XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Monday, 16 February 2015 12:17

YooMoo: Fat Free Frozen Yogurt in Glyfada

If you’ve driven by Kyprou street in Glyfada, you may have noticed a rash of double parked cars on a certain block. And if you looked closely, you would see a line forming at a little store. It seems that the advent of a do-it-yourself frozen yogurt bar “YooMoo” in Greece has been a success! What’s not to like? You walk in, you choose your flavors, serve yourself, add toppings, weigh and pay- and then you can either run home or sit in the friendly surroundings. If that’s not enough, consider this- the frozen yogurt is FAT FREE!

How it works: Firstly, choose as many flavours as you like and mix them up as you please. Then go crazy on the toppings - naughty, nice or a mixture of everything! Once you are ready, just weigh your creation at the counter and pay by weight. Let loose and moo!

 

YOOMOO
KYPROU 51
ESPERIDON SQUARE, GLYFADA
TEL: 210 8985150

 

Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!

 

Thursday, 19 February 2015 11:49

Retail Sales See Volume Grow Again

Retail sales volume posted a significant rise in October 2014 compared with the same month in 2013, while the constant decline in prices meant there was only marginal growth in turnover, according to data released on Wednesday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

Sales volume grew for the fifth month in a row in October, at a rate of 3.7 percent year-on-year, while turnover posted a 0.5 percent expansion.

There is also an increase in the sales volume for the whole of the period from January to October 2014, from a year earlier, which confirms the slow but steady rebound in the retail sector.

To read more, please visit ekathimerini.com

By Dimitra Manifava

Monday, 27 February 2017 07:00

Lenten Recipe - Poached Fish Cretan-Style

This recipe is two dishes in one. Vegetables and fish are poached in a flavored broth, which is then strained to be turned into soup as a first course. This one is from the isle of Crete.

Makes 5 to 6 servings

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds fish suitable for poaching (such as cod, mackerel, carp, trout, haddock, salmon
  • Lemon juice
  • 2 liters water
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Herbs: 2 bay leaves, 8 peppercorns, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 3 sprigs fresh parsley, tied in a cheesecloth
  • 10 small onions, peeled but left whole
  • 10 small potatoes, peeled but left whole
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
To read this recipe in full, please visit: Nola
 
Winter sales begin on Monday January 11, 2016 and run until Monday February 29, 2016. The Commercial Association of Athens also announced that shops will be open on Sunday January 17th from 11 am to 8 pm.

Happy shopping!!

Source: Lifo
Translated by: XpatAthens
Travel blogger, author, and Athens local, Marissa Tejada, shares her favorite spots and tips for the best panoramic views of Athens!

1. Acropolis
The eternal landmark of this ancient city owns some of the most spectacular views around. Built on a hill, with nothing higher around it, you get an amazing panorama of the Greek capitol. A short hike is the only way to get you up to the top of this unique, majestic wonder of the world.
 
Walking Tip: Check out Mars Hill/Aeropagus. Great views on this rock next to the Acropolis where St. Paul once preached. Talk about standing on history!

2. Filopappos Hill
Take a leisurely walk through the paths of the hill to reach its full height of 147 meters. From that vantage point, a full view of the Acropolis awaits. Look to the south, and for a view of the Aegean Sea. The park around the hill is lovely.

Walking Tip: It is a public park, so there isn’t an admission fee to walk around. There are various entrances to the hill. You can walk right into the hill at the end of Dionysioiu Areopagito pedestrian way.

3. Strefi Hill/Lofos Strefi
Located in in the neighborhood of Exarcheia, the view at the top is of both the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill. This choice of best view is because it is not a real touristy spot. Here, you can take in a pretty view and be among where locals trek.

Walking Tip: Closest metro is Omonia. One way to get there is to walk up Emannuel Benaki street all the way until you see the hill and follow a path up.

To read Marissa's article in full, please visit: My Greece My Travels
Following the dreadful wildfires in Mati, Neos Voutzas, and Kokkino Limanaki that killed more than 90 people last summer, a group of people – which wants to be called ‘the young people of Mati’– decided to send a message of support to the wildfire victims in California.
 
In an act of solidarity, the group took a series of black and white photos with the burnt-down Mati landscape in the background. Despite the destruction depicted on the photos, and the devastation the group experienced last summer, their message, is in fact, very compassionate: ‘we feel you California.” The group also wrote a moving poem for the victims of the California fires, called, "I Feel You California!."
 


To read this article in full, please visit: CNN
Since opening its doors in 2017, the SNFCC has become a favorite destination for Athenians. Its gardens attract families with young children, its unique activities and workshops are usually fully booked long in advance, the library is a haven for scholars and bibliophiles, while the new Greek National Opera is an aesthetic and technological masterpiece.
 
According research conducted for the SNFCC and published by Kathimerini, “The SNFCC is most popular with visitors in the 18-29 and 30-44 age groups, which mostly includes families who take advantage of activities and the various SNFCC playgrounds. Most visitors go to the SNFCC to take a stroll in the park, have a coffee or a bite to eat, or to attend a cultural performance—primarily concerts or performances at the Greek National Opera. Visitors provided a positive evaluation of the SNFCC overall (99%), as well as in specific areas like cleanliness (99%) and visitor experience (90%)…”
 
Regarding the SNFCC’s great success with the Greek public, the cultural center’s CEO Nikos Manolopoulos said, “The public has embraced the creation of a unique project of cultural significance and environmental sensibility. The inhabitants of Attica in particular keep coming back to the SNFCC, validating the way it operates with their visits. We owe deep gratitude to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, its Board of Directors and staff, and especially to its co-President, Andreas Dracopoulos, for the continued and active support and encouragement they provide to the SNFCC. We would also like to thank the Ministry of Finance for the exemplary way in which it oversees the project and the support it offers to the SNFCC.”
 
In 2018 alone, the SNFCC received 5.3 million visits, a high mark since its opening, fulfilling SNF's vision for a public space that is open and accessible to all!

Article Source: snf.org
Image Credit: SNFCC | GeorgeDimitrakopoulos
Monday, 04 November 2019 10:31

Countdown To The Athens Classic Marathon

The final countdown to the Athens Classic Marathon "Athens Marathon, The Authentic" officially kicked last week with a press conference organized by the Hellenic Track & Field Federation (SEGAS).

According to SEGAS, this year's event has reached the record number of 60,000 participants in all races while last year, about 55,000 athletes from 105 countries and regions flooded the Attica area.

This year, the organizers, expect to welcome 20,000 marathon runners from all over the world at the original course of the 42.195 km from Marathon to Athens. Together with the 10km and 5km running events, a total of more than 60,000 athletes will run through the Attica region and Athens next Sunday, making the Athens Marathon one of the largest running events in the world.

Every marathon runner that crosses the finish line in the Panathenaic Stadium on November 10 will receive a medal depicting the Battle of Marathon. The classic marathon course begins near the tumulus of Marathon; it ends at the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)-the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896-right in the heart of Athens!

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini
Photo Credit: Athens Authentic Marathon
Top Greek basketball player Evina Maltsi will be present at this year’s sports tourism celebration

Navarino Challenge, the award-winning sports tourism event that every year brings together people of all ages and abilities, returns for 8th consecutive year in Messinia, Pylos, and Costa Navarino, on October 16-18, 2020. The top wellness event, as highlighted at the World Travel Market in London, which promotes Olympic values ​​and “fair play” will be held with the utmost safety of all participants and attendees.

Safety measures and health protocol

The event, taking into account the current health conditions, is organized with the strict specifications set by the Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the relevant sports federations. With the safety and health of all participants and staff as its main priority, Navarino Challenge will be conducted based on the health protocol established by experienced staff, certified by the World Health Organization, following the instructions of General Secretariat of Sports’ expert scientists-collaborators as well as the epidemiological data and suggestions of the General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Committee.

The universal value of the Greek language

Navarino Challenge promotes and supports actions that highlight the history and cultural heritage of our country and more specifically the undeniable value of the Greek language. The Greek language has been a source of inspiration and culture for many countries since many foreign languages ​​use words deriving from ancient Greek. Words such as athlete, energy, harmony, ideals which are used around the world, are highlighted in this year’s video that presents all wellness activities of the 8th Navarino Challenge. 



Navarino Challenge means wellness

Participants in this year’s Navarino Challenge will have the opportunity to enjoy exercising along with significant personalities from the wellness field, such as: the physical education instructor Mandy Persaki, the trainer of F45, Barrio Salamanca, Tess Arlauckas, and the personal trainer Dimitris Moros, as well as athletic partners such as FitnessArt, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, with the experience and dynamic of the Panellinios Agora Games and the Navarino Golf Academy. In addition, the following instructors will be present: the boxing champion Christos Gatsis, with the 2 support of the Vizantinos target sports club, the kickboxing champion Alexandros Nikolaidis, the table tennis champion and international career model Ioanna Papadimitriou as well as athletic partners such as Swim Academy and Red Swim Academy. For the first time, a beach volley tournament will be held by the champion and pioneer of the sport, Michalis Triantafyllidis.

With the dynamic presence of Evina Maltsi & Joe Arlauckas

Top international female basketball player of all time Evina Maltsi meets Euroleague legend Joe Arlauckas at the Navarino Challenge 2020.

The Greek Women’s National Team all-time top scorer and former WNBA player will be an honoree guest at this year’s event. In the context of her participation, Evina Maltsi stated: “It is my honor and pleasure to participate in the 8th Navarino Challenge which is a huge sporting event in a beautiful tourism destination. I hope that this event can live on for one thousand years. What the event stands for, is completely in line with my beliefs, the dissemination of the Olympic idea. It is a wonderful place that can combine sports tourism and attract more people who will adopt the Olympic values ​​as a way of life. As a basketball player, it will be my pleasure to introduce the sport that I have served for more than 25 years, to as many children as I can”.

Olympic & World Champions

Dynamic sports will also be included in this year’s award-winning event’s schedule. Specifically, the Olympic and world champion in 400m with hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis, the two-time silver Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, the gold Paralympic medalist and world champion of Boccia Grigoris Polychronidis, the European champion, Miltos Tentoglou, as well as the top track and field coach George Pomaski, will be present at the event.

History “lives” with the demonstration of boats in the port of Pylos

A demonstration of sailing races with OPTIMIST and LASER boats will be held in the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor at the bay of Navarino, by the Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”. The “Forgotten Heroes” races will be held in honor of Anastasios Tsamados, Nikolaos Votsis, Stavros Sachinis, Georgios Sachtouris, and the ghost sailors of the warship (brig) Aris of Tsamados. The “Aris” ship (also known as “Athena” during the period 1829–1879) is considered as one of the most glorious ships of the Greek navy in the Greek war of independence, which was owned by the fearless captain, the admiral Anastasios Tsamados. It was the last ship to break through the enemy siege, putting seven enemy ships out of battle, during the siege of the island of Sphacteria at the Battle of Sphacteria on April 26, 1825.
Sports for a good cause

This year, Navarino Challenge through its actions will support the following CSR partners: Through the “Captain Vasilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation”, it will support a) Karkinaki and b) Dogs’ Voice, while will also directly support c) Fashion Targets Breast and Prostate Cancer.

The energy you need to start your day stronger

The favorite breakfast cereal bars FITNESS®, as the Official Breakfast Partner of Navarino Challenge, will be by the side of the participants, giving them the energy they need to meet the challenges they will encounter during this unique event! With their B- complex vitamins that help release energy from food, they form the ideal choice for a delicious and balanced breakfast.

Accommodation Packages

Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you may send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070.

Registration offers & gifts to participants

Entries for the event’s top Greek Half-marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km by Samsung and 1km children’s races are underway and interested parties can participate by completing the available here

Take advantage of the offer by the event’s Official Technology Partner, Samsung Electronics Hellas. Samsung and Navarino Challenge will offer all participants the opportunity to purchase the Galaxy S20, S20+ & Galaxy Z Flip, with a 20% discount upon completion of their registration.
Discount on car rentals

The top Greek rental company Avance, as the event’s official car rental partner, provides participants of Navarino Challenge with an opportunity to make their reservation, with a 15% discount on the official price list, for any vehicle of their choice regarding their travel to Messinia during the period of the event. In terms of bookings, participants need to send an email to reserv(at)avance.gr.

Navarino Challenge is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of the Pylos-Nestor Municipality. Navarino Challenge has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. All running races are co-organized with Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.

Official Technology Partner: Samsung
Official Sponsor: Vikos Natural Mineral Water
Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi
Official Supporters: Pylos-Nestor Municipality, Poseidonia, Karalis Beach Hotel
Official Beauty Partner: Messinian Spa
Official Shoe Partner: On
Official Breakfast Partner: Nestlé FITNESS®
Partner: Fysiotek Sports Lab
Official Car Rental Partner: Avance
Premium TV Partner: SKAI
Strategic Partner: National Geographic
Premium Media Partner: 24MEDIA
Athletic Partners: Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club, Marathon Team Greece
Assisted By: VitaNTravel, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Lifeguard Patrol, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Target Security, Pilia Express, Kayak
Discount Partner: Panellinios Agora Games
Sports Production: Active Media Group

Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas

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The Acropolis reopened on Monday March 29th for visitors after all archeological sites were closed for many months due to COVID-19 lockdowns, however just a few visitors chose to visit the archaelogical site on Monday morning.

Wearing masks and only small groups of up to three people being permitted to enter the tourist attraction, the opening was accompanied by strict measures.

Most visitors were young foreignerswhile some Greeks, mostly older, took advantage of the reopening to visit the Acropolis.

The following measures are applied for visiting archaelogical sites:
  • Groups of only three people, unless it concerns families.
  • Mandatory use of mask and keeping distance.
  • Send SMS 6 and without the use of a vehicle.

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