Located relatively close to Athens (about 39 km), Mavro Lithari is a small but sandy, organized beach. It beach bars with ice-cold drinks appropriate when the heatwaves strike. The refreshments and drinks served at the beach bar will come in handy when the temperatures rise.

@drone_arcade

Kakia Thalassa is one of the cleanest beaches in Attica (except during northern winds). This beach is paved with small pebbles outside and sand in the water, it is relatively organized with sun loungers, umbrellas, and swings for kids. It is about an hour's drive from the center of Athens.

@karpdimitris

Located in Agia Marina Bay, Loubarda is organized and has shallow turquoise waters. The beach offers shelter from the wind due to its unique location.

Saronida

@scarlet_starlet_mary

Saronida beach provides plenty of shade, but only if you get there in time to catch a spot to place your towel under the trees. It is sandy and has beautiful clear waters. It may not be organized, but you will find a kiosk and restaurants right across the road.

Grand Beach Lagonissi

@grandbeachlagonissi

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and luxurious sandy beaches in Attica. It has beautiful waters and sand inside and out. A set with an umbrella & 2 sunbeds for a maximum of 2 persons costs € 30.00 from Monday to Friday. A set with an umbrella & 2 sunbeds for a maximum of 2 persons costs € 60.00 on Weekends and Holidays. Special rates apply for children aged 2-12.

Author and blogger Marissa Tejada recently went on a different kind of tour of Athens. Together with a local architect, she explored the city and listened to the stories behind each of the buildings. Here she tells us about her experience of the complex mix of ancient, historic, and new architecture of the city of Athens.

One thing I love about traveling in Europe is the amazing architecture that can be admired in the old towns. It’s wonderful to take in everything from fantastic castles, gorgeous sky high churches with spires and Gothic accents, to the charm of buildings and homes that have lined cobbled lanes before industrial modern times. For an American like me, it is all very fairy tale at times and simply charming.

It has been said that the landscape of Athens is an architectural challenge. Unregulated city growth and planning led to cookie-cutter housing, a lack of green space and grand centuries’ old buildings falling to the developer’s wrecking ball. Once elegant homes remain simply abandoned.

I have been walking the city center streets, where I live, for years now and failed to really look closer, only admiring the obvious: the Acropolis and other ancient structures that have survived with grace and the most important neoclassical buildings. However, I always kind of shook my head at buildings that lined the oldest Athenian neighborhoods which were a big old unnecessary hodgepodge of styles (some just ugly), at least to me.

Athens is a city built over a city, many times over. The ancient Greek world has been buried over time. Fast forward to today, within the past decades even, engineers and architects continue to literally bump into a landscape of antiquities.

Exploring much of Greece, you’ll find this kind of construction where eras are built over eras. Another reason why you can say Athens is truly a fascinating city of layers.

To read Marissa's article in full, please visit: My Greece My Travels

There's something new in the southern Athenian suburb of Athens - Glyfada is now home to i-bike - an excellent bike sharing system available to locals and visitors.

There are two i-bike stations at Glyfada, one at the beach by Vergoti Square and one at the old City Hall. Cyclers can choose from 20 available bicycles for transportation purposes, strolling or just for fun.

Users must be over 18 and can rent a bike for as long as they wish with the use of a credit card or via cell phone, returning it to any of the installed stations across town. Regular users, applicable only to Glyfada residents, can sign up for the system and receive a special e-card which provides 24-hour access. Cards are available from Glyfada City Hall.

Bike sharing, first implemented in European cities in 1965, gives people the chance to borrow a bike from one point and return it to another point in the city.

For more information in English, please click HERE.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

“Cruise travel is a growing tourism sector and at the same time has positive prospects, contributing in many ways to the European economy. A country like Greece, with unique beauty and diverse destinations, history and culture, can and should be developed into a leading cruise destination, and indeed all year long,” said Kyriakos Anastasiadis, CEO Celestyal Cruises and executive member of CLIA Europe.

Greece has maintained its ranking as the third most popular destination in Europe, with a 13.3 percent share and total of 4,176,500 cruise passenger visits. Santorini, Piraeus, Mykonos, Corfu and Katakolon took the lead as ports of call in 2015, with some 980,049 passengers starting their voyages from the port of Piraeus.

Besides being one of the fastest growing sectors in Europe, cruise travel employs some 10,000 people who contribute over 188 million euros annually to the Greek economy according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The CLIA report, presented on Tuesday, revealed that the industry in Europe grew by 2 percent and an estimated 40.95 billion euros in 2015, adding 10,000 new jobs to a total of 360,571 whose salaries plus benefits reach 11.05 billion euros.

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

Just in time for beach season, the ‘Fantastic Greek Summer Reads: The Greece in Me’ box set is available on Amazon for 6.99.

The eBook bundle features three books: ‘Chasing Athens’ by Marissa Tejada, a romantic comedy/women’s fiction novel; ‘Girl Gone Greek’ by Rebecca Hall, a coming of age/contemporary women’s fiction novel; and ‘Greek Expectations: The Last Moussaka Standing’ by Ekaterina Botziou; a Greek life guide/memoir.

Each book in the collection tells an inspiring story in which Greece is integral to the setting and also proves to be an important “character” in each book.

 

For more from the author visit: www.chasingathens.com

Touching on the expat experience, Tejada tells a fantastic story of heartbreak and self-discovery to define the meaning of home…

Uncertain of her future after a heart-breaking split, American expat Ava Martin throws herself into the thick of Athenian reality and soon discovers that the tumultuous, culture rich Mediterranean country is coloring her life in a way no place else can, changing her forever.

What people are saying...

"The imagery of the setting is lavishly graphic, from the blend of ancient and modern architecture, crystal blue waters, and breath-taking island views to the tumultuous streets due to economic distress."

"When was the last time you searched for a new book only to find yourself drawn into it so quickly that you could not put the book down? Somehow I have a feeling this will become a classic traveller story."

"Chasing Athens is a fantastic story of heartbreak, self-discovery and finding love again. I really loved how Marissa depicted Athens so that it came alive for the reader."

For more from the author visit: www.lifebeyondbordersblog.com

A tale of self-discovery and realisation that home and belonging don't necessarily have to be your birthplace…

When Rachel moved to Greece to escape a life of social conformity, she found a country of unconventional characters and economic turmoil. The last thing she expected was to fall in love with the chaos that reigned about her.

What people are saying...

“It is really refreshing to read something that is a love story, but not between the typical man and women but through friendships and a love of a country.”

“The author’s writing style helps the narrative flow, resulting in a quick, light yet delightfully fun read. I feel like I am right there with Rachel, seeing what she sees and feeling what she feels.”

“A sensitive tale of a fairly naive young lady whose eyes are opened to a different culture and different ways of life as she ventures to live in the warmth and blue skies of a Mediterranean village.”

For more from the author visit: www.ekaterinabotziou.com

Part memoir, part rant, part survival guide. A witty cautionary tale of Greek love and life…

Growing up in a semi-Greek household, Ekaterina Botziou spent much of her childhood defying her father's wishes for her to learn to play the bouzouki, and refusing third helpings of moussaka. Unfortunately, Zeus had other ideas and in a twist of fate some years later, Ekaterina found herself married to a Greek-Cypriot and battling against the stale old laws of Greek tradition.

What people are saying...

“I have never laughed so much. It was almost like Ekaterina was writing about me! Congratulations Ekaterina on a well written book that will make Greeks/Cypriots and anybody else in the world laugh. It's a great medicine.”

“Such a fantastic read, it had me laughing all the way through! Coming from a multicultural background myself, I could relate to many of the crazy family experiences recounted in the book.”

“Ekaterina Boziou has a sharp, critical eye and an amazing sense of humour which make up a refreshing, witty, passionate, original and inventive narrative.”

For the UK Amazon site: click here.

For the US Amazon site: click here.

In recent news, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation Development has predicted that the economy in Greece will hit a 1.9% growth rate by the year 2017 and that we see already see improvement in the second half of 2016.

Specifically, a return to growth will come after a deep and prolonged recession in Greece, as recovering confidence boosts investment and consumption and improved competitiveness raises exports. However, the Organization points out that the huge public debt burden is undermining investment and confidence, making some form of additional debt relief crucial.

Unemployment in the country is still very high, which is causing serious social problems, but is now gradually receding. At the same time, OECD stressed the need for modernization of the Employment Organization and expanding active policies in the labor market. The report also mentions that weak productivity accounts for much of the decline in output since the onset of the crisis and suggests the full implementation of structural reforms, so as to boost productivity.

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

For the OECD Economic forecast summary, please click here.

Price Waterhouse Coopers has analyzed the trajectory of 30 cities, all of which are capitals of finance, commerce, and culture. This study has ranked the cities based on performance and what makes the cities function best. Among the 30 cities that were studied, Athens was ranked 23.

The study examines and identifies the factors that contribute to a successful city and a resilient urban community, evaluating the selected cities on the basis of 10 indicators, organized into 3 families:

In total, the study uses 10 indicators to map a city’s performance:

 

Intellectual capital and innovation, Technology readiness, City Gateway, Health, safety, and security, Sustainability and the natural environment, Demographics and livability, Transportation and infrastructure, Economic clout, Ease of doing business and Cost.

The indicators that were strong points for Athens were health, safety, security, sustainability and the natural environment, cost, and city getaway.

Mayor of Athens, Yorgos Kaminis commented, "This study is a very useful tool in the hands of the Municipal Authority and we will use it to implement both immediate and long-term priorities for the city. The city of Athens proposes a new model of development and social cohesion, with emphasis on openness, innovation and the creation of new jobs to stimulate the Greek capital city as an exclusive tourist destination.”

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

To view the PWC study, please click HERE.

Messinia could be an island, as it is embraced by the Ionian Sea on the one side and the Messinian Gulf on the other, and it possesses 140 km. of coast. The leading sport tourism event ‘Navarino Challenge’ highlights the unique natural beauty of the area in which it takes place, by showcasing water as the dominant element of this year’s event!

Unique swimming activities will take place each and every day of the duration (9-11/9) of 'Navarino Challenge' in Costa Navarino and at the outstanding facilities of The Westin Resort Costa Navarino.

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With the assistance of the Swim Academy, of the federal technical coach of swimming and holder of countless Olympic and World distinctions in open water swimming Nikos Gemelos, and the Olympic and World Champion in open water swimming Spyros Gianniotis, the activity of baby swimming will be presented this year for the first time (for babies from 3 months and children up to 3 years old).

In the hands of their parents, babies come in contact with the water element, get familiar with it and accept all the calming effect under the instructions of qualified personnel by Swim Academy.

Adults and children will also have the opportunity to participate for the first time in the aqua aerobic program. The most popular aerobic exercise comes in “Navarino Challenge” to help you burn calories, keep your body in shape and tone your cardiorespiratory system.

‘Navarino Challenge’ offers water sports lovers the opportunity to enjoy exciting moments under the warm Messinian sun. According to the values of Costa Navarino for sustainable development and our commitment to protect the environment, all water sports are non–motorized, with a wide range available to choose from and enjoy the mild climate of Messinia all seasons with safety above all!

For the third consecutive year ‘Navarino Challenge’ will be supported by Allianz Greece within the general effort to ensure the safety of the event. The company is sensitive to issues related to health care and supports reinforcing the message of protection of health and the adoption of a healthier lifestyle through exercise and proper nutrition. Principles and values that are inextricably linked with those of the organization.

Besides the premises of Costa Navarino, water activities will be hosted in the municipality of Pylos-Nestor, whose name comes from the legendary king and mythical hero of ancient Pylos, Nestor, the wisest of the leaders of the Trojan War, as recorded in the Homeric years.

On Saturday, September 10, 2016, 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 Nikos Gemelos.

On the same day (Saturday 10/9), the lights will also turn in the Stand Up Paddling race by BIC® Sport!

For the first time, ‘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. It was created by Baron Bich, a man passionate with the sea and sailing. The company was established very quickly in manufacturing Windsurf, SUP, Surf and kayak boards, maintaining credibility, simplicity, ingenuity and an affordable profile. All athletes participating will have the opportunity to test the credibility of the SUP BIC® boards.

For the first time, sea lovers will discover the underwater secrets on the pirates island, Proti, with the assistance of the Aqua Divers Club and Scuba Hellas.

The most skilled in the activity of scuba diving will have the opportunity to explore the underwater life in the blue waters of Messinia and to follow the steps of the famous pirate Katoulas in the island, in search of the lost treasure on the Ionian Sea. Respectively, in the facilities of The Westin Resort Costa Navarino beginners will have the opportunity to make their first acquaintance with diving and special prices will apply to all who follow this activity.

Saturday sea-day, will conclude with a demonstration race with Optimist and Laser boats from Maritime Athletic Pylos Association 'Nestor' with the assistance of the Municipality Pylos-Nestor, the Port Authority of Pylos, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development and Explore Messinia.

An easy and delicious breakfast treat; the Greek fried egg! Greek Boston shares their recipe on how to get a perfect Greek fried egg every time.

The secret is to use plenty of olive oil and then constantly baste the eggs with the hot oil until the egg was cooked perfectly.

 

 

 

Serves: 2-4
Difficulty: Easy
Cooks in: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 4 large eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Bread, for dipping

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

 

Hot air masses from Africa that reached Greece on Sunday will affect the weather until Wednesday, according to the National Observatory's Meteo weather service.

Temperatures are expected to drop significantly on Thursday.

Click here for central Athens forecast.
Click here for northern Athens forecast.
Click here for southern Athens forecast.