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Posts Tagged ‘Greece’

Ancient Greece Art – Cycladic Sculptures in the Greek Islands

Cycladic sculptures are thousands of years old and yet look eerily modern. A face with no facial features, except the nose, is not exactly how we think of ancient Greek art. Cycladic art came to prominence during the twentieth century. Unfortunately that started a period of looting, which destroyed the possibility of putting the sculptures in any kind of location or archeological context. To this day we know very little about Cycladic art. A measure of its growing importance is the existence of the Cycladic Museum located in the heart of Athens, Greece.

The Greek islands of the Cyclades are located to the South East of Greece and to the North of Crete in the Aegean Sea. There are more than two hundred islands approximating a circle around the most significant island Delos, the birthplace of Apollo, Greek God of music and light from Greek mythology and of Artemis, the huntress. The Greek name for the Cyclades is Kyklades, an obvious reference to a circle.

During the period between 3200 and 2000 B.C. the small Cycladic islands in the Aegean became home to a flourishing culture. The most prominent craft in Cycladic culture was stone-cutting, especially marble sculpture. The abundance of high quality white marble on the islands encouraged its use for the creation of a wide range of artifacts. Among these, Cycladic Figurines are the most distinctive Cycladic creation because of the style, the great numbers in which they are found, and the significance they held for their owners. The majority of Cycladic Figurines show women, nude with the arms folded over the belly and the long feet, soles sloping downwards. We do not know whether they were meant to show mortals or deities, but probably symbolized the worship of the ‘Mother Goddess’. In this case, the figurines may have been conceived as representations of the Goddess, or companions to her. Many figurines have been discovered in relation to burials as the Cycladic civilization flourished and burials became more elaborate to reflect status.

There have been recent discoveries (in the last five years) of piles of buried and broken statues and pottery, as if the breaking of the statues was a feature of some unknown ancient ceremony. This ritualistic behavior appears to be centered on the island of Keros in the Cyclades.  Also, hidden deposits of broken pottery and figurines have been found on islands around Keros, many fragments brought there from other locations. Why would the Cycladians do that? To what end? The mystery surrounding Keros, the Cycladians and their art deepens as archeologists sift through clues of human history and behavior. To this day Keros and surrounding islands are home mainly to archeologists attempting to explain one of those mysteries of human behavior and human art that drive us with a â??need to knowâ??. Art, in all forms, leaves behind a legacy of a civilizations history, behavior, values and intrigue. Fortunately for us it also provides beauty that only human civilizations can produce.

Cycladic Sculptures

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by - 2010/03/29 at 11:42 PM

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Santorini Holidays – Organize Your Vacation and Holidays in Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a must see dramatic island often said to be one of the most ruggedly magical and tourism vacation places on earth. The beautiful landscape of the Santorini is the cause of a strong volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. The volcanic soil is very productive and vineyards are there every where. The economy of the Island is greatly depends upon the win production and of course tourism.

Tourist Attraction on the Santorini Island is enormous and it has been a perfect vacation destination especially for couples. With year round sunshine, sophistication, the glorious sunshine, cheap air ticket, beautiful beaches, villages, restaurants and Luxury hotels, makes a great place for family holiday. Santorini offers accommodation of all range and variety best suits to your budget and pocket including apartments, Luxury hotels, Villas, studios and camping sites. Due to easy holiday accommodation on budget: Santorini has been attracting more than a Million of Visitors every year

Santorini is the most famous Greek island for which no introduction is needed. it is amazing in every sense that has been widely known because of itâ??s unique beauty as well as unforgettable views with a reputation of romance and sophistication. Santorini is differing from other Islands because of its geographical morphology which is regarded by many as the most exquisite and spectacular of all the Greece islands.

As a vacation destination you have many more to do in Santorini such as: lie on the beach as well as take the charm of sun chair, umbrellas and different types of water sports avail for tourists. Besides these you can have more to double your fun such as watching Santorini sun set, climb the volcano, swim in hot springs and have some ouzo (Ouzo is the Greeceâ??s national drink)

Santorini is one of the most wonderful tourist and holiday destinations in Europe. The gorgeous beaches are enough to prove the beauty of the Santorini Greece. You can visit few of the exquisite and very popular beaches such as

Akrotiri Red Beach, Kamari Black Beach, Vourvoulous Beach, Perissa Black Beach during your stay in Santorini.

Besides these beaches you also can visit Akrotiri which is an ancient buried when Volcano erupted 3500 years ago. You also can visit ancient Thira, which is situated just above kamari on top of high cliff. Have a trip to Oia to take the charm of beautiful Santorini sunset. If you are looking for shopping, the Fira and Oia are the best and excellent towns for you.

Town of Fira is the capital of Santorini situated 275 meters above the Water built on the cliff edge of the volcanoâ??s crater. Bellow the cliff you will find several cruise ships and ferries to make the Fira trip more enjoyable. Tourists have a choice to ride 300 meters top either by walking with a donkey carrying their luggage or make the journey easier with the help of cable car. More people prefer to travel by cable car that takes about 2 minutes and provide unforgettable and memorable views. Fira is always flooded with tourists all year long.

Sunset is the real attraction that explains the beauty of the Santorini. As far as sunset is concerned the Santorini sun set is the best on this earth and tourists from all over the world fall in love to view this sunset. The sunset when viewed from the Santorini It makes a truly and memorable experience.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by - 2010/03/26 at 9:54 PM

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Explore the Mediterranean islands of Greece and Cyclades

Greece and Cyclades are known for their ancient history, culture and mythology. For decades now these have lured thousands of tourists from across the world to get their share of this enchanting location. The Mediterranean offers a chance to explore the coastline of Greece and find some of the best hidden islands. The sight of the bright white houses dotted along the coast everywhere is a classic Greek greeting to everyone who comes here.

There are so many islands, small and big along the coastline that the best way to explore it all is through Yacht charter Greece which would allow you to visit a new island and a new port every single day. Greece yacht charters offer you the chance to experience the classic Mediterranean culture in a true luxury style. Some of the best places in Greece and Cyclades to visit are:

Kea- the island of Kea is still very well hidden from the tourists which is what adds to its charm. This quiet little island has beautiful beaches, hills and valleys that are filled with orchards and dotted with almond, oak and olive trees. The beaches here are exceptionally beautiful and secluded. Mykonos- Mykonos is very well known for its glittering nightlife. The atmosphere here is really vibrant and alive with the youthful crowd walking around the narrow streets, the colorful markets, the many pubs, bars and clubs that are dotted along the beautiful beaches. Delos: Delos is situated quite close to Mykonos and is the most important archeological site in Greece. The island has some very important archeological sites that date back to centuries and a museum that showcases its history. Ios- Ios is again known for its vibrant crowds and its party culture. There are numerous bars and clubs here lined at the beach and the center of the city and the beaches here are known to be the ones that attract the most stylish people from around the world. Sifnos- the island of Sifnos has a rugged charm with its string of hills that surrounds the island. Sifnos has plenty of small villages where life is still lived the ancient Mediterranean way and there are plenty of orchards and hillsides that are covered with aromatic herbs. Kythnos- this island is still very secluded and does not attract throngs of visitors. The Island has several small villages that have character and the charm that a truly Mediterranean island must have. Life here is very relaxed and there are a number of beaches here that have perfect white sand and sparkling azure waters.

The islands in Greece and Cyclades can leave you mesmerized by their sheer beauty and their enchanting culture, anyone who comes here once will surely be touched by the abundant natural beauty here.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by - 2010/03/23 at 11:49 PM

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Mystified by the Holidays in Rhodes Island and the Holidays in Rhodes Greece

Ancient Rhodus (Rhodes Island, Greece) in southeastern Greece, in the sphere of the Aegean Sea, in close proximity to Turkey and grouped for organizational purposes with the Dodecanese island.  Replete with a rich history, desirable climate and fantastic landscape, holidays in Rhodes Greece is one of spectacular vistas and alluring blue waters.   

 

Holidays in Rhodes Island are to experience the mystifying effect upon sight of the historical sites and amazing beaches in this beautiful island.  The sun is always shining where peace and quiet reign.  At Rhodes.ws, you will know that tourists find enchantment and pleasure in the sun filled weather.  There is nothing to spoil your fun.  Even the weather is in cahoots with nature to give the most spectacular views and the bluest of sea and sky. 

 

Plan your holidays with Rhodes.  And start your love affair with the island.  The holidays in Rhodes Greece will leave you mesmerized and wonderment.  It is probably the influence of the sun god and the goddess of love.  It is most likely to end as such because the island tempts in a sequence of ways.  Even the most discriminating visitor will fall to the subtle seduction the island emits. 

 

Holidays in Rhodes Island are to witness the magic of the Valley of the Butterflies.  This is a place where you can behold the natural beauty of the island.  The Valley of the Butterflies is an extraordinary and rare kind of park.  Every year thousands of butterflies of different kinds appear. The butterflies normally come mid June to December.  What holiday can make this possible but your holidays in Rhodes Greece!

 

If sailing is your interest, Rhodes is a favorite sailing port. The eastern and northern coastline with its fill of blue clear water is an ideal part of the island for your sailing holiday.  This makes your holidays in Rhodes Island fascinating and definitely not boring.  Make it Rhodes for that much needed vacation according to Rhodes.

 

The island beckons, the sea seduces, and the butterflies fleeting make memories happy all in your holidays in Rhodes Greece!   Breathtaking natural delights are certainly the spark that makes vacations and holidays in Rhodes Island worth it all.  There never should be a hindrance to your plans because there are hotels and apartments to stay where your budget can fit. 

 

The aerial view of Lindo, Rhodes’ second town is fantastic.  You can see the dramatic location of the town.  High over the sea on a promontory, you can see the cubed houses inside the fortified acropolis.  The historical wealth of the town is worth enough your holidays in Rhodes.  

 

Rhodes, Greece is an island stuffed with remarkable points of interest.  Add to that is the entertainment life which can be something of a novelty to somebody new to the islands.  Sound and light is one of a kind distinctive form of theater.  It has no actors performing but just a fusion of stage action, speech, music and light with the architecture.  Holidays in Rhodes Greece can indeed be out of the ordinary.

 

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by - 2010/03/21 at 11:50 PM

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Mykonos Island – Greece

It is the cosmopolitan centre of the Cyclades complex. Its reputation has spread during the last years owed to its unparalleled landscape, its archaelogical sites, its cosmopolite environment and its glorious beaches. White-washed, cube-shaped houses are scattered all over the island, narrow down streets in the city, chapels & picturesque tavernas hide amongst art galleries & stores selling jewellery, souvenirs etc.

Styles that sweep across the global scene are born in the vivid nightlife of this contemporary resort. An island of luring and tempestuous reputation like Mykonos, with high tourism & a rather superficial lifestyle, inevitably has each fans and critics.But even the most unsuspicious visitor immediately understands that Mykonos is not just a crazy “bon-viveur”, but likewise an attractive, picturesque island with white Chora apart the crystal-clear blue waters of the Aegean.

Because it is so famous, Mykonos gets really overcrowded in the period of high season but for those who enjoy the crowd, great fun & all night long entertainment, Mykonos is the idealistic place for vacations.

The beach of Platis Yialos is first of the most mainstream beaches of the island, it is full organized, offering sun beds, umbrellas, & water sports installations. Its golden sand and marvellous turquoise crystalline waters attract thousands of people in the period of summertime time. It is approachable by local bus departure each half an hour from Chora. From Platis Yialos beach, regular taxi-boats go to the beaches of the southern coast which are Paranga , Agrari , Elia , Paradise & Super Paradise.

Agrari and Elia are placed one next to each other, forming a huge sandy beach, 10 kilometres from Chora. Elia is the longer sandy beach of Mykonos, fully organized, offering a wide selection of taverns & bars as well as water sports installations. Agrari Beach is less popular than its neighbour & much calmer. They each may likewise be reached out by local bus.

Paradise is one of the most famed beaches of Mykonos, pulling in mostly a young crowd by its twenty-four hours music and its day and night beach parties. Paradise beach is set between Paranga Beach & Super Paradise Beach & is approachable by a pathway from Platis Yialos, by bus or by taxi-boat.

The notable Cavo Paradiso which is a big building complex working like a night club, holding a pool, a restaurant and a beach bar, is placed on a hill, higher up the beach. By night, Paradise Beach transforms into a very big club with music & people dancing on the sand and the rocks till dawn.

In Mykonos the party begins with a toast to the sunset in Little Venice & continues through the night at the dance clubs and bars tucked away in city or even by Paradise Beach. Worth a visit? It sure does!

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by - 2010/03/17 at 11:45 PM

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