Everyone knows that Greece is the cradle of Western Civilization, the birthplace of democracy, that it has a stunningly beautiful coastline, and that our Independence Day is March 25th. However, there are some facts that very few people are aware of.

There may be some things about Greece and its history that even many Greeks don’t know. Why not take this opportunity to brush up on some interesting facts and factoids about this most fascinating country before you finally travel there for an idyllic vacation this Summer?

Facts about Greece you probably didn’t know

1. There are about 2,000 islands and islets in Greece, but only 170 of them are inhabited. The largest, Crete, has an area of ​​8,260 square kilometers (3,189 square miles).

2. Greece is the number one country in the world in the production of natural sponges.

3. Athens had a population of about 7,000 only two centuries ago. Today the capital’s residents exceed five million, almost half of the country’s population.

4. Surrounded by the sea, there is no place in Greece that is more than 137 km (85 miles) away from the sea. Greece has the tenth-longest coastline in the world.

5. In the 1950s, only 30 percent of Greeks knew how to read and write. Today, the illiteracy rate is just 5 percent.

6. Greece ranks third in the world in olive oil production. The cultivation of olive trees in the country began in ancient times. Indeed, some olive trees which are known to have been planted in the thirteenth century still produce fruit.

7. The Greek language has been spoken for approximately 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest languages ​​in the world.

8. Athens has been inhabited for 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe.

9. On average, Greeks enjoy 250 days of sunshine a year. This corresponds to 6,000 hours of sun per year.

10. Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world — which is only natural considering the age of its civilization.

To read this article in full and discover more mind-blowing facts about Greece, please visit: greekreporter.com

Revani (also spelled ravani) is a Greek cake known for its citrus flavors and use of semolina flour. The sponge cake is made with lemon zest and sweetened with a simple syrup with orange zest.

Here's an easy-to-follow recipe for the perfect revani, a delightful addition to any sweet table!

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fine semolina
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pinch salt

For the syrup: 

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 strips orange zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• Add the water, sugar, and orange zest to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and cool.
• While the cake is still warm, cover it with syrup. When the cake cools, you can sprinkle it with some powdered sugar, cinnamon, and almonds, if using.

To read this recipe in full and discover useful tips for delicious revani, please visit: thespruceeats.com

The Authentic Marathon Swim returns for the 3rd consecutive year, on July 1-3, 2022, at Artemision. Amateur and professional swimmers from all over the world will have the opportunity to swim in unique open water swimming routes at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiea - Edipsos.

The Authentic Marathon Swim was distinguished with 3 awards and reached the top of the Tourism Awards 2022, the most important institution that highlights the innovative and best practices of Greek tourism. More specifically the event received 2 Silver Awards in the “Event Organization / Press Trips / Special Events / Major Tourism Event” category for the perfect production of last year’s event and the “Storytelling Excellence” category for the successful dissemination of the event’s history throughout the world. In addition, the event received 1 Bronze Award in the “Integrated Marketing Campaign” category for the enormous publicity that was accomplished and the integrated sports tourism promotion of the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos.

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, the authentic 14.5km route “Skylias & Hydna” will be held allowing swimmers from around the world to swim over the shipwrecks of the naval battle of Artemision that took place in 480 B.C., for the first time. Athletes will follow the example of Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, the very first “marathon swimmers”, according to the Father of History Herodotus (8.8) and other historians, who helped the Greek forces in the historic naval battle of Artemision against the Persian fleet. The swimmers will cover 80 stadia or 14.5km. On the same day, the 5km and 3km routes will also be carried out. On Sunday, July 3, 2022, the 10km marathon, the 1.5km race, as well as the children’s 500m race will take place. The routes of 5km, 3km, 1.5km and 500m. have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point.

 

The open water masters’ world champion, Vicky Kouveli, the three-time Greek champion and two-time English Channel marathon swimmer, Sofia Psilolignou and the English Channel marathon swimmer, Giannis Kotsiopoulos are just some of the first names that participants will have the opportunity to meet in this year’s event.

Enjoy the Authentic Marathon Swim’s 2021 highlights video HERE! 

 

Participants can now register and take part in the impressive open water swimming routes of 14.5km, 10km, 5km, 3km, 1.5km. All citizens of Istiea-Edipsos and people with disabilities can take part in the 5km, 3km and 1.5km routes, completely free of charge. Registration for the 500m children’s race is free. Register now HERE!

The certified and experienced South Evian Gulf team that was born in the Southern Gulf of Evia from its deep love for the sea and nautical travel, will not only accompany swimmers in the 14.5km and 10km races but will also offer lessons on the basic techniques of open water kayaking, acquaintance with the boats on land and then puddle at the straits of Artemision. More information on the opening of registrations will be announced in the coming days.

As part of the Authentic Marathon Swim, an exhibition of local food products and tasting will also be held in collaboration with Evia’s Federation of Trade and Entrepreneurship “Evia Epichirin”.

Accommodation packages at the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos

The Authentic Marathon Swim already collaborates with hotels in the region, with the aim of revitalizing North Evia and strengthening the Greek tourism product. Up to this point, this year’s event is enormously supported with special prices starting from 40 euros, by the following hospitality sponsors: Maria Louiza Apartments, Island, Mirtia Hotel, Hydna Studios, Sunset Pefki, Villa Anastasia, Artemis Rooms Pefki, Arethousa Hotel, Viki Studios.

Participants and visitors can take advantage of the special offers, providing reduced accommodation prices and late check out while discovering beautiful hotels in the areas of Pefki, Loutra Edipsos, Artemision, Istiea, Kanatadika, Neos Pyrgos, Orei and Agiokampos.

Visit the event’s specially designed page and discover the hospitality solutions and the special offers that apply to the participants.

Just an hour and a half from Athens, participants can take a ferry boat with itineraries that serve from 07:00 am in the morning to 23:00 pm in the evening. Learn how to get directly and quickly to Pefki and take advantage of the ferry boat offers that will be valid during the races. 

  

For the safety of all races, the event will be held in accordance with FINA regulations, in order to ensure the health of athletes and attendees. The event will provide once again everyone with a safety lifeguard buoy since its use by professional and amateur athletes is mandatory. For each participant in the 14.5km and 10km routes there will be an escort-boat and its cost is included in the registration price.

                                                                                                                

Luanvi is the event’s Official Clothing Partner.

South Evian Gulf Team is the event’s Athletic Partner. 

The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos and the entire Local Government with the Region of Central Greece, the Organization of Cultural Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.S.T.E.) and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece. The Authentic Marathon Swim is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism. ActiveMedia Group is responsible for the event’s Sports Production.

 

Use the event’s official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim and upload on social media the unique images and exciting moments you experienced in the previous years in the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos as you prepare for the 3rd and most exciting year.

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas

The Athens Epidaurus Festival is Greece’s leading cultural organisation and one of the oldest continuously running festivals in Europe. Spanning 68 years, the Festival has welcomed some of the greatest music, dance, and theatre artists of the international and local scene, in collaboration with the most prestigious Greek and international organisations, attracting large audiences from around the world.
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The Meet Market is back again, hand in hand with the 21st Jazz Athens at Technopolis, City of Athens!

Its been more than 2 years of missed Athens Jazz Festivals due to the pandemic, so we are extra excited about this very special renunion.  We are also extra excited about the theme of this years Jazz Festival, which is all about celebrating #WomeninJazz. Yaaas queen!

Join us from Monday May 23rd to Sunday, May 29th – both indoors in the Mixanourgio venue and outdoors in the Mixaourgio Courtyard – for one glorious week of free Jazz concerts, dj sets, activities for kids and of course our beloved Meet Market, with over 120 brands from local artisans, designers, collectors and producers.

Expect to find a wide and beautiful variety of creations and innovations including handmade clothes, jewelry, accessories, products for kids, homeware, art, books, records, vintage & retro collectable, self-care products, tasty edible, street food & drinks.  Come for a stroll, for a shop, for a meet or a mingle, come for some jazz – whatever the reason, just be there.

Greece’s beaches are among the world’s cleanest with the region of Halkidiki and the island of Rhodes in the lead this year, according to the 2022 Blue Flag quality award list for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats, released by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF).

Greece ranked second after Spain among 48 countries with 581 of its beaches, 15 marinas, and six recreational boats getting the Blue Flag label, one of the world’s most recognized voluntary eco-labels, awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.

At the top of the list with the cleanest beaches is the Halkidiki region with 87 Blue Flags, followed by Rhodes (55), and Crete: Lassithi (41), Chania (36), Heraklion (31), and Rethymno (20).

Other top 10 Blue Flag beaches in Greece are in Attica (18), Kefalonia (17), and Lesvos (17).

“We are blessed as a country. Our destinations are highly sought after by people from across the globe,” Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki commented on the news. Zacharaki went on to refer also to the quality of services and human resources in Greece while announcing that 140 million euros in RRF funds will be going into the construction of marinas and beach accessibility.

Last year, Greece ranked second again globally with 530 beaches among 49 countries for its Blue Flag beaches.

About the Blue Flag

The Blue Flag voluntary eco-label program is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. In Greece, the program’s coordinator is the EEPF.

In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr

Translated by: CodicoLab

The National Garden, a green oasis in the heart of the city, one of the most beautiful landmarks of Athens, regains its lost glory. As part of a strategic plan, which includes the complete refurbishment of the historic garden, the Municipality of Athens delivers the first complete section on the northern side of the garden, between the Amalia and the Vasilissis Sofias Avenues.

From now on, residents and visitors of the city can wander the upgraded areas of the garden, sit on the benches, read a book under the trees, exercise, and play with their kids.

With respect to the area’s historical importance, which dates 186 years back, the Municipality proceeded with the reconstruction of the garden’s paths, the replacement of the old water supply system with a new advanced one, and the upgrade of the lighting system network. The garden’s distinctive lampposts were preserved and replaced where necessary. The benches were also upgraded but maintain their historic character and are totally aligned with the natural environment.

In the coming weeks, modern lights, as well as a signage system, will be installed.

Regarding the garden's flora, a team of experts was invited to take care of the rare trees, some of which are over 170 years old.

At the same time, emphasis was placed on the addition of new trees and plants that will enhance the biodiversity of the National Garden and help Athens become a green city. A total of 11,155 trees, shrubs, perennial herbaceous, seasonal, and climbing plants were planted.

Works are carried out in phases, so the garden remains open to the public.

The project also includes the restoration of historic buildings, the maintenance of historic marble and stone elements, the reconstruction of the playground and the pedestrian walkways, the fence’s restoration, the repair of the garden’s wooden bridge, and the construction of a new metal fence in the zoo.

A minuscule gem of an island, Trizonia is the largest island and the only inhabited one in the Corinthian Gulf. It belongs to the prefecture of Fokida, and, along with the islets of Prasoudi, Planemi, and Agios Ioannis comprises a small group of islands. Rumor has it that when Aristotle Onassis was looking to buy an island of his own, he was constantly visiting Trizonia, looking for a way to acquire them.

This unspoiled getaway is an ideal destination for vacationers who seek scenic beauty combined with a peaceful serenity. On Trizonia, it’s unlikely that you will come across any cars, as they are not allowed there, and there are barely any roads for them to drive on. So, if you’re traveling with kids, this small island provides the perfect opportunity for them to run free, play endlessly, discover the world around them, and get back in touch with nature!

Trizonia is a verdant island with lush vegetation, including olive trees, almond trees, vines, prickly pears, eucalypti, and many more. Visitors can wander the picturesque port, admire the natural marina where boats and yachts dock, visit one of the seaside taverns and cafes or go for a swim on one of the island’s three beaches: Pounda, Aspra Halikia, and Kapsales. Located 2km from the port, Pounda is the largest and most beautiful beach, with fine red sand and emerald waters; a definite must-see!

How To Get There

The best thing about Trizonia is that you don’t have to travel for hours on end to get there. It’s only a 5 -minute boat ride off the coast of the fishing village of Chania, on the north side of the Gulf. And, for the best part? The boat ticket costs just 1 euro per person!

To get to Chania from Athens, travelers must follow the route Athens-Thiva-Aliartos-Livadia-Delfoi-Itea-Galaxidi-Eratini-Chania, which is 276km.



Main image: @m_tsili

As recently announced by the European Commission, one of the Peloponnese’s most fascinating and well-developed attractions, the archaeological site of Ancient Nemea, is among the twelve new sites to join the European Union’s Heritage Label list, taking into consideration its significant role in shaping the history and culture of Europe, as well as the building of the European Union.

The symbolic European value of Ancient Nemea

The archaeological site of Nemea becomes, thus, the second attraction in Greece after the “Heart of Ancient Athens” - namely, the Acropolis and its surrounding archaeological sites - to be awarded the prestigious Label. 

According to the award rationale, the site of Ancient Nemea is a complex of well-preserved and exhibited archaeological remains that are emblematic on account of the organization of the Nemean Games in antiquity. It includes the sporting roots of Europe and the ideals of classical sports as an element for the comprehensive education of young people. The Stadium is a characteristic example of this type of construction in its original form. Moreover, the modern revival of the Games reflects fundamental European values such as equality, social inclusion, and peaceful coexistence.

The archaeological site and the revival of the Nemean Games

Located about 25 km southwest of the city of Corinth and about 115 km from the city of Athens, Nemea is a place full of secrets worth exploring and a delightful one-day excursion for Athenians and tourists alike. Famous for its viniculture tradition which goes back to Homer who called the area Ampelóessa (meaning "full of vines”), as well as for the legend of Hercules’ lion labor which is often encountered in ancient Greek art and literature, Nemea boasts an ancient history that is depicted in its many monuments.

Among them lies a true archaeological gem: the 2,300-year-old Temple of Zeus. The temple is standing next to the ancient stadium -notable for its well-preserved vaulted entrance tunnel, dated to about 320 BC - and the on-site museum was constructed as part of the University of California's excavations. Interestingly, Nemea’s temple sits on top of an earlier version from the 6th century, B.C. – however, not much of that early temple is visible today because it was destroyed by fire and then built over later on. The partially reconstructed site now provides the visitor with a clearer sense of the magnitude and magnificence of the original Greek temple. Most importantly, the site is better preserved for generations to come.

To read this article in full, please visit: greeknewsagenda.gr

Main image: @alice_barbisan