At the end of the summer season, the books will be donated to schools in the area, under the hotel’s corporate social responsibility program.
By Ioanna Zikakou
BUSINESS CENTRE
XpatAthens
Wednesday, 18 February 2015 11:10
Free Things To Do In Thessaloniki
When travelling on a rather strict budget, it’s always nice to be able to visit some interesting places which don’t cost a thing. Thessaloniki is a very interesting city, with plenty of places to check out. If you are passionate about culture, you can visit museums, art galleries and churches for free. And, of course, walking doesn’t cost anything (except your energy).
1. A walk in the Old Town
A walk in the Old Town of Thessaloniki is a history lesson at its best. Formerly surrounded by the Byzantine walls and mainly inhabited by Turks, the Old Town comprised narrow streets, interesting houses, lush gardens and court yards. Although some of the buildings are in ruin now, walking here is an incredible experience.
Walking is, by far, the best way to explore the rest of Thessaloniki as well. Just pack a good pair of walking shoes, make sure to have a map available and have fun!
2. Ataturk Museum
Address: 75, Apostolou Pavlou St.
Opening hours: daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was born in Thessaloniki. The house was given to the Turkish state which decided to turn it into a museum. Most of the furniture found inside is authentic. While the ground floor is not of much interest to the public, the most impressive room is located at the 2nd floor and is the room where Ataturk was born.
3. Church of Agios Dimitrios
Address: 83, Aghiou Dimitriou St.
The Church of Agios Dimitrios is dedicated to Saint Demetrios, the patron of the city. It is the largest church in Greece and a unique experience especially for those not used to the Orthodox Churches.
The first church was build on the very same spot in 313 A.D. but the church we can visit today was completely rebuild in 1948 (true to the original plans).
To read more, please visit www.greecelogue.com
By Christina
Published in
Travel Greece
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Thursday, 19 February 2015 12:48
Hotel Opens First Beach Library In Greece
The Thalatta Seaside Hotel in Agia Anna, Euboea, Greece found a clever way to nudge its guests to read books during their holidays. The hotel built a library on the beach. What looks like a simple wall at the edge of the beach actually consists of diamond-shaped shelves, full of books awaiting visiting readers.
For the time being the library holds around three hundred books in four different languages but is able to hold at least one thousand volumes. The hotel urges visitors to bring their own books to add to the collection.
Published in
Greece In The News
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Tuesday, 08 March 2022 07:00
Beautiful Routes For Bike Riding In Athens
With temperatures rising and the sun starting to shine, spring is in the air. It's the perfect time of year to enjoy a bike ride in Athens!
Here are our favorite bike routes in and around Athens that will get you exploring the city on two wheels.
Here are our favorite bike routes in and around Athens that will get you exploring the city on two wheels.
SEF Stadium - Glyfada
Distance: 13.5 km
📍 Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF), Piraeus. @metalvein_gr
Along the coast on Poseidonos Avenue and the tram lines, next to the sea, the wide sidewalks are ideal for a bike ride under the shade of palm trees - a route especially perfect in the evening when the sea is magnificent. Park your car at Karaiskaki Stadium Parking or take the train to SEF Stadium (Ilektrikos - green line) and start your bike ride from this point.
Papagou - OAKA
Distance: 18 km
📍 Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA), Maroussi. @oaka.official
Distance: 18 km
📍 Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA), Maroussi. @oaka.official
Plenty of greenery and beautiful scenery along this comfortable route that starts from Papagou passes through Psychiko, Filothei, Kalogreza, and Maroussi. Along this route, there are a few hills and plenty of straightaways, which makes it an ideal route for amateur cyclists.
Neo Faliro - Pireus - Monastiraki
Distance: 7.55 km
📍 Piraiki, Piraeus. @danis_p_gr
Although it may sound scary to many, this is actually a very safe route. You'll travel along tree-planted streets with little traffic. The route mainly consists of straight paths that go through the picturesque neighborhoods of Petralona before arriving at Monastiraki Square.
Lake Marathon
Distance: 32 km
📍 Piraiki, Piraeus. @danis_p_gr
Although it may sound scary to many, this is actually a very safe route. You'll travel along tree-planted streets with little traffic. The route mainly consists of straight paths that go through the picturesque neighborhoods of Petralona before arriving at Monastiraki Square.
Lake Marathon
Distance: 32 km
📍 Lake Marathon. @dimitrakopoulou_eleni
No matter what is said about the landscape around Marathon Lake, there's nothing like seeing it for yourself, and what better way than along a lovely bike ride. This route starts off at Stamata Square and continues in the Vredou area, then reaches the lake and continues until you reach the water dam.
Antonis Tritsis Park
Distance: From 5 to 20 km
📍 Antonis Tritsis Metropolitan Park, Ilion. @qarachalios_photography
A bike ride in one of the most beautiful parks of Athens is an experience that you're sure to enjoy. Some of the routes are particularly difficult, but there are several excellent options for all types of cyclists. Of course, depending on your energy levels you can try different paths and enjoy the various landscapes that the park has to offer.
Published in
City Discovery
Tagged under
Monday, 08 May 2017 07:00
Olympia Odos Patra-Bound Highway Opens to Motorists
One of the most tedious journeys – from Athens to Patra – will now take an hour and 40 minutes following the opening of the new Olympia Odos motorway.
As a continuation of the Athens-Corinth highway, the 120km two-lane (total of four lanes) Olympia Odos was officially launched by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
There are 12 new tunnels across the Corinth-Patra motorway. The PM also added that the overhaul of the Athens-Patra suburban railway was in the pipeline.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Photo Credit: Olympia Odos
Published in
Local News
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Tuesday, 18 July 2017 22:09
Greece Featured In Travel + Leisure's Picks For World's Best Islands
Summer is just another reason to travel, especially to places with plenty of sea, sun, and sand! Recently, Travel + Leisure published their list of Top 10 Islands in Europe and the 10 World’s Best Islands and not surprisingly, a few of Greece’s islands made the list!
Coming in at number 4, 5 and 6, on the Top 10 Islands in Europe were Crete, Paros, and Rhodes and the Dodecanese. Listed among some of the most beautiful islands in the world, the popular travel site featured Santorini as number 5.
Please visit Travel + Leisure to read both articles in full:
Published in
Greece In The News
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Thursday, 12 July 2018 07:00
Our Picks For The Best Events In Athens This July
This summer, Athens is jam-packed with all kinds of events! You can join a SUP yoga class at the beach, admire photos from the Athens Photo Festival, or watch a film (or two...or three) under the stars. Check out our list of cool things to do this July in Athens!
Athens & Epidaurus Festival 2018
It is Greece’s foremost cultural festival and one of the oldest performing arts festivals in Europe (1955). Each year, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival presents performances from acclaimed artists in theatre, dance, and music and attracts large audiences from around the world. The festival will run through August.
Click here for more info and this year's festival program.
Athens Open Air Film Festival - July Screenings
The beloved film-loving summer festival returns with its 8th edition of magical screenings from June to August. Special city corners, archaeological monuments, parks, squares, beaches and some of the most beautiful museums and sites in Athens transform into an open-air cinema with free entrance to the audience.
Click here for July screenings!
Athens Photo Festival Main Exhibition at the Benaki Museum
The main exhibition of the Athens Photo Festival will go through the month of July at the Benaki Museum. At the core of this festival is a range of events, including portfolio reviews, screenings, talks and discussions, workshops, and various community and participatory projects.
The main exhibition of the Athens Photo Festival will go through the month of July at the Benaki Museum. At the core of this festival is a range of events, including portfolio reviews, screenings, talks and discussions, workshops, and various community and participatory projects.
Click here for more info!
George Condo at the Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens has the special honour of hosting the exhibition of George Condo from June to October. Condo is an artist who was vital in reviving the movement of figuration in America in the 1980s and he is also considered one of the most important American figurative sculptors and painters to this very day.
Click here for more info!
The Meet Market - The Association of Greek Archaeologists
Keeping with tradition, before we all head off on our vacations and much needed city breaks, we are getting together for one last Meet Market of the summer season at the Association of Greek Archaeologists. Set in an ever-so-enchanting garden in the city center, this is one of our all time favorite venues… surrounded by flowers and shade… right next to the Thisio Metro… and with a direct view to the Acropolis.
Click here to see what's on the schedule!
SUP Yoga In Athens
Lynn Roulo is bringing her Kundalini yoga skills to the sea this month. And what better way to practice yoga during the summer than on a stand-up paddle board! As Lynn says, "I can’t think of a better place than Greece for SUP Yoga! The water is warm, clean and clear, and the conditions are ideal since the sea is usually pretty flat. If there are waves, they are really gentle."
Be sure to click here for the SUP yoga schedule!
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Wednesday, 05 June 2019 10:34
Street Artist Dedicates Mural To The Mati Wildfire Victims
The Greek street artist who goes by the name 'Hambas' has recently created a touching mural on the wall of an elementary school in Rafina, eastern Attica.
His touching tribute to the 102 victims of the 2018 fire in Mati depicts a bright-eyed boy holding a branch of 102 heart-shaped fruits, symbolizing each of the victims of the dreadful wildfire.
The blazes in Mati are the second-deadliest fires so far in the 21st century, after the 'Black Friday' bushfires in Australia, which claimed the lives of 180 people in 2009.
Article Source: GreekReporter.com
Photo: @hambas_
Published in
Greece In The News
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Tuesday, 27 August 2019 13:14
Greek NGO Wins $2M Humanitarian Prize
A Greek NGO helping migrant and refugee children in Greece has won the world's biggest annual humanitarian award.
According to the Conrad N Hilton Foundation, METAdrasi – Action for Migration and Development received the $2m Hilton humanitarian prize for its innovative approach to welcoming refugees and protecting unaccompanied minors.
METAdrasi uses translators who are fluent in more than 43 languages and dialects to navigate complicated policies and procedures.
METAdrasi's founder, Lora Pappa, said of the award: "It will enable us to strengthen our advocacy and help us be heard. This is an ongoing crisis. We are so grateful to receive the prize at a time when urgent needs regarding the refugee situation continue to emerge."
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
About METAdrasi
METAdrasi was founded in December 2009 with the mission to facilitate the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Greece. Believing that migration leads to development, METAdrasi is determined to uphold and protect the fundamental human rights of all those displaced and persecuted through innovative interventions. The name of ΜΕΤΑdrasi was coined by the synthesis of the Greek words “meta”+“drasi” (meaning: and then? + action) and encapsulates our purpose and philosophy.
Guided by the principles of consistency, efficiency, transparency and flexibility to adjust to needs as they emerge, METAdrasi is active in the following key areas:
•The provision of quality interpretation, enabling vital communication with refugees and migrants through the deployment of over 350 interpreters, trained and certified by METAdrasi in 43 languages and dialects – an activity that lies at the heart of any effective provision of humanitarian support;
• The protection of unaccompanied and separated children, through a comprehensive safety net of activities including accommodation facilities, escorting from precarious conditions to safe spaces and the pioneering activities of guardianship, foster families and supported independent living;
• The protection and support of other vulnerable groups through the provision of legal aid to asylum seekers, certification of victims of torture and deployment of humanitarian aid wherever needed;
• The education and integration of refugees and migrants through educational programmes, Greek language lessons, multilingual support guides and remedial education for children that enables access to the right to education, as well as soft-skills training, traineeship opportunities and work placements.
Published in
Greece In The News
Tagged under
Monday, 12 February 2024 07:00
Ancient Frieze From Zeus Temple Found Near Shore
Marine archaeologists were left astounded when their eyes fell upon a massive piece that, at first glance, appeared to be crafted from marble, only to reveal itself as something altogether unexpected. Employing meticulous photogrammetric techniques for examination and verification, they discerned that they had stumbled upon a segment of a frieze originating from an ancient temple.
The meticulousness of their research cannot be overstated. Plunging into the depths off the coast of Sicily, the discovery of an ancient frieze was certainly within the realm of possibility. Remarkably, the marble block lay merely 9 meters beneath the surface, unveiling a treasure trove of historical significance. Expert analysis swiftly attributed the frieze to the renowned Temple of Zeus in ancient Akraganta, situated near the coast of San Leone, not far from the Akraganta River's mouth.
The Temple of Zeus stands as a monumental testament to ancient Doric architecture, nestled within the revered Valley of the Temples. This sacred site, synonymous with the splendor of ancient Akraganta, boasts an array of iconic structures, including the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Hercules, and others. Among these, the Temple of Zeus reigns supreme in grandeur, stretching an imposing 112 meters in length and 56 meters in width. Historical chronicles, notably those penned by the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, recount the temple's tumultuous history, including its unfortunate halt in construction following the Carthaginian conquest in 406 BC.
Tragically, the temple's fate was sealed by seismic upheavals and the rampant quarrying of the 18th century, as locals scavenged its noble stones for the construction of nearby settlements. Yet, amidst the ruins and ravages of time, a glimmer of hope emerged beneath the waves.
In a stroke of serendipity, underwater archaeologists, under the auspices of BCsicilia, unearthed the marble relic approximately 300 meters from the coastline, its shallow resting place obscured by the sedimentary embrace of the Akraganta River. Measuring an impressive 2 meters in length and 1.6 meters in height, the frieze is hewn from Prokonnisian marble sourced from the storied quarries of Prokonnisos, the largest of the Marmara Islands in Turkey.
Adorning one side of the frieze is a masterfully carved depiction of a vaulting horse, likely an ornamental flourish adorning the outer façade of the temple's drum, or perhaps gracing the pediment's lofty pinnacle, encircled by an ornate cornice. Horses, emblematic of martial prowess and political authority, were recurrent motifs in the artistic lexicon of ancient Greek architecture.
BCsicilia, a devoted custodian of Sicily's cultural and environmental heritage, promptly apprised the Marine Inspectorate of their extraordinary find, initiating a coordinated effort to recover this priceless artifact. In a collaborative endeavor involving the Carabinieri Diving Unit, the Marine Inspectorate, the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit, and BCsicilia's underwater team, the frieze was successfully retrieved and brought ashore on the morning of February 5th, 2024.
BCsicilia, as a voluntary cultural organization dedicated to safeguarding and promoting Sicily's rich cultural and natural legacy, stands as the vanguard of such endeavors, providing invaluable insights into our collective past.
Originally published in Greek, on: enikos.gr
Originally published in Greek, on: enikos.gr
Published in
Greece In The News
Tagged under
Friday, 25 October 2024 00:24
A Practical Guide To Free & Reduced Admission At Archaeological Sites In Greece
Greece is home to some of the world's most iconic archaeological sites, museums, and monuments. If you are planning a visit, knowing when and how to access these treasures for free or at a reduced rate can make your experience even more enjoyable. This guide breaks down the key details regarding free admission and discounted tickets to state-owned sites in Greece, helping you make the most of your visit.
Free Admission Days for All Visitors
Throughout the year, Greece offers several days where admission to all state-owned archaeological sites, historical monuments, and museums is completely free. These special dates are:
- March 6 (Melina Mercouri Remembrance Day)
- April 18 (International Monuments Day)
- May 18 (International Museums Day)
- The Last Weekend of September (European Heritage Days)
- October 28 (National Holiday)
- First Sunday of the Month (November - March)
These free days are a great opportunity to explore Greece’s rich cultural heritage at no cost.
Eligibility for Free Admission Year-Round
In addition to specific free days, certain categories of visitors enjoy free admission throughout the year. These groups include:
- Youth from EU Member States (up to 25 years old): Upon presenting an ID or passport.
- Children from Non-EU Countries (up to 5 years old): Verification through a passport.
- People with Disabilities and One Escort: Proof of disability is required (minimum 67% disability).
- Unemployed Greek Citizens: Must present an ID card and unemployment verification.
- Students and Teachers on Educational Visits: Includes primary, secondary, and tertiary students from EU and EEA countries.
- Large, Single-Parent, and Three-Child Families: Greek families with official status can benefit from free admission.
- Refugees and Military Service Members: Present the appropriate identification documents for free entry.
These categories allow for wide access to Greece's cultural landmarks, encouraging education and inclusivity.
Three-Year Free Entry Pass
Some individuals are eligible for a three-year free entry pass, which grants ongoing access to sites without the need to reapply. This pass is available to:
- Archaeologists, Historians, and Related Professionals: Graduates and professionals in fields like archaeology, history, and cultural management.
- Active and Retired Employees of the Ministry of Culture: Including those from the Acropolis Museum and other key institutions.
- Educators: Both active and retired teachers in Greece, as well as substitutes, may apply for this pass.
If eligible, these individuals can renew their passes and continue enjoying free access.
Reduced Admission (50% Discount)
From April 1 to October 31, certain groups are entitled to a 50% discount on single tickets, including:
- Non-EU Youth (6-25 years old): Verification through a passport is required.
- Seniors Over 65: From Greece, EU, and EEA countries, with ID or passport verification.
- Parents Accompanying School Visits: From EU and EEA countries.
Additionally, from November 1 to March 31, all visitors enjoy a reduced rate, making it an ideal time to explore Greece’s heritage sites at a lower cost.
Plan Your Visit Wisely
By taking advantage of free admission days or ensuring eligibility for free or reduced tickets, you can explore Greece’s archaeological wonders without breaking the bank. Whether you're visiting the Acropolis, Delphi, or the National Archaeological Museum, knowing when and how to access these sites will enhance your cultural experience.
Plan your trip, check your eligibility, and enjoy the beauty and history of Greece's rich cultural heritage!
Published in
Everyday Tips & How To’s
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