LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Wednesday, 19 October 2016 16:19
Qatar Airways Daily Seychelles Service To Open Up Holiday Haven To Travellers
Travellers can enjoy their tropical dream-come-true with direct daily service between Doha and Seychelles!
Qatar Airways will provide travellers with greater access to the idyllic white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Seychelles with daily flights from Doha starting on 12 December 2016.
Travellers wishing to explore the beauty of the Seychelles – one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations in the Indian Ocean – will enjoy convenient flights and award-winning service when travelling with Qatar Airways.
Residents of the Seychelles will also benefit from the opportunity to connect to the airline’s network of more than 150 business and leisure destinations around the world via the airline’s hub in Doha. The airline’s expanding global reach and modern fleet will take travellers to exciting places across the globe including the airline’s latest destinations launched in 2016: Adelaide, Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Helsinki, Los Angeles, Marrakech, Pisa, Ras Al Khaimah, Sydney, Windhoek and Yerevan.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “Over recent years Qatar Airways has seen significant growth, expanding its worldwide footprint to provide more opportunities for global leisure travellers to premium destinations such as the Seychelles. When travelling with Qatar Airways we ensure that our passengers’ dream holiday starts with an extraordinary journey on board, where they truly experience the warmth of Middle Eastern hospitality, world-class service, award-winning cuisine and in-flight entertainment.”
Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St. Ange, said: “It gives me great pleasure to see Qatar Airways serving the Seychelles. Our partnership has always been a very positive one. I know that the airline is very popular with the local community and we all look forward to many more years of fruitful cooperation and increased tourism business to our shores.”
Seychelles Tourism Board, Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sherin Naiken, added, “The Seychelles Tourism Board is very happy to welcome Qatar Airways. We are looking forward to building a partnership with the airline that will foster the development of tourism and growth of local business.”
Passengers flying to the Seychelles from any of Qatar Airways' more than 150 destinations around the world will enjoy a quick and convenient transfer at the airline’s state-of-the-art hub Hamad International Airport. Offering more than 100 retail and dining options and unique services such as a 25-metre swimming pool, hotel and spa, designed exclusively for those in transit, the airport is sure to further enhance the passengers’ overall travel experience.
Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, the airline has a modern fleet of 190 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 190 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World's Best Business Class, Best Business Class Airline Lounge, and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
For more information, please visit their website: Qatar Airways
Published in
International Travel
Tagged under
Thursday, 22 October 2020 07:00
Delicious Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin soup is a perfect warming dish to serve during autumn and winter. It cooks in no time, and it's a favorite for kids and adults alike. Add caramelized bacon and homemade croutons to take this recipe to a whole different tastiness level!
Serves: 4-6
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooks in: 30 minutes
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• 70 g butter
• 800 g pumpkin, yellow, peeled
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1 liter of water
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• the juice of 1 orange
Cooking Method
Heat the olive oil in a deep pot over medium heat, and sauté the onions for 2 minutes, until slightly golden. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
Add 20 g of the butter, the pumpkin cut into 3-4 cm cubes and the thyme.
Sauté for 2-3 more minutes and add the water with the chicken bouillon cube. You can also add a stock cube if you have some in your pantry.
Bring to a boil and simmer – with the lid on – for 15 to 30 minutes until the pumpkin is tender.
When the pumpkin pieces are tender, add the rest of the butter, the orange juice, and beat the soup with a blending rod until the mixture is homogenized and smooth.
If it is too watery, boil for a few more minutes. If it is too thick, add a little more hot water.
Tip: Serve the soup with heavy cream, fresh thyme, caramelized bacon, and homemade croutons.
Published in
Greek Food & Diet
Tagged under
Thursday, 20 October 2016 07:00
Lesvos - The Aegean Symphony
The island of Lesvos has showed the world the meaning of compassion and selflessness.
Watch and share the new video which captures the true values of its people and the characteristics of an island that has become an international symbol of humanity. Lesvos, the “Aegean symphony”, as the video portrays, a musical masterpiece of nature’s elements that invites you to a unique holiday experience. #DiscoverGreece
Have you ever known a place that speaks to you?
Well, surrender to the feeling. And a melody rises up around you.
The elements begin to stir, to fall into place, to find their voice,
The land. The wind. Nature. The water.
All share a single tempo; a reason to be heard.
Even the stones command a presence.
Enchanting you,
A noble and sacred serenade that inspires you to greater heights,
Almost without knowing, you’re captivated by the rhythm;
A dance shared with others, yet somehow still your very own,
And just when you think silence has descended…
Don’t be misled. Open up to the secret whispers of a music,
Well, surrender to the feeling. And a melody rises up around you.
The elements begin to stir, to fall into place, to find their voice,
The land. The wind. Nature. The water.
All share a single tempo; a reason to be heard.
Even the stones command a presence.
Enchanting you,
A noble and sacred serenade that inspires you to greater heights,
Almost without knowing, you’re captivated by the rhythm;
A dance shared with others, yet somehow still your very own,
And just when you think silence has descended…
Don’t be misled. Open up to the secret whispers of a music,
The notes of an ancient harmony,
A perfect blend,
That brings all the senses together as one.
A perfect blend,
That brings all the senses together as one.
Published in
Videos
Tagged under
Monday, 06 November 2017 07:00
7 Reasons To Cherish Athens During Autumn
Athens in the autumn transforms into a city with a special kind of charm, so if you find yourself in the city on the cusp of autumn instead of the height of summer, here are some the delights you can look forward to.
- Drinks In The Open
When returning from summertime holiday breaks, Athenians tend to continue spending a great deal of time outdoors, for as long as the autumn weather permits, roaming about town and enjoying drinks at café-bars on pedestrianized streets, rooftop settings and terraces. -
Visits To Museums And Archaeological Sites Without The HeatwavesBegin your outing along cobbled Dionysiou Areopagitou St, below the Acropolis, for a look at the marvelous neoclassical buildings along one of Europe’s most prestigious and expensive strips. Also take in the Theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, both at the foot of the Acropolis, as well as the district’s wondrous Acropolis Museum, designed by architect Bernard Tschumi and Michael Photiadis, before winding up at the Pnyx, the nearby hill where ancient Athenians gathered for their popular assemblies.
-
Classic Athenian Food Delights In Unlikely SpotsTry the street food at Uberness, a cult-status pop-up restaurant set up by chef Vassilis Kallidis in Athens central wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Renti, close to Piraeus. The makeshift setting, featuring lots of plastic white chairs for seating, resembles rural Greek festivals. At Aster, enjoy Cretan cuisine in the grand setting of a neoclassical building decorated with furniture that is reminiscent of old Athens.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is
Published in
City Discovery
Tagged under
Monday, 17 October 2016 21:52
49 Reasons To Love Greece
We believe that Greece is one of the best countries in the world to live, to visit, and to explore. There are an infinite number of reasons to love Greece, but these 49 reasons are some of the best! Here we've chosen our favourite ones from this great list!
- Greeks take their time.
- They let beautiful moments linger.
- From May to September you’ll almost never see a cloud.
- For Greeks, time with family and friends always comes first.
- Eighty percent of the country is picturesque mountains…
- Greek food is so much more than souvlaki and gyros.
- Feta. The real, salty, creamy, crumbly stuff.
- Figs grow wild. Lots of them. Everywhere.
- Coffee breaks are serious affairs.
- Athens is one of the most underrated cities in the world.
Published in
My Week In Athens
Tagged under
Tuesday, 18 October 2016 07:00
Greek Woman Is Candidate For Nobel Peace Prize
86-year-old Emilia Kamvysi is not a politician, activist or lawyer. Her days are simple and slow. Like other Greek retirees on the island of Lesbos off the Turkish coast, she cooks for her children and grandchildren, watches the evening news and sits on the bench with her neighbors gazing at the sea. Kamvysi is not your typical Nobel Peace Prize candidate.
Then her life changed. Along with two neighbors, aged 89 and 85, Kamvysi was sitting on a bench in February, helping out a Syrian refugee mother by feeding her child with a bottle. The photo went viral, and she and the two other grannies in the photo became symbols of Greek generosity toward the migrants who have fled to Europe in recent years.
“I wish that Greece wins this prize, not just me,” Kamvysi said, pledging if she wins to give her share of the $1.2 million prize to the decaying Greek healthcare system.
For the journalists and photographers who have stepped into her home recently, she brews a Greek coffee and brings out a jar of candy. Still, the media attention has often been tiring for the three grannies. They complained they had to dress up every day to greet journalists from as far as Bolivia and Bangladesh, as well as politicians.
In the small island of Lesbos, meanwhile, the three grandmas have become celebrities.
“It’s good for the island and good for the grandmas,” said Roula Kyparisi, a bed and breakfast owner on Lesbos. “We’re all hoping they will win it. It’s so strange that your neighbor is a candidate for a Nobel Prize.”
To read this article in full, please visit: USA Today
To read this article in full, please visit: USA Today
Published in
Greece In The News
Tagged under
Monday, 17 September 2018 07:00
To Eidikon - An Old School Eatery
At the corner of Psaron and Salaminos streets, in a quiet neighborhood of Piraeus, there’s a place that looks straight out of a 1960s Greek black-and-white movie. Its name, eidikon, means “special,” and it’s the last of its kind: a bakalotaverna, or grocery store and eatery, all in one.
The shop opened in 1920, when the three Papakonstantinou brothers from Gardiki, an impoverished village near Trikala in central Greece, came to Athens in search of better prospects. The building was the tallest in the area. It had large windows, and in good weather, one could even see the sea on the horizon.
The interior, with its dark wooden paneling, was obviously built to last. The shelves and old refrigerator cases are now covered with vintage 60s products, bric-a-brac and numerous photographs of the current owner, Apostolos Papakonstantinou, and his forebears. Large frames display the good times of the past, with the celebrities that were (and still are) among the loyal clientele.
To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets
To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets
Published in
Restaurants In Athens
Tagged under
Friday, 23 March 2018 07:00
Athens Named World Book Capital For 2018 By UNESCO
The UNESCO director announced in 2016 that Athens would be the World Book Capital for 2018. The city of Athens was chosen for the quality of its activities, supported by the entire book industry. The proposed activity program includes meetings with writers, translators and illustrators, concerts, thematic exhibitions, poetry readings and workshops for publishing professionals.
The aim of the program is to make books accessible to the city’s entire population, including migrants and refugees. Members of the Advisory Committee also praised Athens’ cultural infrastructure and its expertise in organizing international events. The programs promoted by Athens range from events for writers, translators, illustrators, concerts, exhibitions as well as promotion of poetry via readings and workshops.
Athens prepares for a great celebration, an experience unlike any other! A whole year full of books, reading, culture and events that promote knowledge.Athens prepares for a great celebration, an experience unlike any other! A whole year full of books, reading, culture and events that promote knowledge.
Whether younger or older, Athenian or visitor; all are welcome to join the festivities.
Our aim? To bring books to every neighbourhood and to every corner of the city. street. This is one of the most solemn experiences one can have during Easter in Greece.
The aim of the program is to make books accessible to the city’s entire population, including migrants and refugees. Members of the Advisory Committee also praised Athens’ cultural infrastructure and its expertise in organizing international events. The programs promoted by Athens range from events for writers, translators, illustrators, concerts, exhibitions as well as promotion of poetry via readings and workshops.
Athens prepares for a great celebration, an experience unlike any other! A whole year full of books, reading, culture and events that promote knowledge.Athens prepares for a great celebration, an experience unlike any other! A whole year full of books, reading, culture and events that promote knowledge.
Whether younger or older, Athenian or visitor; all are welcome to join the festivities.
Our aim? To bring books to every neighbourhood and to every corner of the city. street. This is one of the most solemn experiences one can have during Easter in Greece.
Athens is the 18th city to be named the World Book Capital by UNESCO.
For more information, please visit: Athens WBC 2018
For more information, please visit: Athens WBC 2018
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Sunday, 16 October 2016 20:54
October 11 - Around Greece & Beyond
Find your perfect fall getaway in Greece and the best off-season destinations in Europe and explore the Acropolis Museum, one of the world’s best museums!
Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
Published in
Newsletters
Tagged under
Wednesday, 12 October 2016 07:00
2017 Oscar Qualifying Live Action Short Film 'Pet'
Pet
A film about childhood and leaving behind your innocence in order to survive.
Synopsis
Dimitris, a 10 year old boy, is the only child of a rich family. The only person that took care of him, his grandma, is dead. Now his only companion is his pet guinea pig. When Dimitris’ parents decide a cruel future for him, Dimitris in order to survive he “cripples” the most pure side of himself.
Director's Statement
Christos Liakouris (artistic pseudonym is Chris Moraitis) is the Greek film director and producer of the independent short film.
Christos Liakouris (artistic pseudonym is Chris Moraitis) is the Greek film director and producer of the independent short film.
'It is clear that the violence we suffer socially in recent years was the impetus for the creation of Pet. It is a film that focuses on current events. I am committed to this story because it concerns me very strongly how a child can be mentally deformed due to the treatment of his parents. I am also concerned of the consequences of materialism. This film touches on the "race" who demonstrate wealth and power, for the sake of which we are losing ourselves and our children. We lose the moment... and the future.'
Watch the Trailer here:
Pet is making a successful career in the USA and is already the most successful independent, Greek short film of all time! PET, after its festival selections and awards and its theater distribution in LA, is an Oscar Qualifying Live Action Short Film for 2017. It’s the first Greek independent short which achieving such honours.
Watch the Trailer here:
Awards
- Best Foreign Film – Ridgewood Guilt International Film Festival (USA)
- Best Director – Skyline International Film Festival (USA)
- Best New Director – London Greek Film Festival (UK)
- Best Sound - Sanford International Film Festival (USA)
- Best Short Film – North Carolina Film Awards (USA)
- Great Lakes International Film Festival (USA)
- Best short film
- Malta International Short Film Festival (Malta)
- Best Film, Best Editing
- Noosa International Film Festival (AUS)
- Best Director, Best Film
- The AFMI International Film Festival (NY, USA)
- Best Short, Best Actor, Best Cinematography
Major Festival
- Festival De Cannes, Short Film Corner (France)
- Taos International Short Film Festival (USA)
- Tallgrass International Film Festival (USA)
- Las Vegas Film Festival (USA)
- Parbeck International Film Festival (USA)
- Independent Days International Film Festival (Germany)
- Scenecs Debut International Film Festival (Netherlands)
- Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (USA)
- Australia Greek Film Festival (AUS)
Major Film Markets
- Festival De Cannes, Marche Du Film(France)
- Palm Springs Film Market (USA)
Cast
Vasilis Risvas
Introducing Roberto Grosu (Kid)
Maria Mandalinou
Dubbing Maria Mandalinou: Katerina Chiotini
Grandma in the Frame: Marina Antonatou
Crew
Written & Directed by Chris Moraitis (Birth Name: Christos Liakouris)
Dialogues: Katerina Filiotou
Produced by Christos Liakouris
Director of Photography: Panagiotis Vasilakis
Line Producer: Iro Adrakta
Production Manager: Nancy Kokolaki
Editor: Maria Ntaountaki
Sound: Nikos Bougioukos
Set & Costume Designers: Chrisa Daponte, Dimitra Labretsa
Composer: Constantinos Evangelidis
VFX by Giannis Ageladopoulos
Post Production: Authorwave Post Production House
Assistant Director: Haris Stathopoulos
Best Girl: Iro Kalamanga
Make-up & Hair Styling: Nia Goga, Vasia Liakouri
Published in
Videos
Tagged under
