer rich shade and special beauty in the landscape.
It is a very popular destination for families and a fully organized beach with water sports, sunbeds, umbrellas, pedal boats, restaurants, cafes.
At a distance of 20 minutes is the historic Monastery of Preveli from where it got its name.
Sandy beach in Heraclion, Crete
Somewhere in Southern Crete, in the bay of Messara, near the archeological site of Phaistos and 71km south of Heraklion are Matala. Today it’s a typical tourist village.
Next to the beach, there are the clay rocks that hide the intense history of this place.
The holes seen in the rocks were the homes of 1960s hippies.
When Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and others spent their days and nights under the Cretan sky when the slogan “Peace Man” prevailed, and the hippies of 1960 after protesting in Woodstock ended up here.
Tourists today come to see a legendary place and maybe to get a taste of the past charm.
But Matala today is nothing more than a small village with a beautiful sandy beach, There is some tourist traffic with lowkey nightlife thought and the place doesn’t remind anything of the Matala of the 60s.
