LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Monday, 06 July 2015 07:00
Nia Vardalos Shows Support To The Greeks On Social Media
Please don't judge a country's people based on the actions of a governement.
While Greece is in a complex political situation, Nia Vardalos, the star and screenwriter of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, took to social media to remind the world what “hard-working” and “loving” people the Greeks are.
Vardalos, daughter of Greek Canadian parents, shared her pride for being a Greek on her Facebook page.
“As a Greek (and a very proud Greek), I’ve encountered comments such as, ‘they should have paid their taxes.’ The ignorance of this comment is profoundly upsetting and selectively obtuse," the star said.
She added that she would have hoped that “society wouldn’t simply swallow the jaded media’s typical dissemination of false information”.
Vardalos then reminded the world that Greece is a beautiful nation of hard-working, loving people, “who would invite you into their home and even give you their bed.
“Please don’t judge a country’s people based on the actions of a government” she concluded.
To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
While Greece is in a complex political situation, Nia Vardalos, the star and screenwriter of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, took to social media to remind the world what “hard-working” and “loving” people the Greeks are.
Vardalos, daughter of Greek Canadian parents, shared her pride for being a Greek on her Facebook page.
“As a Greek (and a very proud Greek), I’ve encountered comments such as, ‘they should have paid their taxes.’ The ignorance of this comment is profoundly upsetting and selectively obtuse," the star said.
She added that she would have hoped that “society wouldn’t simply swallow the jaded media’s typical dissemination of false information”.
Vardalos then reminded the world that Greece is a beautiful nation of hard-working, loving people, “who would invite you into their home and even give you their bed.
“Please don’t judge a country’s people based on the actions of a government” she concluded.
To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Published in
Local News
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Sunday, 02 July 2017 01:08
The Meaning Of Philotimo
The word 'philotimo' only exists in the Greek language. Its direct translation means 'to honour your friend', but its actual meaning in day-to-day life delves much deeper. This video is an incredible description and understanding of this uniquely Greek word.
Read more about philotimo in an excellent article from the BBC.
Published in
Videos
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Monday, 06 July 2015 07:00
Athens War Museum
Housed in one of the more unusual looking buildings in Athens, The Athens War Museum is spread out over four floors and exhibits weapons and memorabilia connected with the Greek Armed Forces.
Few countries have known so much conflict and instability since their creation than Greece. The Greek War of Independence, The Balkans War, World War's I and II, the Greek Civil War. For over 140 years, it barely seemed to get a moment's peace. It's hardly surprising, then, that the Athens War Musum is considered such an important place - and serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles of the past.
It's not hard to find - located on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue - closest metro Evangelismos - just look for all the military planes outside, it's pretty hard to miss. No tanks, however.
Current opening hours are 09:00 - 19:00 in the summer, and until 17:00 in the winer, but closed on Monday's.
To read more, please visit: Dave's Travel Pages
To read more, please visit: Dave's Travel Pages
Published in
City Discovery
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Thursday, 02 July 2015 07:00
Athens' Best Garden Cafe & Restaurant Hideaways
In terms of greeness, Athens doesn't even come close to other European capitals with their verdant parks and blossoming gardens. The truth is, modern urban development has not been particularly gentle with this city. Numerous concrete buildings, along with poor road designs, hem in inhabitants and visitors with featureless views. Thankfully, there are some oases in the cement desert that offer the hungry local or tourist a lush respite in which to enjoy a meal or drink.
Just behind Parliament lies the Ethnikos Kipos, or National Gardens, the indisputable green heart of the city. Back in 1836, Queen Amalia had envisaged the Royal Gardens to follow the European models of the era, and so agronomist Frederick Schmidt, director of the gardens for almost 30 years, planted native flora from Cape Sounion and the island of Euboea, as well as many species from abroad that were suited to the Attica climate. Today, the gardens are home to more than 50,000 trees and shrubs and are open to visitors from morning to dusk. The gardens' cafe sits at the Irodou Attikou entrance, with retro green tables arraying symmetrically in the relaxing shade of the alleyway. After a morning walk, why not enjoy a cup of Greek coffee? The menu offers dishes such as tzatziki, octopus stewed in vinegar sauce marinated anchovies and meatballs with potatoes. It's pretty pricey though - be warned.
A few steps from Syntagma metro, a heavy iron gate stands guard over the former residence of the German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann. Desinged by none other than the eminent Ernst Ziller, the architect of many of Athens' royal and municipal buildings, the Renaissance-inspired structure was named Iliou Melathron, or Trojan Mansion, in tribute to the owner's passion for the mythical city of Troy (also known as Ilion). Iliou Melathron is now home to the Numismatic Museum, and the beautiful garden, where Schliemann spent hours planting and tending his trees, still includes many species of of Greek flora, with reproductions of ancient Greek statues peeking through the folige.
To read more, please visit: Culinary Backstreets
Published in
Pubs, Bars & Cafes
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Thursday, 02 July 2015 07:00
Greece Is The World's Fastest Growing Champagne Market
Champagne consumption in the debt-stricken country is soaring - but it's largely driven by an influx of wealthy tourists, not locals.
Champagne consumption in Greece jumped by almost a fifth last year, making the troubled country the world’s fastest growing market for bubbly.
Greece’s champagne sales by volume increased by 18pc in 2014, which looks particularly stark compared to the global growth of 0.5pc, according to data from Euromonitor International.
Consumption in the sparkling wine’s home country of France dropped by 1.9pc, while sales in the UK, champagne’s second biggest market, creeped up by 0.4pc. The disparity was even stronger in 2013, when Greek champagne consumption soared by 56pc and dropped by 0.8pc, 3.4pc and 0.5pc in the world, France and the UK respectively. The relative size of the markets goes some way to explaining the vastly different growth rates.
“It’s not that all the Greeks in the last couple of years decided to go party and forget their troubles,” said Spiros Malandrakis, alcoholic drinks analyst at Euromonitor. “In general, we’re talking about minimal volumes in total. Champagne consumption is still lower than before the crisis.”
Around 300,000 litres of champagne were drunk in Greece last year, a fraction of the size of France’s 107.2m litres and even the UK’s 20.4m.
That works out to a per capita consumption rate of roughly 1.7 litres of champagne each year for a French person, a third of a litre (slightly less than half a bottle) for a Briton and a negligible amount per Greek.
To read more, please visit: The Telegraph
Published in
Greece In The News
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Wednesday, 01 July 2015 07:00
Capital Controls Open Acropolis To Debit & Credit Cards
Unprecedented capital controls in 21st century Greece apparently have a “silver lining”, albeit a very slim one, as “red tape” appears to be receding on some fronts.
Take the ticket booths at the Athens Acropolis, for instance, which will for now accept credit cards and debit cards for the first time! They’ll still accept cash, too, assuming tourists bring enough with them.
To read more, please visit: Protothema
Take the ticket booths at the Athens Acropolis, for instance, which will for now accept credit cards and debit cards for the first time! They’ll still accept cash, too, assuming tourists bring enough with them.
To read more, please visit: Protothema
Published in
Local News
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Monday, 29 June 2015 23:16
All Mass Transportation Is Free This Week
The government has announced that all mass transportation will be free for the entire week and until banks re-open on Monday July 6th. This includes all train lines, buses, trollies, and tram. This does not include Proastiakos train lines and KTEL buses.
Translated by: XpatAthens
Source: In.gr
Translated by: XpatAthens
Source: In.gr
Published in
Local News
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Tuesday, 30 June 2015 07:00
Tyrosalata - Spicy Feta Dip
As summer hots up, why not add this spicy dish to your BBQ or gathering?
There's Spicy Feta Spread and Spicy Feta Dip. The main difference between the two is that the dip is more liquidy. The ingredients also differ somewhat. In order to make it more creamy, what better than to use a rich and creamy helping of Greek yogurt to form the basis? It does wonders for tzatziki, why not Spicy Feta Dip?
Use peppers, spice up as much or as little as you like by using chilli powder, serve with pitta or bread (wine optional!) and there you have it.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 large green pepper, miled, sliced in hald and seeded
1 cup crumbled feta
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Pepper
Olive Oil - enough to achiieve dip consistency
Salt*
To read more, please visit: Lemon & Olives
Published in
Greek Food & Diet
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Monday, 29 June 2015 07:00
Anthony Quinn Art Exhibition At Chicago’s National Hellenic Museum
Artwork by late actor Anthony Quinn will be exhibited at the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago. Quinn played the emblematic role of Zorba in the movie “Zorba the Greek.”
The exhibit entitled “Transcending Boundaries: The Art of Anthony Quinn,” opened at the museum in Chicago’s Greektown neighborhood on Friday. It features more than 80 of the actor’s paintings and sculptures along with a replica of the studio where he worked.
Quinn started drawing and sculpting at the age of 17 and continued to practice his art until his 80s. His art talent was rewarded by gaining an apprenticeship under architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
To read more, please visit: The Greek Reporter
Published in
Greece In The News
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Monday, 29 June 2015 08:00
The Seven Best Campsites In The Cyclades
As summer approaches, holidays around the Greek Islands spring to mind. Staying in small hotels, even family run apartments can get expensive, so how about camping?
Sadly campsites seem to be diminishing in number. Bye bye Kea Camping in Korissia, Ios Camping on Yialos or Parasporos Camping on Paros. However, the ones that are still around, are still around for a reason: they are good value for money in an idyllic setting.
The standard of campsites in the Cyclades is one of the highest in the Mediterranean. You should expect to pay €5-7 per person and about €2-4 per tent; find basic cabins without W/C for €10-15; and sometimes bungalows with own a/c and W/C for around €20-25 per day. Oh, and they also rent tents, so you need only bring a sleeping bag.
All campsites below are shaded, flat, have a multiplicity of electricity points, free wi-fi, a mini-market (as they call grocery stores nowadays in Greece), provide transfers to ferries and airplanes, have a beach bar-cum-restaurant nearby and, most of all, are next to the sea.
1) Camping Aghia Iríni Aghia Irini, Paros
Out of the way, right on the beach, overgrown with olive trees and citrus trees. It feels like you are camping in someone’s overgrown garden.
2) Krios Beach Camping Parikiá, Paros
The flatist camping you'll come across (important!) on the best beach near the Paros capital with a really cool beach bar next door. It has a bus that collects people from town and brings them in at 6pm to party Greek-style (including plate smashing) until 9.30pm when they bus them back.
3) Coralli Camping at Livadhakia Beach, Serifos
The location, just back from the excellent Serifos beach is great and the management even better. Superb communal pool, restaurant, bar and free wi-fi.
To read more, please visit: The Jolly Traveller
Published in
Travel Greece
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