Travellers across the globe have ranked the Acropolis in Athens among the top landmarks in Europe for 2015, a leading travel website has stated.

According to TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travellers Choice Attractions Awards, the Acropolis was ranked 21st in the list of top landmarks in Europe.

The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers from all over the world. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, topped the Europe list, followed by Italy’s St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the Milan Cathedral (Duomo) in Milan.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

“Lake Vouliagmeni, on Athens's southern coast, is unique, with a massive cave system, white cliffs and warm waters – which under temperate conditions are also extremely clear – while the colors you see inside from the refraction of the light and the clear waters are really spectacular,” says Spyros Kollas, a professional diving instructor and enthusiast who has spent the past 16 years exploring the world beneath the waves.

In February, under his guidance, the 24-member InnerSpace Explorers Greece diving team – comprising mainly Kollas's students, from Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and Spain – started the exploring the mysterious lake in Vouliagmeni. The aim was for them to gain experience in how a proper diving expedition works, as well as to chart – for the first time ever – four small caves that lead into the lake's legendary main cave further in.

For some three months, members of the team conducted dives in teams of up to six people – breaking off into pairs – and took measurements, photographs and videos while also collecting other data. They would meet early in the morning to get themselves and all their gear to Vouliagmeni and start the dives. Each dive would last a maximum of 90 minutes – which was how long their oxygen and bodies could last – before packing everything up again and heading back home. It was an arduous and time-consuming process, but they had fun, they learned a lot and they all got hooked. Some team members with demanding jobs had to fit dives in around their busy schedules while others traveled from abroad, but all managed to overcome any kind of of obstacle in order to return to the water.

The first phase of the project was completed a few weeks ago with the mapping of the first of the four small caves.

“It has a length of 70 meters from the entrance, a width of 30 meters, and a height, from the top to the bottom, of 40 meters, exceptionally clear waters and no stalagmites or stalactites. It is stunning,” says Kollas.

The team's discoveries will not remain secret for long as a recent partnership between InnerSpace Explorers Greece and Dutch firm Reef Interactive, which specilizes in 3D imaging, has resulted in the first 3D interactive dive map app, which allows users to take a virtual dive into this particular part of Lake Vouliagmeni, receiving information such as the temperature of the water, the depth and the kinds of rocks found there.

The next phase of the operation, which consists of mapping the antechamber of the lake's main cave, will start in early 2016.

To read more, please visit: ekathimerini

by

Maria Athanasiou

Running and swimming through breathtaking routes, for the 3rd year in a row!

The preparations for the 3rd Santorini Experience, which will take place on October 6th - 8th 2017, are finally coming to an end. Following the two, highly successful, previous years, Greece’s biggest tourist sporting event, is opening its gates to professional and amateur athletes, challenging them to try out their running and swimming skills. As before, the event’s beauty is largely based on the magnificent routes that the athletes will follow. The course that the runners will take will go through villages, such as Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia, with its breathtaking view of the Caldera. For those who choose to take part in the swimming event, the starting point of the race will be the volcano, and will end at the old port in Fira, thus giving the athletes the opportunity to swim through Santorini’s black waters.

Santorini Experience is a collaboration between the Municipality of Thira of the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) and Active Media Group.

The Mayor of Thira, Mr. Anastasios Nikolaos Zorzos commented on the event, “It is with great pleasure that we welcome the 3rd Santorini Experience, on our island! Another unique life experience filled with energy and volcanic aura. The event has been established, becoming a tradition, while the partaking of the locals, as well as the visitors, each year, proves this more than anything else.”

“Santorini, which is a tourist destination throughout the year, offers alternative experiences and the Santorini Experience is no exception. We continue this effort, we support and participate actively, so that our island can continue being a tourist favorite.”

Along the same lines were the comments made by President of D.A.P.P.O.S., Mr. Eleftherios Tzouros, stating, “We are waiting for you to visit us at the 3rd Santorini Experience, which will take place between 6th-8th October. A unique sporting event that has, from day one, with the participation of athletes from all over the world, shown us that it has the potential to become a global sporting event. The Santorini Experience is considered a tradition, but we choose to evolve it and it is of outmost importance that every year we try to improve the organizing, we include innovation and safety measures above all. We are waiting for you on October 6th-8th on our island.”

 

 

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas @Santorini Experience

Greek Economy Minister Dimitris Papadimitriou recently signed the ministerial decision that includes the areas in the regions of Attica and Central Macedonia that shops can voluntarily operate on 32 Sundays a year from May to October.

Shops located in the following areas in Attica and Central Macedonia are allowed to operate on Sundays:

1. The section of Poseidonos Avenue, which is included in the municipalities of Kallithea, Palaio Faliro, Alimou, Argyroupoli-Elliniko and Glyfada.

2. The area of ​​the Municipality of Piraeus that is surrounded by the streets: Gr. Lambraki, Akti Moutsopoulou, 2as Merarchias, Akti Miaouli, Akti Poseidonos, Akti Kallimasioti, Alipedou, Kekropos and Karaoli and Demetriou.

3. The area of ​​the Municipality of Kallithea, which is surrounded by the streets of Egeos, Euripidou, Zervou, Agias Lavras, Kremou, Harokopou, Dimosthenous, Skra, Aristidou, Olympias, Iatridou, Platonos, Spartis, Eleftherios Venizelos Avenue, Pericleous, Metamorfosis, Praxitelouss, Isminis, Thali, Peisistratou and from Heron Polytechniou Square to Poseidonos Avenue.

4. The area of ​​the Municipality of Paleo Faliro, which extends from Amphitheas Avenue to Poseidonos Avenue.

To read this article in full and for more areas where shops will be open, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

According to a recent survey published by Trivago, an online search engine, Athens and Santorini were the top spring destinations for foreigners visiting Greece.

In particular, Athens and Fira and Oia in Santorini are the most popular destinations for spring travelers. These findings were based on search volume in the first two weeks of March for trips taking place March, April, and May.

Searches made on trivago also revealed that Greece remains a favorite destination to visitors particularly from the UK and Germany, followed by holidaymakers from Italy and France.

Destinations preferred by Greeks are Athens, Thessaloniki, Nafplio, Corfu, Ioannina, Chania, Loutraki, Rhodes, Kalavryta and Volos.

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

We've mentioned before how ideal Greece is as a holiday destination and we can not stress this enough! From ranking among the safest countries in the world to offering uniques experiences, such as the Santorini Experience, a Greek sports tourism brand taking place in October on the beautiful island!

Every year Condé Nast Traveler magazine, one of the most prestigious and reliable travel publications in the world, calls on their readers to take part in a survey to discover the best of the best in the travel industry. The best hotels, resorts, travel agents, cruise lines, trains, airlines, airports, islands, and of course, the best countries in the world are published every year! For the 32nd annual Readers' Choice Awards survey, a record 600,000 registered voters weighed in, and their responses formed this years' list. 

The Agorá, meaning an open place of assembly in Greek, was the center of the social, political, spiritual, artistic, and athletic life in every Greek city-state. In ancient times, citizens would gather to discuss politics, merchants would sell their products, and philosophers would pass on their teachings. Today, Athens' ancient agorá is located just below the Acropolis, and it is a prime example of an agorá and a major symbol of democracy. 

In addition to being the civic center of Athens, the agorá was also a very sacred place - its architecture was brim with religious purpose. Centered around the Panathenaic Way, which was a sacred way serving as a route for the Panathenaic festival, the agorá was also famously known for housing the Temple of Hephaestus, and many other temples dedicated to Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Ares. 

 

Much of Athens city center will be closed to traffic for up to 10 hours on Thursday, September 9th, for the start of the Acropolis Rally, which for the first time will include a special run through Syntagma Square.

To facilitate the event, all traffic around Syntagma and the Acropolis will be prohibited from 11 a.m. The prohibition on the parking and stopping of vehicles in the area will commence earlier at 6 a.m.

Also known as the Rally of Gods, the Acropolis Rally is the ninth stage of the 2021 World Rally Championship. The rally was first held in 1951 and has appeared in the WRC 38 times. This year marks the rally’s return to the WRC fold after leaving it in 2013.

The rally concludes on 12 September.

Meanwhile, police have announced that Mitropoleos Street and some surrounding roads will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. on Wednesday for the funeral of Mikis Theodorakis at Athens Cathedral.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

To thrive in today's dynamic business world, it's crucial to know how to adapt quickly and embrace change. Excellent planning and organizational skills are fundamental to navigating the business world smoothly. While it's easy to assume that success will come quickly by simply working hard, the reality of starting and growing a business is far more complex.

No matter what type of business you're running or planning to start, here are some helpful tips for your journey to success!

1. Get Organized



One of the best ways to succeed in business is to stay organized. Being organized helps you complete tasks efficiently and stay on top of your responsibilities. A practical approach is to create a daily checklist. As you complete each task, cross it off your list. This not only ensures you don't overlook any crucial tasks but also gives you a sense of accomplishment as you see your list of completed tasks grow.

2. Know Your Competitors



Gaining insights from your competition is invaluable. Don't hesitate to study and learn from them. They might be implementing strategies that could inspire you to differentiate your business. By understanding what works for them, you can adapt and improve your approach, staying competitive in your industry.

3. Understand Risk



Taking sensible risks is a golden key to business growth. Always ask yourself, "What's the possible downside?" Understanding the worst-case scenario allows you to take calculated risks that can lead to significant rewards. This approach helps you make informed decisions that can propel your business forward.

4. Maintain Consistency



Consistency is crucial for maintaining long-term success in business. Always strive to provide top-notch service and high-quality products. Staying true to your core values and differentiators will help you build a reputation for reliability. This consistent performance fosters trust and loyalty among your customers, leading to sustained positive results.

5. Think Outside The Box



Always be on the lookout for ways to innovate and improve your business. Embrace the motto: "Think like there is no box." Keeping an open mind to fresh ideas and new methods can set your business apart from the competition. Continual innovation is essential for staying relevant and ahead in the market.

6. Focus on Customer Experience



A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all. Prioritize exceptional customer service and create memorable experiences for your clients. Listen to their feedback, address their concerns promptly, and go the extra mile to exceed their expectations. Happy customers are more likely to return and recommend your business to others, driving growth through positive word-of-mouth.

7. Invest in Continuous Learning



The business world is constantly evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies is essential. Invest in continuous learning for yourself and your team. Attend workshops, enroll in courses, and participate in industry conferences. This commitment to ongoing education will help you stay competitive and innovative, ensuring your business remains at the forefront of your industry.

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