XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Greece is participating! European Clean-up Day is running from May 8-10. It is a Europe-wide annual clean-up day coordinated by the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) in order to reduce littering in nature and give visibility to the issue.

Over 4,500 volunteers of all ages throughout Greece have already registered their action (beach, underwater and forest clean-ups) with the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), the coordinator for the European Clean-up Day in Greece. These locations are across 50 coastal and mountain areas, displayed on the campaign’s e-map. Last year, some 5,000 volunteers participated in the event.

HELMEPA invites all to give a helping hand by organizing their own beach, lake, river or even forest, park or neighbourhood clean-up.

For more information about how to participte, please visit Greek Travel Pages.
International tourist arrivals in Greece increased 5.7 pct in 2015 compared to 2014, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) said on Thursday, announcing its official data collected from the country’s airports.

According to the report, 843,000 more tourists came to Greece in 2015, with the total number of airport arrivals reaching 15.5 million.

In December, Athens maintained its robust numbers with a 15.5 pct rise in arrivals compared to the same period of 2014, while for the entire year the Greek capital achieved an impressive 22.6 pct jump.

For the rest of the country, the Ionian and Cycladic islands secured the lion's share of tourists in 2015 recording a 3.7 pct and 15 pct boost in international arrivals respectively.

To read more, please visit: The TOC
Not even four miles south of Athens lies Phaleron, a port of Athens in classical times. Phaleron boasts one of the largest cemeteries ever excavated in Greece, containing more than 1,500 skeletons. Dating to the 8th-5th centuries BC, Phaleron is significant for our understanding of the rise of the Greek city-state and, in particular, for understanding the violence and subjugation that went with it. Two mass burials at Phaleron include people who were tossed face-down into a pit, their hands shackled behind their backs.

The shackled skeletons, easily the most compelling remains from Phaleron, have received researchers' attention for decades, as they are among the very few instances of shackled deaths in the ancient world and could indicate punishment, slavery, or a death sentence. But study of these “captives” has to take place within the context of the entire cemetery, and analyzing 1,500 skeletons is a massive task.

In the long-term, Phaleron skeletons will give us a window into a critical time in ancient Greek history, just before the rise of the city-state.

For more information about Phaleron and the excavation, please visit: Forbes
Thursday, 01 June 2017 07:00

Walking In Athens With Constantine Cavafy

Renowned Greek poet Constantine Cavafy was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on 29 April, 1863. A cosmopolitan by birth, Cavafy travelled for the first time to Greece in the summer of 1901, accompanied by his brother Alexandros. His stay in Athens constitutes the topic of a new book entitled Walking in Athens with Constantine Cavafy.

Wandering through Athens with Cavafy is a fascinating experience. Readers will have the chance to discover that, despite the fact that it’s been over a century ago and with dramatic changes have taken place in the capital, the city centre has preserved the broad outline of its physiognomy. The urban grid, shaped like a large symmetrical triangle and dating from the time of King Otto (mid 19th century), is still the city’s most obvious trait, while the large public buildings that remain attractions adorning the city would have also been seen by Cavafy at the time.

“Cavafy travelled for the first time in Greece in the summer of 1901 during a period of leave from his job. The poet was 38 years old and was accompanied by his brother Alexandros. Travelling to Athens with Cavafy is a fascinating experience.”

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek News Agenda

To purchase ‘Walking in Athens with Constantine Cavafy,’ please visit: ETP Books
Monday, 27 August 2018 07:00

A Foodie Haven In Kerameikos, Athens

Known as a new foodie haven, Kerameikos is home to unique restaurants, interesting neo-tavernas, and ethnic hangouts. Greece Is explores the neighborhood for food lovers and shares the best places to eat and relax.

Aleria

Aleria is now the home of modern Greek cuisine and is based on the triptych of good ingredients, high technology and modern ideas. You can select the food based on the wine you like – the wine list is long and the staff is knowledgeable. Try the beef tartare with yogurt, wasabi cream and ouzo jelly.

Address: 57 M. Alexandrou
Telephone: 210 522 2633
Athiri

The salon for the winter has 50 seats, while the outer space accommodates twice as many. The food is modern Greek cuisine with a traditional base. The menu changes twice a month. It’s small, with about 12 appetizers and salads and seven mains. They make their own bread daily and their food has a nice Greek character.

Address: 15 Plateon
Telephone: 210 346 2983
To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is

Photo Credit: Greece Is
Thursday, 17 May 2018 18:55

May 1st - Happy May Day!

Ever wondered  what makes Greek people embrace life? Well you can now discover the few simple steps that lead them to well-being, as well as how May 1st is celebrated and treated like a special holiday!

Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletterFacebook, and Twitter!
Every year, March 25th is a very important day in Greek history. It marks the country's Independece Day and is an integral part of Greek culture, proudly filled with customs and delicious food! So don't worry if you haven't heard of Bakaliaros Skordalia yet, after this week's newsletter you'll be ready to celebrate the day like a true Greek!

Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletterFacebookTwitter and Instagram!
Given the public's increasing familiarity with digital cultural experiences, the Acropolis Museum’s newly launched virtual edition is a delightful development. Digital visitors will be surprised by the virtual tour that will almost certainly instigate the desire to see the breathtaking collection in person once the museum reopens its doors.
 
“Research carried out by museums has shown that an interesting digital tour only strengthens the visitor’s desire to physically visit the museum and see the pieces depicted in the photographs up close,” says Stamatia Eleftheratou, the director of the Acropolis Museum’s collections and exhibitions.
 
The museum’s meticulously planned digital edition takes internet users around the museum and provides information on its temporary exhibits, special events, educational and family activities, research, conservation, and new technologies. The Acropolis Museum is the first Greek museum to display all of its permanent exhibits online, along with explanatory notes, available in English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.

“Nothing can replace the experience of a proper museum visit, but the portal is a marvelous substitute, and not just because of the current situation,” says Eleftheratou. “Basically, it complements and/or strengthens a physical visit, while also giving remote audiences a very good idea of the space, its operation, its activities, and its collections.”
 
This remarkable endeavor involves the management of 27,755 digital archives, the digitization of 496 handwritten excavation logs, 110,000 photographs, 18,410 documentation forms for movable finds, and 7,500 conservation logs. The museum's  multifaceted digital archive is a fountain of knowledge waiting to be discovered by experts and amateurs alike.

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.gr

Photo Credit: Posztós János - stock.adobe.com
 
As Athens is adopting a sustainable urban mobility plan, one of the biggest challenges the city has to face is bike safety. On the occasion of "World Bicycle Day",  the Municipality of Athens in collaboration with the Road Safety Institute “Panos Mylonas” (IOAS), inaugurated a new cycling center in the heart of Athens, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. 

The center's main goal is to provide, both children and adults, with useful cycling safety tips and teach them various bicycle inspection methods and techniques, that can help avoid accidents. 

The cycling center is located at the junction of Vasilissis Olgas avenue and Amalias avenue near Syntagma Square. For the next month, IOAS instructors will be there daily to teach bicycle safety to all those interested. 

More specifically, citizens will learn about: 
  • Basic bicycle safety equipment. 
  • How to do a pre-ride safety check.
  • Personal protective equipment for cyclists.
  • Essential road rules every cyclist should know.
After their visit, citizens will be given a leaflet reminding them of the things they should check before venturing out on their bikes and the safety rules they need to follow. The leaflet will also include any parts of the bike that require service or repair (e.g. lights, tires, brakes, etc.). 

Moreover, on the occasion of "World Bicycle Day", the Municipality of Athens gave away 60 bikes to children from the Charity Association "Friends of the Child". The bikes, which had been confiscated and remained unused for a long time, were properly maintained and repaired so that children can enjoy safe bike rides.

Operating days & hours: 
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 19:00 - 21:00 
Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 - 10:00 & 19:00 - 21:00 
Weekends: 10:00 - 13:00 & 18:00 - 21:00 


XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing news and inspiring stories about how Athens aspires to be a clean, friendly, and welcoming city to live in.

                                            

Wednesday, 08 November 2023 07:00

Top 5 Greek Fall Desserts

Greek food is renowned all over the world! Everyone knows Moussaka, gyro, and tzatziki, however, people are not that well acquainted with Greek desserts. 

Greeks love pastry and their long culinary tradition stretches back to the ancient world. In fact, ancient Greeks used cakes and sweets in religious festivals and as offerings. Today's Greek desserts share a lot of similarities with Middle Eastern and Turkish pastry dishes and borrow heavily from Italy and North Africa too. The result is a lot of honey, a touch of cinnamon, and plenty of nuts - otherwise known as the holy trinity of Greek ingredients. Here are some of our favorite traditional Greek desserts that taste exceptional at this time of the year!

Milopita - Greek Apple Pie

Milopita
@cookingwithtatana

Apples are the trademark fruit of fall and that's why milopita is the ideal dessert for the autumn season. Milopita feels like a warm hug in every bite! The flavors of apples, cinnamon, cloves, walnuts, and raisins together just sound so comforting?

Pasta Flora - Greek Jam Tart 


Pasta Flora
@alwayshungry.gr

Pasta Flora is very popular throughout Greece and is basically a type of jam tart. It's commonly eaten for breakfast as much as it is for dessert. Select the jam of your choice - there are various in-season fruits to choose from - and get baking! 

Karidopita - Greek Walnut Cake


Karydopita
@seranobakery

As mentioned before, walnuts are a very popular ingredient for Greek desserts, so make the most of them by preparing delicious karydopita! Made from finely ground walnuts, this famous cake is usually served with ice cream and typically doused with alcohol, and finished with honey syrup. The perfect dessert for your autumn and winter dinner parties!

Rizogalo - Greek Rice Pudding 


Rizogalo
@pieces_of_greece

Rizogalo - meaning rice and milk in Greek - is the Greek version of the popular rice pudding. Heart-warming and cozy, yet perfectly simple, rizogalo is a staple on chilly autumn and winter nights. It can be served either hot or cold but never without a generous sprinkling of cinnamon on top.

Mosaiko - Greek Chocolate & Biscuits Dessert

Mosaiko
@myfamilysfooddiary


For chocolate lovers, mosaico is the perfect Greek dessert! It's simple to create, and it basically entails rolling chocolate biscuits into a buttery chocolate concoction that's then chilled to harden. Toss in some nuts, fruit, or alcohol to your liking! 




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