Athenian Brewery announced on Thursday it was launching Heineken beer exports to the Chinese and Italian markets, as the first batch set off on its long trip to the Far East.

The beer for export will be produced at the brewery’s Patra production unit, in an investment project amounting to 2 million euros. The decision was made in association with the parent company in Amsterdam and will boost employment in local communities as it involves the use of Greek raw materials.

“At first the new production line will be covered by existing employees, but this summer will see the gradual hiring of some seasonal workers,” Athenian Brewery’s managing director Zooullis Mina promised.


To read more please visit: ekathimerini
By Anestis Dokas

Open spaces in Greece and especially in its busy Athens capital, offer a unique feeling of freedom. “Openness” is very much a part of the Greek culture, history, lifestyle, entertainment and character. Here are some favourite parts of the city where you can really enjoy the freedom of open space, relax and have fun.

Lying in the most famous spots of Athens or tucked away in well-hidden areas, the lush gardens and parks of Athens adorn the city’s neighbourhoods and thanks to their scenic beauty they form oases in the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Whether you want to take a romantic stroll, relax or offer your children a pleasant environment to play, the gardens of Athens are definitely to be visited during your stay in the Greek capital!

Visit Athens National Garden, an oasis in the centre of the city with more than 500 different species of plants, trees, birds and animals; home to the Botanical Museum, a zoo, a pond, a playground, a children’s library, a traditional café as well as scattered ancient monuments and statues. Walk along Pedio Areos, the biggest park in Athens, recently fully restored, an ideal place for walking, relaxing or having fun! Don’t forget to visit Thissio Park, the south-westernmost part of the Ancient Agora archaeological site, a favourite spot of the locals and one of the most frequented city places.

Thanks to its rich morphology Athens has plenty of places where you can admire stunning panoramic views of the city. Romantic or not, let yourself be captivated by the Athenian cityscape as seen from above. Must “view” locations include Lycabettus Hill, Filopappou Hill, Kaisariani Monastery, Anafiotika in Plaka, Profitis Elias in Piraeus and Damari in Petroupoli.

To read more, please visit: Visit Greece

According to National Geographic, Greece has the best bookstore in the world and it's in Santorini!

Atlantis, which was founded by a group of friends from Cyprus, England and the United States, is situated along the main street in the picturesque town of Oia overlooking the water. This no. 1 bookstore hosts book readings on the terrace, bookbinding classes, and food and film festivals.

To learn more about this incredible Santorinian bookshop, visit their website HERE.

From the National Geographic's book Destinations of a Lifetime, here are the top ten bookstores in the world:

1. Atlantis Books, Santorini, Greece
2. Cafebrería el Péndulo, Mexico City, Mexico
3. Munro’s Books, Victoria, Canada
4. El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
5. Powell’s City of Books, Portland, Oregon
6. Prairie Lights, Iowa City, Iowa
7. Shakespeare and Company, Paris, France
8. Gertrude & Alice, Sydney, Australia
9. Librairie Avant-Garde, Nanjing, China
10. Cook & Book, Brussels, Belgium

Source: National Geographic

Travel should be more than crossing attractions off a bucket list. It should be an opportunity to see some truly magnificent and unique parts of the world.

From a Japanese island that doubles as an active volcano to a neon green lake in New Zealand, Business Insider named 100 places deemed worthy of a trip of a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Here are a few of our favorites!

 

 

10. Journey to the edge of a cliff in the Faroe Islands to visit the remote village of Gásadalur and enjoy breathtaking views.

 

 

Direct flights between Greece and China are expected to launch in September 2017, according to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. PM Tsipras stated that a direct air connection between Athens and Beijing as of September is expected to increase the number of Chinese tourists coming to Greece.

 

According to recently released data, the number of Chinese travelers visiting Greece could reach one million by 2021.

Referring to Greece as a country with rich cultural heritage and a leader in world tourism, Tsipras said that Greece particularly appreciates the importance of China’s initiative for people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and tourism.

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

The new heatwave sweeping across parts of Europe, nicknamed Lucifer, is expected to affect Greece as of Sunday and through the week, with temperatures reaching as high as 41 degrees, the National Meteorological Service said on Saturday.

 

On Monday the 7th of August, the hottest regions will be the western parts of Greece with 40-41C while the rest of the country will see temperatures between 38C to 40C. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, temperatures will stay high and hover around 38 degrees Celsius, mainly over the Ionian Islands and the mainland.

This will be the third heat wave affecting Greece this summer.

To read this article in full, please visit: Tornos News

Fall sales have officially started in Greece, running from November 1st through November 15th, 2017. 

According to legislation, regional authorities are allowed to determine when they want to hold the discounted shopping period, meaning that places such as Evros, Rodopi, the islands of the Dodecanese and part of Iraklio in Crete have set different dates for their autumn sales. In Thessaloniki, meanwhile, the sales period will be shorter, from this Wednesday until Friday, November 10.

For a few ideas on where to shop, read: Athens' Newest Cool Neighborhoods - Koukaki & Makriyianni and Top 5 Places To Go In Kifissia

 

To read this article in full, please visit: Ekathimerini

Athens is a city known all over the world for its rich history and culture. So, with millions of visitors every year, it's no wonder why the Acropolis won a major tourism award and how many ancient artifacts are yet to be found, such as a sculpture of a hunting dog dating back to 520 BC. It's a city full of surprises and beauty!

Greece is a surprising country; it surprises tourists – especially ones who scratch beneath the surface – and it also, occassionaly, surprises Greeks as well. After all, the notion that Greece is just golden beaches and clean blue seas isn't entirely true. In fact, Greece offers an abundance of off-the-beaten-path destinations and attractions, many of which are in the mainland and have absolutely nothing to do with a beach holiday!

The travel section of The Telegraph recently featured an article about 10 of the country's most surprising places, here are some of our favorite.

1. The Odontotos Railway in the Peloponnese

This is probably the closest you'll get to a Swiss landscape in Greece. Forget the crystalline beaches and white Cycladic homes; with the Odontotos (Toothy) rack railway you will travel through a mountainous, inaccessible part of the Peloponnese that bring the Alps to mind. Running for 23km from Diakofto to Kalavryta, the rack railway will take you through thick forests, steep inclines, and lush canyons that create an image of Greece you never imagined existed.

2. Grevena: The Fungi Capital of Greece

The mountainous Greek town of Grevena in Macedonia is rightfully called the Mushroom Capital of Greece. 1,300 species of mushrooms grow in abundance the oak forests near the town. Grevena claims a mushroom museum, a slew of tavernas serving forest fungi specialties, and public mushroom sculptures. Check out the annual four-day festival at the end of August for pure fungi pleasure.

 

3. Pyrgos: The Marble Village on Tinos Island

The village of Pyrgos on Tinos island is the historic home of a school of marble sculpture. Despite its small size, Pyrgos offers three museums: a museum dedicated to Yannoulis Chalepas, a Pyrgos native and one of the most praised sculptors in Greece, one showcasing contemporary talent, and finally the extensive Museum of Marble Crafts. Visit the village’s cemetery – which feels more like an art gallery than a burial ground – to admire the beautiful sculptures and memorials.

 

In its 7th edition, “Navarino Challenge”, to be held from 11- 13 October 2019, in Messinia and at Costa Navarino, continues to innovate with a roster of environmentally friendly activities.

“Navarino Challenge” allows participants to be informed and involved in its activities to support the sacred goal of combating childhood obesity through exercise and awareness of the benefits of a Mediterranean diet.

With a view to adopting a more eco-friendly strategy, the organizers: a) have declared the start and end points of the Navarino Dunes runways as strictly smoke-free areas, b) have declared the beautiful Voidokilia beach, through which the runners cross, as strictly plastic-free, c) will offer participants an eco-friendly bag by Luanvi, event’s official sports supplier.

This year, the event will further promote charity by supporting: a) the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis with a program on Food Aid and Promotion of Healthy Nutrition, DIATROFI.
Additionally, Captain Vasilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation will support b) WWF Hellas and c) Karkinaki.
All participants can contribute any sum they wish through the GivenGain online platform. As part of this year’s “Navarino Challenge”, Barney Spender and Roddy Gibson’s award-winning documentary “The Road to Sparta” that recounts the effort of four runners, including that of Greek-American ultramarathon Dean Karnazes (who participated with the Navarino Challenge Support Team) to run the “Sparthathlon” race, will be screened at the Agora, Costa Navarino, on Friday, October 11.

Running routes
Participants can choose between the top-of-the-range Ford Go Further Greek Half- Marathon (21.1km), 10km by PlantBox, and 5km (running & dynamic walking). Starting from the Navarino Dunes of Costa Navarino, professional and amateur athletes will run along the coast to Pylos, crossing the beautiful Voidokilia beach, following the Homeric trail that Telemachos traced for Odysseus in King Nestor’s land. It is the only trail run that combines soil, sand and asphalt.
On the same day, the children’s 1km course will take place. The routes have been planned by the former marathon runner, current classic marathon course national record holder, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. The event includes race timing for all runners.

The olive tree, a key symbol of Ancient Greece, the Olympic Games, of the Mediterranean diet, and of Messinia in particular, is given its due place of honour at Navarino Challenge. Peloponnese-based PlantBox, the award-winning team at the Athens Startup Awards, will offer an original olive tree package to each participant. Participants will also receive 2 high quality cosmetics by Messinian Spa, a range of cosmetics based on Kalamata olive oil and other natural Greek products.

Enjoy the uniqueness of the running routes in the following video!

Learn more details about the route of the Ford Go Further Greek Half-Marathon in the following video!

Accommodation Packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino Navarino Challenge participants who have booked their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, taking part in the main events (running, swimming) can also enjoy the full program that includes more than 20 sporting activities. The first 50 to book their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino stand a chance to win free participation at the Authentic Athens Marathon 5km race on Sunday, November 10, 2019.

More information on accommodation packages can be found here!

Pre-sale is also available online via www.viva.gr or by phone at 11876 as well as at all Viva pre-sale points. For more information on accommodation packages in the region visit VitaNTravel: http://vitantravel.gr/
Samsung is the official technology partner for another year. Official sponsors of the event are Ford Motor Hellas and the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”.
Luanvi is the official sports supplier of the event for one more year.
Official supporters are Poseidonia, Municipality of Pylos-Nestor and PlantBox. Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner for the first time.
Partners of the event are Pylos Poems, Fysiotek Sports Lab, Athens Easy Transfers. Avance Rent A Car is the official rental partner.
National Geographic is the strategic partner of the event and 24 Media its premium media partner. “Navarino Challenge” has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2019 program of the European Commission and is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.
The event is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos- Nestor and Trifilia. Athletic Partners: Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club Assisted by: Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Karalis Beach Hotel, Lifeguard Patrol, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Target Security, METAXA, The Blue Beetle, Fever-Tree, NoS, Southern Comfort 3

Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
Photo credit: Elias Lefas