According to the most recent Expat Insider Survey, Greece is listed as the number one country for those looking for a sunny escape. Expats who are searching for an outdoor lifestyle in prime weather conditions should also consider Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Uganda, South Africa, and a few others.

The expats who are living in the top 10 countries ideal for sun moved for a variety of reasons, including to search for a better quality of life, love, a partner's job or education, or being sent abroad by an employer. According to the survey, at least 3/4 of expats felt that the climate and weather in these countries was a potential benefit before they made the move.

Greek City Times notes, "Almost all expats (96%) rate the climate and weather in Greece positively. Sunny skies appear to brighten expats’ spirits, as 15% state that the main reason why they moved to Greece was for a better quality of life. On average, only 8% worldwide have moved abroad for this reason.

Article source: Greek City Times

According to the latest annual bathing water quality report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Commission, Greece ranked 4th in Europe for having 95% or more of "excellent" quality bathing waters. This means that Greece's bathing waters were free of pollutants that can be harmful to a person's health and the environment.

Based on information from 2017, 95.9% of the 1,598 sites that were assessed in Greece reached "excellent" quality. Luxembourg ranked first, Malta second, Cyprus third, and Austria fifth.

Nearly all bathing water sites (over 21,000) monitored in Europe met the minimum quality requirements under EU rules according to the report.

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

In his message to Americans encouraging them to travel to Greece, US Ambassador Pyatt reflects on his travels and shares his favorite places to go, what to experience, and to explore the lesser-known parts of the country.

"Over the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure to explore Greece, from its cities to its islands, from its mountains to its archaeological sites and cultural gems."

"Reflecting on my travels in Greece, here’s my advice to Americans: dive deep into Greece and let yourself be amazed by the options available. We learn from a young age that Greece is the birthplace of democracy, the cradle of western civilization, and so many people plan their whole lives to go to the Acropolis and the various monuments in Athens that record the birth of democracy. Do not miss them, but I would encourage you to venture further, to visit ancient Dodoni or ancient Olympia, just a couple of the dozens of UNESCO world heritage sites in Greece that are still largely undiscovered by American tourists."

"I also advise Americans to expand their horizons beyond the customary island stops like Mykonos and Santorini. They are incredible places for a holiday, but many of Greece’s lesser-known islands, like Syros, Naxos, Andros or Chios, will also take your breath away."

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek News Online

Two new ferry routes, one began on June 15, 2018 and the other to begin soon, will connect Thessaloniki with the Sporades islands, Cyclades, and Crete. The Greek ferry company Golden Star Ferries recently launched their service departing from Thessaloniki and going to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos.

Itineraries of both vessels will be daily and run until September 9.


The Golden Star Super Cat

Departure 09:00 from Volos - Skiathos - Volos
Departure 12:15 from Volos - Skiathos - Skopelos - Alonissos - Skiathos - Thessaloniki (arrival 19:00)

The Golden Star Super Speed

Departure 10:00 from Thessaloniki - Skiathos - Skopelos - Alonissos - Skopelos - Skiathos - Volos (arrival 17:00)

There will also be a local Volos - Skiathos - Volos route, which will depart every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning.

Additionally, the Cyclades islands will be linked with Thessaloniki and Crete via a bi-weekly ferry service, which will be launched in the near future. This ferry service was recently announced by the Alternate Shipping Minister Nektarios Santorinios during the 15th Regional Conference held on Syros.

The route will run twice a week for three months and will connect Thessaloniki, Skiathos, Syros, and other Cyclades islands with Heraklion, Crete.

Santorinios also announced that every Friday and Sunday, a high-speed ferry will depart from Piraeus linking Heraklion with the Cyclades, Syros, and Santorini.

Please click here and and here to visit Greek Travel Pages for more information.

As a 24-year old, Charly came to Athens for the first time, unaware that the city would be the setting for a significant period of growth and discovery. As Charly puts it, "There are places we live and places we visit, and then there are the other places. Places we return to, where we put down roots, but not strong enough roots to hold us — places that change us, that we haunt and are haunted by."

Now 12 years later, Charly is back in Athens visiting her old hang-outs, seeing old friends whom she met the first time she was here, and admiring Athens for what it has become, "one of the most vibrant and significant cultural capitals."

Charly writes from her first trip to Athens, "After a week or so bouncing around the Cyclades, I arrived in Athens, planning to stay only a few days before moving on. People had told me the city was ugly and congested, basically a stopover, yet I remember the first romance of its winding, cracked stone alleyways overgrown with jasmine creepers and bitter orange trees, the roving packs of stray dogs, cats sunning on ruins, the smell of leather, honeysuckle and dust.

"One night I wandered into Kinky Bar, where the D.J. was playing obscure postpunk records I happened to love. I drank until I was brave enough to approach him. He introduced me to his friends — Athenians, a bit older than I was — and at the end of the night, they did something I couldn’t imagine happening back home: They invited me to move in with them."

To read this article in full, please visit: The New York Times

The culture ministry recently announced that a new e-ticketing and access control system has been installed at a few selected archaeological sites and museums in Greece.

The museums selected were part of a pilot program, and include the Acropolis, the archaeological sites of Athens' historic center, Knossos archaeoglical site, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the archaeological area and museum of Ancient Messini.

As part of the new e-ticketing system, which helps handle traffic at peak times, an online service will be available to purchase e-tickets.

Source: Greek Travel Pages

Have you heard of the secret herd of seahorses in Greece? Found in the small gulf of the Chalkidiki peninsula, a diver named Vasili Mentogiannis discovered the seahorses in 2007. Wanting the seahorses to survive, as the habitat was not favorable, Mentogiannis, along with scientists and other divers, began to create an artificial habitat in the area. They placed ropes and false plants to give the seahorses shelter.

It must have worked because in recent years, the seahorse population has had significant growth. In addition to building the artificial habitat, the divers have also tried keeping fishing boats off the area.

For now, only divers can enjoy the seahorses and as one diver Kostas says, "It's a unique phenomenon. The people who dive with us are always very excited after seeing the seahorses."

Article Source: Euro News

While on the Cycladic island of Sikinos in Greece, archaeologists came across an untouched tomb of a prominent and noble woman, along with 1,800 year-old jewelry, during a restoration project of a monument.

The grave, which had the inscription "Neiko," was found inside the vault of a Roman-era maosoleum at Episkopi, and was initially believed to be the temple of Apollo Pythios. Inside the tomb, the team of archaeologists found golden jewelry that included wristbands, rings, and a pendant and buckle, along with vases, a pen and mirror, and fragments of clothing. The woman, they believe, belonged to the nobility class and lived between the 2nd and 3rd century BC.

The director of the ephorate, Dimitris Athanassoulis, referred to the find as 'unprecedented' and told the Athens News Agency that the objects were hidden in a blind spot amongst the double walls.

Athanassoulis also told Reuters, "It’s very rare. A monument, one of the Aegean’s most impressive, has got an identity. We now have the person for whom the building was built, we have her remains, and her name."

Article source: Greek Travel Pages

Photo credit: Greek Travel Pages

The oldest intact shipwreck known to mankind that was discovered at the bottom of the Black Sea is Greek! The group of researchers who found the 2,400 year-old trading ship, believe that priceless ancient treasures may still be trapped in the ship’s hold. The ship was discovered more that 50 miles off the Bulgarian city of Burgas and was used to supply the Greek colonies of the Black Sea.

More than 60 shipwrecks have been discovered in the area during the thorough survey, however in late 2017 the underwater cameras settled upon an Ancient Greek ship which was remarkably intact. The ship’s shape has not been compromised despite millennia at the bottom of the sea, while its mast and rudder are still clearly visible.

"A ship, surviving intact, from the Classical world, lying in over 2km of water, is something I would never have believed possible,” said Professor Jon Adams, of the Black Sean Maritime Archaeology Project.

The anoxic (un-oxygenated) environment of the Black Sea preserves artefacts better than any other marine environment and is probably why the ship has discovered in such excellent condition. Scientists are hoping to raise funding to return to the site and hunt for the treasure that is possibly trapped inside the ship.

To read this article in full, please visit: The Telegraph

The 36th Athens Authentic Marathon was held with great success yesterday, November 11th. This year the race brought together more than 55,000 runners from 106 countries. The 42,195m race is more than just a sporting event, it’s a tribute to Greek history, human willpower, solidarity, friendship, and social responsibility. A total of 18,70 runners took part in the historic Marathon race, while thousands joined the 3 & 5 & 10 kilometer road races, the kids' fun runs, and the Special Olympics Hellas Fun Run.

The Marathon area is of great historical significance, as it was the site of the famous Marathon battle that took place in 490 BC. After the battle was won by the Greeks, a soldier named Pheidippides was sent to Athens to deliver the news. Pheidippides ran all the way to Athens and managed to say, "We have won," before he collapsed and died. That was the first marathon in history and to this day the runners of the Athens Authentic Marathon follow the exact same route.

 

'The legend continues. Each year the Athens Marathon gets better and better,' said Paco Borao, President of AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, at the press conference for the 'Athens Marathon. The Authentic.'

The city of Athens looks forward to welcoming even more runners from around the world for the Athens Authentic Marathon in 2019!

Photo Credit: @chromecabrio