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Santorini Experience Returned Better Than Ever
The event was completed with participations from 35 countries

The swimming route took place with absolute safety in the enchanting waters of Santorini (with an average water temperature of 22-23 degrees Celsius), supported by the Santorini Boatmen’s Union, who assisted both in the implementation of the race and in the safe transport of swimmers from the old port of Fira to the Volcano. The safety of the race was ensured by specialized professional lifeguards and rescue boats from Lifeguard Patrol, who also provided the necessary medical and pharmaceutical equipment. Santorini Nautical Club, the Volunteer Rescue Team of Thira, and Caldera Yachting also supported the event with boats and personnel, while the organization, with the help of SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, provided every athlete with a safety buoy, which was mandatory for all participants, offering additional safety. The Technical Director of the swimming race was Nikos Gemelos, a swimming coach with Olympic and world-class distinctions.

Here are all the results for the running and swimming races!
As part of the Santorini Experience 2024, the Mayor of Thira, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, stated: “It is a pleasure for me, as Santorini Experience began during a previous term when I was Mayor. It continues now, and this is the 7th time. It's an excellent and unique route globally. The organization is flawless, and it will continue throughout the five years of my term as Mayor. Our goal is to organize similar sporting events and, of course, to extend our tourist season. Santorini offers a natural uniqueness. Our island has many points of interest, starting with its geophysical environment and natural beauty. It is important to host sporting events and attract top athletes to enjoy the wonders of our island. Santorini Experience is a unique event for everyone. We will continue organizing sports events and do everything possible to make sports flourish on the island”.





Gifts for Participants & Winners of the Races!
For the first time, hoper, the company that introduces scheduled helicopter flights in Greece, became the Official Helicopter Partner of Santorini Experience. As part of this year’s event, the innovative company awarded both male and female winners of the open water swimming race with a helicopter tour, ensuring their safety with its modern fleet. Additionally, guests of Santorini Experience also had the opportunity to enjoy exciting aerial tours over the stunning landscapes of Santorini.
Thanks to GoPro, unique moments from the event were captured, including stunning time-lapse photos.

The SAMI TARAZI Pharmacies, located in the areas of Karterados and Megalochori, were there for every athlete and supported Santorini Experience 2024 as a Partner of the event.
In the heart of Santorini in Messaria, HealthSpot provided diagnostic tests with the most modern equipment, as well as ambulance services for the swimming and running races.
The National Center for Immediate Help (EKAV) team also contributed to the medical coverage of the Santorini Experience, providing a doctor and an ambulance.
The Premium Mobility Partner of the event was SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group.
The Silver Sponsor was Athina Luxury Suites.
The Official Action Camera of the event was GoPro.
The Official Footwear Sponsor was HOKA.
The Official Water was Vikos Natural Mineral Water.
Bronze Sponsors of the event were Miele and NOUS Santorini.
The Official Helicopter Partner was hoper.
The Official Airline Partner was SKY express.
The Official Sponsor was Blue Star Ferries.
The Official Sports Store of the event was Alafouzos Sport.
The Official Technical T-shirt was Luanvi.
The Official Optics Partner were Kois Optics.
Partners of the event included Santorini Boatmen Association, Caldera Yachting, Nobu Hotel Santorini, Santorini’s Best Driver, Seaside Santorini, Messinian Spa, Santo Wines, Ftelos Brewery Santorini, Lifeguard Patrol, Agaze Restaurant, SAMI TARAZI Pharmacies, Health Spot, the Volunteer Rescue Corps of Thira, and Trace ‘n Chase.
The Sustainability Partner was π³= Plastic Pollution Prevention.
The Educational Partner of Santorini Experience was the Athens University of Economics and Business.
The event could not have taken place without the invaluable support of 36 Hospitality Sponsors, hotels that promoted the island with special prices and provided immense support to the event. The hotels that assisted with Santorini Experience 2024 included: Athina Luxury Suites, NOUS Santorini, Nobu Hotel Santorini, Katikies Garden Santorini, Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini (Empiria Group), Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas, Santo Mine Oia Suites, Apeiron Blue, 270 Oia’s View, West East Suites, Lydia’s House, Santorini Folia Bianca, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini, Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini, De Sol Hotel & Spa, The Majestic Hotel Santorini (Kord Hotels), Meltemi Suites, Meltemi Village, Atlantis Beach, Neoklassiko Koukouli, Noni Studios, Santoriviera House, Ifestau4, En Plo Boutique Suites, Mon Signor, Fanouris Condo, MONOLiTHIA, Epavlis Hotel (Meraki Collection), Eteoro Suites Santorini, Sea Breeze Beach Resort Santorini, K & K Unique Holiday Homes, Aja Retreat, Blue Dolphins, Loizos Stylish Residences, Venus Sunrise Suites & Villas, Sienna Eco Resort.
For more information: santorini-experience.com
#SantoriniExperience
Website: www.santorini-experience.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SantoriniExperience
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/santoriniexperience/
Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/Sant_Experience
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGconq7q45TYim8qFg71XlA
TikTok Account: https://www.tiktok.com/@santorini_experience
Springtime Long Weekends…
Long weekends are great, even when they are interrupted by a work day! So last weekend certainly felt like a long weekend, though Thursday was the official day off. I spent the weekend drinking coffee – lots of coffee – and catching up with a few friends I hadn’t seen for ages…
There is something special about the start of May – it’s the weather, it’s the greening of the landscape, it’s the flowers in bloom everywhere, it’s the great energy of everyone, it’s the promise that summer is around the corner. It’s also the crazy cats doing their business on every corner and some interesting looking bugs on the street…
The whole weekend I was struck by something that seemed unusual, or rather ‘unseasonal’: the huge number of tourists in the city! I began to notice this a couple weeks ago, but this past weekend left no doubt. Athens is back on the tourism map. Having been through the airport a few times over the past couple weeks, I can also say that the place is packed…
It seems Greek tourism is in all the headlines too – locally and internationally. Even the New York Times put Athens on its must-see list for 2014 (http://tinyurl.com/mgsgllo). That must deserve a thank-you from someone…
Here are some more recent headlines from a random search:
· ‘Greece’s Market Return mirrors return of tourists’
· ‘Tourism in Greece beats competition’
· ‘Tourism Boom drives Greece to first surplus’
· ‘Greek Tourism set for a record year’
· ‘Greece sets positive signs for tourism’
Is it possible? Is it possible that all those people scared off by tales of violence and empty ATM machines are booking their EasyJet flights? Should we believe this out-pouring of positive feeling from abroad? Will this summer be one for the record books?
Well, it’s May and the answer – for now at least – seems to be a resounding yes. So hats off and smiles on for the tourists – they are everywhere…
In the meantime, if you’re looking to freshen up your springtime nightlife, or for cool new places to take your visiting friends, check out some of the many new bars that have popped up around the city: http://tinyurl.com/lbxgstp (in Greek, but you’ll get the picture…)
Kalo mina to all…
Until next week,
Jack
In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…
Visit The Acropolis Museum
The program ‘A Day at the Acropolis Museum’ invites visitors to spend a day at the Museum enjoying a range of activities.
Stroll through the Galleries
Take a stroll through the exhibition and speak to a museum archaeologist host available to answer any questions or queries you have. From the second floor balcony see a special and unexpected view of the Archaic Gallery. Visit the Parthenon Gallery on the third floor with its unique views of the Acropolis.
Conserving the Caryatids
The Acropolis Museum has commenced the conservation and restoration of the Caryatids, the Kore from the south porch of the Erechtheion temple. Visitors have the opportunity to watch conservators do the delicate work of cleaning the Caryatids with advanced laser technology.
Family Backpacks
The Museum invites families to search for the 12 different representations of the Goddess Athena amongst the exhibits of the permanent collection. Families can borrow a family backpack from the Museum’s Information Desk by leaving an identification card. Backpacks are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Gallery Talks
Brief presentations by Museum Archaeologists-Hosts are held in Greek and English every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Film
Visitors can learn more about the Parthenon sculpted decoration from a video projected on the third floor at the entrance to the Parthenon Gallery.
Eats and Treats
The Museum invites visitors to have a meal or refreshment at the second floor restaurant with panoramic views of the Acropolis (children’s menu available). On a fine day visitors can sit outside on the restaurant balcony. A small café is also available on the ground floor offering views to the archaeological excavation below the Museum.
Reading Area and Wi-Fi
The Museum offers the reading area with free wi-fi internet access on the second floor outside the restaurant. Visitors can browse through books relating to the Parthenon, relax or use their laptop.
Museum Gifts
Treat yourself to a small memento of your visit or one for friends and family. Select a gift from the wide range of goods available from the Museum shops. Find books in the second floor shop and gifts and stationary on the ground floor.
Friday Nights at the Museum
Every Friday the Museum is open until 10 p.m. every Friday and the restaurant is open between 8 p.m. and 12 midnight serving a special menu, beautiful night views of the Acropolis and great value for money. For reservations, please contact the restaurant during Museum opening hours on +30 210 9000915.
Museum Contact Info:
15 Dionysiou Areopagitou,
Acropolis, Athens
Tel: 210-9000900
Website: www.theacropolismuseum.gr
Source: Breathtaking Athens and Acropolis Museum
Foreigners Double Their Investments In Greek Properties
Foreigners doubled their investment in Greek property, mostly holiday homes, in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2013, Bank of Greece data show.
In the period from January to June 2014 a total of 117.4 million euros flowed into Greece to that end, compared with 60.3 million a year earlier, reflecting the clear improvement in the holiday home market, at least as far as foreign buyers are concerned, as they are cottoning on to the bargains currently available in Greece.
Holiday home prices in Greece have dropped more than 40 percent since the start of the crisis six years go.
Demand has soared to such an extent this year that it eclipsed the sum of all investment for the whole of 2012 (113 million euros) in the first six months. Foreign interest in the local market started to become evident last year when they invested 168 million euros – 48.5 percent more than in 2012. And this year’s growth would have been greater had the market not had the cloud of its unstable tax status hanging over it. Transactions were significantly reduced in the first five months of 2014 due to the unclear application of the capital gains tax on properties, forcing many investors to postpone their purchases.
To read more, please visit www.ekathimerini.com
By Nikos Roussanoglou
New Novel “Sunsets in Oia”
A dazzling remote island, delectable food, soulful music, steamy romance and life-changing experiences – this sounds like the making of a remarkable vacation retreat. And it can all be enjoyed within the pages of Sunsets in Oia. Now, readers everywhere can escape their everyday lives and travel along with exciting characters as they explore a real-to-life location.
The debut novel by Canadian writer Sheila Busteed, “Sunsets in Oia” follows Selene Doherty, whose excitement from the successful tour with her band is cut short when she learns that her parents were killed in the Athens riots. After the funeral, she escapes to her bequeathed summer home on the island of Santorini to recover from the tragedy. She is haunted. The loss of her family leaves her with a feeling of disconnectedness that is unshakable.
But a chance reunion with a man from her past brings new romance – and hope. Drawing strength as he helps her get in touch with her roots, Selene begins the journey to redefine her life.
“Sunsets in Oia” offers a snapshot of a summer, blending vibrant characters, enduring culture, vivid scenery and impactful themes – plus a bit of erotica – that will leave readers cheering, “Opa!”
“Sunsets in Oia” is for sale through the FriesenPress Bookstore and will soon be available from other fine retailers, including Chapters Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Google, iTunes, Kindle, Kobo and Nook, among others.
Author Sheila Busteed, 28, is a freelance writer, teacher, journalist, photographer and designer who possesses a deep connection to music. Originally from Tecumseh, Ontario, Busteed is an avid traveler, and the creation of “Sunsets in Oia” took her back to the island of Santorini for a writing retreat. After nearly a decade in Canada’s capital, Busteed moved to South Korea to begin a new career as an English teacher. She spends much of her spare time writing, traveling and learning about her newly adopted home.
By Anastasios Papapostolou
Coming In From The Cold: Homeless But Not Hopeless Gives Compassion A New Meaning.
Fortunately, however, there are kind and compassioante people living here in Greece and abroad who do care. Large numbers of dedicated volunteers and members of organizations are fiercely committed to providing help and offering their support. Those volunteers who have come face to face with the harsh realities out on the streets and have listened to the heart-wrenching stories, many from families with young children, have realized that everyone is important in this word and commands the same respect.
To read more, please visit: Greek TV
Greeks Who Have Left Their Mark On 2015
Lemnos - Home To Greece’s Unique Desert
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
How Skateboarding Is Helping Young Refugees In Athens
TripAdvisor Names AEGEAN Best Regional Airline In Europe For 2018
Please click HERE to view TripAdvisor's Top 10 Airlines in the World for 2018.