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Monday, 18 July 2016 07:00
10 Things You Must See In Athens With Your Family
Three moms who are passionate about Greece created Kids Love Greece and after extensive research in Athens, came up with their top list of things to do in the city with your family! There are many excellent options for families traveling to Athens, but they rounded up the best ones.
- Climb up the Acropolis, travel back to the Golden Age of Pericles, and discover the birthplace of Democracy.
- Find the Karyatides (which hold up the roof of the Parthenon) among the marvelous artifacts on exhibit at the Acropolis Museum.
- Run around the streets of Plaka and play with the knickknacks in the stores in Monastiraki.
- Watch the peacocks and the kri kri (Cretan Ibex) in the beautiful gardens of Zappeio.
- Visit all the amazing children’s museums – especially the Goulandris Museum of Natural History, which is full of dinosaurs.
- Get to know the dolphins and their fun-loving friends at the Attica Park Zoo.
To read the complete list, please visit: Kids Love Greece
Published in
Kids Life
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Monday, 23 January 2017 07:00
Milo Mou Kokkino By CrazyCello
The musician CrazyCello performs the Greek song Milo Mou Kokkino! This beautiful video was filmed at Meteora and Trizonia, showcasing ‘Greece at its best.’
CrazyCello, also known as Alexandros Botinis, is a cellist who creates ‘interesting, crazy, and funny music videos in Greek landscapes. His main goal…to make you smile!
Published in
Videos
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Thursday, 20 July 2017 23:02
Great Offers & Facilitating Access To Santorini!
Another award for the successful “Santorini Experience”
Athens, July 19 2017. The 3rd “Santorini Experience” will take place in the breathtaking Santorini from October 6th to 8th. The top sports tourism event for professional and amateur swimmers and runners in Greece, which recently won the silver award at the Sports Marketing Awards 2017 in the “Sports Events / Branded Events” section of the “Sports Tourism” category, offers the opportunity to those wishing to travel to the beautiful Santorini to “measure” their stamina and to “flirt” with the adrenaline!
The official airline partner of “Santorini Experience” Ryanair, which was awarded as the fastest growing company among the top 10 companies with the highest passenger traffic in Athens in 2016, is reinforcing the sports tourism of Santorini and the island’s completeness during the days of the event. The airline company will serve the route Athens-Santorini with fares starting from 14.99€ for bookings which will be completed until Sunday 23/07 and for travels within October. Since these amazing low prices will be available from Wednesday July 19, 2017 and will be snapped up quickly, customers interested in joining the event as active participants should log onto www.ryanair.com or the mobile application of Ryanair and avoid missing out.
You may see Ryanair’s video from “Santorini Experience” here!
At the same time, all those wishing to travel to the island by ferry, will be able to enjoy once again this year the safety and comfort of Blue Star Ferries. The top Greek shipping company offers 50% discount on the ferry tickets and vehicles to all those visiting the event and the island from October 2nd to 13th 2017. Each person who has completed his/her registration is entitled to the same discount for 3 more people (if these are his/her escorts) or for 4 people (if these are family members).
For the third consecutive year, ambassadors and organizers will move with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official supporter of “Santorini Experience”.
“Santorini Experience” will receive for one more year the support of Avance Rent A Car. As an official car rental company of the event Avance Rent A Car will cover the event and all visitors’ car rental needs with one of the fastest growing car rental networks with presence in Greece & Cyprus and all major airports and will offer a 15% discount on car rentals.
VitaNTravel, as the official travel agent of the event, will take care and assist all athletes and escorts with information about the ferry routes, ferry tickets, car rentals and accommodation in the island. For more information visit Vita N Travel!
“Santorini Experience” is a world-renowned event with global broadcast, and it is worth noting that the show with the best moments of the event from 2016, which was screened in Greece via FOX Sports will also be broadcasted in 13 Asian countries (Hong Kong, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Brunei) on July 26th (18.30 Hong Kong time zone) and July 31st (13.30 Hong Kong time zone).
Regarding the athletic part of the event, and while registrations have already surpassed the record number of last year during the first 60 days, the schedule includes a 1.5-mile open water swimming race, on Saturday 7 October 2017 and running routes of 15km, 10km & 5km, on Sunday 8 October 2017.
The swimming and running registrations continue with an undiminished pace at the official event page or alternatively at the store of the official sponsor Alafouzos Sport in Fira, which supports the event for a 3rd year.
The support from Santorini entrepreneurs does not stop there, as Aqua Vista Hotels will support for a second consecutive year both as an official supporter and hospitality sponsor the event, providing high quality hosting services to the participants and visitors of the island.
Similarly, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa promises an unforgettable holiday experience to the visitor, at an environment that is tailored to modern needs, offering to the event and thus recognizing the great significance of “Santorini Experience” for the island and its tourism.
At the same time, Canaves Oia is listed in the hospitality sponsors, while Sunset Oia Sailing Cruises, as the expert of organized sailing tours in Santorini will assist the event.
The hospitality sponsors supporting the event are: Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Canaves Oia, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia Hotel, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini, White Pearl Villas.
"Santorini Experience" will take place under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Swimming Federation with the co-organization of the Municipality of Santorini, DAPPOS and Active Media Group.
More information regarding the activities schedule and the hospitality packages of sponsors will be announced in the following weeks..
Running @ Santorini Experience: Photo by Elias Lefas
Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience
Official Airline Partner: Ryanair
Official Sponsors: Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites
Official Supporters: Ford Motor Hellas, “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Avance Rent A Car, Aqua Vista Hotels, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Wyndham Grand Athens, Santorini Boatmen Union
Hospitality Sponsors: Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Canaves Oia, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia Hotel, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini, White Pearl Villas
Assisted by: Sunset Oia Sailing Cruises, Alios Ilios, Lifeguard Patrol
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 16 May 2019 03:00
Halkidiki - An Ideal Family Holiday Destination
Chryssa Skodra, a Greek expatriate in frozen Finland, recounts her family vacations in Halkidiki and shares the highlights of her trips on the Discover Greece Blog.
Halkidiki is a dream destination that perfectly balances an ideal combination of stunning landscapes, unspoiled nature, gastronomy, wellness, culture, and tradition. Funnily enough, Halkidiki is not an island; it's a region on the mainland near Thessaloniki with three fjord-like peninsulas (Greeks call them 'legs') that from a coastline of about 500km.
In the summer of 2014, Chryssa and her partner spent their engagement honeymoon in Halkidiki and two summers later they brought their 7-month-old baby. Year after year her family was seduced by Halkidiki's emerald beaches with crystal clear waters, family-friendly resorts and mouth-watering local cuisine. Anyone making their first holiday-with-baby should opt for a destination as stress-free and child-friendly as possible with all the necessary amenities and proximity to medical centres. Halkidiki ticks all the boxes!
Halkidiki's beaches are endless; actually, it is pretty safe to say that there is a beach for everyone! There are cosmopolitan beaches, and deserted coves, there are beaches where the party never ends, and of course, there are quiet shores with soft sand and shallow water ideal for the kids.
With the summer just around the corner and with its growing popularity, now is the perfect time to start planning your family summer escape to Halkidiki. You will fall in love with the sunset, taste fantastic food, enjoy excellent service in one of Halkidiki's family-friendly resorts, and swim in some of Greece's most immaculate beaches. Visit Halkidiki once, and you'll undoubtedly be coming back for more!
Halkidiki is a dream destination that perfectly balances an ideal combination of stunning landscapes, unspoiled nature, gastronomy, wellness, culture, and tradition. Funnily enough, Halkidiki is not an island; it's a region on the mainland near Thessaloniki with three fjord-like peninsulas (Greeks call them 'legs') that from a coastline of about 500km.
In the summer of 2014, Chryssa and her partner spent their engagement honeymoon in Halkidiki and two summers later they brought their 7-month-old baby. Year after year her family was seduced by Halkidiki's emerald beaches with crystal clear waters, family-friendly resorts and mouth-watering local cuisine. Anyone making their first holiday-with-baby should opt for a destination as stress-free and child-friendly as possible with all the necessary amenities and proximity to medical centres. Halkidiki ticks all the boxes!
Halkidiki's beaches are endless; actually, it is pretty safe to say that there is a beach for everyone! There are cosmopolitan beaches, and deserted coves, there are beaches where the party never ends, and of course, there are quiet shores with soft sand and shallow water ideal for the kids.
With the summer just around the corner and with its growing popularity, now is the perfect time to start planning your family summer escape to Halkidiki. You will fall in love with the sunset, taste fantastic food, enjoy excellent service in one of Halkidiki's family-friendly resorts, and swim in some of Greece's most immaculate beaches. Visit Halkidiki once, and you'll undoubtedly be coming back for more!
To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece
Published in
Kids Life
Tagged under
Thursday, 25 January 2018 07:00
Piraeus Port To Get Direct Rail Link To Athens Airport
Starting in February 2018, Piraeus port in Athens will get a direct rail link to the Athens International Airport. Piraeus is Greece's biggest port and one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean. The trip between the port and the airport is expected to take about 1 hour.
Piraeus will also connect to the airport at Spata, which is northeast of Athens, Kiato in northern Corinthia, and Halkida in Evia, all via the Proastiakos suburban railway.
The Proastiakos service will be much more frequent between Piraeus and central Athens, running every 15 to 20 minutes instead of once every hour.
Source: Ekathimerini
Published in
Local News
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Monday, 29 July 2019 07:00
10 Places In Greece You Need To Visit In The Summer
It's one of the most popular summer destinations in the Mediterranean with Athens as a great city break destination and hundreds of islands ready to be explored. The country also offer better value for your money than other countries like Spain and Italy. From Forbes, here are 10 places in Greece you must visit this summer!
Lake Vouliagmeni
"Mysterious Lake Vouliagmeni is just 15 miles outside Athens but a world apart. Its name derives from the Greek word vouliiazo, which means “submerge” and indeed the mesmerizing lake formed when a huge underwater spring let loose and caused a massive cave roof to collapse."
"Mysterious Lake Vouliagmeni is just 15 miles outside Athens but a world apart. Its name derives from the Greek word vouliiazo, which means “submerge” and indeed the mesmerizing lake formed when a huge underwater spring let loose and caused a massive cave roof to collapse."
Milos Island
"This Cycladic island stunner is where many Greeks go on their honeymoons or just to get away from it all for a few days. Like the celebrated and in summer overcrowded island of Santorini, Milos is volcanic in origin. The unique geology has endowed the island with a wealth of gorgeous beaches, including Sarakiniko with its surreal white landscapes. Milos is about a three-hour ferry ride from Piraeus."
"This Cycladic island stunner is where many Greeks go on their honeymoons or just to get away from it all for a few days. Like the celebrated and in summer overcrowded island of Santorini, Milos is volcanic in origin. The unique geology has endowed the island with a wealth of gorgeous beaches, including Sarakiniko with its surreal white landscapes. Milos is about a three-hour ferry ride from Piraeus."
Paros
"If you're looking for great beaches, good food, a hint of glamor and great value for money then look no further than the Greek island of Paros. It's located south of the more famous (and much more expensive) Mykonos, but is a favorite vacation spot for the Greeks themselves. The cosmopolitan town of Naoussa has loads of great seafood restaurants and tavernas and is near an array of fine, uncrowded beaches."
Karpathos Island
"While Rhodes is the biggest and most popular of Greece's Dodecanese Islands, it's also the most touristy. Unless you're a big fan of medieval history (its main town is exceptionally well-preserved), I would say skip it in favor of the second largest island of the Dodecanese, Karpathos. While Patmos, another island in this Aegean archipelago, has attained more of a following as an in spot in recent years, slender Karpathos is arguably more authentic and has better beaches, too."
"While Rhodes is the biggest and most popular of Greece's Dodecanese Islands, it's also the most touristy. Unless you're a big fan of medieval history (its main town is exceptionally well-preserved), I would say skip it in favor of the second largest island of the Dodecanese, Karpathos. While Patmos, another island in this Aegean archipelago, has attained more of a following as an in spot in recent years, slender Karpathos is arguably more authentic and has better beaches, too."
To read this article in full, please visit: Forbes
Published in
Travel Greece
Tagged under
Monday, 02 September 2019 07:00
An Insider’s Guide To The Best Beaches In Crete
Condé Nast Traveller magazine, one of the most prestigious travel publications in the world, recently published an insider's guide to the best beaches on Crete. Read on to find out where to head for swimming, sunsets, and sun-bathing on the largest island in Greece!
1. Elafonisi
Even though it is tucked away in a remote part of Crete, Elafonisi is known to many island regulars and tends to get busy on summer weekends. Its raw beauty is undeniable, with aquamarine waters and pastel-pink sand kissing the shore – a natural phenomenon caused by thousands of shells washing up over the years and tingeing the white sands.
2. Kommos
Hugging Messara Bay in southern Crete, Kommos is a beautiful wide arc of sand backed by dunes and surrounded by patchy green mountains. A steep, winding road leads down to a beach of rolling blue waters, pearl-white sands, and views of an ancient Minoan settlement. At the southern end of the beach, there are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and a couple of tavernas, ideal for sunset drinks and nibbles.
3. Matala
This once laid-back fishing village was discovered by hippies back in the 1960s. The legendary Matala is no longer a well-kept secret, so it's best to visit slightly out of season. According to Greek mythology, this was the spot where Zeus swam ashore disguised as a bull with the kidnapped Europa on his back. Honeycomb-like sandstone cliffs and mysterious caves flank the gently rippling waters of the Messara Bay, creating a unique, awe-inspiring landscape.
To read the insider's guide to the best beaches on Crete in full, please visit: Condé Nast Traveller
Published in
Travel Greece
Tagged under
Friday, 27 March 2020 14:45
#StayHome Special Edition
In times of unknowns, we question, we think, we seek knowledge, and this edition of the XpatAthens newsletter is more like a 'keep coming back to' resource that is full of content to keep you pondering, interested, and hopeful for a greater tomorrow. As we all adjust to the daily realities of staying home, so too does the entire world collectively. No one is alone in this one.
We welcome you to share this newsletter with friends and family around the globe, and thank you for keeping Greece's international community connected and active digitally! From all of us to all of you, #StayStrong #StayPositive #StayHome!
Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
Published in
Newsletters
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Tuesday, 20 April 2021 00:30
The Evolution of Greek Music In A Single Video
Contemporary Greek music has a deep history that expands over 100+ years. This “A Capella compilation”, an idea of the Greek artist Nikolas Raptakis and his friends, includes bits and bobs of many different hit songs, one after the other and brilliantly shows how Greek music has changed over the decades.
1910 – 1920 – 1930
The journey through the history of Greek music starts with rebetiko and the traditional. Rebetiko originated from the music of large, mainly coastal cities of Asia Minor, where big Greek communities lived and prospered during the Ottoman era. It is closely related to nightlife entertainment – ouzeries and tavernas.
1940-50
Another song by Markos Vamvakaris leads us into the 40s. In the 1950s, rebetiko started changing and giving its place to a new-ish genre, laïkó. Chiotis created the idea of entertainment venues the way people understood them in Greece in the decades to follow. He is also considered one of the best bouzouki players of all times.
Towards the end of the 50s, a new music genre appears in Greece, which is called entechno – orchestral music with elements from Greek folk rhythm and melody. The lyrics of the songs are often poems written by Greek poets, to which significant composers like Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis are adding music.
1960-1970-1980
Greek cinema bloomed in the 60s and so did Greek music since many movies had music and dance sequences like modern musicals. It is thus no coincidence that this part of the videos starts with Ipomoni and Tosa Kalokairia, which are both from Greek movies of that time.
Greek cinema bloomed in the 60s and so did Greek music since many movies had music and dance sequences like modern musicals. It is thus no coincidence that this part of the videos starts with Ipomoni and Tosa Kalokairia, which are both from Greek movies of that time.
The music of that era, especially from the 1970s onwards, carries a lot of optimism, enthusiasm, and some hippie vibes.
To read more and learn some Greek music history please visit: masaresi.com
To read more and learn some Greek music history please visit: masaresi.com
About MASARESI
Masaresi.com was founded by Maya Cornelissens-Andreadi, who shares her experience about how “to integrate in Greece and feel like a local”. Masaresi = μας αρέσει = we like it! Discover the “real Greece," while delving into all the aspects of Greek life – from modern lifestyle and culture to history, literature, traditions, and many more.
Explore Greece - Read About Greece - Buy Greek - Learn Greek
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Tuesday, 19 July 2022 07:00
Santorini Hotel Runner-Up For Best In The World By Travel + Leisure
Grace Hotel, a member of the Auberge Resorts Collection, was awarded the title of No 1 Best Resort Hotel in Greece at the prestigious Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2022.
It was also runner-up for Best Hotel in Europe and Best Hotel in the World. These important distinctions for the 20-room luxury boutique hotel in Imerovigli on the southern Aegean island, “reflect the effort of the entire hotel team and are a special reward,” said Giorgos Avgoustis, general manager of Grace Hotel.
The complex also hosts the Varoulko Santorini restaurant, where Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou presents a menu of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
Originally published on: greekcitytimes.com
It was also runner-up for Best Hotel in Europe and Best Hotel in the World. These important distinctions for the 20-room luxury boutique hotel in Imerovigli on the southern Aegean island, “reflect the effort of the entire hotel team and are a special reward,” said Giorgos Avgoustis, general manager of Grace Hotel.
The complex also hosts the Varoulko Santorini restaurant, where Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou presents a menu of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
Originally published on: greekcitytimes.com
Published in
Greece In The News
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