the tojgans t·o·shzv-garn –noun 1. two people who met at school (INSEAD) and are getting married. typically one is Iranian and answers to the name Mojgan while the other will be from Zimbabwe, answering to Tongai. [Origin: 1972–76; < F,M < Plural the tojgans, equiv. to tojg(an) + -ngai < E4rocks ] We're getting married! in a village called Kefalas on the Island of Crete (only island in the world with it's own Lonely Planet - probably) on the 30th May 2009 (that's 4pm) how to get there Basically... Crete is connected with many daily direct flights, as well as flights via Athens. We recommend you hire a car from the airport so you can enjoy as much of the island as possible. You can also come to Crete via train and ferry, Traditional travel - Fly to Chania (closest airport ) or Heraklion (2 hour drive) - Arrange for car hire at airport (we recommend these guys - mention our wedding for a discount) Carbon foot print friendly travel - train - ferry via Venice and Athens - coach from port here's someone who's done it Finding A Flight Scheduled Flights By far the cheapest option is Easyjet. Summer 2009 fares not available yet (We'll let you know): An example for the same weekend in 2008 Return from the UK (Fri to Sun) Booked 2 months in advance £40 including taxes There are also daily scheduled flights with Aegean and Olympic, you can search kayak or skyscanner. Charter flights Charter holiday flights operate from UK – Generally Tuesday to Tuesday Most fly into Heraklion (2 hour drive from Kefalas) while some fly into Chania (30 min drive to Kefalas). Top tip: Search for the flights via Teletext Holidays, then contact the flight operator directly to see if it is any cheaper. accommodation Choices Where you choose to stay will depend on what you enjoy most. - If you would like to experience the mountain village life away from the crowds you may like to consider staying in Kefalas (where the wedding and reception are) or the nearby villages. There are a couple of good tavernas and the smell of the olive orchards and the sound of the sheep will help you unwind. - If you would rather be somewhere right next to the beach we recommend Kalyves, with it's stretch of sandy beach and many tavernas. Other options, which are more developed and touristy are Georgipolis and Almerida - If you would like to be in the heart of a Venetian style capital and wonder through the lanes and watch the sunset on the harbour then we recommend Chania - in the mountains, for a traditional Cretan place ♦ Kefalas - Villa Filista +306944830504 - www.villafilitsa.com ♦ Plaka - Studios Koukourou +302825031145 ♦ Vamos - Vamos Tourist Office Traditional Guesthouses – www.vamossa.gr - next to the beach ♦ Kalyves - Thamiris +302825031637 - www.thamiris.georgioupoli.net - Maria +302825031748 - www.mariakreta.com - Kalyves Beach Hotel +302825031285 - www.kalyvesbeach.com ♦ Almyrida - Almyrida Beach Hotel +302825032284 - www.almyridabeach.com - Rooms Marilena (a more budget option) +302825032202 ♦ Georgioupoli - Andy’s Rooms +302825061394 - AndyRooms - Porto Kalyvaki +302825061316 - PortoKalyvaki - Egeon +30282501161 - http://egeon.georgioupoli.net/acc/egeon/egeongb.htm - Nicolas Hotel +302825061375 - [email protected] - Apartment Sofia +302825061325 www.river-side.gr - the old town venetian experience (Chania) ♦ Bozzali +302821050525 - www.bozzali.gr ♦ Pension Theresa +3028210922798 - www.pensiontheresa.gr ♦ Madonna Studios & Apartments +302821094747 - [email protected] ♦ splash out on luxury at Amphora Hotel +302821093224 www.amphora.gr or Casa Leone +302821076762 www.casa-leone.com A few more lists Search for accommodation in and around Chania Search for accommodation in and around Vamos Search for accommodation in Kalyves on holiday in Crete An Introduction to Crete We recommend buying the very excellent Lonely Planet Guide for Crete 2008 edition. (Older versions are not very good) Action Club . The samaria gorge walk... like an egyptian . Diving . Sailing . Climbing and trekking . Horse riding . Dolphin cruise . Golf Beaches There are plenty of great beaches on Crete (and Chania specifically). The list below only shows a subset - the nearest beaches to Kefalas For the full listing, go to the experts 12. Marathi Beach Situated approximately 12km East of Chania, Marathi beach is a sandy beach with shallow water suitable for children. The beach is not affected by the "meltemia" (northern summer winds). More about Marathi Beach 13. Kalives Beach Situated on the Southern coast of the Akrotiri (Souda) bay, 19 km East of Chania (just off the Old National Road to Rethymnonn) Kalyves is a sandy beach, worth a visit. Insider Note: There's a smaller beach before Kalives (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel) which is less crowded than the main beach inside Kalives. On your way to Kalives look for the sign "Galazio Kima Cafe Bar". Both are protected and not affected by the "meltemia" (northern summer winds). More about Kalives Beach 13. Almirida Beach Situated approximately 22km East of Chania, 3 kilometers off the Old National Road to Rethymnonn, Almyrida is a sandy beach, which is not affected by the "meltemia" (northern summer winds). More about Almirida Beach 14. Omprogialos Beach Situated approximately 36km East of Chania. Omprogialos is a rocky section of shorline (Not really a beach). But there is a Tavern built onto to the rocks that does the most amazing food. Try it for lunch. More about Omprogialos "Beach" 15. Georgioupolis Beach Situated approximately 37km East of Chania. Georgioupolis beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+). - Kalivaki beach, a fine sandy beach west of the Georgioupolis river. This beach is probably better protected from the wind than the beach to the east of the river. - The beach east of the river extends for several km to the east and there are many beach bars and restaurants all along it. - When you feel that you had enough sun for the day, then try to locate the Perastikos beach and the restaurant built by the Perastikos river. It is a shady place with lush green and enjoying a beer there is a reviving experience. The Perastikos beach is about 700 meters east of Georgioupolis. More about Georgioupolis Beach Culture Steeped in Homeric history and culture, scented by wild fennel and basil, Crete spoils visitors with its wealth of myths, legends and history, a blessed and dramatic landscape, an extraordinary fusion of past and present, and an abundance of choices and experiences. Crete is the location of significant ancient history, which provides popular modern day tourist destinations. They include the Minoan sites of Knossosand Phaistos, the classical site of Gortys, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Venetian castle at Rethymno, and the Samaria Gorge. The Battle of Crete (German Luftlandeschlacht um Kreta; Greek Μάχη της Κρήτης) was a battle during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. The battle began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germanylaunched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code- name Unternehmen Merkur ("Operation Mercury"). Greek rebels and Allied forces defended the island. After one day of fighting, the Germans had suffered appalling casualties and none of their objectives had been achieved. The next day, through miscommunication and the failure of Allied commanders to grasp the situation, Maleme airfield in western Crete fell to the Germans, enabling them to fly in reinforcements and overwhelm the Allied forces. The Battle of Crete was unprecedented in three respects: it was the first-ever mainly airborne invasion; it was the first time the Allies made significant use of intelligence from the deciphered German Enigma code; and it was the first time invading German troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian population. In light of the heavy casualties suffered by the parachutists, Adolf Hitler forbade further large scale airborne operations. However, the Allies were impressed by the potential of paratroopers, and started to build their own airborne divisions. more on sightseeing faq When should I let you know whether I can come along? We would love to hear from you as soon as possible so we can start getting excited about spending our big day with you. Please respond to our st e-mail address [email protected] before 31 December 2008 together with your postal address so we can send you more details. How much will it cost? This will depend on how far in advance you can book and the type of holiday you would like to have. Your costs could be as low as £160 for 1 week’s stay in Crete (return Easyjet flights from London + shared villa and rental car) What if I am travelling on my own? There are quite a few people travelling on their own so let us know and we can put you in touch with one another. Should I fly to Heraklion or Chania? This will probably depend on flight availability and your willingness to drive. Heraklion is a 2 hour drive from Kefalas on the main national road, Chania is a 30 minute drive. Heraklion has more flights than Chania so can be cheaper to fly to. Buses run from both airports down the national road. The hire car company can also meet you at either airport In our opinion Chania is on the nicer side of the island so avoid staying in Heraklion or the resorts on the eastern (Heraklion) side of the island (however good the deal is!) What if I don’t drive? There are buses and taxis from Heraklion and Chania to different parts of the island. You may prefer to stay in Chania and take a taxi to Kefalas on the day of the wedding (30 minute drive). It may also be possible to share a hire car with some people who have room.