For an economy stuck in depression-era recession, dependent on emergency bails, and seemingly locked in a perpetual fiscal vice, tourism is vital. A record 23.5 million holidaymakers visited Greece in 2015 – generating €14.2bn in direct receipts, or 24% of gross domestic product.

“It’s a miracle, what’s been happening in Athens,” Greece’s tourism chief, Andreas Andreadis, told the Observer. “The tourist industry in Greece grew two to three times faster than in Spain, Portugal, Italy or France last year. This year we expect around 4.5 million visitors in Athens alone.”

It’s been a busy winter in downtown Athens, where scaffolding, tarpaulins and dust have been symbols of hope: a mini construction boom heralding a tourist renaissance. Nine hotels are being built or restored around the city centre.

This year, the Greek Tourism Confederation is predicting the number of visitors could reach 25 million and 27.5 million if you count the cruise ship passengers. Economic recovery depends on the tourism sector to a great degree.

Much of the upsurge is linked to Greece’s safety record. Tourists are staying away from resort in Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey and elsewhere in the wake of high-profile attacks.

Tourism provides one in five jobs in Greece, at a time when unemployment in the nation has hovered stubbornly around 25%. Youth unemployment stands at an astonishing 67%.

“It’s going to be a challenge but our hope is that we will see an improvement on record numbers again,” said Yiannis Retsos, president of the Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers. “Tourism is all about positive psychology and Greece is a safe place in the south-east Mediterranean region.”

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

Travel blogger and author Rebecca Hall, shares her advice on the best dishes and drinks in Athens and the local spots to find them! Here are just a few:

This tasty snack is a simple ring of bread sprinkled with sesame seeds or cheese and olives and is sold from koulouri stands all over the city.

Where to Get Koulouri: To koulouri tou Psyri is the bakery that supplies the majority of stands in the Athens area, and it is located in the Psyri neighborhood of Athens, near Monastiraki.

The Greek version of fast food, it’s actually quite healthy. Souvlaki (loosely translated “little skewer”) is cubes of grilled pork or lamb on a stick. Most often it is served with tomato, onion, parsley, tzatziki and fries wrapped in pita bread.

Where to Get Souvlaki: The locals tend to go to Kosta’s, operating since 1950 and located just off Mitropoleos Street near Syntagma Square.

Ground coffee beans and cold water are slowly brought to a boil in a small pot called a briki with your desired amount of sugar . Then the sweetened coffee is poured into your cup. Like everything else in Greece, it’s designed to be enjoyed slowly.

Where to Find Greek Coffee: Greek coffee can be ordered in any café, but the best non-touristy places in central Athens are located in Iroon Square in the neighborhood of Psiri, near Monasteraki.

To read this article in full, please visit: On Board

A Greek archaeologist, who has been excavating Ancient Stagira in central Macedonia for the last 20 years, has claimed he found the tomb of Aristotle. At a conference in Thessaloniki to commemorate the 2,400th anniversary of Aristotle’s birth, the archaeologist, Konstantinos Sismanidis, said he was almost certain that what he found was Aristotle’s tomb.

Even though Sismanidis and his team have no definitive proof that what they found is Aristotle’s tomb, there are strong characteristics that led them to believe this was in fact the tomb. The characteristics include the location and panoramic view, its position at the center of a square marble floor, and the time of its construction, which started at the beginning of the Hellenistic period. The tomb, according to Sismanidis, was built in honor of Aristotle after his death in 322 B.C.

In addition to finding the tomb, Sismanidis and his team of archaeologists have also found the altar referred to in ancient texts and the road that leads to the tomb.

Another excavation that took place in 2014 in Amphipolis, northern Greece, led to the discovery of the largest ancient tomb ever found in Greece. There was speculation that the tomb belonged to Alexander the Great, Aristotle’s most famous student, but later evidence showed that the tomb had probably been built for a close companion of the king and conqueror.

To read this article in full, please visit: NY Times

The popular news and media source Buzzfeed recently released their list of ’31 Places Around The World You Should Eat At Before You Die,’ and two of Athens’ restaurants made the list! The compilation includes a variety of locations and culinary offerings that certainly do not disappoint, as recommended by a cultured group of globetrotters.

One of these globetrotters is Jess Brammar, the senior broadcast journalist on the BBC’s “Newsnight” program. She focused her attention on an Exarchia eatery that provides a spectacular setting of central Athens. According to Brammar, at Ama Laxei the food you will encounter is nothing short of amazing. She describes it as “traditional Greek with a modern twist”. Full of salads and large plates to share, Ama Laxei provides an ideal dinner for larger parties and socialites.

Ama Laxei: Kallidromiou 69, 210 384 5978

Athens scores another spot on the list with one of its notable restaurants Seychelles, located in the neighborhood of Metaxourgeio. Jon Henley, a feature writer for the popular news and media company Guardian, dines at this casual hangout and gives and gives credit to its authentically Greek, yet satisfyingly inventive cuisine.

Seychelles: 49 Kerameikou Street, 211 183 4789

Reviewers managed to hit a wide variety of cities that takes readers on a trip across the globe. The list highlights Umm Hagar, found in the center of Cairo, Egypt, Armand’s Bistro in Cambodia, Vijay’s in the northwest of London, and Don Alfonso overlooking the Amalfi coast and Sorrento.

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

To see the full list of Places To Eat At Before You Die, please visit: Buzzfeed

The UK's EU referendum will take place on 23 June with a decision of whether or not the UK will stay in the European Union.

To vote 'yes' or 'no' is important for many people, including British citizens living overseas. Here are just a few important facts about the referendum and information on how to vote!

• An estimated 5.6 million British citizens overseas
• Since 1985, anyone over 18 who has lived abroad for less than 15 years is eligible to vote in British parliamentary and European elections
• British citizens living abroad for more than 15 years are automatically disenfranchised.

Why is a referendum being held?

Prime Minister David Cameron promised to hold one if he won the 2015 general election, in response to growing calls from his own Conservative MPs and the UK Independence Party (UKIP), who argued that Britain had not had a say since 1975, when it voted to stay in the EU in a referendum. The EU has changed a lot since then, gaining more control over our daily lives, they argued. Mr Cameron said: "It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to settle this European question in British politics."

It is a word that has become used as a shorthand way of saying the UK leaving the EU - merging the words Britain and exit to get Brexit, in a same way as a Greek exit from the EU was dubbed Grexit in the past.

British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals living abroad who have been on the electoral register in the UK in the past 15 years. Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar will also be eligible, unlike in a general election. Citizens from EU countries - apart from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus - will not get a vote.

Yes, but only if you have not lived abroad for more than 15 years.

All the details can be found here. You must be on the UK electoral roll to be able to register. You will need your national insurance number and passport.

For more information about the UK's EU referendum, please visit: BBC News

For more information on how to vote as a British expat, please visit: Euro News

Corfu, a stunning Greek island, is featured in a new 6-part BBC drama series being aired in the UK. The show is called Durrells and is based on Gerald Durrell’s trilogy of Corfu memories.

 

Keeley Hawes, also seen in Spooks and Line of Duty, is the leading actress in this drama series. The best beaches like Palaiokastrisa, Agios Georgias, and Achilles, as well as Danilia, a traditional Corfu village, are all captured on screen.

The village of Danilia is owned by one of Greece’s most luxurious hotel groups and hopes Durrells will inspire people to go on holidays in Corfu. They are even offering hotel packages to celebrate the new drama, which will include a complimentary private tour of the village.

Corfu has also been the location for James Bonds’ For Your Eyes Only.

To view this article in full, please visit: Sunday Express

From Halandri to Kifissia, the northern suburbs of Athens feel almost a world away from the trademark chaos of downtown areas. Although quieter (and greener!) compared to the center, one can find a number of fun activities and trendy hangouts there. 

Here are some cool places to enjoy a leisurely drink when visiting one of Athens' northern neighborhoods. 


The Dalliance House
Located in a wonderful neoclassical house in Kifissia, the Dalliance House has wonderful deco, reminding you of a stylish, cozy living room. It is open from 10 in the morning until late at night for an all-day experience. During the afternoon, the restaurant offers Mediterranean recipes and when it's time for a drink, you will find tasteful cocktails and a large variety of malts, beers, and wines.

Address: Kyriazi 19, Kifissia
Telephone: 210 6230775

Located in Halandri, Mr Peacock is a big space, with a nice garden, an impressive bar, and stylish décor. The bar serves a wide variety of deliciously refreshing cocktails, like the Peacock Mule with vodka, passion fruit syrup, and mango puree. 

Address: Katsoulieri 7, Halandri
Telephone: 21 0680 0390

Greece’s busy season is quickly approaching and the word ‘holiday’ comes to a lot minds. The Greek Islands are perfect for a summer holiday, but if you rather not break the bank, here’s a list of the best low budget destinations!

Great for nature lovers with amazing beaches and it’s not too crowded! These islands have something for everyone with crystal clear water, caves, and even an old pirate haven! The small cyclades include Pano and Kato Koufonissi, Donoussa, Iraklia, and Schinoussa. All have regular ferry connections with Naxos, Amorgos, and Piraeus.

Tourism has not reached its peak just yet on this island so its still quiet. Visitors can walk through traditional villages, the medieval castle of Hora, and then enjoy the pristine beaches. No plan is necessary here and it’s best to just explore.

With only 1,400 people living on the island, there’s still plenty to do here! The main attractions are the white Hora and the white chapels among the Venetian castle. The sites to see are the small swimming bays for a swim, the Taxiarches Monastery, the Byzantine Church of the Panagia, the Cyclops cave, and more!

Yet another island with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Also worth a visit here is to see the Venetian castle and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis.

Not as quiet as some of the other islands mentioned, but picturesque nonetheless. The most popular beaches are Platys Gialos tou Valtou and Necromandeio at Acheroussia.

To read this article in full and to see more of the best low budget destinations, please visit: Hip Greece

Lonely Planet has recently released their 'Best In Europe' list for European destinations you must see in 2016. Coming in at #1 is the Peloponnese in Greece! Here’s what the popular travel website had to say about this must-see European destination!

‘Travellers to Greece tend to flock to the myriad islands or marvel at the iconic Acropolis, but one of the country’s most diverse, vibrant regions is often forgotten: the Peloponnese. It remains an affordable enclave of magnificent ancient sights like Olympia, Mycenae and Mystras, which are scattered across a rich landscape of stone villages, teal seas and snow-capped mountains.

2016 brings the chance to hike the Peloponnese’s new Menalon trail or take a tipple in the Nemean wine region, with its vintages gaining prominence around the globe. You can dive shipwrecks off the Navarino coast or visit the wild and remote Mani, home to ancient stone towers converted into boutique luxury lodgings. Beautiful Nafplio blends contemporary art with atmospheric architecture and classic town squares, ideal for a long, lazy lunch.’

Lonely Planet also says that the Peloponnese is a great place to see traditional Greek life, its history, and beautiful landscapes!

To see this article in full and the rest of the 'Best In Europe' list, please visit: Lonely Planet

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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