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At the Municipal Market of Kypseli, Street Outdoors present one of the longest lasting music events of recent years. From 12 noon and for 12 whole hours, World, Balearic and Disco sounds, embrace a space that has hosted thousands of people from all over the world. An event open for everybody, residents of the area, people passing by, as well as visitors of the city who will be at the spot.

Thris Tian, ​​the man who defined the form in which electronic music is consumed in recent years, the DJ who introduced us to the Boiler Room, the radio producer who co-founded Worldwide Fm with Gilles Peterson, undertakes to become the guide to the most magical musical journey he has seen the city lately.
The award-winning sports tourism event Navarino Challenge celebrates its 10th year by uniting people of all ages and abilities through sports. Amateur and professional athletes from Greece and abroad will visit Costa Navarino and Pylos, Messinia, on October 21-23, 2022.
 
Follow the footsteps of Telemachus
Participants in Navarino Challenge, have the opportunity to run in one of the top Half Marathons 21.1km in Greece, together with the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Konstantinos Dean Karnazes, and to cross the beautiful beach of Voidokilia while tracing history beneath their feet in King Nestor’s land. They will follow the trail mapped out in the Homeric era by Telemachus, Ulysses’ son, trying to find his missing father. Moreover, they can choose between the 10km route or the fun 5km route, which can even be completed with dynamic walking.  On the same day, the 1km children’s route will be held in two groups, for children 10-14 years old and kids up to 9 years of age.   
Runners can act promptly and take advantage of the early bird offers, which are valid until July 31, featuring discounts higher than 50% on registrations. The children’s race is held with free participation. The event, always having the participants as a top priority, offers a refund on their registration costs until September 1.

Entries for Navarino Challenge are underway and interested parties can participate by completing the available form through the following link.
 
Enjoy here the video with Navarino Challenge 2022’s outdoor activities.
 
Sea kayaking at Pylos Bay
Starting from the Poseidonia Restaurant known for its traditional Greek cuisine and local delicacies in the port of Pylos, on Saturday, October 22, a sea kayak tour around the island of Sphacteria will take place, with the support of Explore Messinia. Participants will paddle towards Navarino Bay exploring the coastline of Sphacteria. For entries: welcome(at)exploremessinia.com 
 
Take part in the Beach Volleyball Tournament with a view of the Ionian Sea
Overlooking the sand dunes and crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, The Dunes Beach at Navarino Dunes, Costa Navarino, will host the Navarino Challenge King of the Court Beach Volleyball Tournament. The Olympic sport of beach volleyball returns with the former international Greek volleyball player and record holder of participations with the Greek National Team, Michalis Triantafyllidis, as its ambassador. On Saturday, October 22, the tournament will include separate categories for men and women, whereas on Sunday, October 23, the tournament will be mixed. All beach volleyball activities are carried out with the support of Triantafyllidis Beach Arena. For registrations and more information: info(at)beacharena.gr 
 
Tennis at the Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino
Participants in Navarino Challenge will have the opportunity to attend tennis clinics for children 6-9 years old and 10-13 years old as well as to participate in the Round Robbin tennis tournaments for men and women, which will be held with the support of Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino under the guidance of elite coaches. Costa Navarino is the first European location for a Mouratoglou Tennis Center, while the brand-new state-of-the-art facilities feature a total of 16 tennis courts at Navarino Dunes with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. For registrations and more information: tennis(at)costanavarino.com
 
Track and field, pilates, cycling, golf for everyone!
The schedule of Navarino Challenge offers you the opportunity to come closer to sports and their benefits, alongside top instructors. More specifically, you can take part in activities such as beachathlon for parents & children 6 to 13 years old with the Olympian and European champion Periklis Iakovakis, pilates lessons with the team of physical education instructor, Mandy Persaki, bike ride to Voidokilia with the support of Navarino Outdoors and golf lessons for 2 days, with the support of Navarino Golf Academy.

Book your room now 
Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. Book now the event’s accommodation package which is full of sports activities and includes half board. Live the unique sports and cultural experience that is offered to you. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you may send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070.

Check the accommodation packages here.

Samsung Electronics Hellas supports the event for a 6th consecutive year as its Official Technology Partner. Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are the Official Hospitality Sponsors.The event is assisted by Vita N Travel and Kayak. 

Navarino Challenge will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, whose mission is the formulation of the tourism policy and the executive planning of the tourist development of Greece.The event is organized by ActiveMedia Group which is also responsible for the event’s Sports Production.

Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitespeople #10yearsNavarinoChallenge #eatwell #runwell #livewell

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas
The celebrated London Philharmonia Orchestra, whose past conductors have included legendary maestros such as Toscanini, Klemperer, Karajan and Mutti, resumes as of this year its prolific artistic activity, having as its principal conductor the promising Finnish maestro Santtu-Matias Rouvali, whose consummate musicianship has won the Orchestra’s trust. Under his direction, the Orchestra promises a reading full of dynamism of Tchaikovsky’s passionate Fourth Symphony and Rossini’s Semiramide Overture. Today’s concert also features South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho, winner of the 2015 International Chopin Piano Competition, who will be performing a true pianistic feat, playing the soloist’s part in Prokofiev’s extremely demanding Second piano concerto.
Wine, the gift of Dionysus! What was the relationship of the ancient Athenians with wine? How did they drink it and what did they accompany it with? But more generally, what did their diet include? Which products were local and which were imported? And what role did they play in the religious life of the city?

These and many other questions are answered by the archaeologists of the Acropolis Museum in an out-of-the-ordinary tour of its collections. A unique experience that is completed in the restaurant on the second floor with views of the Acropolis, with a meal prepared especially for the occasion accompanied by wine tasting with the support of the “Vivlia Chora” Winery.

Menu:

- Zucchini patties with fresh herbs, light tzatziki and grilled ''Florinis'' red peppers sauce.
- Greek salad with cherry tomatoes in cucumber nest, feta cheese mousse on carob crumble.
- Fresh cod in the oven with ''sofegada'' style seasonal greens stew, potatoes and Mediterranean fish sauce with tomato.
- Traditional ''ravani'', coconut, yoghurt mousse and sour cherry spoon sweet.
- Wine served by the “Vivlia Chora” Winery.

Date & time: Thursday 12/5, tour on ancient diet (7pm-8pm), tasting at the restaurant (8pm-10pm)

The event is held on the occasion of the "This is Athens City Festival" of the Municipality of Athens.
 


 
 
Monday, 02 May 2022 14:13

Inflatable Planetarium For Children

From the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, which on 4 October 1957 emitted a robotic repeating pattern every 0.3 minutes, to the “cinematically” exciting landings and future flights to the moon by private spacecraft, we will follow step by step the global adventure of human activity outside the Earth, summed up in the phrase “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

Who were the early pioneers of this new interplanetary experience, who withstood accelerations of 13G? Through interviews, documents, testimonies, research we will explore the passion, hard training and incredible heroism of space conquerors from the dawn of the space age to the present day, through the first announcement of Apollo 11: “Huston, this is Tranquillity Base, the Eagle has landed”.

Estimated Age: From First Primary and above.
Opening Hours: Morning at 09: 00-13: 00 and afternoon at 16: 00-18:00.
Sunday 08/05 : 09: 00-13:00
I remember when I was attending elementary school, it must have been 5th grade, our teacher asked us to write an essay about the upcoming Mother’s Day. At the time I had great difficulty with essays of any kind. I never knew how to start and it would take me ages to figure out the first paragraph. So I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea: I would simply find an essay that I liked, copy it, and hand it in. And so I did.

As this was part of my homework, my mom obviously wanted to read it. She was so enthusiastic and proud of her daughter’s writings. She was also moved by the strong emotions vividly described in my essay. My teacher however had the complete opposite reaction, as she understood exactly what had happened. She even knew where I had “borrowed” the text from. Oops! It’s not difficult to imagine how I felt…

Today? No, I don’t need to read any books in order to write how I feel about my mom. I love my mom, and that’s not just by default. I love her for her big heart, for her warm hug, for always being there for me, and for her talent to make us laugh. Of course, we’ve had fights and disagreements. Of course, I don’t agree – even now – with the way she’s handled some situations. However, being a mom myself today, I can certainly understand and acknowledge the challenges she’s faced and her efforts.

I know how a mom feels towards her child but I also know how a child feels towards their mom. I read two quotes that pretty much describe both sides: “Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother” (unknown) and “The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom” (Henry Ward Beecher).

Now I know it’s not an easy ride. Motherhood is not a given. It is beautiful and hard at the same time. It can be elevating and demanding, heartbreaking and heartwarming. As much as it may be scary though it is an undeniable force of life.

Just last week we celebrated my mom’s 88th birthday. In a beautiful garden full of roses, orange trees, and lemon trees. We were all there, the whole family, all in great shape. What a blessing!

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

ypografi-nadia-georgiou-eng.jpg
If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!
Friday, 29 April 2022 13:26

FokiaNou Art Space - Collage Remix

FokiaNou Art is pleased to present “Collage Remix”, a group show curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. The increasing popularity of collage among artists and art-appreciators is due to its ability to describe the world in a multifaceted way. Often using mass-produced images, it mirrors the historical and political context in which it is created. Because of the juxtapositions used in collage, the medium can avoid both linear thinking and traditional binary dichotomies. Additionally, by using found or readymade images or objects, the medium subverts the traditional importance of the idea of the lone creative genius, while also acting as a democratic, low-tech medium accessible by most people.
 
Seventeen artists were invited to submit analog and digital collage work, in 2 and 3 dimensions. Participating artists:  Nola Abboud, Mary Cox, Kelly Koumarianou, Helen Kyrkilis, Loula Levedi, Annette Luycx, Dimitra Maltabe, Konstantine Matsoukas, Dionisios Pappas, Nikos Podias, Geeta Roopnarine, Fiona Spathopoulou, Giorgos Spyropoulos, Christina-Sylvia Simantira, Panagiotis Voulgaris, Piyi Wong, Kiveli Zachariou.
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. The space hosts exhibitions, workshops and projects under the direction of two artists, Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. 

Opening: Thursday, 12 May, 17.00
Duration: 12-28 May 2022. 
Hours: Thursday - Saturday 17.00 – 20.00

Five of Europe’s best rooftop bars are located in Greece: in the city of Athens and on the island of Santorini, according to a study released by entertainment site MrQ.

To determine its 2022 European Rooftop Bar Index, MrQ analyzed 145 rooftop bars in 30 European cities. Based on five metrics that can “make or break” a great rooftop bar experience, the study examines average rating, number of reviews, the popularity of Instagram hashtags, and average temperatures in the summer.

MrQ includes five Greek rooftop bars on its Top 10 list:

3rd spot – PK Cocktail Bar, Santorini

PK Cocktail Bar
@pkcocktailbar 

PK Cocktail Bar, Santorini’s longest-running cocktail bar ranks third. Clearly popular with its customers, PK Cocktail Bar has secured an impressive five-star rating and the hashtag #pkcocktailbar has been used 2,583 times, MrQ says.

7th spot – Thea Terrace Bar, Athens

Thea Terrace Bar
@athenshotspots

Thea Terrace Bar may be one of Athens’ hidden gems, with just 134 Instagram hashtags, however, reviewers rate it 4.5 stars.

8th spot – V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar, Santorini

V lounge Santorini
@santorini_vlounge_cocktailbar

On the top floor of the Panorama Boutique Hotel, V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar ranks in eighth place and gets reviewed well, scoring 4.5 stars with 1,092 reviews.

9th spot – Metropolis Roof Garden, Athens

Metropolis Roof Garden
@electrametropolis

With just 138 reviews so far and 187 hashtags on Instagram, Metropolis Roof Garden has secured a near-perfect 4.5-star rating.

10th spot – Acropolis Secret Bar Restaurant, Athens

Acropolis Secret Bar
@divanipalaceacropolis

Rounding off the top 10 is another location in Athens, the Acropolis Secret Bar Restaurant with breathtaking views of the Acropolis Museum. Another one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, this rooftop restaurant located on top of the five-star Divani Palace Acropolis, has a fantastic rating (4.5 stars).

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr

Main image: 
@santorini_vlounge_cocktailbar
Tuesday, 03 May 2022 07:00

3 Surprising Benefits Of Video Games

 
Parents all over the world have always been concerned, and now more than ever, about whether and to what extent video games can harm children. We have often blamed video games for promoting violence, making children antisocial, interfering with their school life, and negatively impacting their brain development. Sure, excessive gaming can make all of the above happen. But what if video games can actually make children smarter?
 
As with everything in life, playing video games should be done in moderation so that children can enjoy the benefits of this activity. It is also very important for parents to help their children choose video games with an educational value that can help them develop specific skills and games appropriate for their age and cognitive level.
 
Video games can improve memory 
 
With 3D graphics and immersive sound, video games are extremely rich in stimuli. Navigating the virtual world of video games is more or less like navigating the real world. So, when a child explores the environment in a particular video game, it is like exploring the environment around them, practicing various skills, one of which is memory.
 
More specifically, as children navigate the virtual world of a video game, they exercise the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for converting short-term memory into long-term memory and controlling spatial memory. 
 
Video games help children develop problem-solving skills 
 
Strategy video games and role-playing games usually require players to solve complex problems. This virtual problem-solving can be good practice for real-life problems. In fact, according to a 2013 study by the American Psychological Society, teens who played strategy video games had better problem-solving skills and better grades.’
 
Almost all video games involve solving problems, from completing a simple puzzle to finding the fastest escape route. Finding a solution to these problems may require both memorization and analysis, as well as creativity. Problems in video games are often very open without giving many instructions on how to approach the solution, which means that players have to experiment with trial and error. This way children can learn how it takes resilience, perseverance, and constant effort to achieve something in life.
 
Video games help children develop decision-making skills
 
Action video games require children to be constantly alert and make decisions. A 2010 study by the University of Rochester found that gamers who loved action games were able to make accurate choices faster than non-gamers or those who played slow-paced video games. 
 
Video games can also improve decision-making as it relates to long-term planning. When children play strategy games, they have to plan ahead and make decisions that will benefit them down the road. These games train their brains to recognize potential outcomes and implications of their choices. When a person practices these skills in a virtual world, they will be able to better apply them in the real world.
Two Greek hiking trails feature on a list of what can be considered the most scenic trails in Europe, based on online reviews and social media.

The list of beautiful trails, which was put together by workout equipment company Onbuy Treadmills, was compiled with the help of various experts and Tripadvisor reviews. The trails on the final list were then ranked according to the number of times they’ve been tagged on Instagram. Europe is home to thousands of hiking trails, and the two Greek trails on the list were ranked as number 27 and 28.

The Samaria Gorge trail, the most famous hiking route on the island of Crete, is placed number 27. A big draw for tens of thousands of visitors each year, especially during the summer, it’s a 16-kilometer hike that takes from five to eight hours to complete depending on your shape and experience, all downhill.

This ruggedly beautiful canyon is not only instagrammable, but a place you’ll remember. The trail begins at Xyloskalo, more than 1200 meters above sea level, on a steep, rocky path downward (a walking stick is a good idea here), and continues along the Tarraios river, through the abandoned village of Samaria and the natural habitat of endangered wild goats, through the narrowest part of the gorge known as the “Gates,” where the steep rock walls stand only a few meters apart.

The second Greek trail on the list, in 28th place, is perhaps less famous among hikers, but all the more recognizable in photos due to its iconic views. This is the Fira-Oia trail on Santorini – a path connecting the two famous villages running along the edge of the caldera. 10.5 kilometers long, it is a moderately challenging route that takes around 3 hours to complete regardless of the direction you choose, featuring some more demanding, steep sections with loose gravel.

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

Main image:
@girlwith.thecamera
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