XpatAthens

XpatAthens

With low pollution levels and CO2 emissions, Rhodes has been crowned as the world's most sustainable tourist destination, according to a survey by DiscoverCars.com, with Santorini coming in fourth.

Researchers explored a number of ranking factors in order to discover which of this year’s trending holiday destinations are the most sustainable.

They used the following criteria: closest airport, climate impact (in terms of CO2 emissions by a round flight from London Heathrow to the destination), hotels with electric vehicle charging points, the number of vegan restaurants and nature spots, and pollution levels.

Rhodes scored 67 points out of 100, ahead of Spain’s Ibiza (64) and Majorca (63). Santorini also scored 63.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

Main image: @lindos.rhodes.greece
Athens airport has been crowned the ultimate best in Europe according to rankings from user review ratings on Google compiled by Holidu, a British search engine for holiday rentals.

Being Greece’s main and largest airport, the Eleftherios Venizelos – Athens International Airport scored a whopping 4.4 stars out of 5 from 24,467 reviews.

The ratings placed the airport in top position outcompeting Zürich Airport -Switzerland, Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport – Portugal, Alicante International Airport – Spain, and Malta International Airport in second to fifth positions, respectively.

What is outstanding about Athens Airport?

Located thirty-three kilometers away from the city center, Athens International Airport according to user ratings, “has so much to offer its travelers” revealed Holidu.

In case of a layover, passengers at Athens Airport “can enjoy baggage storage options, airport lounges, archaeological artifacts exhibitions, and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes,” Holidu said.

The airport also offers a conducive play area for children and a health and wellness center, which make makes it outstanding for travelers in Europe.

The above qualities crown the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport the European aviation giant base for many travelers.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com


In recent years, the rise of digital nomadism has transformed the way we work and travel. With the freedom to work remotely, individuals are no longer tethered to traditional office spaces but instead seek out destinations that offer both professional opportunities and an enriching lifestyle. Among the myriad of options, Greece stands out, offering a perfect blend of culture, convenience, and inspiration.

 
 
1. Breathtaking Scenery and Inspiring Landscapes
 
Greece's diverse landscape, from the azure waters of its islands to the rugged mountains of the mainland, provides an idyllic backdrop for remote work. Imagine starting your day with a sunrise over the Aegean Sea or typing away on your laptop amidst the tranquility of an olive grove. The country's natural beauty fosters creativity and productivity, making it an ideal workspace for digital nomads seeking inspiration.

2. Cultural Riches & Historic Charm

Greece's rich history and vibrant culture add depth to the digital nomad experience. Explore ancient ruins, wander through picturesque villages, or experience the bustling energy of urban centers like Athens and Thessaloniki. Every corner of Greece tells a story, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery during your downtime.

3. Affordable Cost of Living

Compared to other European countries, Greece boasts a relatively affordable cost of living, making it attractive to budget-conscious digital nomads. From accommodation to dining out, daily expenses are reasonable, allowing remote workers to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank. Whether you prefer a cozy apartment in the heart of a bustling city or a quaint seaside retreat, Greece offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget.

4. Warm Hospitality & Sense of Community

Greeks are known for their warm hospitality and strong sense of community, creating a welcoming environment for digital nomads. Whether you're networking with local entrepreneurs or connecting with fellow remote workers at co-working spaces, you'll find ample opportunities to forge meaningful connections and expand your professional network. The spirit of philoxenia, or hospitality, runs deep in Greek culture, ensuring that you'll always feel at home in this vibrant country.

5. High-Quality Infrastructure & Connectivity

In today's digital age, reliable internet connectivity is essential for remote work, and Greece delivers on this front. Major cities and popular tourist destinations offer high-speed internet access, allowing digital nomads to stay connected and productive wherever they go. Moreover, numerous co-working spaces dot the major cities, providing not only excellent internet connectivity but also a conducive environment for focused work. Additionally, Greece's modern infrastructure ensures a seamless experience for remote workers navigating the country.

6. A Healthy Work-Life Balance

Greece's laid-back lifestyle and emphasis on leisure contribute to a healthy work-life balance for digital nomads. Take breaks to savor delicious Greek cuisine, soak up the Mediterranean sun on pristine beaches, or partake in outdoor activities like hiking and sailing. With its emphasis on living life to the fullest, Greece encourages digital nomads to strike a harmonious balance between work and leisure, fostering overall well-being and happiness.

Whether you're seeking inspiration, community, or simply a change of scenery, Greece welcomes remote workers with open arms, inviting them to embark on a transformative journey of work, exploration, and personal growth. So pack your bags, fire up your laptop, and get ready to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle in the land of gods and legends.

If you're aspiring to become a successful digital nomad in Greece,
check out this article for valuable tips and insights.

Thursday, 21 November 2024 11:40

The Most Unique Museums In Greece

It’s no surprise that Greece is a country full of surprises. Beyond its iconic ruins, crystal-clear waters, and sun-drenched islands lies a treasure trove of quirky and unconventional museums. These hidden gems showcase the country's eccentric side, offering fascinating insights into unique aspects of Greek history, culture, and creativity. From ancient inventions to mushroom displays, these museums are anything but ordinary. If you’re ready to step off the beaten path, here are some of the weirdest museums in Greece that will leave you intrigued and inspired.

1. The Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production – Lesvos

olive oil production
Credit: piop.gr

While olive oil is a staple of Greek culture, this museum on the island of Lesvos takes it to another level. Housed in a restored industrial building, it explores the history and evolution of olive oil production, showcasing vintage machinery and offering insights into the island's olive-related heritage. It’s a mix of industrial history and cultural tradition, but its specificity makes it delightfully unusual.

Admission Fee: €4 for adults, €2 for students and seniors
Days & Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays) 10:00 - 17:00.

Plan Your Visit!

2. The Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum – Kalambaka

mouseio fysikis istorias meteoron ekthesi
Credit: meteoramuseum.gr

Located near the iconic Meteora monasteries, this museum combines two very different themes: wildlife and mushrooms. The mushroom section is especially unique, with displays of hundreds of species, including incredibly lifelike models. You can also sample mushroom-based products in the museum shop—truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Admission Fee: €6 for adults, €5 for children, students, educators and seniors
Days & Hours: Monday - Friday: 09:00- 17:00, Saturday & Sunday: 10:00-18:00

Plan Your Visit!
 
3. The Museum of Marble Crafts – Tinos

GR PIOP 1151202 3643
Credit: piop.gr
 
Tinos is renowned for its marble art, but this museum dives deep into the craft itself. It showcases tools, techniques, and the process of marble extraction and carving. The level of detail and focus on this single material makes it both fascinating and oddly specific, appealing to art enthusiasts and curious minds alike.

Admission Fee: €4 for adults, €2 for students and seniors
Days & Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays) 10:00 - 17:00.

Plan Your Visit!

4. The Silversmithing Museum – Ioannina

Image 21 11 24 at 12.10 PM
Credit: piop.gr

Nestled within the castle of Ioannina, this museum delves into the region’s rich tradition of silversmithing. While it sounds niche, the intricate craftsmanship and the historical depth of silver art make it an unexpected gem—and a little quirky for those unfamiliar with this art form.

Admission Fee: €4 for adults, €2 for students and seniors
Days & Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays) 10:00 - 17:00.
5. The Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology – Katakolo & Athens


Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Athens 820x410
Credit: kotsanas.com
 
Explore the weird and wonderful inventions of the ancient Greeks! This museum showcases functional reconstructions of ancient technologies, including the automatic servant, war machines, and even an early alarm clock. It’s a fascinating peek into the ingenuity of ancient Greece that feels surprisingly modern.

Admission Fee: €5 - €14
Days & Hours: Please click here to view the opening hours. 

Plan Your Visit To The Athens Museum!

6. The Museum of the Kalavrita Holocaust – Kalavrita

phoca thumb l school 13
Credit: dmko.gr

This museum may not be "weird" in a lighthearted way, but its deeply specific focus on the Kalavrita massacre during World War II makes it unique. Through haunting exhibits, photos, and personal accounts, it documents one of the darkest chapters in Greek history. While somber, it’s a powerful and important experience for those looking to explore Greece’s lesser-known history.

Admission Fee: General Admission: 4.00 € Reduced Ticket: 2.00€
Days & Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 09:00 - 16:00.

Main image: The Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production – Lesvos 
 

Thursday, 17 July 2025 11:00

One Day Wellness Retreat In Athens

Ongoing - All levels Restorative Techniques, Gently Movements and Breathing Exercises followed by Sound Healing will be performed in this Retreat. Sound healing is a unique type of sound practice that involves using Therapeutic Sounds to bring about Healing.

What will we do? - Earth practices (movements with focus on deep awareness & release), Breath re-pattering & Sound Healing.
 
Most people who participate in this retreat are lying down on mats. Add a pillow and a blanket and all you’ll need to do is rest in a comfortable position. If you desire to release any unhealthy physical patterns & tensions, to cultivate a deep sense of Calmness and Gratitude, to reconnect to your inner Wisdom & Intuitive Power, this will be the best retreat for you.

Sound Therapy has long been used to manage a broad range of health conditions. The treatments are based on the understanding that all forms of matter – including our body’s cells – vibrate at different frequencies. Factors such as stress, depression and disease cause cells and organs within our bodies to vibrate at non-optimal frequencies.

Benefits of Sound Healing include; deep relaxation, pain relief, decreased inflammation, reduced stress, improved sleep and better immune system.

This retreat will be specified on your specific need and any regarding health issues. Sound Therapy has long been used to manage a broad range of health conditions. The treatments are based on the understanding that all forms of matter – including our body’s cells – vibrate at different frequencies. Factors such as stress, depression and disease cause cells and organs within our bodies to vibrate at non-optimal frequencies.

Most people who participate in Gong Baths are lying down on meditation mats. Add a pillow and a blanket and all you’ll need to do is rest in a comfortable position, relax and close your eyes. Your instructor will guide you through the session. Initially, the Gong is played very softly; as the meditation session progresses, the volume is gradually increased.

Since the purpose of the meditation Gong Sound is Healing, the volume is never upped to uncomfortable levels. The Gong Sound is changed frequently to avoid producing a fixed, monotonous rhythm. The auditory stimuli of the Gong Bath process lead to entrainment, a form of beneficially modified brainwave frequencies.

The first brainwave state to be reached is alpha, which is defined by frequencies between 8 and 12 Hz. Alpha brainwaves are associated with creativity and feelings of relaxation. In this state, people experience daydreams, associative thinking and an animated imagination. This state is quickly followed by an influx of theta brainwaves, which fall between 4 and 7 Hz. Normally, the theta brainwave state is associated with deep meditation, hypnosis and REM sleep.

Gong sound therapy has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, enthusiasts believe that gong baths can help reduce stress and liberate emotional blockages. Scientific evidence suggests that certain forms of sound therapy prompt damaged human DNA strands to repair themselves. Some tones are thought to promote vitality and healing, and also to enhance happiness. Many alternative healthcare clinics offer sound therapies such as gong meditation to help manage various ailments.

When: Monday to Friday

Where: Ananda Retreats Greece in Athens
Email: elinakourtali@gmail.com
Contact number: 6943412455

Organizer: Elina Kourtali
Organizer's Linkhttps://elinakourtali.com/ananda-retreats-greece/

Ongoing One Day Wellness Retreat In Athens3

Wednesday, 18 February 2015 12:07

Lefkada: A Beauty In The Ionian Sea

Lefkada is surrounded by a total of 24 islets - Aristotle Onassis’ Skorpios being one of them. It connects to the opposite coast of Central Greece via a floating swing bridge (length: 50 m). The bridge offers easy access to Lefkada to visitors from all over Greece.

On Lefkada you will find noteworthy sights, churches and monasteries, picturesque villages, lush vegetation, idyllic coves of transparent, turquoise waters, busy and secluded beaches of stunning beauty, a significant cultural heritage and hospitable locals.

Lefkada town

Lefkada is the island’s capital and port town. The town planning is a very particular one and resembles a “fish backbone”. There are picturesque alleys, small squares, traditional houses, elaborate belfries and paved pedestrian zones that give this town its character. The city is surrounded by a canal and a lagoon, while, farther north, lies Gyra, a thin stretch of a sandy beach forming a circle, dotted with windmills and scant vegetation.

Things to do and see:

• Town promenade
• The lagoon, one of the Ionian Sea’s most significant wetlands, protected by the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. There is also an ivari, a fish farm where fish grow in their natural environment.
• Agia Mavra fort, at the town’s entrance, constructed by a Sicilian named Giovanni Orsini in 1300.
• Bosketo Park, where busts of the island’s eminent scholars are to be found.
• The pedestrian zone along the coast lined with the younger generation’s hangouts.

To read more, please see visitgreece.gr

The third and final vote in the first phase of the critical Presidential elections is set to take place at noon today. Should the government-sponsored candidate Stavros Dimas not be elected today, then general elections will take place on the 25th of January or 1st of February.

In order to secure Mr. Dimas’ election the coalition government will have to secure the support of 180 members of parliament. In the first vote Mr. Dimas received 160 votes and in the second he received an additional 8. In order to reach 180 votes, Mr. Dimas would have to attract the votes of MPs from the Democratic Left and Independent Greeks.

At present it seems unlikely that early elections will be avoided, as senior government officers have predicted that Mr. Dimas may receive a maximum of 173 or 175 votes. Nevertheless, should more MPs be considering to change their vote, they will do so at the final moment.

To read more, please visit tovima.gr/en

The National Theater of Greece was granted the right to use the Rex theater building in downtown Athens, as part of the efforts to reinvent Omonoia Square and the surrounding area. An Athens court has ruled that the National Theater will be able to use all three of the stages that are hosted at the Rex theater building, including Sineak-Paxinou and Kotopouli stages.

According to Sotiris Hatzakis, National Theater director, the ground floor stage, the largest one, will be used for musicals, a genre that is slowly developing and gaining an audience in Greece. The director plans to launch the “Phantom of the Opera,” a renowned international production that will promote the National Theater’s initiative.

Hatzakis also wishes that the theater will now only operate as a theater, since it has doubled as a music stage until now. Moreover, the building’s interior will be refurbished in order to be fully accessible to people with disabilities.

To read more, please visit greekreporter.com

By Ioanna Zikakou

Wednesday, 03 February 2016 07:00

Hundreds Of Greek Hotels Up For Sale

Hundreds of hotel owners have recently resorted to trying to sell their units, research by Kathimerini has found, with at least 5 percent of Greek hoteliers having placed ads in popular specialized websites over the last 40 days to sell their assets.

The number of sellers is far greater when taking into account ads published earlier last year, while many other hoteliers are choosing different means to promote their hotels for sale.

This trend highlights the flip side of Greek tourism: While there was an all-time record in arrivals from abroad last year – benefitting specific tourism destinations and hotels – there is also a great number of mainly small and medium-sized hotels that face serious sustainability issues.

To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
Greece’s busy season is quickly approaching and the word ‘holiday’ comes to a lot minds. The Greek Islands are perfect for a summer holiday, but if you rather not break the bank, here’s a list of the best low budget destinations!

The Small Eastern Cyclades
Great for nature lovers with amazing beaches and it’s not too crowded! These islands have something for everyone with crystal clear water, caves, and even an old pirate haven! The small cyclades include Pano and Kato Koufonissi, Donoussa, Iraklia, and Schinoussa. All have regular ferry connections with Naxos, Amorgos, and Piraeus.

Kythira in the Ionian Islands
Tourism has not reached its peak just yet on this island so its still quiet. Visitors can walk through traditional villages, the medieval castle of Hora, and then enjoy the pristine beaches. No plan is necessary here and it’s best to just explore.

Serifos in the Cyclades
With only 1,400 people living on the island, there’s still plenty to do here! The main attractions are the white Hora and the white chapels among the Venetian castle. The sites to see are the small swimming bays for a swim, the Taxiarches Monastery, the Byzantine Church of the Panagia, the Cyclops cave, and more!

Astypalaia in the Dodecanese
Yet another island with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Also worth a visit here is to see the Venetian castle and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis.

Parga in Epirus
Not as quiet as some of the other islands mentioned, but picturesque nonetheless. The most popular beaches are Platys Gialos tou Valtou and Necromandeio at Acheroussia.

To read this article in full and to see more of the best low budget destinations, please visit: Hip Greece
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