Being an expat can bring all sorts of highs, and challenges.  Not least of all because of a change in culture, bringing about culture shock.  What about job opportunities?  Making new friends? Childcare?  Take a look at some of the worse places considered to be an expat.

Being an expat in the U.S, especially if you're coming from Canada, can be a seamless yet difficult transition.  With so many things similar - ranging from culture to lifestyle, there are also a lot of aspects of daily life that are difficult to adjust to.  One major aspect that ranks the U.S. lower on the list is the health care situation, along with the focus on politics. For Canadians, it's just not different enough to feel like you're moving to a new country.

While Greece offers a beautiful landscape for any relocating Expat, the working life in this country make it a poor choice for career-minded Expats. Currently fighting to recover from a massive economic downturn, Greece has more low-paid jobs than high-paid ones, and poor job security. If you are looking for temporary work however, this may be the country to move to.

Ireland is again another beautiful background for the Expatl lifestyle, and provides adventure-minded explorers or history buffs with a great locale.  However, the economy and low wages do not leave a lot of pocket or spending money in the Expat's pocket.  For the Expat family, there are also not a lot of childcare options, and the ones available leave much to be desired.

4) Italy
Who doesn’t love Italians? Unfortunately for Expats, love might not be enough in this beautiful country. Expats typically find their paycheques are lower than they were at home, and that jobs don’t offer as much in the way of a rewarding career. Italy also has higher taxes than many other countries, so that already lower paycheque is being dinged by more taxes.

5) United Kingdom
Surprisingly, the Queen’s country has a low overall quality of life. Across the board, from settling in and making friends, to finding stable employment, much seems to be missing from life in the UK. If you are not part of the royal family (or obsessed with the adorable royal babies) you may want to look elsewhere as an Expat.

To read more, please visit: The Canadian Expat

How did the work of Greek poet Konstantinos Cavafy ever reached the distant, exotic and alluring land of Brazil? Who brought it there from this sun drenched tip of Eastern Europe called Greece, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean?

 

Cavafy’s poetry was introduced to Brazilian readers by the Portuguese modernist poet Jorge de Sena (1919-1978), who came to Brazil in 1959, when Portugal was under Salazar’s dictatorship, and, as part of the resistance, he found himself in the imminence of an arrestment. Later, when in 1964 Brazil went through its own military dictatorship, he went to the United States.

In the 80’s, Brazil entered an era of poetical translation, which included French poets like Mallarme, whose A throw of the dice never will abolish chance is his most influential poem, and Baudelaire’s collection of poems entitled Flowers of evil. The translation of English language poets, not only from Europe but also from the United States, has always been a tradition in Brazil; because of Cavafy’s popularity due to his introduction in Brazil by Jorge de Sena, Jose Paulo Paes (1926-1998) translated 75 of his poems directly from Greek.

Portuguese poets have taken as theme for their poetry the city, the time, and the great deeds of the past of Portugal, which is in some extend quite similar to Cavafy’s themes. Because they have such similarities and because Cavafy’s poetry is very present in modern Brazilian poetry, he became one of the favourite modern foreigner language poets to be explored by scholars and writers.

‘Ithaca’ is a known poem, but also ‘Waiting for the barbarians’ and the romantic ‘Body, remember’… All his poetry is now a very relevant part of literature in Brazil because, together with Portuguese poetry, it was an inspiration for Brazilian modern poets.

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

Worshipped in temples, theaters, public festivals and private parties, Dionysus brought joy and relief to ancient Greek life.

Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, often seems a familiar, likable figure, perhaps because wine and its associated rituals are such a characteristic ingredient of our own modern-day existence. Like other deities, Dionysus appears in human form and is credited with divine powers; yet thanks to his love of drinking, dancing, music and uninhibited merry-making with free-spirited friends, he offers an even more evocative reflection of the human condition and represented a favorite figure in ancient Greek religion and art.

Dionysus was the son of Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods, and Semele, a Theban princess and daughter of King Cadmus. After his mother was tricked and killed by Hera (Zeus’ vengeful wife), Dionysus was rescued from Semele’s womb by his father and implanted in his thigh. On his son’s birth, Zeus placed Dionysus in the care of nymphs who inhabited the mythical mountain Nysa – variously located by mythologists somewhere to the east, perhaps even in distant India. As he matured, Dionysus took up wandering from land to land, accompanied by an entourage that included his tutor, Silenus, satyrs, maenads and the lustful god Pan, a human-like figure with the horns and legs of a goat.

Dionysus was considered a latecomer to the Greek pantheon and an exotic, somewhat foreign divinity.

Athenians honored Dionysus in a series of annual festivals, celebrated at three key spots sacred to the god: the “Lenaeum” (location unknown); the sanctuary “In the Marshes” (location unknown); and at his temple on the south slope of the Acropolis, adjacent to the Theater of Dionysus.

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

In an effort to increase tourism flows to Evia, the island’s hoteliers association recently signed an agreement with the local KTEL Intercity Bus service for the transfer of visitors straight from the Athens International Airport.

Located northeast of Athens, Evia is the second largest island of Greece. Its coastline is 48 km long and includes numerous beaches, while it is also known for its thermal springs.

The program will operate on a pilot scheme from July 17, 2017 to October 16, 2017 and include four daily round trips between the Athens International Airport and the cities of Halkida and Eretria. The cost of a one-way ticket is 15-17 euros/person.

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

Photo Source: Greek Travel Pages

The Greek government and Merchant Marine Minister, Panagiotis Kouroumplis, have declared the area of Paleo Faliro oil-free and that the other areas affected will be clean within days. The local mayor has stated that people should wait for results of water quality tests before removing signs that ban swimming.

All opposition parties have strongly criticised the government for making the “premature” announcement, claiming that while the sea surface may be clean, the sea bottom was still heavily infected.

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

Craving vegetarian food in Athens? You’ve got plenty of choices, from custom-made salads to exotic Middle Eastern dishes.

Note, as of September 13th, indoor dining spaces are accessible only to individuals who are fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery. Read more here.

Not so long ago, if you told a Greek you were vegetarian they’d say: “But you do eat chicken, right?” Lately, Athens has caught up with the global trend for green-and-clean cuisine. From cold-pressed juice bars to beachfront dining and vegetarian-friendly street food joints, here’s where to refuel in the Greek capital.

It


@it_restaurant 

Casually stylish, It offers an imaginative selection of meat-free, low-calorie temptations. Stand-out dishes include mushrooms with asparagus, sweet potato, tahini cream, and linseed, and steamed greens with tomato vinaigrette, pistachios, and mizithra cheese. All served in a funky, split-level space made out of chipboard and upcycled wooden crates.

Location: 29 Skoufa, Kolonaki
Telephone: 21 0363 5773

Baba Ghanoush 


Credit: Baba Ghanoush

There are only a few stools at the counter and a handful of tables outside teeny Baba Ghanoush, just off Pangrati’s lovely Varnava Square. But it’s worth waiting for fresh falafel wraps with house-made harissa, pickles, tahini sauce, and smoky aubergine puree, alongside superb salads (try the roast beets with hummus, mint, and sumac or the carrot, ginger, and sesame). Delicious, welcoming, and amazingly good value.

Location: 25-27 Empedokleous, Pangrati
Telephone: 212 105 0351

Mama Tierra


@mamatierra_restaurant

Close to Panepistimio metro station, Mama Tierra is a bright and basic vegetarian canteen. The eclectic menu is a journey across continents, taking in sweet potato hummus, vegan moussaka, Pad Thai, burritos, and mushroom burgers, washed down with kombucha or green juice. The chocolate, avocado, and date smoothies are a meal in a glass.

Location: 84 Akadimias, Omonia
Telephone: 211 411 4420

Nice n Easy Seaside


Credit: Nice n Easy 

Nice n Easy helped to introduce the notion of “food with a conscience” to Athenians when it launched its first organic restaurant in Kolonaki in the Noughties. Now you can enjoy their fair trade menu on the sandy shores of Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni at Nice n Easy Seaside. Load up on root vegetable wedges with hummus, coriander dressing, pumpkin seeds, and pollen, or sweet potato gnocchi with crispy kale, wild mushrooms, and red wine. Our tip? Visit outside peak summer season and save up to two-thirds on your entry ticket to Astir Beach, Athens’ most exclusive summer playground.

Location: 40 Apollonos, Vouliagmeni
Telephone: 210 890 1619

To Vazaki


Credit: To Vazaki

Among the many bars in the studenty suburb of Halandri, To Vazaki is a paradise for health nuts (or hangovers). Alongside a mind-boggling menu of organic superfood smoothies, cold-pressed detox blends, and turmeric almond-milk lattes, you’ll find salads and sourdough sandwiches (try the spinach, avocado, and homemade pesto). This cheerful café decked in rainbow colors is also a lovely spot for a health-conscious breakfast or brunch: options include an acai bowl, chia pudding, and avocado toast.

Location: 33 Aristotelous, Halandri
Telephone: 210 680 0067

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! 

 

The frenzy surrounding the metaverse may make the term seem like the latest trendy tech buzzword. But the term actually goes far back into theories of how reality will be affected by the internet.

Ever since science fiction writer Neal Stephenson coined the term ‘metaverse’ in 1992, experts have predicted the game-changing shifts virtual reality will bring to the world, especially how we work.

As Facebook rebrands to Meta, various other companies are rushing into the sphere, where music, art, and clothing take on a second–profitable–life.

Various high fashion brands, music artists, and cryptocurrencies have used the metaverse as a dynamic new platform for exchange, new markets and business models have emerged in response to the metaverse’s synthesis of intellectual property, digital currency, and virtual worlds.

Companies and celebrities flock to the metaverse

Hotel heiress and reality television star Paris Hilton is one of many celebrities forging their own path in the metaverse. The star launched her own metaverse business on Roblox in December 2021.

Hilton is parlaying her success as a celebrity DJ and party host, a role that regularly fetches her $1 million dollars a night at clubs in China, Dubai, and Ibiza. Now the 40-year-old star is channeling all of those locales — especially Ibiza — into her own virtual island on the online game platform Roblox.

But when you enter and participate in the metaverse, you bring your personal data with you. Experts predict that more data than ever before will be available through users’ activity in the metaverse, and if they are gaging with Meta’s Horizon project, they will be in a ‘walled garden’: all of the data they generate in the metaverse will be owned by Meta, who will have the right to profit off of it as well.

Other forms of the metaverse will be decentralized, giving users the option to protect their data and privacy. This revolution in data harvesting will likely upend all aspects of contemporary work, even for companies who have not yet dived into the metaverse.

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

The citizens and visitors of Athens were recently handed over the city's first public Japanese park, ANA reports.

According to an announcement, this action, as well as the project for the restoration and regular maintenance of the gardens of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens that was implemented two years ago, are part of the company's goals for a Sustainable Future.

The transformation of the Nereides Park in Pagrati into an authentic Japanese garden and a thematic "green oasis", opposite the national art gallery, was made within the framework of the "Adopt Your City" program of the Municipality of Athens and is under the auspices of the Japanese Embassy.

Originally published on: tornosnews.gr

The great event of Santorini Experience celebrates the cultural, sports and sea tourism in one of the world’s top destinations, returned after two years of pandemic. The new impressive running routes and the established one-of-a-kind open water swimming route, having the unique Aegean images of Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Akrotiri and the Volcano as a magnificent background scenery, gathered, amateur and professional swimmers and runners in Santorini from 22 countries such as U.S.A., Brazil, Uruguay, South Africa, Nigeria, Jamaica, India, Great Britain, Germany and France on September 23-25.  

 

During Santorini Experience, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, the Mayor of Thira, Mr. Antonios Sigalas and the Deputy Mayor of Thira and Head of Culture, Ms. Sofia Kitsou visited the Daedalic Kore of Thira. The rare masterpiece of Greek sculpture from the 7th century BC, which came to light in 2000 by the Thiraean archaeologist Charalambos Sigalas, during a rescue excavation in the cemetery of the ancient city of Thira, in southeastern Sellada, is now the central exhibit of the under renovation Archaeological Museum of Thira. The world now, has the opportunity to admire the archaic Kore made of white Naxian marble of supernatural size, with height 2.30m and weight 750 kg, 22 years after its discovery. 

In the context of her visit in Santorini, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms. Sofia Zacharaki said: “I had the pleasure of being in Santorini on September 23-25, at an iconic sports tourism event, the Santorini Experience, which has been revived after a two-year absence and is now establishing itself as a major sporting event, uniting culture and sports, with many participant athletes from all over the world. The participants even had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the under-renovation museum of Santorini and admire the Kore of Thira, a unique point of cultural reference not only for the island but also for Greece and the world. With the special forms of tourism, such as sports and cultural tourism, a fact emerges that all destinations of our country, even the most popular ones like Santorini, have the possibility to further diversify their tourist product, offering even more qualitative options to the visitor. It is a central priority of the Ministry of Tourism to support events such as Santorini Experience, to which we gave our auspices with great pleasure, reflecting our will for practical support for similar initiatives throughout the country. Greece and Greeks, with this year's success of tourism, have shown that we are able not only to overcome global crises, but also exceed all expectations. The bet for the future is for tourism development to be sustainable, balanced and qualitative. And in this, the role of institutions like Santorini Experience is pivotal”.

At the same time, the Mayor of Thira, Mr. Antonios Sigalas said, among other things: “We had a very successful event that made a new start and created a dynamic presence in culture as well. I am very satisfied that the Half Marathon was named after the Daedalic Kore of Thira and today we are at the Archaeological Museum of Santorini where we had the honor and pleasure of accompanying the Deputy Minister of Tourism Ms. Zacharaki to enjoy this amazing work. The Municipality of Thira, which places a great deal of emphasis on tourism, but even more on culture and sports, proved the success of its investment program with the Ministry of Culture once again, which supports all these actions and the completion of this space so that Kore can continue to be visited for years to come. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this great success”.

Significant athletes conveyed the message of culture, emitted by the Daedalic Kore of Thira, through their presence at this year’s Santorini Experience.

The athletes who were present in Santorini and were honored by the event were:

• The two-time European gold medalist and Olympian in race walking Antigoni Drisbioti, who honored Greece and made everyone proud with her successes at the European Athletics Championships in Munich
• The Dutch gold and silver Olympic medalist, world champion and 8-time European champion in open water swimming Sharon van Rouwendaal
• The British two-time silver Olympic medalist in open water swimming Jazz Carlin 
• One of the top names in Greek athletics, the Olympian and European champion in the 400m. with hurdles Periklis Iakovakis 
• and the Greek-American ultramarathon Konstantine Dean Karnazes who promoted and spread the message of Santorini’s sports and cultural tradition with his participation, in the United States of America and around the world.

The 2022 program included a new route for the 5km as well as a Half Marathon for the first time.

In addition, the participants in the 5km “Aristides Alafouzos” saw for the first time on Friday, September 23, Santorini from a different ankle, specifically from Akrotiri, one of the most important prehistoric settlements in Europe and admired a new, but equally magical view than the one we are all used to seeing. 

Starting from the church of Saint Raphael, runners headed towards the Akrotiri Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece built in 1892 and reached the westernmost point of the island, returning to Saint Raphael for their finish. At the starting line of the race the two-time European gold medalist and Olympian in race walking Antigoni Drisbioti, the Olympian and European champion in the 400m. with hurdles Periklis Iakovakis, the former international goalkeeper and European champion with the Greek national football team Antonis Nikopolidis and EuroLeague Legend Joe Arlauckas were present.

On Saturday September 24, the “Daedalic Kore of Thira” Half Marathon was held starting from the Holy Church of Saint George in Oia, passing through the enchanting areas of Imerovigli and Fira and finish back to Oia. This route received the name “Daedalic Kore of Thira”, after the unique archaeological finding dating back to 640 BC. 

Both running races were co-organized with AS Ifestos Thira and EAS SEGAS Cyclades.

On Sunday September 25, participants swam in the unique 1.5 miles (2.4 km) “L & E Nomikos” open water swimming route of Santorini Experience that was held from the volcano to the old port of Fira, having the imposing view of the island in front of them, with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation. 

World class names took part in the swim, including the Dutch gold and silver Olympic medalist, world champion and 8-time European champion in open water swimming Sharon van Rouwendaal that finished first, the British two-time silver Olympic medalist in open water swimming Jazz Carlin, as well as athletes of the Greek national swimming team such as Dimitris Negris, Stellina Aplanti, Panagiotis Chiotis, Marina Triantafyllidi and Marina Pakou.

The route was named in honor of the benefactor Evangelos Nomikos and his wife, in whose memory the “Loula & Evangelos Nomikos” Foundation was created, which built the visionary Cable Car 40 years ago. The route has been designed by the race’s technical director with Olympic and world championship distinctions in swimming, Nikos Gemelos. The event was honored with the presence of the Greek world champion in open water swimming and athletes’ representative in the Hellenic Swimming Federation’s Board of Directors, Kelly Araouzou.

See here the races’ results: https://bit.ly/3xVGziQ 

Santorini Boatmen’s Association contributed to the absolute safety of the race, which transported the athletes to the volcano and contributed to the smooth implementation of the open water swimming. Moreover, the race was assisted by the 100 specialized escorts in the water, mainly with the support of Lifeguard Patrol which, in addition to its staff, had several lifeboats, the Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, the Atlantis Dive Center, the Santorini Nautical Club, and Caldera Yachting, all together having more than 30 boats alongside the athletes! Santorini Experience looked after the swimmers by providing the safety buoy which all swimmers were required to wear for safety. In fact, athletes like Rouwendaal and Carlin set an example by swimming with a safety buoy too.

With the end of theswimming race, the technical director, Mr. Nikos Gemelos, said: “Every year at Santorini Experience is unique. This year, however, is the year that the event was re-introduced so that it will keep taking place again every year. This repetition helps us not to miss this beautiful event and ensures that the experience can be lived by everyone. Events like Santorini Experience bring people closer to swimming”.  

All participants received a technical t-shirt with the new, exquisite design of the event from Luanvi, while swimmers also received a swimming cap. Santo Maris Oia and Blue Star Ferries each offered a sustainable backpack, while at the end of each route Erotokritos Cretan Bakery took care of the guests with traditional flavors and of course Vikos, provided the necessary hydration before, during and after the races.

During Santorini Experience, in addition to the races and the visit to the Archaeological Museum of Thira, the following side actions were held: an impressive Sunset Pilates Session with physical education instructor Mandy Persaki at Santo Maris Oia, Cocktails at Esperisma bar restaurant and Volcano View, a unique Boat Tour at the enchanting Santorini from Travel to Greece by Med Shore Tours & Travel, as well as rich meals at Seaside Santorini, Trinacria, The Dolphins and Skala restaurants.

The event could not have happened without the implicit support of top Greek companies as well as hotel units that are among the best hotels in the world.

The event’s Official Sponsors included Metaxa Hospitality Group - Santo Maris that created the completely relaxing and rejuvenating Relax Day Spa package for the optimal performance of the athletes and Blue Star Ferries which traveled all participants with safety offering them significant discounts.

Seaside Santorini was the Signature Sponsor.

Vikos Natural Mineral Water was the event’s Official Water which offered the necessary hydration and rejuvenation to all athletes.

Alafouzos Sport was the Official Sports Store, while also acting as the registration center for the races. 

Luanvi was the Official Sports Supplier taking care of the athletes’ clothing.

Englobia was the Official Travel Partner which offered special hospitality packages and discounts for the best service of all participants.

Esperisma bar restaurant and Caldera Yachting were the Official Supporters.

Blue Island Rental, Trinacria, Travel to Greece by Med Shore Tours & Travel, Holiday Tours Santorini, Lux Bar Santorini, The Dolphins restaurant, Skala Restaurant and Volcano View were the event’s Partners.

The event was assisted by: Santorini Boatmen’s Association, Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini and Erotokritos Cretan Bakery.  

In such a difficult period for hoteliers in Santorini, their response and participation as Hospitality Sponsors in the Santorini Experience was truly honorable and at the same time impressive. In fact, more than 30 hotel units offered an unforgettable three-day stay to all their guests, which was highlighted by everyone: Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Nous Santorini, Kivotos Santorini, Fanouris Condo by Meraki Collection, Apeiron Blue Santorini Luxury Suites, West East Suites, Sienna Eco Resort, White Pearl Villas, De Sol Hotel & Spa, The Tsitouras Collection, 270 Oia’s View Lydia’s House Santorini, El Greco Resort & Spa, Santorini Palace, Vedema - A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, K & K Unique Holiday Homes, Andronis Colombo’s Beachfront Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residences, Santo Houses, Holiday Beach Resort, Marvarit Suites, Glaros Hotel Santorini, Athina Luxury Suites.

Throughout Santorini Experience, the Dive In Action team made sure to achieve a zero footprint at all locations where this year’s races took place.

 

The support offered in all actions by the volunteers of the Sports Management Society of Deree - American College of Greece was very important for the successful implementation of the event. 

Santorini Experience took place for the 6th year and was organized by the Municipality of Thira, the Region of South Aegean and the Sports Tourism department of ActiveMedia Group.

The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Greek National Tourism Organization with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation.

Santorini Experience joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2022 program of the European Commission and was held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. 

ActiveMedia Group undertook the event’s Sports Production.

The hashtag #SantoriniExperience was the number one trend of the weekend with people uploading unique moments from Santorini and the event on social media.

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas

For Sale: Barbie Dream House with all the original pieces, including music and lights.