Ιnsured citizens from the age of 16 will be able to register with their “personal doctor” as of Monday, August 1st when the platform opens.

The Personal Doctor program entails that a single doctor will constantly monitor a patient, record and update his/her medical history, direct them to other specialists, prescribe medicines and suggest appropriate treatments.

The platform will open in all regions except for Attica and the South Aegean, where the required number of doctors to cover the population has not been met. Registration can be done either through the personal doctor registration platform, using one’s Taxisnet and AMKA codes, in person at a primary healthcare facility, or through a personal doctor.

In the latter case, citizens should have their AMKA number and an identification document, or a photocopy of it. For the two remaining regions of Attica and the South Aegean, registrations will begin on September 1, while doctors’ registrations are extended until August 31.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

The BrainReGain – Hellenism in Action initiative to repatriate Greeks who left the country in the previous decade due to the financial crisis will receive a boost with the publication of Greece Country Highlights.

The publication provides information about current economic and social developments in Greece, and all the basic information about the Greek regulatory, legislative, and investment framework.

This information includes everything from economic development indicators and entrepreneurship support tools, to reforms in the functioning of the state and policies for family support and life in Greece.

Apart from the effort to reverse the brain drain of the previous decade and turn it into a brain gain, the project also aspires to attract professionals and scientists from other countries as well.

BrainReGain is a nonprofit initiative bringing together 35 leading Greek companies, 65 top business executives, and 100,000 Greeks from the diaspora.

For some time now it has been systematically engaged in collating all those elements that are worth presenting to Greeks living outside Greece so they can see for themselves that the country they left behind in the previous decade has well and truly changed.

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com

A country of azure seas, idyllic sun-bleached villages, and sandy shores, Greece is undeniably one of the top Instagrammable places on Earth. The only problem is that, with so many breathtaking places, you may don’t know where to start!

To make your lives easier, we compiled a selection of the most beautiful spots in Greece to snap the most envy-inducing photographs!

Navagio, Zakynthos


@queencess_m

On the western coast of Zakynthos lies the most famous beach on the Ionian islands. Navagio or Shipwreck beach is located close to the Anafotiria village and was initially called Agios Georgios. It owes its new name to the shipwreck of a boat called “Panagiotis” that was washed ashore in the 80s. Crystal clear turquoise waters surrounded by vertical cliffs of white rocks and a ship emerging from the sand, it’s no wonder Shipwreck is one of the most photographed sights in Greece!

Oia, Santorini


@p_chara

Santorini, the most romantic destination in Greece, is teaming with picturesque villages. The most scenic of them all? Oia! Situated on an impressive cliff, overlooking the volcano and the island of Thirassia, Oia is known for its traditional whitewashed houses, labyrinthine alleyways, and amazing hotels, but more impressive than these are its magical sunsets. If you find yourself in Oia, you won’t be able to put your camera down; every little corner is worth taking a photo of, and you’ll get to capture the most beautiful sunset in Greece!

Sarakiniko, Milos


@lavoyachieuse

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to walk on the moon? Well, Sarakiniko beach in Milos, one of the most impressive natural locations, with its unique geological profile, is as close as it gets to the moonscape. Long, white rocks surround the sea. With the passage of time, the erosion created small and big hollows all over the rocks, shaping a lunar landscape that offers an otherworldly experience to visitors.

Windmills, Mykonos


@photosophy___

Mykonos, the Queen of the Greek islands, a cosmopolitan paradise packed with international jet setters, VIPs, and celebrities, has much more to offer than its second-to-none party atmosphere. Like all the Cycladic islands, white and blue hues dominate Mykonos. You’ll find yourself wandering the cobblestone streets lined with sun-drenched whitewashed houses. The most quintessential Mykonian feature, though, is the old windmills. They can be seen from every point of Mykonos Chora, reminiscent of the island’s rich virile past.

Balos, Crete


@allincrete_guide

About 60km northwest of Chania, you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, Balos. As seen from the above, it looks like a lagoon. It’s a long beach with crystalline waters and soft white sand that in many places turns into a lovely pinkish color because of the millions of crushed shells. Opposite the beach, there is Gramvoussa, a rocky island with a steep Venetian castle on top of it. Its exotic setting makes it the most photographed beach in Crete and a favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece. It’s no coincidence that Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Balos on their private yacht many years ago!

Athens airport has been crowned the ultimate best in Europe according to rankings from user review ratings on Google compiled by Holidu, a British search engine for holiday rentals.

Being Greece’s main and largest airport, the Eleftherios Venizelos – Athens International Airport scored a whopping 4.4 stars out of 5 from 24,467 reviews.

The ratings placed the airport in top position outcompeting Zürich Airport -Switzerland, Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport – Portugal, Alicante International Airport – Spain, and Malta International Airport in second to fifth positions, respectively.

What is outstanding about Athens Airport?

Located thirty-three kilometers away from the city center, Athens International Airport according to user ratings, “has so much to offer its travelers” revealed Holidu.

In case of a layover, passengers at Athens Airport “can enjoy baggage storage options, airport lounges, archaeological artifacts exhibitions, and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes,” Holidu said.

The airport also offers a conducive play area for children and a health and wellness center, which make makes it outstanding for travelers in Europe.

The above qualities crown the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport the European aviation giant base for many travelers.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

The Acropolis Museum celebrates August Full Moon on Friday 12 August 2022 with Greek songs about the moon, film music and famous melodies from abroad, performed by the historic Hellenic Air Force Band, in the Museum’s entrance courtyard at 9 p.m.

 

The Hellenic Air Force Band consists of senior and junior officers – high-level musicians who studied at various conservatories of the country and were admitted into the ranks of the Air Force after passing certain examination. The Band takes part in worldwide music festivals and leads the 5th Avenue parade in New York dedicated to March 25th celebrations of the Greek expatriates. Major Alexandros Litsardopoulos is the Conductor of the Band. The singers that will perform are Elena Orfanidi and Aggelos Mousikas.

   

On this occasion, the Museum will remain open from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight with free entry for all visitors from 9 p.m. onwards, giving visitors the opportunity to stroll through the galleries and enjoy the view of the Acropolis under the charming moonlight. The restaurant on the second floor will be open during the same hours (reservations: +30 210 9000915).

Santorini is making a dynamic come back to the world of sports tourism this year, the ever-growing alternative form of tourism in Greece, bringing a new era to Santorini Experience.

Thira Municipality is not limited to simply hosting a major sporting event on the island of Santorini, as it intends to highlight the cultural wealth of a globally leading tourism destination, organizing Santorini Experience on September 23-25, 2022, after two years of pandemic. 

The history and culture of Santorini’s volcanic complex sparked the global interest in the 1980s and since then the island’s tourist movement began. People who choose to engage with sports tourism, always combine their participation in a sports event with a desire to find out the particular characteristics of the destination they are visiting, at the same time. 

This year, Thira Municipality, wishing to highlight the history and cultural wealth of the islands, enriches Santorini Experience for the first time, with a half marathon, a very popular running route worldwide.

The marble Daedalic Kore of Thira, a unique archaeological finding of supernatural size (2.30 meters height and about 750 kilograms weight), dating back to 640 BC. (7th century), was found preserved in excellent condition at the site of Sellada in Ancient Thira, on November 24, 2000, by the late archaeologist Charalampos Sigalas. It highlights the vast history of Santorini and is placed chronologically and aesthetically in the era of the genesis of the monumental Greek sculpture. This remarkable sculpture, which will soon be exhibited to the world for the first time, in the outdoor area of ​​the Archaeological Museum of Thira, which is being currently renovated, gives its name to the first half-marathon run, which is held for the first time on the island. The “Daedalic Kore of Thira” Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022, running across the enchanting areas of Oia, Imerovigli and Fira.

In the most beautiful caldera in the world, created by the successive eruptions of Santorini’s volcano, from prehistoric times to 1950, participating athletes will have the opportunity to swim in the unique 1.5 miles (2.4 km) “L & E Nomikos” open water swimming route, of Santorini Experience. The swimming event is going to be held on Sunday September 25, 2022, starting from the volcano with its finish line being at the old port of Fira, under the imposing view of the island. Watch some highlights from the amazing swimming route here:  

From this year, the swimming route will bare the name “L & E Nomikos” in honor of the founders of the “Loula & Evangelos Nomikos” Foundation, established in 1979 by the shipowner Evangelos Nomikos, who adored the sea and his island. The construction of the cable car, which connects the city of Fira with the old port (Bay of Fira), the end point of the swimming route, is a pioneering project of the Foundation, which was completed 40 years ago and was put into operation with a great contribution to the service of the residents and visitors. At the same time the cable car has benefited the entire island over time, since the Foundation’s income is used for great projects and the overall support of the community. It is a debt of honor in the memory of these great benefactors of the Municipality of Thira, to name this unique swimming route after them, from now on. 

Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the event’s Official Water.

 

Santorini Experience takes place this year for the 6th year and is organized by the Municipality of Thira and the Sports Tourism department of ActiveMedia Group.

 

More information on new surprises of this year's event, the opening of registrations and special offers for access to Santorini, will be announced in the coming weeks at: www.santorini-experience.com 

Sports Production: ActiveMedia Group

#SantoriniExperience

Photo by Babis Giritziotis

The Hotel Grande Bretagne has been included, one more time, on the top of the World’s Best List of the well-known Travel + Leisure magazine. The King George Hotel is also an honoree for the first time. 

 

Every year, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe and share their opinions on the top hotels, destinations, cruise ships, airlines and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value and as a result, Hotel Grande Bretagne was ranked as the best hotel in Athens while King George was placed third.  

Readers praised the hotels’ beauty, location and restaurants while T+L specifically mentions, “to stay at the Hotel Grande Bretagne is to sleep inside a small piece of Athens's history”.

 

Having received these important distinctions, Hotels Grande Bretagne and King George are committed to continue delivering exceptional, indigenous experiences for their guests. Both Hotels have the best location in the heart of Athens with spectacular views to the Acropolis and set a significant example in the international hotel industry, offering exceptional services and memorable experiences.