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The Healing Power Of Music
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!
Magical Festive Theme Parks Around Greece To Visit This Christmas
Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The Tree of Elves – Patras
@dentro_xotikon
Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Ο Μύλος των Ξωτικών
Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
@christmasfactory
Hours: Daily, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Magical Lake City - Kastoria
Hours: To be announced
Fun Things To Do In Athens In August
Athens in the summer is no joke; the sun blazes, the pavements sizzle, and temperatures can climb into the 40s. But don’t let the heat put a stop to your plans. With a little creativity (and strategic timing), the city offers plenty of ways to stay cool and still soak in its magic. Whether you’re a local trying to survive August in the city or a visitor determined to make the most of your trip, here’s how to enjoy Athens even when the heat feels impossible.
1. Head To The Coast: A Walk To Kavouri
@oarismas📍Kavouri
When the city feels like an oven, the coast is your best friend. Kavouri, located just beyond Vouliagmeni, offers a breezy seaside escape that’s perfect for a late-afternoon walk or a refreshing dip. The pine-shaded path hugs the coastline, leading to small coves where you can cool off in turquoise waters.
Insider tip: Don’t miss Lasithi Café for its gorgeous views and excellent coffee — the perfect stop to wrap up your seaside escape.
2. Explore Athens By Night
📍Thiseio View Cafe Bar.
When the sun sets, Athens transforms. The air cools, the streets buzz, and the city comes alive. Take advantage of the milder temperatures and explore Athens after dark. From buzzing rooftop bars with sweeping Acropolis views (like those in Monastiraki or Thisio) to lively beach clubs along the Riviera, nighttime in Athens has its own magic. Whether you’re sipping cocktails under the stars or wandering through the lit-up Plaka streets, you’ll see a whole new side of the city.
3. Visit Air-Conditioned Museums & Cultural Centers
📍Numismatic Museum Cafe.
Need a break from the sun? Athens’ museums aren’t just cultural treasures but also wonderfully air-conditioned sanctuaries. Spend a few hours wandering the Benaki Museum, admiring masterpieces at the Goulandris Museum, or marveling at ancient wonders in the Acropolis Museum. If you’re in the mood for something a little different (and greener), head north to Kifisia and visit the Goulandris Natural History Museum, a refreshing escape surrounded by nature. Afterward, enjoy a meal at Natu Restaurant, set in a beautiful, breezy garden that feels miles away from the city heat. For a more cultural vibe, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is perfect for chilling by the canal or catching a summer concert in the evening breeze.
And don’t overlook the hidden museum gardens right in the city: the Numismatic Museum has a charming, shaded courtyard café, the Byzantine & Christian Museum offers a peaceful garden café with lovely views, and the War Museum hides a quiet spot filled with blooming bougainvillea. All perfect for a cool drink and a pause from sightseeing.
4. Escape To The Hills At Sunset
@kostas.photos 📍Pnyx, Athens.
Hiking in midday heat? No thanks. But at sunset? Absolutely. Head to Lycabettus Hill for panoramic views of the glowing city and if you want to make it extra special, book a table at Orizontes, the hilltop restaurant with unbeatable sunset views and a refined Greek menu. Prefer something quieter? Take a stroll up Philopappou or the Pnyx, where history and nature blend beautifully. Golden hour here is magical, perfect for photos, a light picnic, or simply watching Athens light up as the day cools down.
5. Cool Off At A Beach Or Pool
Credit: www.sgl.gr
When in doubt, find water. Vouliagmeni, Anavyssos, and other Riviera beaches are close enough for a quick escape and perfect for a swim. If you’d prefer something more private, many city hotels offer day passes to their pools, letting you lounge in luxury with a cold drink in hand.
6. Browse Cool Cafés & Concept Stores
@littlebookstoresweek 📍Little Tree Books & Coffee.
Sometimes, the best way to beat the heat is to do absolutely nothing inside an air-conditioned haven. Explore stylish cafés in Kolonaki or Koukaki, where you can linger over coffee, pastries, or even brunch. For a cozier vibe, curl up with a book at Little Tree Books & Coffee, a charming spot near the Acropolis, or Komprai, a small, welcoming bookshop-café that’s perfect for reading or quiet conversation. (Just note that some of these smaller spots may close for part of August — but they’re worth a visit if you catch them open.)
If you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, check out Athens’ unique concept stores or independent bookshops — perfect mini-escapes from the midday sun.
7. Take A Short Day Trip
📍Thinio tavern in Salamina.
When the city feels suffocating, sometimes a quick getaway is all you need. Sounio offers a breezy coastal drive and a stunning sunset by the Temple of Poseidon, while Aegina (just 40 minutes by ferry) gives you island vibes without the long journey. From Aegina, you can also hop over to Moni Island, a hidden gem where peacocks roam freely, a truly unique experience.
Even closer, Salamina is only about 15 minutes by ferry from Perama, making it one of the easiest escapes from Athens. While you’re there, head to Thinio, a seaside taverna serving some of the best seafood around, with views that stretch all the way to Aegina.
Head out early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the peak heat and crowds.
Butterfly Valley Of Rhodes
A unique nature reserve is to be found inland on Rhodes, “Butterfly Valley” (in Greek “Petaloúdes”). Apart from its aesthetic value, it is also the site of the only natural forest of Liquidambar orientalis (Oriental Sweetgum trees) in Europe, and a resting point for the Jersey tiger (Panaxia Quadripunctaria), a nocturnal moth. An excellent place for families with children who wish to enjoy the beauties of nature and examine the life cycle of butterflies as part of their summer holiday.
You can take a peaceful walk through the shaded, green valley with its small river and beautiful waterfalls. You are permanently surrounded by butterflies camouflaging themselves against the tree trunks as you walk up towards the monastery at the top, or rest for a while on one of the wooden benches along the way.
Visitors can witness a spectacular phenomenon which occurs only rarely in nature. Huge numbers of butterflies congregate in this small valley during the final stage of their life cycle. Every year, at the end of the wet season (late May), thousands of butterflies attracted by the scent of the Oriental Sweetgum trees cover the entire landscape. They are actually adult insects that follow the waterways and migrate here to reproduce (females leave for other suitable areas to lay their eggs in the early fall) due to the high humidity of the area.
Hush, hush..butterflies are resting here…The moths cannot eat during this final phase of their life cycle, so they rest here to conserve energy. Any loud noise would force them to fly away, thereby consuming valuable energy. Observe them as they “sleep” well-camouflaged in black and yellow; in flight their cherry-red overwings flash. If you are quiet and still, they may even land on your arm –that would make a wonderful photo!
To read more, please visit visitgreece.gr
Unprecedented Media Coverage Of Election
This year’s general election garnered unprecedented and widespread international media attention. 1,060 media representatives from more than 45 countries were accredited, the vast majority of whom were foreigners. The media coverage in terms of representatives sent to Greece increased by 35% compared to the 2012 general elections. Spain, in particular, was the country which showed the most eager interest in the events.
With 70 media representatives accredited and two political leaders present during the pre-election period (Mariano Rajoy and Pablo Iglesias), Spain followed the political developments in real time and up close.
The 2015 Elections Press Center of the General Secretariat for Communication and Promotion was hosted at the Zappeion Conference Centre, the same venue which served as the headquarters of Greece’s presidency in the Council of the European Union during 2014.
To read more, please visit greeknewsagenda.gr
metamatic:taf
Amazing Humans - Play Specialists Help Refugee Children Smile Again
Kolokithopita - Greek Pumpkin Pie With Feta Cheese
Serves: 4-6
Difficulty: Easy
Cooks in: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 pounds (1- 1/2 kg) pumpkin
- 2 medium onions
- 8-9 ounces (200-250 grams) crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint or 2 tablespoons dry mint
- Salt/pepper
- 1 egg
- A pinch of cumin
- 12 phyllo sheets
The Rise Of The Freelance Workforce
There’s been a lot of talk recently about freelancers disrupting the workforce and existing markets. A 2016 McKinsey Global Institute report found that a huge 20-30% of the workforce in Europe and the US engage in some form of independent work – and its more than just new players like Uber making up the numbers. We’re seeing a broader shift in both corporate strategy and workforce attitudes that’s changing the way we do business, for the better.
Empowering Individuals
A big factor in the rising freelance workforce comes from an increasing desire for more freedom and control. Around 61% of respondents to our Great Big Survey, which included 40,000 workers from around the world, said that work-life balance is the main driving force behind flexible working.
Workers also want greater autonomy to forge ahead on their own path. You can see this in the OECD’s Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2015 report, which surveyed people aged 18-64 from 41 different countries. This study found that 48% of men and 36% of women would rather start their own business than work for someone else.
Spotting The Trend
The people behind the gig economy (using freelancers on an ad-hoc basis) were early birds: they recognised a rising value for independence and entrepreneurial spirit and they leapt at the chance. All companies have the power to respond and integrate this system to benefit their own workforce, and there’s evidence they’re starting to do so. Around 42% of executives surveyed by Deloitte in their Global Human Capital Trends 2016 report said they planned to employ more ad-hoc workers over the next three to five years.
This isn’t simply a response to worker demands. 58% of businesses told us that reducing permanent staff overheads is key to their post-recession plans. It also helps them work in a more agile way, scaling their workforce up and down to meet changes in demand and new industry developments.
To integrate larger numbers of freelance workers, companies are changing their office environments. PwC’s 2016 Emerging Trends in Real Estate survey found that more and more businesses are looking for high-quality, flexible and serviced office and co-working spaces, like Regus, where they can scale up and down quickly.
The next step is to ensure that these flexible, changing teams are working in the most creative and productive ways possible. According to the 2017 Deloitte Human Capital Trends report, this will mean moving away from management hierarchies and towards groups of empowered networks that are able to change regularly and quickly.
Explore Regus' flexible workspace locations to help increase business productivity!
This content has been sponsored by IWG - an XpatAthens Brand Partner.
Athens Reopens For Summer
More specifically, here’s what now open (or about to open) in Athens this month:
• Restaurants and bars have reopened their outdoor spaces.
• Open-air archaeological sites such as the Acropolis and the Roman Agora are open with strict protocols.
• Organised beaches are operating again with strict health protocols.
• Hairdressers, barbers, beauty, and nail salons are open (by appointment).
• Parks have reopened and fishing in coastal municipalities is permitted again.
• Museums and conservatories are operating with visitor quotas and protocols.
• Summer cinemas and outdoor cinema screenings recommence on 21 May with 75% capacity.
• Live shows in outdoor spaces and theatre venues resume on 28 May for seated attendance only, with a fixed occupancy rate of 50%.
Originally published on: thisisathens.org
Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.