With heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures. rainstorms and gusty winds blowing up to 10 Beaufort, Greeks will wave Goodbye to 2016.

According to National Meteorological Service (EMY) the icy weather front is expected to set foot in the country Wednesday, December 28th through Saturday, December 31st with heavy snowfalls even in the low lands, particularly in the east. Powerful winds will be blowing with intensity of 8 to 9 Beaufort, locally in the Aegean Sea with even 10 Beaufort. There will be a significant drop of temperature and frost.

Thursday to Saturday, Dec 29-31/2016: Snowfalls as on Wed but also in Athens and Attica, the Cyclades and Crete. On Friday Winds will reach up to 10 Beaufort locally in the Aegean Sea.

 

The coldest day is expected to be Friday, December 30th 2016, with the weather forecast to speak of temperatures of -14 or -16 degrees Celsius in some mountain areas.

The weather is expected to gradually improve as of Sunday, however low temperatures and frost will remain in mountain areas.

To read this article in full, please visit: Keep Talking Greece

Enter Borsalino Bar, an intriguing addition to Kolokotroni street serving fine spirits and cocktails with soul and jazz on the speakers. Inspired by the 1930s-set French gangster film of the same name, Borsalino's atmosphere and decor harken back to an era where men wore hats non-ironically. As a result, the cocktails you'll find here are smooth and sophisticated. Try the Borsalino Blues — the seductive libation of bourbon, port, banana, camomile and buttermilk will have you hooked. At Borsalino, just when you think you're out, you get pulled back in.

 

Address: Kolokotroni 59, Plaka, Athens

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-3 a.m.

Telephone: 210 323 2222
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To read this article in full, please visit: Savoteur

Over 1,200 children migrants and refugees completed their first trimester in school, according to the International Migration Organisation (IMO). IMO said that 35 school buses transfer every day children from 13 hosting centers throughout the country to the closest schools.

According to Greek Education Ministry’s planning, 400 additional children refugees and migrants will go to school in January after the end of Christmas holidays.

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

Greece’s landmark coastal Astir Palace resort, located in the southern Athens suburb of Vouliagmeni, is expected to re-open in early 2018, following a redevelopment plan that includes the renovation of both Arion and Nafsika hotels, the development of 13 residences, the creation of a new park and a significant upgrade of the marina.

According to the owners, the plan will carefully consider Astir Palace’s cultural heritage and endeavor to protect and enrich the property’s natural environment whilst safeguarding Astir Palace’s legacy. Furthermore, the plan is expected to reinforce Athens and Greece as international destinations for high-end tourism.

The total project value, including the redevelopment, is expected to be over 600 million euros and the project is expected to be completed in 18 months.

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

The European Solidarity Corps is the new European Union initiative which creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe.

The young people who participate in the European Solidarity Corps will all agree with and uphold its Mission and Principles.

You can register for the European Solidarity Corps when you are 17 years old, but you cannot start a project until you are over 18. European Solidarity Corps projects will be available to people up to the age of 30 years old.

After completing a simple registration process, European Solidarity Corps participants could be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, such as helping to prevent natural disasters or rebuild afterwards, assisting in centres for asylum seekers, or addressing different social issues in communities.

Projects supported by the European Solidarity Corps can last from two to twelve months. They will usually be located within the European Union Member States.

For more information, please visit: Europa & Facebook

In this post on Travel Passionate, top travel bloggers from around the world share their favourite Christmas destinations in Europe!

The city’s Christmas Market is located in the quaint and charming Old Town Hauptmarkt (market square) where 180 stalls await visitors. The Christmas Market typically runs from the last week in November up to Christmas Eve. Visitors to the market can enjoy all sorts of things, such as horse carriage rides; regional foods (be sure to try the Nuremberg sausages – 3 on a bun); libations such as Gluhwein (mulled wine); handmade local products; souvenir and gift shopping; the children’s Christmas market where the Christkind visits with kids.

Nothing beats having a cup of hot gluhwein as you wander the streets of Prague. The weather is chilly but very pleasant, we have visited in the summer heat, and we much prefer the cooler temperatures. Stop in the local restaurants and shops to warm with some local treats or do a bit of Christmas shopping. Prague really is the perfect Christmas destination.

Brussels organises one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe. Besides the impressive spruce tree in the middle of the Grand Place, the main attractions are the Sound & light show, the Ferris wheel and the numerous Christmas stalls around the Fish Market.

To read this article in full, please visit: Travel Passionate

There are many interesting things to do in Berlin, Germany, and it might surprise you that many of the city's sights are influenced by Greek art and culture. Here are few things not to miss while in Berlin.

Here you will find Greek artifacts including the reconstruction of Greek buildings from the ancient city of Miletus in Ionia, such as Pergamon Altar and the market gate of Miletus, whose parts were transported from the ancient city itself. You will also discover a piece of Greek history as the brilliant collection of antiquities that includes the altar of Pergamon, which dates back to the 2nd century BC.

Built between 1788-1791 and located in the center of the city, the Brandenburger Gate was designed by Karl Gkotcharnt Langkchans and is based on the Propylaea of the Acropolis in Athens. If you look closer, you will find that on both sides of the monument there are scenes from Greek mythology!

At the outdoor/indoor history museum in Berlin called the Topography of Terror museum, you will see compelling exhibits documenting the terror of the Nazi regime. The museum is built on the site where buildings were used by the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945 as the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS.

The Nazi regime destroyed much of Greece and completely demolished many Greek villages. It is a dark time in the history of Europe, and you can learn more about it at the museum through photographic and audiovisual material which has a special section dedicated to Nazi occupation in Greece.

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

‘Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities; with so many places to visit, things to experience, stories to be told. And if you had only 60 secs to describe it, this is how Athens would look and sound.’

Athens Mayor Yiorgos Kaminis announced the 'Athens Tourism Partnership,' an initiative for tourism promotion in Athens. The City of Athens, Aegean Airlines, and the Athens International Airport unite for the first time having a common objective - promoting Athens as a modern cultural centre and attractive tourist destination throughout the year.

The first result of this collaboration is a new, vibrant and dynamic campaign entitled 'One City. Never Ending Stories' aimed at showcasing the Athenian experience.

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

 

 

Writer and blogger Marissa Tejada from Travel Greece Travel Europe discusses the perks of being in Athens for Christmas! In recent years, Athens has been coined as an emerging European city break destination. That holds true for the curious Christmas traveler. Traveling during the winter season here is great. Why? Less crowds, for one. You’ll experience Greece outside of its summer skin and see the way Greeks celebrate one of their favorite holidays.

The heart of the city is Syntagma Square and it’s where the city’s Christmas tree is lit. The square’s trees are strung with blue and white lights (the holiday colors of Greece) or with decorations such as karavakia (small Christmas ships). The municipality also schedules a series of free concerts during the month of December.

With a mild Mediterranean winter you can enjoy a scenic and sunny walk to some of the best panoramic spots of the city. Here are some photos from last winter when I took a Christmas day walk around Lycabettus Hill in Kolonaki.

While not as fancy or glamorous as other European Christmas markets, Athens has a few markets known as bazaars. Local artisans sell everything from handmade soaps, traditional Greek products to jewelry. Some bazaars are located in the metro stations (including Syntagma).

Without any crowds to push through or lines to wait on, Christmas holidays in Athens are a great time to explore. Visit the best museums in Greece including the National Archaeological Museum of Athens or the Acropolis Museum.

During Christmas holidays in Athens, head into any bakery and be tempted by traditional treats like kourabiedes (sugar cookies) and melomakarona (honey cookies). You’ll find both types of cookies displayed side by side.

To read this article in full, please visit: Travel Greece Travel Europe