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

Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, was recently certified by the independent carbon management program Airport Carbon Accreditation as being certified carbon neutral. This makes the airport the 25th certified carbon neutral airport in Europe.

Proud of Athens’ accomplishment is Dr Yiannis Paraschis, the CEO of Athens International Airport. He says, ‘By achieving carbon neutrality, Athens International Airport continues to tangibly demonstrate its commitment to the fight against climate change.’

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

The secret is out that Greece in fact does have a winter and while it may not be as popular as summer, the country boasts some beautiful winter destinations. Put on your warmest winter clothes and join Greece Is who shares the top 10 places to visit this winter!

This is a time to experience a different sort of Greece – one of rivers, mountains and glorious natural landscapes as yet undiscovered by mass tourism. One that is emptier, wilder but also comforting in its own way, insulated from the rush and chaos of the modern world.

 

 

 

Forming the lower part of the huge Pindos range in northwestern Greece, the Tzoumerka mountain chain is a series of peaks that effectively form a giant ridge running roughly north to south along the boundary between the regions of Ioannina and Arta.

To take your hit of the natural beauty of Epirus cut with a dose of well-mannered culture, the small and tidy stone-built town of Metsovo near the Tzoumerka mountain range may be more your speed. An important military and trading post in centuries past, Metsovo flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries, developing trade links to key cities throughout Europe.

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

The management of Pallas, Athens’ historical theater, recently announced that English supertitles will be added to its main evening performances. According to Pallas’ management, out of almost 1,500 productions taking place in Athens every year it is important that at least some cater for English speaking audiences.

 

Pallas is housed in an iconic 1930’s building and at the time of its opening it was the most remarkable cinema in Athens. Following a major restoration, Pallas was converted into a theater in 2006.

Twenty-five prominent figures of the British arts and letters, known for their philhellenic spirit, put their signatures to an open letter published by The Times recently, calling on European governments to show more active support for Greece and Cyprus.

 

Five of the below mentioned prominent British figures have opened up to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini about their deep-rooted connection with Greek culture. Writer Victoria Hislop, Former UK Ambassador to Greece John Kittmer, and Professors Roderick Beaton, David Holton, and Peter Frankopan express their solidarity to Greece by explaining what Greece and its culture means to them personally.

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com

Few experiences herald the joys of summer living like eating and drinking outdoors, or dining al fresco as Italians call it, literally "in the open air."

But when you've lived through what has felt, at times, like an endless lockdown -- or indeed been unable to dine out at all, for up to a year -- then the thought of eating on sun-dappled terraces, elegant lawns, waterside promenades, or private balconies takes on whole new levels of excitement.

From the home of al fresco in Italy to the wilds of the UK's Lake District, cool metropolitan dining in Berlin and Dublin to ancient Greek vistas, these are some of the tables where we'd love to rock up this summer.

DaV Mare at Splendido Mare, Portofino (Italy)


@belmondsplendidomare

In the place that gave us the phrase al fresco, few dining vistas are as iconic or sought-after as those overlooking the waters of the Mediterranean. And when it comes to the waters of the Med, few destinations are as iconic as Portofino on the Ligurian Coast, a famously romantic fishing village with colorful houses.

It's also home to Splendido Mare, a Belmond Hotel that's just opened a new restaurant called DaV Mare in partnership with Italian culinary powerhouse Da Vittorio Group. Their open-air terrace overlooks gleaming yachts in Portofino harbor, while the menu features fabulous local seafood, signature pasta and inventive dishes like risotto with pesto and shrimp from Santa Margherita Ligure just along the coast.

Amanzoe, Kranidi (Greece)


@amanzoe

Unquestionably Mediterranean in both feel and location, Greece's Peloponnese is a famed peninsula southwest of Athens. On the east coast sits an ultra-luxury resort, Amanzoe, which overlooks olive groves and the shimmering blues of the Aegean Sea.

Their restaurant specializes in ethically sourced seafood, with one highlight being the catch of the day -- such as freshly caught bass, bream or grouper -- that is cooked in salt dough and cracked open. Local lamb and pork also feature, as do wood-fired pizzas and delicious local desserts for those with a sweet tooth. Once again though, it's all about those views, encompassing UNESCO-protected ancient ruins, fragrant gardens, and speedboats zipping between the islands off the coast.

@hotelalfonsoxiii

At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Hotel Alfonso XIII in the charming Spanish city of Seville was a centuries-old Spanish palace. In fact, the ornately decorated property only dates from 1929, but the past 90 years or so have seen it welcome countless dignitaries and celebrities, enchanted by its romantic architecture that's typical of Andalusia.

Nowhere is that more visible than in their stunning Patio, a sizable outdoor terrace where beautiful, intricately decorated Moorish tilework, a fountain, colonnades and more make it the place to be seen -- and increasingly an Instagrammer's dream. Irishman Brian Deegan oversees the menu, where wild sea bass with pumpkin and vanilla risotto, or truffled beef with pork belly and potato are just some of the decadent creations on offer.

Sky Bar by Seen, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel, Lisbon


@tivoliavenidaliberdade

Portugal's capital seems to go from strength to strength and has firmly cemented itself as one of Europe's coolest cities to visit. That's thanks in part to additions to its rich cultural history, such as Sky Bar at the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel, which itself dates from 1933.

The Arrábida Mountains, Lisbon's botanical gardens, and the imposing Castelo de Sāo Jorge are some of the landmarks to look for, but it's the views over the city's hills and down the length of Avenida de Liberdade towards the Tagus river that really set Sky Bar apart. The cosmopolitan vibe comes from a mix of glamorous locals and visitors enjoying drinks and small plates such as lamb croquettes, ceviche of fish, and lobster buns to accompany their carefully crafted cocktails.

La Terrasse, Cheval Blanc, St Tropez (France)


@chevalblancsttropez

The Mediterranean is at its sparkling finest along France's famed Cote d'Azur and one of the top places to enjoy it comes from La Terrasse at Cheval Blanc, St Tropez. Dazzling views come from underneath the shade of pine trees, which are hundreds of years old, looking over the beach and towards the water. Fifty shades of blue, as it were.

La Terrasse is open from breakfast throughout the day, with all of chef Arnaud Donckele's menus celebrating produce grown under the Provence sun. Whether it's indulgent long lunches fueled by a bottle or two of Rosé, or perfect summer dinner plates like a chilled soup of tomatoes, strawberries, and watermelon with burrata and Corsican Ham, La Terrasse perfectly distills the chic essence of the legendary coastline.

To read this article in full, please visit: cnn.com

Main image: @amanzoe

What are the most beautiful places in the world? Well, there are numerous lists out there, and plenty of places all around the world are claiming the top spots - beauty, after all, is a subjective concept. It lies in the eye of the beholder, don't they say? 

A recent study by the Britain-based travel company Kuoni followed a more scientific approach to the above question in order to create an official ranking of the world’s most beautiful travel destinations.

In this scientific study, participants viewed a series of images from 50 of the world's most famous natural attractions, from the Grand Canyon to the Maldives. The research used eye movement recording technology to determine which images were the most attractive to the human eye, or, in other words, which captured the eye of the participants the longest. 

According to the results of the study, the most beautiful place in the world is Lake Peyto in Canada - a natural wonder in Banff National Park. The magnificent shade of the lake's waters is a result of ice melting on the surrounding dazzling mountains. The second most beautiful place in the world is the island of Meeru in the Maldives, which enchants travelers thanks to its white sand and crystal-clear waters.

From exotic islands to colorful lakes and spectacular waterfalls, these are the most beautiful places in the world!

1. Peyto Lake, Canada


@resul.gumus

2. Meeru Island, Maldives


@meeruisland

3. Jurassic Coast, U.K.


@thejurassictog

4. Yosemite


@california_matt

5. Lake Tekapo, New Zealand


@lachiou

6. Niagara Falls


@thereal4koj

7. Mount Snowdon, Wales 


@jo_fallows

8. Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines


@lydiajaneiballjones

9. Marble Caves, Chile


@tillotoro

10. El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico 


@evo_photography_pr

11. Aurora Borealis, Iceland


@eddiekruger7

12. Iguazu Falls


@kcakduman

13. Lake Matheson, New Zealand


@michalzborovjan

14. Phang Nga Bay, Thailand


@thefreedomcomplex

15. Grand Canyon


@ryanresatka

“Maestro”, the highly successful Greek series of director and actor Christoforos Papakaliatis, that is currently airing on MEGA channel, is coming to Netflix.

The popular streaming platform recently bought the worldwide rights, as announced on Tuesday. The drama series, which Papakaliaatis wrote, directed, and starred in, will air in Greece and Cyprus on December 19, 2022, on Netflix. It will then premiere for the first time to audiences worldwide in early 2023.

Papakaliatis stated: ”I hold Maestro very close to my heart and I feel deeply honored and happy that this story will travel around the world through Netflix. I’m looking forward to this journey.”

Maestro: a story of passion and conflict

In the nine episodes of “Maestro”, Christoforos Papakaliatis narrates a story of passion and conflict. A cast of talented actors embodies multidimensional heroes, through whom the creator attempts to open discussions on societal matters.

In the story, Orestes travels to a small Greek island during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to set up, from scratch, a music festival. Confronted with the small society of the island, he will find himself involved in a passionate love story that will act as the catalyst for the manifestation of all the social problems that plague an entire group of people. The characters are connected to one another and therefore each complicit in what comes next.

Speaking about the series in September, Papakaliatis said: ”I am very proud of this project because I think that artistically it is a unique moment, not only for me but for everyone who was involved. ”

Maestro is produced by MEGA TV and stars Christoforos Papakaliatis, Maria Kavoyianni, Marisha Triantafyllidou, Fanis Mouratidis, Antinoos Albanis, Giannis Tsortekis, Kora Karvouni, and Haris Alexiou.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

If you’re planning a weekend escape and haven’t considered Thessaloniki yet, you’re seriously missing out. Greece’s second largest city is the kind of place that sneaks up on you. With its sea breeze, layered history, insanely good food, and that laid-back northern Greek vibe, it’s the perfect mix of chill and culture.

Here’s how to do a weekend in Thessaloniki right.

 

 

You’ll likely arrive in the afternoon, which is ideal. Drop your bags at your hotel or Airbnb (somewhere around Ladadika or Ano Poli is a good call), and hit the streets.

Start your weekend with a stroll along the waterfront. Head towards the White Tower, grab a coffee or a gelato, and just walk. Locals do this every day and call it volta. It’s not just walking; it’s people-watching, flirting, decompressing. Join in.

For dinner, go to Sebriko or Ouzeri Aristotelous. They do modern takes on traditional meze and fresh seafood. Don’t skip the tsipouro or local wine. Thessaloniki does food really well, and you’re just getting started.

If you still have energy, check out Vogatsikou 3 for cocktails or find some live music in the Ladadika district. 


@o_thessalonikios

Start your day with Greek coffee and bougatsa (sweet custard pastry) at Bantis or To Anoteron. Locals have strong opinions about their bougatsa, so feel free to try a few and choose sides.

Then, dig into Thessaloniki’s rich history. You’ve got options:

• Rotunda and Arch of Galerius (early Christian and Roman architecture right in the city center)

• The Byzantine Walls up in Ano Poli for amazing city views

• Or the Museum of Byzantine Culture, which is way more interesting than it sounds

Hungry? Time for lunch at Diagonios (for maybe the best souvlaki in the city) or head to Ergon Agora, a stylish deli-restaurant hybrid with killer Greek flavors.

Afternoon? You could shop along Tsimiski Street or visit one of the city’s many indie bookshops and record stores. Or, let’s be honest, take a nap. This is Greece, and naps are practically sacred.

Dinner? Mourga is a must for creative, seafood-centric Greek cuisine, or go traditional with Ouzeri Tsapari in Krini. For nightlife, Urania or La Doze are fun picks, and Thessaloniki has a big student population, so things stay lively late.


@triada_kon

Wake up slow. Get a coffee (freddo espresso preferrably) and walk through Modiano or Kapani markets. Smell the spices, watch the chaos, maybe grab a koulouri to munch on.

Then take the bus or a taxi out to Nea Krini or Kalamaria for seaside vibes and lazy Sunday lunch. You’ll find tavernas right on the water where the seafood is fresh and the wine flows freely. Let it be your slow farewell to the city.

If you’ve got time before heading out, circle back to Ano Poli; quiet streets, colorful houses, hidden courtyards, and one last chance to take in those sweeping views over the Thermaic Gulf.


@eleftheriavla_5

• Walk everywhere if you can. The city is compact and full of surprises.

• Eat everything! Thessaloniki is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for a reason.

• And don’t rush it. This isn’t a checklist kind of place. It’s a vibe. Soak it in.

You’ll leave feeling like you didn’t “do” Thessaloniki, you felt it. And trust us, you’ll go back again and again.