Spring is in full swing and there's no better time to enjoy an outdoor picnic with the kids!

Celeste Tat, from Family Goes Out Greece, gives her expertise on great parks to enjoy a picnic in Athens. Below are some of her favourite spots. Also, click here to read about child friendly parks in Athens.

Address: The main entrance is on Amalias Avenue but you also enter the garden from Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, Herodou Attikou street and the Zappeion park area.

The National Garden, formerly called the ‘Royal Garden’, is a public park of 15.5 hectares in the centre of Athens. It is located directly behind the Greek Parliament building (the old palace) and in between the famous monuments of the Zappeion and the Panathenaiko first Olympic Stadium.

I find it an ideal cool oasis and a green escape in the middle of the city centre for a hot summer day. My kids always love the huge and impressive palm trees at the entrance of the park. Inside the National Garden you will find a little farm with animals and birds and a pond with turtles. There is also a nice playground with a large sandbox. There are impressive botanic gardens, a labyrinth of rare plants and trees and plenty of open grass areas and benches to have a picnic.

Address: 182 Kifissias Avenue, Maroussi

Syngrou Estate is best described as an area of unspoiled countryside where you will forget that you are near the centre of the capital city. The land belonged to Andreas Syngrou, a successful and wealthy businessman. What I love about the very well kept park of Syngrou Estate is the variety of trees and shrubs, the pathways for bicycles and open areas. There are expanses of grass for picnics and ball games.

Address: Alimou-Karea Avenue, Kaisariani

Kaisariani forest is located 5 km from the Athens city centre up and around the forest of Mount Ymittos. The park has many footpaths, beautiful trees, many birds, old churches, ruins and rocks. There is a botanical garden as well and there are large grass areas with picnic tables and benches. There are endless possibilities in this park, both in the sun and in the shade. There are bicycle paths, a playground and a café too. A picnic in this park can be combined with a visit to the Kaisariani Monastery.

To read this article in full, please visit: Family Goes Out Greece

Privileged prices for your airline tickets!

“Santorini Experience” continues to innovate by bringing closer to the people, the unique beauty of the worldwide destination of the island of Santorini, on 7-9 October 2016!

After the announcement of the cooperation with the leading TV channel FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group, another significant cooperation, this time with the airline, Ryanair, is achieved for the first time at a sports tourism event, in Greece.

The company will undertake to carry with safety and credibility as the official airline partner of “Santorini Experience” the visitors of the event contributing to the goal for the extension of the tourist season and the promotion of the island as a destination for 365 days a year.

Further to the announcement of this collaboration, Ryanair’s Sales and Marketing Manager for Greece and Eastern Mediterranean, Chiara Ravara said, “As Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair is pleased to support the Santorini Experience event, in what is one of the world’s most sought after destinations. With its breath-taking and diverse landscapes, its mild climate in the four seasons, it is an ideal destination for active holidays and for sports addicts. Ryanair is fully committed further growing and developing Greek tourism and in promoting Greece as a year-round destination, and we look forward to bringing more customers to the ultimate sport experience on the island. To celebrate, we’re launching a seat sate with fares starting from just 19.99€, which are available for booking only on Thursday 14 July & Friday 15 July for travel between 5 to 12 October. Since these amazing low prices will be snapped up quickly, customers interested in joining the event as active participants should log onto Ryanair and avoid missing out.”

On 7-9 October 2016, people will have the opportunity to discover the sport side of Santorini!

On Saturday October 8th 2016, professional and amateur runners will be able to run and live the adrenaline of Caldera!

The starting time for both 10 km and 15 km routes is at 08:15 am in the morning, while the starting time of the 5km route will take place at 11:00. All routes start from the desalination plant in Oia.

Moreover, on Sunday October 9th 2016, professional and amateur swimmers will be able to sense the eruptive atmosphere of the volcano with the impressive view of the island in front of them!

The starting time of the unique swimming route of 1.5 mile (2.4 km) of “Santorini Experience”, will take place at 10:00 am, from the volcano to the old port in Fira.

Registrations in swimming and running continue with an undiminished pace through the official page of the event in the following link: http://activemedia.com.gr/product/santorini-experience-2/

Dreams… that become memories!

For those wishing to combine sports with tourism and take advantage of their stay in one of the two or three most beautiful islands in the world, if not the most beautiful, privileged packages starting from 300 euro for 2 people for 3 days - 2 nights (including transportation, accommodation, food and participation in the event) will be available. For more information you may contact the hospitality sponsors of the event: Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Central Fira Hotel, Sienna Residencies, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies and Esperas which are available in the following link: http://santorini-experience.com/event_accommodation_en.html. The page will be daily enriched with new supporters and in the upcoming days discounts on ferry tickets to Santorini will be announced.

“Santorini Experience” will be held under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and will have the international promotion by FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group that participates this year as an Official Broadcaster of the event.

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

Official Sponsors: Alafouzos Sport, Santorini Boatmen Union

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair

Official Supporters: “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Aqua Vista Hotels, Saucony, Arena, Village Cinemas, Village Cinemas, Passagio Santorini

Official Broadcaster: FOX Sports
Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Central Fira Hotel, Sienna Residencies, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies

 

Under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation

This old district in the heart of Athens, Greece near Monastiraki, has been enjoying a new breath of fresh air. Psirri is considered the low-key area to enjoy a night with friends! Here are a few of The Culture Trip’s favorite bars.

Industrial decor, great music, a relaxed vibe, and an array of great drinks and cocktails is what you get in Barrett. This newcomer in Psirri is a great place for late-morning coffee and homemade sweets or for after-work drinks with friends. Things get serious at night with various guest DJ sets exploring jazz, soul, and indie rock tunes. All in all, Barrett is the cool hangout spot we were all looking for in the capital city.

Address: Protogenous 11

Telephone: 210 321 8373
Website

With its resolutely alternative vibe, and its vast array of Russian beers, Cantina Social is a small joint with a minimalist interior, tasty cocktails, and a cozy atmosphere. The bar plays mostly indie music but will spontaneously revisit dance, Latin, and reggae hits. Most nights, black-and-white movies are projected onto the surrounding apartment buildings. The bar also hosts several exhibitions. If you want to give your nights out some edge, you know where to go.

Address: 6 Leokoriou

Telephone: 210 325 1668
Website

This new space is an all-day cafe/bar offering breakfast, lunch, and brunch options as well as extensive drink options at night. These include straight alcohols, cool cocktails, beers, and wine. The cafe is located on the ground floor of the Concierge Athens, which rents apartments and studios for long and short stays in the city. With its large doors always open, there is no doubt the Concierge Athens Café is a friendly and welcoming bar where residents and clients alike feel at home. Grab your favorite book and spend the afternoon there.

Address: 8 Agias Theklas

Telephone: 213 036 9266
Website

To read this article in full, please visit: The Culture Trip

 

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter!

Read more about the tradition of Tsiknopempti and why the National Museum of Contemporary Art is listed as one of the top museum openings for 2017. You can also meet a fellow expat and learn a few secrets of the Acropolis!

 

Just in time for peak season in Greece, the country was recently featured in two New York Times articles titled ‘How To Have An Affordable Vacation In Greece’ and ‘For Summer, Five Hot Summer Destinations.’

 

In the first article, our friends at TrueGreece shared insider tips about staying within budget on a Greek vacation, from visiting off-the-beaten path places in Greece to renting a villa with friends.

NY Times staff journalist wrote, “If you’re traveling as part of a group of six or more people, renting a spacious villa on a Greek island with a staff, a pool and other bells and whistles will be less expensive — by as much as 30 percent — than booking individual hotel rooms.”

In the second article, it was noted that especially among Americans, travel has increased significantly this summer, up from 2016.

“Some experts say that more Americans are traveling this year than they did in 2016 because of pent-up demand from the heated presidential election, when many people cut back on traveling.”

So, where are Americans traveling to? Greece was among five popular destinations for the summer. other countries included Croatia, South Africa, the Maldives, and Italy.

To read these articles in full, please visit: The New York Times ‘How To Have An Affordable Vacation In Greece’ and ‘For Summer, Five Hot Summer Destinations’

Just recently, the Leading Culture Destinations Awards (LCDA) announced that Athens won as the ‘Best Emerging Culture City of the Year’ for 2017!

The award scheme, also known as the “Oscars for Museums”, celebrates the vibrancy and vitality of museums and institutions around the world, which are constantly evolving.

The Greek capital city won the award for Best Emerging Culture City in recognition that it managed to support culture and tourism with its strategic choices, despite the ongoing economic crisis in the country.

The award was received by Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis in London.

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

 

Additionally, check out the below video from This Is Athens! This is Athens for Culture Seekers:

 

"Right at the junction between East and West, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and drama, is nowadays a restless contemporary hub, mixing, matching and unfolding in a series of never ending stories." #ThisisAthens

For more videos, please visit: This Is Athens