Travel blogger and author Rebecca Hall takes us on journey through Mykonos and shares her top 10 things to do while visiting this picturesque island!

No trip to Mykonos is complete without a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, located 20 minutes away by small ferry. Ancient Greek mythology tells us that Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, the children of Zeus conceived through his affair with Leto. Delos was a safe haven for Leto to give birth, away from the jealousy of Zeus’ wife. Whether you’re a fan of Greek mythology or not, wandering through the ancient ruins on Delos helps you realize the importance of this island and Greek gods — it was constructed solely as a testament to the gods.

Ano Mera — the only other “town” on Mykonos — is an approximate five-mile or 15-minute taxi ride from Mykonos Town. It’s not particularly well-known to tourists as it lacks a sea view, yet is well worth visiting for its 18th-century Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. The monastery’s architectural splendor includes intricate marble carvings and a massive Italian baroque altar screen.

You can find secluded beaches on Mykonos if you know where to look. Head to the north coast of the island for Agios Sostis Beach, overlooked by Agios Sostis Chapel. The 250 meters of unspoiled sand is free of crowds and luxuries such as beach chairs and umbrellas. You’ll find that locals come here to swim.

Spend your time paddling in the Aegean waters. You’ll have the perfect opportunity to spot dolphins, monk seals, Mediterranean shags and gulls. You can also snorkel in the clear water and eat a simple, yet delicious lunch on a remote beach. Previous experience of kayaking is not necessary, but a reasonable level of fitness is required. Perfect for families and all age groups.

For those wishing to taste Mykonian wine, a trip to the old monastery vineyard at Mykonos Vioma farm in the village of Ano Mera is a must-do. Sample the organic red and white wines served with meze dishes specific to Mykonos, such as spicy Kopanisti cheese and traditional pork sausage. Sample salads made from herbs and vegetables picked right from the farm and fresh eggs from their chickens. Talk about farm to table.

To view the full list of Rebecca's suggestions, please visit: Onboard

Long term protection has paid off in Greece after this year marked a preservation status improvement of the Caretta Caretta Sea Turtle and the Mediterranean Monk Seal in the global Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)!

The nesting season of marine turtles has already started in the Mediterranean and the world’s largest hard-shelled turtle, the endangered loggerhead, also known as the Caretta caretta, is enjoying a new lease on life in Greece’s shores, which are among the most popular nesting sites along the Mediterranean, with more than 3,000 nests per year.

More than 500 nests were already identified on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, the largest nesting ground in the Mediterranean, during a survey carried out early last month by the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece (Archelon) on the beaches of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, making 2016 one of the best years in a decade. A following survey by Archelon found that the number of nests in Southern Kyparissiakos Bay in the western Peloponnese, the second largest nesting area in the Mediterranean, already surpassed the 1,000 mark for 2016.

Caretta caretta recently changed its category in the IUCN’s Red List of threatened species, from ‘endangered’ which had been assigned since 1996, to ‘vulnerable.’ In addition, its Mediterranean population is now listed as ‘least concern.’ This new status means that the species is not in danger of extinction in the near future on the condition that their current status remains the same.

The new listing of Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean actually reflects the success of all the important conservation actions that take place all these years in Greece, which must continue on by international and local groups.

After 25 years of systematic efforts to preserve the species, the first results are now starting to show and the IUCN preservation status for the Mediterranean monk seal dropped down one category in the endangered species list, from ‘critically endangered’ to ‘endangered’, according to a Hellenic Society for the Study & Protection of the Monk Seal (MOm) announcement earlier this year.

Experts from around the world gathered and evaluated the most recent data and found positive developments in at least three of the four main regions of the monk seal's range, among them Greece.

What seems to be playing a significant role in the betterment of the species’ status is the positive attitude by the majority of the citizens, as a result of information, environmental education, and general awareness. However, the danger of the species’ extinction has not been eliminated as the populations remain small and fragile while most of the main threats for the species remain substantial, such as the habitat degradation and competition with human fishing.

Mediterranean monk seals are considered one of the world’s most threatened marine mammals. Once widespread throughout the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the northern coast of Africa, their numbers have declined dramatically for most of the twentieth century.

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

Traditional Greek Tahinosoupa is quick, simple, colorful, utterly delicious and of course, authentically vegan! Served hot or at room temperature, tahini soup is a light, wonderfully flavorful dish that’s just the thing for summer and it’s ready in 20 minutes – including prep!

Ingredients

• 6 cups of water
• 2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup small pasta (Italian stars or Greek Misko peponi)
• 1/4 cup celery, grated (about 2 stalks)
• 1/4 cup scallions, sliced very thin (2-3)
• 1/3 cup grated carrots (1/2 medium carrot)
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/3 cup tahini, mixed well
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

To view this recipe in full and for the directions on how to prepare Tahinosoupa, please visit: The Greek Vegan

Stroll and you shall find, if not fresh vegetables, at least a slice of the Greek psyche.

Farmers’ markets were first established in 1929 as part of “fair trade” efforts by the government to protect producers from the profiteering of middlemen, by giving farmers the opportunity to sell their products directly to customers. These markets have been popular ever since and essentially still serve the same function. As in the old days, they still take place on designated streets in each neighborhood, where on a specified day each week they become the center of social activity. A place where friends meet and catch up, neighbors run into each other (whether they want to or not) and vendors discuss current affairs with customers they’ve probably known for years.

If you are staying in the capital for more than a few days and have grown weary of museums and archaeological sites, you may want to spend a morning strolling around a farmers’ market (known in Greece as a “laiki agora” or people’s market). Farmers here typically sell their locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables, but you can also find fresh fish, eggs, olives, honey, herbs and flowers, while on the fringes of the market you may also come across cotton panties, super bras, nightgowns, along with household items such as brooms and plastic buckets.

There are many markets to choose from in the center, but the most famous and picturesque is hands down the one on Kallidromiou street in Exarchia every Saturday. The market owes much of its attraction to the surrounding neoclassical houses built in the late 19th century by the area’s first residents. While the neighborhood itself has a different claim to fame, for Exarchia has been the city’s hub of political ferment and tension since the Athens Polytechnic uprising in 1973. So don’t be surprised if among the stalls you spot left-wing radicals distributing leaflets, tirelessly urging you to say “No” to Europe.

You may not understand much if you don’t speak the language, but you will sense they are advertising something more than their goods and prices. Still, not all vendors are politically driven. Most just want to chitchat; smile back and they’ve got their cue to tell you something, anything, about life. Your nationality won’t stop them. Even with non-existent English skills, they’ll gesture frantically till you understand them. Some are more philosophical, “Why photo this old house? Falling, like us.” Others are more humorous, “No photo fruit, photo me. Twitter”.

Different nationalities, generations, personalities and ideologies converge in this modern-day Pnyx*, where all ideas are up for discussion. You may end up not buying anything, but for a few hours you will have treated yourself to a special corner of the city and to a sample of genuine Greek temperament and culture.

Other Farmers’ Markets in the Center

• Kerameikos: Kerameikou street / Tuesday
• Kolonaki: Xenokratous street / Friday
• Koukaki (near the Acropolis): Matrozou street / Friday

7:00-14:00

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

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) supports the Greek delegation in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Greece.

Six Greek entrepreneurs were selected to participate in the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which took place from the 22nd to the 24th of June 2016 in Palo Alto, California.

As part of President Obama’s commitment to expand support for entrepreneurship and economic opportunity around the world, the GES has brought together the best innovators, thinkers, social entrepreneurs, and investors since 2010. Each GES has taken place in a different region of the world, from the United States to Sub-Saharan Africa. This year’s GES took place on the campus of Stanford University, in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The Greek entrepreneurs Participating in GES 2016

• Ioanna Fotopoulou - Project Manager, Social Impact Award 
  
  
• Zoi Giavri - CEO, Advantis Medical Imaging
  
  
• Magy Kontou - Co-founder & Head of Innovation, SimpleApps / Tourismart
  
  
• Anastasia Siapka - Co-Founder, Code it Like a Girl
  
  
• Konstantinos Synodinos - Founder, Championsid.com
  
  
• Xenia Vasiliadis - Founder, TripElina

The Greek delegation included five women, signaling the important role of women in the Greek entrepreneurship ecosystem. The U.S. Department of State and GES provided funding to the participation of these select entrepreneurs, as well as one Greek media representative, Maria Akrivou of Fortune Greece. The Hellenic Initiative (THI), an important partner of the U.S. Embassy on projects related to business development in Greece, also provided part of the costs of the Greek delegation. During the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, the Greek delegation had the opportunity to network with hundreds of their peers from all over the world and identify opportunities for collaboration and funding. 

The aim of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit is to connect entrepreneurs across the globe with the access and exchange needed to create and innovate, unleashing their power to change the world. The United States hosted the seventh Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which was previously hosted by the United States and the governments of Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Morocco, and Kenya. In bringing the Summit back to the United States, President Obama highlights his commitment to building bridges that help us tackle global challenges together.

Goals of the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit

• Showcase inspiring entrepreneurs and investors from around the world, creating new opportunities for investment, partnership, and collaboration.
  
  
• Connect American entrepreneurs and investors with their international counterparts to form lasting relationships.
  
  
• Highlight entrepreneurship as means to address some of the most intractable global challenges.

Hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley highlights America’s entrepreneurial spirit and allows American investors and entrepreneurs to see the talent, solutions, and opportunities that exist globally. The summit included a wide range of workshops, panels, ignite talks, pitch competitions, mentoring and networking sessions. These gave participants tailored opportunities to gain skills and relationships that help their ventures grow. Within the Summit, there were also demonstration areas, experiential learning exhibitions, and opportunities to connect with industry experts.

The support for the Greek delegation is part of the efforts of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Athens to promote collaboration between Greek and American entrepreneurs and initiatives, especially among youth.

For more information on the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2016, please visit: GES 2016

For more information about the Hellenic Initiative, please visit: THI

To celebrate World Environment Day, which is observed every year on the 5th of June, the Athens International Airport (AIA) had a recycling competition for all airport employees. Their aim was to raise awareness and encourage recycling throughout the airport.

AIA has repeatedly been awarded for its efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices including winning the Ecopolis Environmental Awareness Award for its work in monitoring ecosystems in the area of airport and protection of biodiversity and wildlife. AIA has also been recognized for its practices in waste management, recycling, and CO2 emissions reduction as well as for its overall contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development.

AIA’s initiatives include holding a one-day workshop on Biodiversity and Climate Change in Eastern Attica, bringing together representatives from ministries, local government, universities and NGOs. AIA has provided educational materials and themed excursions to schools, started an educational program at local elementary schools to raise awareness about water management, and provided scholarship funding for two postgraduate students at the University of the Aegean.

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

Who said that sushi was a luxurious option only for people with large wallets? It's not anymore! You can now enjoy favourites such as maki, rolls & nigiri without breaking the bank.

Price Point: $$-$$$
Dress Code: Casual

Kazoku

Kazoku in Japanese means family and this is how you're going to feel there, just like family in a warm and friendly environment. It is small place, but it has great value for your money. It opened about a year ago in Glyfada and it welcomed the lovers of Japanese cuisine just a few meters from Kyprou square. Patrons will have the chance to try the excellent and fresh rolls like the dragon, but also the spicy salmon, rainbow, tiger tempura and the amazing duck salad. Prices range from 17€ per person.

Location: 11 Foivis, Glifada
Telephone: 210 8944549

Price Point: $$
Dress Code: Casual

Shisan Sushi Bar

This new affordable Sushi place in Holargos is a small and friendly spot where you will eat a lot and the prices are great! You may start with salmon or tuna tutaki and may continue with excellent and fresh shisan rolls. You can't leave without trying the Mochi Chocolate, a cream made from rice with a chocolate flavour. They also have take away meals and a delivery service. Prices range from 12€ per person.

Location: 24 Mesogeion, Holargos
Telephone: 210 6510011

Price Point: $$
Dress Code: Casual

Yoshi Sushi Bar

Yoshi Sushi has managed to attract people from all over Athens. Hidden within the Plaza shopping mall, it is a modern place that promises to teach us the secrets of the Japanese cuisine. The best selling dishes are the sushi combos (from 12€), which include a taste from each category of the menu. Ask the waitor about the dish of the day as the restaurant offers something new everyday.

Location: 7 Platonos, Halandri
Telephone: 216 7006857

Price Point: $$-$$$
Dress Code: Casual

Tourism is one of Greece’s main sectors and in a report issued by Alpha Bank, Greece stands to gain traffic this year. Tourism will also get a boost from the upgrade of regional airports in Kalamata, Naxos, Syros, Milos, and Paros.

However, the refugee crisis is reflected, according to the analysis, in a decline of tourism to the Dodecanese islands in the first five months of 2016 — down by 21.9 percent on Kos, 59.9 percent on Lesvos (bearing the brunt of incoming refugee movement) and 40.6 percent on Samos — and partially offset by stronger arrivals to Crete, the Ionian islands and the Cyclades.

At the same time, the Bank of Greece issued a report which found tourist arrivals in the first three months of the year down by 5.3 percent year-on-year to 2.5 million visitors compared to 2.7 million. Travel spending, however, per trip on average grew by 365.9 euros for the first four months of 2016 against 360.3 euros.

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) expects 27.5 million visitors this year against 23.6 million in 2015 and revenue to the tune of 15 billion euros compared to 14.2 billion euros in 2015. The EU remains Greece’s main market despite a 10.9 percent decline in the first four months against last year.

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

In an interview given by Embassy News, Michalis Stangos, who is co-founder of Industry Disruptors-Game Changers (ID-GC), a non-profit/non-governmental organisation that was founded to promote entrepreneurship in Greece, discussed the current opportunities and challenges Greek start-ups are faced with and the ‘Start Tel Aviv 2016’ competition. Greek start-ups have been vital to the economy during the last few years and what ID-GC does is focus its strategy on industry sectors that offer a competitive advantage and aims at supporting start-ups and young entrepreneurs.

Interview to Eleftheria Pantziou

EN: Please, provide us with some information on ID-GC’s main objectives.

Michalis Stangos: Industry Disruptors-Game Changers (ID-GC) is an organization created three years ago by a group of young entrepreneurs, whose business survived the crisis. We decided to take action in order to help young entrepeneurs and people with innovative ideas, stay in Greece and pursue their dreams. The whole idea is to change the mindset, as there are many talents in Greece, but we see many people migrating to pursue a career abroad, whether in academia or in business. We tried to change the mindset and create an organization that would help the youth become more extroversive, gain opportunities and become the next generation of entrepreneurs.

During these three years we managed to raise around 2.5 million euros that we distributed through grant programs and scholarships addressed to startups. We do not work on commission as ID-GC is a non-profit organization.

We also organize “Investor Days” and boot camps to match entrepreneurs and investors with startups. This has also generated a lot of deals and funding opportunities for startups in Greece and abroad.

EN: What are some of the initiatives undertaken by ID-GC on business and education?

Michalis Stangos: Our initiatives include international competitions and our structure is sectoral, as we focus on a) healthcare, b) cleantech and energy, c) agro and agrotechnology, d) creative industry – from gaming to architecture and art, e) Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and f) tourism.

We collaborate with big institutions and organizations in Greece and abroad, as well as sectoral associations such as SFEE – the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies and SEV – the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. Also with Greece’s major universities. Along with the Athens University of Economics and Business we created a national MBA, that focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship.

In private-public partnership with the University, an NGO and a major multinational company from the pharmaceutical sector, we’ve managed to provide 22 scholarships. As a result a student is able to conclude an MBA and at the same time develop his/her idea into a business.

Also with the University of Thessaly and the National Hellenic Research Foundation we have developed the first Master’s program in Bioentepreneurship. With the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens we are working on an incubation program and we are also launching a new incubator program with the National Technical University of Athens.

The City of Athens has made some efforts to promote entrepreneurship and Greek start-ups, through Innovathens and other initiatives.

EN: What are the main features of a “successful” startup?

Michalis Stangos: The team is the most important element in a start-up. Definately at the end of the day everything is about the team. Also the idea. And it needs a lot of work, hard work and “thrassos” (nerve) as we say in Greek!

To read this interview in full, please visit: Embassy News

Athens has a need for green! With only 0.96 square meters of green area per person, the city hasn’t quite reached the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard of 9 square meters per person. However, that is all changing with a new app designed by World Wildlife Fund Greece (WWF) in order to improve public urban green spaces and encouraging active involvement from the citizens.

 

The app GreenSpaces, which is free and available on your mobile device, lets users tag and post photos of parks and green areas and rate them based on cleanliness, tidiness, and overall maintenance. To help facilitate interaction among users, the app is designed so others can report ratings they see as unfair or under-explained. People can report rubbish on the ground, vandalism, and even unscooped pet poop.

Achilleas Plitharas, head of the environmental organization’s Better Life campaign said, “We are aiming to motivate people to get out of their homes, to care more about the green oases that may exist in their city or neighborhood. We also wanted to find a way to motivate the municipal authorities, many of which typically take an interest in green areas only during election campaigns. And we wanted to make all this as user-friendly as possible.”

Nikos Belavilas, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning and Urban Design at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and Head of the Urban Environment Laboratory, hopes GreeceSpace will make locals take responsibility for keeping the green areas in good condition.

“A key distinction needs to be made. This is not Stockholm with its wet, cool climate and rich soil. This is the Mediterranean. You need to love a Greek park for what it is. A park with pine and cypress trees, bushes and wild weeds,” said Belavilas.

Belavilas also stated, “there is very little that can be achieved without a change in mentality without putting pressure on municipal authorities and without strengthening the citizens’ role in all this.”

For more information about the WWF Greece, please visit: WWF Greece

To install GreenSpace, click here.

Source: Greece Is