Greek beaches have a reputation that they are second to none and, once again, the international media put them high on the list of the best beaches in Europe. Conde Nast Traveler distinguished three Greek beaches and invites travelers from all over the world to swim, at least once, in their crystal-clear azure waters.


Porto Katsiki Beach, Lefkada. Credit: @anna.vvagner

Lefkada’s Porto Katsiki beach is the first of three Greek entries on the list. As the article points out, it is a postcard-perfect beach on the south coast of the island, famous for its intense turquoise waters and sweeping views of the Ionian islands.

The second Greek beach on the list is Kleftiko, the most popular beach on Milos island. It's only accessible by boat or on foot. through a hiking path, but it's definitely worth visiting to marvel at its dramatic coastline. Not to mention its iconic volcanic rock formations, ideal for cliff-jumping. 


Kleftiko Beach, Milos. Credit: @thetantraveler.

Last but not least, the third entry is Seitan Limania in Chania, Crete. Imposingly located on a steep cliff, it's the perfect beach for adventure lovers since you have to walk through rugged dirt roads to get there (or simply take the boat). The reward is a white-pebbled beach with glittering blue waters!


Seitan Limania, Chania, Crete. Credit: @soulrepresentations

Main image: @lefkadaslowguide

When apokries arrives in Greece (aka carnival season), it brings with it a whirlwind of festivities and traditions that capture the essence of the season. Amidst the familiar dances and masquerades lie some of the most peculiar and intriguing customs, each with their own story to tell.

Let's explore some weird and wonderful traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Alevromoutzouroma, Galaxidi

Credit: George Tzafos Courtesy: alevromoutzouroma.gr

In the town of Galaxidi, Apokries takes on a uniquely messy tradition known as Alevromoutzouroma, or Flour Wars. This custom likely traces back to the Byzantine era, when chariot racers would paint their faces. However, it wasn't until the maritime era, starting around 1840, that it gained widespread popularity, particularly among sailors bidding farewell to their families before embarking on their journeys.

During this festive occasion, the port of Galaxidi transforms into a battleground as participants armed with bags of flour engage in friendly battles, covering each other in powdery white. For visitors who prefer to stay flour-free, there is a simple solution: they have to sport a "moutzoura," or a cross on their forehead made of shoe polish, ensuring they remain unscathed amidst the floury madness. 

Genitsaroi & Boules, Naousa

Credit: Xydas Yiannis

In Naousa, during the festive season of Apokries, the town bursts into a vibrant celebration filled with laughter and colorful traditions. One such tradition involves the Genitsaroi and Boules, who bring history alive amidst a whirlwind of excitement. Months of preparation lead up to this uproarious affair, with participants scouring for the perfect attire and borrowing shiny baubles from family and friends.

The Genitsaroi proudly don their fustanellas, traditional skirts adorned with sparkling silver, and brandish their long swords, known as "palas." Their faces are covered with wax masks. On the other hand, the Boules, men dressed as women, are gracefully draped in flowing dresses. Their faces, too, hidden behind wax masks embellished with ribbons and flowers, exude an air of mystery. As the procession begins, led by excited children, the air fills with the lively melodies of the zurna and the rhythmic beats of the daouli drum. It's a spectacle of joy and merriment, marking the climax of this enchanting celebration.

The Stealing of the Bride, Rethymno



In the municipality of Mylopotamos in Rethymno, a unique tradition is revived during Clean Monday. This custom dates back to the Turkish occupation era. Participants reenact the scene with figures representing the bride, her six brothers, and characters like the Turkish judge. For about four centuries, locals have kept this tradition alive through playful acts, dancing, and enjoying traditional treats.

Before the wedding, the bride is "examined" by the Turkish judge to test her purity. The scene unfolds with the bride's siblings dancing in the square, while spectators pretend to be Turks trying to "steal" her. Despite attempts by the pretend Turks, the siblings protect the bride by playfully "hitting" them with screws. Eventually, the bride is "stolen" by people known to her brothers, only to return later, often pretending to be pregnant. The event is filled with laughter, music, and treats, creating a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates local culture and heritage.

Babougera, Serres

Credit: Geo Selalm 

Babougera, a blend of Greek words for "old lady" and "old man," is a custom that takes place every year in the village of Vamvakofito in Serres. In this vibrant spectacle, locals take on various roles, including grandparents, the bridal couple, a doctor, a postman, and more, dressed in old clothes and eerie masks, often crafted from sheep and goat skins. Large bells hang from their waists, and they wield tapus sticks, symbolizing protection and authority.

The Tapoutzides, pivotal figures in the performance, safeguard the group, especially the bride, from potential "kidnappers" among the audience. Their tapus sticks, derived from the Turkish word for "ball," are used forcefully, instilling fear and respect. Additionally, characters like the bear and the monkey add to the spectacle, each symbolizing different aspects of village life and traditions. The event begins with church services and progresses through the village with accompanying bagpipes and bells, culminating in lively celebrations in the central square, including feasting and dancing.

Kodonofoi, Thessaloniki

Credit: Motion Team

Dressed in elaborate attire, the Kodonoforoi of Thessaloniki, or "bell wearers," commence their parade from the White Tower, adorned with painted faces and hefty bells. Rooted in ancient practices to safeguard crops, these customs, passed down through generations, continue as rituals to ward off malevolent forces and celebrate abundance.

Embracing their heritage, villagers don sheepskin, animal hides, and masks, joining in the joyous Dionysian festivities. Amidst the clangor of bells and the spectacle of painted faces, the Kodonoforoi breathe life into tradition, embodying the enduring spirit of community and the resilience of cultural heritage in Thessaloniki.

Geroi & Koreles, Skyros


Apokries in Skyros, offers a glimpse into a colorful festival where tradition meets celebration. Among its key players are three central characters: the Old Man, Korela, and the Frank. The Old Man is dressed in traditional shepherd attire and a goatskin mask and carries on the legacy of generations past. His outfit, complete with heavy bells around his waist, creates a rhythmic melody as he moves.Korela, often embodied by women in traditional dress, adds to the spectacle with graceful dance moves and waving scarves. Meanwhile, the Frank's attire satirizes those who embraced Western fashion, adding a touch of humor to the festivities.

Throughout the carnival, participants engage in friendly competitions and perform satirical verses, reflecting on both island life and current events. The celebrations culminate in a lively gathering at the Castle, where the community comes together to revel in Skyros's rich cultural heritage.

An Online Survey helping you get the most out of living in Greece.

The British Consulate in Greece would like to hear from British nationals about your experiences of living in Greece. They are updating their guides, planning their communications with central government and local authorities and developing our social media presence in Greece. By telling them about the issues you have encountered, either getting a registration certificate, planning/obtaining healthcare, learning Greek and more, will help the Consulate to tailor their information services to your needs in the best possible way to be useful for all British nationals in Greece. 

Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey here.

The online survey will run until 29/02/2016.

Santorini Experience returns with an explosive mixture for 2nd year on 7 – 9 October 2016.

The event that caught the attention of all sports friends and offered unique moments and emotions to professional and amateur athletes, returns for second consecutive year in the energetic volcanic island of Santorini.

The first announcement for the great organization of sports tourism “Santorini Experience” was held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, with cinematic way at the Gold Class halls of Village Cinemas at The Mall Athens.

The event's program included two parallel screenings of the event’s video - documentary from the previous year (as was shown in more than 1.6 million households in Greece and abroad), to reporters and senior executives, as well as greetings from ambassadors and representatives of the organization.

During the event, this year’s activities of “Santorini Experience”, which include swimming and running, were presented for the first time, along with their ambassadors and coefficients. It was also announced that the organization has been placed under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), which happens for the first time in open water swimming competition in a sports tourism event, highlighting the importance and solemnity of “Santorini Experience”, not only in Greece but also internationally. The element of extroversion and international promotion was credited also to one more “surprise” - cooperation that was yet to be revealed.

TV channel FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group, one of the biggest sports television networks in the world in subscriber base, distribution and promotion of sport content, undertakes this year as Official Broadcaster the broadcasting of the sports documentary “Santorini Experience”. The sports documentary will carry forward unique images of sports tourism in Santorini, to millions of homes in Europe, Asia and Africa through the vast television network of FOX Sports.

This year's event program includes open water swimming from the volcano to the old port of Fira. The swimming route has been designed by the Federal Technical coach of Swimming, with Olympic and World medals in open water swimming Nikos Gemelos, who will be the Technical Director of the event in swimming, while great names of our national team, such as Olympic and World Champion in open water swimming, Spyros Gianniotis and World Champion in open water swimming, Kelly Araouzou, along with a variety of leading open water swimming athletes like Antonis Fokaidis, Giorgos Arniakos and Dimitris Negris will take part in this year “Santorini Experience”.

Respectively, various running routes will be held at the magical path that connects Oia with Fira overlooking the Caldera. This year’ s routes have been selected by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach, manager of All About Running and technical director of the event in running, Nikos Polias. At the end of the press event, the Mayor of Santorini Anastasios Nikolaos-Zorzos said: “Last year we started Santorini Experience. A sports event that is becoming an institution for the island. “Santorini Experience” gives visitors the opportunity to combine wellness with the unique nature of the island, to live an “explosive” experience. Santorini Municipality and the Athletic Organization DAPPOS embraced and supported this event from the first time, thus trying to highlight another face of the island, the athletic side. We welcome you to the organization and wish that you live a truly unique life experience”.

On his part, the President of the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) Mr. Eleftherios Tzouros said: “The journey that began last year in May 2015 continues. A journey where man and nature become one with respect and love. The idea of Santorini Experience is unique and unprecedented, since participants are invited to compete on the Caldera of Santorini (Land & Sea), with invisible spectator the Atlantis which many researchers speculate that sank in the sea of the caldera area. This “marriage” of nature - human and culture is a unique experience that we expect you to live”.

The President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), Mr. Dimitris Diathesopoulos said: “After last year's successful hosting of the Open Water race of “Santorini Experience”, at beautiful Santorini, with the participation of leading distinguished members of the national team, but also with the presence of the President of the Swimming Federation, and after relevant conversations between the Mayor of Santorini and representative bodies of the organization, it was a mutual understanding that this great event will be implemented for the second consecutive year. This time it has been placed under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Something that signifies the importance and solemnity, not only in Greece but also internationally. Both I personally as president and KOE, we believe that this year we will have successfully organized a large organizational and participatory event and this will mark its establishment in a national and international level as one of the most important events in the Open Water area. I wish good luck to those who curated the event, expressing the assurance that KOE will be standing close to this effort, aiming to become one of the most important events in our field with a long perspective and massiveness in participations”.

Finally, the CEO of Active Media Group, Mr. Akis Tsolis said among other: “Municipality of Santorini, D.A.P.P.O.S., KOE, local companies of the island and a top global television network join together to promote swimming, running, in a unique Greek landscape like that of Santorini. The announcements of this day are quite significant and a milestone for sports tourism in Greece. The assistance of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and the broadcasting of the complete documentary (rather than just highlights), by FOX Networks Group, to more than 40 million households, indicatively to countries like China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Israel, South Africa and many others, and in continents such as Europe, Asia and Africa, make me really happy that we managed in such difficult times to unite all our forces for an innovative organization like Santorini Experience. We do not rest on what tourism achieves today, but we continue to build for tomorrow”.

“Santorini Experience” is a collaboration between the Municipality of Santorini, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) and Active Media Group.

Sponsor: Alafouzos Sport
Supporter: Village Cinemas
Official Broadcaster: FOX Sports
Hospitality Sponsors: Athina Luxury Suites, Central Fira Hotel, Sienna Residencies, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies

Under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (K.O.E.).

For more information, please visit: Official Santorini Experience Website

 
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Olive oil is always present at the Greek table and nearly every dish Greek cooks prepare uses this highly prized oil.

According to legend, Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, is responsible for giving Athens the olive tree as a gift. It is unclear in some of the re-telling of this story whether other parts of Ancient Greece already had the olive tree or not. However, the story shows that the olive tree was highly important to the people of Ancient Greece.

In the legend, Athena and Poseidon were in competition over who would have the new city-state named after them. Poseidon struck the ground with his staff and gave the Athenians the gift of flowing salt water. Athena struck the ground with her staff and it turned into an olive tree.

Since the olive tree provided wood, nourishment, and trade, she won. The olive tree became a symbol of peace because of this victory.

Even though Athena is credited with giving the Athenians the gift of the olive tree, it is really the Early Minoan Civilization on Crete who displays evidence of being the first to cultivate the olive tree in 3500 BC.

Over time, the Minoans on Crete perfected the process of cultivating the tree and it became an important part of their culinary tradition and also helped generate income through trade. They were the first to export olive oil to both Africa and the Middle East.

The Ancient Greeks understood that olive oil was highly nutritious. Therefore, top philosophers and physicians in the 7th century BC in Ancient Greece explored the use of olive oil as medicine. Hippocrates, for example, used it for various things when he was treating his patients. Nowadays, olive oil is used to help with digestive problems, skin conditions, coughs, sore throat, congestion, and other respiratory complaints.

It’s also considered a health cure and essential beauty aid. The oil is used to combat dry skin, control frizzy hair, and even soothe irritated skin. It even played an important part in the Olympic games by becoming a symbol of the games themselves and part of the award given to winners. The olive tree, therefore, was not only important in history, but it also is still highly important today.

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

Over the last year, Athens has been preparing for changes to the public transportation system, most notably the transition from paper tickets to modern electronic tickets. With the new system, the paper tickets will be replaced by paper and plastic smartcards. Starting from November 1st, paper tickets will no longer be available. Please note that as of now, fare prices will stay the same.

There are 3 new types of transport tickets:

 

Constructed in the late 19th century, specifically from 1880 to 1893, the Corinth Canal is one of Greece's most important accomplishments in engineering. Before it was built, ships wanting to cross the Adriatic or go to Corinth had to circle the Peloponnese, which added an additional 185 miles to the journey.

In the video below from Humans at Sea, we learn 10 interesting facts about this amazing engineering feat. Like the fact that it's only 6.3 kilometers in length, or 3.9 miles long!

On July 7th, we celebrate 12 years of connecting the international community with inspiring stories, news and great happenings in Athens and across Greece! We'd like to thank our entire team, our contributors, partners, media sponsorships and especially all of YOU for being part of our incredible journey. Cheers to many more!