Online interactive platform with virtual tours of destinations across Greece.

A new initiative for the extrovert promotion of the Greek culture by the E-Learning of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and currently in the making with everyone’s support through the act4Greece crowdfunding program by the National Bank of Greece.

How does the world see Greece and its culture? Do we share the same perspective? How do we overcome the stereotypes and the distance they create between us? Can we communicate, come closer and get to know each other, learning the real Greece? Can we capture the image of our country to share it with the world?

A new initiative implemented by the E-Learning of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) entitled YouGoCulture invites us to "enter the picture", even with one euro, and create the images that we will share to travel Greece across the world ... through its culture.

Because ... Culture is not only (everything) that made us proud yesterday! Culture is also all that makes us proud of what we are today! Culture is everything that make us Greek every day. Because Greece means culture ... And culture is us!

A platform made up of familiar materials ... Materials that shaped the "soul" of Greece, its culture, over the centuries ... Everything that made it and still makes it special. A platform made of images ... Made with knowledge, artistry and genuine passion to take Greece even farther ... but at the same time to greet Greek and foreign friends from all over the world, "welcoming" to this corner of the planet all those who are interested in knowing the “real” Greece.

A free access, public and nonprofit platform, which has already begun its mission. It captures the charm of unique destinations in the Peloponnese and in Attica, and is committed to highlight the dual character of cultural heritage - modern lifestyle all over the country and can achieve it with the power of many, with the minimal contribution of us through Act4Greece.

The aim is to raise funds of €65,000 to produce the original audiovisual material of the destinations specified below.

An act of extroversion that relies on the generosity of Greeks and aspires to be a practical example of re-launching against the widespread crisis. On the side of the productive forces, the new generation and the local communities, together with the Greece of innovation and the representatives of the real economy, the productive sector and the sustainable entrepreneurship, the YouGoCulture platform contributes in the common pursuit of progress and development, both at national and local level, through the use of symbolic capital and comparative advantages of the country for the promotion of our cultural asset and tourist product.

We travel to every corner of Greece to meet its people. We follow their paths. We hear their thoughts. We get to know their faces and record what makes them special, highlighting the culture that makes them Greek.

People and monuments share their "stories" so that Greece can share its story ... with the world! They narrate memories of their past and moments from their present so that Greece can narrate its future to the world. Together, in a special narrative through the "ecumenical language" of culture, they create a rare mosaic of images and knowledge that reflects the authentic characteristics of Greek identity of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Come to share experiences ..., art ..., knowledge ..., sports ..., innovation ... To share dances ..., festivals ..., but also struggles ..., tastes ..., smells ..., memories ..., feelings ..., traditions ..., customs ..., landscapes ..., moments ...

... so that Greece can share its values ..., ideals ..., hospitality ..., democracy ..., philosophy ..., theater ..., nature ..., light ..., its blue ... its invaluable wealth ...

Let's share our present ... so that Greece can share its past, but also its future...

Because every story, our story, is invaluable ... and it's worth sharing it!

A Greek man sailed around Crete on a kayak and circled the island in 39 days, starting on New Year’s Day and completing his journey in early February 2018.

He started from Elafonisos, off southern Peloponnese, passed through Kythera and Antikythera and reached Crete where he started his journey around the island.

In the 39 days he was on his kayak, Loudaros faced bad weather, strong winds in some cases, and conditions that made his task even more difficult. He fought hard against the bad conditions and he made it with high spirits.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Qatar Airways has recently announced it will begin flight service from Doha to Mykonos, starting May 30th, 2018. Because Mykonos is centrally located in the Cyclades and a very popular holiday destination for many travelers, Qatar has been seeking to add Mykonos to their repertoire of flights for quite some time.

Four weekly seasonal flights to Mykonos will be operated by an Airbus A320, featuring 12 seats in business class and 132 seats in economy class.

Qatar is also launching weekly non-stop flights to Thessaloniki in March 2018. They already offer three daily flights to Athens.

Source: Greek Reporter

A new initiative has been developed by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which promotes Greek culture and heritage in a digital E-learning platform. YouGoCulture creates images that allows us to travel to Greece from across the world, all through its online platform.

YouGoCulture is a free access, public and nonprofit platform, which captures the charm of unique destinations in the Peloponnese and in Attica. This new digital platform is committed to highlighting the character of cultural heritage and modern lifestyles all over the country. So far, their work includes 9 destinations, dozens of videos and interviews, thousands of photos and panoramas, and much more.

"The site is designed for international visitors to Greece and is entirely in English. It has been operational for almost a year, currently offering nine digital destinations: Mystras, Lavrio-Sounio, Elefsina, Marathon, Mycenae, Ancient Olympia, Messene, Epidaurus and Athens. Five more are set to be added in the near future (Limnos, Delos, Knossos and Delphi), while another 16 are in the pipeline."*

YouGoCulture, supported by Act4Greece and the National Bank of Greece, is seeking to raise €65,000 to produce more original audiovisual material to promote Greece's culture and heritage to international audiences. So far, over €41,000 euros have been raised.

For more information on how to donate, please visit: Act4Greece

Please click HERE to visit YouGoCulture's website.

*Source: Ekathimerini

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) - E-learning Programme of its Center of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning addresses the international public through the universal language of culture. Perceived as an inherent part of their mission, they have set out an extrovert effort to introduce fascinating facets of Greece to the world. And this, by deploying the distinguishable and longstanding features of its cultural heritage, as well as via the contemporary identity shaped in country’s everyday life.

 

YouGoCulture, an initiative of the E-Learning Programme of the NKUA, constitutes an innovative and unique attempt to promote Greek culture in an extrovert manner and on two levels: on the one hand it shall showcase the country's priceless cultural heritage and on the other, familiarize the international public with aspects of the Greek society of today.

Balancing learning and entertainment in a promising and technologically updated way, this interactive online platform offers unique and individualized experiences regarding Greece's great history and the uniqueness of the cultural flourishing of its regions (including the broader south-eastern Mediterranean).

YouGoCulture offers exceptional Virtual Tours of certain “sites” of the longstanding culture of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. YouGoCulture is an integrated environment of images and information, but also of consolidated popular knowledge. The platform records points of global interest and offers access to them by familiarizing the world with the achievements of civilizations that constituted the cradle of the evolution and the values of the modern world as we know it.

Each destination is presented on the basis of its important cultural heritage (the “Myth”) and its contemporary life (the “Experience”). Points of Interest (POIs) are identified, having as reference marks the archaeological sites and other spots of cultural significance, based on the rationale of consolidated documentation of each destination, providing the history and the contemporary life, through the production of original audiovisual material, accompanied by informative text.

The vision of the people behind this project started as the need to utilize the competitive advantages of the Greek environment, while it was founded upon the experience and high level of specialization of the academic staff of the UoA, and hopefully of others, who are also embracing the effort.

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Find YouGoCulture on Social Media:

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When it comes to shopping in Athens, there's something for everyone. Whether you are looking for big name brands, Greek names, or second-hand shops, Discover Greece tells us where to go, what to look for, and much more!

Amongst the great high streets of the city pedestrianized Ermou is definitely the one that stands out with an abundance of shops belonging to well-known clothes franchises, as well as historic Greek businesses. The bottom end of Ermou is Monastiraki. Don’t miss out on a walk in its flee market. There you will find clothes, shoes, accessories, leather goods and the world famous Greek leather sandals. On Sundays, there’s a bazaar with collector’s items such as books, old coins, vinyl records and antique furniture. Also, take the opportunity to walk around the gorgeous picturesque antique shops of the street.

Walk in the opposite direction away from Ermou and you’ll find Kolonaki, one of the most salubrious neighbourhoods of Athens. No wonder the biggest fashion designer studios have gravitated there, specifically on Voukourestiou street.

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

According to a survey released by GBR Consulting, occupancy rates for hotels in Greece are expected to rise at least 2 percent and 70 percent of Greek hoteliers estimate that room rates will improve by 2 percent.

Resort proprietors are expressing even greater optimism with 71 percent estimating occupancy levels will increase by more than two percent and 78 percent foreseeing price improvement of two percent and more.

According to the study, the positive momentum in terms of revenue will continue into 2018. Athens recorded improved figures compared to Rome, which marked a 0.6 percent rise over the year but behind Madrid, which saw an 18.4 percent increase in 2017.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Explore how Carnivals are celebrated in Greece and all the traditions that come along with them!

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The big day for all meat lovers is almost here! Tsiknopempti is right around the corner and now is the time to stock up with all the necessary meats, vegetables, salad dressings, sodas and beverages you will need for one of the most important days devoted to BBQ in Greece (after Easter of course…).

Do you need to get all of your supplies fast, hassle-free and delivered to your doorstep? 

Don't worry, it's easy! Open your laptop or tablet and log onto www.e-fresh.gr.

e-Fresh.gr is the best online supermarket that delivers your groceries within hours to the whole of Attica from 7am to 11pm on weekdays and Saturdays. The minimum value of your order must be 25€ or more, and you can by cash, POS, credit cards, even PayPal. You choose the day and time of delivery and the people of e-Fresh.gr will take it from there.

So what will need for Tsiknopempti?

At e-Fresh.gr you’ll find a big selection of fresh or frozen meats of all kinds, sausages and more traditional selections. You can search for the best side dishes for your meat feast like Freskoulis salads and of course a huge selection of salad dressings. There is also an impressive variety of beer and soda, as well as wine and snacks.

So, forget about the hassle of running to a supermarket. Get on e-Fresh.gr, create your account, shop from the comfort of your own home, and get that BBQ grill fired up!

Romantic holiday or not, who wouldn't want to find a secret cove or a hidden beach where all you will find is yourself and the sea? Luckily in Greece, there are plenty of islands to find a secluded paradise and Greek City Times is here to help! Below is a list of 6 secret beaches in Greece you will definitely fall in love with.

Ithaca, the destination of Odysseus and the symbolic end of his adventures, is one of the greatest islands of the Ionian Sea, with so many reasons to visit it! Afales beach is one of the most charming ones and totally secluded.

Ikaria is an island known for its wild beauty, but most importantly, known for its population’s longevity. One of the most magnificent beaches is Seychelles, with bright white and grey pebbles, blue- turquoise water, surrounded by cove scenery. Seychelles is located approximately 25 kilometers from Agios Kirikos, near the village Manganitis.

The island of Antipaxos is a small one near the well known Paxoi. The truth is that during the last years Antipaxos is becoming popular and due to its small size and easy access from Paxoi, it is often crowded. Nevertheless, Voutoumi beach tends to differentiate. It’s a quiet and hidden part, which you can access by a pathway.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek City Times