Just days ahead of the snap elections that has called Greek voters to the polls for a second time this year on Sunday September 20th, 2015, the latest opinion polls suggest that the result is still neck and neck between the two major parties Syriza and New Democracy. The outgoing Syriza party holds a faint lead which leader Alexis Tsipras had hoped to convert into a stronger ruling majority.

According to the Interior Ministry, Sunday’s snap elections will cost taxpayers 33.2 million euros, which is substantially less than the 51.1 million euros spent on the early elections in January, but more than the 26.7 million that the referendum cost in July. According to the ministry, of the 33.2 million euros to be paid for Sunday’s vote, some 27 million euros will be spent on wages.

A8inea, a free daily newsletter that supplies Athenians with their dose of news just in time for their lunch break, has prepared an interesting infographic of some facts and figures relative to recent elections in Greece. Take a look HERE!

Sources: eKathimerini, Euronews, A8inea

The Club for UNESCO of Piraeus & Islands has slammed Gucci’s Instagram project #Guccigram for “humiliating” the Parthenon sculptures. #Guccigram is a social media campaign of Gucci which invites artists to reimagine works of art by marrying them with the luxury label’s new Gucci Blooms and Gucci Caleido prints.

The artists participating in the project were given total creative freedom and turned their hand to iconic paintings — such as American Gothic and The Kiss — and historical monuments — such as the Parthenon Marbles, embellishing them with Gucci fabrics and accessories.

According to the Club for UNESCO of Piraeus & Islands, Gucci’s project is humiliating symbols that for centuries inspired the world’s greatest minds and artists.

"Attending the childbirth of the goddess Athens, Dionysus, wearin colorful shorts, holding a lady's bag and having a flower on his ear, enjoys himself taking selfie photos with his mobile.  Cecrops, dressedl ie hippies, Ilissos wearing women's accessories and next Kalliroi with her iPhone, are watching the dispute between Poseidon and Athens for the Athens city...The 'gucci party' of the ancient Greek gods is held in the Western and Eastern Parthenon Pediments, challenging every notion of respect to the one of the most memorable sights of the UNESCO World Herritage", the Club said in an announcement.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

2,792 years ago the Olympic games were born!

We love this video by the World Economic Forum ~ it explains the history behind the incredible event that unites the world every four years.

 

With summer all but a memory, I ventured out on this beautiful Sunday to find that, in fact, summer seems to have decided to stick around a while longer…

But sunny skies notwithstanding, the autumn headlines have been leaving me with a less-than-sunny disposition.

Torrential downpours and floods around Greece…

Provocative statements from the Turkish president about ‘unjust’ national borders…

An election in the US that is leaving most of us dumbfounded and disappointed…

Refugees continuing to make the perilous journey to a questionable future…

Conflict in the Middle East that doesn’t seem to end…

An economy here at home that actually seems to be getting worse…

A ‘black hole’ of leadership in all corners…

…and that was just Saturday!

Despite it all, Athens feels alive – seemingly more than ever. Sunday was jam-packed with locals and tourists around town, enjoying a sunny respite from the downpours of Saturday. It seems like the city is becoming a real ‘city break’ destination, filling up over the weekend with smiling visitors, a weekend getaway from other European cities. Packed tavernas, overflowing cafes, lineups at the sites – maybe I’m imagining this, but it seems to me that the start of autumn has brought a distinct buzz to the city. Of course, the headlines say something else – but who believes headlines anymore? (!)

And then there is the rock – the Acropolis - always present, always watching, as if it has seen it all before and nothing can shake its resolve. Maybe after all this is the real symbol of Athens, beyond the old marble, it’s the resolve and immovable strength of the city that has enabled it to endure centuries and civilizations – and the day’s headlines. Maybe, in the end, this is who we are.

And in case you want to contemplate all of these over a coffee or a cocktail, with a rooftop view of the ancient rock, here is a list of ‘don’t miss’ city centre bars that fit the bill…!!

The Zillers - Mitropoleos 54, 210 322 2277

Bios - Peiraios 84, 210 342 5335

A for Athens - Miaouli 2-4, Monastiraki, 210 324 4244

Loukoumi - Abyssinias Square 3, Monastiraki, 210 323 4814

Couleur Locale - Normanou 3, Monastiraki, 216 700 4917

Chocolat - Apostolou Pavlou 27, Thiseio, 210 346 9077

La Vista Optimista - Ermou 95, Monastiraki, 210 325 0242

Status Sky Bar - Petraki 28, 210 33 1478

Until next week,

Jack

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.'

This is a great story from WindyCity Greek about an American woman, who after having met and married her husband in Chicago, returned to his family’s homeland of Kavala in Greece. It was there that she began down a path much different from her corporate career in the US. Staci Wagner learned the art of traditional soap making and founded the successful Vilia Soap Company.

American Staci Wagner Hamalis met her husband in Chicago, where she lived for four years. The city was especially romantic for him because that is where his own parents met. Since he proposed to her in 2012 at The Bean (a sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park), she began visiting his homeland. Gradually, she fell more and more in love with Greece — and his family — while also learning about traditional soap making. Her life changed dramatically when she settled in her husband’s hometown of Kavala.

Her high-flying career had her traveling around the world and living in cities such as Brussels and London, but she found her true path upon settling in northern Greece in 2015. She moved soon after her marriage, and was immediately inspired by the fertile Greek landscape and its cornucopia of natural products — most of which have curative and cosmetic properties. Above all, she became fascinated by what her father-in-law, a retired chemist, began teaching her in 2012: traditional soap-making. Using the purest of nature’s bounty and employing old school artisanal methods, she is now running the successful Vilia Soap Company. Her use of old methods is most impressive, especially in a world of mass produced, chemically-laden products.

Vilia Soap Company uses Greek organic olive oil from Kavala combined with almond oil from Volos in central Greece. Inspired from local flora and fauna, they use lavender from the local market, and various other indigenous herbs like rosemary. Ingredients like Tea Tree oil and lemongrass are sourced from foreign suppliers.

Their soaps have already proven a great success among customers in 11 countries across the world. Their largest demographic is women, from late 20s and up, who seek pure, handmade, high-quality, chemical-free and uniquely fragranced soaps. But they aren’t stopping there.

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

 

Photo Credit: Vilia Soap Company

Leros is ideal if you want to visit an island that is small, green, laid back, but full of history and cultural traces from different eras. It is also an ideal island to visit if you are travelling on a small motor or sailing boat, since it has a great marina and lots of natural harbors. Whether you visit now or later, Greek TV shares their perfect 48-hour itinerary!

Take your first swim in Porcelana beach, a small hidden beach near the exit of Lakki harbor. The harbor of Lakki is the second biggest in the Mediterranean, it really makes you think you are around a lake. That is why it was given the name Portolago during the Italian occupation.

Did you know that the movie “The Guns of Navarone” waw inspired by the battle of Leros? After the early swim you can visit the Leros War museum in Merikia. The museum is hosted inside a tunnel constructed for defense purposes by the Italian army during WWII and it is a very interesting exhibit by itself.

Don’t miss fresh seafood plates in the Fish Taverna. You can sea local fishermen bringing in the food you will have in your plate half an hour later.

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

No doubt in our minds that Athens is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With historical ancient sites and exceptional beaches along the coast, Athens is a fascinating place for both tourists and locals. Most sightseeing is done during the day, but Athens is just as wonderful and impressive at night.Below are some excellent spots to sit and stargaze!



Thiseio


@observatoryathens

Right in the heart of Athens, the bright lights of the busy city might not create the best circumstances for a crystal clear sky, but the local observatory and its telescope have sure taken care of it! So next time you're downtown, don't forget to pay it a visit.

Penteli


@paranoid_pastel

The Penteli Observatory is undoubtedly one of the most famous observatories in Greece. Whether you live in Athens or just visiting, you can take part in one of the organized tours that they offer, which include walking at night and observing the clear sky through a Newall telescope.

Sounio


@leva_alex

One of the most magical places outside of Athens is the famous Sounio. The Temple of Poseidon and its sandy beach just under it make it a once in a lifetime oppurtunity to gaze at the sky while enjoying a refreshing swim. 

Elikonas


@tasos_palamidas

Just about an hour away from Athens lies the country town of Elikonas, which offers a fantastic site in the woods to gaze at the stars. The place is called Arvanitsa where visitors can also enjoy a quick bite far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Kitheronas


@kimon_papathanasopoulos

The mountain of Kitheronas is situated between Attica and Viotia and has become a favorite place for passionate stargazers. If you do visit it, the best place for a great view of the sky is near the EOS Eleusina shelter, Vaggelis Tsakos.

The city of Athens is getting ready to welcome Santa Claus under the massive Christmas tree at Syntagma Square. The city’s tree is scheduled to light up today, December 11, at 7pm.

 

The Mayor of Athens, Giorgos Kaminis will officially launch the festivities to the sound of the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra, a children’s choir, and a musical performance by Penny Baltatzi and the Athens Big Band that will take place later on this evening.

 

The city authorities have announced that more than 230 events and happenings will take place around the city for a period of 4 weeks. Music and dance will take over the streets of Athens and dozens of up-and-coming groups and artists will perform everything from swing and jazz music to rock and mainstream beats under the Athens Christmas tree!

 

 

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

 

Photo Credit: Technopolis City of Athens

Staying in Greece is marvelous but can sometimes get a bit tricky until you learn the customs, traditions and how locals behave. For example do you know how and where to order kid -friendly food? Or how to make the perfect cup of Greek coffee? If not, make sure you check this week's newsletter!