About.com Greece Travel

Two Die of CO2 Poisoning at Hotel Nepheli in Thessaloniki

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:24:33 +0000

Greece has been struck again by a CO2 poisoning tragedy, with two young men in their 20s succumbing to the odorless, poisonous gas in separate incidents at the 4-star Hotel Nepheli in Thessaloniki.

The hotel was closed after the second death; an initial investigation of the first death did not turn up any CO2 leaks, eKathimerini reports.

In October of 2006, two young children succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning at the Louis Corcyra Hotel on the Greek island of Corfu. Their parents were also sickened but survived.

While such incidents are very rare, they are more likely in the fall months when heating systems may be turned on again for the first time that season. Minor CO2 leaks may cause symptoms similar to the flu; if you are feeling ill and find you temporarily feel much better outside or in another area of the building, inform the management and change your room - or your hotel. In some victims, the skin will turn a bright pink or be flushed red.

More from About.com First Aid: Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Two Die of CO2 Poisoning at Hotel Nepheli in Thessaloniki originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 04:24:33.

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Fertile Turtles

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:58:05 +0000

Turtle watchers at the Marine Park of Zakynthos report a good year for the hatching of baby turtles - it's believed that over 60,000 babies from just 763 nests successfully hatched this year. The turtle moms were really working overtime this year. Unfortunately, a very high mortality rate for young turtles will pare that number down substantially, leaving only a few to grow up and breed.

More on Greek Loggerhead Turtles: Archelon
Volunteer your Vacation Helping Turtles

10 Things Tourists Can Do to Help Sea Turtles

Photo � Katelios Group; used by permission

Fertile Turtles originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 01:58:05.

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On this Day in Greece - November 6th

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:03:00 +0000

In 1915, during World War I, new Prime Minister Stephanos Skouloudis formed a new Greek government which supported the Allies. Some sources list him as "Sophokles" Skouloudis.

High Winds Sideline Ferries

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:25:40 +0000

November is coming in like a lion with high winds keeping ferries at the docks. It's the risk of off-season travel in Greece, though Greece's legendary winds occasionally keep the ferries from embarking no matter what the season. While some days may still be blissfully calm, it's likely to be more lively in the fall and winter months.

So, what's an intrepid off-season traveler to do? You may be best off choosing to fly between the Greek mainland and the islands. With competition heating up in Greece, and fewer passengers, it can often be even cheaper to fly than to take a ferry.

While bad weather and high winds can sometimes idle the smaller planes serving the islands, it happens less frequently. And if you do get caught with a delay, it usually is measured in hours - but if your island is only served once or twice a week by ferry, the impact on your travel plans can be much worse.

Aegean Airlines Special Offers to Greece

Olympic Air Special Offers to the Islands

Athens Airways Flights in Greece

The waters in Greece are not always this calm in fall and winter. Photo � deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com

High Winds Sideline Ferries originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 16:25:40.

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Crete's "X-Files Village"

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:27:59 +0000

The ancient island of Crete has no shortage of weird stories, yet most of them are safely set in the past. However, the village of Azogires seems to be keeping up its reputation for strange happenings, as Nancy Snipper discovered.

Crete Gazette: Azogires, the X-Files Village in Crete

Crete's "X-Files Village" originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 02:27:59.

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Halloween in Hellas - Does it Exist?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:41:58 +0000

Halloween isn't a Greek holiday, but it has all the right elements - costumed processions, an emphasis on food, and fun for children. So no wonder it's starting to catch on, though with a distinctly Greek flavor. Looking forward to have a chance to sample orange ouzo? If it's anything like the bright red raki I had once at a village in the mountains, it should be a legitimately scary night.

Photo of pumpkin patch on the Greek island of Milos. Copyright deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com

Halloween in Hellas - Does it Exist? originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 14:41:58.

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Greek Yogurt War Lands in Court

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:02:20 +0000

I adore real Greek yogurt - the unashamedly high-fat form made with milk from sheep and sometimes including a bit from goats, with a totally different nutritional profile than standard yogurt. I admit I fall for the all-cow's milk strained yogurt versions sold in the States occasionally when I'm desperate ...but it's not the same thing. I rush to the shelf when I see a new brand to read the label, but I always end up asking, "Where's the sheep?"

Still, passions over kind-of-Greek yogurt are rising as it becomes more and more popular. This conflict below just landed in the courts.

From AP: Soured Greek Yogurt Relationship Prompts Lawsuits

Greek Yogurt War Lands in Court originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 23:02:20.

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10 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Greece

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:46:06 +0000

Remember the good old days - when the Euro was at 95 cents to the dollar? Those days are long gone and not likely to come roaring back anytime soon. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite ways to save money on your trip to Greece - but be aware, some of these take a little pre-planning.

Photo � deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com

10 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Greece originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 19:46:06.

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El Greco On the Road

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:23:12 +0000

If you're a fan of 'The Greek' - originally called Domenikos Theotokopoulos, a Crete-born artist who made his name in Italy and Spain - you'll have an easier time seeing his works outside of Greece. The Onassis Foundation in New York City is presenting a substantial exhibit of El Greco's predecessors, including some early works by the master himself. The Origins of El Greco runs from November 17, 2009 - February 27, 2010.

On Crete, the Historical Museum in Heraklion has a couple of paintings attributed to El Greco. It's one more reason for a visit to this often-overlooked but fascinating museum covering Crete from Roman times to the present.

El Greco On the Road originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 14:23:12.

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Transatlantic Luggage Fees Go Up - So Pack Light!

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:16:23 +0000

Major transatlantic airlines have seen that passengers do pony up the fees for first- and second-bags on domestic flights and are gambling that they'll do the same for international flights. American, United, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are all imposing hefty new fees for that dreaded Bag #2. For the moment, one bag still flies for free but don't count on that to last for long.

How to Pack Light for Greece - for Men, Women, and Kids.

Transatlantic Luggage Fees Go Up - So Pack Light! originally appeared on About.com Greece Travel on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 02:16:23.

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