August 15th, or Dekapentavgoustos in Greek, is one of the most important religious celebrations in the country and a quintessential part of the Greek summer. Except for honoring the final resting of the Virgin Mary, on this day, Greeks throughout the country celebrate with major festivities known as panigiria that include traditional music, dancing, good food, and plenty of drinks!

If you find yourself in Greece during August, make sure to experience the splendor surrounding the Dormition of Mary. Where else? On a Greek island, of course!

Tinos


@gpapapostolou.photo

The most popular destination for celebrating August 15th in Greece is Tinos, home to the Greek Orthodox Church’s holiest church, the Panagia Evangelistria. Thousands of visitors arrive in Tinos each year to enjoy various festivities in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, including Tsiknias (the leavetaking of the Dormition, the mother of God, held nine days after) and Exοmbourgo (a religious feast in honor of Jesus).

Astypalaia


@astypalaia_island

Religion plays a vital part in the ethos of the residents of this scenic island in the Dodecanese archipelago. The most important celebration is the feast day of the Virgin Mary. The island’s biggest festival takes place in the monastery of Portaitissa, and the celebrations last for three days. On August 15th, everyone gathers in the church to shower the miraculous icon of the Virgin of Portaitissa with flowers and then moves to the ‘Rodia’ courtyard for the big fete with violins, lutes, and traditional dancing.

Ikaria


@dimitris_pazaitis

When it comes to “panigiria” Ikaria is the island to be! Especially on August 15th, big celebrations are held throughout the island, but the biggest ones can be found in the villages of Christos Rachon and Lagada. There you will find thousands of locals and tourists dancing the Ikariotikos and enjoying traditional food and delicious Ikarian wine; an experience not to be missed!

Lesvos


@evangelou_giannis

On the 15th of August, the most popular celebrations in Lesvos take place in the village of Agiassos, where the church of Panagia Agiasotissa is located. Along with a church service and plenty of food, including the traditional dish “Keskeki” ( a combination of stew and wheat ), visitors can attend several cultural events such as theatrical performances, exhibitions, and concerts, as well as the local track races known as “Christophidia”.

Nisyros


@nuno_eca

Nisyros celebrates the day of the Assumption with great reverence! The celebrations take place at the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani and run from the 6th until the 15th of August. During these days, the monastery hosts women from all over the island who are committed to making 300 prostrations daily, kneeling in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary, and fasting. On the day of the Assumption, the icon of the Virgin Mary is carried in a procession. The feast begins when the icon arrives at the village, with the traditional dance of “koupa”.

Kefalonia


@nico_cene

A rather peculiar legend surrounds the celebration of Dekapentavgoustos in Kefalonia, as well as the church hosting it, Panagia Fidousa, in the village of Markopoulo. Every year around August 15th, small snakes appear inside and outside the church. According to the legend, in the 1200s a convent of nuns was praying for safety from a pirate attack, and during their prayers, hundreds of snakes appeared between the nuns and the pirates, saving their lives. Since then, “Virgin Mary’s snakes”, as they are called, enter the church and head for the icon of the virgin.

Greece has submitted the nomination file of Mount Olympus for inclusion in UNESCO’s list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites.

“Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in our country, is linked to ancient mythology, to Homer, to the history of Greece throughout the centuries. The home of the gods is one of the strongest Greek brand names,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain with an altitude of 2,918 meters. In 1981 it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and in 2021 it was declared a national park by presidential decree.

UNESCO is expected to issue a final decision by September.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

Nestled among the vibrant tapestry of global urban culture lies an unexpected treasure: Troon Street in Athens. In a recent unveiling by Time Out magazine, celebrated for its keen eye for cultural hotspots, Troon Street proudly clinched the 28th spot on the list of the 30 coolest streets in the world for 2024.

But what defines the essence of a 'cool' street? Is it the diverse array of cafes, culinary havens, and inviting bars where time seems to stand still amidst the exploration of tantalizing cuisines and innovative cocktails? Perhaps it's the charming boutiques teeming with one-of-a-kind treasures that entice the curious wanderer. Or could it be the intangible ambiance that envelops a street, an unmistakable aura of community and familiarity?

In crafting its esteemed list, Time Out meticulously weighed various factors, including culinary diversity, libation offerings, cultural vibrancy, nocturnal allure, and the collective spirit of each street's inhabitants. The result is a celebration of streets that have evolved into dynamic hubs, offering sanctuary from the urban hustle and bustle.

Leading the charge is Melbourne's High Street, an urban sanctuary renowned for its plethora of gastronomic delights, hidden watering holes, and independent boutiques. Here, locals and visitors alike revel in a palpable sense of camaraderie, epitomizing the inclusive spirit of the community.

And amidst these illustrious thoroughfares lies Troon Street, a beacon of Athenian charm and authenticity. Stretching from the historic neighborhood of Thisios to the heart of Petralona, Troon Street captivates with its fusion of storied landmarks, picturesque vistas, and a thriving local scene. It beckons travelers to immerse themselves in an authentically Athenian experience, where every corner reveals a new facet of the city's rich tapestry.

In an age where streets have transcended their traditional roles as mere conduits of traffic to become vibrant social spaces, Troon Street stands as a testament to the transformative power of community and culture. As the world embraces al fresco dining and champions green initiatives, Troon Street remains a shining example of urban revitalization done right—a place where the echoes of the past converge with the pulse of the present, and every step narrates a tale of resilience and renewal.

Originally published in Greek on: intronews.gr

German interest in Greek destinations is still keen, with more German travelers including Greece in their holiday plans for 2016, local tourism professionals say. To keep up with the trend, German tour operators are enhancing their Greece packages with additional airline seats and accommodation options.

Greece is facing fierce competition by other neighbouring destinations including Spain, Italy and Turkey, which has – following the recent Russia incident and the resultant embargo – focused much of its tourism drive on the German market.

At the same time, an estimated 20 percent of Germany’s holidaymakers said they would think twice before setting off on their next trip, according to a November survey published after the terror attacks in Paris, in German travel magazine fvw.

The report, however, also found higher figures for people who would not be influenced in their travel plans, led by Spain with 50 percent and Greece at 39 percent.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

The popular news and media source Buzzfeed recently released their list of ’31 Places Around The World You Should Eat At Before You Die,’ and two of Athens’ restaurants made the list! The compilation includes a variety of locations and culinary offerings that certainly do not disappoint, as recommended by a cultured group of globetrotters.

One of these globetrotters is Jess Brammar, the senior broadcast journalist on the BBC’s “Newsnight” program. She focused her attention on an Exarchia eatery that provides a spectacular setting of central Athens. According to Brammar, at Ama Laxei the food you will encounter is nothing short of amazing. She describes it as “traditional Greek with a modern twist”. Full of salads and large plates to share, Ama Laxei provides an ideal dinner for larger parties and socialites.

Ama Laxei: Kallidromiou 69, 210 384 5978

Athens scores another spot on the list with one of its notable restaurants Seychelles, located in the neighborhood of Metaxourgeio. Jon Henley, a feature writer for the popular news and media company Guardian, dines at this casual hangout and gives and gives credit to its authentically Greek, yet satisfyingly inventive cuisine.

Seychelles: 49 Kerameikou Street, 211 183 4789

Reviewers managed to hit a wide variety of cities that takes readers on a trip across the globe. The list highlights Umm Hagar, found in the center of Cairo, Egypt, Armand’s Bistro in Cambodia, Vijay’s in the northwest of London, and Don Alfonso overlooking the Amalfi coast and Sorrento.

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

To see the full list of Places To Eat At Before You Die, please visit: Buzzfeed

The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels has come out with a new electronic tourism guide for Athens and Attica named Trip2Athens that focuses on online booking, organizing travel and boosting business partnerships within the tourism industry of the Greek capital.

The Trip2Athens e-guide displays all tourism activities including accommodation, catering, entertainment, shopping, etc., and is offered in seven languages, Greek, English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese. 

Through the platform, visitors from around the world can live out the “dream – plan – book – visit – share” experience: plan their journey to Athens from the beginning to the end, choose their transportation, choose the hotel for their stay, choose the attractions they are interested in visiting and make all the necessary reservations.

The Trip2Athens e-guide is also a business tool for enterprises as they can use it to promote their business to the international e-tourism market.

The platform encourages synergies between different tourism service providers for the offer of personalized services to travellers that will strengthen and improve the overall visitor experience.

Today the platform counts 2,000 companies, 470 hotels, approximately 1,000 sites, hundreds of activities and other places of interest in Athens and Attica.

All professionals on the platform can promote their businesses and increase sales through the guide by making a company profile, which can include photos, opening hours, contact details, interactive map, etc., and upload offers and discount vouchers. Guests that have already used the platform will be notified of all available offers.

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

The countdown to the inaugural Messinia Pro Am is underway with extensive interest from golf teams both in Greece and abroad.

 

The event is set to take place from February 21-24, 2016 at Costa Navarino, the prime sustainable golf destination in the Mediterranean, with many professional and amateur golfers already forming the first Pro Am teams set to participate.

The event will celebrate its inaugural year with the presence of former professional basketball player Joe Arlauckas. Commenting on his participation, the great basketball player stated, “It feels great to be able to visit one of my favorite countries, Greece, and I am really looking forward to spending time playing at the two great signature designed golf courses as well as enjoying all of the amenities Costa Navarino has to offer.”

Each team participating in the tournament consists of one professional and three amateur golfers. The event will kick off on February 21st with a practice day for all teams followed by the main competition taking place between February 22nd and 24th.

The focal point of the action will be Costa Navarino’s two award-winning golf courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course. The Dunes Course opened as the first signature 18 hole golf course in Greece, followed by The Bay Course, another 18 hole seaside golf course.

Both golf courses received the accolades of Best Newcomers by the World of Leading Golf Association in 2014, while in 2016 the courses were recognised by the internationally renowned magazine Golf World as number 6 in a list of the Top 100 European Golf Resorts. Further accolades include placing within Robb Report’s ‘Best of the Best Golf Courses’, while 1Golf.eu named The Dunes Course as second place in a round-up of Europe’s Most Popular Golf Courses 2016.

The Director of Local Operations, Navarino Dunes, Costa Navarino, Mr. George Hadjiosif highlighted, “Golf has again become an Olympic sport for the first time since 1904. In Costa Navarino, we are proud to launch the Messinia Pro-Am, an international golf tournament aiming to become an established institution hosting the golfing elite from around the globe and promoting golf and golf tourism in Greece. Being under the auspices of the PGAs of Europe is an honour for us and we look forward to a successful event.”

Registrations and participation forms for the 1st Messinia Pro Am continue at a quick pace at the official page of the event: http://messiniaproam.costanavarino.com/registration.html. For those who are interested in staying at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and enjoy the full experience of the Messinia Pro Am 2017, special accommodation packages are available:

AEGEAN, member of STAR ALLIANCE, the leading global aviation alliance will be the official airline partner of the event, while the company Kyvernitis Travel is the official supporter of the event.

The 1st Messinia Pro Am will be held under the auspices of the PGAs of Europe, the PGA of Greece, the Hellenic Golf Federation and the Hellenic Olympic Academy.

Official Airline Partner: AEGEAN

Official Supporter: Kyvernitis Travel

Organizer: Costa Navarino

Website

Photo Credit: Costa Navarino