Featuring

Anthea Sylbert and Richard Romanus

Costume Designer

Actor

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Having spent the last forty years in Hollywood in the movie and television business on both sides of the camera, we decided to retire. When we first arrived in Skiathos we were on our way to no place in particular and had planned to stay only six months. It was the week they were changing from the drachma to the euro and all we had was dollars and nobody would accept them because the exchange rates hadn’t been established. In Richard’s book, ACT III, he mentions the moment in the second chapter:

“Climbing down the steps of the police station, I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. Where had we landed where without hesitation, without questioning, without exception, people opened their hearts and wallets to complete strangers?”

And we’ve never left.

We’ve been to the capital, all over the Peloponnesus, there's so much to see, Thessalonica - excellent shopping, breathless Meteori, Metsovo, which Richard used as the setting for his novel Chrysalis, and Richard has been to Mt. Athos and is returning again.

A story that we treasure most is when we stopped in Selegoudi, a small village below Sparta, which is Anthea’s ancestral home. After first thinking it deserted, two dozen relatives appeared and a large table was set for a feast, with each carrying another food or wine. During World War II and the ensuing Civil War, Anthea’s father sent a large box every week to the village containing clothes, canned goods, and toys and candies. Towards the end of the meal, an old man sitting next to Anthea leaned in and whispered “I was married in one of your father’s suits.”

Taking your kids to a restaurant is already a challenge, especially if they’re picky eaters. Finding something they’ll like is always a daunting task, but certainly not impossible!

With these suggestions, you and your children can both enjoy the best dishes Greece has to offer. Read on for some tips about what to order the next time you’re at a Greek restaurant.

Let’s start with the basics. A good option is souvlaki, which is roasted chicken or pork on a skewer, usually with some roasted bell peppers thrown in as well. Souvlaki will appeal to the pickiest eater.

You could also try biftekia (burgers on the grill), which often come with french fries or potatoes baked in olive oil and lots of garlic.

Pair it with a Greek salad (also known as horiatiki salata), which tends to be popular with kids (as far as salads go). A Greek salad will have cucumbers, tomatoes, and green bell peppers chopped up with a piece of feta on top, and lots of olive oil for dunking bread.

You could also order a pita gyro, which is pork or chicken meat wrapped in a pita with tomatoes, onions, potatoes and tzatziki. We’ve never met a youngster who didn’t love it.

Eat Your Vegetables

The great thing about Greek food is that it’s packed full of vegetables. You can eat a totally vegetarian (or even vegan) meal at almost any restaurant without missing out on any flavor. And there are tons of options for getting veggies into your kids diet. Ask about what’s in season, and you can’t go wrong.

If your children aren’t wild about vegetables, then try a dish with “secret” veggies. Kolokythokeftedes (fried zucchini balls) are full of nutritious zucchini, but they don’t taste a thing like “rabbit food.” You could also try fried zucchini with tzatziki, which is a yogurt sauce packed with garlic and cucumber. It’s a fabulous combination.

Savory turnovers are a time-tested trick for getting Greek kids to eat their veggies. Try spanakopita (spinach “pie” or turnover), kolokythopita (zucchini “pie” – it’s a popular vegetable), or hortopita (wild greens “pie”).

Try Traditional Mezedes

As you can see, there’s a lot of good food in Greece. Every town and every island has its own specialty. Fruits and vegetables are at their peak when they’re in season, so you’ll get a fabulous variety the whole year round. Mezedes, or small plates, are a great way to experiment with new flavors. Order a little bit of everything. Among the best places to go for mezedes are ouzeri (ouzo shops) and tsipouradika (tsipouro is a kind of strong Greek liquor).

To read this article in full, visit Kids Love Greece

Passenger shipping company Hellenic Seaways has announced its new ferry schedules for travel to the Northeast Aegean islands this summer, following approval by the Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism.

The new routes will begin on June 15 and cover this year’s whole tourist season. According to the Greek shipping company, the connection of the specific islands will create strong growth prospects both for local communities and for tourism, as the combination of destinations is expected to increase passenger traffic.

To read more, including routes and schedules, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Made with just 5 ingredients with one pot in just under an hour, this traditional Greek potato stew (πατάτες γιαχνί) is rustic potato perfection. Red ripe tomatoes, fresh parsley, sweet red onions, minced garlic and yellow potatoes simmered in olive oil combine to create one of the simplest, most authentic and amazingly delicious Greek dishes you will ever enjoy!

Yellow potatoes seem to work very well in this recipe and much better than, say, red potatoes which just seem to fall apart here. You need a heartier potato that’s able to soak up all the amazing flavors of the sauce while still remaining intact.  And I recommend peeling your potatoes with this recipe. Leaving the peels on takes away from the finished dish for me but you’re welcome to  keep them on if you prefer. Thick slices of potato are my favorite and really give you a meal as opposed to just a side dish, though you can certainly serve it either way- I love a side of patates yiahni with Chickpea fritters (revithokeftedes)!

It’s important to remember that because there are just a few ordinary ingredients in this recipe, you need to make sure they’re the best quality. Ripe, juicy tomatoes and Greek olive oil are must haves in addition to fresh (not dried) parsley which brings such a brightness to this hearty potato dish. I use chopped fresh tomatoes because they make for a sweet and light tomato sauce but in a pinch you can use canned whole peeled tomatoes. If you do go with canned, drain off as much of the liquid as possible before chopping. Do not go with crushed or pureed tomatoes as your sauce will be much heavier and not nearly as light as it should be.

A few years ago, Costas Varotsos’s emblematic glass sculpture “The Runner” had to cover the distance from Omonia Square in central Athens, where it was originally placed, to a tiny square facing the Hilton Athens Hotel, where it stands today.

These days a 3-meter-tall copy of the 12-meter original gazes out over the Aegean Sea from a luxury property on the cosmopolitan Cycladic island of Myconos.

Turkish businessman Ugur Ozkan had stayed at the Hilton Athens in the past and observed the original “Runner” from his room. Finding himself under its spell, he subsequently went in search of the Greek artist and commissioned him to create a smaller version of the work for his Myconos villa.

“Ever since the story broke in the local press a few days ago my phones have been ringing nonstop,” the artist told Kathimerini, adding that he “never expected that something which was created two years ago would become the subject of such publicity today. In fact, I had never been commissioned to create a smaller version of a large-scale public sculpture. ‘The Runner’ has an urban quality about it; it is a work especially conceived for display in the city. It had never crossed my mind that it could grace a private residence. It took me a while to execute, but when I saw the end result and the exact spot that was chosen for its display, I must admit that I liked it. Especially when the wind is blowing and the sea gets rough.”

For more on this story, please visit ekathimerini

Story by Margarita Pournara

Travel Bloggers Greece selected to visit the Montanema Handmade Village in Central Greece to experience “another face of Greece” that combined mountain hiking, village excursions, local gastronomy and lake activities.

 

Several outdoor excursions included a guided hike in Agrafa Mountains to its famed waterfalls and horseback riding at the Saloon Stables along Lake Plastiras.  TBG also experienced a “farm-to-table” tour. The bloggers milked sheep, gathered eggs at a family farm in Frago, toured the fifth-generation Pyrotzello flour mill and helped make traditional Greek egg pasta called hilopetes at the Karagouna pasta factory.  Throughout the trip, members dined at Montanema’s Fournia restaurant sampling specialties prepared with local meat, dairy products, herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables. 

 “The idea for the village was planted 15 years ago when the owner was hiking and stumbled upon a little home built in the forest hidden in the lush mountainous landscape.  He envisioned Montanema and today his dream is a reality. It opened last year as a unique accommodation that reflects the natural beauty of this area of Greece. Now, Travel Bloggers Greece can share that experience with their international readers and followers,” said Artemis Kokkinou, Village Hostess of the Montanema Handmade Resort.  

The mountain’s steep slopes meld in harmony with the 33 apartments and suites that were built with an eco-friendly, bio-climatic architectural design.  

“Our travel bloggers loved exploring the mountainous nature of Greece,” said Elena Sergeeva, co-founder of TBG. “Montanema’s hospitality has enabled us share the incredible nature and culture of Central Greece with our photography, social media activity and our travel writing.”

Also at Montanema, TBG member and photography blogger, Dimitrios Asithianakis, taught the group’s first educational workshop: You and Your DSLR Camera.  

 “We aim to collaborate and help educate each other so we can all be better travel bloggers,” said Marissa Tejada, co-founder of TBG. “Like Montanema, we look forward to sharing more authentic experiences on our international blogging and website platforms that focus on travel and culture in Greece.”

About Travel Bloggers Greece (TBG):  TBG is the first blogger networking group established in Greece based on a core set of professional values. Members are Greeks and expats who live in Greece and cover Greece as a travel destination in various languages.  TBG members abide by ethical standards and encourage positive cooperation, education and collaboration.  TBG works with Greece-based businesses to help promote authentic travel and increased awareness of Greek travel destinations. For more information visit: www.travelbloggersgreece.com

The following TBG member blogs participated in the trip to Montanema Handmade Village:

A Greek Adventure http://www.agreekadventure.com

Family Goes Out http://www.familygoesout.com

Life Beyond Borders http://www.lifebeyondbordersblog.com

Meet Culture  http://www.meetculture.com & http://www.meetculture.cn

My Greece, My Travels http://mygreecemytravels.com  

Passion for Greece http://www.passionforgreece.com

Photography Traveler http://photographytraveler.com

Representatives from the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently met with the Greek Tourism Minister, Elena Kountoura, to discuss possible cooperation to expand medical tourism in Greece. It would be part of an effort to strengthen Greek-Russian relations. Representatives from Russia said that the Greek market would be a top destination for Russian citizens for various medical and health services.

During the meeting, Minister Kountoura presented the various opportunities in the health tourism sector in Greece, placing  emphasis on the high-level of scientific staff and specialized rehabilitation centers. Minister Kontoura also mentioned that the Greek government is working with the Greek Medical Tourism Council (ELITOUR) and industry professionals to set up working groups to move medical tourism forward in Greece.

For more on this story, visit All About Aviation and Greek Travel Pages

Archeon Gefsis, an Ancient Greek-style restaurant located on 6 Agion Anargiron Street in the Psyri District in Athens, recently opened its doors. This themed restaurant, which translates to Ancient Tastes, is renowned for its unique style and atmosphere and aims to offer guests a brand new culinary experience.

Backed by a team that includes specialized architects, taste specialists and researchers of ancient writings, Archeon Gefsis focuses on the revival of the cuisine of Ancient Greece and aims to initiate food lovers into the healthy nutritional and dietary habits of the sophisticated men who led the way to our civilized society.

The restaurant offers a very interesting combination of recipes and flavors that are based on ancient ingredients. With the addition of traditional wines and along with the mystagogic atmosphere of antiquity, guests will feel as if they have suddenly been transferred to Ancient Greece and are about to dine with Socrates, Platon and Pericles.

All dishes are prepared strictly on the basis of ancient recipes of the 5th, 4th and 3rd Centuries BC, adapted to suit contemporary tastes. The menu is written with detail and contains authentic ingredients and cooking methods extracted from the ancient books from which recipes were derived.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Serendipity Magazine explores how artists express through their spirit in this issue. This issue, a fourth in a series exploring The Anatomy of the Artist, features painters, writers, photographers and a tasty bit more!

Click the following link to read this issue of the magazine: http://free.yudu.com/item/details/3154087/Anatomy-of-the-Artist---Art-of-the-Spirit.

Despite connecting with new "friends" via online social networking (e.g., Facebook), despite living in cities with thousands of people, and despite working in large organizations, the incidence of people who say they are lonely keeps rising. Many people are connecting all the time -- working two jobs, using Blackberries, iPhones and other devices 24/7, engaging in numerous activities -- yet they still feel that they have no one with whom to talk about serious issues in their lives, no one to talk things out. It's becoming a big issue in our society and postmodern world.

A recent AARP study, for instance, found that the percentage of Americans who have no one with whom to discuss important matters has risen to more than 24 percent (that's right, essentially one out of every four people!). They also found that the loneliest people were in their mid-years, not the older folks who are typically thought to be the loneliest in our society.

It's time for what the Greeks call an antidoto (αντίδοτο), which translates into the familiar English word, "antidote," meaning a remedy or something that relieves or prevents a situation. It's time to return to the OPA! Village where connecting meaningfully with Others is a daily priority.

In the village, it is customary to find men sitting in kafenios (cafés) talking and connecting with each other in the early mornings before the day's chores begin and again in the late afternoons after the day's chores have been completed. We also find young men taking walks with other young men with their babies in strollers in the early evening. We find community tables in restaurants where people truly bond over food, taking the time to share a meal such as dinner together and discuss life while eating from shared platters of food.

This is in sharp contrast to what is experienced in our North American society, where we typically eat at separate tables with individual plates of food, or rush through our meal at a "fast food restaurant," or even purchase "takeout food" that we take home to eat, often sitting alone in our homes. Importantly, we would like to point out that the Greek word for "banquet" is συμπόσιον, which is the English word "symposium," even though its contemporary meaning and practical uses have obviously changed over the years. To the Greeks, both in ancient times and today, the idea of connecting with others over food (and drink) is the true essence of the symposium, which is not treated lightly and, in point of fact, is a very important part of daily life.

Insight: Socializing is important to our health, not just in physical sense but also in terms of our emotional and spiritual well-being. Research has shown that bonding and having friends lowers our blood pressure and stress levels and also strengthens our immune systems, leading to longer, healthier lives! So go beyond social networking online -- reach out to truly find ways to bond with others. Let's bring back the traditional notion of the "symposium." This is an essential part of living (and working) The OPA! Way! Opa!

Dr. Alex Pattakos and his partner, Dr. Elaine Dundon, are the co-founders of The OPA! Way® lifestyle of "Living Your Inner Greece!" which means living all of life to the fullest with enthusiasm and meaning. You can find out more about Dr. Pattakos, author of the international bestselling book "Prisoners of Our Thoughts," and Dr. Dundon, author of the international bestselling book, "The Seeds of Innovation," in their HuffPost bio. You are also invited to follow The OPA! Way on Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheOPAWay) and join the OPA! Village (www.theopaway.com).

By Alex Pattakos