Direct flights between Greece and China are expected to launch in September 2017, according to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. PM Tsipras stated that a direct air connection between Athens and Beijing as of September is expected to increase the number of Chinese tourists coming to Greece.

 

According to recently released data, the number of Chinese travelers visiting Greece could reach one million by 2021.

Referring to Greece as a country with rich cultural heritage and a leader in world tourism, Tsipras said that Greece particularly appreciates the importance of China’s initiative for people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and tourism.

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

“Athens is slightly lawless, but that’s one of the nicest things about it,” says Michael Landy, a British artist currently creating an ongoing exhibition in the city called ‘Breaking News - Athens.’ His exhibition will explore politics, culture, and the debt and refugee crisis in Greece. Landy and his eight assistants have so far created over 400 drawings, which are created from items Athenians send through the mail. Images range from pieces of graffiti to street signs, bank logos, newspaper headlines, and more.

In addition to Landy’s exhibition, BBC describes the booming arts scene in Athens and other exhibitions such as Documenta 14, which put Athens on the map in the international art world. The city attracts many, with low rents, a lively local scene, and good weather. Athens is especially attractive to artists who see the abandoned industrial buildings perfect for their next creative space.

“There is a hype around Athens, it’s true,” says Elina Kountouri, Neon’s director. “Athens is sexy now.”

As BBC says, “Perhaps, then, it’s time to stop saying that Athens is the new Berlin, and instead follow the lead of one Greek graffiti writer, who recently scrawled the following slogan in the city’s streets: “Athens is the new Athens.”

To read this article in full, please visit: BBC

Hotel Grande Bretagne wins a Golden Chef’s hat award, there’s a new bike-friendly hotel in Athens, Athens Int’l airport is fighting climate change, and more!

 

A journalist from Travel + Leisure recently traveled to Athens to experience first-hand the revival of the arts scene. He shares with us his time spent in Athens, giving us a new perspective and discovering for the first time raki in outdoor cafes, open air cinemas, and ancient art in one of the city’s many art galleries.

“I started where everyone does, in the mythic Athens, the tourist Athens. But when I reached the Acropolis, I kept walking: past the stands selling archaeological schlock, past the spectators on Segways, into the park that surrounds Philopappou Hill. I took a seat on a rock ledge overlooking olive trees, where a few smart Athenians had strung hammocks to watch the sunset. Someone was playing a bouzouki. Someone else was practicing the trumpet. Everywhere there were ruins. The yawning sun cast the whole park in a strange sepia glow.”

“Soon it was dark. I was pleasantly drunk, wandering again. Every restaurant was flung open, the interiors empty, the tables and chairs spilled onto the street. You could not tell, based on the confusion of small plates arriving and departing, whether people were just starting dinner or almost finished. No one, as far as I could tell, had any intention of leaving.”

To read this article in full, please visit: Travel + Leisure

Study in Greece is the official web portal of the Greek state, providing information and support regarding studying and living in Greece, to:

It is an initiative taken by a group of Faculty members and University students. It is under the auspices of the Greek Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education Research and Religious Affairs , both having a link to the "Study In Greece" portal on their websites homepages. A link to the portal is available on all Greek embassies webpages.

Our Incentives

Our international students expressed and described the difficulties they faced during all stages of applying, registering and settling in Greece. This, provided the motivation to form the Study In Greece group and start working on the gathering and the provision of information to international students, showing that Greece is a very friendly and a very safe destination. The initiative has gained very high popularity among potential and existing international students, a fact that is supported by the large number of questions and ‘likes’ we have through our presence in the social networks.

Northern Greece is gaining ground for its rich culture and diversity, as well as beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. However popular Athens and the Greek islands will be, sometimes it’s worth exploring the road less-traveled. Vogue takes us to 3 areas in Northern Greece where you can go wine tasting in the Rhodope mountains or visit the Great Prespa Lakes, bordering Albania and Republic of Macedonia.

Kavala

‘Northeast of Thessaloniki, in Greek Macedonia, the port town of Kavala serves as an excellent base for visiting the ancient city of Philippi and wine tastings around the semi-continental Rhodope mountains.’

Nymfaio

‘Grevana, to the south, is a quaint village recognizable for its arched stone bridges, mushrooms, and snowboarding. There is a half-pipe at posh Vasilitsa resort and Valia Calda National Park is nestled into a valley nearby as well.’

To read this article in full, please visit: Vogue

Athens once more is preparing to host the Athens Pride Festival, which will take place at central Syntagma Square this year. The 2017 festival will take place on June 10 under the motto “It’s Education”, aiming to raise awareness on the issues that concern the LGBTQI community in Greece, mainly the legal recognition of gender identity.

The first Athens Pride took place in June 2005 and marked the first Pride Parade through the city center and past the Hellenic Parliament during daylight hours. Since then, the Athens Pride festival has grown and in June 2014 included 20,000 people of all ages.

By delivering the message, “It’s Education”, the organizers wish to focus on the Greek word “Παιδεία” (education) and its broad meaning, which encompasses the concepts of schooling, upbringing, learning and culture cultivation.

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

The restaurant Hytra, whose name derives from the ancient Greek terracotta vase, first opened in 2004 in Psiri, one of the oldest districts of Athens.

Six years later in 2010, Hytra was awarded its first Michelin star and has retained it ever since. In 2012, Hytra was then awarded a second Michelin Star, the first for ‘Blue Hytra’ restaurant, hosted at the Westin Resort in Athens.

The restaurant has since relocated to the 6th floor of the Onassis Cultural Centre in Syngrou Avenue and was recently redesigned by award-winning architectural firm Divercity. In warmer months of the year, the restaurant moves to the 7th floor of the building, offering a unique outdoor setting with panoramic view of the Acropolis, Lycebettus hill and the city skyline.

Hytra’s philosophy is that of high quality service and hospitality expressed through a number of different services, its advanced aesthetic, the warm and homely atmosphere, and its relationship with the cultural activity of the Onassis Cultural Centre. Hytra is also committed to providing the best of Greek cuisine through Greek raw materials and recipes.

To read this article in full, please visit: Living Postcards

Enterprise Greece and ANIMA Investment Network have stepped up cooperation on innovation in the Mediterranean and have organized ‘The Next Society,’ a European and Mediterranean Innovation Conference this May 2017.

 

The conference marks the launch of ‘The Next Society,’ an initiative supported by public and private innovation, investment and economic development players with the support of the European Commission. It aims at mobilising entrepreneurs, innovators and corporate ecosystems to overcome the innovation and sustainable development challenges faced in the Mediterranean, in the North as much as in the South. ‘The Next Society’ wishes both to improve the frameworks and ecosystems and to develop the value creation and concrete solutions for a shared prosperity among the Mediterranean countries.

Thirty sectoral institutions from eleven countries, as well as companies and entrepreneurs, will have the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in innovation, to discuss aid measures, to explore possible partnerships, to draw inspiration from the achievements of others and to expand their network both in the Mediterranean and in the wider European area.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek News Agenda

The biggest sports tourism event for professional and amateur athletes in Greece, the “3rd Santorini Experience”, is ready to welcome anyone who wants to boost their adrenaline rush by taking part in the running and swimming races.

Anyone who wishes to find themselves in magical Santorini between the 6th and 8th of October 2017, will have the opportunity to try out their abilities in open water swimming, which takes place on Saturday October 7th, in a 1.5 mile (2,4km) race from the volcano to the old port of Fira.

For those who prefer running, the schedule includes three different routes, on Sunday October 8th, which have as background the unique images of the volcano, overlooking the Caldera as well as the unique settlements of Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia. More specifically, the 5 km running and dynamic walking, a 10 km route for long-distance runners and 15 km race for those who love stamina, technique and strength. All routes start at the desalination plant in Oia, with parts of trail track, and again end in Oia.

This year, for the first time there will be time recording for all runners and swimmers. 

Greek world champion of open water swimming, Kelly Araouzou, who will be attending, pointed out, “It is with great pleasure that I will be swimming in the beautiful waters of Santorini for the 3rd consecutive year. Santorini Experience is, to me, a unique experience as besides the athletic part that concerns swimming, the feeling of competing in one of the most famous places in the world is incredible! I strongly advise everyone to come and live this unique experience, on an island which is a tourist destination for the entire world all year long!”

Let it be noted that “Santorini Experience” was awarded in this year’s Ermis Awards with the Golden Award for the best sports event production for the previous year!

More information regarding the activities schedule and the hospitality packages of sponsors will be announced in the following weeks.

People willing to participate in the event may register here!

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas

 

Watch the official video teaser for Santorini Experience 2017!

 

Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Swimming Federation.

Official Sponsors: Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites
Official Supporters: “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Avance Rent A Car, Aqua Vista Hotels, Wyndham Grand Athens, Santorini Boatmen Union
Hospitality Sponsors: Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, West East Suites, White Pearl Villas, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini
Official Travel Agent: Smile Acadimos
Communication Sponsor: XpatAthens.com