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Condor Airlines To Connect Germany To 17 Greek Destinations
To read this article in full, please visit: GTP
Great Museums To (Virtually) Explore When You’re Stuck At Home
1. National Archaeological Museum of Athens
The National Archaeological Museum is the largest in Greece and one of the most important in the world. While it was initially designed to house findings from all the 19th-century excavations, it gradually took the form of the country's primary National Archaeological Museum. The Museum includes more than 11,000 exhibits, which offer visitors a panorama of ancient Greek culture from the beginning of prehistory to late antiquity.
Discover the collections of the National Archaeological Museum Here.
2. The Louvre Museum, Paris
The Louvre Museum in Paris is one of the most notable art Museums in the world; housing 35.000 works of Art in an exhibition area of 60.600 square meters. The museum's collection is divided into 8 departments: Egyptian Antiquities, Near Eastern Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, Paintings, Prints and Drawings.
Click Here to visit the Louvre's exhibition rooms and galleries, online.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art showcases over 5,000 years of art from all over the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. Since its foundation in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects, but a place where art comes alive, revealing new ideas and unexpected connections across time and cultures.
5. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
The State Hermitage Museum is home to a collection of more than 3.000.000 artifacts. Founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great, the museum is a beacon of culture and a treasury of significant works by artists like Renoir, Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Matisse, Kandinsky, and Picasso. Furthermore, the museum houses an extensive collection of jewelry and ancient artifacts from Greece, Rome, and Egypt.
6. The British Museum, London
The British Museum was founded in 1753 and first opened its doors in 1759. Since then, the museum has been driven by an insatiable curiosity for the world and a deep belief in objects as reliable witnesses and documents of human history. Take a tour of the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
Find hundreds of artifacts on the museum’s virtual tour Here.
Santorini Experience Is Postponed To October 1-3, 2021
Santorini Experience had received the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation for the implementation of the swimming event and the approval of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) for the implementation of the running races. At the same time, Active Media Group had acquired the approval of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, through the strict distinct health protocols designed for running and swimming respectively, while successfully passing the tests of the World Health Organization and World Athletics.
Active Media Group, always prioritizing the best service of its participants, offers the possibility of a refund to all runners and swimmers who had already completed their registration for Santorini Experience 2020 or alternatively the possibility of transferring their participation to the 2021 event.
Active Media Group would like to thank several people for their ongoing support. First of all, the people of Santorini, those who proved what solidarity, ethics, support, innovation, sustainability, creativity, quality, and vision mean, when society needed it, when Greek tourism needed it.
Athina Luxury Suites, Vikos Natural Mineral Water, and Blue Star Ferries were the event’s official sponsors.
Luanvi was the event’s official sports supplier.
Boatmen Union Santorini was the event’s official supporter.
Avance was the official car rental partner.
Messinian Spa was the event’s official beauty partner.
SKAI was the premium TV partner.
24MEDIA was the premium media partner.
Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Leandros, and Swimmingclub.gr were the athletic partners of Santorini Experience.
The event was assisted by Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Atlantis Dive Center, Santorini Nautical Club, and Caldera Yachting.
Tangopapas.com was the event’s travel partner.
Photo by: Babis Giritziotis
Santorini Experience had joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission which is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.
#santoriniexperience
Greece Is The Tourism Recovery Champion Of Europe
Greece has emerged the real winner in the battle for the recovery of the tourism sector in Europe according to a recent Financial Times story.
Whilst tourism has seen a drop in once popular destinations like Spain, Greece is making a remarkable recovery despite the pandemic and the recent fire devastation.
Citing data from are travel data company OAG, the “FT” piece noted that despite the fact that seats on flights scheduled for August in Europe were reduced by 31% compared to the corresponding month of 2019 on routes to Greece, traffic in August has exceeded pre-coronary data, and is up 2%.
This positive news comes in sharp contrast to drops observed in other popular European tourist destinations, such as Spain, one of the most important Mediterranean destinations, which saw corresponding flight seats reduced by 25%.
As the “FT” reports, “the constant messaging from Greece that it is open to tourism seem to be bearing fruit.”
According to the same data, the main factors for the recovery of tourist flows to Greece are the great interest from Germany, France and Switzerland.
According to OAG, the scheduled capacity of flights from these three markets has increased by 25%, 31% and 26% respectively compared to August 2019, despite the fact that 2019 was a record year in terms of arrivals in Hellas.
Originally published on: greekcitytimes.com
Best Places For A Soup In Athens
1. Salero
@salero_restaurant
In downtown Athens, in the Exarcheia neighborhood, you will find Salero, a modern restaurant serving a variety of culinary delights from Mediterranean cuisine. One of the menu’s highlights is definitely the pumpkin veloute with croutons, grated parmesan, and freshly ground pepper. For adventurous eaters, there is also a delicious version with green apple and roasted almonds.
Location: Valtetsiou 51, Exarchia
Telephone: 210 3813358
2. Blue Bamboo
@bluebamboothai
Ethnic cuisine lovers will certainly appreciate this cozy Thai restaurant in Ano Petralona where you can find exotic, aromatic soups - some of them quite spicy - that will make you feel like you are in Bangkok. A spicy shrimp soup, a spicy soup with coconut milk, galangal, lime leaves, and chicken, an aromatic soup with beef and rice noodles, and many more dishes wait for you to discover them!
Location: Kidantidon 24, Athina
Telephone: 21 03423124
3. Chau’s
Courtesy of: Chau’s Vietnamese Restaurant
Chau’s is a Vietnamese restaurant in Ilioupoli, serving authentic, freshly-made Asian food. The Pho soups are not to be missed. One sip - a spoonful of warmth and comfort - is enough to transport you directly to the busy streets of Vietnam.
Location: Agiou Konstantinou 66, Ilioupoli
Telephone: 21 09706312
4. Chez Lucien
Courtesy of: Chez Lucien
A charming French bistro-restaurant in Ano Petralona, Chez Lucien offers authentic Parisian food. Among the must-try dishes is the classic French onion soup with a cheezy crust and croutons. Onion soup is one of the most popular French dishes, with a rich history dating as far back as Roman times.
Location: Troon 32, Petralona
Telephone: 21 0341 0590
5. Vrasto
@to_vrasto
The family-owned tavern “To Vrasto”, in the northern suburb of Chalandri, offers home-cooked, traditional, simple yet rich in flavor Greek dishes that will take you on a trip down memory lane. “To Vrasto”, meaning stew in Greek, got its name from the tavern’s most famous dish, the classic beef stew with beef, potatoes, carrots, and celery in broth (consommé). The menu is designed around a selection of classic dishes and daily specials that change according to the availability of fresh seasonal ingredients.
Location: Rodon 3, Chalandri
Telephone: 21 0681 3776
New Piraeus Metro Stations To Open Before September
Speaking at the Technical Chamber of Greece’s conference “Green Deal Greece 2022” at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Kouretas said that the stations on the new Line 4 will be opened to the public at a date to be announced shortly.
In addition, he said, the Thessaloniki metro will be operational by the end of 2023.
“Along with the three Piraeus stations that we will hand over to the public in the next two months, Lines 2 [Red] and 3 [Blue] will end up serving over a million passengers a day, which means 200,000 fewer cars in Athens daily, and a reduction of 880 tons of carbon dioxide,” Kouretas said.
The metro will also bring an improvement to the urban landscape with the planting of trees while it will also serve major facilities such as hospitals.
To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com
Hotel Grande Bretagne: Celebrating 150 Years With Grand Experiences
Since its establishment in 1874, the Hotel Grande Bretagne, a distinguished member of the Luxury Collection, has stood as the epitome of Greek hospitality. It has written its history of timeless elegance, paralleling the evolution of Athens. As one of the world's few hotels boasting 150 years of continuous operation, it proudly holds the title of a landmark for Athenian society. Its reputation as a favored host for heads of state, royalty, and dignitaries remains unwavering over time.
Originally published in Greek, on: marieclaire.gr
4 Villages In Greece To Explore This October: Unique Hidden Gems
1. Papingo, Epirus
@smallfeetbigsteps
Unique Experiences:
- Hiking Vikos Gorge: The cool October air makes it the perfect time to hike down this breathtaking gorge.
- Thermal Springs: Enjoy a dip in the natural thermal pools near the village, known as “Kolymbithres.”
- Autumn Colors: The fall hues against the grey stone architecture create a stunning visual contrast.
@nickolas.bird
Unique Experiences:
- Mastic Harvesting: October is the tail-end of the mastic harvesting season. Visit local farms and learn about the centuries-old tradition of this unique resin, used in everything from cosmetics to culinary treats.
- Explore Fortified Alleys: Wander through the narrow, fortress-like streets, built to defend against pirate raids.
- Medieval Festival: If your timing is right, you might catch local celebrations that showcase the village’s rich history and culture.
@tzwrtzina_jojo
Unique Experiences:
- Explore Historic Areopoli: Stroll through the streets named after local heroes and visit the Church of the Archangels, where the revolution was first declared.
- Caves of Diros: Just a short drive away are the famous Diros Caves, where you can take an underground boat tour through stunning, water-filled caverns.
- Local Maniot Cuisine: Enjoy authentic Maniot dishes like syglino (smoked pork) and wild greens at local tavernas.
@giorgos_tzitzis
Perched on the slopes of Mount Olympus, Palaios Panteleimonas is a beautifully preserved traditional village with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. With its cobblestone streets and stone houses, the village offers an idyllic, peaceful retreat amid nature.
Unique Experiences:
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Mount Olympus Hiking: October is a perfect time to hike the lower slopes of Mount Olympus, enjoying the autumn colors and fresh mountain air.
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Sea and Mountain Views: From the village’s central square, you can soak in the stunning views of the coastline, making it a rare spot that combines mountain serenity with a sea view.
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Local Crafts: Palaios Panteleimonas is known for its local artisans. Browse traditional craft shops offering handmade items such as pottery, wood carvings, and textiles.
Smart Life Coaching – A Turk In Athens
The next morning after this announcement was made – I can still remember it very clearly – I woke up, sat in my bed and looked out the window. I said to myself, I am going to go to Greece! I had no friends there, no relatives, no prior connection… just a few business contacts that I’d done some work with. But the decision coming from my heart was so clear and I was so sure that without a second thought, I took my compensation package, booked myself a flight, rented an apartment online and enrolled in a language school for 3 months. Everything was ready, I was so excited and I had no idea what I was excited about!
This week we share an interview with Goncha. Thanks to our friend Rebecca from leavingcairo.com!
Goncha Papasotiriou is Turkish, married to a Greek and living in Athens. She runs Smart Life Coaching and I have to say, she’s good. Far from the ‘touchy feely’ approach that many people are quick to jump to the conclusion that coaching is all about, Goncha poses some interesting questions that can help you reach your own conclusions about whichever aspect of your life you feel you most need help with. She certainly helped me with “Leaving Cairo” and gaining the confidence to develop my site.
I decided I wanted to know more about Goncha and why she took this route.
Goncha, tell us about how you ended up in Greece.
That’s a great question Rebecca, because it’s a great way to show your international readers that we can do whatever we like with our lives, and if we aren’t able to find contentment in one place…., why not look for it somewhere else?
I studied as an economist and started my professional life as a ship sale & purchase broker in Istanbul.
As I was working in the highly competitive and glamorous shipping industry, my boss came up one day and said he had decided to retire. The company was going to shut down. I was going to get a severance package and continue working in the company that bought ours.
The next morning after this announcement was made – I can still remember it very clearly – I woke up, sat in my bed and looked out the window.
I said to myself, I am going to go to Greece!
I had no friends there, no relatives, no prior connection… just a few business contacts that I’d done some work with. But the decision coming from my heart was so clear and I was so sure that without a second thought, I took my compensation package, booked myself a flight, rented an apartment online and enrolled in a language school for 3 months. Everything was ready, I was so excited and I had no idea what I was excited about!
When I landed in Athens, it was a beautiful day in May.
A fellow broker picked me up at the airport and drove me to my apartment which I had never seen before. The apartment looked lovely with its antique furniture and high ceilings. My landlady handed in my keys and there started my life in Athens.
I started happily going about my days, learning the language and meeting new people. Among those new people was a man named Antonis, who would later become my husband. We met, fell in love almost instantaneously and spent a wonderful summer together. But, at the end of the summer it was time for me to leave Athens and go back to Istanbul…time to end the adventure. I had run out of money, visa and time. I had to go back home and look for a job. We parted in tears, promising to one another that this was not a break up. I went back home and felt sad, but at the same time I knew in my heart that this was not the end. Antonis would come and visit me every other weekend and several weeks passed like that…until one day
I received an e-mail from a London-based head-hunter company, informing me that a shipping giant was interested in offering me a great job, and would I prefer to work in Copenhagen or Athens??
Well, I’m sure you can imagine the answer – I returned to Athens with the biggest smile, started working in a beautiful office by the sea and a year later, Antonis and I were married.
To read the rest of the interview, please visit Bex's blog at leavingcairo.com
Until next week,
Jack
In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…
10 Great Spots to Sleep, Drink & Eat In Athens
As Greece gears up for a bumper tourist season, with over 21 million visitors expected this year, Athens is surfacing from austerity. Its cultural and night-life scene is blossoming as locals start up creative cooperatives or become city guides.
1. City Circus
Two friends ditched corporate careers to set up this hip hostel in Psirri, a central neighbourhood of lively meze joints and gift shops. With mid-century antiques, frescoed ceilings, and graffiti art, it's way cooler and cheaper than the average boutique hotel. Nine rooms in an annex open this summer, along with a bar/restaurant that will screen films and serve cheap cocktails. The roof terrace has dazzling Parthenon views.
• +30 213 0237 244, citycircus.gr, dorm beds from €15 a night
2. Alice Inn
Decent lodgings are surprisingly scarce in Plaka, the touristy old town. This stylish "three-and-a-half-room" guesthouse is the exception. Greek-Irish architect John Consolas has converted a crummy hostel into a cosy, art-filled bolthole. Consolas, who lives on site, is a laid-back host who makes guests (everyone from top DJs to IMF inspectors) feel like old friends.
• +30 210 323 7139, aliceinnathens.com, doubles from €50
3. Black Duck Garden
Modern Athens' first public park was the gardens at the City of Athens Museum, with palm trees and fountains. One palm tree survives in the secret garden behind the museum, which now hosts a sweet, summer-only bistro. An oasis of shady calm, it's a relaxing spot for brunch or coffee.
• +30 210 3252396, blackduckgarden.gr
To read more, please visit theguardian.com
