Double gold distinction at the Sports Marketing Awards 2017

The Olympic “family” of “Navarino Challenge” grows and returns for a 5th consecutive year on October 13-15 2017, in Messinia and Costa Navarino.

Every year “Navarino Challenge”, honors the athletes who stand out for their overall contribution to sports. Honoree person at this year's event will be the Olympic gold medalist in Rio and world champion in the rings, Lefteris Petrounias who has made proud all Greeks not only with his successes but also with his ethics. Petrounias, is considered an exemplary athlete for young people, who has already won a gold Olympic medal, two gold medals in the world gymnastics championships, as well as four gold and one bronze in European tournaments and championships in rings.

The multiple award-winning sports tourism event of Messinia continues with new distinctions; following the Gold Ermis Award as best sports tourism event, another important recognition came at the Sports Marketing Awards 2017, which highlight the best practices in the marketing and communication of the Greek sports market.

On Wednesday, July 12, “Navarino Challenge” remained in the top level by winning not just one, but two gold awards. In particular, the event received a gold award at the “Sports Events / Branded Events” section, in the category “Live Well” for the values promoted through its program of activities. As an event that attracted thousands of participants, reinforced the local community, promoted the athletic ideal and contributed to the strengthening of a healthy lifestyle, distinguishing itself in terms of design, creativity, innovation, efficiency and effectiveness.

The second gold award was received in the “Sports Brands” section of the “Integrated Marketing Campaign” category for the best communication and marketing campaign launched in 2016, in the light of strong creativity, ingenuity, originality and excellence.

“Navarino Challenge”, which takes place in Costa Navarino and throughout Messinia, is innovating every year and now composes not only the event with the most sports activities but also with the most Olympic sports, contributing to the promotion of sports and the promotion of Greek tourism.

Registrations for “Navarino Challenge” continue with an undiminished pace and everyone can take part by completing the special entry form available by clicking here.

Participants may select to run in one of the following routes, the exquisite Half Marathon (21,1km), the 10 km route and the 5km run (for running and dynamic walking), while at the same day children may run the 1km running route. This year, there will be race timing for all runners. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to swim in the beautiful Navarino bay at the picturesque port of Pylos, covering the unique swimming route of one mile (1.6 km.) and take part in the Stand Up Paddling race by BIC® Sport that will be held with the support of the best surf club, Surf Salad!

Travel to “Navarino Challenge” with the multiple award-winning airline company Qatar Airways, by using the promo code ATHNAVCH to book an exclusive offer for roundtrip tickets to Athens from over 150 places, by clicking here!

Offer is valid from 3 to 15 October 2017 included (Outbound) and (Inbound) to be completed on or before 25 October 2017. This offer refers to roundtrip tickets to Athens from more than 150 destinations. Participants should be ready for even more surprises to be announced by the official airline partner of the event.

In addition, Vikos company will support and refresh for one more year the audience and participants of the event with the Natural Mineral Water "Vikos", while ambassadors and organizers will move with the safety of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas.

The privileged accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are available for those wishing to enjoy the full schedule of “Navarino Challenge”, which includes more than 10 free sports activities. For further information click here!

“Navarino Challenge” will be held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

More information will be announced in the next few weeks.

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Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #eatwell #runwell #livewell

Photo: Greek Olympic gold medalist and world champion in the rings, Lefteris Petrounias will be the honoree person of "Navarino Challenge"

 

Official Airline Partner: Qatar Airways

Official Sponsors: “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Ford Motor Hellas

Official Supporters: BIC®, BIC® Sport, Wyndham Grand Athens, Poseidonia, Surf Salad

Assisted by: Navarino Outdoors, Swim Academy, Navarino Racquet Academy, Apia

Strategic Partner: National Geographic

Under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization

Passion for Greece, along with Travel Bloggers Greece, recently took a trip this summer to Hydra and shares their experience with us. If we didn't have enough before, now we have 15 reasons to visit Hydra!

With its rich history, architectural beauty and vibrant lifestyle, Hydra mesmerizes its visitors at all times of year. A much loved destination among foreign celebrities and prominent Greeks alike, this quaint Saronic Island is a short two-hour ferry trip from Athens. Here are our 15 reasons to visit Hydra right now.

During 1960s Hydra became an artists destination when Leonard Cohen came here and bought a house for only one thousand five hundred dollars, where he spent ten years of his life writing music and novels. Every year his son Adam visits the island for his holidays and every two years the Municipality of Hydra together with the Canadian Embassy organize an event dedicated to Leonard Cohen.

Hydra has managed to preserve its traditional flair as its architecture dates back to the 18th century. Until this day the island is protected by an archaeological law, nothing can be changed in its architectural style and it is forbidden to use solar systems on Hydra.

No installation of metal doors or windows in the houses is not allowed. There are no cars or motorbikes on Hydra which protects the island from pollution. Get lost wandering around the charming streets of Hydra, every turn is guaranteed to give you joy.

To read this article in full, please visit: Passion For Greece

Photo Credit: Passion For Greece

A total of 21.9 million passengers, up by 10.3 percent, compared to the same period in 2016 at 19.9 million, have gone through Greek airports in the first six months of the year, according to data released recently by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA).

The number of travelers going through Greek airports in June rose by 14.1 percent at 7.3 million – a 8.7 percent increase in domestic travelers and a 15.8 percent rise in international visitors.

In June, the largest passenger traffic was recorded at Athens, Heraklion, Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Corfu airports with 2.168.155, 1.080.803, 784,484, 649,589 and 471,668 passengers respectively.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Summer is just another reason to travel, especially to places with plenty of sea, sun, and sand! Recently, Travel + Leisure published their list of Top 10 Islands in Europe and the 10 World’s Best Islands and not surprisingly, a few of Greece’s islands made the list!

 

Coming in at number 4, 5 and 6, on the Top 10 Islands in Europe were Crete, Paros, and Rhodes and the Dodecanese. Listed among some of the most beautiful islands in the world, the popular travel site featured Santorini as number 5.

 

Please visit Travel + Leisure to read both articles in full:

• The Top 10 Islands In Europe
  
  
• The World's Top 10 Islands

 

While many establishments in Athens remain friendly to smoking, others have started taking the initiative to ban smoking altogether or designate smoking and non-smoking sections for their patrons. Instead of scouring the city for these non-smoking places, Athens Coast and No Smoke have rounded up a list for non-smoking dining for us, all in the areas of Glyfada, Palaio Faliro, Varkiza, Voula, and Vouliagmeni!

Click HERE to see Athens Coast and No Smoke's list of Non-Smoking Restaurants!

Want to explore further? Click HERE for more Athenian Smoke-Free Hangouts!

In an effort to increase tourism flows to Evia, the island’s hoteliers association recently signed an agreement with the local KTEL Intercity Bus service for the transfer of visitors straight from the Athens International Airport.

Located northeast of Athens, Evia is the second largest island of Greece. Its coastline is 48 km long and includes numerous beaches, while it is also known for its thermal springs.

The program will operate on a pilot scheme from July 17, 2017 to October 16, 2017 and include four daily round trips between the Athens International Airport and the cities of Halkida and Eretria. The cost of a one-way ticket is 15-17 euros/person.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Photo Source: Greek Travel Pages

The Telegraph’s guide to the best places to eat in Athens, including where to find delicious seafood, Michelin starred dining and views of the Acropolis.

Widely acknowledged as the finest seafood restaurant in Athens, Lefteris Lazarou’s Michelin-starred Varoulko has long been a magnet for foodies. In summer 2014 it relocated to Piraeus, Mr Lazarou’s home ground, and is now named Varoulko Seaside. The emphasis remains on seafood, so you can look forward to delights such as Grilled squid with black eyed beans and marjoram, flavoured with cumin, followed by Red mullet fillets with a light lemon sauce.

In up-and-coming Metaxourgio, Aleria occupies a neoclassical building with an old tile floor and a romantic leafy courtyard out back. The menu includes delights such as crayfish with sorrel and pink grapefruit, or duck with wild berries, celeriac puree, caramelized shallots and roast turnip.

Address: Megalou Alexandrou 57, Metaxourgio

Telephone: 30 210 522 2633
Website

To read this article in full, please visit: The Telegraph

Greek Economy Minister Dimitris Papadimitriou recently signed the ministerial decision that includes the areas in the regions of Attica and Central Macedonia that shops can voluntarily operate on 32 Sundays a year from May to October.

Shops located in the following areas in Attica and Central Macedonia are allowed to operate on Sundays:

1. The section of Poseidonos Avenue, which is included in the municipalities of Kallithea, Palaio Faliro, Alimou, Argyroupoli-Elliniko and Glyfada.

2. The area of ​​the Municipality of Piraeus that is surrounded by the streets: Gr. Lambraki, Akti Moutsopoulou, 2as Merarchias, Akti Miaouli, Akti Poseidonos, Akti Kallimasioti, Alipedou, Kekropos and Karaoli and Demetriou.

3. The area of ​​the Municipality of Kallithea, which is surrounded by the streets of Egeos, Euripidou, Zervou, Agias Lavras, Kremou, Harokopou, Dimosthenous, Skra, Aristidou, Olympias, Iatridou, Platonos, Spartis, Eleftherios Venizelos Avenue, Pericleous, Metamorfosis, Praxitelouss, Isminis, Thali, Peisistratou and from Heron Polytechniou Square to Poseidonos Avenue.

4. The area of ​​the Municipality of Paleo Faliro, which extends from Amphitheas Avenue to Poseidonos Avenue.

To read this article in full and for more areas where shops will be open, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Meet Ahmad Alssaleh from Palmyra, Syria. Although he is only 31 and the youngest of ten children, he is not only unstoppable, he is about to celebrate the first anniversary of one of the most imaginative and best restaurants Culinary Backstreets has ever been to anywhere – not just Athens. His restaurant is called A Little Taste Of Home.

It all started back in 2009 when Alssaleh met Magda, a Greek girl who’d gone to Syria as a tourist. In those days he had been working in tourism himself, organizing “camping safaris” into the desert around the ruins of Palmyra on camelback and horseback and cooking traditional food for his groups. He was extremely successful and is even mentioned in foreign blogs about those happier days.

But happy as they were to be together, finding a job proved impossible in those early years of the “crisis,” and it took 18 months to get a residence permit.

“By now I had a little money, and I went to Poland, where a friend had a hostel for sale, but that didn’t work out. So instead I bought a five-room apartment near Omonia and rented it to refugees. This was when the border with Macedonia closed, and there was a housing shortage. All this time I wanted to open a café with Syrian snacks. Monastiraki was too expensive, but this place [in Gazi] was empty and affordable. Again it took many months to get the permit, and I needed more money to fix it up. My brother had an idea. He was among the refugees stuck at Idomeni, and he said, ‘Why don’t you bring up some bread from Athens? We can’t eat what they give us.’

To read the rest of Alssaleh’s inspiring story, please visit: Culinary Backstreets

Photo Credit: Manteau Stam for Culinary Backstreets

The gastronomy of Pelion and Volos will be featured on “The Cooking Odyssey”, an American TV culinary series that showcases the wondrous sights, sounds and tastes of Greece! Broadcast on PBS and Create TV, “The Cooking Odyssey” reaches millions of viewers across the U.S.

Filming for the episode dedicated to Pelion and Volos took place this past April 2017 at various locations throughout the area. The TV show also focused on the various cultural and religious monuments in the areas, including old churches and contemporary museums and the numerous outdoor activities available, such as hiking and horse riding.

The episode of “The Cooking Odyssey” highlighting Pelion and Volos will be broadcast in 2017 and repeated many times in the next three years on PBS and Create TV.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages