BUSINESS CENTRE
XpatAthens
Hotels Grande Bretagne & King George Included In Condé Nast Traveler Magazine's 2019 Readers' Choice Awards
5 Coronavirus Myths
The senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins puts things straight to keep you and your family can stay healthy and well.
1. A vaccine to cure COVID-19 is available.
FALSE. Right now, there is no vaccine for the new coronavirus. Even though scientists have already started working on one, developing safe vaccine will take many months.
FALSE. Researchers are still studying to find out more about how the coronavirus infects people. Scientists have noted that most viruses like this one do not stay alive on surfaces for very long. Consequently, it is not likely to contract the virus from a package that was in transit for days or weeks.
5. A face mask will protect you from COVID-19.
Article Source: Hopkins Medicine
Museum of Cycladic Art Launches Self Digital Tours
The Museum of Cycladic Art is now offering its visitors the opportunity to experience the museum and its permanent collection through a smartphone app.
From September 24 onward, visitors can scan a QR code available at the museum and download the Clio Muse Tours application for free. The app will enable visitors to safely discover the museum’s 4 permanent collections by displaying information for select artifacts on their smartphone or tablet. The app is available in Greek, English, and French.
The Museum of Cycladic Art is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
To read more about the Museum's Self Digital Tours, please visit: cycladic.gr
Greece's Most Spectacular Monasteries
@lauren.galtress
This historical structure, on the Greek island of Skiathos, which was first founded in 1794 by a group of monks from Mount Athos played a crucial role in the 1821 Revolution which brought independence to Greece. Also, the first-ever Hellenic flag was made on a loom at this very location.
@marian.rptk
Another breathtaking monastery, Mega Spileo stands eight stories tall and is actually built on the sheer cliffs, at a cave opening where it almost appears to become one with the surrounding landscape. Considered to be the oldest monastery in Greece, dating back to 362 AD, it has survived four fires. It played an important role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821 against the Ottomans. The monastery is also home to countless Byzantine icons, frescoes, copper plates, manuscripts and other unique treasures, such as its library featuring more than 3,000 books.
@travellingwithgiannis
Embassy Of Canada In Greece
New Complaints Platform For Bullying
The basic idea is the disclosure and recording of each incident and the provision of a framework for interventions by teachers, psychologists, and sociologists.
The main aim of the proposed measures is to address the problem within the school community, without a punitive approach to children who themselves become perpetrators after having been victims.
To this end, the core of the relevant bill, the basic provisions of which Kathimerini has seen, is the creation of a platform for reporting incidents of school violence.
On this platform, students will be able to report incidents, anonymously or not. Parents must give their names when doing so.
It will be necessary to log in with Panhellenic School Network codes (for students) or Taxis (for parents). This will enable more bullying victims to speak up and be supported. The platform will be developed by the Diophantus Institute of Computer Technology and Publishing in cooperation with the Central Expert Committee of the Education Ministry.
Recipients of the reports will be the school violence and bullying officers at each school. The role will be assumed by the head teachers of the school together with a teacher appointed by them.
For each incident, the two school leaders will be in direct contact with a four-member task force that will produce annual reports together with their recommendations and submit them to the regional director of education, who will in turn report regularly to the Ministry of Education with a view of formulating future data-based policy to combat school violence.
An expert committee will be established at a central level to oversee and monitor the program and draw conclusions. It will be responsible for the development of specific protocols for the prevention and management of school violence and bullying.
To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
Greece Among Top 5 Countries for Expat Retirement
To read this article in full, please visit: keeptalkinggreece.com
EFKA: Greece’s Public Health & Social Security System
What is EFKA?
- Doctor visits and hospital care
- Dental care, including:
- Preventive treatments
- Orthodontics for children under 13
- Denture replacements (every 5 years)
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- Prescription medications (typically with a 10–25% contribution; free in some cases)
- Medical transport in emergencies (via EKAB)
- Support items, such as eyeglasses, prosthetics, and hearing aids (25% contribution or free in certain cases)
- Self-employed/freelancers: Choose from six insurance categories annually, starting from around €136/month
- Employees (private sector): 14.12% of gross salary
- Employees (public sector): 15.33%
- Employers (private sector): 22.54% of gross salary
- Employers (public sector): 24.33%
A Different Kind Of Tour
The other day I was invited by some friends to do something different – a “tour of Athens”, they said, “but not a regular tour.” Sure, why not. We met at Acropolis Metro Station, and walked down Lempesi Street to a little shop with bicycles outside. But these weren’t ordinary bikes. I soon learned these are called e-bikes. On an e-bike there is a rechargeable electric motor that gives you a boost while pedaling. What does this mean? Cycling with no effort!
SoleBike is a start-up that provides ‘curated’ tours of Athens. These are specially designed routes within the historic centre, narrated with interesting stories by the tour leader. Everyone wears a helmet with a ‘hifi’ receiver in one ear – so you can hear the leader and hear the traffic!
We had a very nice ride through the historical centre of Athens (Plaka, Thiseio, Keramikos, etc.), and we (all 6 of us) loved it. We know Athens really well, but our guide took us on a nice route and into some streets that we didn't know at all. And all the while with some great commentary and interesting stories of the sites we were seeing.
The e-bike is perfect for Athens. The hills, the heat, the great effort of it all: no problem for an e-bike. And by the way, you can buy these e-bikes too. What an interesting replacement for your car… Charge it up and off you go.
I’m an avid cyclist, so I’m quite used to riding in Athens. But for those who think that riding a bike in Athens is a bad idea, it turns out it can be a great idea, especially with some well-planned and carefully designed routes. We were in car-free zones for the entire tour, and felt more than safe. If you want to get a flavour of Athens without hiking around the city (and without breaking a sweat), I highly recommend.
Afterwards we wandered around the corner onto Porinou Street and happened upon Hitchcocktales – a bar/restaurant/café that may just become a favourite. A beautifully restored interior with some gorgeous design touches – friendly service, cool atmosphere and it sounds like some fun weekend parties. I will go back.
Now if they could only invent an electric motor boost to get me out of bed in the morning…
SoleBike
Lempesi 11
+30 210 92 15 620
http://www.solebike.eu/
Hitchcocktales
Porinou 10
http://www.hitchcocktales.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hitchcocktales
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…
Instant Weekend: Thessaloniki
Why go now? Thessaloniki comes into its own during the winter months. Indeed, as its proud inhabitants claim, it beats Athens hands down as a lively off-season destination. It may not have the Acropolis but it does have an absorbing range of ancient sights that are eminently walkable thanks to the city's manageable size. Add in some mouthwatering menus and the seemingly never-ending nightlife options and you have a real surprise package.
You may even get to toast the gods on Mount Olympus, visible from the seafront on a clear day.
Checking in
On the edge of the trendy Ladadika district, the city's only boutique hotel, the Capsis Bristol (00 30 2310 506500; capsisbristol.gr) has a range of rooms tastefully decorated in period style, with doubles from around €160. There is a gourmet restaurant and a classy first-floor terrace to boot. Further inland towards the Ano Poli (Upper Town), the Tobacco Hotel (00 30 2310 515002; davitel.gr) has nearly 60 more modern rooms largely in marble and wood; from around €90. The hotel's name reflects the fact that it was converted from one of the area's many tobacco warehouses. Budget options abound on and around the central thoroughfare of Egnatias Street - at the simple Hotel Bill (Syngrou 29; 00 30 2310 537666) , the, er, hotel bill is unlikely to be much more than €30.
Hit the streets
Thessaloniki's prime strolling arena is the central seafront esplanade, bookended by the workaday port and the city's trademark symbol, the White Tower. The tower was originally part of the Byzantine town's defences. Along the front you'll see the city's chic and famously attractive youngsters parading their designer gear and sharp haircuts during the evening volta (stroll). Drink in some of the venerable ancient heritage by admiring imposing structures such as the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, both built in the third century AD and situated next to each other just off Egnatias Street. Nearby Ayia Sofia heads an impressive list of Byzantine churches, while the Archaeological Museum (€6; Platia Hanth, just inland from the White Tower) is the place to gaze in awe at the wealth of gold from the Macedon Tombs at Vergina - and that's only part of it. More cutting-edge exhibitions are to be found at two separate portside museums: of Photography and Contemporary Art (entrance free; housed in converted warehouses off Koundouriotou Street).
Coffee break
Greeks love lingering over their coffee and countless cafes line the seafront, the adjoining central square, Platia Aristotelous, and just about every other street corner in the city. For a fine frappé or freddo in the whimsical company of psychedelically lit mini garden gnomes and other figurines, head for Pasta Flora Darling (Zefxidou 6). You should also try the creamy sweet kazan dipi, an eastern version of crème brûlée and a legacy of the Ottoman occupation, available at any zacharoplastio (patisserie).
Nick Edwards is the author of the Rough Guide to Greece (see roughguides.com)
To read more, please visit theguardian.com