“Santorini Experience” continues its preparations in anticipation of the races that will be held between October 5th and 7th , in the enchanting island of the Cyclades. At the same time, the successful event continues to be distinguished, as another  prize was added to its collection. “Santorini Experience” won the gold award at the Sports Marketing Awards 2018, in the “Integrated Marketing Campaign” category in the “Sports Organizations” section.

Regarding the social events of the island related to “Santorini Experience”, the Municipal  Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) will organize an open concert for the public in the surrounding area of ​​the Indoor Hall DAPPOS on Saturday afternoon, on October 6 th , with the music band C:Real; a concert that will be offered for free to all the participants of “Santorini Experience”.

Regarding the racing part of the event, on Saturday October 6th , the schedule includes 3 different trail running routes especially for fans of running, which have as background the unique images of the volcano overlooking the Caldera as well as the stunning settlements at Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia. In particular, the 5 km “Aristides Alafouzos” route, is  ideal for running and dynamic walking, the 10 km route is designed for the experienced runners and the 15 km route for those who love power, stamina, technique and adrenaline.

All routes start from the desalination plant in Oia, including parts of trail track, and finish in Oia. The running routes are designed by the former marathon runner, Greek classic route record holder, running trainer and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias, who stressed: “It is a great pleasure for us, to be on the beautiful island of Santorini, for the fourth consecutive year, to live another breathtaking experience with 3 splendid routes on the Caldera, having as a backdrop the island’s world-famous volcano. Three quite demanding routes, with a 135m. minimum altitude and a 334m. maximum altitude. On a dirt path with recessed stones, with paved and asphalt road in some points, making it even more difficult for the runners. Our goal this year is to see as many runners as possible from many places around the world, since last year we had the impressive number of participants from more than 40 countries. Santorini Experience has been established in the runners’ consciousness and we wish everyone who chooses this event to be completely satisfied”.

Click HERE to find out further information on the routes:

“Santorini Experience” has joined the World’s Marathons world running community (which counts more than 4,146 races all over the world). As far as the open water swimming race is concerned, we must highlight that any event involving an open water swimming race should take place only by having the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, in accordance with FINA’s safety rules; as is always the case with “Santorini Experience”.

Registrations for “Santorini Experience” continue and will close on August 31 st, 2018.

Register now HERE!

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 while a special accommodation package has been prepared for the period October 5-7, 2018. You may book this special package for a two- night stay that includes your hotel accommodation, ferry tickets with Blue Star Ferries, in economy class for the itineraries: Piraeus - Santorini (5/10), departure: 07.25 am, arrival: 14.55 pm and from Santorini - Piraeus (7/10), departure: 15.30 pm, arrival: 23.25 pm as well as extra transfers from the hotel to the event venues.

The privileged package starts from 130€/person. For more information click HERE or call +30 2103249070.

Click HERE to find all available offers related to the event!

Samsung is the official technology partner of the event for a 2 nd consecutive year. Ryanair is the official airline partner. Official sponsors are for one more year, Ford Motor Hellas, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport and Athina Luxury Suites. “Santorini Experience” is a co-organization of Municipality of Santorini, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) and Active Media Group. The event is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization. 

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair

Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Hellas, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites

Official Technology Partner: Samsung

Official Supporters: Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Avance Rent A Car, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Boatmen Union Santorini

Official Transport Partner: DNA Travel

Strategic Partner: National Geographic

Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club, Santorini Nautical Club

Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Central Fira Hotel, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort

Official travel agent: VitaNTravel

Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

(Photo credit: Swimming photo @ Santorini Experience by Elias Lefas )

One of the most talented musicians of our time, Nigle Kennedy, will give an unforgetable performance for his first time in Greece at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

The world famous violin player will unconventionally play a number of J.S. Bach works and Jazz versions of George Gershwin.

Having performed with stars like Paul McCartney and Robert Plant, but also being the violin player with the most record sales in the history of music, makes his concert at the ancient theatre a once in a lifetime oppurtunity!

Reverend Billy & the Stop Shopping Choir are Earth radicals from New York City. Since Trump’s election, they have sung their anthems at Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, and at the front doors of the federal immigration jail. The activists who sing “all the right songs in all the wrong places” have been arrested nine times.

The Stop Shoppers sing Handel’s Messiah, chanting “Earthalujah! Earthalujah!” and making right-wing Christians angry. Reverend Billy is a satirical version of the evangelicals who support Trump. However, this ‘church’ counsels progressives that humour and music and the spirit of the Earth are as important for effective activism as policies or theory. Stop Shopping! Start Living!

Under the direction of Savitri D, this theatre company’s recent engagements include the Public Theater in New York and Toynbee Hall in London. But their greatest honour was to be the “church choir” at Occupy Wall Street. During their stay in Athens they hope to meet local activists. The roof-rattling joy of the 20-person troupe promises to energize activists for this dangerous time we are going through

There are thousands of islands in Greece, and only 250 or so are inhabited. With that being said, every island is different with some catering to the party-goers, some to the free campers, and some to the luxury lifestyle. If you're traveling with your family, you may wonder, "What's a good island for kids?" Below are just a few reasons why Naxos is a great island to visit with the whole family!

Naxos is a large island, over 400 square kilometres with a great big mountain roughly in the centre so it offers both clean, clear seas and exceptional mountain views. The best way to get around with family is to hire a motorcar. There is no need for a large vehicle since a smaller one will get around the island quite comfortably.

The strong selling point as far as beaches are concerned is that there are two really good beaches for children, shallow and warm, with life-guard and several places to eat on the beach at Saint George (Agios Georgios) and Agia Anna (St. Anna).

The old town of Naxos is within the castle walls which is a medieval Venetian structure. The narrow alleys lend themselves to exploration and quite a few shopping surprises. At the same time it is a fun educational place for children to experience and there is a museum to top it off.

To read this article in full, please visit: Naxos

This summer, Athens is jam-packed with all kinds of events! You can join a SUP yoga class at the beach, admire photos from the Athens Photo Festival, or watch a film (or two...or three) under the stars. Check out our list of cool things to do this July in Athens!

It is Greece’s foremost cultural festival and one of the oldest performing arts festivals in Europe (1955). Each year, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival presents performances from acclaimed artists in theatre, dance, and music and attracts large audiences from around the world. The festival will run through August.

 

The beloved film-loving summer festival returns with its 8th edition of magical screenings from June to August. Special city corners, archaeological monuments, parks, squares, beaches and some of the most beautiful museums and sites in Athens transform into an open-air cinema with free entrance to the audience.

 

Athens Photo Festival Main Exhibition at the Benaki Museum

The main exhibition of the Athens Photo Festival will go through the month of July at the Benaki Museum. At the core of this festival is a range of events, including portfolio reviews, screenings, talks and discussions, workshops, and various community and participatory projects.

 

The Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens has the special honour of hosting the exhibition of George Condo from June to October. Condo is an artist who was vital in reviving the movement of figuration in America in the 1980s and he is also considered one of the most important American figurative sculptors and painters to this very day.

 

Keeping with tradition, before we all head off on our vacations and much needed city breaks, we are getting together for one last Meet Market of the summer season at the Association of Greek Archaeologists. Set in an ever-so-enchanting garden in the city center, this is one of our all time favorite venues… surrounded by flowers and shade… right next to the Thisio Metro… and with a direct view to the Acropolis.

 

Lynn Roulo is bringing her Kundalini yoga skills to the sea this month. And what better way to practice yoga during the summer than on a stand-up paddle board! As Lynn says, "I can’t think of a better place than Greece for SUP Yoga! The water is warm, clean and clear, and the conditions are ideal since the sea is usually pretty flat. If there are waves, they are really gentle."

 

Keeping with tradition, before we all head off on our vacations and much needed city breaks, we are getting together for one last Meet Market of the summer season at the Association of Greek Archaeologists. Set in an ever-so-enchanting garden in the city center, this is one of our all time favorite venues… surrounded by flowers and shade… right next to the Thisio Metro… and with a direct view to the Acropolis.

Expect to find 50 plus stalls from local creative business & independent designers, dj sets, interactive games for kids, girls in short skirts, boys with tans and plenty of refreshing drinks… and this time we are really focusing on the refreshments, featuring draft craft beer from The Midnight Circus Gypsy Brewing, delicious ice cream from Korné and our classic Meet Market cocktails.

This July, The Meet Market is also proud to present an African Dance performance from Dafne Assimakopoulou’s Dance Crew, with 6 dancers & 3 drummers busting moves and making Guinean grooves on Saturday night, at 20:00!

And if you’re worried about missing the World Cup Final, don’t be. We will have a projector there to make sure you see all the last games, while sipping on a cold brewski.

So if a tipsy urban outing with loads of creativity, African Dance, the World Cup Final and is your thing, then look no further.

The Meet Market: A 2-day celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit... A nomadic market place of local goods, fresh ideas and friendly folk. An audio-visual jigsaw of handmade & independently designed clothes, accessories, art, objects, organic body products, home ware, tasty food, vintage & retro collectables, records, interactive games, free prizes, DJ sets and good vibes.

Eleni is of Greek / Dutch origin and is the founder of the storytelling platform Guts & Tales. Our collaboration together promises to give you the most inspiring, truthful and genuine stories out there.

Eleni left her advertising career in Amsterdam and started her new life with a new home base, Athens. She is a mind trainer, coach and writer. Helps conscious entrepreneurs with finding their voice and launched her “Be Your Own Muse” 12-week online program for women. A multi-passionate entrepreneur with a big vision – all to do with living with meraki.

5 Things to Know About Eleni Meraki

• Hill of the Muses
• Dutch-Greek
• Storyteller
• Lucky number is 24
• Allergic to chit-chat

I moved at a young age from Greece to The Netherlands. Ever since I can remember I had this urge to experiment, experience and try new things. Hobbies, routes to school, studies, jobs, travels, houses. By the age of 23 I had travelled the world and had done more jobs than my age would count; from chef to stewardess and from telemarketer to waitress in traditional Dutch clothing.

"Discomfort is where the magic happens. I've always been chasing a rich life and view change as an inevitable force to embrace."

My career started in the marketing & advertising industry. I learned the art of marketing and advertising from the best in the industry, working for the biggest global brands in a variety of roles. I learned tremendously much, yet I wasn't meant to be doing that for the rest of my life. I was looking for more meaning in my life. I started my blog in this period and was getting so much satisfaction and inspiration out of doing it. Looking back it feels like listening to all these stories of people with guts, I was mentally preparing myself to do the same.

After five years of building my “career”, I decided to jump. I had an idea and a business plan of what I wanted to do and I was clear that I needed to move to my other home country, Greece. I felt I had, somehow, to be of service here. It was what they call 'a calling'. The majority of people around me thought I had gone mad. I was giving my safe life up to move to a country in despair, with only a rough idea and savings for just a couple of months of living.

The Megaron Concert Hall Garden is the perfect place to relax and escape the fast pace of the city. Walkers are free to stroll through the park and admire the beautiful verdant garden filled with thriving lush trees, flowers, shrubs, and climbing plants.

 

"In choosing the species to be planted, special emphasis was laid on evergreens such as carobs, acacia, orange and magnolia trees, with care taken to ensure that at any time of year some of the trees would be in flower. The mimosa, yellow jasmine, viburnum, and mahonia flower in the winter months. Early in spring, the ornamental plum-tree, Japanese quince, and forsythia come into bloom. The planting of laurel along the fences bordering the gardens was decided on functional – preventing noise pollution – as well as aesthetic grounds."

The landscape designers used the contours of the site to harmonize with the surrounding streets, the adjacent Eleftherias Park, and the monument to Eleftherios Venizelos. It was also designed to allow for rainwater run-off.

The Megaron Concert Hall Garden hosts a wide range of musical, educational, cultural, and environmental events. Perhaps the most unforgettable occasion was the concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Riccardo Muti. About 4,000 people, sat in Megaron Concert Hall Garden, to enjoy a live broadcast of the concert on giant screens.

 

For more information, please visit: Megaron
Photo source: Megaron

Between January and June of 2018, over 10 million passengers have been welcomed at the Athens International Airport (AIA), an 11.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2017.

According to AIA, the increase in travelers came from a siginificant rise in the number of international travelers, which has risen 15.7 percent. Domestic travelers increased by 2.3 percent.

In June alone, AIA welcomed 2.43 million passengers, an 11.6 percent increase from June 2017.

News source: Greek Travel Pages

After 30th anniversary's festivities last year, the festival now enters its fourth decade with the aim to challenge the boundaries and experience of a traditional festival of photography.

Exploring critical issues relevant to our times, the festival functions as a dynamic platform where the social impact of the ever-changing visual culture can be raised and discussed. Athens Photo Festival 2018 brings together over 120 emerging and established international artists from 32 countries with the aim to reflect the diversity of contemporary photography, and to create opportunities for exchange of ideas, artistic expression and international engagement.

The 2018 main exhibitions take place from 6 June to 29 July 2018, at the Benaki Museum (Pireos St. Annexe). At the core of the festival is a range of events, including portfolio reviews, screenings, talks and discussions, workshops, and various community and participatory projects. In addition to the main venue-based programme, the festival encourages community involvement through satellite exhibitions in various locations in the city.

The main exhibition program, which covers over 2,000 square meters, is divided into sections, striving to create a dialogue between different thematic ideas, woven into one whole.

Click HERE to view the exhibition's program!