Have there been times you had to force yourself to do something just so you wouldn’t upset your mom or your best friend? How many times have you caught yourself yelling at your kid just because you wouldn’t know how to set your boundaries with love? How many times has your partner told you to stop complaining or whining while the only thing you were trying to say was that you felt uncomfortable or hurt or not respected? More than once, I bet!

Setting our boundaries is something most of us haven’t learned to do. “I wish I could but I can’t say no, there’s no way” is an argument I’ve heard many of my clients say. When I ask them why they answer that the idea alone makes them feel unkind, unhelpful, disrespectful and even arrogant at times. They also believe that if they say “no” there’s a high possibility the other person won’t like them anymore so they’ll be left alone. So they continue to be unhappy and to be taken for granted.

There is an explanation of course. And that is because as children we all wanted to be liked and loved so we would do whatever it would take to please our parents, our relatives, our friends. So even though we’re grownups now we still behave like the little child we were years ago.

And then I tell my clients the good news: “You don’t have to keep on behaving like this any longer and that is ok.” “But how? I don’t have the courage, I feel guilty,” is a typical response I get. Let’s see how.

Saying “no” calmly and with decisiveness is not a talent but something we can all learn. It takes conscious practice and extra time on your part but you’ll be amazed at the results. You can learn to recognize and express what you want and what you don’t want. You can learn to be both assertive and kind.

Here are some questions that may serve as your initial guide:

• What are your personal values?
• In what ways can you respect yourself so that others will respect you?
• What phrases can you use to tell people what you do want instead of what you don’t want?
• How can you express anger in more appropriate ways?
• What are you grateful for?

Once you learn to communicate in a different way you will be able to set your limits with confidence, respect and love towards yourself.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

Iconic Hotels Grande Bretagne and King George, heightening their standards in gastronomy, proudly present the new seasonal menus of GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall Restaurants for this winter. 

Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis with his experienced team of Chefs and with absolute loyalty in their sustainability vision, choose the best local ingredients, put their expert culinary skills at the forefront and captivate their guests with imaginative dishes, divine flavors, images and aromas,

At the all-time favourite Athenian spot, the GB Roof Garden Restaurant, talented Chef de Cuisine Nikos Liokas with significant experience in renowned London restaurants, has designed with great expertise an exciting “fine comfort” menu with Mediterranean influences and genuine nostalgic flavours. Dishes are being created utilizing fresh seasonal and high quality ingredients with emphasis on organic locally sourced products of small producers and food provenance is specially denoted on the menu card. Discover sophisticated dishes with intense wide-ranging flavors; starring the grilled calamari with smoked fish roe sauce, the pumpkin risotto with ‘ladotyri’ cheese from Zakynthos island, the chargrilled potato from Naxos with ‘beurre noisette', cauliflower purée, fermented leek and Naxian graviera sauce as well as the delicious grilled lamb - shoulder, chop and carré - served with roasted potato, black garlic mayonnaise and yoghurt sauce.  The beetroot salad with goat cheese, cumin, falafel and crunchy quinoa and the linguini with ’nduja’, garum sauce, botargo and lime infuse an international flair to the menu. Various types of fresh sourdough bread are served straight from the oven of the historic hotel's new bakery. 

At the revamped and opulent Tudor Hall Restaurant, distinguished Chef de Cuisine Nikos Leivadias, carrying a long and successful work experience in modern fine dining, unfolds his imagination and adds a new dimension to the Greek cuisine. The refined dishes of the menu feature high aesthetics and unrivalled taste spotlighting a contemporary version of traditional Greek ingredients. The welcome canapés are nothing less than small mouth-watering masterpieces that set the scene for the dining experience that follows. To mention just a few, there is smoked eel with pickled cucumber and caviar, beef tartare with cream cheese and truffle, handmade organic tomato paste with breadsticks and five different types of bread from the in-house bakery. The outstanding starters of the menu include the white asparagus risotto with a confit egg yolk, Naxos graviera, leeks and capers as well as the langoustine duet –grilled and tartare- with coriander, lime and roasted pistachio. Among the most delectable and sophisticated main courses on the menu are the cod with lobster and carrot, the free-range chicken breast with mushroom puree, truffle and ravioli filled with chicken leg as well as the beef brisket with potato and wine-berry sauce.

For the wine connoisseurs, Head Sommelier Evangelos Psofidis proposes exquisite wine pairings that will enhance your culinary experience and curates the restaurants’ awarded wine list.  

Greece may be known as a summer destination, boasting a unique coastline with numerous islands and drop-dead gorgeous sun-kissed beaches. Its natural beauty, though, goes far beyond just that.

Let's take a look at 5 beautiful destinations for a winter escape in Greece!


Mountainous Nafpaktia


Credit: @georgia_damaskou

Nature lovers and adventure seekers will fall in love with mountainous Nafpaktia. Nafpaktos town features many attractions, with the well-preserved castle standing out from the rest. What will totally blow your mind, though, are the mountain villages in the area, especially Elatou and Ano Chora, hidden away in dense forests with chestnut trees. It's been on our travel list for years, but it still manages to stay off the beaten path and retain its traditional character.

Make sure to: Pay a visit to a localtsipouradiko and try an adventurous sport like rafting or mountain biking!

 

If winter destinations near Attica had a king, it would undoubtedly be Trikala in Corinth, located just 2 hours away from the capital. Blessed with imposing mountains, beautiful lakes, and extraordinary natural beauty, Trikala combines modern comforts, like hotels and luxurious chalets, with the most scenic landscapes. It’s a family-friendly destination that's also popular among skiers and snowboarders, with the Ziria Ski Resort just a breath away.

Make sure to: Try the special grilled ribs at a local tavern and go skiing at Ziria Ski Resort!

 

 

Perhaps the most beautiful sunset in mountainous Greece—regardless of the 340 kilometers one must travel to enjoy this magical moment when the sun disappears behind the Agrafos peaks, the fjords darken, and the lake waters turn an eerie blue color. The lake is surrounded by a whopping 18 picturesque villages, each with unique beauty. The most famous of them is probably Neochori and the views from there are simply breathtaking.

Make sure to: Visit Agnanti Restaurant, the perfect spot to watch the sunset, and go canoe-kayaking!

 

Amphitheatrically built on one of the mountain peaks of the mighty Pindus, Metsovo is the perfect blend of mountainous beauty and traditional Greek character. Folklore and living traditions coexist harmoniously; they support each other and somehow create an authentic whole. Among the must-visit places are the art gallery, the park of Agios Georgios, a grove with all kinds of trees found in Pindos, the cheese factory, and the winery of Averof.

Make sure to: Visit the historic monastery of Agios Nikolaos, which has frescoes from the 17th century!

 

Dense forests, with mainly beech but also black pine and robola, cover the slopes of the mountains. The most beautiful of the surrounding settlements is Spilaio, where, just a few kilometers outside the village, you will also find the bridge of Portitsa guarding the narrow passage of a gorge. The village of Kalloni is a well-kept secret of jaw-dropping beauty (Angelopoulos had previously used it as a setting in one of his films), but the road network is not good.

 

Make sure to: Visit the ski resort and, if you make it that far, why not pay a visit to Ioannina close by!

The railway station of Volos, one of the most famous attractions in the capital of Magnesia, has been characterized as a building of extraordinary architecture.

The building was designed by Italian engineer Evaristo De Chirico, father of the great surrealist painter Giorgio De Chirico. It all started when work on the famous Thessalian Railway, which would connect the port of Volos by rail with Larissa, began in the Thessalian Plain and throughout Western Thessaly.

Construction works started immediately after the liberation of Thessaly in 1881. The building was completed and inaugurated by King George I in 1884. The operation of this railway network was the main reason for the explosive growth of Volos.

With the railway station of Volos, Evaristo De Chirico showed his exceptional talent, in addition to his other creations, just like the uniquely beautiful Pelion train that would follow a few years later.

The colors that decorated the magnificent building in 1884 still remain the same today, 140 years later, constituting a distinct monument and reference point for the capital of Magnesia.

In 1884, when the railway station of Volos was inaugurated along with the Volos-Larissa line, another important element stood at the site. It was the monumental statue of the goddess Athena, the work of the Italian sculptor G. Previsan, which still stands to this day, in the same place, blending harmoniously with the imposing building.

On the first floor of the building, the Railway Museum of Thessaly has been operating for the last 20 years. There, rich and rare relics related to the history of the railways are exhibited. On these premises, the visitor can see old photographs, telegraphs, station clocks, period uniforms, ticket offices, engine parts, railway archives, books on rail architecture, and drawings by Ernest Chirico, all important historical documents.

Originally published in Greek on: iefimerida.gr

Translated by: Codico Lab

The Platonic Academy, or simply, ”The Academy,” was a famous school in ancient Athens founded by Plato in 387 BC, located on the northwestern outskirts of Athens, outside the city walls. The site acquired its name from the legendary hero Academos.

Plato is the one figure who must receive the credit for giving birth to this unique institution. He firs acquired the land on which the Academy was eventually built, and began holding informal gatherings there to discuss philosophical issues with some of his friends.

The gatherings included thinkers such as Theaetetus of Sunium, Archytas of Tarentum, Leodamas of Thasos, and Neoclides. These meetings and discussions continued for years but it was not until Eudoxus of Cnidos arrived in the mid-380’s BC that Akademeia was recognized as a formal Academy.

The Platonic Academy is considered the world’s first university

The Platonic Academy was not an educational institution as we know it in modern times, but because it had the characteristics of a school and covered a wide variety of topics such as philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, politics, physics and more, it is considered to be the first university in the entire world.

The garden which Plato decided to use for his discussions had also been used previously by many Athenian groups, both civil and religious, with the Akademeia hosting a nighttime torchlight race from altars in Athens to the altar of Prometheus in its gardens.

The road that led to the University was also lined with the gravestones of many Athenians, and funeral games took place there, along with a Dionysian procession from the city of Athens to the site and then back into the city.

The teaching methods used by Plato, including both lectures and seminars, focused on his instructions, in addition to dialogue between teachers and students.

The Academy was free

It is worth mentioning that during Plato’s leadership of the Academy, its members did not pay any fees, and following his death, the Academy continued its operation for nearly 200 years.

In the year 86 BC, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a Roman general and statesman who held the role of consul twice and revived Rome’s dictatorship, laid siege to the city of Athens and conquered it. The Academy was destroyed and razed to the ground.

Tragically, the magnitude of the destruction was so massive that the school never reopened. Still, the legacy of The Academy has stayed alive throughout the millennia, giving us vital knowledge and insights even today about the world in which we live.

Athens, Rhodes and Milos are the three Greek destinations competing with popular cities in Europe for the title of “European Best Destination 2023”.

The competition is being held for the 14th consecutive year by the Brussels-based organization European Best Destinations (EBD), in collaboration with Europe’s leading tourist agencies, which aims to promote culture and tourism.

A total of 21 cities in Europe have been shortlisted and are competing for the title this year including London, UK; Vienna, Austria; Toledo, Spain; Essen, Germany; Warsaw, Poland; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Athens: A contemporary metropolis with an urban personality

EBD: “Birthplace of philosophy, democracy and drama, the city of Athens is not only an open-air museum of world-class cultural heritage attractions but also a contemporary metropolis with an urban personality.”

Athens in 2022 was announced the 15th Best European Destination, with Ljubljana in Slovenia, winning the title. In 2016, the Greek capital was considered the 2nd Best European Destination after Zadar in Croatia.

EBD: “One of the world’s oldest cities with a recorded history of 3,500 years, the Greek capital is constantly undergoing urban renewals to keep up with the evolution of time. Athens lives up to all the hype!”

Rhodes: A perfect destination for lovers of heritage

EBD: “The island of Rhodes is a perfect destination for lovers of old stones, heritage, fortresses and castles. When visiting Rhodes do not miss The Ancient Acropolis of Lindos, the historic Rhodes Old Town, explore the Palace of the Grand Master or just relax in Agios Pavlos beach.”

Milos: One of the best places for a dream holiday

EBD: “Milos Island is one of the best places for a dream holiday in Greece that you classified among the best natural pools in Europe, Best beaches in Europe (Sarakiniko Beach and its famous volcanic rocks which offer sunbathers a lunar scenery). It is also classified among the Best Sculptures in Europe with the Venus of Milo now exhibited in Paris and discovered by a peasant on the island of Milos in Greece by pure chance. Finally Milos is obviously ranked among your best islands in Greece.”

The voting for the prestigious label takes place online until February 10.

To cast your vote, please click HERE.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr

The "2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture" program kicks off with a weekend of special opening events, at the coastal front of Elefsina, west Attica, on Saturday, February 4, ANA reports.

The opening events will be organized throughout the weekend with a program of exhibitions, concerts, DJ parties and side events across the town of Elefsina.

By becoming the European Capital of Culture, Elefsina is joining an ECoC family of over 70 European cities that have held the title so far.

To read the full program of events (in English), please click HERE.

The Saronic island is among the UK newspaper’s top 23 travel destinations this year, thanks to two major Hollywood productions.

“It’s easy to see why there’s a buzz about Spetses,” the UK newspaper says, noting that in the last two years, the small Saronic island has been the location for two major Hollywood productions: “The Lost Daughter,” starring Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman, and Netflix’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” featuring Daniel Craig, famous for his 15-year stint as James Bond, 007.

The article also references the iconic Poseidonion Grand Hotel, which is featured in the opening scene of the trailer for “Glass Onion.” Overlooking the waterfront, the luxury 5-star hotel, which first opened in 1914, oozes style and sophistication. It’s easy to see why it became such a popular haunt for Athenian high society and European aristocracy throughout the 20th century.

Famous for its old-fashioned charm, neo-classical architecture and horse-drawn buggies (private vehicles are prohibited within town limits), Spetses is anticipating even more visitors in 2023, according to the article. “We’re all feeling blessed to live here,” says Yannis Manitaras, aged 74, who was born and bred on the island.

And despite its burgeoning popularity as a holiday destination, the article notes there are still relatively affordable places to stay, including several cheap B&Bs.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

Life is inherently stressful, especially when you live in the big city. We often experience unpleasant, boring, even miserable moments that we would rather avoid. We seek escape from them through activities that take the mind and body away from problems and everyday life. Methods of escape vary with each individual, including travel, reading, music, music, sports, dancing, gardening, as well as drugs and alcohol, aimless walking through the city, casual sex, perhaps even the pleasure of doing absolutely nothing. Exploring what leads us to relaxation, joy and daydreaming, the small doses of happiness in the city, FokiaNou Art Space, continuing its January group exhibitions with Athens as its subject, held an open call asking artists to showcase the most characteristic Athenian expressions of escapism, in any medium.

Participating artists:  Marianeli Anastasiadou, Maria Argyrakopoulou, Maria Bourbou, Mary Cox, Sofia Charoni, Katerina Christou, Dimitris Chryssafidis, Adrienne Delbecq-Backos, Dimitra Gounari, Constantina Halkia, Vasiliki Kanellou, Maria Karasavvidou, Yorgos Kostakis, Kalliopi Kouklinou, Kostas Lales, Panos Liapis, Dimitra Maltabe, Despoina Pantazi, Lea Petrou, Eleutheria Rapanaki, Geeta Roopnarine, Stella Sevastopoulos, Christina-Sylvia Simantira, Iliana Theodoropoulou, Georgia Maggy Touliatou.

Curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris

FokiaNou Art Space is an artist-run project space in the intimacy of a small apartment in an old building in the center of Athens. The space encourages collaborative creative efforts between Greek and foreign artists, thereby promoting and supporting the local art community. Since 2016, under the direction and curatorship of visual artists Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris, over 50 exhibitions have been held, as well as workshops and talks. 

Opening:  Thursday, 19 January 18.00
Duration:  19 January – 4 February 2023
Hours:  Thursday – Saturday 17.00-20.00
FokiaNou Art Space, Fokianou 24, 7^th Floor, Pagrati 
Μetro:  Evangelismos