Elena Syraka created her first pieces of jewellery while at school, without realising this would ultimately be her calling. After studying at the Veloudakis Fashion School in Athens, she went on to ESMOD in Paris, where she decided to focus on jewellery design. Her official debut into the field was in 1995 and about a decade later, she decided to focus exclusively on fine jewellery. Her designs balance between opposite elements, such as the masculine and the feminine, the strict and the fluid.

With a passion for ancient civilisations and a deep interest in Greek history and heritage, Elena offers a contemporary interpretation of classical symbols.

Elena’s jewellery is handcrafted in Athens and various collections come in limited edition numbered pieces. She has now reached her 20th anniversary as a jewellery designer and is proud to see her Nour collection being exhibited in major museums around the world.

To read this article in full, please visit: Why Athens

We are thrilled that XpatAthens was picked by The Culture Trip as a 2016 Athens local favorite, as mentioned in their article ‘Moving To Greece? Here Are Some Practical Tip You Should Know.’ The Culture Trip is a a media platform that shares personalized content and recommendations from destinations all over the world.

XpatAthens was listed as an excellent resource to ‘meet like-minded people or other expats living near you.’ We agree that having a support network is vital to acclimating as an expat and feeling at home in a new city. Be sure to check out our Practical Information page for other useful articles on how to adjust to life in Greece!

Please click HERE to read The Culture Trip's article about 'Moving To Greece.'

Oinoscent was founded in 2008 by two wine passionate brothers in their early 20s. For a brief period, it worked as a wine cellar, but was only a matter of time before it evolved into the first wine bar of Athens.

In the Oinoscent cellar you will find more than 700 labels from all over the world and their dishes are specially selected to pair wonderfully with the wines.

The two brothers also regularly host wine tastings with local and foreign producers in order to learn, taste, and (hopefully) find out their secrets in the art of wine making.

To read this article in full, please visit: Living Postcards

You may have seen blue blocks around Athens and have wondered, what are those? Jessica from Athens Coast sits down with Renee Belousis, the founder of PlayCanDo, and tells us what those blue blocks are and how children can use them!

Jessica: How did you get the idea of starting PlayCanDo?

Renee: Last summer we were at our favourite playground in Vouliagmeni. To our disappointment, they had ripped out the slides and other play equipment leaving big gaping holes. I was very annoyed and angry as our children had even less choice of playgrounds to play in.

When we got home I started researching playgrounds and came across the Imagination Playground. The Imagination Playground consists of life size foam blocks, called Blue Blocks. These looked very familiar to me. As it turns out, we had encountered the big Blue Blocks a couple of years earlier, at a children’s museum on a trip to San Francisco.

That’s when I thought wouldn’t it be great if children in Greece had the opportunity to play with these blocks too. I started discussions with Imagination Playground and through this became the Representative Sales Agent in Greece. In order to import the Blue Blocks I started the company, PlayCanDo.

To read this article in full, please visit: Athens Coast

Please click HERE for more information on PlayCanDo.

While it’s not rare for Athens to get snow, it usually melts before we know it! Luckily, this video captures the few pristine moments the city was blanketed in a fresh white coat. Check it out!

Source: Greek Reporter

One of ancient Greeks’ main diet ingredients was Zea flour or Triticum Dicoccum, known as the scientific name. They wouldn’t eat food containing wheat and they used wheat as animals' food. The grain of Zea is probably the oldest in the world.

Zea is two times richer in dietary fiber than wheat, two times richer in protein with a high amount of vitamins A, B, C and E. It is also high in magnesium and very low in gluten.

Until about 100 years ago, Zea was the most popular grain in Greece. But in 1928, according to Santorini Food Lovers, its cultivation was banned for financial reasons as the imported cereals crops of rice and wheat were more profitable. The revival of the ancient Zea grain has lately been taking place in few areas of Greece’s mainland.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greece by a Greek

Extreme weather conditions have forced Greek emergency services on high alert as a severe cold front sweeps through the country bringing snow and ice and making travel very dangerous. State services have been advising citizens to stay home and only travel when necessary due to the dangers posed by icy roads.

The Greek islands are the hardest hit from the extreme weather with a state of emergency declared on Skopelos due to heavy snowfall on the island with others expected to follow.

Authorities in other areas of Greece are struggling to keep major roadways open but snow chains are necessary in several areas and some roads have been closed due to icy conditions, especially on higher ground.

Many other areas, including Thessaloniki, were left without water for a second consecutive day as water pipes froze and burst and meters seized due to the low temperatures.

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

Winter sales will kick off in Athens and Thessaloniki on the 9th of January. Additionally, shop owners may also choose to open on the 15th of January 15th.

For stores that will open on January 15th, the proposed shopping hours are 11:00-18:00. Shops are also required to write the old and new price on all items offered and may also include the percentage of the sale. Sales will officially end on February 28th.

To read this article in full, please visit: Tornos News

A mini-guide to the city's latest openings, from upmarket hotels to restaurants and cafes!

New Hotel Ancient Views - Electra Metropolis Athens

In the hands of interior designer – architect Maria Katsarou-Vafiadis, of the London-based MKV firm, a 1960s office building, formerly home to the Ministry of Education, has been transformed into a stylish five-star hotel, oozing Athenian retro-chic coolness. Highlights start right from the entrance canopy, where you will see the refurbished post-Byzantine Church of Aghia Dynami, to the impressive lobby atrium, featuring a gigantic artwork by famous Greek artist Alekos Fassianos, all the way up to the roof garden and pool, which offers the most breathtaking 360-degree view to enjoy while sipping a cocktail or dining. Check out the cute ground-level bistro as well, where remnants of the ancient city can be seen through glass floors, proving that, wherever you dig in Athens, there is always something ancient to be found.

Address: 15 Mitropoleos
Telephone: 214 100 6200
Website

Drupes & Drips - Takis Bakery

Fans of Takis Bakery near the Acropolis just got a whole new range of options, with a new Italian espresseria and a juice bar. Pick up a freshly made fruit juice, or choose a “pedigree” coffee prepared by expert baristas. At lunchtime, the small space becomes a cicchetteria, so you can try hams and cheeses from abroad or from small-scale Greek producers. There are no tables, so sit at the bar and have a glass of wine, spritz, prosecco or potent Greek tsikoudia with your nibbles.

Address: 20 Zitrou
Telephone: 210 923 0052
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Yoleni’s Grocery

If you think that this country is only about olive oil and honey, try visiting this unique five-story temple of Greek gastronomy to find local goods and produce. From local soda pops to nuts and kale flakes, and even local gin, you’ll find it all here. An amazing selection of over 50 brands of extra virgin olive oil, a wide assortment of cheeses, and dozens upon dozens of different kinds of canned goods line the shelves.

Address: 9 Solonos
Telephone: 212 222 3600
Website

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

Tourist flows to the Greek capital are on the rise with professionals saying this is the best December 2016 performance in a long time demonstrated by increased demand for rooms and high passenger traffic at Athens International Airport (AIA).

Managing Director of Hotel Grande Bretagne and Hotel King George, Tim Ananiadis, told Euro2day that bookings at the two award-winning hotels have risen this month by 15 percent compared to last year, bringing 2016 to a healthy close for both five-star units.

Alexandros Vassilikos, president of the Athens – Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association backs Ananiadis’ claims of boosted December performance, adding that many Cypriot travelers also chose to visit the Greek capital this year. The number of holidaymakers from Cyprus had dropped by as much as 60 percent in the previous years, according to hotel industry professionals.

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