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Unity is the key for

Nikitiades

Greece is the very ideal of the

cruise destination. It is armed

with the expected virtues of

sun, sea and sand. But it also boasts an

ancient maritime tradition, a rich

history that is almost a production line

for shore excursions.

Yet as anyone involved in cruise

tourism in Greece would aver, this

magical location has consistently

punched below its weight in exploiting

its natural and man-made assets.

Though it might be the Mediterranean’s

leading cruise destination, with almost

five million passengers in 2009, it lags

in other areas critical to economic

development, from cruise industry

expenditures to employment.

For the government of GeorgePapandreou, that is a challenge justwaiting to be confronted. According toGeorge Nikitiades, Greece’s DeputyMinister of Culture and Tourism, theprocess of transforming Greece into thecruise market par excellence is nowunderway, with pending liberalisationof the highly restrictive cabotage law acritical first step.

With that change alone, he says, “weexpect the number of passengers whostart from or complete their cruise at aGreek port to grow dramatically. Theincrease will not only benefit the portsand port cities, but also businessesand professionals active in thoseareas, since they will all generate newbusiness. Indeed, we expect this

activity to boost the entire Greekeconomy. We know from pastresearch that cruise passengerexpenditure in local economies issignificant.”

Moves are also afoot to draw in privateinvestment. Nikitiades says a newlegal framework stripping away redtape and allowing investment to gothrough without the endless delaysendemic to such processes in Greece,will ease the path to development. Headds that interest in investing in theGreek cruise tourism sector, and thewider tourism field, is high, happily forthe cash-strapped Greek government,since “the only chance we’ve got if wewant to boost growth is to bring ininvestment.”

Nikitiades adds that: “Greece is amature country, a country that is readyto welcome investment and ensurethat these investments are not at risk.This means that entrepreneurs willtake only the risk that stems from anyentrepreneurial activity, but nothingmore. I reckon that there is exceptionalinterest in the area of cruiseinfrastructure.”

“At the cruise tourism conference inCannes and in the contacts I had withrepresentatives of major cruisecompanies, I detected a strongbusiness interest not only for moreGreek ports to be included in theirroutes but also vis-à-vis investments inport infrastructure.

“We had the same impression during ateleconference organised at the USEmbassy, with the participation ofMinister of State Haris Pampoukis,Minister for Marine Affairs and IslandsYannis Diamantidis, myself as DeputyMinister for Culture and Tourism andkey representatives of the cruisetourism field in the United States.”

Considerable more work, both physicaland in terms of planning, will beneeded before that golden promisebears fruits. He adds that: “Of course,we must go ahead and upgrade portinfrastructure, as well as the provisionof catering and tourism services, toserve visitors better.”

This development of the country’scruise tourism infrastructure is part of awide-ranging government tourismpolicy that includes “a comprehensiveplan regarding the benefits that areoffered by port cities in craftinginteresting visits, tours and activities. Inthe first place,” he says,“sites ofarchaeological interest will have toremain open by law so that cruise shippassengers are able to visitconveniently. We are also looking attrying to help cruise tourism growduring the winter, in cooperation withlocal businessmen.”

Greece has big ambitions for its cruiseindustry, despite the economic travailsthat have blighted its progress over thelast three years. As Nikitiades says:“Our plan for the years ahead is toimprove our port infrastructure and topromote Greece as a top destinationfor cruise ships plying the waters ofthe Mediterranean.”

It may be a challenge, but Nikitiadesbelieves the country is up to it. “I thinkit is possible if all of us stakeholdersmanage to unite our forces and worktogether in this direction. I am quitesure that Greece can become the bestdestination, 365 days a year, across theentire country.”

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It may be an exaggeration to saythat Greece is where civilised lifebegan, but for the Western World,

at least, this sun-bathed land on theeastern Mediterranean, birthplace ofdemocracy, is as close to a startingpoint as you can find. As Lord Actonfamously put it: “Save for the wildforce of nature, nothing moves in thisworld that is not Greek in its origin.”

But if Western fascination with Greeceowes much to its ancientachievements in philosophy andpolitics, art and drama, its place in theimagination owes just as much to itspure physical beauty, whether

expressed in its wondrous light, thegreen of olive-clad hillsides, or Homer’s“wine-dark sea.”

For the world’s cruise industry, Greecehas always been a place of pilgrimage.Destinations that combine pretty porttowns backed by verdant countrysideand flanked by beautiful beaches withvibrant nightlife on hand as well asgreat archaeological sites have analmost magnetic appeal to passengersand itinerary-planners alike.

The country’s long seafaring tradition, asource of world-renowned marinersfrom Odysseus to Onassis and one of

the great boasts of this proud land,somehow gives every voyage throughits blue waters an epic quality. And yet,as a further boon to a cruise industryseeking out fresh, fascinating ports ofcall, such is Greece’s wealth as a touristdestination that much that would beprized elsewhere remains to bediscovered.

Greece, it must be said, has not alwaysrewarded the industry’s devotion. Along-standing protectionist stance, forinstance, might have been designed tobolster the Greek maritime industriesbut it has also held the country back asa participant in cruising.

Voyages with andepic quality

5

As deputy tourism minister GeorgeNikitiadis noted, Greece may be theMediterranean’s leading cruisedestination, with almost five millionpassengers crossing its berths in 2009,but it languishes close to the bottom ofthe cruise rankings on a range of otherindices, from cruise industryexpenditures to cruise employment.

As he conceded, it is time for change,and true to its word the government ofGeorge Papandreu has made a start onmodernising regulations. It is alsomaking efforts to boost cruise travel byupgrading tourist infrastructure,whether by incentivising hotelconstruction, spurring construction inthe ports, or beefing up air links to thecountry.

The restrictions on cabotage are beinglifted, while a range of financial andfiscal incentives are also being pushedthrough that will favour the industry,either directly or indirectly. A new fast-

track investment law that will forciblyreduce project approval times is alsoon the drawing board, along with adevelopment law to spur constructionof ports and airports. The governmentis also pursuing moves to spur privateinvestment in under-developed ports,possibly in partnership with publicentities, and to draw in low-costairlines and so expand the network ofair services to Greece.

If the government makes good on itsintentions, it will provide a long-overdue helping hand to a local cruisebusiness that has yet to fulfil itspotential despite being almostuniquely blessed by nature. Greecehas the world’s tenth longestcoastline, at 9,246 miles in length,and boasts the glory of 1,400 islands,227 of which inhabited.

They include some of the world’s mostpopular island calls, from Crete andMykonos to Rhodes and Santorini, not

to mention the numerous marqueedestinations on the mainland. Mostnotable among these are Athens andKatakolon, the former a turnarounddestination par excellence, the latterthe main entry-point for Olympia, thesplendid birthplace of the ancientOlympic Games with a wonderfullystylish and evocative museum.Heraklion, meanwhile, capital of Crete,has real potential as a year-round hub.

But if these primary destinationsretain their allure, and remainthe bedrock of cruise tourism to thecountry, there is far more to Greecethan these big-name ports. Indeed, asthe regulatory climate begins tochange, the cruise industry has agolden opportunity to expand its

“The government ofGeorge Papandreu has

made a start onmodernisingregulations.”

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Kos Municipal Port Authority11 Akti Kountourioti85 300 Kos

Tel. +30 55420 29130Fax. +30 22420 29120Email: dltko1@otenet.grWebsite: www.dltko.gr

7

activities beyond these well-travelledpaths and develop new itinerariesbased on fascinating newdestinations.

Winter cruising from a Greek hub, forinstance, has real possibilities, and inthis context Piraeus is certainly anobvious choice. A cruise embarkingand disembarking in Athens, with atwo-day stay in the city at thebeginning or end of the trip, wouldtranslate into a major boost for thecity’s tourism sector, just as a wintercall – or a string of them – wouldprovide a transformative off-seasonboost even to the most popularsummer venues. And these ports, inturn, are likely to pull out all the stopsfor such a service.

One such port, Heraklion, has alreadystarted to invest in its overall cruiseproduct, as it has two of the mostfundamental factors already in place: aquality port and 320 sunny days a year.

Larger ships clearly require betterequipped ports, particularly given thepreference for berthing alongsiderather than at offshore anchorage.Similarly, a 3,000-passenger vesselasks stiff questions of a port’s landsideinfrastructure, not least in terms ofpotential excursions and the transportand guide capacity to handle them.

It is impossible to under-estimate theimportance of adequate infrastructurein assessing a port’s potential value tothe cruise lines. Ship-receptioninfrastructure, passenger embarkationand disembarkation facilities, transferand transport facilities, andinternational airlift possibilities canrepresent a critical base on which tobuild a successful relationship with thecruise industry.

Yet on this score, Greece is increasinglycompetitive. The professionalisminherent to its major ports is nowbecoming more prevalent in less-trafficked harbours as localgovernments begin to realise theeconomic benefits of mass tourism.Similarly, as smaller ports have begunto tap into their rich history and vibrantculture, they are beginning to invest inthe levels of service and infrastructurerequired not just to draw visitors into anew experience but to persuade themto come back again and again.

“Winter cruising froma Greek hub has real

possibilities, and inthis context Piraeus is

certainly an obviouschoice.”

“Heraklion has alreadystarted to invest in itsoverall cruise product.”

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One of the largest, most modern and safest ports in the Mediterranean.

Rich history, alternative forms of tourism.

Sun, light, sea.

The triangle of ancient Greek civilization (Olympia - Delphi - Epidaurus).

One of the biggest carnivals.

Rhythm, life and fun, a city that never sleeps...

The largest downtown shopping centre in the Ionian.

Mediterranean diet, pure traditional products.

Award-winning Blue Flag beaches.

PATRAS PORT AUTHORITY S. A.

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Why Patras?

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(Olympia - Delphi - Epidaurus).

One of the biggest carnivals.

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The largest downtown shopping centre in the Ionian.

Mediterranean diet, pure traditional products.

Award-winning Blue Flag beaches

(Olympia - Delphi - Epidaurus).

One of the biggest carnivals.

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The largest downtown shopping centre in the Ionian.

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Award-winning Blue Flag beaches.

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Where a port is unable to handle asizeable ship, it may well be theperfect destination for a smaller vessel,and perhaps for a luxury cruise shipeager to show its discerningpassengers a side of Greek life andculture that the cruise visitor rarelysees. Attacking niche markets andupscale cruising will be a major focusfor less prominent ports going forward,though they will have to be creative todraw in increasingly demanding cruiselines.

That will also mean economiccreativity. Indeed, emergingdestinations are already looking to lurein lines for that first critical call througha range of incentives, from fueldiscounts to free or low-cost docking.Efficiency, which increasingly includesconsiderations of itinerary distance andfuel consumption measured againstpotential income, is also vital as cruiselines assess their options.

Most cruise income in theMediterranean derives from shoreexcursions, and so a varied palette ofpotential visits can also determinewhere and how often a ship will call.Of course, some destinations willalways be popular regardless of thepossibility for excursions, and hereMykonos is the perfect example.

In Greece, new is very much a relativeconcept but in cruise tourism termsthere is an abundance of little visitedports. Take Cephallonia, for instance,thought by many to be real Ithaca ofOdysseus and an island famous for itswine and the Venetian style itabsorbed over years as a colony of theItalian city-state. The island is nowlooking to leverage its natural beauty,and its consequent potential as a cruisedestination, by building a new berth atArgostoli aimed precisely at cruiseships.

Kos is another island with cruisingsurely in its future. Already a majordestination for land-based tourism, this

is an island with the legacy ofcountless invaders in its bones, and itsarchitecture, but that also has a vibrantlife after dark consistent with its longacquaintance with summer tourism.

Patras is a different kind of place but isalso blessed. A lively city with adistinguished history, it has a portequipped for large cruise ships and isjust a short ride from two of Greece’sblue-riband classical sites, Olympia andDelphi. Igoumenitsa, meanwhile, is abustling port opening into a landscapethat merits further exploration. A drivealong the coast or into the mountainswill take in traditional villages set in

startlingly beautiful countryside thickwith historic attractions. The wonderfulnatural beauty of Epirus is close by, andthis is also the western gateway for ajourney to Meteora.

One of Greece’s great glories is the

plethora of potential calls it offers in a

small area, with as many as 40 ports

eager to handle cruise calls. That, in

turn, translates into myriad potential

itineraries, whether featuring little-

known ports under the rubric of

“Hidden Greece” or a nicely chosen

assortment of traditional crowd-

pleasers and fresh new arrivals.

“Emerging destinations are already looking tolure in lines for that first critical call through arange of incentives, from fuel discounts to freeor low-cost docking.”

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Brief historyThe modern history of our port begins in 1939, shortly after the city

of Igoumenitsa was declared capital of Thesprotia Prefecture. Thefirst regular ferry services were established here in the 1950s,

linking Greece’s northwest to Corfu and the Paxoi islands. In those daysthere was little by way of port infrastructure. Only small ships couldapproach and even they had to remain at anchor while passengers weretendered in, and cargo was moved with barges. In the 1960s, HellenicMediterranean Lines inaugurated regular ferry services to Italy and a pierwas constructed in what today is the “Old Port”. From then on, businessgrew rapidly and Igoumenitsa was soon on its way to becoming one ofthe largest ro/pax ports in the Mediterranean. By the late 1990s, athree-phase development project was in the process of expanding ourinfrastructure, and in 2001 our Port Authority was incorporated andrestructured to international standards. Today, about 3 millionpassengers, 650,000 private cars and 250,000 trucks travel through ourport each year.

Towards a bright future The completion of Phase B of our development project in 2011 greatlyincreases our port’s capabilities, particularly with regard to passengerservices, and gives us good reason to be optimistic about the future.Among our highest priorities is to become a major Mediterranean cruiseport. Certainly, the bulk of our year-round business will continue to beferries and cargo, but the design of our New Port allows us to operatedifferent activities smoothly and efficiently. We have allocated the dockclosest to the city centre and one of our new terminals to cruise calls,with our ferry and cargo activities well-separated. When it comes tocruising, our philosophy is based on flexibility and a willingness to workwith operators to meet their needs with customised products.

Why cruising? We believe that the competitive advantages that made us a Category Aport and that continue to encourage steady growth in the passengershipping sector are also applicable to cruising. They are:l Strategic position that offers a convenient call option for eastbound

and westbound East Mediterranean itineraries with home ports inthe Adriatic or further west.

l Immediate access from the port to a new highway system thatopens up an entire range of tourist attractions previouslyinaccessible to the cruise lines.

l Adequate infrastructure for vessels of all sizes, modern port facilitiesand extensive passenger handling experience.

Igoumenitsa opens up a wholenew Greece! Among the many highlights accessiblefrom Igoumenitsa on full- and half-daytours are the Unesco World Heritage Siteof Meteora, the fascinating lakeside city ofIoannina, the rare Byzantine treasures ofArta, Octavian’s city of Nicopolis, thecharming seaside towns of Syvota, Pargaand Preveza, and the amazing eagle’s-nest villages of Zagori. Epirus is adestination full of historic, religious andcultural attractions, breathtakinglandscapes and untouched natural beauty,and has some of the best beaches in theMediterranean.

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CEPHALLONIA (ARGOSTOLI)

CHANIA

CORFU

CORINTH

KALAMATA

IGOUMENITSA

ITHAKA

GYTHION

KATAKOLON

KAVALA

KYTHERA

PATRASPIRAEUS

PYLOS

SKIATHOS

SKOPELOS

THESSALONIKI

VOLOS

NAFPLION

MONEMVASSIA

ITEA

HYDRA

1

2

3

5

6

7

8

910

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1617

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DESTINATIONS CAPACITY MAPCruise destinations have been categorized in accordance with their overallsightseeing interest and tourism infrastructure for handling passengerarrivals, not as an indication of port capacity. The symbols represent: small cruise ship, medium cruise ship,

large cruise ship.

There are many archaeologically significant sites in Greece otherthan those indicated by the numbered orange squares whichare listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites at the present time.The closet port to each site is named in brackets on the list opposite.

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ALEXANDROUPOLIS

AGHIOS NIKOLAOS

AMORGOS

CHIOS

HERAKLION

KOS

LEMNOS

LESVOS (MYTILINI)

MYKONOS

NAXOS

PAROS

PATMOS

RETHYMNO

RHODES

SAMOS

SAMOTHRAKI

SANTORINI

SYMI

SYROS

KASTELLORIZO ISLAND

CRETE

4

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1. Acropolis, Athens (Piraeus)2. Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Vassae (Katakolon, Pylos, Kalamata)3. Archaeological site of Delphi (Itea, Piraeus, Patras)4. Medieval city of Rhodes (Rhodes Island)5. Meteora (Volos, Igoumenitsa, Thessaloniki)6. Mt Athos Penisula (Thessaloniki)7. Paleo-Christian & Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki 8. Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus (Piraeus, Nafplion, Corinth)9. Archaeological site of Mystras (Gytheion)10. Archaeological site of Olympia (Katakolon, Patras) 11. Monastery of Nea Moni (Chios Island)12. Monastery of Dafni, Athens (Piraeus)13. Monastery of Osios Loukas (Itea, Piraeus)14. Pythagoreion and Heraion Archaeological sites (Samos Island)15. Archaeological site of Aigai (Vergina), (Thessaloniki)16. Archaeological site of Mycenae (Piraeus, Nafplion, Corinth)17. Archaeological site of Tiryns (Piraeus, Nafplion, Corinth)18. Chora, Monastery of St John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse (Patmos)19. Old Corfu Town (Corfu Island)

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A truly unique cruisedestination with over40 distinctive port options

Greece’s unique ancient heritage and its

spectacular coastline combine to make it

the perfect cruise destination, as there are

so many port of call and turnaround

destination options for cruise line itinerary

planners. These are just a selection of ports

of call from the west coast, the South and

the North.

West coastOne of the busiest ports of westernGreece and a major player in the ferrytrade linking mainland Greece withItaly and Corfu, Igoumenitsa is abustling town that also has much torecommend it as a cruise call. Mostobviously, it is perfectly placed as anentry point to a world of sightseeingattractions, among which are theMonasteries of Meteora, the beautifultown of Parga, the importantarchaeological site of Dodoni and thefascinating mountain town of Metsovo.The city of Ioannina, with its lake andcaves is also within easy reach, andthe drives through the surroundingcountryside, whether in the mountainsor along the coast, are spectacular.

Cephallonia is known as “The EmeraldIsle” for its lush vegetation, and is alsobelieved by many classicists to be thereal Ithaka, home of Homer’sOdysseus. Long noted for its fertileland and the excellent wines thatspring from it, Cephallonia also retainssome of the Venetian flavour itabsorbed as a long-time colony of La

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Serenissima. It was hard-hit by anearthquake in the 1950s but still hassome of its old charm and a variedportfolio of attractions.

In name at least, Ithaka is the islandof Odysseus, though Cephallonia wouldcertainly beg to differ. Either way, ithas such distinct charms that it ispuzzling that it remains one of theIonian Sea’s best-kept secrets. Here isan island where life is lived very muchas it used to be before mass tourismaccelerated development in the Greekislands. Pristine sandy beaches, lushforests and sleepy cliff-side villagesdefine Ithaka, along with animpeccably natural welcome fromlocals still delighted to have strangersin their midst. It may have taken awhile for Ithaka to be discovered, butthen Odysseus himself had a littletrouble making his way back to hisbirthplace.

Patras might have been made forcruise ships, with its expansive portfacilities, lively city centre, andproximity to the five-star sights that

are Delphi and Olympia. But then thisis a city that has been in the bigleagues for millennia. It was a majorport in the Mycenaean age, and thelanding point for Byron as hecommenced his love affair with allthings Greek, and it remains thecountry’s most important westerngateway. Among the other nearby sitesof note are the Roman Odeon, thechurch of Aghios Andreas, dedicated toPatra’s patron St. Andrew, and theAchaia Claus Winery. As the largest cityin the Peloponnese and the thirdlargest in Greece, it is a majoruniversity town with the nightlife tomatch and an urban centre rich withexcursion possibilities nearby. It alsohas a well-equipped port with berthingcapacity for modern cruise ships.

Pylos is tranquil now, but it was notalways so. This was the kingdom ofHomer’s Nestor, whose refusal to giveup Helen led to Troy’s demise, but itwas also the site of the naval battle ofNavarino, which hastened Greece’sliberation from Ottoman rule. Itshistory is still ever-present, in theshape of the mighty Venetian castlethat dominates the town and the neo-classical makeover it had a little overa century ago. But the city also has

other attractions, including splendidbeaches and a lively main square,while for the cruise ships it is a handyalternative gateway to Olympia.

Founded in the Middle Ages, whichmakes it almost modern by Greekstandards, Kalamata is the secondcity of the Peloponnese and but ashort hop from the importantMycenaean towns of Messini andIthomi. The city is famous for itsolives, and the delicious olive oilproduced from them, and as thestarting point of Greece’s uprisingagainst the Ottomans. Its vibrantcentre sits in the shadow of aVenetian fortress where festivals andcultural events are held during thesummer. The surrounding areafeatures a large, fertile valley againstthe backdrop of the Taigetosmountain.

The SouthA sophisticated mainland town that isthe preferred weekend escape for manyAthenians, Nafplion is a charmingamalgam of Venetian and Turkisharchitecture, quiet little alleyways andlively nightlife. Perched 216m above thetown is the Venetian Palamidi fortress,

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Venetian atmosphere, but it also hasculture to burn, whether in town – theVenetian mercantile exchange building,known as the ‘loggia’, houses aworthwhile archeological museum – oroutside. Within easy striking village ofthe port are numerous attractions,including the monasteries of Arkadi andPreveli, an interesting classical/Romansite and traditional mountain villages.From here, visitors can also access theMinoan capital of Knossos and theCretan capital Heraklion.

Home to one of Greece’s mostpicturesque harbours, backed by fineshops and a lively café and restaurantscene, Aghios Nikolaos and nearbyElounda is one of the most developedresort areas in the country. Of course, ithas always been in demand. When theVenetians took it over, they built amighty fortress to protect what theyconsidered a great prize. Though theport is very much the centre of life inAghios Nikolaos, it also pays to wanderafield. The town built on the westernrecess of Mirabello (meaning beautifulview) is within striking distance ofpalm forests and fascinating

and a relaxed, gentle present. Settledsince early Minoan times, it was longassociated with the worship of thegoddess Aphrodite and its sanctuarywas considered by the historianPausanias to be the oldest and mostsacred in Greece. Stunningly attractive,with its capital Chora perched high on ahill overlooking the sea and topped by ahuge Venetian fortress, it also features awealth of Byzantine art and architecturethat makes it almost a must-see.

A uniquely impressive destination,Chania is a delightful port town built ina semi-circle around a bay and enclosedby a Venetian fortress. The impact isonly enhanced by its naturalsurroundings, with high mountains toone side and clear blue waters to theother. A picturesque fishing town with alively waterfront, it allows for excursionsto the wondrous Samaria Gorge,Kolymbari and the monastery of Gonias,the Heraklion Archaeological Museumand to the ancient Minoan capital ofKnossos.

Rethymno is a scenic port with acharming old town that is full of

which combined with the island castleof Bourtzi to protect it in years gone by.More modern attractions include theArchaeological and Folk Art Museums,and Nafplion is also a convenient launchpad for excursions to the great ancientsites of Mycenae, Epidauros, Nemea,Argos and Corinth.

Gythion is where Paris supposedlyspent his first night with Helen beforetheir escape to Troy, and perhaps forthat reason an air of romance hasalways clung to this, Sparta’s mainport. These days, though, the cruiseships call for other reasons: for thequaintness of the town with itscharming neo-classical buildings and“ouzeries” famous for their Greek horsd’oeuvres and ouzo; and for the door itopens onto some of the country’s mostintriguing Byzantine and Medievalsites. Among the former is thefascinating town of Mystras while thelatter include the citadel ofMonemvassia.

Kythira is popular cruise destination andit is easy to see why. It has everything,from a rich mythology to a storied past

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archaeological sites, including Knossos,and just 40 miles from the Cretancapital, Heraklion. In Mirabello Bay andjust opposite the fishing village ofPlaka is the deserted island ofSpinalonga, setting for the best seller“The Island”.

Amorgos is the easternmost island inthe Cyclades, a place that has beenpassed almost from hand to hand overthe centuries – from the AthenianLeague to Ptolemaic Egypt and then tothe Romans, the Byzantine empire, theDuchy of Naxos and the Ottomans.Peppered with ruins that trace thisgrand progress, and blessed withattractive beaches and narrow alleys,windmills and whitewashed houses thatare typically Cycladic, Amorgos is afascinating call.

Naxos is the largest and most fertileisland of the Cyclades, a place rich inhistory and culture and immenselyrewarding for the visitor. The old townof Chora is both typical of a fascinatingisland and exceptional, its history as adivided town – Catholics within thecastle walls, Ottomans without – makingfor interesting exploration, and therewas also a thriving Jewish quarter. Theisland is littered with vestiges of itsvaried history, but it is also an islandthat lives for the present, with excellentrestaurants, varied shopping and avibrant nightlife.

Featuring two natural gulfs – Naoussa tothe north and Paroikia to the west –Paros is a hugely popular resort island,with all the attributes that bring visitorsback year after year, from beautifulbeaches to great food to a livelynightlife and excellent shopping.Inhabited since prehistoric times, it isalso notable today for its charmingCycladic architecture and for a wealth ofearly Christian buildings, including theremarkable church of the VirginKatapoliani, founded by the EmperorConstantine and one of the oldestbasilicas in Greece.

The administrative capital of theCyclades is Syros, an island worthexploring for its intricate coastlinestudded with coves, headlands and twolarge bays. It became a bastion of theCatholic faith during the years ofVenetian and French protection, andsubsequently a Catholic refuge in thedays of Ottoman rule. Indeed, theelegant town of Ermoupolis was built by19th century refugees from Smyrna,Chios and Psara. Today, Syros’ allure isenhanced by a gaming casino andpleasing drives to Vari and Finikas.

The third largest island in theDodecanese and among the greattourist draws of Greece is Kos, whichhas enough depth and vitality towarrant a lengthy stay. It has been onthe map for a long time – Homermentions it as one of the city statesthat fought in the Trojan War – but ithas been occupied by everyone fromVenetians and Knights of St. John toOttoman Turks and Italians. Most lefttheir mark, and the island glories inHellenistic and Roman ruins, castlesand early Christian churches. Amongthe array of sightseeing attractions inKos are the ancient healing centre andsanctuary of Asklepion, the “Agora”and famous plane tree of Hippocrates,

and the classical theatre and templesof Kefalos. The list goes on. But Kosalso features more modern pleasures,including a vibrant nighttime sceneand beautiful beaches, as well as a pairof harbours in Kos and Mastichari.

Just a few metres from the Turkishborder and 20 miles from Rhodes, thelittle island of Symi is an all-but-undiscovered treasure that is surelydestined for greater things. Virtuallyuntouched by tourism, its highlightsinclude one of the most elegantprinciple towns in the Aegean, amedieval castle built by the knights ofSt John, and a string of fascinatingByzantine churches, not to mention thenumerous attractive beaches dottedaround the island. Named after thenymph that wed Poseidon, Symi wasalso believed to be the birthplace ofthe Three Graces. Even today, it makessense.

For centuries, travelers have beendrawn to Greece not just by its beautyand antiquity, but by a spirituality thatremains very much part of the Greekexperience. Patmos is one of thoseplaces most perfectly in tune with thecontemplative life. A small, tranquilisland of charming bays and coves that

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dramatic rock formation. This is alandscape of gnarled cliffs and denseforests, overshadowed by the bulk of MtPelion, which as legend has it wasnamed after King Peleus, father ofAchilles, and is home to the centaurs.Volos itself is perhaps more sedate thanits mythical past but it is no lessalluring, with its fine waterfrontrestaurants and bars, and excellentshopping.

A wonderfully rich destination, courtesyof its long tradition as a cosmopolitanmelting pot, Thessaloniki all but dripshistory. Around every turn in this lively

because it was the location of the hitmovie Mama Mia, already the source ofa steady stream of pilgrims. Skopelosalso features a charmingly traditionalmain town, with traditional three-storey,slate-roofed houses, flower-filledbalconies and the remains of a Venetiancastle.

Skiathos, meanwhile, has been apopular tourist destination for half acentury. The reasons for its allure aremany and varied. They begin with thebeauty of this small island, whichcombines verdant hills and valleys withgorgeous beaches and coves. Somehow,it has remained unspoiled and marvelssuch as the pine-forested beach atKoukounaries, the sand dunes atMandraki and the pebble beach atLalaria still impress. With the tourists hasalso come a lively nightlife andexcellent service.

Steeped in myth and situated on theruggedly beautiful shores of PagasitikosGulf, Volos has more than enoughattractions to warrant a day in itsembrace. They include the Meteoramonastery complex balanced upon a

rises to 269m above sea level, Patmosboasts the glory of three UNESCO WorldHeritage Sites: the historic centre Chora;the Monastery of Saint John theTheologian, founded by SaintChristodoulos; and the Cave of theApocalypse. It is also home to thePatmian School, a noted Greekseminary.

Samos, a beautiful and relativelyundiscovered eastern Mediterraneanisland with quaint villages and lovelybeaches, is now proving increasinglyinteresting to tourists for the quality ofits food and local products, and therange of attractions it offers. They runfrom the traditional village of Kokkari tothe beautiful Nightingale Valley to theports of Vathy and Pythagorion, home ofthe famous mathematician. Alsonoteworthy is the ancient Heraion.

The NorthIn many ways, Skopelos is a typicalrepresentative of the Sporades islands,green and lush, with beautiful sandybeaches and breathtaking landscapes.But it also stands out, and not just

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port lined with rows of neo-classicalmansions, a busy street life, and abeautiful back-country dotted withquaint hillside villages and rich withtradition and culture. It is also full ofattractions for the cruise visitor,including a Byzantine monastery, atraditional ouzo distillery, and a brace ofexcellent museums.

Reputed birthplace of Homer and anisland famous of late for the manyshipowners who have emerged from itto make their mark, Chios is a placewith a special feeling for the sea and agrowing appeal for cruise tourism. Afertile, wealthy island with anarchitectural bounty that ranges fromthe rural simplicity of traditional villagesto stylish manor architecture, Chios isalso famed for its mastic trees and thevillages, unchanged since Byzantinedays, that still produce mastic.

Lemnos is elegant, sophisticated andall-but-unknown to mass tourism. Whatmore could a cruise visitor want. As faras ground-breaking modernity goes, ithas been ever thus. As Poliochni, – nowthe island’s main archeological site –Lemnos claims to have had the world’sfirst parliament. In antiquity, it was alsoviewed as the home of Hephaestus, thegod of crafts and ironmongery. As anylocal would tell you, that explains theisland’s long tradition in handicrafts.Among the other sites worth seeing areMyrina town and its splendidarchaeological museum.

Lesvos may be the third largest of theGreek islands and a place the ancientsbelieved the birthplace of Harmony, butit remains strangely little-known eventoday. That may be changing, however,as tourists begin to key in to its evidentcharms. They include an elegant main

bay city there is something to see, fromearly Christian churches to a Jewishmuseum to a host of Byzantinetreasures. As a cruise turnaround port, italso holds plenty of aces, including aninternational airport, efficient portservice, and a sophisticated cultural life,as well as a culinary tradition thatblends perfectly with the city’s vibrantnightlife.

Kavala taps into one of the great storiesof ancient times, that of Alexander theGreat. It was once the main port ofPhilippi, the capital of ancientMacedonia named after Alexander’sfather, and one of St Paul’s landmarkstops on his mission to spread the wordof Christ. The city rises up its hillside likean amphitheatre, its citadel occupying arocky promontory that juts out into thesea. Kavala is a lively city, famed for itsseafood, and is now investing inupgrading its port in a bid to attractmore cruise traffic.

Alexandroupolis, meanwhile, is thelargest port in Thrace, the ancientwarrior kingdom of antiquity that hasnow become a gateway to a string offascinating classical and Byzantine sites.From this seaside town near the Greece-Turkey border with its fine sandybeaches and neo-classical architecture,visitors can explore Roman Trajanopouliswith its spa, Byzantine Feres and theEvros Delta as well as Dadia NationalPark and the silk-producing town ofSoufli.

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As demand surges for cruises in theeastern Mediterranean, the major Greekport of Piraeus is looking to capture asignificant slice of this new business,and to propel itself in the process intothe leading ranks of Mediterraneancruise ports.

As port chairman and chief executiveGeorge Anomeritis notes, Piraeus “isalready in a position to play a centralrole in the development of cruisetourism” in the region. He cites theport’s strategic location and its highlydeveloped infrastructure, which allows itto service nine ships simultaneously,including the largest cruise ship on thewater.

This positions the port for a leading rolein the eastern Mediterranean and theoverall capacity for a strong marketpresence. Indeed, it handled 820 cruisecalls last year and approximately twomillion passengers.

Anomeritis argues that Piraeus has thecapacity to respond quickly to customerneeds, armed as it is with “thenecessary flexibility to serve all vesselcalls when the need arises withoutunnecessary waiting times and withoutunderused infrastructure.” For the future,meanwhile, as the expansion of the portgathers steam, the idea grantingterminal operating concessions iscoming to be seen as one potential wayforward.

Above all, Piraeus is acutely aware thatstanding still is not an option, and thatprogress will depend on providing state-

of-the-art facilities and five-star levels ofservice for years ahead. That, in turn,means not just investment but anintense focus on improving conditions inthe port for cruise lines and passengersalike.

Anomeritis notes that the port alreadycomes armed with a E400minvestment plan calculated to expandcapacity and improve service levels forboth the cruise and the coastalshipping sector. In addition, PiraeusPort Authority recently adjusted itstariffs in a bid to incentivise turnaroundand out-of-season calls, and is nowconsidering further incentives based onthe number of calls.

Anomeritis concedes that opting toprovide volume incentives is not aneasy decision. “One of the elements toconsider is that, even with the new porttariffs, prices in Piraeus are 40% lessthan those of other ports around theMediterranean.”

The port’s investment plan providessome indication of the scale of itsambition. It includes: the construction ofa 280m cruise berth with a draught of11.5m; the conversion of a formerexhibition centre into a cruise passengerterminal with a five-star hotelalongside; the 3,900 square meterexpansion of the existing Terminal B,due for completion in the second half of

this year; and the construction of sixnew berths of 350m in length.

This last comes with a price tag ofE230m and, as Anomeritis puts it, “willundoubtedly place Piraeus among thelargest and most modern cruise ports inthe world. We are currently in theprocess of securing the necessarypermits and we believe that we canconclude this by the second half of theyear.” In addition, a further E120m willgo to build an elevated monorailconnecting the cruise terminals with themetro stations and the rest of thepassenger port.

This will give Piraeus an addedadvantage, since the Acropolis and theParthenon are just 11km from the portand only 15 minutes away by metro,while the site of the battle of Marathonis only a few kilometres further away.

The proximity of these sites is behindthe proposal for a new “cultural coast”,to include the transformation of oldwarehouses into new museums and thecreation of a park near the ancient wallof Piraeus. These projects, Anomeritissaid, “will represent a new attraction forcruise passengers and other touristspassing through the port.”

For Piraeus, the port of Athens, thefuture is shaping up to be as golden asits past.

The Port of Piraeus: the future is shaping upto be as golden as its past

“The Port of Piraeus has the necessary flexibilityto serve all vessel calls when the need arises”.

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“Winter cruising is an excellentpossibility because of the quality ofthe port, and the weather,” he says.“There are more than 320 sunny daysa year.” In 2010, Heraklion had eightwinter calls. This year, it will be 20,with around 70,000 passengers. Brasadds that the port is in discussionswith local unions to cut prices for arange of services, such as watersupply, and the removal of garbageand other waste, in a bid further tospur winter traffic.

At the same time, the port of is alsoapplying for a share of EU fundsassigned to Crete in order to improveits facilities. Bras says the port hopes tosecure E20m, of which E11m would goto its cruise facilities, in particular tofund such items as bridge towers forembarking and disembarking, and afleet of buses to carry passengers fromthe dock to the cruise terminal.

Buoyed by a recent award for bestMediterranean route alongside withSantorini, Kos and Rhodes, Bras arguesthat Heraklion has the assets to growfast. And it certainly does not want forconfidence. And why should it? As Brassays: “If you think about it, theMinoans were the first cruisers in theMediterranean, which makes Heraklionthe first cruise port in theMediterranean!”

effect over the coming months. Brasbelieves that cumulatively they couldhave a significant positive impact onthe passenger experience in Heraklion.

They include new directional signagebetween the port and the city –everything from a marked yellow lineon the street to clearly signed walksfeaturing notable sights – an array ofwireless hotspots around the port, andinteractive information screens to helppassengers find their way aroundHeraklion.

Special discounts are being arrangedfor cruise passengers in shops,museums and other attractions aroundthe city, and the port is working withtour operators to design newexcursions. Bras notes that, in additionto its existing range of shore excursionswithin easy striking distance, there isfirst-class caving and sailing in thearea, while trips to ceramic workshopsand “Wine Road” excursions, based onvisits to local vineyards, are also beingcrafted.

He says these efforts stem from abelief in Heraklion’s potential as acruise turnaround port, and cites itssizeable airport and historic sites, aswell as a youthful population – andthere are three universities in the city –that makes it lively year-round.

As an entire flotilla of Greek portstakes to the water in search of afuture in cruising, a number

stand out for their potential asturnaround ports. Among the mostpromising is Heraklion, capital of Creteand a worthy destination in itself, butalso the gateway to an island with arich history and a distinctive culture.

As Ioannis Bras, managing director ofHeraklion Port Authority, describes it,Heraklion is now moving to exploit itspotential within the constraintsimposed by a withering economiccrisis. “Our master plan requires a lot ofmoney,” he states bluntly. “Amongother things, we need a new cruiseterminal. But that will have to wait forfinancing.

Instead, Heraklion is taking a pragmaticapproach, looking to garner fundingwhere it can, and to invest it where itcan most make a difference. “We seecruising as a triangle with three equalsides: the port; the city; and servicesproviders like hoteliers, guides and touroperators. We sat down together tostudy what small- and medium-sizedthings we could do to improve the wayvisitors are treated, to improveservices.”

The result is an array of upgrades andinnovations that are set to go into

Heraklion invests to enhanceits turnaround credentials

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notably Corfu and Rhodes, which havemuch in common in terms of theirassets, and their potential appeal tocruise lines. Each has a sophisticatedtourism infrastructure serviced by awell-developed network of charter airservices and tour operators, and acruise business featuring smaller,often niche, operators.

Rhodes may have better airlift, withhigh volumes and more to come, anda larger cruise presence, but Corfu ispushing aggressively for moreturnaround business on the back ofsignificant investment in a new portjust outside city, complete withsparkling new terminal.

In 2009, Corfu handled 375 cruisecalls and 500,400 passengers, andwith its new facilities – and E40min projects are currently in theconstruction phase, including thelengthening of the port’s cruiseship pier – those numbers are likelyto rise.

Corfu also has plans for a New Port forthe docking of yachts and small cruiseships of 30 -145m in length, which isdesigned further to enhance itscompetitiveness. Rhodes, meanwhile,handled 634 calls for 723,885passengers in 2009, and has pumpedfunding into an extension of its piercapacity.

As liberalization begins to moveahead these ports will be at thevanguard in terms of offering thecruise lines the overall turnarounddestinations they seek.

a number of strengths in this regard.As the second largest city in Greeceand the largest in the north of thecountry, it has good airlift capabilityand improving road connections.Indeed, this last gives it high hopes ofluring in cruise tourists fromneighbouring countries which haveyet to sign up for mass-market foreigntourism in a significant way.

Thessaloniki also has the advantagethat its passenger facilities are closeto the heart of city, and far from thecommercial port. Its cruise terminalmay be a little dated, and it has scantexperience of the cruise industry, butits location and improvinginfrastructure should help ease itspath into this market.

Heraklion, meanwhile, has majoradvantages of its own, not least apast in which everyone from Saracensto Byzantines, Venetians to Ottomanscame to stay and left their mark. Theancient Minoan capital Knossos is theheadline attraction here, but there areany number of other historical must-sees.

The capital of Crete has beendescribed as a mirror image of Palmain Majorca, with its strong touroperator sector and charter business,and its highly advanced tourisminfrastructure, all of which on a large,interesting island well suited to thedevelopment of a dense network ofshore excursions.

Lesser, but still alluring turnaroundpossibilities also exist on other islands,

Over a number of years, Greece’sprotectionist stance has workedas an active obstacle to the

growth of cruising, and to thedevelopment of turnaround ports of asize commensurate with the popularityof the country as a cruise destination.As liberalisation begins to move ahead,and those restraints slip to earth, anumber of ports appear well-placed tobenefit as homeporting expands.

The first and most obvious is Piraeus,gateway to Athens, the nation’s capitaland one of the most evocative cities ofthe Mediterranean. Athens is already amajor cruise player. In 2009, it handled877 calls and a total of more than twomillion passengers, including 1.6mtransit passengers and more than400,000 embarking or disembarking inthe city of Pericles.

Its attractions as a turnaround port aremany, starting with its status as thecradle of Western civilisation and theworld-class remains, most notably theParthenon, that dot the city. But itsexperience of cruising, and the steadystream of major lines carving out apassage to its berths, also means thatit has the knowhow to handle sizeablevolumes of passengers and anunderstanding of the industry’s needsthat is vital to the role. And of courseAthens has the airlift capacity of amajor capital.

Piraeus stands out as the potentialturnaround port par excellence, butthere are other locations that canreasonably harbour ambitions ofgrowth. Thessaloniki, for instance, has

The ideal 365-day cruiseturnaround destination

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,

,

Greece – Ideal for developing itinerarieswith shorter distances between ports

,

Greece has the world’s tenth longest coastline, at 9,246 miles in length, and boasts the glory of

1,400 islands, 227 of which are inhabited. The distances, shown in nautical miles between the

ports detailed on the table, demonstrate how close many island destinations are to each other.

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