New Flight Routes

Jet2 announces Greek departures from new Stansted & Birmingham bases

Jet2 will fly to four new Greek destinations for summer 2017 from its new base at Stansted Airport. Flights will depart to Crete (Heraklion), Kos, Rhodes and Zante next year, providing more opportunities for travellers from the south east of England to reach Greece. www.jet2.com 

• Crete (Heraklion) – operating three times a week with Jet2.com flights from £70 one way, including taxes.
• Kos – operating twice weekly with Jet2.com flights from £70 one way, including taxes.
• Rhodes – operating three times a week with Jet2.com flights from £39 one way, including taxes.
• Zante – operating twice weekly with Jet2.com flights from £70 one way, including taxes.

There are also two new departures from the recently added Birmingham Jet2 base:

• Crete (Heraklion) – operating twice weekly with Jet2.com flights from £78 one way, including taxes, and Jet2holidaysbreaks from £279.
• Rhodes – operating twice weekly with Jet2.com flights from £78 one way, including taxes, and Jet2holidays breaks from £279.

British Airways unveil new flights to Zakynthos

British Airways will fly to the Ionian island of Zakynthos from 3 June 2017. There will be two flights a week to the island from London Heathrow Terminal Five. Located south of Kefalonia, Zakynthos is famous for its beaches including Navagio, as well as the beautiful Blue Caves that travellers can visit on a boat trip. www.BritishAirways.com 

Thomas Cook offers new flights to Mykonos in 2017

From May 2017, Thomas Cook Airlines will offer two flights a week every Thursday and Sunday from Manchester direct to the island. Ideal for an adult-only getaway the island offers a sophisticated holiday with stunning sandy beaches, crystal blue seas and stylish restaurants and bars.

Other new flight routes for summer 2017 from Thomas Cook Airlines include:

• Corfu – a new flight from London Luton to Corfu will depart once a week on a Sunday
• Lesbos – customers will now be able to fly to Lesbos from Birmingham Airport following the reintroduction of one flight per week on a Saturday
• Santorini – flights from London Gatwick to Santorini have been increased meaning customers can fly to the Greek island throughout the whole summer season

Seven nights in Mykonos cost from £449 per person based on two adults sharing at the four star Acrogiali Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, flying from Manchester on 4 May 2017. www.thomascook.com

Ryanair expands Manchester & Birmingham departures to Chania

Ryanair has expanded the number of departures to Chania for the 2017 summer season. There will now be three weekly departures, up from two in 2016. A new route from Birmingham to Chania on the island of Crete has also been announced. Ryanair will fly twice weekly to the Greek destination from April 2017. Flights start from £35.99. Two new hotels recently opened their doors in Chania, the boutique Domus Renier and the adults-only Domes Noruz.www.ryanair.com

Aegean launches additional flights from the UK & Ireland

Aegean Airlines, Greece's largest carrier and a Star Alliance member, recently announced a new route from Edinburgh to Athens for summer 2017. From 20 June and until 19 September 2017 Aegean Airlines will fly twice weekly from Edinburgh to Athens every Tuesday and Friday providing passengers with a direct link to the Greek capital but also onward flight connections to other destinations on the Greek islands and mainland Greece.

Aegean Airlines will also offer increased capacity from Manchester to Athens for 2017 operating up to four flights weekly, while flights from Dublin to Athens will resume on 4 June 2017 with increased capacity operating 3 times weekly until 23 September 2017.

Thomson connects Bristol and Chania in 2017

Bristol will also be connected to Chania with new flights for the 2017 summer season from Thomson Airways. The flights will begin from May 2017. Thomson already flies to Heraklion on Crete and this destination addition shows the increased demand in Greece from UK travellers. www.thomson.co.uk.

New Hotel Openings & Developments

Neilson to bring new adults-only beach club to Analipsi

Neilson has unveiled the Buca Beachclub, a new adults-only hotel located next to the already popular Messini Beachclub. With 53 rooms and a new a la carte club board service, the hotel has a boutique feel, but also has seven tennis courts, as well as offering sailing, road cycling, mountain biking, wind surfing and yoga sessions. Buca Beachclub faces the wide, sandy bay at Analipsi Beach, while the mountains that hug the bay providing a dramatic backdrop for an evening meal.

Visitors to Neilson's Messini Beachclub will also be able to enjoy the new climbing experience with an on-site wall and team of expert instructors.

Seven nights at Buca Beachclub costs from £739 per adult based on two adults sharing a club twin or double room on club board with flights, transfers and most activities included. www.neilson.co.uk/beach/greece/analipsi

Costa Navarino unveils new restaurant and experiences for 2017

The Costa Navarino resort in the region of Messinia has unveiled a new restaurant, Perovino, for guests visiting in 2017. The gourmet restaurant will specialise in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, with a menu designed by four-time Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Fusco.

There will also be two new experiences for guests to enjoy. The 'Messinia Wild Experience' will give travellers the chance to see birds of prey in flight, including the magnificent steppe eagle. Guests will also be able to handle some of the birds and enjoy a photoshoot. The 'Navarino Speed Experience' offers family fun on the brand new CRG karts where they'll be able to race each other on the resort's race track. State of the art simulators will also be available to use. www.costanavarino.com

Sani Resort to expand with new hotel in 2017 and major refurbishment

The Sani Resort, located in the Halkidiki peninsula, has announced the opening of a new five-star Sani Dunes Hotel, which is due to open in June 2017. The hotel and surrounding resort will cost €24.2 million and will be built on 41 acres of land – comprising of 136 rooms and suites, three restaurants, an indoor pool and spa. Sani Dunes promises to provide exceptional cuisine and a grown-up environment, although children over 12 will be able to stay. The hotel will be home to an open-air Garden Theatre providing a full schedule of entertainment, musicals and shows, while each year Sani plays host to the Sani Festival - one of the Mediterranean's leading musical celebrations.

One night in a double room with a pool view costs from approximately £495 (€554) www.sani-resort.com/en_GB/our-hotels/sani-dunes-hotel

There will also be an extensive refurbishment of the Sani Club for 2017 costing €13 million. The main developments will include the renovation of 46 junior suites, 14 new one-bedroom family suites with private pool and 18 new one-bed family suites with private garden. There will also be a new restaurant, new bar, a swimming pool for adults and a new indoor heated pool. The restaurant is called Pines and will promote fresh and local food from 'farm to table'.

One night in a double room with garden view costs from approximately £132 (€148) www.sani-resort.com/en_GB/our-hotels/sani-beach-club

Ikos Oceania to reopen in 2017 after refurbishment

The five star Ikos Oceania on the Halkidiki coastline will reopen in April 2017 after a full refurbishment of its guest rooms and public spaces. The hotel offers 290 fully renovated rooms and suites, as well as brand new family suites with sea views of the Aegean Sea and Mount Olympus. The refurbishments will complement the hotel's all-inclusive offering including Michelin-starred chefs, a choice of 300 wines and Parisian spa products and treatments by Anne Semonin.

Five nights in a superior double room with sea view is available from €904 on an all-inclusive basis. www.ikosresorts.com

New villas resort to open in Halkidiki by Tor Hotel Group

A new luxury villa resort is due to open in Halkidiki in April 2017. The family run resort, Eagles Villas, will be located in Ouranoupolis next to Eagles Palace, featuring 40 luxury villas with breathtaking views of its garden and private beach. Suitable for both couples and larger families, the villas will all be equipped with private pools, while the resort will also offer a kids area, tennis courts, a spa with full range of treatments and therapies, as well as four bars and six restaurants. Guests will also able to use the facilities at nearby Eagles Palace Resort including the water sports and PADI diving centres, while Eagles Villas will also offer butler service as well as 24 hours club car service for guest to comfortably move around the resort. 2017 prices not yet available. www.eaglesvillas.gr

Aldemar Royal Mare in Crete launches all-inclusive luxury holidays

The five star Aldemar Royal Mare hotel on the northern coast of Crete has unveiled an all-inclusive package for the 2017 summer season. Named 'all-in elements', the package will include its award-winning Thalasso and spa treatments, gourmet food and wine at its six restaurants, yoga and Pilates classes and a Hamman and sauna fitness programmes with fitness trainers.

A one week 'all-in elements' holiday experience at the 5* Royal Mare resort starts from £499 per person in a double bungalow garden room, based on two people sharing and including breakfast in April 2016. Flights are additional and prices start from £140 return per person flying from Gatwick to Heraklion. www.aldemar-resorts.gr. 

Capsis Elite Resort introduces escape rooms and new wellness programme

The 'Out of the Blue, Capsis Elite Resort', a five star resort located on a private peninsula near Heraklion, has introduced three new themed escape room for guests to enjoy and a new 'Banish, Balance, Boost' lifestyle program. The escape room games include a murder mystery theme, Inception-style concept and a circus setting offering a unique in-resort experience. The new week long wellness program is in collaboration with yoga teacher and raw food instructor Elaine Vaughan and combines yoga, raw food dinners, cooking classes and group discussions with aim of improving health and happiness.

The seven-night wellness programme is available from approximately £3,300 (€3,400) for two people staying at The Classic Collection. www.capsis.com

Kontokali Bay in Corfu invests on guest's in-resort experience

After last year's €9 million renovation, the four star Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa in Corfu is set to receive another refurbishment boost ahead of summer 2017 focusing on guest's in-resort experience. The revamp will include 14 new swimming pools, updated restaurant and bar menus, new garden bungalow rooms and a mobile app providing guests with easy access to all the services and attractions on offer in the resort.

A standard double room with garden view at the Kontokali Bay costs from £102. www.kontokalibay.gr

Aegli Hotel in Volos to receive refurbishment

The Aegli Hotel in Volos will reopen in 2017 after a full refurbishment. Located in the heart of the popular port town of Volos, the Aegli originally opened in 1938 and is currently undergoing extensive renovation works to its interior and exterior aiming to showcase its neo-classical architecture. The revamped hotel will have 75 rooms and six suites. Volos is a coastal port city in Thessaly, Greece's largest agricultural region. For more information, please see www.aegli.gr

Oriades Village builds new heated pool

The environmentally-friendly Oriades Village, located near Agrafa Village and Lake Plastira, has unveiled a new heated pool for guests to use, available for independent swimming and therapy sessions. Keeping in line with resort's sustainable tourism ethos, the pool does not use chlorine or chemicals. www.countrylife.gr  

New Holidays

Sailing Holidays offer new routes and boats for 2017

Sailing Holidays is offering two new routes in Greece for 2017. The one-week 'Ithaka Flotilla' will explore the South Ionian Islands and will be available throughout the summer. The two-week 'Kefalonia & Zakynthos Flotilla' will run on the 23 July and 6 August, offering a more in-depth look at the South Ionian Islands. Three new boats are also being introduced for 2017 (the Beneteau 35, 38 and 45) to offer guests the highest level of comfort and on-board facilities.

The one-week 'Ithaka Flotilla' trip is available from £495 per person based on six people sharing a yacht in May or October.

The two-week 'Kefalonia & Zakynthos Flotilla' is available from £1,095 per person based on six people sharing a yacht. www.sailingholidays.com.

Sunvil & GIC unveils new destinations for 2017

The specialist Greek tour operator Sunvil will feature an extended programme of holidays to Crete and Zakynthos in 2017. For the first time it will also offer new itinerary and package options to the Saronic island of Agistri; the Cycladic island of Serifos and a walking itinerary on the island of Kythnos. Full details and new brochures will be launched in December. GIC The Villa Collection will also offer villa holidays on the island of Samos in 2017. Prices TBC. www.sunvil.co.uk & www.gicthevillacollection.com

Authentic Olympus Land unveil two new packages

Those looking to get married in Greece next year could try a new package from Authentic Olympus Land. The new eight day/seven night program explores the region of Thessaly and allows guests to get married in the caves of Aegeus, where the marriage of goddess Thetis and King Peleus took place, as well ascend Mount Olympus and enjoy natural thermal spas. The average cost including the wedding ceremony and reception is approximately (£3,122) €3,500 for two.

Authentic Olympus Land is also offering a 'Path of the Gods' adventure trip journeying from Mount Ossa to Mount Olympus including visits to the Delta of Pinios, the beautiful Valley of Tempi and canoeing along the river and in the fjords of Pineios River. The eight-day package costs from approximately £625 (€700), not including flights.www.authenticolympusland.com

Stavento Sailing reveals range of 2017 tours and wedding trips

Travellers can take the Aegean Sea trip of a lifetime in 2017 with Stavento Sailing who has put together a range of new products for next summer. One of the highlights is the Mythological Wedding Ceremony that heads from Agiokampos to Velika and costs from approximately £268 (€300) per person based on one couple with five plus guests. There are also two new honeymoon packages for 2017 exploring the region of Thessaly available from approximately £2141 (€2,400) per person. www.staventosailing.com

Adagio launches Corfu itinerary

Relaxed walking specialist Adagio is launching a new seven night itinerary in Corfu taking in the natural landscapes, multi-cultural heritage, historic buildings and monuments of the island. Seven nights B&B at Hotel Cavalieri in Corfu Town starts at £1,395 per person, including flights from London Heathrow with dinners taken at local tavernas, plus two lunches, all entrances and local transport. A local guide is included for one day for a visit of Corfu Town and Mon Repos. www.adagio.co.uk

Ramblers Walking Holidays launch Sifnos & Milos Itinerary

Walking holiday specialist Ramblers Walking Holidays is launching a new itinerary to Sifnos & Milos. Situated on the western edge of the Cyclades, these two islands with white cubist villages and spectacular coastlines offer two very different walking terrains. Sifnos is mountainous and green while Milos has an extraordinary volcanic landscape.

Two weeks half board starts from £1,599 per person including flights to Athens/Milos, B&B with en suite, dinners at local tavernas, guide and all local transport costs. www.ramblersholidays.co.uk

Cyplon Holidays releases 2017 brochure with new Greek island breaks

Cyplon Holidays has focused on Greek islands for its 2017 brochure with visits to Lefkada, Skopelos, Tinos, Paros, Leros, Ithaka, Chios, Naxos, Andros, Thassos. Three new island hopping itineraries have been introduced including the Dodecanese Islands (8-nights) from £999, Ionian Islands (10-nights) from £1,195 and Cyclades Islands (10-nights) from £1,285. There is also a new 8-day 'Guided Tours of Northern Greece from £1,179pp, including flights, transfers, English-speaking guides and accommodation on a half board basis. www.cyplon.co.uk

Planet Holidays expands 2017 Greece programme

Planet Holidays has added several Greek properties to its 2017 portfolio including the Kefalonia Grand in Angostoli, the Red Tower in Lefkas, SESA Boutique Hotel near Kanati Beach, Mystery Skiathos Luxury Residence, Skopelos Village, the new Domus Renier hotel in Chania, the Rimondi Boutique Hotels in Rethymno and the Porto Kea Suites on the island of Kea. Two Halkidiki hotels will also be added, the Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort and the Eagles Hotel, as well as further accommodation on Naxos as part of their lesser-known islands collection. www.planet-holidays.co.uk

Athens

Athens introduces transport smart cards for 2017

Those travelling to Athens in 2017 will be able to use the efficient new smart card system that is being introduced for buses, trolleys and trams, metro and electric railway. The personalised plastic smart cards will replace tickets and help to improving access for passengers, as well as provide a wider choice of fares based on destination, distance and zone. The smart cards will make it easier than ever to get around Athens. For more information, please see http://www.athenstransport.com/english/tickets/

Athens Named UNESCO World Book Capital for 2018

Greece's capital city has been named the UNESCO 'World Book Capital' for 2018. Athens was chosen because of its proposed activities in support of the entire book industry including meetings with writers, translators and illustrators, concerts, thematic exhibitions, poetry readings and workshops for publishing professionals. The aim of the programme is to make books accessible to the city's entire population, including migrants and refugees. For more information, please see http://bit.ly/2ezOTui

New Greek food store opens in the heart of Athens

Promoting local Greek producers, the online food shopping store Yoleni's has opened a physical shop in the centre of Athens. Yoleni's flagship concept store offers a range of high quality Greek products and the style of the shop replicates Athens'grocery stores from 1950s and 60s. The shop is located on Solonos Street and is open seven days a week. www.facebook.com/YolenisFlagshipstoreKolonaki

For more information on what to see and do in Greece, please visit www.visitgreece.gr.

November 2016

Ends

For further press information, please contact: Tim Thackray, Lotus: 020 7953 7470, Tim@wearelotus.co.uk, or Panos Papadopoulos, Greek National Tourism Organisation, GNTO UK & Ireland Office: 020 7495 9311, pr@gnto.co.uk