According to the National Meteorological Service, Greece is about to experience the biggest heatwave it has had in a decade, as the next few days temperature will be rising up to 43 degrees Celsius!

Orange Alert has been issued on extreme weather phenomena, warning of rising temperatures that can locally reach extreme levels.

 

Thursday, June 29:  40°-41° C
Friday, July 30: 42°

Saturday, July 1: 43° C

Sunday, July 2: 37°-39° C in Western Greece, 40°-42° C in the rest of mainland

Temperatures will start to drop on Monday.

Perfect opportunity to visit any of these 6 Organized Beaches In Athens or Top 10 Beaches On The Athens Coast!

We are counting down the days for the 5th consecutive event that will be held between October 13-15, 2017 in Messinia and Costa Navarino shortly before the historic Naval Battle of Navarino.

 

“Navarino Challenge” is the sports tourism event with the most Olympic ambassadors, and is hosted once more in Messinia with more than 10 Olympic sports!

 

“Navarino Challenge” promotes the value of “fair play” adopting the purpose of the Olympic Movement, supported by Olympic athletes and Champions who educate young people through sports, without any discrimination. At the same time, the athletes inform them about the benefits of exercise and the Mediterranean diet and prompt the audience to support the cause of the fight against childhood obesity.

 

Registrations for the multiple award-winning sports tourism event are open and everyone can now take part by completing the special entry form HERE!

 

Runners of all ages, starting from Navarino Dunes in Costa Navarino will run a coastal route to Pylos beach, crossing Voidokilia beach and following the trail mapped out, back in Homer’s years, by Telemachus, Ulysses’ son, trying to find his missing father. According to the Homeric tradition, when the son of Ulysses arrived on the beach on a ship, he had with him the goddess Athena disguised as Mentor. On their way, runners will discover the mythical Voidokilia, the most famous beach in Messinia and one of the best in the world, with its unique shape that outlines the letter Omega of the Greek alphabet, written as “Ω”!

 

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). At the same day a 1km running route for children will be held. The start and finish points are common. The routes have been designed and edited by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. This year, there will be race timing for all runners.

 

For one more year, sea lovers will have the opportunity to swim without competition, in the beautiful Navarino bay at the picturesque port of Pylos, covering the unique swimming route of one mile (1.6 km.) designed by the Federal Technical Director in

 

Swimming, Nikos Gemelos (coach with countless distinctions in the Olympic Games and world championships in open water swimming).

 

Participating athletes will have the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water "Vikos" that contributes to the well-functioning of the body during sports. In addition, for the fourth consecutive year, athletes and organizers will move with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official sponsor of “Navarino Challenge”.

 

Right after, the swimming activity, a Stand Up Paddling race by BIC® Sport will take place for the second consecutive year!

 

“Navarino Challenge” will present at the port of Pylos an innovative sport like Stand Up Paddling (SUP), which quickly became popular worldwide. It is an easy and ideal sport for someone to enjoy in an area surrounded by some of the best beaches in Greece. The entertaining routes for beginners or experts are the best choices for those who wish to experience the peacefulness of the Ionian Sea. One of the most recognized brands in the world, BIC® company with presence in the field of water sports with BIC® Sport since 1979, is supporting this activity. All athletes participating will have the opportunity to test the credibility of the SUP BIC® boards. Stand Up Paddling will be held with the support of the best surf club, Surf Salad!

 

The privileged accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are now available for those wishing to enjoy the full schedule of “Navarino Challenge”. For further information please click HERE!

 

In order to get advantage of these privileged prices it is necessary to have completed your registration for at least one activity in running, swimming, or SUP (per reservation).

 

“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.

Website  

Inspired by the career and the ethos of the Antetokounmpo brothers, the Onassis Foundation establishes "One of a Kind", a new undergraduate scholarship for young people who were born in Greece but have still to secure Greek nationality or have received it within the last five years.

 

On Saturday, June 24th, 2017 before a packed house at the Onassis Cultural Centre (OCC), Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo discussed with Afroditi Panagiotakou, Director of Culture at the Onassis Foundation. As announced right from the start, their talk, which has already received over 100,000 views on the OCC's Facebook page, was less about basketball and more about the importance of the journey, about what being 'Greek' actually means, and about the virtues that can help you reach the top. This extraordinary collaboration between the Antetokounmpo Brothers and the Onassis Foundation culminated in the announcement made by Afroditi Panagiotakou as the event neared its end: the establishment of the "One of a Kind" undergraduate scholarship for young people who, though born in Greece, have yet to secure Greek nationality or have received it within the past five years.

In recognition of the Antetokounmpo brothers' contributions to sport and of their successful careers, and in the light of their social starting point, the Onassis Foundation announced that it would be sponsoring a Special Scholarship for undergraduate studies in the Greek Higher Education sector.

Since 1978, the Onassis Foundation has granted 7000 scholarships to students and academics both Greek and non-Greek. The Foundation's Scholarships Programme approves over 200 scholarships per year, some of which go to Greek students undertaking doctoral and post-graduate studies in Greece and abroad, and some to academics from abroad to help them undertake postgraduate studies and research in Greece. The special "One of a Kind" undergraduate scholarship, and the collaboration with Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, seek to send out a symbolic message: we need to try and change the way we think. Because you do not have to be born Greek—you can become Greek, too.

It wasn't just the Antetokounmpo brothers' success that inspired this collaboration, but also the qualities the two Greek athletes embody: modesty, competitiveness, passion, hard work and an intention to help those who, despite their desire to get ahead in life, find themselves held back by social and economic exclusion.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Greece loves us because we're good kids, virtuous kids. Wherever we go, Greece comes with us. We promote Greece a lot, and fame hasn't changed us. We're still who we used to be, because we have exceptional parents who raised us right.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo: We are here to help each other. We know times are hard for all of us, but that's the way to survive hard times: by supporting one another.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: We came to talk to you, the Onassis Foundation, because we wanted to learn. You have helped so many people, so many children, and I want, one day many years from now, to be able to do the same.

If you want to get ahead, hard work is the key. And now that we're making it, that we're getting ahead, it's even harder to stay there. It takes even more hard work. People say to us "You've reached the top, you've made it", but I haven't accomplished anything. My goal is to be a champion, an MVP (Most Valuable Player), to be one of the fifty best players ever to play basketball. The work is the crucial thing, you have to keep pushing yourself to your limits. Don't think of yourself as average--you're not average and don't ever let that thought into your head. If you think you're average, that's exactly what you'll be: average. And that will be the end of it. Right now, I think—and I'm not bragging here, I'm not being arrogant - that I am the best player of all time and I know that's what I'll be. Work, work, work.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: You've got to love what you've got. I remember us, myself and my family, having a good time even when times were hard. I saw them every day, we spent all day together, laughing. Now that I'm successful, it's hard to get together. I travel such a lot, it's really hard to meet up so often. So there's 'ugliness' even in success.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo: Everyone has difficulties to face up to. When they tell me “You had it hard”, I always say a lot of people do. Because me not having enough to eat doesn't mean you don’t have problems of your own too. You might not have been able to pay for extra tuition for your kids, you could have lost your job. It's something different for everyone. But you need to seek out the light in the darkness.

The auditorium was awash with emotion when the Greek song The rooster (When, my mistress, I go to the market) was heard — the song the boys' mother, Veronica Antetokounmpo, used to sing to wake her children up every morning. With tears in his eyes, Giannis Antetokounmpo said: "I didn't cry when we lost in the play offs... We started out when we were little and now we're here. Who would ever have believed it? That me, Thanasis and my family, joining forces with you, could ever provide other children with opportunities!"

Thanasis Antetokounmpo: There's no racism in Greece, just hypocrisy. Which is worse. In America, there is racism, but you can be anything you set out to be in your life. Here, there's hypocrisy and that's worse. I've seen negative posts on Facebook about us, posts saying we're not Greek, and then met the same person who posted it in Glyfada with his kid, only for him to congratulate me and tell me I'm a credit to Greece. I lifted his kid up onto my shoulders for a photograph and I thanked him.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: There's the bad side and there's the positive side. We had friends who defended us. When someone said something bad, they’d answer back and stop hanging round with them.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: You don’t have to be born Greek. you can become Greek, too. No one can tell me I'm not Greek. The only thing we can do with people who believe that is love Greece more than they do.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo: I was without a Greek passport for two and a half years. I played friendlies with the Greek National youth, teenage and children's teams and our opponents would ask why I never took part in tournaments, and the reason was I didn't have a Greek passport. And there are a lot of kids like us. Kids who could offer a lot to the country, but who are prevented by the nationality issue. And it shouldn't be like that. When you go to primary school, high school and senior high in a country, you should automatically be given citizenship. You shouldn't have to be the Antetokounmpo brothers to get it.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: If I could go back, I'd tell myself to be patient and to keep on working at it. There were days when I felt dissapointed. But I never stopped believing that I'd make it in the end and be able to help my family. I'd tell myself: "Be patient, keep on smiling, and everything will come to you". If you keep on working hard and believe in your dreams, you can be sure you will get ahead, certain you'll keep on getting better.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo: If I went back, the first thing I'd say would be "Don't cry. Don't feel sad". I grew up feeling sad. People are forever asking why I smile all the time. Well, it's because I grew up feeling upset and sad. I saw my parents struggling, I saw my brothers and sisters, and when you're the eldest, you want to help.

Press Release by the Onassis Foundation

To watch the full discussion (in Greek), please visit: Onassis Foundation

Lemons weren’t always grown in Greece. At some point in Greece’s history, lemon trees found their way to Greece. Now, lemon groves can be found all over Greece, especially in some of the warmer climates, such as on the island of Crete and in the Cyclades. Lemons, along with garlic, olive oil, and Greek oregano, are also one of the most common, and most important, flavoring agents in Greece cooking.

Today, lemons make up about 18% of the total citrus production within the country. Most of the lemons grown in Greece are also consumed in Greece. Lemon exported out of Greece make up a much smaller percentage. The main areas of production include the Cycladic Islands, the island of Crete, and also the Peloponnese.

The reason why lemons are so important as a seasoning agent is because the citrus notes of the lemon pair well with a wide variety of dishes. Salted and preserved lemon wedges are also served to accompany some meze spreads. Most Greeks understand how important it is, which is why slices of lemon wedges accompany nearly every traditional Greek meal, especially those that involve meats and vegetables.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Boston

Green roofs, harvested rainwater, floating stairs, photovoltaics, recycled water, soundproof doors and insulated floors are but some of the cutting-edge bioclimatic architecture technologies that have been introduced at 24 school buildings in Attica thanks to a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.

“In Thiseio, we redeveloped neoclassical buildings that were being used as squats, while in Keratsini we transformed the old Armenian steam bath into an arts high school,” says Nikos Mantzoufas, the Finance Ministry’s special secretary for PPPs. “We gave students a modern teaching environment, whereas before they had classes in prefabricated structures.”

The projects are also expected to boost property values in the schools’ broader vicinities, while a number of parents have expressed an interest in transferring their children from private schools to these public institutions.

To read this article in full, please visit: Ekathimerini

Monemvasia means “one entrance” and in fact the only access to this castle is via a causeway. This uniquely preserved mediaeval town is carved into the majestic grey rock like a sculpture. The “Gibraltar of the East” or a “stone ship” about to set sail, as the famous Greek poet Yannis Ristos described his birthplace, is calling you for immediate boarding for a journey through time. Wander around the vaulted alleyways, churches and aristocratic mansions.

 

As soon as you walk through the gate, you’ll begin to explore the secrets of this mediaeval castle. First have a coffee in the Agora, on the main cobblestone street in the Lower Town. This was the Byzantines’ Central Avenue, the Venetians’ Market and the Ottomans’ Bazaar, the commercial artery and cultural hub for so many civilisations. Today you’ll see cafes, tavernas, shops and artisans’ workshops.

Monemvasia is an ideal romantic hideaway and honeymoon destination. Boutique bed & breakfasts and luxury hotels with suites boasting Turkish baths, mosaic floors and flowering courtyards will transport you to another time, without sacrificing modern comforts.

To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece

Photo Credit: Discover Greece

Just in time for peak season in Greece, the country was recently featured in two New York Times articles titled ‘How To Have An Affordable Vacation In Greece’ and ‘For Summer, Five Hot Summer Destinations.’

 

In the first article, our friends at TrueGreece shared insider tips about staying within budget on a Greek vacation, from visiting off-the-beaten path places in Greece to renting a villa with friends.

NY Times staff journalist wrote, “If you’re traveling as part of a group of six or more people, renting a spacious villa on a Greek island with a staff, a pool and other bells and whistles will be less expensive — by as much as 30 percent — than booking individual hotel rooms.”

In the second article, it was noted that especially among Americans, travel has increased significantly this summer, up from 2016.

“Some experts say that more Americans are traveling this year than they did in 2016 because of pent-up demand from the heated presidential election, when many people cut back on traveling.”

So, where are Americans traveling to? Greece was among five popular destinations for the summer. other countries included Croatia, South Africa, the Maldives, and Italy.

To read these articles in full, please visit: The New York Times ‘How To Have An Affordable Vacation In Greece’ and ‘For Summer, Five Hot Summer Destinations’

When I moved to Greece in 2012, I imagined I would be fluent in Greek within a year. I’m not sure why I thought that was possible, but this dream has proved to be one of life’s big disappointments. It’s been four years, and my Greek continues to be appalling. This is not for a lack of honest effort. I’ve attended almost every Greek school in Athens, I’ve had private tutors, I’ve read books, I’ve watched cartoons, I’ve tried nearly everything. It seems, in the end, I am not good at foreign languages—a devastating realization. But the one thing that is helping me turn the corner was the day YouTube decided I should learn Greek.

It began simply enough. I am a big fan of Monsieur Minimal and while I was working on my book, I would listen to his new album in the background on YouTube. Until one day, the album ended, I forgot to press replay, and YouTube decided what I would listen to next: 9 μήνες.

9 μήνες is a Greek soap opera based mainly in Cyprus. I’m not sure why YouTube decided to link a Greek musician to a Cypriot soap opera, but the Universe has its own method… 🙂 It took me about 30 minutes to notice I wasn’t listening to music, but when I realized what I was listening to, I was immediately sucked in. And so it began. Each day I would listen to more.

To read Lynn’s article in full, please visit: LynnRoulo.com

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Lynn is an American Kundalini yoga and Enneagram instructor teaching a unique combination of the two systems, combining the physical benefits of Kundalini yoga with the psychological growth tools of the Enneagram.

Most of her adult life has been as a Certified Public Accountant (US CPA) working in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco technology start up and venture capital industries. In 2012, she decided to move to Athens, Greece for purely intuitive reasons.  She's not Greek by heritage, she did not have a job here, she didn’t speak any Greek (at the time), and there wasn't a Greek man in the picture either! She simply had a really clear feeling that she should go to Greece. And so she did.

 

“I remember getting on the plane to leave San Francisco. My dog and two cats were in cargo below and I had packed a suitcase full of clothes. Almost everything else I had sold or given away. There wasn’t anyone to meet me in Athens because I didn’t know anyone. But it was one of the calmest moments of my life. I was totally sure I was making the right choice.  And I haven’t regretted it at all. I love Greece.”

To learn more about Lynn and all the great things she does in Athens please visit her webiste: 

Everything’s ready for the “Patmos Revelation” sports tourism event, which will take place on the sacred island between June 30 - July 2, 2017.

The main purpose of the Municipality of Patmos, in cooperation with The Region of South Aegean is the attraction of more alternative tourists who will participate in the event and become acquainted with the significant history of the island!

Few days are left for “Patmos Revelation”, the event which is now under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, and registrations continue with a lot of participations from Greece and abroad. Registrations through the official page of the event will continue on a regular basis, while racing kits from all participants will be received on Thursday (29/6), Friday (30/6) and Saturday (1/7) from 09:00 -21.00, at Patmos Cultural Center, “PATMION”.

Click HERE if you wish to register for the event!

The program of “Patmos Revelation” includes Kids’ Athletics by the Olympic and World Champion, Periklis Iakovakis on Friday (30/6) at 09:00 at the football stadium of Patmos.

On Saturday (1/7), at 11:00 in the morning, the open water swimming race will be held at Grikos bay (1 mile/1.6km swimming route). The safety of athletes will be taken care of by Katerini’s Lifeguard School, Lifeguard Patrol.

On Sunday (2/7), morning, running races will be held having Skala as the starting point. The 15km route starts at 08:15am, the 5km route starts at 09:00am while the 1km route for children starts at 10:55am at the seaside of Skala.

The Greek national open water swimming team will be present at the swimming race, headed by the European champion, Antonis Fokaidis.

You may see the detailed schedule of the event at the following link: http://www.patmos-revelation.gr/en/schedule.html

The event has ensured special ferry routes through Blue Star Ferries to facilitate the audience and offer them direct access to the “sacred” island of the Dodecanese. All those attending “Patmos Revelation” will be able to travel with the safely and comfort of the top Greek shipping company. With an additional ferry route on Thursday (29/6) at 15:00, aiming to provide the best possible service, Blue Star Ferries offers a 50% discount on ferry tickets to the participant athletes, as well as a 30% discount to their escorts/family members and their vehicles to those wishing to visit the event and the island between June 26 to July 6.

At the same time, another great shipping company, Dodekanisos Seaways, will stand next to the event, offering a 30% discount to participants. With routes from and to Leros, Kalymnos and Samos, the company will enhance the tourist traffic of the island of Patmos.

Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa is an official supporter of the event. The 5-star hotel of “Divine Hotels” Group, is located at Grikos bay and is always ready to provide high quality hosting services to the participants and visitors of the island. In addition, the AB Vassilopoulos supermarket chain will support “Patmos Revelation” by offering products to participants and volunteers, while “Vikos” will offer the opportunity to all athletes participating in the event to quench their thirst with the natural mineral water “Vikos” that contributes to the good functioning of the body during sports.

The event has also taken care of the accommodation services for those participating in “Patmos Revelation”. Attractive packages for 4 days (3 nights) are offered with transport and accommodation for 2 people, starting at 260€.

VitaNTravel, as the official travel agent of the event, will take care and assist all athletes and escorts with information about the ferry routes, ferry tickets, car rentals and accommodation in the island. For more information click here.

The event will be supported by the following hospitality sponsors: Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Allotina Houses, Skala Hotel Patmos, Onar, Chris Hotel, Alykes Studios, Porto Scoutari, Stefanos Katsaros Studios, Hotel Athina, Hotel Rodon, Villa Zacharo, Grikos Hotel, Hotel Effie.

Watch the Patmos Revelation 2017 teaser video HERE! 

Official Sponsors: Blue Star Ferries, “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water
Official Supporters: Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Sixt rent a car, ΑΒ Vassilopoulos, Dodekanisos Seaways, 1001 flights
Assisted by: SEGAS, IAAF Kids Athletics, T & G Patmos Rentals, Lifeguard Patrol
Hospitality Sponsors: Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Allotina Houses, Skala Hotel Patmos, Onar, Chris Hotel, Alykes Studios, Porto Scoutari, Stefanos Katsaros Studios, Hotel Athina, Hotel Rodon, Villa Zacharo, Grikos Hotel, Hotel Effie
Official Travel Agent: VitaNTravel
Strategic TV Partner: National Geographic

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Press Office Contact:
Tel.: +30 210 9343020, fax: +30 210 9316505 e-mail: pr@activemedia.com.gr

Discover the ultimate online supermarket in Athens and enjoy the benefit of grocery shopping from home! Also, learn about which investments are expected in the Athenian Riviera and all you need to know about Athens International Airport's biggest facelift and its new additions to the food and shopping experience!

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