Moving to or from Greece marks the beginning of a new chapter - one filled with opportunity, but also complexity.

From navigating administrative systems to understanding tax obligations and making the right first decisions, relocation can quickly become overwhelming without the right structure.

At Nestia, we act as your dedicated administrative partner, ensuring that every step of your relocation is handled with clarity, precision, and care.

Relocation is not just about where you live - it’s about how smoothly you transition.

Nestia transforms a fragmented and often confusing process into a structured, coordinated experience, allowing you to focus on your new life while we handle the complexity behind the scenes.

Core Services

We support international clients with:

• AFM (Greek Tax Number) issuance
• TAXISnet setup and access
• AMKA registration
• Tax residency coordination
• Administrative procedures and documentation

 Most procedures can be completed remotely via authorization (Power of Attorney), allowing clients to start and complete their setup without being physically present in Greece.

We work alongside trusted lawyers, accountants, and partners to ensure every step is executed efficiently and correctly.

Tax & Relocation Structuring 

Relocation to Greece often involves important tax considerations.

Nestia supports clients in understanding and coordinating:

• Tax residency transfer
• The 7% tax regime for foreign retirees
• The 50% tax incentive for professionals relocating to Greece
• General tax obligations and compliance

This ensures that clients make informed decisions and structure their move in the most beneficial way.

Beyond Administration

At Nestia, relocation goes beyond paperwork.

We support clients in their transition to everyday life in Greece, including:

• Utilities setup (electricity, internet, water)
• Bank account coordination
• Private health insurance setup
• First-step relocation guidance

Through strategic partnerships — including platforms like Flatpulse — we also assist in securing flexible housing options, allowing clients to settle in without rushing long-term decisions.

Why Nestia

In a process that is often unclear and overwhelming, Nestia provides:

• Structure in complexity
• Execution over advice
• A single point of coordination
• A calm and guided relocation experience

We don’t just help you move — we ensure you transition with clarity and confidence.

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Start your relocation journey with Nestia at nestia.gr. 
Book a consultation and start your relocation with clarity and structure.

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Messinia Challenge 2026 is preparing to write a new chapter in global sports tourism by offering an unforgettable experience. Over the course of an intense and energetic weekend, the biggest multisport event will feature more than 70 unique activities set against the incomparable beauty and authentic hospitality of Messinia. With a focus on physical wellness and the philosophy of longevity, this top sporting event invites participants from around the world to combine athletic challenges with fine dining and innovative amenities, transforming a passion for sports into a holistic lifestyle.

As a new era dawns, the completely renewed Messinia Challenge, which this season celebrates 14 years of dynamic presence, will take place from May 8 to 10, 2026, at Costa Navarino and throughout wider Messinia region. Remaining true to its timeless message, “Sports Unites People”, Messinia Challenge is radically revamping its program. Its primary goal is to bring together amateur and professional athletes of all ages and abilities with Olympians, Paralympians, and world champions in a grand celebration of sports without competition.

 

As a Platinum Sponsor of the event, Miele is leading the way, seamlessly blending an active lifestyle with the finest culinary delights. On the sports side, the brand is setting the pace for the 5km Trail Running powered by Miele, a massive, fun running race through olive groves. Its activities extend to soccer with the Football Clinics, which will be conducted by Falcons Football Academy and 2004 European Champion Kostas Katsouranis, as well as golf lessons in collaboration with Navarino Golf Academy.

Moving to the core of its expertise, haute cuisine, Miele elevates the participants’ experience with premium Cooking Classes and Workshops, led by distinguished Executive Chefs who will be revealed soon. Its powerful presence is highlighted by its exclusive culinary support of the first Messinia Challenge Golf Tournament, perfectly affirming the brand’s commitment to the famous “Immer Besser” (Forever Better).

 

As Silver Sponsor of the event, Gruppo Cucine brings authentic Italian design to the center of Messinia Challenge, designing all of the custom-made spaces and iconic kitchen islands that will showcase Miele’s ultramodern appliances.

As Design Partner, Gruppo Cucine does more than just participate - it shapes the experience, creating a premium setting for Cooking Classes where architecture, design, and technology coexist harmoniously.

At the same time, the brand combines a premium lifestyle with an active lifestyle by sponsoring a three-day tennis tournament to be held at the Mouratoglou Tennis Center in Costa Navarino, in collaboration with the Tennis Hold’em Club of Chalandri.

The experience culminates by the sea with the Beachathlon powered by Gruppo Cucine, a unique event for all ages, featuring Olympian Periklis Iakovakis.

MOTODYNAMICS Group, with a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, is leaving its own indelible mark on the Messinia Challenge 2026 this year through three strategic pillars that are changing the game:

• Landscape Protection: By collaborating on 10km race powered by MOTODYNAMICS Group, the Group is transforming the route into an iconic “green” case study. Runners compete in official technical t-shirts made from recycled materials, receive eco-friendly bags, and their race numbers are made from seed paper. The innovation culminates in race medals, which are made from 100% recycled plastic. This material was carefully collected from schools and homes, demonstrating in practice that waste has value and sending a strong message for a greener and more sustainable tomorrow. At the same time, through Plogging initiative (running and collecting waste) and the symbolic tree planting for carbon offset, absolute respect for the natural landscape of Messinia is ensured.
• Equitable Hospitality and 1km Run For All: The message of absolute unity resonates strongly in the inspiring 1km Run For All, powered by MOTODYNAMICS Group, which takes place with the invaluable support of the Association for People with Disabilities “DiaforoZO”, the Association of Friends of People with Disabilities of Messinia, and the Regional Union of the Blind of the South Peloponnese. This initiative highlights the philosophy of “Equitable Hospitality”, a hospitality that adapts to the individual. It is not merely about equal treatment, but about creating a truly equitable experience for everyone. It is a meaningful journey of inclusion that the event has been on for years, consistently joining forces with the MOTODYNAMICS Group.
• Education and Inspiration for Next Generation: The event’s meaningful connection with the local community is perfectly reflected in the new, upgraded series of talks, Messinia Stories: Drive to Inspire powered by MOTODYNAMICS Group. In the first part of the lectures, MOTODYNAMICS Group’s ambassadors, Olympian Antigoni Drisbioti, Olympian Dimitris Papanikolaou, and motorsports instructor Thanasis Chountras will visit schools in Messinia (in the municipalities of Kalamata, Pylos-Nestor, and Messini), teaching the values of sports, inclusion, and road safety. In the second part, the action reaches its peak with an open celebration for the public at Navarino Agora on Friday afternoon, an interactive space featuring shops, restaurants, an open-air cinema, and cultural experiences. There, through speeches open to the public, athletes, visitors, and the local community will become one, drawing inspiration from champions as well as distinguished personalities.

 

The internationally recognized home furnishing company JYSK, a synonym for Scandinavian aesthetics, comfort, and affordable luxury, maintains a dynamic presence at Messinia Challenge, supporting the event through a series of multi-dimensional actions with a deep social and environmental footprint:

• Inclusion and Paralympic Sports: With equality as a central pillar, JYSK offers participants the unique opportunity to experience two exciting Paralympic sports firsthand. The action includes wheelchair tennis, with the participation of the Greek champion Giorgos Lazaridis, as well as boccia, featuring the holder of 7 Paralympic medals, world champion, and European champion, Grigoris Polychronidis. It is worth noting that JYSK Greece recently became a member of the Diversity Charter for Greece, confirming in practice its commitment to respecting uniqueness and inclusion in the workplace.
• Welcome Party at The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort & A Promise for Future Generations: The hospitality will culminate in the garden of The Romanos Resort, where the brand will welcome guests to the official Welcome Party powered by JYSK. Through this celebration, the company highlights its vision to be the most reliable choice for the modern home, staying true to its philosophy: “A Great Offer for Generations”. This promise translates into offering high-value products created with environmentally friendly materials, incorporating responsible practices throughout the production, packaging, and transport chain. With absolute respect for the social and natural ecosystem, JYSK operates guided by the legacy it leaves to the generations that follow.
• Investing in the New Generation: Remaining committed to children, JYSK partners with the state-of-the-art Mouratoglou Tennis Center, offering free tennis lessons for age categories 6-9 and 9-12 years old, cultivating a love for sports from their very first steps.

 

The North Face celebrates 60 years of iconic presence in the field of exploration and redefines the running experience. This year, it leads the first "Green Races" in the history of the institution, putting ecological consciousness into practice through a series of exciting actions that celebrate nature, history, and human transcendence:

• Half Marathon powered by The North Face: A unique, beautiful trail running race that harmoniously alternates between dirt, sand, and asphalt. The route is a living journey through history: it passes by the enchanting Gialova Lagoon, crosses the famous Voidokilia beach, and follows the footsteps of Telemachus on the path he forged while searching for Odysseus in the homeland of King Nestor, according to Homeric tradition.
• “Never just a hike” – From Paleokastro to Voidokilia: A hiking experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Starting from Paleokastro Navarino, a "living" chapter of history by the sea, participants have the opportunity to map the entire area with their eyes. To the west stretches the vast Ionian Sea, to the north the perfect semicircle (in the shape of the greek letter omega) of Voidokilia, to the east the Gialova lagoon, and to the south the historic Bay of Navarino with Pylos and the famous island of Sphacteria.
• Rappelling & Climbing with Legends: The brand's celebration continues by bringing participants face-to-face with the elements of nature. The Rappelling activity in Sphacteria will take place under the guidance of the legend of Greek climbing and leader of the 1st Greek expedition to Everest, Panagiotis Kotronaros. Additionally, in collaboration with Moraitis Outdoors, the public will test their strength in Indoor Climbing on a fully specially designed wall.

At Messinia Challenge, nothing stands still. Everything moves. Everything flows. Alongside hundreds of participants across more than 70 activities, VIKOS Natural Mineral Water is present wherever there is intensity, effort, and life, sustaining the rhythm of hydration and rejuvenation.

Because water is more than a necessity.

It is a symbol of movement. Endurance. Continuity. 

• Family Becomes One: At 1km kid’s races powered by VIKOS, it’s not about performance, it’s about moments. Parents with strollers, children in their arms, small steps that turn into big moments. Here, families don’t just take part. They move forward together.
• Transcendence, Inclusion, and Life: The action acquires immense emotional weight through the wheelchair basketball exhibition game powered by VIKOS. Featuring the amazing champion Georgia Kaltsi, participants experience the true meaning of sports. Through her example, Georgia teaches us how to overcome difficulties, to stand tall against challenges, and to live every moment with passion.

Through these powerful initiatives, VIKOS natural mineral water reminds us of a simple truth. Life doesn’t stop. It evolves. It adapts. It flows. Just like water. Because strength is found in the flow.

 

To the highly anticipated new activities of this year's Messinia Challenge, an initiative of international stature with great historical and emotional symbolism is added. For the first time, the magical world of American football comes to Messinia:

• The 1st NFL Flag Football Camp in Messinia: Under the official auspices and support of the iconic Los Angeles Chargers team, the event hosts the 4th consecutive NFL Flag Football Camp in Greece. The activity will take place in the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, giving the local children the unique opportunity to get to know the exciting, rapidly growing, and now Olympic sport of Flag Football, learning its secrets from the best in the field.
• A Tribute to the Spanos Family: The choice of Messinia for this important camp is not accidental. It constitutes a tribute to the origin of the great Greek-American businessman Alex Spanos, who started his journey from the village of Eva, Messinia. Wanting to honor the invaluable legacy and the roots of their father, the current owners of the Los Angeles Chargers, Dean Spanos, Michael Spanos, and Alexis Spanos Ruhl, return mentally to the place where it all began, investing in the new generation of their land through the power of sport.

 

Messinia Challenge is not just a sporting event, it is a vision that unites history, sports, ecological consciousness, and social inclusion, with actions taking place at Costa Navarino, Navarino Agora, and the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor.

 

Become part of the greatest celebration of sports tourism. Secure your participation in the run easily and quickly through the more.com platform!

Information & Accommodation Packages: As public interest has exceeded all expectations (with rooms becoming immediately sold out and waiting lists already open), interested parties are invited to secure their participation in the competitive actiovities immediately.

 

Secure your stay now and experience a three-day ultimate sporting experience for the whole family. For more information regarding special accommodation packages at the hotels The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, you can send an email to booking(at)messiniachallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070.

The highly acclaimed Porto Carras Grand Resort, where nature meets the sea and historical heritage meets modern hospitality, is proud to present Porto Carras Athlos for the first time. This is a sports tourism and wellness event being held for the first time in Northern Greece, aiming to establish itself as a new and iconic institution. The event will take place over the three-day weekend of Holy Spirit, from May 29 to June 1, 2026, transforming the enchanting destination of Sithonia into a vibrant hub of gathering, action, and shared experiences for sports enthusiasts.

The choice of this name stems from the heart of Greek heritage and the pursuit of harmony between body and spirit. In contrast to the traditional notion of superhuman effort, Porto Carras Athlos redefines the word, as the true Athlos is not the timer or the record, but the decision to participate. It is the moment when the visitor leaves everyday life behind to find themselves in a unique destination, finishing with a smile and writing their own personal story. The event is not just a series of races, but a community of people who share the same need for movement, connection, and well-being.

The event combines athletic competition with the region’s rich mythology and breathtaking natural landscape, transforming Sithonia and one of the Mediterranean’s premier destinations, into a vibrant gathering place, offering breathtaking routes:

• The Giant Run Series (21km, 10km, 5km, 1km): Inspired by the epic Battle of the Giants, runners don’t just participate in a race, they tour the paradise of Porto Carras. The routes constantly change: they start alongside the world-class marina, traverse the shady paths through the pine forests that border the sea, and pass through the iconic, lush vineyards of Domaine Porto Carras. Every kilometer becomes a visual experience and a symbolic journey of self-improvement.
• Skylias Open Water (5km, 3km, 1km): Dedicated to the legendary diver Skylias, one of the most iconic figures of antiquity, the open-water races invite participants to dive into history. Against the backdrop of the 9km coastline, swimmers will compete in the Blue Flag certified, calm, and crystal clear waters of Toroneos Gulf.

Porto Carras Athlos is not limited to competitions, but is a holistic lifestyle event designed to bring people together through shared experiences. Special emphasis is placed on the younger generation, through Football Clinics, Baby Swimming Sessions, and activities that promote teamwork. At the same time, the visitors’ experience is elevated by the cultural and culinary character of Domaine Porto Carras, which has been in operation since 1967 and is the largest organic vineyard in Greece, offering unique wine-tasting sessions of fine vintages in a setting of unparalleled aesthetic appeal.

As one of the largest and most well-established resorts in the Mediterranean, Porto Carras Grand Resort places its modern sports facilities at the heart of the festival, inaugurating two brand new beach volleyball courts through specialized camps led by Olympian, European champion and well-known beach volleyball player Efi Sfyri. 

At the same time, the schedule will include Beach Soccer, Tennis, and Padel, the innovative sport of Footgolf, as well as Yoga and Pilates sessions right by the water.

Secure your spot now at this major sports tourism event! Registration is available exclusively through the more.com platform! 

Special, discounted accommodation packages at the Porto Carras Meliton Hotel, managed by SWOT Hospitality, for participants and their accompanying guests will be announced very soon.

Porto Carras Grand Resort is the historic iconic resort that has contributed significantly to the establishment of luxury tourism in Greece, especially in Halkidiki. For 50 years, it has been offering high-level services and authentic Greek hospitality to its guests in an environment of unparalleled beauty and intense contrasts. 

Located alongside a sandy coastline of 9 kilometers and surrounded by a verdant area of 18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees dressing the slopes of Mount Meliton. Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the biggest organic vineyard in Greece, a spa and wellness center, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino and a marina that provides integrated services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and sea are available to visitors of all ages. 

Website: www.portocarras.com 

We sat down with Richard Marranca, writer, educator, and lifelong explorer of the arts and humanities. With a background that spans literature, history, philosophy, and even sociology, Richard brings a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective to everything he does. His work blends academic insight with a deeply personal, reflective approach inspired by thinkers like Carl Jung and Ralph Waldo Emerson, encouraging students and readers alike to ask not just what stories mean, but what they reveal about ourselves.

From his early travels to years of teaching and writing across diverse subjects, Richard Marranca has always been driven by creativity, connection, and a fascination with the ancient world. Whether he’s leading a classroom discussion, practicing meditation, or studying with organizations like the Egypt Exploration Society, he continues to explore how past civilizations can illuminate modern life.

Around here, in New Jersey where I live, "old" is relative. There are many Victorian homes in my neighbourhood, dating back to the late 19th century—which I love walking around—but that, or a 100-year-old pizzeria, is about as far back as the local history goes.

For me, the spark was partly pop culture. As a kid, we watched all the Greek and Roman films and the biblical epics at Easter. It’s interesting how these origins start so early in our lives. I received a book collection about the ancient world for Christmas one year—I still have it on my shelf—which covered everything from prehistoric times and Sumeria to Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It’s actually quite similar to what I teach now in my humanities surveys: a chronological journey from the earliest civilizations through to the Renaissance. In a way, I’ve been doing the same thing since I was ten years old.

Another major factor was the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. I went there constantly as a child with neighbors and relatives. It’s one of the great museums for Greek, Roman, and Egyptian collections. Then, when I was seven, I took a formative trip to Italy with my mother, aunt, and grandmother. We visited relatives in Calabria and saw Greek ruins in Southern Italy. My relatives in Sicily live near Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples, and seeing those Greek temples made me feel different from my peers who just went to the Jersey Shore every summer. It made me realize this stuff was truly amazing.

I might have become an archaeologist or a historian if I had been more singularly focused, but in college, I was drawn to a variety of things, including creativity. I eventually studied at New York University and did a semester in Athens through their program.

So, it all started very young, around ages eight to ten. While the arts and humanities don't always offer the immediate economic payoff that STEM does, they provide a spiritual, humanistic, and artistic quality that is invaluable. In the end, it’s worth it because you find the energy in these places and you start connecting the dots.

There are so many great messages to be found. Studying the arts and humanities in Greece or Italy provides innumerable life lessons. Of course, the people you meet today are perhaps the most important part of any journey. You might go there to study Homer or Socrates, or to walk the Agora as Socrates did, and that is wonderful; but it’s often the spontaneous moments that stay with you, like having ice cream with an elderly couple you just met, or simply petting the local cats and dogs. There is a spiritual energy and a sense of inspiration there.

From the ancient world, I think we primarily gain the value of community and friendship. That is a very strong Greek value today, as it was in antiquity. Someone like Epicurus had such a profound message about friendship, while Aristotle gives us an amazing sense of curiosity; he was truly interested in everything.

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot with Socrates in my classes. I have my students watch videos and read short selections, even in my English courses. I ask them to form Socratic groups where they simply ask each other questions. I think this is vital today, with the far left and the far right constantly at each other's throats. It is important to see if people can sit in the same room and discuss politics or religion without anger. I love the way Socrates looked for contradictions in what people say, because people tend to generalize and manipulate. Clarifying statements and concepts in that way is fascinating.

I might be answering this in a somewhat academic way, but on a personal level, I just love the mix of old and new in Athens. That is something we simply don't have here. Last summer, I stayed at the Lord Byron Hotel; right across the street was where Byron stayed in a monastery, and just a few miles away was the Parthenon. To go up there in the morning, or to just sit on a roof watching the birds sail by with the Parthenon right above you; those moments are magical.

I can’t quite explain it eloquently, but I tell my students: "Imagine what the world would be like if we didn't have these places." It would be a different, lesser world. It’s almost like something out of science fiction because the existence of these places is so important. It’s an adventure, and honestly, getting lost in Athens is often even better than seeing the sites you're "supposed" to see.

Well, I see the humanities as "fertile soil." Whether you are studying philosophy, literature, or even watching modern adaptations, like the recent and upcoming films based on The Odyssey, the humanities provide a foundation for almost any endeavor. They inform psychology, religion, and especially creativity. Most artists I know strive to learn as much as possible about ancient cultures because those stories are built on universal symbols and archetypes.

I am particularly drawn to the Greek sense of balance and beauty. I love that their architecture and society were built on a human scale. By contrast, the Romans built on a massive scale, and America today feels like the Roman scale on steroids. I prefer the quality of small theaters and the lack of "giganticism." Aristotle even spoke about the ideal size for a city to remain functional and human-centric.

The humanities are like a Swiss Army knife; the tools they provide are useful for almost any situation. You never know where life will take you or which tools you'll need, especially now when the challenges we face are so vast. The East needs the West, and the West needs the East. Similarly, the modern world needs the ancient world to maintain a balancing act.

While you can study the ancient world for its battles and dates, you can also study it for its wisdom. The ancient essays on friendship and community are simply amazing. That has been my primary focus lately, learning about the depth of community and friendship through ancient works.

Over the last several years, I’ve spent a lot of time in Asia, but lately, I’ve been drawn back to Europe. I’ve realized that I want to experience living in all of these different places, and I’m trying to find a way to manage that. For instance, last summer I spoke at Sorsogon State University in the Philippines, then traveled through Asia and back to Europe. It was a lot of movement.

When it comes to my recommendations for travel, I think the most important thing is to get close to the people. I love just milling around different areas and sitting. I remember particularly enjoying the area near Hadrian’s Library in Athens: the sky, the broad expanse, and the people walking by. I love just watching and talking to people; it’s fun, surprising, and sometimes you end up with friends for life.

If someone is new to travel, I often suggest staying in hostels. They are much more popular in Europe than in America and are great for meeting others. It’s a cliché, but you really should view travel as a journey rather than a destination. Not every aspect of it is fun; sometimes the "rough points" are the ones that teach you the most.

Be spontaneous. Follow the locals. It is always more special when you actually get to know the people who live there instead of just being part of the "travel crowd" in a hotel that could be anywhere in the world, the same bed, the same breakfast. When I studied in Athens, I didn't want to stay in the student housing with my peers. I went off on my own and stayed in a youth hostel. It must have been 95 degrees the whole summer, but I was so excited just to be in that environment.

I also think traveling by yourself is great if you have the nerve for it, though you do have to be careful depending on the country. It makes me a bit sad to see how the world has changed; there are places I visited in the past that I wouldn't go to now because they’ve become more dangerous. Similarly, some places have become so crowded at certain times of the year that they lose their appeal. I love watching old movies like Roman Holiday and seeing how relatively empty Rome was back then, it feels like the lost world of my grandparents’ generation.

Initially, I was going to say Pythagoras, because I love his unique early advocacy for vegetarianism. That is quite special. However, I think I’ll stick with Socrates and his emphasis on conversation.

Specifically, I mean the art of true conversation: being genuinely interested in what people say and staying present. We shouldn't be fragmented, mentally moving ahead to the next task while a conversation is still happening. So much of that distraction happens now because of technology. We need to be mindful and situated, finding people important enough to give them not just our time, but "pure time" and pure interest. We need to truly hear them.

I sometimes realize that even after all these years, some of my relatives or friends hardly know anything about me, and it makes me wonder if the same is true in reverse. Do I really know them? Do I listen? My students, for instance, have so much to say. Just because I’m the teacher doesn't mean I have special insights into everything; in many ways, they know more than I do.

Everyone has a story. So, yes, I believe the message for now is communication: going around, asking people questions, genuinely listening, and building community.

Walking through the Agora and the museums, it undeniably changes your perspective. Seeing the actual devices they used for democracy, the mechanisms for counting votes, is profound. When you go back to the trial of Socrates or the very notion of people freely making a choice, it becomes incredibly vivid once you've stood where those events unfolded.

On my last trip, I finally made it to the site of Plato’s Academy. It is essentially a park now, and I believe there are plans for further work on it, but it was amazing to stand there and realize that, in many ways, this is where the Western university began. It is deeply inspiring to know you are carrying on a tradition that is still moving forward.

There is also a certain romantic allure to island hopping while reading Homer; it brings the text to life in a way a classroom never could. I’ve only mentioned the "big figures" so far, but I haven't even touched on my interest in Alexander the Great, or the incredible women of antiquity like Aspasia or the scholars of Alexandria. There is simply so much depth and so many dimensions to explore once you are there.

It’s actually a bit of a funny story. I was recently at a funeral home for a relative’s passing, and I found myself thinking I should interview the director for my book. He’s essentially doing the same thing the ancient Egyptian priests did: mummifying people. Nothing ever truly changes, does it?

I’m actually working on two books. The first is a collection of interviews, essays, and images centered on mummies. It started with Egyptian mummies, but as the project evolved, it became a comparative study. I’ve added sections on European bog bodies, the Capuchin crypts in Rome and Palermo, and the "Spirit Cave Man" from Nevada, one of the earliest natural mummies. I’ve even interviewed experts on Ötzi the Iceman.

This project was sparked by a lecture I attended by the wonderful Egyptologist Salima Ikram. I got to know her and interviewed her several times; she’s the first entry in the book. I’ve also included the great classicist Paul Cartledge, who discusses the funerary practices of Philip II and Alexander the Great. It’s nearly finished, and I’m just waiting on a few final pieces.

The second book is a bit of "goofy" fiction, likely for a teen audience but hopefully for adults too. It’s about a "mummy time traveler"—a kid finds a mummy case in an attic, thinks it’s a Halloween prop, but accidentally awakens a mummy and they go on adventures through time. It’s my usual mix of serious academic study and lighter, imaginative fun.

I have a few things in motion. I’m starting an essay on Saint Francis that I hope to publish by Easter, focusing on his messages of compassion, nature, and simple living. I’m trying to give it a modern tone. I also have an upcoming interview at the Museum of Natural History in New York regarding the 12,000-year-old Spirit Cave Man.

On a different note, I want to write an essay on friendship, and I recently published a vampire story where the vampires are actually humanists who met Mozart and Leonardo da Vinci. Whether I’m writing fiction or nonfiction, I find I’m often exploring the same subjects, it uses a different part of the brain.

I’d love to get back into writing about Asian philosophy and literature. I’ve practiced meditation with a group for years; I’m mediocre at it, but it has kept my life balanced. When I started doing this in high school, people found it "weird", the way people used to view yoga or jogging decades ago. Now, it’s everywhere.

I’m also deeply concerned about the environment and want to write more about that, especially with the news about melting ice sheets. In terms of psychology, I’m delving into consciousness through the lens of Carl Jung and evolutionary biology. I enjoy combining the humanities with science because academics often stay in their own "lanes," which can get boring. I’d rather be wide-ranging. And, of course, I’m still waiting for someone to invite me to help out at an archaeological dig in Egypt or Greece—I’d happily just pick up dirt!

Alexander the Great: His undaunted courage and vision. He was fearless and achieved things even the Romans couldn't replicate. He was a true genius of his time.

Plato: I have to go with his vision of clarity. His Allegory of the Cave is still the blueprint for modern stories like The Matrix. It’s that profound notion of moving from darkness to light and finding clarity even when you feel alone.

Pythagoras: He is such a mysterious, "East-meets-West" figure. At a time of war and repression, he came up with the idea of universal compassion through vegetarianism. He saw animals as "cousins." That perspective was singularly unique for his era.

Homer: Whether Homer was one person or a committee, the genius lies in the seamlessness of the storytelling. I value the theme of the Nostos, or the homecoming in the Odyssey. It’s the ultimate adventure, going out into the unknown, facing monsters, yet never forgetting the way back home.

Thank you so much, Richard, for sharing your insights, stories, and passion for the ancient world with us. Your perspective on blending history, creativity, and personal growth offers a refreshing and meaningful way to engage with the humanities! 

Improv night with HOI POLLOI on Sunday March 29th! HOI POLLOI improv troupe invites you to another hilarious, awkward, long-form improv show powered by the Athens English Comedy Club and House of Improv!

Featuring some of Athens’ most experienced improvisers, including a very tall Irish guy!

Hoi Polloi improv troupe welcomes you to one more evening of pure, chaotic, improvised fun - inspired entirely by your suggestions!

A single word from you, the audience will shape the very turn of events unfolding in front of you on stage. Expect glorious laughs, moments of touching joy, and complete and utter insanity. 

💪 A team of improvisers take inspiration from the crowd at the beginning of the show and then perform a random number of scenes. Some scenes will appear once and then disappear forever, other scenes or characters might reappear. Free improv utilizes all the tools of improvisation theater, offering stories and scenes that can be both funny and dramatic, surreal and grounded, short and long. 

💥 A show where ideas and references collide and nothing ever quite goes as planned. 

⁉ Every night will be completely different, and anything can happen.

This is improv that celebrates the weird, warm, confusing, and human side of all of us, performed in - let's be real - moderate English. 

About HOI POLLOI

The HOI POLLOI (/ˌhɔɪ pəˈlɔɪ/ from the greek words “the many”) troupe is made up of experienced improvisers with 3 to 15 years of practice. After performing together regularly they decided to join forces and creating a new, unstoppable, ensemble.

Created with the vision to offer amazing improv to English speakers in Athens, they bring diverse backgrounds, strong chemistry, and a shared love for playful, honest scenes.

Funny, awkward, energetic, and sometimes touching — their focus is always great improv, making eachother and the audience look good, and creating a great night out.

Event Info 

Date: Sunday March 29th

Time: 21:00 (Doors open 20:40)

Tickets:
€8 early-bird
€12 general admission
€15 at the door

🎭 €5 for actors (box-office only, with an active Greek Actors Union ID. Email/phone reservation required)

We also offer 3 free tickets per show to persons with disabilities or unemployed persons (email/phone reservation required).

Duration: 1h15 + interval

Recommended for ages 16+

 

 

Join in for a two-day celebration of creativity, music, and flavors. With over 150 local makers, the #EasterEdition is the ultimate destination for handpicked gifts, unique jewelry, ceramics, wellness products, and one-of-a-kind Easter candles (lambades). Vintage lovers can explore three dedicated zones of retro treasures, while foodies can enjoy a curated selection of street food and Greek craft beers.

What’s On:

• Shopping: 150+ Designers, Makers, and Vintage collectors.

• Music: Non-stop DJ sets from 10+ local favorites.

• Family Fun: Free face-painting, gardening workshops, and a "Pollock-style" craft session.

• Easter Egg Hunt: 100 hidden eggs waiting to be found for special prizes!

• Grand Raffle: Enter to win one of three gift baskets filled with exhibitor products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until the early 20th century, the monasteries were practically unreachable. People and supplies were hauled up in nets and baskets using winches — and you can still see remnants of these old systems at some of the monasteries today. Nowadays, all the inhabited monasteries have stairways, making them far easier to access. Over the centuries, a total of 24 Greek Orthodox monasteries and hermitages were built here, and six of them are still active and open to visitors. No surprise, then, that Meteora is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a place where nature, faith and sheer human determination come together in the most breathtaking way. 

 

Join us for a journey through the St. Luke Passion, a work defined by its lyrical simplicity and profound emotional clarity. Distinguished from the dense complexity of Bach’s larger Passions, this setting focuses on intimate storytelling, moving chorales, and reflective arias.

Experience the story of the Passion of our Lord through this rare, elegant setting!

Event Details

Date: Friday, 3 April at 8:30PM
Place: St Paul's Anglican Church Filellinon 27, Athens, Metro: Syntagma
Tickets: 15€, Cash Only
Reservations: 697 26 04 551 / athenssingers23@gmail.com

Note: Seats are limited