Destinations worldwide welcomed 598 million international tourists in the first six months of 2017, some 36 million more than in the same period of 2016.

Worldwide, international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 6 percent compared to the same six-month period last year, well above the sustained and consistent trend of 4 percent or higher growth since 2010.

Mediterranean destinations reported particularly strong growth in the first half of 2017, as reflected in the results for Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+12 percent), North Africa (+16 percent) and the Middle East (+9 percent).

Arrivals growth in this period was fuelled by strong outbound demand from major source markets. In particular, Canada, China, France, the Republic of Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States continued to report solid growth in outbound expenditure.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Discover Athens from a tourist who turned a local, the editor-in-chief of Why Athens! Walk around the city to find ancient monuments, live music, outdoor cafes, and rooftop cocktails and truly experience all Athens has to offer.

“There is so much to do in Athens, in fact you can get through several days without visiting the Acropolis but if you haven’t, it should be on the very top of your bucket list! Beyond its ancient history and fascinating sites, Athens is a cultural city with a long heritage in theatre.”

“Food and wine has reached new heights with a lot more international flavours emerging than ever before. Greeks love their sushi and Japanese is done exceptionally well at the Galaxy Bar and Restaurant on the twelfth floor of the Hilton Athens, Nobu Matsuhisa at the Arion Resort is one of the best and Sushimou is a humble alternative.”

“Buzzing plateia (large city squares) will lure you in for an extended coffee break, or the small spaces between buildings may see you at the latest day bar, where the new generation hang out. Six D.O.G.S is a favourite of mine.”

To read this article in full, please visit: Why Athens

Greece’s four seasons have been featured in a promotional video of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) titled “Greece – A 365-day Destination” that will be included in the 2nd Tourism Video Competition organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The competition will be held from September 11th through the 16th in Chengdu, China and will award outstanding country promotional videos.

This video aims to promote Greece as a year round destination, as part of the Tourism Ministry’s strategy to extend the tourism season.



To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Whether you’re in Athens, the Cyclades, the Peloponnese or somewhere in between, there’s always a great beach bar waiting for you! While there’s many to choose from, The Guardian takes us on a tour around Greece and finds 10 of the best.

From modest beginnings as a few friends who learned to catch the waves at Kolibithra beach, Tinos Surf Lessons has become a scene. Yiannis Vidalis and his crew have made something fun and friendly at the surf school that is also chic – a VW campervan converted into a bar, with driftwood furniture and umbrellas woven by local basket-makers. Everything is made to be packed up during the winter and leave the sands of one of Tinos’s longest (and windiest) beaches untouched.

One of the best swimming spots is Hydronetta, below the cannons guarding the yacht-lined harbour. Tables shaded by thatched parasols are squeezed on to stone balconies that zigzag down to a tiny sunbathing platform. Between dips, dry off on the rocks then hop back up for an iced coffee.

There aren’t any signs for this wooden canteen; it doesn’t even have a name, beyond being known as the bar at Limanakia beach. Tottering amid a series of craggy inlets between the coastal suburbs of Varkiza and Vouliagmeni, this Athens institution has no electricity (only a generator) or running water. There are no official opening hours either, but the bar is pretty much open 24 hours.

To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian

The Athens Public Transport Organization (OASA) has recently announced a buy-10-get-one-free deal for its paper tickets in a bid to boost sales. The offer is valid for regular 1.40-euro tickets and discounted 0.60-cent tickets.

The offer aims to raise awareness for the introduction of electronic ticket technology that will replace paper tickets on buses, trolleys, trams, the metro and ISAP trains.

Article source: Ekathimerini

Known as a new foodie haven, Kerameikos is home to unique restaurants, interesting neo-tavernas, and ethnic hangouts. Greece Is explores the neighborhood for food lovers and shares the best places to eat and relax.

Aleria is now the home of modern Greek cuisine and is based on the triptych of good ingredients, high technology and modern ideas. You can select the food based on the wine you like – the wine list is long and the staff is knowledgeable. Try the beef tartare with yogurt, wasabi cream and ouzo jelly.

Address: 57 M. Alexandrou

Telephone: 210 522 2633

The salon for the winter has 50 seats, while the outer space accommodates twice as many. The food is modern Greek cuisine with a traditional base. The menu changes twice a month. It’s small, with about 12 appetizers and salads and seven mains. They make their own bread daily and their food has a nice Greek character.

Address: 15 Plateon

Telephone: 210 346 2983

To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is

Photo Credit: Greece Is

New regulations easing capital controls and raising the maximum monthly cash withdrawal limit to 1800 euros came into effect on September 1st, 2017. The measure was announced and passed as an act of legislative content in early August.

In addition, sums transferred to a bank account from abroad after September 1, 2017 can be taken out of the country once again in full, though only half can be withdrawn as cash.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Video blogger, who is married to a  Greek, shares his expert tips for what NOT to do while you’re in Greece. From showing up empty-handed to a Greek’s house or not trying the local specialities, Wolter’s World gives us his suggestions for everything not to do in Greece, with of course some To Do’s!

For more videos, please visit: Wolter's World

Source: Greek Reporter 

Even today, a lot of Athenians don’t know how the squares and neighborhoods of Athens received their names! Now, Greek Reporter teaches us the meaning of the most popular squares and neighborhoods of Athens!

America Square today is deteriorating as the whole Kypseli neighborhood is downgrading. Yet, the busy square was named in 1927, as the municipal council wanted to show its appreciation for the philhellenism shown by the United States. Until then it was Agamon Square, or Square of the unwed. It was named so in 1887 after three middle-aged Athenians who had a café in the square and were all unmarried.

Anafiotika is an Athenian neighborhood on the north slope of the Acropolis Hill. Particularly picturesque, with tiny houses and narrow streets resembling a Greek island, it was created around 1860 by craftsmen and laborers who had come from the island of Anafi to work in the excavations of the Acropolis, but also to build the capital, which was a relatively new city then. One of them, on the pretense of building a small church, gathered materials and with the help of a carpenter, he made a house in one night and settled in. In a few days (or nights …) the builder, helped the carpenter to get his own home. Thus, Anafiotika was born from these two builders from Anafi.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Greece has managed to attract up to nine million more tourists (not counting cruise ship arrivals) over the past five years, bringing the country to 14th place on the World Tourism Organization’s list for 2016.

In absolute terms, 15.5 million tourism arrivals were recorded in 2012, which by 2016 reached 24.8 million, the biggest percentage rise of any country in the specific time period.

Mexico followed in second place, with an increase of 49.5% in tourist arrivals between 2012 and 2016, and Thailand in third (45.5%).

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages