When someone thinks of holidays, the sunkissed summer season is undoubtedly one of the first things that spring to mind. However, although we love summer, we're for embracing the colder weather and making the most of the chillier months. The winter season has something magical and romantic about it and the cities listed below are just more atmospheric around this time of the year!

Vienna


@nois7

The Austrian capital has so much to offer in winter. You can warm up with hot chocolate and sachertorte, a local chocolate cake, watch free outdoor opera simulcasts, listen to classical holiday concerts, and take photos of Schönbrunn Palace and St. Charles Church. During Christmas, the city's squares transform into magical Christmas markets, featuring endless stalls selling souvenirs and hot mulled wine.

Prague

@jakubsnajberg

A light sprinkling of snow truly transforms Prague into a charming winter paradise. There's so much to do from admiring the Prague castle, to marveling at the Lamplights on Charles Bridge and discovering the city's Christmas markets where even the most discerning traveler will indulge in the trdelník (fried dough) and mulled wine sold in festive kioks.

Budapest

@adamhliva

Hungary's capital truly comes to life in winter! Its Christmas markets and outdoor ice skating rinks create the perfect winter wonderland, while the local hot spas and thermal baths offer a twist on outdoor bathing. Imagine exploring the city, seeing the Hungarian Parliament, admiring the Danube, and taking in the sheer beauty of the Hungarian State Opera House. Could you think of a better way to spend a chilly day? 

Amsterdam 

@oceanvolta

When dusted in snowflakes, the Dutch capital looks like a fairytale, making for a stunningly romantic backdrop to any visit. You can enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-covered canals which sometimes freeze over, transforming into a huge rink. Also, from November through January, the annual Amsterdam Light Festival sees spectacular light installations adorn canals, streets, and landmarks.

Edinburg

@pandeyrr

The Scottish capital is stunning in all seasons, and even when it rains, it retains its allure. However, Edinburgh goes all out not only for Christmas, with the steep pathways leading up to the castle looking especially stunning, but also for the New Year. Come see how the Scots party and celebrate Hogmanay at this time of year. Prepare for the torchlight parade down the Royal Mile by getting a torch and learning the lines to "Auld Lang Syne".

What are the most beautiful places in the world? Well, there are numerous lists out there, and plenty of places all around the world are claiming the top spots - beauty, after all, is a subjective concept. It lies in the eye of the beholder, don't they say? 

A recent study by the Britain-based travel company Kuoni followed a more scientific approach to the above question in order to create an official ranking of the world’s most beautiful travel destinations.

In this scientific study, participants viewed a series of images from 50 of the world's most famous natural attractions, from the Grand Canyon to the Maldives. The research used eye movement recording technology to determine which images were the most attractive to the human eye, or, in other words, which captured the eye of the participants the longest. 

According to the results of the study, the most beautiful place in the world is Lake Peyto in Canada - a natural wonder in Banff National Park. The magnificent shade of the lake's waters is a result of ice melting on the surrounding dazzling mountains. The second most beautiful place in the world is the island of Meeru in the Maldives, which enchants travelers thanks to its white sand and crystal-clear waters.

From exotic islands to colorful lakes and spectacular waterfalls, these are the most beautiful places in the world!

1. Peyto Lake, Canada


@resul.gumus

2. Meeru Island, Maldives


@meeruisland

3. Jurassic Coast, U.K.


@thejurassictog

4. Yosemite


@california_matt

5. Lake Tekapo, New Zealand


@lachiou

6. Niagara Falls


@thereal4koj

7. Mount Snowdon, Wales 


@jo_fallows

8. Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines


@lydiajaneiballjones

9. Marble Caves, Chile


@tillotoro

10. El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico 


@evo_photography_pr

11. Aurora Borealis, Iceland


@eddiekruger7

12. Iguazu Falls


@kcakduman

13. Lake Matheson, New Zealand


@michalzborovjan

14. Phang Nga Bay, Thailand


@thefreedomcomplex

15. Grand Canyon


@ryanresatka

In ancient Greece, temples were an important part of daily life and served as monuments dedicated to the beloved gods and goddesses. Many important ancient temples are located in Greece and other countries, such as Italy, which were then part of the ancient Greek world.

Let’s take a look at the ten Greek temples that you cannot miss!

Parthenon, Acropolis


Credit: @ankur.sinh_

The Parthenon, located on the top of the Acropolis, is dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom and the patron goddess of Athens. The Parthenon was built in the mid 5th century BC and was originally constructed to replace an older temple that was destroyed by the Persians. The statue of Athena which originally stood in the temple was made from ivory, silver and gold but was later stolen and destroyed.

Valley of the Temples


Credit: @hellenistichistory

The Valley of the Temples, which is located in Sicily, Italy, has some of the most outstanding examples of Greek architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes temples dedicated to Concordia, Juno, and Heracles.

Temple of Hephaestus


Credit: @photoohistory

The Temple of Hephaestus, dedicated to the god of metal-working and craftsmanship, is located in Athens, Greece. The temple was designed by Ictinus, one of the Parthenon’s architects. The Temple of Hephaestus is the best-preserved ancient Greek temple in the world.

Paestum


Credit: @photoohistory

Paestum, an ancient Greek city located in Southern Italy, contains three well-preserved Greek temples. Two of the three were dedicated to Hera, goddess of marriage and childbirth, while the third one, located apart from the temples of Hera, was dedicated to Athena.

Temple of Zeus in Cyrene


Credit: MM / WikipediaCommons

The Temple of Zeus in Cyrene is located in Libya and was built in the 5th century BC. The temple has been destroyed and re-built multiple times. I was destroyed in 115 AD during a Jewish rebellion and restored five years later under Roman order. The temple was again destroyed by an earthquake in 365 AD and restored in the contemporary era by British and Italian archaeologists.

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

If you are wondering when the perfect time to plan a little trip abroad is, autumn is always the answer. Most European destinations have lived through their high season, the streets are becoming quieter, and you can experience your favorite cities off-the-beaten-track, escaping the tourist crowds and getting a taste of the everyday lives of locals.

And although almost every city is dreamy in the autumn, some cities feel even more magical. Here is a list of our favorite European destinations that you should visit this fall!

Amsterdam


@johnblutephotography

Autumn in Amsterdam is absolutely magical. The trees lining the canals start changing to the warm colors of the season, the city’s bars, restaurants, and cafes become delightfully cozy, and the streets are quieter, making it easy to wander around and take in the beauty that unfolds before you. Not to mention the numerous events you can attend during the fall season, such as the Amsterdam Dance Event in mid-October or the Amsterdam Light Festival at the beginning of November.

Barcelona


@christian_kremser

Barcelona may be a popular summer destination, but autumn is when the city really comes to life, with tons of festivals happening all around. The most famous of all is La Castanyada, or Catalan Halloween, which is a festival to honor the dead and where you can enjoy delicious local food like castanyes (chestnuts) and panellets, a typical Catalan pastry. Except for attending festivals, you can go for a picnic in Ciutadella Park and cherish the magic of nature in all its autumn glory, see a flamenco show, and, of course, visit the museums and most popular sites with no annoying tourist crowds!

Dubrovnik


@dubrovnik_tourist_guide

Dubrovnik, the shining jewel in Dalmatia’s crown, is sure to take your breath away if you visit during autumn. The temperatures remain relatively warm, and even the water stays warm through October. You can appreciate Dubrovnik’s historic centre when the crowds have thinned and soak up the last sunny days of the season with a swim or kayaking trip. Make sure to walk up to the top of the Old Town walls, the best vantage point for contemplating the vistas and admiring the city dressed in the golden hues of autumn.

Porto


@porto_portugal

The mild weather, the smell of roasted chestnuts, and the less crowded city—autumn in Porto is one of the most memorable things you will ever experience. First, it is the perfect time to discover the Douro valley and its vineyards, listed as a World Heritage site. Pay a visit to the city’s parks, such as the Palácio de Cristal and the Botanic Garden, and sip hot chocolate at cozy cafes, set in former bookstores. Last but not least, make sure to watch a fado show. Fado is the traditional music genre of Portugal, and fado songs are usually connected to the feeling of Saudade, a state of nostalgia and yearning. Once you listen to fado music, you will always carry Porto in your heart!

Bordeaux


@intercontinental_bordeaux

Named the world’s best city a few years back by Lonely Planet, Bordeaux is a year-round destination, but it shines a bit brighter in autumn. The days are warm, the nights are cool, the countryside begins its dramatic change of color, with fields and hillsides washed in the autumn color palette of mustard yellows, fiery oranges, and burnt reds, and the countless beautiful châteaux and tiny historic towns wait to be explored. Plus, wine lovers will be able to sample the city’s world-famous wines and embark on wine tours of the Medoc region and, of course, the charming medieval town of Saint-Emilion.

If you’re an expat with a bit of freedom in your travel calendar, you’ve got a golden ticket for shoulder season cruises—think the Mediterranean, Greece, and honestly, plenty of other places. Spring and early autumn cruises bring you smaller crowds, pleasant weather, and prices that don’t make your wallet cry, unlike the peak summer rush. The ports and big-name sights are way less chaotic, so you can actually breathe—and enjoy yourself—both on the ship and ashore.

There’s a lot to love about this time of year, from the sunlit Greek islands to those postcard-perfect Mediterranean towns.

There’s just something about shoulder season cruises in the Mediterranean that works for expats who don’t have to stick to school holidays or the typical summer rush. You get to wander through famous spots with fewer tourists, enjoy weather that’s actually comfortable, and nab some real cultural experiences—all while making the most of your travel flexibility and snagging some decent savings.

Traveling in the shoulder season—usually spring or early autumn—means you’re dodging those packed ships and jammed streets. Embarkation lines? Shorter. Disembarkation? Much less hassle. You can actually hear yourself think at the big sights.

Greek islands and those coastal cities take on a whole new vibe outside the high season. There’s time to linger at landmarks, and you’re not elbowing your way through selfie sticks. Museums and restaurants are easier to get into, and the staff aren’t run off their feet. It’s a slower pace, and honestly, it’s just nicer—lets you soak in each stop without feeling like you’re on a conveyor belt.

Spring and early autumn in the Mediterranean? Pretty much perfect. Warm, but not the kind of heat that makes you question your life choices. You can actually enjoy those walking tours or beach days without melting.

This is also when you’ll stumble into harvest festivals, concerts, or little local happenings that don’t make it onto the tourist brochures. Locals are back in their routines, and you get a glimpse of real daily life—cities start to feel like themselves again. If you’re after that sweet spot of sunshine, chill crowds, and a bit of immersion, Greek island cruises during shoulder season are a solid bet.

Being an expat means you can play around with your schedule. You’re not locked into school breaks or the usual holiday chaos, so you can pounce on last-minute offers or those random shoulder season promos cruise lines throw out to fill up cabins.

It’s easier to work around your local commitments, maybe sneak away for a week without causing a stir at work. You get first dibs on better cabins and more options for where and when you go. So, you can really stretch your travel budget—and probably have more fun, too.

Shoulder season opens up a bunch of chances for expats to see quieter places and save some cash. With a little planning, you can catch mild weather, interesting itineraries, and deals that are actually worth it—across the Med and beyond.

Think April to early June or September through early November—these are the golden months. Greece is a no-brainer: the islands are gorgeous, and you don’t have to fight your way through Santorini or Mykonos. It’s almost weird how peaceful it feels.

Italy’s Amalfi Coast and Spain’s Balearic Islands are also way more enjoyable without the summer mobs. The weather’s still great for exploring, so you’re not stuck hiding in the shade.

Turkey’s coastline—Bodrum, Kusadasi—has this cool, relaxed energy, and you won’t be jostling with crowds. And Croatia? Dubrovnik and Split are honestly best outside the sweaty, packed summer peak.

If you want the best deals, you’ll want to book either way in advance or roll the dice on a last-minute offer. Grabbing a spot six to twelve months early can get you good cabins and those elusive early-bird prices, especially for those spring and autumn sailings everyone’s after.

Or, if you’re flexible, keep an eye out for last-minute bargains—sometimes cruise lines drop prices just to fill a few empty rooms. “Wave season” (January to March) is another hot tip: lots of discounts and perks like onboard credit. For more tricks, these insider tips for finding the best cruise deals are worth a read.

Sign up for mailing lists or alerts from agencies that know their Mediterranean stuff. You’ll be the first to know about flash sales, exclusive deals, or those oddball repositioning cruises that sometimes turn out to be the best adventures.

Living abroad? You’ve got a bit of an edge—cruises leaving from regional ports like Athens, Barcelona, or Rome can seriously cut down on airfare and travel hassles. I mean, who wants to spend half their trip just getting to the ship? If you can swing a midweek departure, that’s where the sneaky good deals usually hide.

Being flexible with your dates and poking around at different itineraries—yeah, it takes a little patience, but it’s worth it. I’ve noticed spring and autumn are when those multi-country cruises really drop in price. Not a bad time to see more for less.

Honestly, don’t underestimate the power of local expat groups and travel forums. People love sharing their latest finds and promo codes, and sometimes you’ll stumble across tips you’d never find on your own. If you want to dig deeper, there’s always Travel + Leisure’s guide on how to find the best cruise deals—it’s pretty thorough.

Who we are: 

PAMEMMAZI is a newly established Non-Profit Organization that aims to improve the psychosocial health of cancer patients in Greece and to promote the holistic approach of cancer.

What we do: 

• We provide meaningful, creative and educational activities to cancer patients and their caretakers in welcoming and cozy spaces in Greek hospitals
• We organize forums and events to promote psychosocial and psychosomatic care of cancer patients in Greece - 2017 Forum: Psychosomatic care in Cancer: Empathy, Understanding and Communication
• We encourage patients and survivors to share their story on Scars & Scarves blog in order to destigmatize cancer
• We provide tips on side effects’ management, nutrition, physical activity and personal care
• We participate in the annual Greece Race for the Cure Marathon organized by Alma Zois, under the Untouchables team that Emma created in 2014

• Empower patients, their families and their caretakers through creative and educational offered in hospitals
• Build a community that will foster resilience, quality of life and normality using creativity and learning as tools
• Eliminate stigma toward and encourage community support for patients
• Raise funds for research purposes to help cure cancer

3rd PAMEMMAZI Forum At The American College Of Greece

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XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI

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Located in Athens, Alexandria Institute organizes Modern and Ancient Greek language and culture courses. Our seminars are held in Athens, Chios, Paros and in various other places in Greece as well as Greek online courses. We also offer teacher training courses, and we organize lectures and cultural walks. If you live in Athens and you want to communicate with locals in daily life situations, the courses we offer are ideal for you.

If you want to learn more about life in Athens and in Greece in general, understand Greek culture and the locals, the way they think, their lifestyle, traditions, and customs, then join our Greek language courses! Choose what works best for you and your needs:

Focusing specifically on the students’ special needs, preferences and interests, our courses can be arranged in a way that meets those requirements. In addition to teaching the language, we offer cultural activities. The courses are part of a wide range of training and cultural activities aimed at presenting you with a complete educational and cultural experience in Athens.

If you already speak some Greek, find out your level though our placement tests and sign up for the most suitable course for you!

Whether you have limited free time (one or two weeks) or you can make more, Alexandria Institute can come up with the schedule that is suitable to your needs and capabilities.

Our purpose is to help you learn Greek and be able to communicate from the very beginning!

Do you live in Athens and you are facing everyday challenges?

At Alexandria Institute, we can provide you not only Greek courses, but also, we help you overcome challenges in communication of the everyday life of the city.

Our goal is to make our way through learning Greek in a modern, creative, and fun way! We are using contemporary tools, equipment, and educational material to help you learn the language though an exclusive and entertaining educational experience.

Location of the School: 5 minutes walking distance from the metro station NEA IONIA.

Mission Statement
ACS Athens is a student-centered international school, embracing American educational philosophy, principles and values. Through excellence in teaching and diverse educational experiences, ACS Athens challenges all students to realize their unique potential: academically, intellectually, socially and ethically -- to thrive as responsible global citizens.

Accreditation
The school has been re-accredited until 2022 by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools under the Sustaining Excellence Protocol.

The Institution (District)

The American Community Schools of Athens is a private, non-profit, pre-K-12 institution, governed by a 18 member Board of Trustees, which has served the children of the American, international and local communities in Athens since 1945. The faculty of ACS Athens is comprised of 96 full-time and 23 part-time certified teachers and specialists, most of whom are US trained; 69 hold Master’s degrees: 10 have pursued advanced studies beyond the Master’s level: and 11 have earned Doctorates. Faculty members attend workshops and conferences sponsored by the Near East/South Asia Council of International schools (NESA), the European Council of International Schools (ECIS), the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), U.S subject-area professional organizations, and other leading educational instit tions. ACS Athens is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Community

Located on an enclosed, privately-owned campus in the Athens suburb of Halandri, ACS Athens is housed in five main buildings. The city of Athens has approximately 4 million residents. ACS Athens students are non-boarding and live in all parts of the metropolitan area. The campus is located in the Northern Athens suburb of Halandri (5 km from the center of Athens) on the foothills of Hymettus Mountain and the school is easily accessible from the airport or the different boroughs of Athens, via car, the metro or bus. ACS Athens students are made up of 44 nationalities, including 22% American, 41% Greek and 37% other nationalities.

The High School Academy

The Academy is a comprehensive four-year high school enrolling 400 students in grades nine through twelve. Students engage in a tech rich environment, through a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, and are additionally supported with two technology labs and two mobile laptop carts, and a state of the art media center.  Students have daily access to fully equipped science laboratories, a professional theater, a fine arts suite, music and dance studios, an indoor gymnasium with a rock climbing wall, a weight-training room, a swimming pool, soccer field, outdoor basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, and two library/media centers, which contain one of the largest collection of English Language books in Greece. The faculty has incredible teaching experience averaging over 20 years.

The Curriculum

All graduates of the ACS Athens Academy (grades 9-12) earn a United States High School Diploma and follow a college preparatory course of study. To receive a US diploma, students must earn twenty-six Carnegie units, including successful completion of four years of English and Social Studies, three years each of Mathematics, Science and Modern Languages, two years of Physical Education, and one year each of Arts and Technology.

IB, AP and Honors Courses

ACS Athens is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program® (IB), through which a student may earn the Greek High School Equivalency Diploma (Isotimia). College Board also authorizes ACS Athens to offer select Advanced Placement® (AP) courses in multiple subjects. Currently 61% of the upper class is enrolled in the IB Diploma program and more than 87% of the remaining students have designed a program that combines IB and AP courses where they are enrolled in more than one IB or AP course. Students may use credits earned from AP, IB and internally developed honors courses to pursue the ACS Athens Scholars Diploma.

Honors courses are offered in English, social studies, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and visual and performing arts. Over 98% of ACS Athens graduates are admitted to colleges and universities around the world, primarily in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom; 9 out of 10 of them enroll in one of their top two choices. Our counseling team in the Office of Student Affairs assists graduates to earn academic merit and need-based scholarships for their undergraduate studies; ACS Class of 2018 received over $900,000 in such funds.

Activities/Community Service

A co-curricular program of cultural, social and service activities in all three schools supplements the core curriculum. Activities include National Honor Society, Honor Code, House System, IB
Council, Model United Nations, UNESCO, Chemistry and Technology, Forensics, Yearbook, Literary Magazine, Backgammon/Chess, Youth 2 Youth Project, Dance, Ping Pong, Charity and Recycling.

Clubs and Athletics

ACS Athens is a member of the Sports Council of International Schools (SCIS) and the International Schools Sports Tournament (ISST). Students participate in a wide variety of inter-scholastic cultural activities, academic and athletic competitions sponsored by these organizations, as well as in locally organized tournaments. Athletics include soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, swimming, track and field, and tennis – for boys and girls.

Mr. IOANNIS  DOULIOTIS MBBS MRCOG specialises in Infertility, IVF, Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic Surgery in Psychiko.

The Doctor is a regular member of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of England (MRCOG). He is also a member of the British Fertility Society (BFS).

He is a scientific associate of Serum IVF Clinic In Athens  and an Honorary Consultant of Concept Fertility Unit IVF in London.

He graduated from the Medical School of the University of Athens in 2002. After completing his rural service and fulfilling his military duties in Alexandroupoli, in 2006 he moved to the UK for his specialisation, where he worked for some of the busiest University Hospitals in the UK (NHS) such as  Kings College Hospital, Royal Free Hospital, St. Georges Hospital and St Heliers Hospital.

In 2014, after international examinations, he was admitted as a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of England (MRCOG). This title is internationally recognized and is highly regarded.

He has dealt extensively with medical research on stem cells / umbilical cord blood and the effect of obesity on reproduction. In his professional career he has published a significant number of scientific articles in international medical journals and has presented his work at global conferences such as the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the British Fertility Society (BFS).

During the last years of his stay in London, he worked extensively and gained vast experience in assisted reproduction and preservation of fertility for cancer patients, as well as in  "social" cryopreservation of genetic material (embryo - oocytes - ovarian tissue). He specialises in treating cases with low ovarian reserve and repeated miscarriages and implantation failures. For selected cases in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in a natural cycle or mild stimulation is suggested.

During his stay in the United Kingdom, he gained extensive experience in specialised laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, along side the well-known Laparoscopic surgeon James English.

The most frequently performed surgeries are: hysteroscopic removal of polyps / fibroids, adhesiolysis (Asherman's syndrome), laparoscopic removal of cysts, ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometriosis and laparoscopic total hysterectomy.

Mr. Douliotis is also experienced in cosmetic gynaecological surgery such as labioplasty and hymenorrhaphy for selected cases.

In 2016 he returned to Greece in order to live and work in his birthplace, having gained valuable international experience that enables him to deal with the majority of obstetric and gynecological cases successfully.