By Giorgio Pintzas Monzani Have you ever wondered when and where the menu custom began? When were “meals” divided into individual courses? The birth of the “gastronomic list” is found back in ancient Greek banquets. Find out more facts on this entertaining and educational article by Mr Giorgio Pintzas Monzani.
The Cretan Dodecahemeron: Christmas & New Year Traditions The period between December 25th and January 6th – known as the Dodecahemeron, or the Twelve Days of Christmas – holds a sacred place in Cretan culture. At Avli, we celebrate this magical time by honoring the island’s ancient customs, where spiritual devotion meets the bounty of Read more about The Dodecahemeron in Crete[…]
When you set foot on Crete, the first thing that will impress you is not just the island’s natural beauty. It’s the warmth in people’s eyes… the genuine smile, the “come and have something to eat” you’ll hear from the very first local you meet. Cretan hospitality is not just a habit – it’s an Read more about Cretan hospitality: The art of welcoming guests that has been preserved for centuries.[…]
In a landmark unanimous decision on 12 July 2025, UNESCO officially inscribed the six Minoan palatial centres of Crete, Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos, and Kydonia, onto the World Heritage List. These palaces exemplify the cultural, political, economic, and artistic achievements of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization (circa 2800–1100 BCE) All sites share defining architectural features: Read more about Historic news for Crete & Malia! UNESCO inscribes Minoan palatial centres[…]
It was with great pleasure that we received from our customers the publication of the prestigious Swiss gastronomy magazine Migusto. In this particular issue, reference is made to the Cretan diet and especially to the use of pure raw materials, as is our philosophy, which we are constantly evolving. Many thanks to Lea Kipfer and Read more about Tribute of Migusto magazine to Crete and to Avli in Malia[…]
We had the honour and the pleasure to be referred in the French tourist guide of Crete CRÈTE GUIDE EVASION as the only favourite place to eat in Malia. It was also a pleasant surprise for us as we did not know that the author of the guide, Isabelle Cervellin-Chevalier, had visited us, let alone Read more about Tribute to Avli in Malia in CRÈTE GUIDE EVASION[…]
We have prepared a list of selected – for their quality and taste – Greek types of cheese and traditional recipes to include in our menu. They are all meant to tempt your taste buds ! Join us on a culinary trip to some of the most famous products of Greece.
Leading Greek-Americans Explain Why Hellenic Excellence Throughout History May Result From The Uniquely Greek Word “Philotimo” Arianna Huffington,George Stephanopoulos, Bob Costas and Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Demetrios are among the nationally-known Greek-Americans who appear in video titled The Greek Secret produced by Manatos & Manatos for the Washington Oxi Day Foundation. The video suggests Read more about “Philotimo”, the Greek secret[…]
The old family photo was a rare depiction of the family … … usually taken by itinerant photographers. The photos were black and white and the ones depicted on them were usually set and did not smile at the flashlight. When they called for the itinerant photographer to take a photo, people dressed in their Read more about the family pictures[…]
