XpatAthens

Monday, 13 March 2017 08:02

Air France Launches New Routes From Athens

Air France has recently announced new routes from Athens to Nice, Toulouse, and Marseille to keep up with high traveller’s demand. The new routes with start from July 24th through September 3rd.

Nice is a city where life is sweet and living is easy. The capital of the riviera stands out with its colourful architecture and its intense cultural life. Tourists come from all over the world to contemplate it and discover its impressive architectural heritage.

Toulouse is considered the pink city of a thousand flavours. This gourmet destination is brimming with natural and historical attractions. The Saint-Sernin Basilica, the Jacobins Convent, the Saint-Etienne Cathedral, the Roman amphitheater at Purpan, the Roman baths at Ancely: monuments and historic sites abound in Toulouse, the capital of the Visigoth kingdom in the 5th century.

Marseille gives us the sweet fragrance of the Mediterranean. It is the second largest city in France and it possesses a rich and exciting past.

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

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Monday, 03 July 2017 07:00

Absolute Success For “Patmos Revelation”

The sports tourism event “Patmos Revelation”, was completed with absolute success in the sacred island of the Dodecanese, between June 30th and July 2nd 2017. Patmos Municipality, Region of South Aegean and Active Media cooperated with an excellent result which was evident from the participations and the positive comments of both participants and residents of the island.

More than 200 professional and amateur athletes of all ages from 9 countries (Australia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and Greece) visited Patmos to live the experience of the event by swimming with absolute safety in the Aegean waters and by running in the unique routes, that passed through two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (historic center of Chora, Holy Monastery of St. John the Theologian and Sacred Cave of the Apocalypse).

The program of “Patmos Revelation” started with Kids’ Athletics (30/06) by the Olympic and World Champion, Periklis Iakovakis at the football stadium of Patmos with the participation of children who learned many of the secrets of track and field sports. The activity has been developed and established by a special panel of scientists from IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) and is officially implemented in Greece by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

On the second day of the event, on Saturday (1/7), the open water swimming race was held at Grikos bay (distance of the 1 mile/1.6km). The route was designed by the Federal Technical Coach of Swimming Nikos Gemelos while the safety of athletes was taken care of by Katerini’s Lifeguard School, Lifeguard Patrol. The swimming race was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation with the presence of the Greek national open water swimming team, headed by the European champion, Antonis Fokaidis.

Right before the start of the race a warm-up was held by the pilates instructor, Mandy Persaki.

During the 3rd day, on Sunday (2/7), running races of 15km, 5km and 1km (for children) were held having Skala as the starting point. All routes were designed and edited by the top director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. The 15km running route was characterized with similar difficulty level to a marathon race by experts and experienced participant runners. Michalis Chatziioannou was the winner of the 15km route with a 01:01:34 time (who was also the winner of the Rhodes marathon race).

You may see the total results of the 15km and 5km running routes here!

Participant athletes and escorts travelled in the “sacred” island of the Dodecanese with the safety and comfort of the top Greek shipping company Blue Star Ferries, that facilitated the audience with additional ferry routes and discounts.

Vikos company supported as a sponsor all children activities and quenched the thirst of both participants and the audience with the natural mineral water “Vikos” that contributes to the good functioning of the body during sports.

Official supporter of Patmos Revelation, was the 5-star hotel Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, of the Divine Hotels group, in which an event was held with the presence of media, ambassadors and representatives from the Holy Monastery and Patmos Municipality.

Commemorative gifts were offered by Archimandrite Father Vartholomaios to the Federal Technical Director in Swimming, Nikos Gemelos, by the Mayor of Patmos, Grigoris Stoikos, to the World Champion Periklis Iakovakis and by Patmos Municipality Head of Tourism & Sports Giannis Skebes to the European Swimming Champion of open water swimming, Antonis Fokaidis.

AB Vassilopoulos supermarket chain supported “Patmos Revelation” by offering products to participants and volunteers.

Another great shipping company, Dodekanisos Seaways, standed next to the event. With routes from and to Leros, Kalymnos and Samos, the company enhanced the tourist traffic of the island of Patmos with special discounts.

At the same time, the event was supported by Sixt rent a car, which covered the event and all visitors’ car rental needs with its fleet, while throughout the whole event vehicles moved with the excellent quality of ELIN fuel!

The event was supported by the following hospitality sponsors: Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Allotina Houses, Skala Hotel Patmos, Onar, Chris Hotel, Archontariki, Alykes Studios, Porto Scoutari, Stefanos Katsaros Studios, Hotel Athina, Hotel Rodon, Villa Zacharo, Grikos Hotel, Hotel Effie, while the audience was served by the official travel agent VitaNTravel.

Patmos Police Station, Patmos Port Authority, Patmos Health Center as well as the Volunteers, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corps of Hellenic Red Cross Kos helped in the smooth implementation of the races.

The event was held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

Website
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Hashtag: #patmosrevelation

Official Sponsors: Blue Star Ferries, “Vikos” natural mineral water

Official Supporters: Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Sixt rent a car, AB Vassilopoulos, Elin, Dodekanisos Seaways, 1001 flights

Assisted by: SEGAS, IAAF Kids Athletics, GoPro, T & G auto moto rentals, A1 yacht trade consortium, Lifeguard Patrol, Giannaros Theologos

Hospitality Sponsors: Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Allotina Houses, Skala Hotel Patmos, Onar, Chris Hotel, Archontariki, 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

Photo Credit: From the beginning of the 15km running route of Patmos Revelation, by Mike Tsolis

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

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Monday, 09 October 2017 10:34

How The Aegean Sea Of Greece Got its Name

From an ancient Greek myth is the story of how the Aegean Sea received its name. Greeker than the Greeks recounts the tale of a King named Aegeus, who failed to produce a son with his two wives, Meta and Chalciope. They called upon the goddess Themis, one of the oracles of Ancient Delphi, to see what they were doing wrong.

"Do not loosen the bulging mouth of the wineskin until you have reached the height of Athens, lest you die of grief."

Pondering upon this conundrum, while on his way home to Athens, Aegeus dropped in on his old pal King Pittheus of Troezen (a small town in the northeastern Peloponnese).

To read this article in full, please visit: Greeker than the Greeks

Published in Greek Language & Culture

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Tuesday, 26 June 2018 08:31

The Vibrant City Of Athens

As a 24-year old, Charly came to Athens for the first time, unaware that the city would be the setting for a significant period of growth and discovery. As Charly puts it, "There are places we live and places we visit, and then there are the other places. Places we return to, where we put down roots, but not strong enough roots to hold us — places that change us, that we haunt and are haunted by."

Now 12 years later, Charly is back in Athens visiting her old hang-outs, seeing old friends whom she met the first time she was here, and admiring Athens for what it has become, "one of the most vibrant and significant cultural capitals."

Charly writes from her first trip to Athens, "After a week or so bouncing around the Cyclades, I arrived in Athens, planning to stay only a few days before moving on. People had told me the city was ugly and congested, basically a stopover, yet I remember the first romance of its winding, cracked stone alleyways overgrown with jasmine creepers and bitter orange trees, the roving packs of stray dogs, cats sunning on ruins, the smell of leather, honeysuckle and dust.

"One night I wandered into Kinky Bar, where the D.J. was playing obscure postpunk records I happened to love. I drank until I was brave enough to approach him. He introduced me to his friends — Athenians, a bit older than I was — and at the end of the night, they did something I couldn’t imagine happening back home: They invited me to move in with them."

To read this article in full, please visit: The New York Times

Published in Greece In The News

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Friday, 30 July 2021 07:00

3 Wonderful Under The Radar Greek Destinations

If you are planning on going on a Greek vacation this summer, take our advise and skip the tourist flocked destinations and head to some of Greece's most beautiful hidden treasures. There, not only will you discover a more authentic side of Greece, but you will get the chance to scratch beneath the surface and explore Greece like a discerning traveler! Here are 3 of our favorite under the radar Greek destinations.

1. Nafplio

Nafplio is a beautiful coastal town in the Argolic Gulf in northern Peloponnese. You'll be surprised to discover that Nafplio is a distinctive town with great attractions and a unique aesthetic. As the first capital of modern Greece, it boasts beautiful neoclassical buildings, unique Venetian architecture, and fascinating history. This lively provincial town will definitely make you want to visit over and over again.

2. Corinth

About 80 kilometers west of Athens, Corinth is known for the Temple of Apollo and the outstanding Corinth Canal. Apart from its great archaeological museum Corinth and significant ancient remains, Corinth is an ideal place from which to set out to discover the area's many beaches, unique mountain villages, and the resort town of Loutraki with its world-famous thermal springs and casino.

3. Meteora

Literally meaning suspended in the air, Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Travel to Meteora and you'll learn all about the astonishing rock formations and discover some of the most breathtaking and distinctive monasteries in all of Greece. Religious or not, Meteora is an awe-inspiring destination that will surely impress you with its raw natural beauty and striking monasteries.

Published in Travel Greece

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Monday, 11 November 2019 07:00

A Short Guide To The Athens Marathon

In 490 BC the Persians are defeated at the Battle of Marathon, despite outnumbering the Athenians four to one. Pheidippides an Athenian messenger is sent to Athens, 42km away, to deliver the victorious news. Upon his arrival, Pheidippides manages to utter the joyful words, νικῶμεν (nikomen)—“we have won”—and then collapses. Most historical accounts suggest that he died there and then from exhaustion. This could be a romanticized version of the events; though to be fair, Pheidippides had also just legged it 240km from Athens to Sparta and back again to ask for help when the Persian fleet landed in a bay near the town of Marathon.

Today, more than 1,500 marathon races are organized around the world. However, Greece is where it all began; at the first modern Olympic Games that were held in Athens in 1896, the 42km race from Marathon to Athens was one of the defining events of the new Olympic era, a way of reviving the ancient glory of Greece. Fittingly, a Greek water-carrier, Spyridon Louis, won the race in 2 hours, 58 minutes and 50 seconds. Every year, long-distance runners from all over the world come to Athens to challenge their body and spirit to retrace the legendary footsteps of Pheidippides. With its combination of hills, heat, and history, many consider it the toughest—but most poetic—Marathon route of them all.

About a decade ago, there were 10,000 participants running through the city in various races during the Athens Marathon. In 2019, there were about 50,000 runners, and thousands cheering on the sidelines, celebrating the power of human endurance and the strong bonds of international community!

To read this article in full, visit: www.thisisathens.org

Published in Greek Language & Culture

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Saturday, 21 March 2020 19:57

Important Coronavirus Update - Schools Close Nationwide

School Closures in Greece - Updated on March 21, 2020

On March 10th, 2020, the Greek Ministry of Health announced the closure of all schools and universities as part of the preventative measures taken to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Greece. The measure applies to private and public schools, kindergartens, preschools, universities, and cram schools, and it aims to reduce the spreading of the virus.

The Greek Ministry of Education announced the extension of the closure of all educational institutions until April 10 as a measure to counteract the coronavirus pandemic. Niki Kerameos, the Minister of Education, has not ruled out an extension to the school and academic year so that students do not lose their year or semester.

To learn more about how to stay protected or if you believe you may have been infected please CLICK HERE.

Important Notice from XpatAthens

It is important to remind our readers that XpatAthens is not in any way a media source. While we do our best to keep our readers informed, we advise you to consult Greek media outlets such as ekathimerini.com, amna.gr, naftemporiki.gr, and protothema.gr and/or international news sites for up-to-the-hour updates on the coronavirus. Be wise and stay safe.

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Wednesday, 18 August 2021 07:00

New Study On Athens’ Tourism Carrying Capacity

The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) has commenced a study into the tourism carrying capacity of Athens in a new partnership with the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA).

WTACH will set the parameters and guide the research, which is being carried out in cooperation with the University of Piraeus' Department of Tourism Studies.

The objective is to raise awareness of the tourism carrying capacity of greater Athens, especially in peak season, with the view to easing pressure on the city’s urban infrastructure and better spreading the benefits of tourism, both geographically and throughout the year.

Pre-Covid, multiple cruise ships often arrived on the same day in peak season. Localized spikes in tourism numbers, not just from cruise passengers, have the potential to compromise the ability of Athens to provide sustainable, safe, and accessible tourism experiences, throughout the city, which is known for world-famous attractions such as the Acropolis, National Archeology Museum, the Roman Agora, and the Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods.

The research will canvas the opinions of local residents groups, local tourism-related associations, relevant business leaders, and civil servants.

Depending on the outcomes, the findings may be useful as a tool to lobby political leaders to secure improved tourism management policies.

Mr. Vangelis Vlachos, CEO of ADDMA, said that the study will provide vital empirical data showing the impact of the visitor economy on the Greek capital. The research would also give the city an “important new destination management tool”.

For more information, please visit: wtach.org

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Wednesday, 19 January 2022 12:00

"Elpida" Weather System Brings Snow & Low Temperatures

Relatively heavy snowfall and ice prompted the Traffic Police to close off the top section of the road leading up to Mount Parnitha, on Wednesday, January 19th. According to the national weather service, Wednesday’s chill will ease on Thursday and Friday before returning with a vengeance on Saturday.

The country is currently being affected by a so-called Polar Jet Stream, fast-flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the atmosphere coming from the North-West.

The weather system “Elpida” is expected to bring heavy snow and abnormally low temperatures that will remain at least until the middle of next week.

According to the director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, the first “wave” hits on Wednesday, January 19th, without significant effects. However, the second “wave” is expected to hit on Saturday with thunderstorms, snow, and a noticeable drop in temperature.

“Elpida” weather system will bring “polar” temperatures, with the country entering a phase of prolonged cold weather. The intensity and extent of these weather phenomena, however, are still unknown and entirely dependent on the exact location and course of the system.

According to the most recent forecast data, however, very heavy snowfalls are likely to occur on most of the Aegean islands.

To avoid frost damage on hydrometers and water pipes, precautionary measures should be put into action, such as covering/insulating hydrometers or emptying the water pipes overnight.

If you live in one of Greece’s mountainous areas, prepare yourself for an emergency by creating and storing a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs.

At a glance

Weather deterioration during the weekend with heavy snowfall, not only in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas but even in lowland areas of central and northern Greece.
The temperature will drop significantly by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius.
The winds will blow 5 to 6 and 7 Beaufort in the Aegean and up to 8 and 9 Beaufort during the weekend.

Originally published in Greek on: protothema.gr

Translated by: Codico Lab

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Monday, 27 June 2022 07:00

11 Shipwrecks Now Accessible To Divers

The Ministry of Culture and Sports has announced a decision that will give recreational scuba divers access to 11 historic shipwrecks in Greek territorial waters. Organized visits to the wreck sites by accredited dive schools and tour operators will only be permitted following the submission of the necessary paperwork to the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, the department responsible for safeguarding the country’s submerged cultural sites.

Scuba diving has become an increasingly popular recreational activity in Greece in recent years, drawing thousands of tourists each year eager to explore the country’s spectacular variety of underwater sites. This is especially the case for wreck diving, which, until recently, was largely prohibited due to concerns over the looting of priceless antiquities.

The following wrecks have been made accessible:

HMHS Britannic, Kea (British ocean liner and sister ship of the famous Titanic, sank in 1916); SS Burdigala, Kea (German ocean liner, sank in 1916); SS Patris, Kea (paddle steamer, sank in 1868); SS Artemis Pita, Milos (Greek cargo steamer, sank in 1943); SS Sifnos, Milos (Greek cargo steamer, sank in 1941); SS Minnewaska, Marathi, Crete (British steamer, sank in 1916); SS Mytilene, Bay of Kypsa Kassandra, Halkidiki (German cargo ship, sank in 1961); the Turkish shipwreck at Kalamitsi, Chalkidiki (sank in the first two decades of the 20th century); SS Creteland, Aghios Georgios, Evia (Greek cargo steamer, sank in 1930); SS Pioneer I, Lichades, Evia (cement ship, sank in 1944); SS Volos, Lefteris reef, between Pelion and Skiathos (German steamer, sank in 1931).

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

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