Athens, Rhodes and Milos are the three Greek destinations competing with popular cities in Europe for the title of “European Best Destination 2023”.

The competition is being held for the 14th consecutive year by the Brussels-based organization European Best Destinations (EBD), in collaboration with Europe’s leading tourist agencies, which aims to promote culture and tourism.

A total of 21 cities in Europe have been shortlisted and are competing for the title this year including London, UK; Vienna, Austria; Toledo, Spain; Essen, Germany; Warsaw, Poland; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Athens: A contemporary metropolis with an urban personality

EBD: “Birthplace of philosophy, democracy and drama, the city of Athens is not only an open-air museum of world-class cultural heritage attractions but also a contemporary metropolis with an urban personality.”

Athens in 2022 was announced the 15th Best European Destination, with Ljubljana in Slovenia, winning the title. In 2016, the Greek capital was considered the 2nd Best European Destination after Zadar in Croatia.

EBD: “One of the world’s oldest cities with a recorded history of 3,500 years, the Greek capital is constantly undergoing urban renewals to keep up with the evolution of time. Athens lives up to all the hype!”

Rhodes: A perfect destination for lovers of heritage

EBD: “The island of Rhodes is a perfect destination for lovers of old stones, heritage, fortresses and castles. When visiting Rhodes do not miss The Ancient Acropolis of Lindos, the historic Rhodes Old Town, explore the Palace of the Grand Master or just relax in Agios Pavlos beach.”

Milos: One of the best places for a dream holiday

EBD: “Milos Island is one of the best places for a dream holiday in Greece that you classified among the best natural pools in Europe, Best beaches in Europe (Sarakiniko Beach and its famous volcanic rocks which offer sunbathers a lunar scenery). It is also classified among the Best Sculptures in Europe with the Venus of Milo now exhibited in Paris and discovered by a peasant on the island of Milos in Greece by pure chance. Finally Milos is obviously ranked among your best islands in Greece.”

The voting for the prestigious label takes place online until February 10.

To cast your vote, please click HERE.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr

Parenthood is an extraordinary journey, filled with moments of joy, challenges, and an unwavering desire to provide the best for our children. Naturally, as parents, we yearn for our children's success and happiness. Yet, it's vital to tread carefully and resist projecting our unrealized dreams onto them.

Rather than imposing our unfulfilled aspirations onto our children, let's pause and consider the importance of allowing them to forge their own unique paths, pursue their passions, and find fulfillment on their terms.

In psychology, projection is a defense mechanism where we attribute our thoughts, feelings, or desires to others, often unconsciously. In the context of parenting, projection occurs when we inadvertently burden our children with our unresolved issues, unmet needs, or desires, shaping how we perceive their abilities, goals, and life choices.

To avoid projecting onto our children, we must first acknowledge and understand our dreams and unmet needs. Reflecting on our experiences, aspirations, and disappointments fosters self-awareness, preventing us from inadvertently imposing our unfulfilled desires onto our children.

Every child is a unique individual with their own talents, interests, and dreams. Our role as parents is not to mold them into replicas of ourselves but to provide a nurturing environment where they can explore their passions and develop their identities freely.

Creating an environment of open communication allows our children to express their thoughts, feelings, and aspirations without fear of judgment. By actively listening to them, we gain insight into their goals and can offer guidance that aligns with their true selves.

While it's natural to feel pride in our children's accomplishments, we must refrain from using their successes to validate our worth. Our focus should be solely on their growth and development, not on fulfilling our personal desires through them.

Instead of dictating their future, we offer unwavering support and guidance as they explore various opportunities. Empowering them to make choices based on their interests and values cultivates a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Failure is an inevitable part of life, and our children's journey may not always align with our expectations. Embracing their failures, forgiving their mistakes, and accepting them unconditionally builds resilience and fosters growth.

Raising children is undoubtedly challenging, requiring a delicate balance between guiding them and granting them the freedom to discover themselves. Ultimately, the most fulfilling journey is the one they choose for themselves.

Originally published in Greek on: loveyourselfmagazine.com

Love Yourself is a comprehensive Greek media platform dedicated to embracing mindstyle as its fundamental essence. It advocates for a wholesome lifestyle that nurtures not only our soul, mind, and body but also promotes a positive and sustainable attitude towards the planet we call home. For more information, visit Love Yourself's website!

As late November settles in, the first chills of winter are finally here. Temperatures drop, scarves and coats come out, and the air carries that crisp, refreshing bite that reminds us the season is changing. Yet in Greece, even in the depths of winter, the cold never quite reaches the extremes we see in other parts of the world. We might glance longingly at images of snow-covered streets or white Christmas scenes in other countries, but let’s take a moment to appreciate the unique blessings of the Greek climate.

Greece’s Mediterranean climate is one of its greatest treasures. Characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, this climate is the reason why Greece enjoys some of the most enviable weather in Europe. While northern countries brace for freezing temperatures, snowstorms, and icy commutes, Greek winters remain relatively gentle.

Even in colder regions, like the mountainous areas of northern Greece, winter is more about cozying up by the fire than battling extreme weather. In cities like Athens or coastal areas such as Crete and the Cyclades, temperatures rarely dip below freezing. Instead, winters are punctuated by periods of bright, sunny days where outdoor coffee with friends remains a possibility—even in December.

While snow-covered landscapes may look magical, the mild Greek winters come with their own unique advantages:

Greece’s geographical location plays a crucial role in its temperate winters. The country’s position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa ensures that cold air masses from the north are tempered by the surrounding seas, which act as a natural regulator. The Mediterranean Sea, in particular, stores heat from the long summer months, releasing it slowly as temperatures drop.

Additionally, Greece’s mountainous terrain creates microclimates that protect certain areas from the worst of winter’s chill. Coastal regions, in particular, benefit from the sea’s moderating influence, while inland areas experience cooler but still manageable conditions.

It’s easy to envy the postcard-perfect snowscapes of northern Europe or the excitement of a snow day. But Greek winters offer something equally valuable: a balanced climate that lets us enjoy the season without enduring its harsher extremes. From cozy evenings enjoying hearty meals to sunny strolls along the coastline, Greece’s winter is a gentle reminder that each season has its own charm.

So, as we pull on our sweaters and enjoy the first whispers of winter, let’s focus on the beauty of what we have. It may not be a white winter wonderland, but it’s uniquely Greek—and that’s something to celebrate.

Archaeologists excavating the site of Ancient Aptera in Iraklio, Crete recently announced the discovery of two small yet spectacular statues depicting the gods Artemis and Apollo.

The two statues, which are believed to be a pair, have a height of about half a meter, including their pedestals, and are believed to date to the second half of the 1st century or early 2nd century AD.

That of Artemis, the hunting goddess worshiped in Aptera, is cast in bronze, while her brother Apollo is carved from marble.

The goddess, standing on an ornate base also of bronze, is in an excellent state of preservation, the head of the excavation, Vanna Niniou-Kindeli, said, with all of her limbs intact and posed as though ready to shoot an arrow.

To read more, pelase visit: ekathimerini

Travel blogger and author Rebecca Hall from Life Beyond Borders explores the Al Hammam baths in Athens with members of Travel Bloggers Greece and shares her experience!

Al Hammam Turkish Baths are located in Chania, Crete and in the Plaka district of Athens. Actually, more towards the Anafiotika area of Athens, literally under the Acropolis, so imagine the views from the rooftop terrace where one can sip tea and eat Turkish treats after your experience? It’s literally a 100 metre walk from the museum Bath House of the Winds.

The one hour experience the Travel Bloggers Greece were offered was called the Al Hammam. This included:

First you sit in the Hammam ‘mist’ room. After changing in the (rather small) changing rooms into either disposable underwear (if you’re happy to go topless), or swimsuit (like me), then you enter the marbled, humid, steamy room and sit around, basically like a sauna and getting hot and sweaty. But it’s larger than a sauna; it’s circular and as you gradually get hotter and hotter, you can fill up a bowl of cold water and basically pour it over you!

To read this article in full, please visit: Life Beyond Borders

The perfect spot in the city center for getting a mouthful of delicious food and an eyeful of amazing scenery, from the Acropolis to Lycabettus Hill all the way down to the Saronic Gulf! Lay back comfortably in your deck chair and sip on refreshing cocktails or cool down under the impressive waterfall in the most stylish rooftop pool bar of Athens!

Located in Monastiraki Square, this wonderful bar is a favorite among the young and the older crowds. At the bar, you can choose from a selection of 60 different cocktails, while at the restaurant, you will savor imaginative dishes inspired by Mediterranean and Greek cuisine.

@kuzina.gr

Located in one of the most crowded pedestrian streets of the city, overlooking the Acropolis, in front of the Temple of Hephaestus, Kuzina combines Greek traditions with the latest trends, always using the freshest ingredients. Enjoy tasteful dishes and cocktails while the sunset paints the sky in the most unique colors!

Facing the sacred rock of the Acropolis, this hidden bar on Normanou street is most definitely one of the most beautiful terraces in the center of Athens. The all-day menu includes cocktails, coffee, healthy snacks, finger food, delicious burgers, and pizza. When the sun sets, you'll enjoy selected lounge and house music by well-known Greek and world DJs!

 

Location: 3 Normanou, Monastiraki
Telephone: 216 7004917

Telescope


@telescope_cafe_bar_restaurant

It's like love at first sight! You most definitely won't need more than a moment to fall in love with this place. Inside the store, you will find 21 telescopes which you can use to look at the magnificent view from the Piraeus port to the Olympic Stadium! The ideal spot for a relaxing drink or a romantic dinner!

All is fine - it's just the Greek military testing the sirens. According to a local news source, Greek soldiers will be taking part in the annual Parmenion military and civil defense exercise of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff on Tuesday October 9th, 2018 from 11:00 am to 11:05 am.

As part of this exercise, air raid sirens will be heard across Greece every 60 seconds between the timeframe specified.

The military exercise, named after Parmenion – a general in the army of the ancient Macedonian warrior king Alexander the Great and of his father Philip II – will be held throughout the country and will end on Friday.

News source: Ekathimerini

In Greek culture, the pomegranate fruit has symbolized fertility, luck, prosperity, renewal, and regeneration since ancient times. It has been the symbol of many goddesses, including Hera, the goddess of marriage, Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, and Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Queen of the Underworld. Since most New Year's day, rituals involve ways to bring luck to a household, it makes perfect sense that the pomegranates are part of these deep-rooted traditions.

The tradition of smashing a pomegranate on New Year's Day dates back to ancient times and originates in the Peloponnese or Serres. In modern times, when the family returns home from church on New Year's Day, the man of the house smashes the pomegranate on the front door. He wishes that the juicy, bounteous ruby-like segments of the fruit fill the home with health and happiness — and joys as many as the pomegranate's arils.  According to Greek tradition, the more seeds that spread all over the floor, the more good fortune will be brought to the house!