We are counting down the days for the 5th consecutive event that will be held between October 13-15, 2017 in Messinia and Costa Navarino shortly before the historic Naval Battle of Navarino.

 

“Navarino Challenge” is the sports tourism event with the most Olympic ambassadors, and is hosted once more in Messinia with more than 10 Olympic sports!

 

“Navarino Challenge” promotes the value of “fair play” adopting the purpose of the Olympic Movement, supported by Olympic athletes and Champions who educate young people through sports, without any discrimination. At the same time, the athletes inform them about the benefits of exercise and the Mediterranean diet and prompt the audience to support the cause of the fight against childhood obesity.

 

Registrations for the multiple award-winning sports tourism event are open and everyone can now take part by completing the special entry form HERE!

 

Runners of all ages, starting from Navarino Dunes in Costa Navarino will run a coastal route to Pylos beach, crossing Voidokilia beach and following the trail mapped out, back in Homer’s years, by Telemachus, Ulysses’ son, trying to find his missing father. According to the Homeric tradition, when the son of Ulysses arrived on the beach on a ship, he had with him the goddess Athena disguised as Mentor. On their way, runners will discover the mythical Voidokilia, the most famous beach in Messinia and one of the best in the world, with its unique shape that outlines the letter Omega of the Greek alphabet, written as “Ω”!

 

Participants may select to run in one of the following routes, the exquisite Half Marathon (21,1km), the 10 km route and the 5km run (for running and dynamic walking). At the same day a 1km running route for children will be held. The start and finish points are common. The routes have been designed and edited by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. This year, there will be race timing for all runners.

 

For one more year, sea lovers will have the opportunity to swim without competition, in the beautiful Navarino bay at the picturesque port of Pylos, covering the unique swimming route of one mile (1.6 km.) designed by the Federal Technical Director in

 

Swimming, Nikos Gemelos (coach with countless distinctions in the Olympic Games and world championships in open water swimming).

 

Participating athletes will have the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water "Vikos" that contributes to the well-functioning of the body during sports. In addition, for the fourth consecutive year, athletes and organizers will move with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official sponsor of “Navarino Challenge”.

 

Right after, the swimming activity, a Stand Up Paddling race by BIC® Sport will take place for the second consecutive year!

 

“Navarino Challenge” will present at the port of Pylos an innovative sport like Stand Up Paddling (SUP), which quickly became popular worldwide. It is an easy and ideal sport for someone to enjoy in an area surrounded by some of the best beaches in Greece. The entertaining routes for beginners or experts are the best choices for those who wish to experience the peacefulness of the Ionian Sea. One of the most recognized brands in the world, BIC® company with presence in the field of water sports with BIC® Sport since 1979, is supporting this activity. All athletes participating will have the opportunity to test the credibility of the SUP BIC® boards. Stand Up Paddling will be held with the support of the best surf club, Surf Salad!

 

The privileged accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are now available for those wishing to enjoy the full schedule of “Navarino Challenge”. For further information please click HERE!

 

In order to get advantage of these privileged prices it is necessary to have completed your registration for at least one activity in running, swimming, or SUP (per reservation).

 

“Navarino Challenge” will be held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

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Greece rang in the New Year with a record-breaking Vasilopita cake that was 2,500 kilos. The cake was offered to Athens' locals for free as the Greek bakers wanted to send their well wishes for 2018.

 

Greek City Times reports, "the 70-metre-long and 3-metre-wide Vasilopita was cut in 15,000 slices at a Platia (centre square) in Athens’ suburban municipality of Peristeri and is the largest ever made in Greece, according to organisers."

Over fourty people worked non-stop for three days to prepare the record-breaking, delicious cake, said Panagiotis Sachinidis, President of the Association of Athens’ Bakers who took the initiative.

The municipality of Peristeri hid 200 “lucky coins” inside the cake for good luck. Locals were also given small gifts by the Mayor of Peristeri Andreas Pachatouridis who helped slice the cake. “We are cutting the Vassilopita of the love and solidarity,” he said addressing the event.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek City Times

Ancient coins are among the most well-preserved archeological findings and allow useful insight into antiquity; they offer a glimpse into the past in terms of international trade, prominent figures, culture, and traditions.

Even though lately there is a trend for digital money and cryptocurrencies, it is the archaic invention of coinage and its use as an official means of trade that shaped the course of history as we know it.

In ancient Greece, thin long metal rods called 'ovolos' preceded the coin. Six 'ovoloi' equaled an ancient drachma, which derives from the ancient Greek word 'drattomai' that means grasp or handful. Coinage was born when the 'ovoloi' took on a more convenient rounded shape during the Archaic Age, preceding democracy (508-507 BC).

According to Aristotle, the first coins were minted by Hermodike II, daughter of King Agamemnon of Aeolian Kyme, while Herodotus credits the Lydians, a western Anatolian people.

Although it remains unclear who first developed this method of transactions, the ancient Greeks are regarded as the earliest adopters of minted coins.

"...money has become by convention a sort of representative of demand; and this is why it has the term money (νόμισμα), because it exists not by nature, but by law (νόμος) and it is in our power to change it and make it useless."

​- Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics

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

The first express electric train service to carry out the Athens-Thessaloniki route will be launched on Monday, May 20. The new trains are expected to shorten the journey by more than an hour, covering the distance in 3 hours and 55 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the age of virtual tours! Would any of us actively choose a virtual tour over a real life one? How could it possibly measure up; stripped of the sounds, tastes, smells and general hubbub of life? But with so many postponed holidays, many tour operators are stepping into the void with immersive and live guided city interactions that provide wonderful “appetisers” for the real thing.

 

Not only can they be a great way to stay close to the places we love, from afar; they’re also a fun and engaging way for separated friends, families and colleagues to bond. So, This is Athens and some of their friends went on a virtual tour of 10 city highlights that challenge the common perception of Athens, through a mix of informal narration, video clips and photography.

Here are some of the colourful revelations that inspired them to dig deeper into their exploration of Athens (even for those of us who live here)!

That Old Black Magic
In the historic neighbourhood of Keramikos lies one of the least visited archaeological treasures of Athens, we’re told. The Ancient Necropolis of Keramikos, built atop the Eridanos River (which once flowed through the area until the Romans covered it up). This below-radar site spans 11-acres and is filled with monumental graves, tombstones and dramatic marble statues from the 4th to 5th century BC (including a rather menacing bull!). Most visitors miss this extraordinary spot. Even fewer encounter its fascinating dark history, apparently.

“In 2016, a very big well was discovered here with many nice objects such as cups and coins and tablets made of lead,” says Thomas. “And these tablets were found to have some ‘bad words’ on them to invoke harm on other people. So these ‘curse tablets’ are said to be like an ancient form of black magic.”

Kalliopi takes over the tale: “Ancient Athenians believed that water was sacred and a way to connect to the underworld. It was very common to place these tablets with curses written on them in the water of the wells, to communicate their wishes to Hades.”

“So if you come and visit the on-site museum here, you can see these curse tablets for yourself. They are in a small corner though, so you have to really look out for them.”

More Poetic Tales Of The Dead
From ancient souls to departed modern Greek heroes, we venture to another remarkable off-grid burial ground. This one is the First Cemetery of Athens and you’ll find it near the Panathenaic Stadium in Pangrati. It’s the final resting place, we learn, for a poetic pantheon of the great and good of Greece. Built in 1837, shortly after the founding of the modern Greek state, there’s everyone from eminent politicians, artists and actors, to prominent Philhellenes and beloved figures of the Greek Revolution interred at this prestigious listed space.

We flip through a series of beautiful photographs. Magnificent marble tombs graced with exquisite sculptures; whimsical white chapels; all framed by towering pines and cypresses. It feels like half-park and half open-air museum. Or a free outdoor sculpture gallery, if you like.

Thomas stops at the star of the show: “Here is the Sleeping Maiden, created by one of Greece’s most important Greek sculptors, Yannoulis Chalepas, from Tinos; an island renowned for its famous marble and sculptors. It is the diamond of the First Cemetery.”

And again, at a particularly grand tomb with a soaring sculpture that resembles a mini-Parthenon: “This is the mausoleum of Heinrich Schliemann who excavated ancient Troy. He had a great love for Greece and asked to be buried here.”

You’ll need to carve out a chunk of time to see all the marvellous sights at this unexpected architectural trove, advises Thomas. “It’s very big, so you might need maybe five hours to wander the whole site. But believe me, it’s very, very interesting, with many amazing monuments.” Adds Kalliopi: “You will also find a lot of cats. Cats are everywhere in Athens.”

How Street Art Is Rebranding Athens (One Mural At A Time)
“We have made it our mission to track down and photograph all the best street art in Athens,” says Kalliopi, as we arrive at what is clearly their favourite part of the tour. “Do you recognise anything about this mural? Something about the eyes, perhaps?” she asks. On our screens is an arresting black and white street art canvas, from the urban neighbourhood of Gazi. “They’re the eyes of Mona Lisa?” guesses Ellen. Correctly, it turns out. Thomas elaborates: “In Mona Lisa’s left eye, you can see a protestor. In her right, there is a policeman holding a riot shield. So it’s a comment that if the real Mona Lisa was watching over the streets of the modern city of Athens, this is what she would see.”

The acrylic paint mural was created in 2018, by Athens’ most internationally famous street artist INO, and forms part of his extended homage to Leonardo da Vinci. The collective work stretches for nearly one hundred metres across the old Bus Depot building in Pireos Street. Like Banksy, INO’s identity is a closely-guarded secret.

More evocative murals from other artists light up our screens one by one. I won’t spoil the fun for everyone else—but my personal favourite is the sky-scraping reading lady (aka “So Many Books, So Little Time” by SimpleG). It appeared on the side of a building in Metaxourgeio in 2019 as part of the Little Paris Festival and apparently it’s been voted as one of the world’s top 50 street art murals.

“What do the residents of Athens think of all this street art?” asks Ellen. “Are they divided?” “It is controversial,” admits Thomas. “The younger people generally like it. For them it’s uplifting. Many older people consider it all graffiti, even the murals.”

Regardless, over the past ten years, Athens has become one of the hottest European capitals of street art; its movement now active and diverse.

“The motivation was the financial crisis,” elaborates Kalliopi, “The city felt like an open notepad where people could express their feelings and anger outside. But nowadays, it’s become more creative and artistic. We have artworks whose only purpose is to beautify the area.” We all find this street art segment the most engaging part of the tour. As Helen says: “It’s so interesting to see how street art has changed in Athens. It’s gone from angry slogans to some truly stunning pieces of work. It definitely makes me want to wander around and see more.”

To read more and book your own virtual tour visit This is Athens!

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.


Photo Credit: Awesome Athens Experiences

The cave in Tzoumerka, in the Greek region of Epirus, one of the most impressive and most visited natural wonders of Greece is an ideal destination all year round.

Tzoumerka is a mountain range found in northwestern Greece. These limestone peaks rise east of the Axeloos River and are surrounded by the main column of the Pindus Range.

Many of the areas are part of Natura 2000, a network of protected areas, as many species of flora and fauna, some of them endangered, are native to various areas of Tzoumerka.

The Anemotrypa cave is located three kilometers from Pramanta, west of Stroggoula, and at an altitude of 900 meters (2,953 feet).

The uniquely sculpted, colored stalagmites and the three lakes in shades of gray, brass, and white that have been formed over the years, create a unique, dreamy landscape.

Inside the cave, there is a pond that is completely blue because of the quartz crystals at the bottom. 

The cave has three levels. The highest, and oldest, has collapsed in the past and only parts of it are preserved. The middle level is where visitors walk and the third and lower level is the underground riverbed, which is seen at the end of the visitors’ trail, just before it creates a two-meter waterfall.



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

This September, the beloved theatrical tour "Next Stop: Kypseli" returns to the Municipal Market of Kypseli for its fourth season, offering a limited number of immersive experiences. Once again, we're invited to stroll through the rich history of this vibrant neighborhood!

"Next Stop: Kypseli" invites us on a delightful walking journey that starts at the Municipal Market of Kypseli. This autumn, the tour returns with a limited series of walks, inviting us to discover the beauty, history, and hidden secrets of one of the most enchanting neighborhoods in the heart of Athens.

Originally crafted and first presented by the Industrial Gas Museum and the theater group "Anemomiloi" in May 2023, this unique walking tour features surprise stops along the streets of Kypseli. It brings the neighborhood's history to life in the most creative way, using various theatrical techniques and interactive experiences with the audience.

During the six new Sunday walks in September, our two "theatrical guides," Magda Gouberou and Christos Christopoulos, will take us on a time-traveling journey through the events and stories that have shaped Kypseli. What significant events are linked to this area? Who lived here or passed through? Who was Fokion Negri? And did the infamous "rascal" of Fokionos Negri actually exist? Personal testimonies, cultural and historical records, films, songs, and urban legends will answer these questions and many more, weaving together the material for our journey.

Kypseli is a vibrant, multicultural neighborhood that seamlessly blends classic Athens with modern trends. Its history stretches from the early 20th century to the present day. It's a place that nostalgically looks back at its past while eagerly embracing the future, searching for its contemporary identity. Starting from the Municipal Market of Kypseli, we’ll walk once again through the history of the city's most lively neighborhood!

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For more information, see the event details HERE!

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