WELLNESS HUB
XpatAthens
Athens Pride Festival Takes Central Syntagma Square
From Ancient Greece - How The Oligarchy Wins
Women Living With A Chronic Disease & The Economic Disadvantages
I need your help with a huge favour. For the EuHIC Congress I have planned a unique and informative session titled: "Women living with a chronic disease and the economic disadvantages“
Living with a chronic disease is like having a second job and I am convinced we are all aware of that. There are lots of discussions and decisions to make. It is also important for us to live independently.But what is with us women living with a chronic disease?
I have spoken and chatted with women across Europe who live with chronic diseases. In my experience it is difficult for most of these women to live with the daily burden of their disease, to find a good job, have a good life and also be well insured
Living with a disease requires more money.
Alternative therapy options are not always reimbursed by health insurances, for example special foods, clothes and lots of other things are often more expensive than their “normal life” equivalents.With a lower budget, there is a higher risk of social isolation, depression or the disease progressing and symptoms increasing.
In order to show real results and create awareness I want to carry out this session and I need answers. Please take part in my survey and motivate other women to answer.
For changing the perspective and create a shift.
Thank you very much for your support and help.
Every voice is highly appreciated!
Birgit Bauer
Christmas Festivities At Hotel Grande Bretagne And King George
Eleonas Holiday Houses In Messinia
The accommodations are well spread out on extensive grounds, surrounded by olive trees and all built with privacy in mind. A wonderful place for a holiday experience that combines the best in hospitality, unspoilt nature, magnificent landscape, a unique ecosystem, the ultimate climate, and some of the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea!
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary
About the SNFCC
The SNFCC is an international, environmentally sustainable public space for expression, culture, and recreation. The creation of the SNFCC was initiated by SNF and executed with an exclusive grant from the Foundation and the cornerstone of the more than $750 million in support SNF has allocated to the project in total. It includes the facilities of the National Library of Greece (NLG) and the Greek National Opera (GNO), as well as the 40-acre Stavros Niarchos Park.
From the inception of the idea for the creation of the SNFCC through the cultural institution’s fifth anniversary, SNF gave a total of $739 million toward the project through several grants. This amount primarily went to the construction of the SNFCC but also supported operational and programming costs for its first five years, following the commitment SNF made during the delivery of the SNFCC to the Greek state. In addition, SNF’s support has gone to programs for the development of the SNFCC and to infrastructure projects beyond the original design.
The idea for the SNFCC originated in 1998, with SNF’s decision to support the construction of new facilities for the NLG and the GNO. From these disparate plans and with the opportunities offered by the site allocated for the project in the Municipality of Kallithea came an exciting opportunity for a cultural, educational, and environmental “Triple Project.” This would include the new NLG and GNO facilities, as well as the creation of a major urban green space, Stavros Niarchos Park.
Stavros Spyrou Niarchos (Greek: Σταύρος Σπύρου Νιάρχος, 3 July 1909 – 15 April 1996) was a Greek billionaire shipping tycoon. Starting in 1952, he had the world’s biggest supertankers built for his fleet. Propelled by both the Suez Crisis and increasing demand for oil, he and rival Aristotle Onassis became giants in global petroleum shipping.
The video to celebrate its 5th anniversary
On the occasion of this anniversary, a video was created, “My Face” written by Giannis Asteris, directed by Andreas Loukakos, and voiced by Harry Frangoulis. The video also stars Angel Martinez Sanchez, a dancer of the National Opera Ballet. The video was created in collaboration with the National Opera and the National Library of Greece and is in Greek.
To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com
Travel + Leisure Magazine Includes Hotels Grande Bretagne & King George In World’s Best List 2022
Always Grand | 150 Years of Flavors
A culinary journey through 150 years of history awaits gastronomy lovers at the Winter Garden City Lounge, until December 31st
Celebrating 150 years of culinary excellence, the Hotel Grande Bretagne marks this milestone with the new anniversary menu "Always Grand|150 Years of Flavors", signed by the twice Michelin-starred Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis. 
From November 6th until December 31st, 2024, guests have the opportunity to enjoy a special gastronomic journey at the Winter Garden City Lounge of the historic Hotel, inspired by the urban culture of old Athens.
Reviving recipes from the mid-20th century, the menu highlights the culinary heritage of the iconic Hotel, with dishes that starred in historic events during its 150 Years of continuous operation. From the authentic “Athinaiki” salad, a symbol of the urban cuisine of the 1970s and the impressive Shrimp fountain to the renowned 'Vol-au-Vent', emanating the elegance of French cuisine, the dishes evoke memories of another era. Paying tribute to the Greek tradition, the menu includes ‘lahanodolmades’ (cabbage rolls), while desserts such as nougatine, which traveled from the great European courtyards to the Athenian salons, complete the unparalleled journey from the past to the present, captivating even the most discerning palates. 
Guests can also enjoy the anniversary afternoon tea, masterfully curated by Pastry Chef Alexandros Koufas, adding a nostalgic touch of authentic Athenian glamour.
Discover the anniversary menu "Always Grand|150 Years of Flavors", an exciting culinary journey that uniquely connects the past with the present, through unique dishes that remain classic and beloved.
Summer In Greece Through the Lens Of Iconic Films
Mamma Mia! (2008) – Skopelos & Skiathos

No list would be complete without this feel-good musical. Set on the fictional island of Kalokairi, the real filming locations were the lush Sporades islands of Skopelos and Skiathos. Think whitewashed chapels perched on dramatic cliffs (remember the wedding scene?), sun-drenched beaches, and winding cobblestone paths that invite spontaneous singing. Even if ABBA isn’t your thing, the scenery alone is enough to book a ferry.
@loucosporviagem
The Big Blue (1988) – Amorgos

This cult classic by Luc Besson isn't just a story about free diving—it's a deep, meditative ode to the Aegean Sea. Filmed in Amorgos, especially around the iconic Monastery of Hozoviotissa, the film captures the surreal tranquility and mysticism of the Greek islands like no other. The island’s raw, untouched beauty and azure waters have gained a loyal following thanks to the film.
@turigaltravels
Before Midnight (2013) – Messinia, Peloponnese

The third film in Richard Linklater’s beloved trilogy brings Jesse and Celine to the sun-drenched olive groves and ancient stone houses of Messinia, in the southern Peloponnese. It's a quieter, more grounded look at Greece—one steeped in history, conversation, and golden hour light. If you're craving a trip that’s more about connection and less about crowds, this one's your aesthetic.
@nikos.tsiak
The Two Faces of January (2014) – Athens, Crete

A psychological thriller set in 1960s Greece, this film takes you from the majestic ruins of the Acropolis to the sun-bleached alleys of Chania, Crete. If you're fascinated by old-world intrigue and neoclassical elegance, this film paints a rich visual portrait of Greece beyond the islands.
@simytravelphotos
Mediterraneo (1991) – Kastellorizo

This Italian Oscar-winning film is a hidden gem set on the tiny Dodecanese island of Kastellorizo (also known as Megisti). It tells the story of a group of Italian soldiers stranded on a Greek island during WWII, where they slowly fall under the island’s peaceful spell. The film beautifully captures the laid-back pace of Greek island life, with pastel-colored houses, quiet harbors, and a sense of suspended time. A perfect watch if you're looking for something slow, sun-soaked, and soulful.
@nikospar1969
Films do more than entertain—they shape the way we dream about places. They give us moodboards for our own adventures. Whether you're hopping on a ferry to Skopelos, sipping wine in the Peloponnese, or simply rewatching these classics from your sofa, each of these films offers a unique lens on Greece in summer.
This season, let cinema inspire your compass for exploration!
The Best Easter Getaways Around Athens
We’ve rounded up the most charming Easter escapes close to Athens, so you can soak up this truly special atmosphere while discovering the beautiful surroundings too.

@travelgreece
Good Friday sets the tone, with the blessing of the epitaph from the Kamini area and its solemn immersion in the sea, a tradition dating back to 1923 and believed to protect sailors on their journeys. After a long island‑wide procession and the careful decoration of the churches by locals and visitors alike, the spiritual atmosphere settles in. Holy Week naturally culminates on Easter Sunday afternoon at Hydra’s port, right in front of the Merchant Marine School, with the spectacular burning of Judas, a life‑sized straw‑stuffed effigy prepared well before the celebrations begin, its left hand clenched except for one pointed finger holding a purse filled with the infamous thirty silver coins.

@dionisisphotography
On Lazarus Saturday, women and children knead the traditional lazaraki breads while singing, and from that moment the aroma of freshly baked tsoureki mingles beautifully with the fragrance of blossoming trees. Good Friday brings a moving procession of psalms, choirs and lanterns, as the epitaphs from the city’s four churches weave through the streets before gathering together in Syntagma Square. And to crown the celebrations, make sure you catch the fireworks lighting up the sky on Resurrection night.

@idiscover.gr
Yet there’s so much more to explore: six museums and galleries, including the Archaeological Museum of Tinos, the iconic Venetian‑era dovecotes scattered across the landscape, and a constellation of charming little villages perfect for wandering. On Tuesday, treat yourself to the island’s flower‑shaped Easter cheese pies, made with soft unsalted cheese. Good Friday brings one of Tinos’ most touching traditions, when the island’s single women bless the Epitaph of Agios Nikolaos before it is carried to the sea in a candlelit, flower‑strewn procession. In Chora Square, surrounded by sung prayers, the Epitaph glows dramatically as torches ignite around it. And the next morning, with shops closed until noon in mourning of Christ’s death, you’ve got the perfect excuse to slow down and savour the island’s peaceful rhythm!
Prefer to celebrate Easter in the capital this year?
We’ve found the spots that offer a truly authentic city experience!

@okiem_turystki
The magic begins weeks earlier, when groups of women gather each afternoon to hollow out thousands of oranges, storing the peels in freezers until the celebrations. By Good Friday, families decorate their homes and shopfronts with these glowing lanterns, ready for the Epitaphios procession. As candlelight fills the streets, the air turns deliciously sweet as the orange peels scorch and caramelise, adding an almost fairytale touch to the evening. Against the backdrop of Leonidio’s elegant 19th‑century stone mansions, the whole scene feels utterly enchanting.

@katerina_ourgi
And as if that weren’t tempting enough, the town is renowned for its delicious local dishes, quality meat products and traditional tavernas, making it an ideal spot to savour both nature and flavour in one easy getaway.

@giorgos_petakos

@island_wanders_by_kostopoulos