LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Food Mafia In Glyfada
The first thought that I had reading the large, one-page menu at Food Mafia was that this place is worth returning to a second and even a third time. The concept of a menu that encompasses flavors and aromas from around the world combined with the undeniable talent of Elias Skoulas are definitely intriguing.
Simply read the menu and you will understand. Rethymno borders on Vietnam, octopuses flirt with snails and the variety of flavors and aromas is taken to the extreme. And this is just on the first visit. After that, it’s up to you.
Full dinner: 30 – 40 euro per person without wine
Address: Laodikis and Filikis Eterias 10 Esperidon Square Glyfada
Open for lunch as well.
Written by Dionysis Koukis
Translated by Eleni Georgiou
Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!
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We will arrange Girls' Nights where life in Greece can be discussed, wine enjoyed, etc etc. Most important for this group and any events arranged is: the more the merrier! So please invite any of your foreign girlfriends to join the group!!!
Celebrating The Christmas Holidays In Athens
Athens may not be on the most popular list for Christmas destinations, however it offers its visitors a wide range of choices, making Christmas a unique experience! To begin with, Christmas in Athens isn't accompanied by bitter cold and snow. Outings outdoors are easily enjoyed and you can even have coffee or lunch under heaters at one of the many great spots in the city. Wander the streets and watch the street performers and listen to the sounds of wandering musicians! Whether they play classical Christmas melodies or Greek traditional carols with a santouri or a clarinet, the outcome is the same - they create this particular spirit of joy and sentiment.
Just like many large cities during at time of year, Athens organize various festivities and events in many locations around the city. The center of festivity is at Syntagma - central square directly in front of parliament; the city Christmas tree is set up and the entire square is decorated festively for the holidays.
The merry and festive mood can be felt just about everywhere. Decorated streets, smiling faces, lights, music, children being photographed with balloons, fairy floss, candy. Let's not forget the freshly roasted chestnuts sold on almost every street corner and of course the lottery ticket vendors, who try to convince you that the new year will most definitely be YOUR LUCKY YEAR!!
The whole festive atmosphere is felt throughout the shopping districts and especially along Ermou Street which is typically full of people shopping and enjoying a leisurely time in central Athens. At Kotzia Square, opposite the City Hall of Athens, there is typically a large market selling books, jewelry, handicrafts, rugs, candy, and lots and lots of other things! Another place which gathers a lot of people within the city is Zappeio - just a quick walk from Syntagma Square. Almost every day in every corner of the city, something is always happening. Concerts, theatrical shows, performances, and all for free! For a complete program of events happening in Athens this Christmas & New Years 2015, please click HERE.
For those who would like to see a little snow and have 3-4 days at your disposal, then Arachova is a close and popular winter destination. It belongs to the county of Viotia, located three hours away from Athens, and where you will find the Parnasos Ski center, with its large slopes offering all levels of difficulty. There are many hotels and guesthouses there, and you may also visit the Oracle of Delphi, located nearby.
If you are fond of snowboarding, then head to the Ski center at Mainalou, in the county of Arcadia. Kalavryta is another great option during the winter in Greece and there you'll find one of the best ski centers in Greece. Another attraction for visitors is the rack and pinion railway, which has operated the route from Kalavryta to Diakofto since 1896, through a landscape of unrivalled beauty.
Celebrating the Christmas holidays in Athens offers something for everyone! Enjoy!
Elias Chimney Cleaning & Repair Services
With over 20 years of trusted experience in chimney cleaning and repair, Elias offers clean, top-quality work at very approachable pricing for both homes and apartments. Service is available 7 days a week anywhere within Attica!
To book your appointment call Elias at 697 6825484 or email: ilias-vergos@hotmail.com.
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
1. It is very dangerous to use a fireplace (and its chimney) if it's not routinely cleaned.
2. Freshly cut and damp wood produce more smoke than dry wood.
3. A chimney windbreak hat is necessary for better ignition and in order to avoid over-smoking.
4. Chimneys should be cleaned every 2 tons of wood burned.
5. Cleaning your chimney reduces the harmful substances contained in smoke and released into the atmosphere.
6. A proper chimney cleaning reduces the risk of fire and any other subsequent damage to your home.
Safeway Transport
All you have to do is simply contact SAFEWAY TRANSPORT for your "stress free" move and leave the rest to us!
Kae International Movers
International Movers is an expert removal company, specialized in packing, storing and transporting household goods and office effects both domestically and internationally. We have an extensive range of moving services which we provide to organizations and private individuals.
Kae International Movers has affiliated offices worldwide through the representation of Euromovers International and IAM memberships. Kae International have their own offices in GREECE and the CZECH REPUBLIC. Our vision is to become the preferred choice for moving individuals, corporate and organizations by providing our clients with cost-effective, high-level quality services in global moving and relocation.
We aim to achieve this through:
Creating transport solutions that match the requirements of each client.
- Operating in a cost effective manner to deliver "value for money"
- Employing the highest standards of work and commitment to our customers to ensure a smooth, seamless, safe operation that delivers and surpasses our customers’ expectations.
- Partnering with same quality service providers which reach all parts of the globe.
- Recruiting, training and developing people who have the desire to serve.
Chris' Animal Hotel
Chris’s Animal Hotel is situated in the countryside of Kalivia Attiki, ideally positioned only 10 minutes from Athens Airport. The proprietor is Christine Graves (Dip.Dog.Psy Dip.Dogtraining.St Dip.Vetnurse), an animal lover who is a British citizen with many years experience working with animals. All animals are cared for in the most professional and friendly manner; to help reduce the amount of stress an animal may feel in a boarding situation.
I also accept long term boarding for pets that will travel to the UK or Abroad; I can also arrange the relevant vaccinations, blood test etc. needed by the pet travel scheme.
NEW! International Pet Relocation Service - Visit the Relocation page on our site for details.
Celebrity International Movers, S.A.
Celebrity International Movers is an International Moving and Relocation company based in Greece, proudly serving the Expat community since 1986. Greek-American Kathy Chrisovergis, an expat herself, is behind the company’s reputation for top quality services. She started the company completely understanding the needs of Expats living in Greece. The company currently employs several multi-lingual expats to cater to its diverse clientele. Celebrity organizes moves from anywhere in the world, locally in Greece and to and from all of the Greek islands.
Celebrity is the proud member of top quality associations in the industry. Being fully-accredited helps to ensure the household goods under the company’s care are moved efficiently, safely and smoothly. The company offers complete first class door-to-door removal, including export packing, crating, loading, warehousing, shipping, customs formalities, insurance, delivery and unpacking. Celebrity also specializes in office moves, vehicle shipments, art and antique removals, exhibitions, storage and archives.
The company’s relocation team helps foreigners acclimate to life in Greece. The professionally trained relocation department provides world-class corporate relocation services such as school and home search to various settling-in services for employees moving in and out of Greece. Celebrity is also a proud member of EuRA, which is the world’s first accreditation program for relocation providers.
Celebrity International Movers offers innovative services, customized solutions and unparalleled top quality service at competitive rates. It is considered one of the top moving and relocation companies in Greece, dedicated to treating each client just like a ‘celebrity.’
Celebrity’s satisfied clientele includes embassies, cultural institutions, museums, multi-national corporations to private individuals. The company employs full time staff, including trained packers, relocation experts, van operators and moving consultants. In addition, multi-lingual employees fluent in English, French, German and Greek are part of the Celebrity team.
Celebrity believes quality is important and maintains the strict financial and quality standards of the following moving industry associations:
• F.I.D.I.: Association of International Household Removal Companies
• I.A.M.: International Association of Movers
• B.A.R.: The British Association of Removers
• ONE GROUP: A pan European removal and relocation quality services organization
• I.F.F.A.G.&L.: International Association of Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Greece
Celebrity successfully attained its quality assurance certification ISO 9001:2008 through Lloyd’s Register. The company also earned FAIMISO+ certification, which is the moving industry’s highest certification, from Cap Gemini Ernst & Young S.A. in Belgium.
Hopscotch International Kindergarten
Established in 1997, Hopscotch International Kindergaten is located in a quiet area of Vari behind Jumbo, surrounded by 1000 square metres of garden. We are a dedicated English speaking Nursery and Kindergarten. With our open door policy and small groups, we offer a warm and welcoming environment for children and parents alike. We accept children from the age of two and offer a fun packed, full, activity based day, either on a full time or a part time basis and we accept registrations throughout the year.
By following the British Early Years Foundation Programme, we fully prepare our reception/kindergarten children for entry into all the English speaking schools' first grades.
If you would like to experience our unique environment for yourself, please feel free to call and make an appointment.
Contact: Helena Scott
ACS Athens (American Community Schools)
Mission Statement
ACS Athens is a student-centered international school, embracing American educational philosophy, principles and values. Through excellence in teaching and diverse educational experiences, ACS Athens challenges all students to realize their unique potential: academically, intellectually, socially and ethically -- to thrive as responsible global citizens.
Accreditation
The school has been re-accredited until 2022 by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools under the Sustaining Excellence Protocol.
The Institution (District)
The American Community Schools of Athens is a private, non-profit, pre-K-12 institution, governed by a 18 member Board of Trustees, which has served the children of the American, international and local communities in Athens since 1945. The faculty of ACS Athens is comprised of 96 full-time and 23 part-time certified teachers and specialists, most of whom are US trained; 69 hold Master’s degrees: 10 have pursued advanced studies beyond the Master’s level: and 11 have earned Doctorates. Faculty members attend workshops and conferences sponsored by the Near East/South Asia Council of International schools (NESA), the European Council of International Schools (ECIS), the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), U.S subject-area professional organizations, and other leading educational instit tions. ACS Athens is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Community
Located on an enclosed, privately-owned campus in the Athens suburb of Halandri, ACS Athens is housed in five main buildings. The city of Athens has approximately 4 million residents. ACS Athens students are non-boarding and live in all parts of the metropolitan area. The campus is located in the Northern Athens suburb of Halandri (5 km from the center of Athens) on the foothills of Hymettus Mountain and the school is easily accessible from the airport or the different boroughs of Athens, via car, the metro or bus. ACS Athens students are made up of 44 nationalities, including 22% American, 41% Greek and 37% other nationalities.
The High School Academy
The Academy is a comprehensive four-year high school enrolling 400 students in grades nine through twelve. Students engage in a tech rich environment, through a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, and are additionally supported with two technology labs and two mobile laptop carts, and a state of the art media center. Students have daily access to fully equipped science laboratories, a professional theater, a fine arts suite, music and dance studios, an indoor gymnasium with a rock climbing wall, a weight-training room, a swimming pool, soccer field, outdoor basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, and two library/media centers, which contain one of the largest collection of English Language books in Greece. The faculty has incredible teaching experience averaging over 20 years.
The Curriculum
All graduates of the ACS Athens Academy (grades 9-12) earn a United States High School Diploma and follow a college preparatory course of study. To receive a US diploma, students must earn twenty-six Carnegie units, including successful completion of four years of English and Social Studies, three years each of Mathematics, Science and Modern Languages, two years of Physical Education, and one year each of Arts and Technology.
IB, AP and Honors Courses
ACS Athens is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program® (IB), through which a student may earn the Greek High School Equivalency Diploma (Isotimia). College Board also authorizes ACS Athens to offer select Advanced Placement® (AP) courses in multiple subjects. Currently 61% of the upper class is enrolled in the IB Diploma program and more than 87% of the remaining students have designed a program that combines IB and AP courses where they are enrolled in more than one IB or AP course. Students may use credits earned from AP, IB and internally developed honors courses to pursue the ACS Athens Scholars Diploma.
Honors courses are offered in English, social studies, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and visual and performing arts. Over 98% of ACS Athens graduates are admitted to colleges and universities around the world, primarily in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom; 9 out of 10 of them enroll in one of their top two choices. Our counseling team in the Office of Student Affairs assists graduates to earn academic merit and need-based scholarships for their undergraduate studies; ACS Class of 2018 received over $900,000 in such funds.
Activities/Community Service
A co-curricular program of cultural, social and service activities in all three schools supplements the core curriculum. Activities include National Honor Society, Honor Code, House System, IB
Council, Model United Nations, UNESCO, Chemistry and Technology, Forensics, Yearbook, Literary Magazine, Backgammon/Chess, Youth 2 Youth Project, Dance, Ping Pong, Charity and Recycling.
Clubs and Athletics
ACS Athens is a member of the Sports Council of International Schools (SCIS) and the International Schools Sports Tournament (ISST). Students participate in a wide variety of inter-scholastic cultural activities, academic and athletic competitions sponsored by these organizations, as well as in locally organized tournaments. Athletics include soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, swimming, track and field, and tennis – for boys and girls.