“Greece has it all. Not many European nations can boast over 300 days of year-round sunshine, islands outnumbering the days spent in one country, epicurean adventures to please the most discerning food connoisseur, and a cultural treasure chest of antiquities,” the Huffington Post reports.

 

The year 2017 brought a record 30 million visitors to Greece and as the year closes, projections for 2018 are high. As travelers continue to fall in love with Greece, the Ministry of Tourism is promoting Greece with its mild spring and winter season as a year-round destination.

And tt’s not just the usual suspects of Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos who are reaping the benefits from Greece. Significant increases in arrivals include: Lesvos and Samos in the North Aegean; Kavala in Eastern Macedonia; the island of Kos in the South Aegean; the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia.

To read this article in full, please visit: Huffington Post

Every once in a while, we all deserve a break from our daily routine, and there's nothing better than enjoying a quick and easy getaway! Because time and money are always at the top of the list, we've put together our favorite road-trip destinations around Athens that are easy and won't break the bank. These three recommendations are ideal to visit all year around and will surely give you the much-needed break you deserve!

Athens to Sounio

Approximately one hour from the city center 


Temple of Apollo, Sounion. Photo credit: @instavier
 

Sounio is located 69 km southeast of Athens at the southernmost tip of the Attica region of Greece and is an area of great archaeological importance. Visitors can see the Temple of Poseidon, an impressive structure built in 444 BC that was dedicated to Poseidon - God of Sea - who held a high position in the hierarchy of Greek mythological gods. It was there that Aegeus, the King of Athens, leaped to his death when he thought his son Theseus died. As a result, the Aegean sea was named after him.

Once you arrive at Sounio and have explored the archaeological site, you can relax at the site's cafe or head to one of the many traditional Greek tavernas in the area. The view from the temple is simply breathtaking and during the winter months, visitors enjoy a reduced entrance fee rate. Last but not least, if you time it perfectly, you'll be lucky enough to enjoy one of the most incredible sunsets in Greece!

 

 

Mycenae is about an hour and a half away from Athens and used to be a major center for Greek civilization. It was home to the kingdom of Agamemnon, a legendary hero in the Trojan War. Once at the site, visit the tomb of Agamemnon, the palace, and the lion's gate, which once served as the city’s main entrance.

After exploring Mycenae, head about 45kms to the world-famous Epidavros - home to the Ancient Theater of Epidavros. Constructed in the 4th century BC and dedicated to Asclepius, the God of Medicine, Epidavros is regarded as the best-preserved ancient theater in Greece. It was here that the works of well-known ancient Greek writers and poets debuted their work!

 

Nafplio is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece and a town of great history, as it was once the country’s capital city (from 1823 to 1834). Syntagma Square is at the heart of the town where you can admire many historical buildings like the first Greek parliament and the archaeological museum.

The city’s most important sight is the prominent Palamidi Castle, which can be reached by climbing its 999 steps(!) but also by car and footpath. At this famous castle, Theodoros Kolokotronis, hero of the Greek revolution, was kept imprisoned. Across the city's port is a small island called Agioi Theodoroi on which stands the beautiful Venetian fortress called Bourtzi. Except for the many cultural sites, Nafplio is also famous for its restaurants, cafes, and bars, its impressive natural scenery, but most importantly its authentically Greek atmosphere.

 

During the recent 33rd International Tourism Exhibition ‘Philoxenia’ that took place in Thessaloniki, the Region of Attica released its new tourism identity and logo.

The new logo drew the participants’ attention “with its charming clarity inspired by the cultural elements and shapes, the colors of the sea and the light, which characterize Attica,” the Region of Attica said.

“Attica was presented as a distinctive tourism destination to representatives of the international tourism market,” said Eleni Dimopoulou executive regional councilor for tourism.

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

Every corner of Greece has unique specialties and dishes that have evolved over time. From the interplay of necessity and invention; from raw materials that grew naturally in harsh or fertile environments; from passersby – invaders or refugees – who introduced new ideas and from the Orthodox Church, whose stringent regulations regarding fasting compelled countless generations of housewives to create an enormous repertoire of wonderful vegetarian and vegan dishes. Discover Greece takes us on a gastronomic experience to taste big city Greek cuisine, traditional products, wine and local spirits, and more!

The key for any visitor is to ‘go local’, enjoy the gifts of the land and see and the company of people who have upheld ancient culinary traditions for centuries. Exchange toasts with your neighbours as you drink wine made from exquisite home-grown grapes. Have fun at lunch parties on Sundays and holidays that last till evening, enjoying traditional dishes that have been seasoned with love and special care.

In the big cities, you’ll dine at innovative and star-spangled restaurants serving new Greek cuisine and you’ll visit traditional markets that have been open since the 19th century. Shop windows and open-air displays will entice you with their novelties and freshness, inviting you to sample and taste familiar or unfamiliar foods. Live like a local in a land that has been influenced by waves of conquerors and embrace the habits that have for so long nourished body and soul of an entire nation.

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

To investigate what superfoods can do for us, Jamie Oliver traveled to Ikaria, Greece, where the residents live an average of 10 years longer than anyone in Europe and America. In this video, Oliver searches for the answer to Ikaria’s longevity. What’s their secret? Find out below!

*Unfortunately as of December 1, 2017 this video is no longer available online.

 

 

Source: Greece by a Greek

The Istanbul Biennial, one of Turkey's biggest art festivals, reached international waters with this year’s theme of ‘a good neighbor.’ As Lonely Planet reports, part of the biennial’s series of ‘neighboring events,’ Turkish art Volkan Aslan has installed his video work of ‘Home Sweet Home at the Municipal Art Gallery of Mytilini on Less.

The strong cultural and historical linkages between Turkey and Greece recur throughout the Lesvos exhibition. The gallery itself is housed in the restored former mansion of Halim Bey, the island’s last Ottoman governor and the great-grandfather of Turkish art collector Can Elgiz, whose family photos and mementos fill one first-floor room.

The couple, who own the Elgiz Museum of contemporary art in İstanbul, helped bring Aslan’s work to Lesvos as part of an on-going cultural-exchange agreement with the local municipality.

To read this article in full, please visit: Lonely Planet

Max Novak, a 22-year old student from USC Dornsife, was in Thebes, Greece when he was participating in an archaeological dig where there was a sanctuary of Poseidon. He was working for 5 hours when he found a B.C.-era bronze sword. As USC Dornsife reports:

“As I was digging in the periphery, I noticed the tip of this thing,” said Novak, who graduated in the spring. “I tapped on it and it had a metallic sound.” It was a bronze sword, likely from the Hellenic period, fourth-third century B.C.

Novak used brushes and a small stick to scrape away sediment, then slowly lifted it out.

This summer trip was possible due to the Kallins Hellenic Studies Summer Fellowship, a new opportunity for undergraduate and graduate research and travel through the Classics Department at USC Dornsife. Novak, who studied classics and art history, was one of three students receiving the fellowship for the first time.

To read this article in full, please visit: USC Dornsife

In a recent study conducted by Caterwings, highlighting the best gastronomic destinations in the world, included Athens and Thessaloniki among the top picks. Destinations were judged by the quality of the food and variety of choices and were given ratings by 20,000 journalists, as well as top restaurant critics. Athens came in 54th with a score of 8.9/10 regarding the gastronomic destination, while Thessaloniki ranked 75th with a score of 7.2 in the category of the quality of offered services.

San Sebastian, Tokyo, New York and Barcelona ranked first in the list.

To read this article in full, please visit: Tornos News

“Firs and tamarisks, imposing mountains and endless beaches, fish and game, “drakospita” (dragon houses) and lighthouses, the Edipsos thermal springs, old monasteries, waterfalls, ravines, industrial monuments, stone-built guesthouses, the Cavo Doro Cape… and one capital, Chalkida, friendly and affordable, ideal for endless promenades by the sea. Yes, Evia, one of the most impressive greek islands, with its unique beauty, looking out towards the Aegean Sea,” Discover Greece takes you on a holiday of a lifetime!

There is a magnificent beach hidden around every bend on Evia. In the north, discover the beaches of Edipsos, Politikon, Limnionas, Kavos, Gregolimanos and, of course, everyone’s favorite, Agia Anna – Agkali.

Famous since antiquity thanks to the unique properties of their waters, the Edipsos springs help heal the body and soul.

For those who love adventure, Evia is a paradise on earth. In Chalkida you can kayak the turbulent Evripos waters. On Eretria’s mainland, at Malakonta, you can go horseback riding. At M. Nikolaos mountain lodge you can rest after hiking the area’s trails.

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

 

Photo Credit: Discover Greece

According to the creators of Geography Now, 'everything we see today has some correlation to Greece...'

Greece is described as the birthplace of civilization and thought, this fun and factual video gives some really great insight about Greece and just how much this small country has touched the entire world. Watch the video and find out more!