Santorini Experience was completed with absolute success for a 3rd consecutive year, on the enchanting island of the Cyclades. The top sports tourism event in Greece, with a TV broadcast in 87 countries through the FOX Sports TV network, was completed with a record of participations in the running and swimming races with more than 1500 participations.

 

“Santorini Experience” is officially the event of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (having the auspices for the second year in a row) with the most popularity abroad, for amateur and professional athletes in Greece, while in running follows the events organized by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) such as the Athens Marathon.

At the same time, foreign participations surpassed every precedent, as athletes from around 40 countries were "hosted" in Santorini. Indicatively, the attendance was extremely high from Australia, UK, Germany, France, USA, Canada, China, Russia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Hungarian swimmer Attila Manyoki, the recognized athlete in open water swimming with several successes and a member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF), took part for the first time in the event. The presence of swimmers was dynamic with top professional athletes such as the Greek open water champion Kelly Araouzou and members of the Greek national team, Antonis Fokaidis, Giorgos Arniakos and Dimitris Negris. In addition, for the first time in an open water swimming race, more than 10 Greek champions took part.

In Santorini, we enjoyed the new young Greek leading open water swimmers who follow the steps of Spyros Gianniotis (he swam in Santorini in 2015 and 2016 before his withdrawal) under the instructions of the federal coach Nikos Gemelos.

The technical director of the swimming race not only applied the new 1.1 mile open water swimming route (from Skaros to the old port of Fira) on Sunday morning, due to the difficult weather conditions, but also supervised its conduct so that everything would be done in accordance with the regulations of FINA and the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Swimmers started in groups and not all together, following all safety rules.

Of course, there were 50 specialized escorts in the water who contributed, with the assistance of Lifeguard Patrol, which also had several lifeguard boats, the people from Santorini who helped with their own boats, the Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Atlantis Dive Center and above all Santorini Boatmen Union that transferred and protected the organization of the open water swimming.

The traditional sweet of Santorini, melitinia (offered by Manos Pastry Shop) as well as seasonal fruits were offered to the swimmers after the end of their race.

For the first time in a sports event in Greece, Samsung as the official technology partner was present with its innovative services through the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, combined with the Gear 360 camera and Gear VR, enrich the experience of those attending and watching the event with unique content at 360 degrees.

 

The award-winning event did not stop its innovation here. The GoPro 6 action camera was first used in Greece, with its simultaneous arrival at a world premiere. The GoPro HERO6 Black, with its breathtaking analysis and waterproof design, has especially helped in having the best and most impressive shots in the swimming and running activities.

Relevant photos are available HERE!

Hundreds of athletes were present in the running routes. The runners participated in the 5km “Aristides Alafouzos”, 10 km and 15 km running routes, having as a “background” the unique images of the volcano overlooking the Caldera and passing through the settlements of Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia. The 5km route took this year's name “Aristides Alafouzos” in memory of the great benefactor of the island. Indeed, the nephew of the late Alafouzos, Mr. Giannis Haidemenos, said after the starting signal he gave together with the Mayor of Santorini, Nikos Zorzos, on the 5km route: “I am very pleased because the effort made by Aristides Alafouzos is justified, being a sponsor in the whole island of Santorini all these years. It is a great honor for us and very important that this race takes place in his memory”.

Find the results in running and open water swimming races HERE! 

Excitement was spread to the young children at the 1km running race held on Friday, October 6th, with the support of Vikos, at Panthiraikos Stadium in Fira, with the presence of the Olympic and World Champion at 400m. with hurdles Periklis Iakovakis (who ran also the 5km) and Greek-American ultramarathon Dean Karnazes, who participated in the 5km and 15 km running races, while he signed his last book at Alafouzos Sport store (sponsor of the event) in Fira. TaeKwonDo lessons were conducted to advanced and amateur athletes by the twice silver Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, while the warm-up of the athletes in running was undertaken by the pilates instructor Mandy Perskaki.

Participating athletes traveled to “Santorini Experience”, with the official airline partner of the event, Ryanair that offered the possibility of connecting Athens with Santorini with direct flights from 13 cities abroad. The leading Greek shipping company Blue Star Ferries, as a sponsor of the event, facilitated the ferry transfer by offering a 50% discount on the ferry tickets and vehicles of the participants, assisting the travel of Greek and foreign athletes.

The foreign participants and visitors approached the event mostly in groups this year, showing the results of the promotion which was made through the tourism expo in Sweden, the campaign implemented in Germany targeted at the first autumn school holidays and the targeted communication strategy in China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and America was effective.

All these wouldn’t have been accomplished without the full cooperation of the Municipality of Santorini, DAPPOS and Active Media Group, as well as the supporters of the event.

For the third consecutive year, ambassadors and organizers moved with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official supporter of “Santorini Experience”. Throughout the three-day event organizers and athletes drove with the excellent fuel quality of EKO! At the same time, “Vikos” offered to the athletes who took part the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”. Official supporters also included Avance, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Aqua Vista Hotels, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa (that welcomed the guests on Friday and organized the Sunset Cocktail under the music of the great Cretan lyre player, songwriter and composer Psarantonis) and Athina Luxury Suites.

The hospitality sponsors that supported the event from Santorini were: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Andronis Concept, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Canaves Oia, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia's View, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia Hotel, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini, White Pearl Villas, Caldera Collection.

In Athens, Wyndham Grand Athens assisted the event as an official supporter and hospitality sponsor.

The event was assisted by Sunset Oia Sailing Cruises, Alios Ilios, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini and Atlantis Dive Center.

“Santorini Experience” took place under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Swimming Federation with the co-organization of the Municipality of Santorini, DAPPOS and Active Media Group.

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Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair

Official Sponsors: Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites

Official Technology Partner: Samsung

Official Supporters: Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Avance Rent A Car, Aqua Vista Hotels, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, ΕΚΟ, GoPro, Wyndham Grand Athens, Santorini Boatmen Union

Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Andronis Concept, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Canaves Oia, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia's View, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia Hotel, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini, White Pearl Villas, Caldera Collection

Assisted by: Sunset Oia Sailing Cruises, Alios Ilios, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Atlantis Dive Center

Official Travel Agent: VitaNTravel

Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization

Get cozy, curl up with a good book and a coffee, and voila! You have the recipe for a brilliant afternoon (or morning, or night...we like it all). According to the popular app Foursquare, these are the 15 coziest places in Athens!

Users said: "I loved this place, small and cozy and friendly service." "Makes you feel like home with friendly staff, good music, and good prices."

Address: Evinou 3
Telephone: 21 1012 6765
Facebook

Users said: "A very cozy corner near the Acropolis museum where you can enjoy TAF coffee and be surrounded by books."

Address: Kavalloti 2
Telephone: 21 0924 3762
Facebook

Users said: "Cozy and beautiful. Authentic ambience and positive energy all around." "Really great and cozy cafe with a Parisian atmosphere!"

Address: Kolonaki, Halandri, Kifissia, and Pagrati (please see website for specific addresses)
Telephone: Halandri - 210 6814825, Pagrati - 215 5519685, Kolonaki - 210 3613169
Website

To read this article in full, please visit: Foursquare

The 'Greek Paths of Culture' cultural program is among the winners of European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019, according to an announcement made last Tuesday, May 21.

The award was granted by 'Europa Nostra' – a leading citizens' movement to protect and celebrate Europe's cultural and natural heritage which is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to do yoga in a room full of paintings from Picasso and other renowned artists? Well, the Goulandri Museum has decided to bring art and yoga together, one of the most ancient practices that harmonize the body, mind, and soul.

Maria Stylianaki will be there every Tuesday and Thursday (19:00 - 20:30) to offer visitors an unforgettable experience! Classes are suitable for people of all ages with no mandatory previous experience in yoga. All they have to do is bring a yoga mat, comfortable clothes and register online.

The museum opened its doors on October 2nd and is now home to art pieces from Greek and foreign artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Gauguin, Cézanne, El Greco, Moralis and many more!

The representative of the Greek Health Ministry, Sotiris Tsiodras, has announced new preventative measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The regulations aim to defeat viral infection by reducing the concentration of crowds.

So as of March 15, all malls, and department stores, cafes, bars, and food outlets–except delivery and take away restaurants–will remain closed.

Libraries, churches, museums, athletic centers, beauty parlors, and spas, hairdressing salons, tattoo and piercing studios will also remain closed for the next 14 days. Finally, the Greek Health Ministry has decided that lottery shops, casinos, amusement parks, and fairgrounds will also be affected by the above rules.

 

It is important to remind our readers that XpatAthens is not in any way a media source. While we do our best to keep our readers informed, we advise you to consult Greek media outlets such as ekathimerini.com, amna.gr, naftemporiki.gr, and protothema.gr and/or international news sites for up-to-the-hour updates on the coronavirus. Be wise and stay safe.

Earlier this week in Thessaloniki, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Greek Minister of Development & Investments Adonis Georgiadis signed a joint U.S. and Greece commitment to promote science and technology. This agreement–which replaces a previous more generalized agreement dating back to 1980–will benefit both citizens and the economy while promoting security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios, who attended the signing of the agreement, said in a statement that it "will pave the way for R&D investment, technological advancement, and continued leadership in cutting edge fields."

 

The U.S State Department has published the agreement fact sheet, which can be found here.

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This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

The way a city protects the life and well-being of stray animals is an integral part of its culture and the Municipality of Athens has set the bar high. 

The effort to improve the living conditions of Athens' strays continues with multilevel actions aiming to create a safer environment for our four-legged friends in need of a home. 

The city's first modern shelter will soon operate in Votanikos. It will be a functional space for the temporary accommodation of stray animals with a capacity of 90 spaces, ample outdoor space, and full equipment. The shelter will be guarded on a 24-hour basis, while 5 staff memebers are responsible for the dogs' good hygiene and socialization daily; the latter will be achieved in collaboration with volunteer trainers and animal lovers. 

Also, a space resembling an actual living room, fully equipped with furniture, is currently under construction, in order to familiarize dogs with the home environment and prepare them for when their eternal home is found. 

The shelter will be named "The Shelter of Socrates" in memory of one of Athens' most emblematic stray dogs that lost its life in a tragic accident. In fact, artist "Life in Color" and the Urban Act team have created an impressive graffiti inside the shelter depicting Socrates as a tribute to all stray animals that live on the streets against their will. 

"The shelter of Socrates is a shelter for our souls. It's a prerequisite for every modern and humane city. It's yet another effort to change the lives of stray animals in Athens. We can achieve this through actions of care and love, as well as structures like this." said Kostas Bakogiannis, the Mayor of Athens, on the occasion of the World Stray Animals Day. 

However, the shelter is only a piece of the puzzle. As part of the initiative against animal cruelty, a new digital platform called Animals City of Athens (currently only availale in Greek) has also been launched by the Municipality of Athens, where members of the public can state how they wish to offer voluntary assistance for stray animals. Moreover, employees of the Animal Welfare Department City of Athens, as well as dozens of volunteers, are scattered around the city taking care of stray animals. To date, 420 dogs and 70 cats have been adopted, 1160 animals have been sterilized, and 614 dogs and 1400 kittens have received medical care. 

Finally, the municipal authority has undertaken a project of installing small houses for stray cats in Athens' neighborhoods. Until now, 16 houses and 60 feeders have been installed, making it easier for stray cats to be protected from the cold and find food and water.

XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing news and inspiring stories about how Athens aspires to be a clean, friendly, and welcoming city to live in.

Robert De Niro will soon be in Greece, as a major motion picture featuring the Hollywood star will be shot in the northern Greek region of Drama, cementing the country as an international filming destination for cinema and television.

The action film, which is called “After Exile,” tells the story of a fraught relationship between a father and his son, who has just been released from prison, as they try to steer a relative away from a life of crime. De Niro will play the father, while actor Shia LaBeouf will play his son.

It is unclear whether the entire film will be shot in Greece or only a few scenes, but the filming in Greece is set to begin in Spring, likely at the end of March or early April.

Robert De Niro film “After Exile” to be shot in Greece

Local businesses and hotels in Drama, which is located in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, are expecting around 300 people, including cast and crew, to descend on the region in Spring for filming.

This is not the only movie to be filmed in Greece recently. Hollywood film “The Expendables 4” was filmed in Thessaloniki in November. A set has been constructed on the east side of the city where the cast and crew filmed their scenes over the course of the two weeks.

The city hosted several of Hollywood’s brightest stars, with Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Megan Fox, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Tony Jaa, and Andy Garcia all participating in the Thessaloniki filming. Franchise creator Sylvester Stallone also participated in the shoot, although it was the last time he worked on the series.

De Niro has also personally invested in Greece, with a Nobu Hotel that will open on the island of Santorini this Spring.

Nobu is a rising name in terms of luxury hotels, but it is already well known in the dining world as an international chain of high-end sushi restaurants.

The business Nobu Hospitality was born out of a collaboration between the restaurant’s head chef, Nobu Matsuhisa, Actor De Niro, and businessman Meir Teper.

While Nobu began with luxury restaurants in the US, the company soon expanded, opening up luxury restaurants across the world in cities like Mexico City, Beijing, and Istanbul.

After success in the restaurant business, the business expanded into hotels in 2013. Their latest project, in Santorini, Greece, will be the 26th Nobu Hotel in the world, and the tenth in Europe.

Located in the village of Imerovigli, which provides some of the most beautiful views of the entire island, the Nobu Hotel will also feature a signature Nobu Restaurant, luxury spa, and fitness center. 
 
Originally published on: greekreporter.com

After the Hollywood release of the movie “Rise” (produced by Disney) about the life of the family of Giannis Antetokounmpo, it finally premiered in the Athens neighbourhood of Sepolia, where the NBA star grew up.

The event was hosted on Tuesday at the Triton Stadium in Sepolia, where it all started for the “Greek Freak”.

Antetokounmpo naturally stole the show, since he is in the places where he started to show his talent, while with him was his whole family (Thanasis, Kostas, Alex, Francis and their mother, Veronica).

In Sepolia were also his Milwaukee teammates Pat Connaughton, Jevon Carter and Jordan Nwora along with two coaches, his managers and great basketball personalities such as Theodoros Papaloukas.

George Mazonakis was also there, along with the GM of Olympiacos, Nikos Lepeniotis.

Of course, several children rushed to see and deify Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers up close, creating a great atmosphere in an area that evokes memories for the Antetokounmpo family.

Tripadvisor reviewers placed Athens, Crete and Santorini among the world’s best destinations for travel in 2024.

The three Greek destinations were on Tripadvisor’s list of “Best of the Best Destinations”, the travel guidance platform’s first Travelers’ Choice Award for 2024.

The 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations are calculated based on an analysis of Tripadvisor reviews and ratings from a recent 12-month period (October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023).

Three Greek destinations among the best

Greece’s capital city, Athens, shines as one of the top 20 destinations in Europe to visit (18th place). Athens also came in 15th world’s best destination for food (Food Destinations – World list) and 8th best in Europe. The Greek capital was also named the 5th best culture destination in the world.

The Greek island of Crete was named the ninth top destination in the world and fourth best in Europe. Crete was also applauded on the “Food Destinations – World” list and came in third best in that category. On the same list for Europe, Crete was voted as the second best destination.

Santorini shines in the 14th place on the “Top Destinations – World” list and in the 8th place on the “Honeymoon Destinations – World” list.

The 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations are calculated based on the quality and quantity of reviews, specific to each award subcategory, for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations from travelers globally on Tripadvisor between October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr