LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Monday, 06 November 2017 08:04
Mid-Season Sales Until November 15th
Fall sales have officially started in Greece, running from November 1st through November 15th, 2017.
According to legislation, regional authorities are allowed to determine when they want to hold the discounted shopping period, meaning that places such as Evros, Rodopi, the islands of the Dodecanese and part of Iraklio in Crete have set different dates for their autumn sales. In Thessaloniki, meanwhile, the sales period will be shorter, from this Wednesday until Friday, November 10.
For a few ideas on where to shop, read: Athens' Newest Cool Neighborhoods - Koukaki & Makriyianni and Top 5 Places To Go In Kifissia
To read this article in full, please visit: Ekathimerini
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 02 November 2017 09:08
Greece In The Winter
The tireless Mediterranean sun doesn’t stop to rest even in winter. In Greece, the light warms up the landscapes, people and the chilliest spirit even on the frostiest days of winter. These clear bright days are so beautiful that the Greeks call them ‘the joy of God.’
Discover Greece shares the best destinations to experience winter in Greece, as well as tips to make your winter holiday extra special. From ski resorts to archaeological sites, Greece is still a magical country to visit in the winter months.
During your winter holidays in Greece, wear your warmest clothes and visit one or several of the many winter destinations you’ll find on the map – the famous mountain villages in the north or the Peloponnese. Walk down their cobbled lanes and admire their traditional architecture. In your comfy B&B or cosy taverna, seated by the fire, you’ll find that Greece’s classic products – cheeses, hand-kneaded bread, olives, extra-virgin olive oil – taste even better than in the city.
To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece
Photo Credit: Discover Greece
Published in
Travel Greece
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Thursday, 02 November 2017 08:45
Chasing Cats All Over Athens
While exploring Athens, Travel on the Brain blogger visits the popular historical sights of the city, but while doing so, she is surprised to find so many cats! That led her to creating a fun game of 'counting cats' and seeing a different side of Athens. Follow Travel on the Brain's time in Athens and see how many cats she finds!
Published in
Videos
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Tuesday, 31 October 2017 09:33
Mikres Kyklades - From Island To Table
Born and raised on Schinoussa island, Antonis Kovaios came to Athens when he was 12 years old, returning to Schinoussa every year for holidays. After opening a successful beach bar in 1995 on Schinoussa, Antonis expanded his culinary dreams into Athens, and in 2005 opened Mikres Kyklades (Small Cyclades) in Ilioupoli. Culinary Backstreets tells Antonis’ story of how he incorporated his island upbringing to his Small Cyclades-inspired taverna in the city.
“Just like the seafood tavernas on the islands, Mikres Kyklades is small, warm and simple. Besides the white tablecloths (you’ll find disposable table covers at most island tavernas), the only other sign that you’re not on an island is the restaurant’s location on a quiet, residential street – nowhere near the sea.”
“Antonis is almost always there, with an islander’s smile on his face and a permanent suntan, making sure everything runs smoothly. In the kitchen, you’ll find Stavros Spanelis in charge; another inspired islander (this time from Lesvos), Stavros shares Antonis’s obsession with high-quality and fresh ingredients.”
To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets
Photo Credit: Culinary Backstreets
Published in
Restaurants In Athens
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Tuesday, 31 October 2017 08:26
Athens Transportation Ticket System - What You Need To Know
Over the last year, Athens has been preparing for changes to the public transportation system, most notably the transition from paper tickets to modern electronic tickets. With the new system, the paper tickets will be replaced by paper and plastic smartcards. Starting from November 1st, paper tickets will no longer be available. Please note that as of now, fare prices will stay the same.
Electronic Cards
There are 3 new types of transport tickets:
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The Ath.ena Ticket - Paper and rechargeable. Can be bought at every Athens transport ticket office or on the automatic ticket machines. Rechargeable at ticket offices and automatic ticket machines.
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The personalized Ath.ena Card — Plastic and rechargeable w/ card holder’s photo and name. Can be bought from certain Athens transport ticket offices. You can recharge your personalized Ath.ena Card at Athens transport ticket offices, automatic ticket machines, as well as online through a phone or tablet with NFC technology.
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The anonymous Ath.ena Card - Plastic and rechargeable. Can be bought from every Athens Transport ticket office. Rechargeable at ticket offices and automatic ticket machines.
After October 30th, passengers wishing to avoid the long lines may apply for a Personalized Ath.ena Card and receive it at home. To do so, the following documents are needed:
- Recent photo, the same type as those used for Greek passports or Greek police IDs
- A photocopy of an official document showing their AMKA health insurance number
- A photocopy of their current OASA-issued transport card along with the current paid coupon for October, or a previous month within 2017
- A printout of their online application and QR code issued through the Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) Site: www.athenacard.gr
On the unsealed envelope, you must include your name and address of preference (home, work) where the e-card should be sent. Please include the postal code. Envelope can be dropped off at any subway station during hours of service.
Please click HERE for more information on how to use the new electronic ticket/card system.
Sources: Tornos News, Athens Transport
Please click HERE for more information regarding the following:
- Getting to/from Athens International Airport
- City buses and trolleys
- Athens Metro
- Athens Tram
- Athens Suburban Railway
Published in
Local News
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Monday, 30 October 2017 08:46
From Ancient Greece - How The Oligarchy Wins
Doing research on how economic inequality threatens democracy and if America was really at risk of becoming an oligarchy, a journalist for The Guardian opened a book about Classical Greek Oligarchy. While reading, he learns about the ancient Greek world, the division of oligarchs, and the development of institutions.
“One of the primary threats to oligarchy was that the oligarchs would become divided, and that one from their number would defect, take leadership of the people, and overthrow the oligarchy.”
“To prevent this occurrence, ancient Greek elites developed institutions and practices to keep themselves united. Among other things, they passed sumptuary laws, preventing extravagant displays of their wealth that might spark jealousy, and they used the secret ballot and consensus building practices to ensure that decisions didn’t lead to greater conflict within their cadre."
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Monday, 30 September 2019 20:00
Traffic Restrictions In Downtown Athens Take Effect
The Athens Ring is back in service from Monday, September 30, 2019, to Friday, July 17, 2020. The Athens Ring or 'Daktylios' in Greek is a specified area in central Athens controlled by an odd/even traffic system to curb traffic congestion and pollution in the center of the city
Essentially, private vehicles and trucks are alternately allowed in the center of Athens depending on the current date and the last digit of their registration plate. For example, cars whose registration plates end in an odd number will be allowed in the center of the city on the odd days of the month and vice versa.
The measure is implemented from Monday to Thursday from 07:00 am to 8:00 pm and on Fridays from 07:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The Athens Ring is indicated with a ‘Δ’ street sign and is bordered by the following streets: L. Alexandras, Zaharof, L. Mesogeion, Fidippidou, Michalakopoulou, Spyrou Merkouri, Vryaxidos, Ymittou, Ilia Iliou, Amvrosiou Frantzi, L. Syggrou, Hamosternas, Peiraios, Iera Odos, L. Konstantinoupoleos, Achilleos, Plateia Karaiskaki, Karolou, Marni, 28 Oktovriou (Patission), L. Alexandras.
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 30 May 2019 07:00
Cocktail Time In Athens
Partly fueled by growing tourist numbers according to the Huffington Post UK, Greece and especially Athens is booming with speciality cocktail bars and “mad mixologists.” One travel and drinks writer takes us to two bars who serve some of the most unique drinks in Athens.
“Look up Kerameikos in most guidebooks and you'll be told about the famous cemetery there, that this was once the home of ceramicists and is where we get the very word ceramics from. But it's also where you'll find the MoMix Bar Kerameikos, which opened in November 2012 and has been so successful there's now a MoMix in the Athens seaside suburb of Glyfada, joined this summer by MoMix Bar Santorini.”
“It's in the Kerameikos original that you'll find MoMix co-founder Aris Chatziantoniou performing the molecular mixology that gives the bar its name. The cocktail menu is a cube that lights up when you move it and has such weird wonders as cocktail bubbles, cocktail tubes, magic needles and a Saganaki Cocktail.”
“Aris is far from being the only mixologist making his name on the Greek cocktail scene. A ten-minute walk from Syntagma Square, a bar called The Clumsies opened in 2014. In less than a year it was ranked number 22 on The World's 50 Best Bars list, and in 2016 it rocketed to number 9. That's not so surprising when you learn that it was founded by two award-winning Greek bartenders, Nikos Bakoulis and Vasilis Kyritsis.”
To read this article in full, please visit: Huffington Post UK
Published in
Pubs, Bars & Cafes
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Thursday, 16 May 2019 03:00
Halkidiki - An Ideal Family Holiday Destination
Chryssa Skodra, a Greek expatriate in frozen Finland, recounts her family vacations in Halkidiki and shares the highlights of her trips on the Discover Greece Blog.
Halkidiki is a dream destination that perfectly balances an ideal combination of stunning landscapes, unspoiled nature, gastronomy, wellness, culture, and tradition. Funnily enough, Halkidiki is not an island; it's a region on the mainland near Thessaloniki with three fjord-like peninsulas (Greeks call them 'legs') that from a coastline of about 500km.
In the summer of 2014, Chryssa and her partner spent their engagement honeymoon in Halkidiki and two summers later they brought their 7-month-old baby. Year after year her family was seduced by Halkidiki's emerald beaches with crystal clear waters, family-friendly resorts and mouth-watering local cuisine. Anyone making their first holiday-with-baby should opt for a destination as stress-free and child-friendly as possible with all the necessary amenities and proximity to medical centres. Halkidiki ticks all the boxes!
Halkidiki's beaches are endless; actually, it is pretty safe to say that there is a beach for everyone! There are cosmopolitan beaches, and deserted coves, there are beaches where the party never ends, and of course, there are quiet shores with soft sand and shallow water ideal for the kids.
With the summer just around the corner and with its growing popularity, now is the perfect time to start planning your family summer escape to Halkidiki. You will fall in love with the sunset, taste fantastic food, enjoy excellent service in one of Halkidiki's family-friendly resorts, and swim in some of Greece's most immaculate beaches. Visit Halkidiki once, and you'll undoubtedly be coming back for more!
Halkidiki is a dream destination that perfectly balances an ideal combination of stunning landscapes, unspoiled nature, gastronomy, wellness, culture, and tradition. Funnily enough, Halkidiki is not an island; it's a region on the mainland near Thessaloniki with three fjord-like peninsulas (Greeks call them 'legs') that from a coastline of about 500km.
In the summer of 2014, Chryssa and her partner spent their engagement honeymoon in Halkidiki and two summers later they brought their 7-month-old baby. Year after year her family was seduced by Halkidiki's emerald beaches with crystal clear waters, family-friendly resorts and mouth-watering local cuisine. Anyone making their first holiday-with-baby should opt for a destination as stress-free and child-friendly as possible with all the necessary amenities and proximity to medical centres. Halkidiki ticks all the boxes!
Halkidiki's beaches are endless; actually, it is pretty safe to say that there is a beach for everyone! There are cosmopolitan beaches, and deserted coves, there are beaches where the party never ends, and of course, there are quiet shores with soft sand and shallow water ideal for the kids.
With the summer just around the corner and with its growing popularity, now is the perfect time to start planning your family summer escape to Halkidiki. You will fall in love with the sunset, taste fantastic food, enjoy excellent service in one of Halkidiki's family-friendly resorts, and swim in some of Greece's most immaculate beaches. Visit Halkidiki once, and you'll undoubtedly be coming back for more!
To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece
Published in
Kids Life
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Tuesday, 24 October 2017 08:47
Turkey Lifts Ban On Turkish Ships Sailing To Greek Islands
Turkey’s ban on Turkish ships sailing to the Greek islands has been lifted following a meeting between Greek Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroublis and Turkish Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan in Athens. This comes after the recent ban from a statement made September 25, 2017.
According to Mr. Arslan, passenger ferry services will continue to run normally since the two sides recognized each other’s importance in tourism and the economy.
As the Turkish Minister explained, the problem arose because Turkey could not take the risk of losing the white flag on the list.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Published in
Greece In The News
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