In 2015, international tourist arrivals to Greece grew by seven per cent and reached 23.6 million, while exports generated by the sector increased by six per cent to €14.2 billion.

United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary general, Taleb Rifai, has expressed the confidence of the organisation in the continued growth of the tourism sector in Greece, saying: “We have no doubt that Greece will maintain a powerful image worldwide as a major tourism destination and that the country will consolidate its growth in 2016, as shown by booking trends.”

This vow of support is timely for Greece as the country is advancing implementation of its new tourism policy framework, launched in 2015 to enhance international tourism. The diversification of the touristic offer benefits Greek hospitality, as does the development of new destinations and the opening of new high-end accommodation facilities and services.

Source: BreakingTravelNews

 

If you have kids, you know how difficult it is to find a restaurant perfect for the whole family. It's not always easy to combine child-friendly foods with dishes adults will love.

Luckily for you, in Athens, where family meals are an important aspect of daily life, there are numerous options. 



Eleftheriadis


Credit: peinirlieleftheriadis.gr

Restaurants serving peinirli–a boat-shaped pizza dough specialty packed with cheese and other tasty fillings, baked in a wood-fired oven and topped with butter– have always been a popular choice for Sunday lunch with kids. The forested northern suburb of Drosia is famous for its peinirli restaurants, and Elefteriadis is one of our favorites. With a large courtyard shaded with pine trees, this is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal on a sunny day!

Address: 26 Solomou, Drosia
Telephone: 210 6229003

Ama Lachei Stis Nefelis


Credit: @amalaxeinef

Located in Exarchia, the courtyard of this long-standing taverna used to be a schoolyard. The restaurant serves modern Greek cuisine, offering delicious vegetarian options and kid-friendly dishes, including the delicious meatballs - a kid-friendly best-seller. Don't forget to try the sensational Cretan cheese pies with honey and mint as well as the hand-cut fries! 

Address: 69 Kallidromiou, Exarchia, Athens
Telephone: 210 3845978

Hard Rock Cafe


Credit: Hard Rock Cafe

Located in Monastiraki, just a stone’s throw away from the historic city center with stunning views of the Acropolis, Hard Rock Cafe Athens is a must-see for both kids and adults alike. Except for enjoying fresh, high-quality food which includes delicious burgers, steaks, fajitas, and many more there are a number of events going on that the whole family is going to fall in love with. Right now, the Kids Sunday event is back where little Roxtars are invited for some face-painting, handcrafting, and lots of fun with an amateur.

Address: Adrianou 52, Athens
Telephone: 210 3245170

Cupola


Credit: @cupola_trattoria

Who doesn't love pizza? This authentic trattoria is located on a pedestrian strip with a laid-back neighborhood vibe, near the Panathenaic stadium. Perfectly thin, bubbling pizza is baked in a wood-burning oven and topped with genuine Italian ingredients. The panzerotti, a miniature fried calzone, is a hit with kids while the oven-baked conchiglionni ragu is ideal for pasta-lovers. For dessert, try the hand-made cannoli stuffed with ricotta, chocolate chips, and pistachios, which - both children and adults - are guaranteed to fall in love with. 

Address: 13 Eforionos, Pangrati 
Telephone: 211 411 7444

Agroktima Regoukou


Credit: Agroktima Regoukou

This farm-to-table tavern is definitely worth the 45-minute drive or taxi ride from downtown Athens if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a day. Surrounded by nature, this restaurant in Stamata is situated on the farm where practically all of the ingredients are sourced. Their famous cheese pie, roast goat, and just-picked salads are not to be missed!

Address: Ektoros, Pangrati 
Telephone: 210 621 7898

Oliver Family House
 

Credit: @oliver_family_house

We saved the best for last since Oliver Family House surely is the most child-friendly restaurant on the list. Located in Glyfada, inside a multiplex, the restaurant is specifically designed for kids of all ages to enjoy endless play and for parents to cherish some moments of relaxation. There you can choose from a lot of creative activities to enjoy as a family. In addition, the restaurant offers an extensive healthy menu with freshly prepared meals, snacks, salads, and delicious desserts using organic products from their own garden.

Address: Leof. Dimarchou Aggelou Metaxa 39, Glifada
Telephone: 21 0898 6066

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Plastic bags will no longer be available for free in Greece and this is just the beginning!

The new year finally brought a change that may relieve Greece's natural habitat as plastic shopping bags will no longer be available for free. Consumers will either have to pay for bags - if they consider it absolutely necessary to carry their purchases - or have their own bags with them.

Since 2015, the European Union has set the goal of reducing consumption to 90 plastic bags per citizen by 2019 and to 40 by the end of 2025. Greece, however, is one of the last countries in the fight against the plastic bag. According to the latest data from the Hellenic Recycling Organization, each Greek uses up to 336 bags per year.

In the battle to limit plastic, Plastic Feel Greece - a newly created non-profit group aims to educate and inform the world about the environmental misfortunes of discarding plastic. Plastic Free Greece was founded by Dimitra Koutsoukou, Antigone Theodorou, Agnieszka Fibak and Tenia Kyriazis and collaborates with the international organizations Plastic Pollution Coalition and Plastic Oceans Foundation.

The group's activity has already attracted the interest of ordinary citizens and teachers who are willing to talk to their students about environmental protection. Plastic Feel Greece has bought the rights of two documentaries, A Plastic Ocean and Straws, which have already been screened in 115 schools across the country.

"The response from teachers is impressive. They get in touch with us and ask us to bring the documentaries to their schools. We send them the link to the films together with our own presentation in which we propose actions such as cleaning on beaches, updating local communities etc.," says Dimitra Koutsoukou.

They claim that the majority of Greeks do not realize how serious the problem of pollution is that has been caused by plastic.

"Most people think pollution is a problem that concerns India or Indonesia, not the crystal waters of the Aegean and the Ionian," says Dimitra. "However, many are shocked when they learn how overwhelmed the oceans are and are outraged when we show them pictures of Greek beaches being wrecked".

Originally posted on Vice.com
Translated by XpatAthens

There are thousands of islands in Greece, and only 250 or so are inhabited. With that being said, every island is different with some catering to the party-goers, some to the free campers, and some to the luxury lifestyle. If you're traveling with your family, you may wonder, "What's a good island for kids?" Below are just a few reasons why Naxos is a great island to visit with the whole family!

Naxos is a large island, over 400 square kilometres with a great big mountain roughly in the centre so it offers both clean, clear seas and exceptional mountain views. The best way to get around with family is to hire a motorcar. There is no need for a large vehicle since a smaller one will get around the island quite comfortably.

The strong selling point as far as beaches are concerned is that there are two really good beaches for children, shallow and warm, with life-guard and several places to eat on the beach at Saint George (Agios Georgios) and Agia Anna (St. Anna).

The old town of Naxos is within the castle walls which is a medieval Venetian structure. The narrow alleys lend themselves to exploration and quite a few shopping surprises. At the same time it is a fun educational place for children to experience and there is a museum to top it off.

To read this article in full, please visit: Naxos

It's time for your monthly dose of Kalo Mina; October has officially arrived! Cooler temps are on their way, along with rain, clouds, and of course, the wintry sunny skies. Let's enjoy this month and explore our fine city of Athens. Here are our picks for the best events this month!

1st Athens Curry Food Festival

The first ever Curry Food festival is taking place at the majestic coastal suburb of Alimos on October 6th and 7th. This festival aims to awaken visitors' taste buds, with exotic flavors from Asia and Africa, giving guests the chance to enjoy different dishes with spices and herbs from around the world.

Athens Craft Beer Expo

 

Held at Zappeion Megaron, the Athens Craft Beer Expo will take place on October 13th and 14th for a beer-filled weekend. Visitors can taste more than 100 craft beers from all over Greece and abroad, including beer from this year's guest star brewery, the Bronckhorster Brewing Company from Holland. Also in attendance will be the Po'Boys Food Truck and a few other vendors to shop while sipping your drink.

Dissolving Localities: An Audiovisual Performance

On October 8th, the Athens School of Fine Arts will be hosting Dissolving Loyalties, an artistic platform that aims to connect cities and art. As their presentation, they will use artistic expression of the daily life of different cities and its inhabitants. Other cities Dissolving Localities has performed include Madrid, Paris, Krakow, and Los Angeles.

Official Opening Of Kypseli's Municipal Market

The first social entrepreneurship, Kypseli Municipal Market, is coming to Athens on October 4th through the 6th. This 3-day festival will have events for both kids and adults, which will be organized by the vendors of the market. The opening will be held on October 4th, of which the Mayor of Athens will be attend.

Photographs Of Joan Leigh Fermor: Artist & Lover

Currently at the Benaki Museum are the photographs of Joan Leigh Fermor, a woman who documented her time in Greece. Joan, with her lover and friend Paddy, visited Athens and then traveled all around Greece before finally settling in the Peloponnese. There, they built a home in Kardamyli and between the 1940's and 1960's, Joan took thousands of photographs of people and places in Greece.

Vegan Life Festival

On October 7th, the Vegan Life Festival returns to Technopolis City of Athens, following last year's success of more than 12,500 visitors! This is the biggest vegan event in Greece, where there will be talks, workshops, a kids zone, and one of the largest exhibitions of cruelty free and vegan products. The Vegan Life Festival is for anyone who wants to learn more about the vegan lifestyle, animal rights, benefits of a vegan diet, and environmental impacts.

Yannis Behrakis was one of the most significant photojournalists in the world, and a person who found hope even in the most difficult circumstances. Behrakis captured some of the most important political, combat, sporting, and social events of the past 25 years. For him photo reporting wasn’t a job, it was a mission. An anthropocentric mission whose only goal was to raise awareness for the things happening around us. His camera captured thousands of stories that would have otherwise been left untold.

 

During his journeys around the world, Behrakis encountered the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) a few times. “We do different things, but we share the same mission” he said. In October 2016, he worked together with the organization on a photography exhibition named ‘People on the Move’ that presented the journey of refugees through Greece.

 

 

 

Article originally posted on msf.gr
Translated by Xpatathens
Photo AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

The Ktimatolgio / Hellenic Cadastre is currently in the process of collecting new property ownership declarations for various areas throughout Greece as well as confirming declarations that have previously been submitted in other regions.

Architect-engineer, Katerina Sirouni, has put together valuable information on how to declare your property quickly and with ease.

Which Areas Are Being Registered?

More than half of Greece is currently under registration since November 19, 2018. Areas including Kalymnos, Karpathos, Ioannina, Lefkada, Kastoria, Nafpaktos, Kefallonia, the Peloponnese, Ikaria, and Chios are among a few - property owners, be alert!

Since deadlines for submission vary so and are subject to change, please visit the Hellenic Cadastre for further information.

Athens Municipality property owners, please note that you will be receiving notifications to double check your property declarations for any false information.

The deadline for amendments in Athens as well as submitting new declarations for those of you that have forgotten to do so, is June 24, 2019.

What Documents Do I Need To Submit?

Depending on how the ownership was acquired, documents needed may differ. The necessary documents, however, include the following:

1. Application Form - online or hard-copy when physically submitted
2. Title Ownership - photocopy or scanned when submitting online
3. Land survey when applicable
4. Greek Identification Card or Passport Information

It is essential to indicate the location of your property, and if recent topography surveys with coordinates are not available, you can visit the official website www.ktimatologio.gr to identify your property.

Why Register?

Greek Property owners that fail to register on time will forever lose their rights!

The Greek government will be entitled to ownership rights for any 'unknown' property that has never been declared.

Furthermore, the Ktimatologio is one of the many 'fast-tracking' property laws since 2010 that will all connect and be linked to the Electronic Building Code ID to be implemented in the near future.

About Katerina Sirouni

Katerina Sirouni was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and received her Degree in Architecture and Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens in Greece.

She is experienced in designing and renovating properties, on-site construction supervision, project management, and in issuing all property-related permits and certificates. She also specializes in offering consulting and property management services predominantly to non-Greek residents regarding their property in Greece.

By The Glass first opened its doors in 2012 following the uprisings and destruction of Athens in 2011. This superb Wine Bistrot was the answer of its proprietor, Fotini Pantzia, to the inactivity and abandonment of the Greek capital in the wake of the Greek crisis.

 

By The Glass is located Ralli Gallery (arcade) just a few steps away from the entrance of the National Gardens of Athens.

 

"A refuge to hide, to isolate oneself from the city's buzz, to take a breath and then dive again in the everyday reality of Athens" in the words of the owner, the arcade magically transfers guests to the Old Athens.

 

Their wine list is one of the most concise and exciting in Greece; it holds a selection of 500+ wines including Greek Vintages, Premium Fine Wines, tried and true international classics, rare collector's bottles, and one-of-a-kind Magnums. Additionally, expect to find a great list of Champagnes and Sparkling Wines, Distillates (Eau-de-Vie), and Dessert Wines.

As its name implies, By The Glass serves more than 200 wines by the glass–using Coravin wine preservation systems and a 36 module wine dispenser. The carefully curated wine list primarily comprises Greek wines but at the same time includes many imported "jewels," such as a French Corton or a legendary Romanée-Conti!

Here you will be able to pair the exquisite wines with a few delicious yet unpretentious dishes prepared by talented chef, Antonis Pechlivanakis! Some of our favorites include the Greek traditional pressed lamb with celeriac puree, baby potatoes, and Porto sauce, the focaccia with mushrooms, cream cheese, and truffle oil and the poached salmon with avocado cream and carob powder.

By The Glass ranks no 41 out of 100 best restaurants in Athens at the Restaurant 100 Awards and has been voted as the best Bar Restaurant in Athens in 2017, 2018, and 2019 by the same organization.

A secret garden in the quaint Rallou Manou square welcomes guests from spring until the end of October with a backdrop of a stone-built church on one side and the statue honoring the unknown artist on the other!

Address: G.Souri 3 & Filellinon, Syntagma, Athens
Telephone: 210 3232560 & 210 3249988

Price Point: $$-$$$
Dress Code: Casual Chic

 

Photo: By The Glass

No matter what, music has the power to change our mood and our lives!

Whether you want to immerse yourself in total relaxation or take over the dancefloor of your living room, here are some playlists that will make you smile and keep you movin and groovin when times are up, and when times are down. Enjoy!


Brain Food by Spotify: Hypnotic, electronic music, ideal for intense focus and concentration. 

Feel Good Dinner by Spotify: An uplifting yet tasteful dinner playlist with a guaranteed feel-good vibe. 

The Electric Relaxation Playlist by SG Lewis: Ease into relaxation with this chill-out playlist that opens the door to a world of laid-back, mellow grooves, spiritual expansions, and sonic meditations. 

Lo-Fi Beats by Spotify: Chill and soothing hip-hop mixes that serve as great background music to listen to while you work or study. 

Armada Chill by Armada Music: Including some of the greatest chill-out classic of all time, this playlist offers up sonic serenity you can't help but fall in love with. 

Butter by Spotify: The name of this playlist couldn't be more accurate, as listening to the soulful, smooth voices of artists like Terrance Martin and more feels like a warm and creamy slab of butter sliding down your throat.

Workday Lounge by Spotify: Chill out music for your workday that will give you all the inspiration you need and take you away to a sunny place. 

Todo Reggaeton by Digster España: Great Latin hits to dance to and get your endorphins flowing!