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Thursday, 07 May 2015 15:33
Playing The Athens Tour Guide
Summer heat and sunshine brings everyone out of winter hiding, and this includes tourists and friends from far away places. This past week I had the pleasure of playing tour guide to a group of 5 colleagues from various parts of Europe. We had planned a short 2-day team-building break, a well-earned escape from the everyday pressures of work. For most of them, it was their first time in Athens, and expectations were high!
I had planned a jam-packed schedule, an introduction to some of the city's highlights and a taste of 'my Athens'... And I do mean 'jam-packed'. By the end of their stay, we all felt like a week had passed, rather than just 48 hours.
Here's what we did:
After arrival, coffee on the rooftop of the Athens Gate hotel (where they were staying). This is a mid-range hotel, perfect for a city break, in arguably the best location in the city, and with a 3600 rooftop view that is not to be missed.
We wandered around the Acropolis area, and climbed the hill up to the Areopagus for some photos. Then, already in need of more caffeine, we popped in to Root Artspace for a quick refuel.
Dinner was at Kotili taverna on Adrianou St. This is a better-than-average tourist taverna, which also attracts locals, and has live music 7nights per week. If the right crowd is there, you may find some of them dancing too!
The evening ended with a drink at TAF - a city-centre fave hidden away in Monastiraki.
The next morning we did a fun tour of the historical centre with Athens Segway Tours. 2 hours of spinning around the pedestrian streets to see all that we can see - they loved it.
Then we grabbed a taxi and headed towards Glyfada for lunch at Balux House Project. This is a full-on playground for young and old, literally right on the beach, with a delicious menu (from pizza to sushi), and a great relaxed vibe. This was a definite highlight for my guests!
Back to the centre for a quick shopping break... And off to Athens Clue - this is one of the super-popular 'escape rooms' that have taken the city by storm. You take a group of 5-6 friends, get locked in a room, and have 60minutes to figure out the clues and escape the room. Of course, we didn't manage to escape in time - surely we had a very difficult room...
Dinner was at Moma - my default dinner spot in the Monastiraki/Adrianou corridor. On the walk back towards their hotel, we stopped off at Yiasemi, on the famous stairway of Mnisikleous St., for a nightcap and a toast to a wonderful couple of days.
"Can we move our office here?" and "You live in paradise!" were the overall comments. Sure, on the company's tab, everywhere could be paradise. But my colleagues are well-travelled and worldly people. If they think Athens is brilliant, who am I to argue...?
Until next week,
Jack
Balux House Project
Athens Segway Tours
Athens Clue
Published in
My Week In Athens
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Monday, 07 December 2015 07:00
Temporary Home Rentals Now Legal In Greece
Greek homeowners can now rent out their houses for temporary use without being required to obtain a special operations label following an amendment made to the law last month abolishing rental terms.
Under the third bailout plan the Greek government agreed to with its creditors earlier this year, Greek property owners can now rent their homes through popular online platforms such as Airbnb, or through private rental contracts, without holding the special operations label awarded by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).
To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Published in
Local News
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Sunday, 14 February 2016 23:41
Athens: Second Best European Destination For 2016
Twenty selected destinations competed for the prestigious title of Best European Destination 2016 and Athens came in second!
Voting ended on February 10 with more than 288,000 votes for Zadar in Croatia who was elected Best European Destination 2016 and won the prestigious title.
Voting ended on February 10 with more than 288,000 votes for Zadar in Croatia who was elected Best European Destination 2016 and won the prestigious title.
The top 10 european best destinations for 2016 are:
1. Zadar
2. Athens
3. Plovdiv
4. Nantes
5. The Azores Islands
6. Paris
7. Novi Sad
8. Brussels
9. Kotor
10. Milan
To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages.
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Local News
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Tuesday, 20 September 2016 07:00
3 Greek Islands Among List Of Places With Best Food In The World
Islands have always been associated in people’s minds with beautiful sandy beaches, palm trees, sun beds & summer cocktails. However, apart from all of that, the best islands in the world also offer delicious food!
An annual survey conducted by Travel + Leisure gave readers the opportunity to rank their favorite islands not only for their beaches, but also for the quality of restaurants and the food they provide.
The list consisted of 20 islands worldwide and among them were 3 Greek ones famous for their cuisine and fine dining.
Santorini gained 5th position in the list, followed by Mykonos and Crete!
The Travel + Leisure List for Islands with the Best Food
An annual survey conducted by Travel + Leisure gave readers the opportunity to rank their favorite islands not only for their beaches, but also for the quality of restaurants and the food they provide.
The list consisted of 20 islands worldwide and among them were 3 Greek ones famous for their cuisine and fine dining.
Santorini gained 5th position in the list, followed by Mykonos and Crete!
The Travel + Leisure List for Islands with the Best Food
- Nantucket
- St. Bart's
- Maui, Hawaii
- Sicily
- Santorini
- Maldives
- Harbour Island
- Capri
- Hilton Head
- Oahu, Hawaii
- Bali
- Mykonos
- Malta
- Mallorca
- Vancouver Island
- Florida Keys
- Golden Isles
- Crete
- Kauai, Hawaii
- Anguilla
Originally posted on ellines.com
Translated by XpatAthens
Published in
Greece In The News
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Thursday, 01 June 2017 15:26
May 30 - An Outing In Athens
Discover unique places in Athens that both parents and kids will surely enjoy, hidden cafes among the Athenian gardens perfect for a coffee or light snack and a top restaurant in the city that offers the best Greek cuisine!
Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
Published in
Newsletters
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Monday, 26 February 2018 07:00
City Of Athens - A Portrait Of A Changing Metropolis
Shot primarily from the rooftops, hills, and mountains in Athens, Greece, 'City of Athens' was created by Filmmaker and award winning Photographer Alexandros Maragos as a homage to the capital of Greece. Stunning hyperlapse and timelapses cinematography features Athens' skyline and the evening urban landscapes that makes Athens one glorious city. If you haven't watched it yet, check it out below!
Source: Vimeo
To learn more about the Filmmaker and Photographer, please visit: Alexandros Maragos
Published in
Videos
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Monday, 21 May 2018 08:48
Rakaki - A Modern Cretan Tavern In Athens
Rakaki, a modern Cretan tavern, is located in an area of Athens called Kesariani, near Mount Hymettos. The area is known for its culinary delights, particularly seafood says Culinary Backstreets. What makes the area so appealing are the relaxed, "nothing too fancy" meze houses or other types of eateries. "It’s a feeling that permeates the entire neighborhood, where old houses built by Greek refugees from Smyrna (or Izmir) still stand next to modern apartment blocks.
Rakaki is a "small, cozy spot – there are only ten tables inside and another ten outside on the sidewalk." When CB visited for the first time, the place was packed and regulars were calling the waiters by their first name. The place opened in 2007 by brothers Marios and Kostas Petropoulos, getting their inspiration from their mother Despina, who is from Crete and knows how to cook well.
"The restaurant stays true to this familial inspiration, beginning with its name, which is the diminutive of raki, a strong spirit distilled from the residue of crushed grapes in Crete."
Published in
Restaurants In Athens
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Monday, 06 August 2018 07:00
SNFCC Through Your Lens - Calling All Photographers
To celebrate the two-year anniversary from the day it opened its doors to the public, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) invites photographers of all skill levels to participate in a group photography exhibition that will showcase moments of SNFCC life through their lenses.
The images may have been captured at an earlier date. They can focus on architecture, or a moment in time – any time of the year, any SNFCC area. Creative interpretations of this topic are encouraged!
This call for entries is free to enter for all photographers around the world over the age of 18. You may submit your entry at SNFCC.org/fence until 2 September 2018. Once the call for entries has come to a close, a jury of highly-regarded photography curators, academics and representatives of the organizers will review all images submitted for consideration The images selected by the Jury will be presented as a large-scale outdoor photography exhibition at the SNFCC. The exhibit will span a length of 400 meters, installed along the perimeter of the SNFCC.
The exhibition will be designed and produced by the New York based organization United Photo Industries in its signature "FENCE" exhibition style, and will be open for all visitors to explore and enjoy, thanks to an exclusive grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
For more information, please visit: SNFCC
For more information, please visit: SNFCC
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 14 April 2022 07:00
Traditional Orange Spoon Sweet
Spoon sweets are sweet preserves, served in a spoon as a gesture of hospitality and are a big deal here, in Greece. They can be made from almost any fruit, though sour and bitter fruits are usually preferred.
Check the below recipe for an easy-peasy recipe for a delicious orange spoon sweet that will excite your guests' palate!
Ingredients
2 kilos oranges
800 g granulated sugar
800 g water
1 tablespoon glucose
2 star anises
2 pods of cardamom
lemon juice of 1 lemon
To serve
strained yogurt
rosemary
Instructions
Check the below recipe for an easy-peasy recipe for a delicious orange spoon sweet that will excite your guests' palate!
Ingredients
2 kilos oranges
800 g granulated sugar
800 g water
1 tablespoon glucose
2 star anises
2 pods of cardamom
lemon juice of 1 lemon
To serve
strained yogurt
rosemary
Instructions
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Remove the zest of the oranges and add it to a bowl. You can add 80 g brandy and 2 tablespoons sugar, and use it as orange extract. Store it in the refrigerator, sealed in a jar.
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Cut the top and bottom ends of the oranges and then score the rind all around the orange. Carefully remove the peels, wrap them, and pierce them with a toothpick.
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Transfer the peels to a pot with boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Drain the water and follow the same process 1-2 more times, depending on the bitterness of the rind.
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In the same pot add the sugar, the water, the glucose, the anise, the cardamom, the peels of the oranges, and transfer over low heat. Boil for 40-50 minutes.
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Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice.
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Let it cool well. The more the syrup is cooling down, the more it will thicken.
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Serve with yogurt and rosemary. You can store it sealed airtight in a jar, in a cool and dry place.
Published in
Greek Food & Diet
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Wednesday, 01 October 2025 12:30
New Cultural & Environmental Projects Launch Across The Cyclades
The 3rd round of funding from the Cycladic Identity Initiative introduces 10 new programs across 8 Cycladic islands — Andros, Donousa, Koufonisi, Mykonos, Santorini, Serifos, Syros, and Tinos — including 2 inter-island collaborations. This new phase expands support for local organizations and island communities, furthering the initiative’s mission to protect and promote Cycladic heritage.
Launched in 2023 by the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Cycladic Identity Initiative is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the unique cultural and natural legacy of the Cyclades. So far, it has funded 16 programs across 11 islands, including one inter-island project.
The 10 Funded Projects
ANDROS
Reviving the History of Andros’ Lemon Groves
A digital sound guide featuring environmental recordings and oral histories will bring the traditional lemon groves of Livadia to life, inviting both locals and visitors to discover this farming heritage through a 15-stop walking trail.
Organization: Andros Research Center
DONOUSA
Restoration of a Historic Walking Path
A traditional dry-stone trail linking an ancient Geometric-period site to the village of Mesaria will be restored by local stonemasons, reconnecting past and present.
Organization: Cultural & Environmental Association of Donousa "POSEIDON"
KOUFONISI
Photography & Film Workshop for Students — Exploring Keros
Students will learn photography, animation, and documentary making as they explore the sacred archaeological site of Keros, turning their discoveries into exhibitions and films.
Organization: Cinemathesis NPO
MYKONOS
The Art of Ancient Weaving — Rediscovered
Interactive workshops, school activities, and the construction of an authentic wooden loom will revive traditional weaving practices, highlighting Mykonos’ influence on fashion and tourism.
Organization: Mykonos Folklore Collection
SANTORINI
Uncovering Santorini’s Industrial Heritage
Through photos, archives, oral histories, and documentary footage, the island’s past industries — from tomato canneries to mining — will be documented and shared with the public.
Organization: Theraic Society of Sciences, Letters & Arts
SERIFOS
Recording the Story of the Serifos Mines
Interviews, archival material, and historic artifacts will preserve the legacy of the island’s mining history — from everyday life to the legendary 1916 strike.
Organization: Friends of Cultural Heritage & Environment “Serifos”
SYROS
Biodiversity Treasure Hunt
Residents and visitors will uncover local flora and fauna through interactive “geo-caches” containing photos, stories, and local products, inspiring awareness and sustainable tourism.
Organization: Kavilia Social Cooperative Enterprise
TINOS
Documenting the Pigeon Towers of Tinos
A digital platform and mobile app will map, record, and showcase the island’s iconic pigeon houses, supported by workshops and community engagement.
Organization: Koinonó – The Tinos Gathering
INTER-ISLAND (DELOS, MYKONOS, RHINEIA)
Restoring the Agricultural Heritage of Delos
An abandoned 19th-century farm will be restored as a research lodge, while locals share traditional farming knowledge through interviews and exhibitions.
Organization: Boulouki — Traveling Workshop for Traditional Building Techniques
INTER-ISLAND (Three Islands TBD)
The Role of Pollinators in Biodiversity
Through workshops, beekeeping education, and nature-based activities, students and teachers will become ambassadors for the protection of wild pollinators like bees.
Organization: The Bee Camp NPO
Published in
Local Environment
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