Europe is rich in geography and history which means that there are so many options for excellent travel experiences on the continent. Considering its small size, fortunately Greece is a country full of incredible places to explore and enjoy.

This article from the Telegraph tells us that 8 Greek cities are among Europe's oldest cities! Pull out your trusty maps (or plan your Google map route) and head to some of the oldest cities in Europe ~ they're right at your doorstep!

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? 5,000 BC

Árgos, in the north-eastern Peloponnese, 12km from Nafplio, has been inhabited, at least as a village, for some 7,000 years, and was a significant centre during the Mycenaean period (1600-1100 BC), although became most prominent during the reign of the tyrant king Pheidon, in the 7th century BC. In the Greek myths, the city was named after the son of Zeus and Niobe, and Homer's Iliad describes it as a renowned horse-breeding centre. Hera, the goddess of women and marriage, was particularly revered, and the Argives honoured her with a temple and an annual festival. Mycenaean tombs, the sanctuary of Aphrodite and a theatre with capacity for 20,000 people can be seen today.

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? 5,000 BC

The Acropolis has been inhabited since at least 5,000 BC, and Greek legend says that the city of Athens won its name after Athena planted an olive seed in a contest with Poseidon. With the resulting tree seen as more valuable than the water that Poseidon released from a rock with his trident, the goddess of wisdom, war and the crafts was named as the city's patron. The birthplace of democracy, the city has been held in such esteem that invaders have historically conquered the city, but not ransacked it, or enslaved its citizens. The Athenians defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, after which the city entered its golden age, under the rule of Pericles. Socrates, Hippocrates and Sophocles all worked in its bounds, to be followed by Aristotle and Plato. Today, visitors can admire the Acropolis as well as Plaka, the city's oldest residential quarter, and Mt Lycabettus, the highest vantage point and a world away from any financial worries.

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? 4,000 BC

Excavations of the ancient city of Kydonia are taking place on Kastelli hill above the harbour at Chania on Crete. The ruins are thought to date from the Minoan period (2,100-1,100BC) and Kydonia probably came into its own around then, but traces of inhabitation at the site date back to the Neolithic period. Homer said that the city was one of the most important of the time, and frescoes, pottery and coins have all been unearthed on the site, which is open to view today. It is thought that the Saracens destroyed Kyronia in around 828, and the Venetians later built on it the settlement that would become modern-day Chania. The city is arguably Crete's most attractive, with its walls, beaches, museums, boats and all important tavernas creating an amiable atmosphere.

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? c. 3,500 BC

Excavations show that the area that is now the city of Patra has been inhabited since the Early Helladic period in the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. Like many other cities in Greece, it was later occupied by the Turks, while it was then set on fire by Muslim Albanians in 1779. After an earthquake in the 6th century, a castle was built on the side of Mount Panachaico, and to this day the city is divided into Lower and Upper districts. The modern city, on the coast in western Greece, has around 200,000 inhabitants.

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? 3,000 BC

The ancient city of Trikka, founded around the 3rd millennium BC, lies underneath the modern conurbation, and was named after the nymph Trikke, daughter of Penaeus. The riverside location in central mainland Greece led to prosperity, although it fell to the Achaemenid Persians in 480 BC and later to the Romans. The Asklepieion - a healing temple - is one of the most ancient ruins of its kind, while the 17th century Koursoum Mosque is a more modern attraction.

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? 3,000 BC

Evidence of buildings with rock-cut foundations, drains and mud brick walls shows Thebes has been inhabited for some 5,000 years, although the placement of the modern town on top of the ruins has made piecing together the history of the ancient settlement difficult. Found in central Greece, the city is important in Greek mythology, supposedly as the birthplace of Hercules and the terrorising ground of the Sphinx before her riddle was solved. Today, Thebes is a market city, and although some tourists come to see ruins, other bigger draws nearby such as Athens keep visitor numbers relatively low.

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? At least 1,300 BC

Homer refers to Chalcis in the Iliad, written in about 762 BC, meaning that the city is at least 2,800 years old. Indeed, academic records say that the city was founded before the Trojan War, typically thought to have been between the 12th and 13th centuries BC, by an Ionic colony from Athens. It is the main settlement on the island of Euboea, where it sits on the Europis strait, a channel of water separating the island from mainland Greece. Although it was significant during the Roman era, nothing remains of the old city today, and the town is best known as a holiday resort for Greeks, for its agriculture, and its neighbouring cement factory.

To learn about all 16 European cities, please visit: Telegraph

In an interview given by Embassy News, Michalis Stangos, who is co-founder of Industry Disruptors-Game Changers (ID-GC), a non-profit/non-governmental organisation that was founded to promote entrepreneurship in Greece, discussed the current opportunities and challenges Greek start-ups are faced with and the ‘Start Tel Aviv 2016’ competition. Greek start-ups have been vital to the economy during the last few years and what ID-GC does is focus its strategy on industry sectors that offer a competitive advantage and aims at supporting start-ups and young entrepreneurs.

Interview to Eleftheria Pantziou

EN: Please, provide us with some information on ID-GC’s main objectives.

Michalis Stangos: Industry Disruptors-Game Changers (ID-GC) is an organization created three years ago by a group of young entrepreneurs, whose business survived the crisis. We decided to take action in order to help young entrepeneurs and people with innovative ideas, stay in Greece and pursue their dreams. The whole idea is to change the mindset, as there are many talents in Greece, but we see many people migrating to pursue a career abroad, whether in academia or in business. We tried to change the mindset and create an organization that would help the youth become more extroversive, gain opportunities and become the next generation of entrepreneurs.

During these three years we managed to raise around 2.5 million euros that we distributed through grant programs and scholarships addressed to startups. We do not work on commission as ID-GC is a non-profit organization.

We also organize “Investor Days” and boot camps to match entrepreneurs and investors with startups. This has also generated a lot of deals and funding opportunities for startups in Greece and abroad.

EN: What are some of the initiatives undertaken by ID-GC on business and education?

Michalis Stangos: Our initiatives include international competitions and our structure is sectoral, as we focus on a) healthcare, b) cleantech and energy, c) agro and agrotechnology, d) creative industry – from gaming to architecture and art, e) Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and f) tourism.

We collaborate with big institutions and organizations in Greece and abroad, as well as sectoral associations such as SFEE – the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies and SEV – the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. Also with Greece’s major universities. Along with the Athens University of Economics and Business we created a national MBA, that focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship.

In private-public partnership with the University, an NGO and a major multinational company from the pharmaceutical sector, we’ve managed to provide 22 scholarships. As a result a student is able to conclude an MBA and at the same time develop his/her idea into a business.

Also with the University of Thessaly and the National Hellenic Research Foundation we have developed the first Master’s program in Bioentepreneurship. With the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens we are working on an incubation program and we are also launching a new incubator program with the National Technical University of Athens.

The City of Athens has made some efforts to promote entrepreneurship and Greek start-ups, through Innovathens and other initiatives.

EN: What are the main features of a “successful” startup?

Michalis Stangos: The team is the most important element in a start-up. Definately at the end of the day everything is about the team. Also the idea. And it needs a lot of work, hard work and “thrassos” (nerve) as we say in Greek!

To read this interview in full, please visit: Embassy News

Travel Bloggers Greece is a network of travel bloggers who write about their travel experiences in Greece and other countries, as well as their expat life mostly in Greece. Greek TV reporter, Kyriaki Iatropouli met Marissa Tejada, Elena Sergeeva, Chrysoula Manika and Amber Charmei, in Lesvos during one of their trips as a group. These four women have created a network, working together, sharing their experiences, and learning from each other. Iatropouli met them again in Athens at Mana’s Kouzina-Kouzina restaurant and there they talked about their blogs, the network and their travelling experiences. New member Gabi Ancarola was also there.

Marissa came to Greece initially with her first husband. It didn’t work out, but she decided to stay in Greece.

“I was going to stay for the summer and that was six years ago! So, I’m still here, I still love life here, I’m remarried, and I’m Greek!” she says. She started her blog My Greece, My Travels four years ago as an experiment out of her love for travelling and writing. She’s a journalist, corporate writer, travel blogger and novelist. She published her first book “Chasing Athens” two years ago. It’s a romantic comedy novel that takes place in Greece. “I hope to write another book ‘cause Greece inspires me,” she says, while the rest cheer and encourage her!

Elena’s family moved to Athens when she was a child. At first, it was only for a few years, but finally they made Greece their permanent home.

“So basically I’m Greek now!” she says. She started her first blog in 2009, but she discovered the power of blogging and social media in 2011, while writing her dissertation for her master’s degree. She has a few blogs, under the “Passion for” concept. She is a passionate, young, full of energy and ideas woman. I ask her how she came up with this concept. “I was in a flight from New York and in the plane I was watching ‘Steve Jobs’ movie. When he said ‘I don’t wanna work for anybody else’ the idea of ‘Passion for Greece’ was born. I said ‘If the domain is available, then it’s destiny!’ So, I came in Athens, I searched and I bought a couple of domains. I started with Passion for Greece two years ago, my next chapter is ‘Passion for Dubai’ and I have more ‘Passions’ coming out.”

Chrysoula is the only one in the group born and raised in Greece. She studied tourism but she works in the marketing team of a newspaper. She started her blog Travel Passionate because her friends saw her passion and encouraged her.

“Because I love travelling and organizing trips I give advice to my friends on travelling. They encouraged me to have a blog and write about it so I decided to start a blog about Greece, where I give advice to people who want to visit, on where to go, what to do, where to eat and drink, everything…” She hopes to make it her profession in the future.

Gabi is the only one not living in Athens at the moment, but she’s planning to. She lives in Italy, where she used to be a translator for tourism, until she decided to start writing and have her own voice. She now writes on her blog The Tiny Book about her passion, which is travelling with her children. She educates them on the road.

“I try to teach them how the world works by actually seeing the world and not by reading it in books. So I combine a lot of things and I teach the world on a plane, on a bus, on a train to my kids and that’s what I love the most.” She also works on a project about Greece through tourism books and travel guides for the Italian market, trying to promote Greece in Italy.

Amber came to Greece 17 years old in search for the sense of community she missed from New York city, when it became so big.

“Where I grew up in Manhattan I knew the guy who made the mozzarella cheese, I knew the guy who made the bread, I knew the guy who made the sausage, I knew everybody. And I missed that kind of life. I missed that community and that connection. So, when I had the opportunity to move here [in Greece], I came in search of that: something urban but sweeter, something a little more authentic.” She started writing on her blog, Provocolate, mainly about food until she met the other members of TBG. “Now I write a lot more about things that make life real, authentic, special.” It seems that in Greece Amber found what she was looking for. She adds, “Something we all like about Greece very much is that it embodies values, too. I think that’s what drives people here, it’s not just that it’s beautiful, it’s not just that the food is delicious, but that it’s coming from a place very real. So I hope to try to capture that and share it as much as possible.”

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

Stay informed wit these articles about the new plastic bag charge, SNF provided funding for 2 theatre’s to reopen, Christmas Bazaar’s in Athens, and general shopping hours!

 

 

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From the center of the city, the Athenian Riviera is easily accessible by car or public transport. Locals and visitors come to this part of town to find beautiful beaches, seaside tavernas, lively beach bars, and excellent nightlife! Here is a list of some of the best beach bars in Athens, perfect for a coffee, cocktail, or meal.

 

@nalu_cafe

Located at the Akti you Iliou beach (Costa del Sol), Nalu is a trendy spot, very popular among Athenians. This beach bar has relaxed, boho-chic aesthetics, offering a homey and cozy feeling. Nālu is open from early in the morning and keeps serving till late at night when it turns into a great bar with delicious cocktails. Nālu is also a popular destination to watch the sunset, as it offers stunning views. 

Address: Leof. Poseidonos
Telephone: 210 9880990

 

2. Bolivar - Alimos


@bolivarbeachbar

Relaxed vibes and a true island experience awaits you at this beachside bar which is surrounded by palm trees and huts that are made of straw and wood. This is a great place to relax take in the sun during the day, enjoy great dishes from the Mediterranean cuisine, and maybe even stay for dancing with well-known DJs, at night.

Address: Akti tou Iliou,  Leof. Poseidonos
Telephone: 210 9831018

3. L'amico - Anavissos

Just an hour from the city center, in Anavissos, this beach side bar has a bit of everything. Crystal-clear, calm waters, great food, and cocktails - this is the perfect destination for a day trip!


@lamicoathenianriviera

Address: 21 Souniou Avenue, Palaia Fokaia, Anavissos
Telephone: 2291 041834

4. Moana Beach House - Varkiza

@moana_beachhouse

 

An all-day bar at Varkiza Resort, Moana Beach House is a great place to escape the scorching summer heat. Hammocks, plush pillows, swings, sun loungers - the relaxation options are unlimited. Add the invigorating cocktails and boho aesthetics and this beach bar will make you feel like you're in a far away place, like an exotic beach in Honololu. 

 

Address: Akti EOT, Varkiza Resort
Telephone: 698 314 1116

Capitals like Amsterdam are widely known for their cyclist-friendly attitudes and Athens also has plans to follow the same model. And who knew that our city has been shortlisted for the ''European Capital of Innovation'' award? Great things are coming this year!

The Authentic Marathon Swim returns, after its historical revival, for the 2nd consecutive year, on July 2-4, 2021, at Artemision. Amateur and professional swimmers from Greece and abroad will have the opportunity to enjoy the great sports event, at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos, with absolute safety.


The Authentic Route
Further to last year’s participation of world-class names, after 2,500 years, the authentic 10km route revives once again allowing swimmers from around the world to swim over the shipwrecks of the naval battle of Artemision that took place in 480 B.C. Athletes will follow the example of Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, the very first “marathon swimmers”, according to The Father of History, Herodotus, who helped the Greek forces in the historic naval battle of Artemision against the Persian fleet. The demanding route will be held at the straits of Artemision, connecting Central Greece with Thessaly and the regional units of Evia, Magnesia and Fthiotida

Early Bird Registrations – A new 5km route is added
Participants can now register and take part in the impressive 10km, 3km, 1.5km routes, as well as in the new 5km route that will be held this year for the first time, taking advantage of the early bird prices. Offers are valid until 30/04/2021, reaching up to a 33% discount. Registration for the 800m children’s race is free. The routes of 5km, 3km, 1.5km and 800m. have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point.

Last year’s absolutely successful adherence of the safety measures and the historical revival of the authentic marathon swimming route, set an example and composed a guide for the safe implementation of all races, again this year. The event will be held in accordance with FINA regulations and the health protocol to be established by the experienced team of ActiveMedia Group, based on the instructions of the special scientists-collaborators of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and the recommendations of the Greek General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Scientific Committee, in order to ensure the health of athletes and attendees.

All routes of The Authentic Marathon Swim have been designed by the Greek national swimming coach with distinctions in Olympic Games & world open water swimming championships, Nikos Gemelos. The event prioritizing the absolute safety of its athletes, will provide once again everyone with a safety lifeguard buoy since its use by professional and amateur athletes is mandatory. 2

The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos, while ActiveMedia Group is responsible for its sports production. The event’s official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim is again this year, the way of communicating on social media, for the use of unique images and videos from the exciting moments and memories of the participants in the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos.

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas 

 

Kyniska (or Cyniska), a Spartan princess, was the daughter of King Archidamus II and sister to King Agesilaus. She owned a sizable estate where she bred, raised, and trained horses, and in 396 BC, when she was probably between 40 and 50 years old, she became the first woman to participate in the Olympic Games.

Unlike Athens and the other Greek city-states where girls were hidden from the public and learned only domestic skills, Sparta held races and trials of strength for girls as well as boys.

Kyniska’s childhood would have been full of athletic training: running, jumping, throwing the discus, and javelin, perhaps even wrestling. She had wealth and status but her ambition made her a legend and drove her to compete in the four-horse chariot race, or tethrippon, at the Olympics in 396 and 392 BC. She won both times. 

This feat was especially impressive because women could not even step foot on the sacred grounds of the Olympic Sanctuary during the festival. Married women were forbidden on penalty of death from even attending as spectators, so, in order to compete Kyniska cleverly exploited loopholes.

In sports like wrestling or javelin, the victors competed individually on the field. In the chariot race, the winners were the horse owners, not the drivers – who were almost always slaves. Much like with the modern Kentucky Derby or Melbourne Cup, the victors are the horse and its owner, not the rider. Kyniska didn’t have to drive the chariot to win. In fact, chariot team owners did not even have to be physically present at Olympia during the games. Kyniska could enter her chariot team in the race without ever setting foot on the forbidden sacred grounds.

But Kyniska’s role was not secret. News of an Olympic victory was carried by fleet messengers to the victor’s home city, where preparations to celebrate their return were begun at once. News that a woman had won an Olympic contest would have spread quickly.

Many ancient Greek women won Olympic victories after Kyniska, but none were as famous as she was. She erected at least two life-size bronze statues of herself at Olympia. The inscription on a remaining fragment of her marble statue base reads: “Kings of Sparta were my fathers and brothers. I, Kyniska, victorious at the chariot race with her swift-footed horses, erected this statue. I claim that I am the only woman in all Greece who won this crown.”

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

Greek authorities announced that actions would soon be taken to redevelop the archaeological site of Akadimia Platonos (Plato’s Academy), an underdeveloped archaeological site of 135,000-square meters in western Athens that was the site of Plato’s Academy.

The announcement came after the Municipality of Athens, the Greek Culture Ministry, and the Academy of Athens, Greece’s oldest research institution, signed a memorandum of cooperation for the redevelopment of the archaeological site at Akadimia Platonos.

Describing the project as a “very important step towards the revival of Akadimia Platonos”, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis went on to note that it will focus on three key areas: “the necessary archaeological excavations, the creation of a new park, and of the City of Athens Museum”.

Excavations are scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, while work on the park, which includes the reconstruction of the playground, landscaping, signage, and lighting, will follow shortly after. Funding has been secured through the municipality’s “Adopt Your City” program from sponsors.

City authorities also announced that an architectural competition for the City of Athens Museum would be announced in the coming period.

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

From the center of Fira and the unique Caldera of Santorini to the top of the world. The exclusive hotel Athina Luxury Suites once again made history by confirming its position as “Leading Boutique Hotel in Greece 2022” at the World Travel Awards.

 

The boutique hotel distinguished for the world-class services it offers, with breathtaking views of the Volcano, received the most important award in its history to date as “Leading Boutique Hotel in Greece 2022” at the 29th annual World Travel Awards, presented in Mallorca, Spain. World Travel Awards™ was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards™ brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

 

At the same time, Athina Luxury Suites also excelled and has been recognized among the finest establishments in the world, at the 16th annual World Luxury Hotel Awards by winning the “Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in Southern Europe” award, as part of the annual awards ceremony held in Antalya, Turkey. World Luxury Hotel Awards is the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury hotel industry offering international recognition as voted by guests, travelers and industry players alike. Over 300,000 international travelers vote each year, during a four-week period to select the winners.

 

In the context of this year’s awards, Mr. Panagiotis Iglesis and Ms. Artemis Argyrou, owners and general managers of Athina Luxury Suites, stated: “We are very proud. These awards indicate the fruition of our efforts throughout the year, to be able to offer high quality services to our customers, in this beautiful and unique destination of Santorini. Our total of 25 luxurious accommodations are designed for discerning guests looking for a perfect combination of serenity and adventure. This is the highest honor we have received so far and fills us with joy and strength to continue reaching even higher”. 

 

The successive awards of Athina Luxury Suites prove the commitment of the hotel and its management to further development, its continued consistency, hard work and level of service. Just a few meters away from vibrant town center, Athina Luxury Suites immerses guests in tranquility. Breathtaking views, world-class services and exquisite accommodations all combine to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each suite at Athina Luxury Suites offers its own unique set of luxury amenities. Moreover, an unforgettable dining experience awaits guests at the Esperisma bar-restaurant, where guests can find Mediterranean and Greek cuisine inspired by the freshest local ingredients, at a place where luxury meets gastronomy.