According to the company, through a consortium, it wishes to create over 10,000 new jobs in South East Europe in its first five to sever years of operation.
To read more, please visit en.protothema.gr
WELLNESS HUB
XpatAthens
Tuesday, 17 April 2018 07:00
New Ferry Connecting Ionian Islands To Begin May 2018
Travelers wishing to island hop through the Ionian islands this summer will be happy to learn a new ferry line connecting the islands will begin for the first time on May 1, 2018!
The Minister of Maritime Affairs announced the new route at the Regional Developmental Conference of the Ionian Islands. The High Speed Azimut Joy Cruises, which has a capacity of 260 passengers, will serve the new route.
Every Monday Wednesday and Friday the boat will depart from Corfu and call at Paxos, Lefkada (at the port of Vasiliki), Ithaki (Pisaetos), Kefalonia (Sami) and finally Zakynthos. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the boat will follow the reverse of the above route, departing from Zakynthos.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Monday, 23 March 2020 00:07
Excellent Documentaries To Watch With Your Kids
What are you watching tonight? This seems to be a very common question these days and in the weeks to come, parents will have to get really creative about keeping their children entertained!
How about some family-friendly documentaries!? They can be just as exciting and entertaining as narrative films but at the same time they're educational and powerful. This list of documentaries for kids will entertain, teach, captivate, and hopefully generate a lasting interest on the subject matter. Happy watching!
1. Planet Earth, Ages: 6+
Narrated by David Attenborough, each 50-minute episode in this 11-part, Emmy-winning series features a dazzling portrait of a geographical region or wildlife habitat. The far-flung locations and impossible moments with some of the world’s most astonishing creatures can help inspire respect for our planet and the desire to preserve our fragile ecosystem.
2. March of the Penguins, Ages: 6+
Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this blockbuster documentary tells the story of the emperor penguins in the South Pole, and their yearly mating ritual and harsh journeys to build a family. The imagery is stunning, the penguins adorable, and the story will help children understand animal behavior. Expect to cry, expect to feel deeply moved, and expect to hold your own family close.
3. Bears, Ages: 6+
This breathtaking documentary follows a mama bear and her three cubs as she teaches them how to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. What’s incredible about this film is that cameras go inside the bears’ den, allowing us to witness her cubs’ first moments. This is a great film for kids because it reinforces the mother-child bond in a way they’ve likely never seen.
4. Spellbound, Ages 8+
This documentary follows eight competitors participating in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee, showing how much kids train to compete, and how much families sacrifice for their wunderkind spellers.
5. Mad Hot Ballroom, Ages: 8+
How about some family-friendly documentaries!? They can be just as exciting and entertaining as narrative films but at the same time they're educational and powerful. This list of documentaries for kids will entertain, teach, captivate, and hopefully generate a lasting interest on the subject matter. Happy watching!
1. Planet Earth, Ages: 6+
Narrated by David Attenborough, each 50-minute episode in this 11-part, Emmy-winning series features a dazzling portrait of a geographical region or wildlife habitat. The far-flung locations and impossible moments with some of the world’s most astonishing creatures can help inspire respect for our planet and the desire to preserve our fragile ecosystem.
2. March of the Penguins, Ages: 6+
Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this blockbuster documentary tells the story of the emperor penguins in the South Pole, and their yearly mating ritual and harsh journeys to build a family. The imagery is stunning, the penguins adorable, and the story will help children understand animal behavior. Expect to cry, expect to feel deeply moved, and expect to hold your own family close.
3. Bears, Ages: 6+
This breathtaking documentary follows a mama bear and her three cubs as she teaches them how to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. What’s incredible about this film is that cameras go inside the bears’ den, allowing us to witness her cubs’ first moments. This is a great film for kids because it reinforces the mother-child bond in a way they’ve likely never seen.
4. Spellbound, Ages 8+
This documentary follows eight competitors participating in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee, showing how much kids train to compete, and how much families sacrifice for their wunderkind spellers.
5. Mad Hot Ballroom, Ages: 8+
Mad Hot Ballroom documents the lives of a few New York City students who are in a dancing competition sponsored by the American Ballroom Theatre. The kids learn how to dance and share their lives with the viewer. The film won a few awards and is funny, heartwarming, and legitimately dazzling.
6. The Last Lions, Ages: 8+
This African nature documentary film follows a story of survival, as a lioness faces an arduous battle to preserve the lives of herself and her three cubs. Emotional, eye-gripping, and magnificent it focuses on the burdens of parenthood in a lion family.
7. In the Shadow of the Moon, Ages: 9+
This African nature documentary film follows a story of survival, as a lioness faces an arduous battle to preserve the lives of herself and her three cubs. Emotional, eye-gripping, and magnificent it focuses on the burdens of parenthood in a lion family.
7. In the Shadow of the Moon, Ages: 9+
This documentary film about NASA's moon missions includes live interviews with the extraordinary astronauts who manned them, intertwining both history and science. The captivating movie is filled with magnificent footage from the most famous space journeys and it's sure to fascinate both you and your science-loving kids.
8. Life in the Undergrowth, Ages: 6+
Join David Attenborough on his ground-breaking exploration into a spectacular miniature universe never normally seen, but teeming all around us. Open your eyes to the bizarre, ferocious, and surprisingly beautiful world of the invertebrates and get acquainted with incredible life-forms and startling behaviors!
9. How It's Made, Ages: 7+
How It's Made is a documentary television series explaining how common, everyday items including clothing, accessories, food, industrial products, musical instruments, and sporting goods are manufactured. Curious kids and adults will learn a lot from the show, and some segments can really broaden their perspective.
10. The Incredible Human Journey, Ages: 9+
This five-part documentary series tells the incredible story of how humans left Africa to colonize the world. The fascinating series undertakes five epic journeys across the globe, tracing the ancient routes of our early ancestors to reveal the extraordinary and brutal challenges they faced. Using the latest genetic and archaeological evidence, it shows how humans gradually adapted, culturally and physiologically, in response to their environment.
Originally posted in Greek on InfoKids.gr
Originally posted in Greek on InfoKids.gr
Translated by Codico Lab
Published in
Kids
Tagged under
Tuesday, 06 October 2020 21:51
Open Plan: Autumn & Winter Activities Of Athens & Epidaurus Festival
This year, for the first time in its history, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival expands its activities throughout the autumn and winter season, introducing a series of research initiatives and collaborations, named after the well-known architectural term Open Plan; a term carrying connotations of open space, flow, freedom of thought and movement. As with open plan spaces, this set of initiatives launched by the Festival suggests a new way of being together, of breaking down boundaries and barriers.
The Festival events under the Open Plan umbrella – workshops, masterclasses, performances, webinars, and original artistic works – are addressed both to professional artists and to the public at large, regardless of age.
True to the flexible character of this new project, the majority of the Open Plan events are specially designed to be conducted online, digitally bridging the physical distance that separates us all due to the ongoing pandemic and bringing us all together in a virtual, open space, a terrain of creativity and exchange of ideas.
The Open Plan program, which is free of charge, fulfills three basic goals that pervade our entire programming. First of all, it gives us a foretaste of the Festival program that will be realized in the summer of 2021, in the form of two thematic sections that had already been announced in the original 2020 program, focusing on experimental and electronic music (Chronotopia, held in collaboration with the Berlin-based CTM Festival and Goethe-Institut Athen) and hip hop and street dance culture (Layers of Street). Secondly, the program brings attention to ancient drama, connecting it with contemporary art and daily practice. Thirdly, Open Plan caters to artists (directors, dancers, actors, choreographers, musicians, dramaturges, etc.) and their longing to be active again and hone their tools amid this year’s difficult circumstances. Last but not least, Open Plan is also targeted at a broader audience of all ages, encouraging them to create their own works of art. By eliminating the distance between artists and audiences, by foregrounding creativity and artistic research as fields of expression accessible by everyone, the program aspires to foster a creatively engaged audience that will jointly shape the Festival’s artistic identity.
These events will be held at Hall B of Peiraios 260, in the process reanimating a venue that has been inactive this year – a largely symbolic gesture for culture professionals, who have been dealt a heavy blow by the pandemic.
Published in
Events In Athens
Tagged under
Saturday, 09 July 2022 20:25
Embassy & Consulate Of Great Britain
The British Embassy in Athens maintains and develops relations between the UK and Greece and is open to the public by appointment only.
For more information visit the embassy's official website
Published in
Embassies
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Tuesday, 30 January 2024 14:33
10 English Words You Didn't Know Had Greek Origins
Language is an ever-evolving entity, perpetually shaped by diverse influences and borrowing from the rich tapestry of human history. English, as a melting pot of linguistic influences, serves as a vibrant testament to this dynamic process. Among the numerous languages contributing to its lexicon, Greek stands out as a venerable source, its roots extending deep into the corridors of antiquity.
The Greek language stands as one of the oldest and most influential linguistic sources in history. Its enduring legacy has not only shaped the cultural and philosophical landscape but has also gifted the world with a myriad of words. From everyday vocabulary to scientific terminology, the Greek language has left an indelible mark on the way we communicate.
Let's take a look at 10 common English words you may not know are of Greek origin!
Museum: The word "museum" comes from the Greek "Mouseion," which referred to a temple or a place dedicated to the Muses, the goddesses of the arts and sciences in Greek mythology. Museums, as we know them today, are institutions that house and display artistic, historical, and scientific artifacts.
Cynic: When you describe someone as cynical, you're tapping into the Greek philosophy of the Cynics. "Kynikos" in Greek means "dog-like," and the Cynics were followers of an ancient philosophical school that believed in living a simple, virtuous life in accordance with nature.
Panic: The term "panic" has its origins in Greek mythology. Pan, the Greek god of the wild, was believed to instill sudden fear in travelers in isolated areas. The intense, sudden fear associated with Pan's presence gave rise to the word "panic" in English.
Chaos: In Greek mythology, Chaos refers to the formless, shapeless void that existed before the creation of the universe. The English word "chaos" adopted this concept to describe a state of utter confusion or disorder.
Aesthetic: When we talk about aesthetic appreciation, we are drawing on the Greek word "aisthesis," which means "perception" or "sensation." Aesthetics involves the study of beauty and artistic principles.
Therapy: Derived from the Greek word "therapeia," meaning healing or medical treatment, "therapy" in English refers to the treatment of a physical or mental ailment through various methods, emphasizing the healing aspect.
Elixir: From the Greek word "xērion," meaning powder for drying wounds, "elixir" in English refers to a magical or medicinal potion believed to have the power to prolong life.
Problem: The word "problem" comes from the Greek word "problema," which means a task, a question, or a puzzle. In ancient Greece, a problem was a mathematical proposition for consideration.
Tomb: The English word "tomb" has its roots in the Greek word "tymbos" and the Latin word "tumulus," both referring to a burial mound or a grave. Over time, the term evolved into its current usage to describe a place for the dead, often marked by a monument or structure.
Priest: The term "priest" comes from the Old English word "preost," which is ultimately derived from the Latin "presbyter" and the Greek "presbyteros." In the Christian context, it refers to an elder or a minister of a Christian church.
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
Tagged under
Wednesday, 02 July 2025 14:30
Maria Polydorou - Yoga Instructor & Wellness Advocate
My journey began in the world of shipping and business, but the demands of that fast-paced life eventually led me to seek deeper meaning and balance. This search brought me to yoga, meditation, and holistic healing. What started as a personal practice soon transformed into a heartfelt calling: to guide others toward healing, self-awareness, and inner peace.
I am a certified yoga teacher, meditation and pranayama guide, Bach flower remedies practitioner, and Somatic Experiencing practitioner. Over the years, I’ve pursued extensive training in restorative yoga, trauma-informed approaches, and the therapeutic aspects of yoga and Ayurveda.
With compassion and clarity, I hold space for those who wish to reconnect with their bodies, heal from trauma, break free from limiting patterns, and reclaim their self-worth. By blending body-based wisdom with strategic insight, I support individuals on their journey toward emotional clarity, fulfillment, and awakening.
My work is an invitation to remember who we truly are, to rediscover the magic woven into everyday life, and to live with courage, authenticity, and love.
You can find me here: www.somadhiyogalab.gr
My Certifications
* 300-hour foundational yoga teacher training with Swami Nirvikalpa (Olga Alexiou) and Mahatman (Michalis Evaggelidis), including an introduction to meditation techniques and retreat organization. During this time, I also had the opportunity to study at the Bihar School of Yoga in India.
* 300 hours of advanced training with Mahatman, focusing on restorative yoga, the healing aspects of yoga and Ayurveda, and clinical yoga. I also completed my teaching practicum with him, both as a teacher of students and as a trainer of future teachers (Train the Trainer).
* 90-hour Prenatal Yoga training with Gaia Laskou
* Thai Yoga Massage at Sunshine House (with Krisnatakis & Alexandros Petridis)
* 90-hour Budokon Yoga at the Budokon University of Mixed Movement Arts
* Nada Yoga – the yoga of sound
* Anatomy and yoga class sequencing
* Raja Yoga – the yoga of the mind, including meditative practices
* The phases of womanhood: Conversations with the Womb
* Train the Trainer (instructional design and teaching methods)
* Yoga for Children
* Personal coaching and career counseling at the Vocational Training Center of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
* Facilitator Training with Kommunikationslotsen
* Ongoing studies in Somatic Experiencing (Peter Levine's method)
* Trauma-Informed Yoga with Hala Khouri
* Bach Remedies and Mental Health with Gaia Dimitriou
For more information visit: www.somadhiyogalab.gr
Published in
Wellness Professionals
Tagged under
Wednesday, 04 March 2026 16:04
Common Questions Expats Ask When Moving To Greece
Moving to a new country is an exciting chapter, but navigating the administrative labyrinth of Greece can quickly become overwhelming. From understanding your tax residency to managing local banking requirements, the "rules of the road" are often more manual and complex than they appear at first glance. To help you settle in with confidence, we’ve compiled the most frequent questions we receive from the expat community.
To ensure you get the most reliable information, we partnered with TaxWise Greece, who have provided professional replies to all the questions below. Their team specializes in bridging the gap between international expectations and Greek regulatory reality, ensuring that your transition is legally sound and stress-free!
Do I really need a Greek bank account?Legally? No. Practically? Yes.
If you are a Greek tax resident, you must spend at least 30% of your declared income electronically. If you do not meet this threshold, you will pay additional income tax on the uncovered amount.
Greek banks automatically transmit your electronic transactions to the tax system. Foreign banks do not. Tax refunds are credited only to a Greek IBAN.
If you are a Greek tax resident, you must spend at least 30% of your declared income electronically. If you do not meet this threshold, you will pay additional income tax on the uncovered amount.
Greek banks automatically transmit your electronic transactions to the tax system. Foreign banks do not. Tax refunds are credited only to a Greek IBAN.
Can I just use my foreign bank card in Greece?
You can, but foreign transactions are not automatically reported. You may need to provide bank statements manually every year. For simplicity and compliance, using a Greek bank account is strongly recommended.
Is a handwritten rental agreement enough?
No. Rental contracts must be uploaded electronically by the landlord and accepted by you in the tax system.
Without an official online lease:
- Utility bills may remain in the landlord’s name
- You cannot easily prove tax residency
- You may face issues with benefits or contracts
Uploading a lease does not automatically update your tax address. You must update it separately.
Without an official online lease:
- Utility bills may remain in the landlord’s name
- You cannot easily prove tax residency
- You may face issues with benefits or contracts
Uploading a lease does not automatically update your tax address. You must update it separately.
If I change my passport, will the Greek authorities know?
No. Passport authorities in your home country are not connected to the Greek tax registry. You must update your passport details with the tax office, your bank, and other institutions.
Do I automatically become a tax resident when I move?
No. Tax residency must be formally declared and processed. Moving countries does not automatically change your tax status.
Can I delete my Greek tax number (AFM) if I leave?
No. Your AFM is permanent and remains valid for life. Only your status changes (resident, non-resident, married, self-employed, etc.).
What is AMKA? Do I get it automatically?
No. AMKA is issued only if you work in Greece, pay social contributions, or are covered through a spouse. Living in Greece alone does not entitle you to an AMKA.
Do tax returns in Greece fill themselves automatically?
Partially. Some data is pre-filled. However, expats with foreign income, double taxation issues, or special tax regimes require professional review.
What is the biggest mistake expats make?
Assuming that Greek administrative systems are interconnected and automatic. They are not. Most updates must be declared manually.
Need Expert Guidance?
Navigating the Greek tax system doesn't have to be a DIY project. If you have more specific questions or need professional assistance with your residency, AFM, or annual filings, you can get in touch with TaxWise Greece here!
Their highly capable team specializes in expat transitions, ensuring you stay fully compliant while avoiding the common pitfalls of the Greek administrative system. Whether you are a digital nomad, a retiree, or a new resident, they provide the clarity and support you need to feel at home in Greece!
Published in
Accounting & Taxes
Tagged under
Thursday, 05 February 2015 15:06
The Weekend Away
Spring days and sunshine make everyone feel great. They also make many of us feel like leaving the city for the great mini-escape of the weekend away. Often referred to as a day trip, a road trip, a long weekend or the cryptic ‘some time away’, I’m talking about basically a couple days off, where you jump in your car, go somewhere nearby and feel like you have well and truly been on holiday.
This past weekend was just like that. We threw a few things in a bag on Friday afternoon, filled up the gas tank, and took off. Destination: the island of Poros.
We have all heard of the island chain nearest Athens – the Argo-Saronic islands of Aegina, Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Salamina. These are close enough to Athens to make a single day trip ferry crossing (morning to evening) absolutely easy and a real pleasure. There are numerous companies offering ‘one day cruises’ to 2-3 of these islands, leaving from Piraeus or Flisvos – also well worth it, especially with out-of-town friends.
We decided to head for Poros, but not via Piraeus. We drove around the coast into the Peloponnese, past Corinth, through Epidauros, and ended up 2 hours later and after a breathtaking coastal drive in the little town of Galata. Galata, as it happens, is directly across from Poros, not more than 300m across a narrow strait, with ferries and water taxis taking you across every 15 minutes, all night long… The ferries take you over with your car (€5.00 for car + 2 passengers), or the water taxis take you over if you are on foot (€1.00).
We stayed in Galata on the mainland, only because I found a good deal on hotel rooms. It’s equally convenient to stay on either side of the strait – find a place that you like and book it.
Poros is a lovely island – small, relaxed, quaint and home to lots of mooring yachts and sailboats. I would not call it ‘posh’, but it was certainly a nice place to be. It really came alive at night (as does most of Greece!), when everyone was out to enjoy a nice meal and a wander around the town. It’s an easy place to stay, it feels like a Greek island, and it’s even a place that families with young kids would enjoy. A ‘no brainer’ destination, as I like to say – no thought needed, just go.
After 24 hours there, and feeling ambitious about my Sunday, we decided to take the scenic route home, driving further along into Porto Heli (really liked!) and parking the car in the tiny port of Kosta, before jumping on the 15 minute ferry across to Spetses. Yes, 15 minutes and €2.00 to cross. Another no brainer.
Spetses is even a cut above Poros – lots of nice shops, a bit of a ‘higher end’ feel, no cars (99%...) and seemingly plenty to do in terms of beaches, activities. But we stayed 2-3 hours, had a nice coffee and a bite of lunch, wandered around and snapped some picture, and then headed back across to my car. The drive back to Athens from Kosta took about 2.5 hours, but still an easy drive – and I must say another beautiful picturesque drive.
The point is this: these islands are nice, they are easy to get to, and you wouldn't need to spend more than a day or two there – so maybe it’s time to plan your next weekend away? If you’ve been, you know what I mean. If you’ve never been, you should.
I didn’t mention the other constant element of the Weekend Away: the fact that most other people had the same idea, and that the traffic leaving the city was almost enough to make me want to turn back.
Almost.
Until next week,
Jack
Athens One Day Cruises
http://onedaycruise.gr/
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…
Published in
My Week In Athens
Tagged under
Wednesday, 18 February 2015 10:53
Visit Preveza
Location. The city is located on the coastline of the Ionian sea. An immersed tunnel connects Preveza with Aktion on the opposite. The town has a vigorous insular character and charms the visitor with its cosmopolitan air. In a few minutes or just a couple of hours you can have access to all the Ionian Islands plus Italy (Lefkada Island is just 20 minutes away).
The city is accessible by land, sea and air. The Greek government plans to facelift the area within the next few years. This includes development of major highways that will connect Preveza with other major Greek cities and northern Europe, development of athletic centers and creation of the biggest archeological park in Europe.
Climate. This city is blessed with over 300 days of brilliant sunshine a year. The winters are mild and the summers are warm cooled by a system of seasonal winds. From May to October it rarely rains.
Natural beauties. Turquoise waters, extended coast line, breathtaking scenery. Only pictures can show the magnitude of this beautiful place.
Eco-tourism. Almost 35 klm away from Preveza you will find the Rodia Wetland Center which promotes eco-tourism and activities to promote the protection of the environment, within the wetlands of the Ambracian gulf.
Live there all year round. Many islands and major tourist destinations in Greece are empty during the winter months. This is not the case with Preveza. The city is full of life that offers a variety of services to locals and visitors. Preveza hosts thousands of students in its newly developed University.
Safety. Where else in the world can you see your children or grandchildren playing at 11 o'clock at night with their friends, without worrying that something bad might happen to them? Nowhere else. Preveza is considered one of the safest places on earth.
Airport. Preveza's airport is the only airport in Greece except the international airport in Athens that offers two separate lanes for landing and departure for extra security. Daily flights connect Preveza with major Greek and European destinations. Most European flights are direct and you do not have to connect to the city through Athens as occurs with other major Greek cities and islands.
To read more, please visit ionianbreeze.gr
Published in
Travel Greece
Tagged under
Thursday, 19 February 2015 12:39
Burger King Expands- Includes Greece In Its Plans
Burger King Worldwide entered into a joint venture and increases its presence in Europe. According to AP, Burger King already has fast food chains in Italy, Poland, Romania, and its objective is to further expand into these markets. Its plans of aggressive development, however, include Greece.
Published in
Greece In The News
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