LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Thursday, 02 November 2017 08:45
Chasing Cats All Over Athens
While exploring Athens, Travel on the Brain blogger visits the popular historical sights of the city, but while doing so, she is surprised to find so many cats! That led her to creating a fun game of 'counting cats' and seeing a different side of Athens. Follow Travel on the Brain's time in Athens and see how many cats she finds!
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Videos
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Tuesday, 31 October 2017 09:33
Mikres Kyklades - From Island To Table
Born and raised on Schinoussa island, Antonis Kovaios came to Athens when he was 12 years old, returning to Schinoussa every year for holidays. After opening a successful beach bar in 1995 on Schinoussa, Antonis expanded his culinary dreams into Athens, and in 2005 opened Mikres Kyklades (Small Cyclades) in Ilioupoli. Culinary Backstreets tells Antonis’ story of how he incorporated his island upbringing to his Small Cyclades-inspired taverna in the city.
“Just like the seafood tavernas on the islands, Mikres Kyklades is small, warm and simple. Besides the white tablecloths (you’ll find disposable table covers at most island tavernas), the only other sign that you’re not on an island is the restaurant’s location on a quiet, residential street – nowhere near the sea.”
“Antonis is almost always there, with an islander’s smile on his face and a permanent suntan, making sure everything runs smoothly. In the kitchen, you’ll find Stavros Spanelis in charge; another inspired islander (this time from Lesvos), Stavros shares Antonis’s obsession with high-quality and fresh ingredients.”
To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets
Photo Credit: Culinary Backstreets
Published in
Restaurants In Athens
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Tuesday, 31 October 2017 08:26
Athens Transportation Ticket System - What You Need To Know
Over the last year, Athens has been preparing for changes to the public transportation system, most notably the transition from paper tickets to modern electronic tickets. With the new system, the paper tickets will be replaced by paper and plastic smartcards. Starting from November 1st, paper tickets will no longer be available. Please note that as of now, fare prices will stay the same.
Electronic Cards
There are 3 new types of transport tickets:
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The Ath.ena Ticket - Paper and rechargeable. Can be bought at every Athens transport ticket office or on the automatic ticket machines. Rechargeable at ticket offices and automatic ticket machines.
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The personalized Ath.ena Card — Plastic and rechargeable w/ card holder’s photo and name. Can be bought from certain Athens transport ticket offices. You can recharge your personalized Ath.ena Card at Athens transport ticket offices, automatic ticket machines, as well as online through a phone or tablet with NFC technology.
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The anonymous Ath.ena Card - Plastic and rechargeable. Can be bought from every Athens Transport ticket office. Rechargeable at ticket offices and automatic ticket machines.
After October 30th, passengers wishing to avoid the long lines may apply for a Personalized Ath.ena Card and receive it at home. To do so, the following documents are needed:
- Recent photo, the same type as those used for Greek passports or Greek police IDs
- A photocopy of an official document showing their AMKA health insurance number
- A photocopy of their current OASA-issued transport card along with the current paid coupon for October, or a previous month within 2017
- A printout of their online application and QR code issued through the Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) Site: www.athenacard.gr
On the unsealed envelope, you must include your name and address of preference (home, work) where the e-card should be sent. Please include the postal code. Envelope can be dropped off at any subway station during hours of service.
Please click HERE for more information on how to use the new electronic ticket/card system.
Sources: Tornos News, Athens Transport
Please click HERE for more information regarding the following:
- Getting to/from Athens International Airport
- City buses and trolleys
- Athens Metro
- Athens Tram
- Athens Suburban Railway
Published in
Local News
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Monday, 30 October 2017 08:46
From Ancient Greece - How The Oligarchy Wins
Doing research on how economic inequality threatens democracy and if America was really at risk of becoming an oligarchy, a journalist for The Guardian opened a book about Classical Greek Oligarchy. While reading, he learns about the ancient Greek world, the division of oligarchs, and the development of institutions.
“One of the primary threats to oligarchy was that the oligarchs would become divided, and that one from their number would defect, take leadership of the people, and overthrow the oligarchy.”
“To prevent this occurrence, ancient Greek elites developed institutions and practices to keep themselves united. Among other things, they passed sumptuary laws, preventing extravagant displays of their wealth that might spark jealousy, and they used the secret ballot and consensus building practices to ensure that decisions didn’t lead to greater conflict within their cadre."
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Monday, 30 September 2019 20:00
Traffic Restrictions In Downtown Athens Take Effect
The Athens Ring is back in service from Monday, September 30, 2019, to Friday, July 17, 2020. The Athens Ring or 'Daktylios' in Greek is a specified area in central Athens controlled by an odd/even traffic system to curb traffic congestion and pollution in the center of the city
Essentially, private vehicles and trucks are alternately allowed in the center of Athens depending on the current date and the last digit of their registration plate. For example, cars whose registration plates end in an odd number will be allowed in the center of the city on the odd days of the month and vice versa.
The measure is implemented from Monday to Thursday from 07:00 am to 8:00 pm and on Fridays from 07:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The Athens Ring is indicated with a ‘Δ’ street sign and is bordered by the following streets: L. Alexandras, Zaharof, L. Mesogeion, Fidippidou, Michalakopoulou, Spyrou Merkouri, Vryaxidos, Ymittou, Ilia Iliou, Amvrosiou Frantzi, L. Syggrou, Hamosternas, Peiraios, Iera Odos, L. Konstantinoupoleos, Achilleos, Plateia Karaiskaki, Karolou, Marni, 28 Oktovriou (Patission), L. Alexandras.
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Local News
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Thursday, 30 May 2019 07:00
Cocktail Time In Athens
Partly fueled by growing tourist numbers according to the Huffington Post UK, Greece and especially Athens is booming with speciality cocktail bars and “mad mixologists.” One travel and drinks writer takes us to two bars who serve some of the most unique drinks in Athens.
“Look up Kerameikos in most guidebooks and you'll be told about the famous cemetery there, that this was once the home of ceramicists and is where we get the very word ceramics from. But it's also where you'll find the MoMix Bar Kerameikos, which opened in November 2012 and has been so successful there's now a MoMix in the Athens seaside suburb of Glyfada, joined this summer by MoMix Bar Santorini.”
“It's in the Kerameikos original that you'll find MoMix co-founder Aris Chatziantoniou performing the molecular mixology that gives the bar its name. The cocktail menu is a cube that lights up when you move it and has such weird wonders as cocktail bubbles, cocktail tubes, magic needles and a Saganaki Cocktail.”
“Aris is far from being the only mixologist making his name on the Greek cocktail scene. A ten-minute walk from Syntagma Square, a bar called The Clumsies opened in 2014. In less than a year it was ranked number 22 on The World's 50 Best Bars list, and in 2016 it rocketed to number 9. That's not so surprising when you learn that it was founded by two award-winning Greek bartenders, Nikos Bakoulis and Vasilis Kyritsis.”
To read this article in full, please visit: Huffington Post UK
Published in
Pubs, Bars & Cafes
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Thursday, 16 May 2019 03:00
Halkidiki - An Ideal Family Holiday Destination
Chryssa Skodra, a Greek expatriate in frozen Finland, recounts her family vacations in Halkidiki and shares the highlights of her trips on the Discover Greece Blog.
Halkidiki is a dream destination that perfectly balances an ideal combination of stunning landscapes, unspoiled nature, gastronomy, wellness, culture, and tradition. Funnily enough, Halkidiki is not an island; it's a region on the mainland near Thessaloniki with three fjord-like peninsulas (Greeks call them 'legs') that from a coastline of about 500km.
In the summer of 2014, Chryssa and her partner spent their engagement honeymoon in Halkidiki and two summers later they brought their 7-month-old baby. Year after year her family was seduced by Halkidiki's emerald beaches with crystal clear waters, family-friendly resorts and mouth-watering local cuisine. Anyone making their first holiday-with-baby should opt for a destination as stress-free and child-friendly as possible with all the necessary amenities and proximity to medical centres. Halkidiki ticks all the boxes!
Halkidiki's beaches are endless; actually, it is pretty safe to say that there is a beach for everyone! There are cosmopolitan beaches, and deserted coves, there are beaches where the party never ends, and of course, there are quiet shores with soft sand and shallow water ideal for the kids.
With the summer just around the corner and with its growing popularity, now is the perfect time to start planning your family summer escape to Halkidiki. You will fall in love with the sunset, taste fantastic food, enjoy excellent service in one of Halkidiki's family-friendly resorts, and swim in some of Greece's most immaculate beaches. Visit Halkidiki once, and you'll undoubtedly be coming back for more!
Halkidiki is a dream destination that perfectly balances an ideal combination of stunning landscapes, unspoiled nature, gastronomy, wellness, culture, and tradition. Funnily enough, Halkidiki is not an island; it's a region on the mainland near Thessaloniki with three fjord-like peninsulas (Greeks call them 'legs') that from a coastline of about 500km.
In the summer of 2014, Chryssa and her partner spent their engagement honeymoon in Halkidiki and two summers later they brought their 7-month-old baby. Year after year her family was seduced by Halkidiki's emerald beaches with crystal clear waters, family-friendly resorts and mouth-watering local cuisine. Anyone making their first holiday-with-baby should opt for a destination as stress-free and child-friendly as possible with all the necessary amenities and proximity to medical centres. Halkidiki ticks all the boxes!
Halkidiki's beaches are endless; actually, it is pretty safe to say that there is a beach for everyone! There are cosmopolitan beaches, and deserted coves, there are beaches where the party never ends, and of course, there are quiet shores with soft sand and shallow water ideal for the kids.
With the summer just around the corner and with its growing popularity, now is the perfect time to start planning your family summer escape to Halkidiki. You will fall in love with the sunset, taste fantastic food, enjoy excellent service in one of Halkidiki's family-friendly resorts, and swim in some of Greece's most immaculate beaches. Visit Halkidiki once, and you'll undoubtedly be coming back for more!
To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece
Published in
Kids Life
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Tuesday, 24 October 2017 08:47
Turkey Lifts Ban On Turkish Ships Sailing To Greek Islands
Turkey’s ban on Turkish ships sailing to the Greek islands has been lifted following a meeting between Greek Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroublis and Turkish Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan in Athens. This comes after the recent ban from a statement made September 25, 2017.
According to Mr. Arslan, passenger ferry services will continue to run normally since the two sides recognized each other’s importance in tourism and the economy.
As the Turkish Minister explained, the problem arose because Turkey could not take the risk of losing the white flag on the list.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Published in
Greece In The News
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Monday, 23 October 2017 08:50
10 Of The Most Popular Greek Food Products
Greece, like most countries of the European South, is blessed with a wealth of unique agricultural products beneficial for human health and life longevity. These products also form the base of Greek cuisine and at the same time an important part of the country’s export goods. Discover 10 of the most popular Greek products from Greek TV!
1. Chios Mastic
The mastic comes from a short and evergreen shrub called schinus. The schinus thrives all over the Mediterranean, but the mastic is only collected from a special variety of schinus in the southern villages of Chios, the so-called Mastichohoria.
2. Kozani Crocus
The crocus is a plant from which one of the world’s most expensive spices is produced and is called saffron. Saffron comes from the female part of the plant from inside its flower. It is used for confectionery, culinary and bakery purposes, it has medical properties, and it also functions as an aphrodisiac.
3. Zagora apples
The apples of Zagora in the region of Pelion, are recognized by the EU with the Protected Designation of Origin label which travels all over the world. Zagorin apples are high quality apples that are planted, pruned and collected in the most traditional way, therefore by hand.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek TV
Published in
Greek Food & Diet
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Monday, 23 October 2017 08:38
Aegean Among World’s Top 10 Airlines
Greek airline carrier Aegean was honored in the Condé Nast Traveler 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the 20 Best Airlines in the World!
The airline ranked 9th “for flying a modern fleet of narrow-body Airbus planes and its professional, friendly staff,” according to the Condé Nast Traveler.
In this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards survey, travelers voted on the world’s best airlines (outside the U.S.), with several Middle Eastern and Asian carriers getting top marks for their long-haul flights around the globe. The number one airline is Air New Zealand, followed by Qatar Airways in second place and Singapore Airlines in third place.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Published in
Greece In The News
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