April 15, 2008

EUROPE | GREECE | CRETE

Water, Water, Everywhere

By Nicole Cotroneo

A new dream is about to blossom in Greece — but is another doomed to run dry?

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Crete is used to monumental firsts. The largest of the Greek isles was the birthplace of European civilization no less. Now it’s set to deliver what it breathlessly bills as the largest luxury eco-tourist project in southeast Europe. Over 6,000 acres of wild coastline on Crete’s arid eastern tip have been earmarked for Cavo Sidero, a $1.6 billion year-round vacation village with PGA golf courses, hotels and residences. That’s if it ever gets off the ground. Environmentalists have questioned the sustainability of such a project amidst Europe’s largest indigenous palm forest — particularly how Cavo Sidero plans to pump fresh water to acres of verdant links in the wake of a severe winter drought.

Rest assured, however, that there’s no shortage of water at the island’s newest resort, Amirandes, officially opening May 1 on the popular northern coast near Heraklion. The just-crowned Hot-List darling features an artificial, palm-shaded lagoon that melds seamlessly with vistas of the Mediterranean. Of the 212 rooms, the Royal Villas feature private infinity pools with sunken stone beds, while deep soaking-tubs stand in the middle of the master bedrooms. Along the core lagoon, the stone-and-wood Elixir Spa offers ayurvedic treatments with organic plants. Which reminds us: Amirandes gets its produce from its own “water-efficient” organic farm.