Those interested in renting out their properties, homes or flats in Greece on Airbnb must meet the following requirements as set out by the economy, finance and tourism ministries.

According to a recent government decision effective November 1, 2015, interested parties can lease properties that meet the standards of self-catering accommodation (furnished villas and rooms/apartments) subject to the provisions in article 46 of law 4179/2013 (A ‘175), without possessing the special accommodation sticker and with no set duration. Previously, in order to lease accommodation for less than 30 days, the special sticker was required.

Additionally, should owners of any of the above accommodation types provide services (cleaning, catering, protection) these will be taxed accordingly as income and be subject to the applicable laws as laid out by the finance ministry.

According to the current tax system, income from renting properties is taxed according to the following scale: for income less/equal than 12,000 euros, the tax rate is 11 percent, while for income over 12,000 euros, the rate is 33 percent. These rates may change once new tax legislation is voted in parliament.

Owners wishing to engage in business activity and lease their property solely as a tourist accommodation [Article 1 of Law 4276/2014 (A 155)], must obtain legal authorization by local licensing and supervisory boards and obtain the special operations sticker. Different tax rules apply to properties registered as “tourist accommodation.”

Source: Greek Travel Pages

In 2015, international tourist arrivals to Greece grew by seven per cent and reached 23.6 million, while exports generated by the sector increased by six per cent to €14.2 billion.

United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary general, Taleb Rifai, has expressed the confidence of the organisation in the continued growth of the tourism sector in Greece, saying: “We have no doubt that Greece will maintain a powerful image worldwide as a major tourism destination and that the country will consolidate its growth in 2016, as shown by booking trends.”

This vow of support is timely for Greece as the country is advancing implementation of its new tourism policy framework, launched in 2015 to enhance international tourism. The diversification of the touristic offer benefits Greek hospitality, as does the development of new destinations and the opening of new high-end accommodation facilities and services.

Source: BreakingTravelNews

With temperatures rising and the sun starting to shine, spring is in the air. It's the perfect time of year to enjoy a bike ride in Athens!

Here are our favorite bike routes in and around Athens that will get you exploring the city on two wheels. 

SEF Stadium - Glyfada
Distance: 13.5 km


📍 Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF), Piraeus. @metalvein_gr

Along the coast on Poseidonos Avenue and the tram lines, next to the sea, the wide sidewalks are ideal for a bike ride under the shade of palm trees - a route especially perfect in the evening when the sea is magnificent. Park your car at Karaiskaki Stadium Parking or take the train to SEF Stadium (Ilektrikos - green line) and start your bike ride from this point.


Neo Faliro - Pireus - Monastiraki

Distance: 7.55 km


📍 Piraiki, Piraeus. @danis_p_gr

Although it may sound scary to many, this is actually a very safe route. You'll travel along tree-planted streets with little traffic. The route mainly consists of straight paths that go through the picturesque neighborhoods of Petralona before arriving at Monastiraki Square.

Lake Marathon
Distance: 32 km

Now that the weather is getting warmer, what better way to explore the city's beautiful neighbourhoods and the historical center of Athens than by bike!

And if you don't own a bike, not to worry! The City of Athens has officially launched a pilot project, like so many other European capitals, for its own bike sharing service. The bicycles will be initially available at Technopolis in Gazi and the service has been available to the public since Thursday March 3rd, 2016.

AthensBikes, as the initiative is called, is a service that offers locals and visitors the opportunity to rent a bicycle in Athens for a small fee. For more information visit their website (in English) here.

 

Source: iefimerida

Technopolis is a well known venue for cultural shows, exhibitions and concerts in the Gazi area of Athens. It is also home to the Industrial Gas Museum. This museum gives fascinating insight into a short lived technological period. It helped transform Athens from pre-independence ramshackle village, to  a modern city.

At the time in 1833, Athens certainly looked nothing like the city we see today. In fact, it was little more than a collection of ramshackle houses located in the Plaka area. At the time of independence from the Ottoman empire, the population was barely 5000. Hard to imagine when you see it today!

When King Otto took up residence in Athens, he (or his aides), embarked on a massive development plan for Athens. Grand neo-classical buildings were designed and built, parliaments organised, and industry encouraged. One of the modern developments, was the task of providing street lighting. From 1857 until around 1917, this was done solely with coal gas. It was gradually phased out as electric lights replaced gas street lighting. The coal gas was produced at the gasworks in Gazi, and employed thousands of people. The Industrial Gas Museum was created as a way to display the technologies of just 100 years ago, and demonstrate how things have changed.

To learn more about the museum, please visit: Daves Travel Pages

Industrial Gas Museum Athens
Website: http://www.technopolis-athens.com/web/guest/museum
Address: Peiraios 100, Athens, 11854

Learning a new language is not always easy - especially Greek! When you relocate to a country where you don’t speak the language, it is always a good idea to try and learn the language or at least a few words. Here are some tips to make learning Greek just a bit easier!

1. Learn the alphabet and listen to people speaking. It is important to learn how to pronounce the letters in the alphabet and once you know this, you will have no trouble being understood or pronouncing words.

2. Learn basic grammar. Many language teachers plunge into grammar without teaching the simple basics or teaching a single word. Many people will agree that it is best to initially learn a few of the basic rules such as the ‘to be’ rule and focus on learning words and phrases - grammar will come later.

3. Read road signs. Practice your language skills by reading road signs. It is a great way to familiarize yourself with your surroundings but also to help you remember and recognize letters of the alphabet.

4. Read subtitles. Many tv shows and films on Greek TV are in English with Greek subtitles. Reading the Greek subtitles while listening to the film in English is an excellent way to learn new words.

5. Listen to Greek music. Greece has many genres of music from traditional to modern, listening to Greek music while you work or just having it on while you're at home will help you pick up new phrases, not to mention enjoying great songs!

6. Talk with the locals. Not only is this a great way to integrate and meet people in your local community, but practicing speaking Greek is probably the greatest way to learn the lingo. Spending some of your day interacting with people you meet at shops, on the street or on the bus, will help you learn pronunciation, word order, grammar, and everyday phrases.

Learning Greek can be fun ~ enjoy!!

To read more tips, please visit: GreekReporter

The Thessaloniki-based group Argo will represent Greece at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden from 10 to 14 May.

The song ‘Utopian Land’ includes Greek and English lyrics, incorporates the traditional Pontian lyra with contemporary rhythms and refers to the refugee crisis combining hip hop and folk music. ERT president Dionysis Tsaknis said that they wanted Greece to be represented by a song that will send a message to Europe about what the Greek people are facing now.

Source: Protothema

Despite uncertainty in the outbound holiday market in Europe and the ongoing publicity of the refugee crisis, Athens has not lost ground as a leisure tourism and city break destination, according to the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB).

“It’s business as usual for Athens at ITB”, the convention bureau’s press officer, George Angelis, told the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) on the sidelines of the trade show in Berlin. “We have not seen or heard anything that should cause some concern. On the contrary, we see that there is currently a healthy demand for Athens, particularly in for city break and leisure tourism”, he said.

The Greek capital was represented once again at ITB (the world's leading travel trade show) which took place in Berlin from March 9-13, 2016.

To read more please visit: GreekTravelPages

During the 2016 Greek-Russian initiative, dedicated to the promotion of Greece to the Russian public and of Russia to the Greek public, Athens and Moscow are planning a series of cultural events aiming at 'renewing the traditional bonds of friendship and enhancing awareness and cooperation,' as described in a statement made by the ministry.

As part of the exchange program, the Acropolis museum will exhibit three golden objects from the Hermitage Museum’s collection of Scythian treasures, while the Russian museum will exhibit a marble statue of an Archaic Kore, lent by the Acropolis Museum.

The Acropolis Museum will inaugurate the exchange on March 11, 2016 during a precursor exhibition presenting exhibits from the Hermitage Museum as part of the cultural program titled 'Year of Russia in Greece.'

Originally posted on: GreekReporter

The Michelin Guide has been in publication for over a century! The Michelin Guide is the oldest European hotel and restaurant reference guide, so a Michelin star (or stars) of excellence is something that only a few of the very best and notable establishments receive. Here are some of the exceptional restaurants in Athens that have been awarded by Michelin:

Hytra
Take the express lift up to the 6th floor of the striking Onassis Cultural Centre; here you'll find a sultry restaurant looking out over Syngrou. Classic Greek recipes are executed in a refined modern manner - for something a little different try the cocktail pairings. They also offer a bistro menu at the bar.

 

Cuisine: Modern

Michelin Stars: One
Address: 6th Floor, Onassis Cultural Centre, 107-109 Syngrou Ave, 11745, Athens

Telephone: 210 3316 767

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart

Spondi
A discreet, intimate restaurant with two delightful courtyards and two charming dining rooms - one built from reclaimed bricks in the style of a vaulted cellar. Top quality seasonal ingredients are used in imaginative, deftly executed, stunningly presented modern French dishes. Greek, French and Italian wines feature on an impressive list.
 
Cuisine: French
Michelin Stars: Two
Address: 5 Pyronos, Varnava Square, Pangrati,  Athens
Telephone: 210 7564021

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart

Varoulko Seaside
Varoulko sits in a great spot in Mikrolimano Marina - the chef's old neighbourhood. Watch the yachts glide by from the maritime-themed dining room which opens onto the water. Greek and Mediterranean dishes showcase organic vegetables, Cretan olive oil and the freshest seafood; squid and octopus feature highly.

Cuisine: Fish and seafood
Michelin Stars: One
Address: Akti Koumoundourou 52, Mikrolimano, Piraeus
Telephone: 210 5228400

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart

Botrini's
A keenly run, ultra-modern restaurant away from the centre of the city; sit in the main room with its view of the chefs at work. Creative, characterful, flavour-packed dishes showcase the owner-chef's Greek-Italian heritage. He hails from Corfu and ingredients from the island are well used..
 
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Michelin Stars: One
Address: 24b Vasileos Georgiou, 10435, Chalandri
Telephone: 210 6857323

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart
Source: www.guide.michelin.com