Greece is famous for its islands, sunsets, and vibrant cities, but beyond the postcard favorites lie villages that seem almost untouched by modern life. Wandering through them feels like stepping into another era: stone alleyways, wooden balconies, ancient traditions, and landscapes so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat.

Here are some off-the-beaten-path Greek villages where time slows down, stories linger in the air, and authenticity still thrives.

Kalarrites, Tzoumerka


📸 @vasilis_explores

A village so remote that even many Greeks haven’t heard of it, Kalarrites is the kind of place where goats roam freely and mountain fog wraps the stone homes like a blanket.

It is also the birthplace of the legendary Greek coffee brand Loumidis, founded by a local family. But fame never disturbed its serenity: the village remains unspoiled, quiet, and almost dreamlike.

Why it feels timeless:

• One of Greece’s best-preserved stone villages

• Only a handful of residents

• A rare untouched sense of authenticity

Vathia, Mani (Peloponnese)


📸 @vantastic_advanture

Looking like a fortified ghost village frozen on the edge of the world, Vathia is one of Mani’s most striking sights. Its iconic tower houses stand proudly against the wind, silent reminders of the region’s warrior past.

Exploring Vathia feels more like entering a medieval stronghold than a modern settlement.

Why it feels timeless:

• Stone tower houses unchanged for centuries

• Wild, dramatic landscape

• A rare glimpse into Mani’s fierce history

Lafkos, Pelion


📸 @ilmioviaggioingrecia

Perched on the southern edge of Pelion, Lafkos is a peaceful, stone-built village where life still follows traditional rhythms. Here you’ll find one of Greece’s oldest functioning cafés (since 1785!), elderly locals weaving baskets outside their doors, and charming squares that feel frozen in the early 1900s.

Why it’s timeless:

• Architecture untouched by modern development

• A legendary old café where time truly stops

• Slow, unhurried village life with incredible sea views

Dilofo, Zagori (Epirus)


📸 @minogiannisvalantis

An exquisite stone village with no cars allowed, Dilofo is one of the best-preserved settlements in Greece. The cobbled lanes, wooden balconies, and centuries-old mansions feel like walking inside a historical film set. Silence reigns here — just birds, footsteps, and the sound of the wind.

Why it’s timeless:

• 100% pedestrian — no modern noise

• Stone mansions dating back to the 16th–18th century

• A haunting, peaceful atmosphere

Mesta, Chios (North Aegean)


📸 @catrin_pl

Mesta is one of Chios’ medieval “mastiha villages,” built as a fortified settlement to protect against pirates. Its labyrinthine streets, stone houses, and massive defensive walls transport visitors straight to the Middle Ages. Life here feels deliberately slow, and wandering through its alleys gives a sense of stepping centuries back in time.

Why it’s timeless:

• Perfectly preserved medieval architecture

• Fortified walls and narrow, maze-like streets

• Rich history tied to the mastiha cultivation tradition

With the holidays just a month away and the city slowly slipping into its festive glow, there’s no better time to explore Athens’ vibrant dessert scene. From nostalgic Athenian charm to bold plant-based creations and modern style treats, the capital is full of delicious surprises waiting to be discovered.

Here are some of our favorite places for a sweet escap, whether you’re in the mood for something comforting, playful, or simply unforgettable.

Once a dessert sensation in Thessaloniki, Gellissimo Biscoto has quickly embedded itself into Athens’ dessert map since arriving a couple of years ago. Known nationwide for their iconic Pistachio Lava — a warm, velvety, pistachio-filled dream that has inspired countless TikToks — this spot is a must for anyone with a soft spot for indulgent sweets.

But this season, prepare to fall in love with the Melomakarono Lava, a festive twist that’s so fragrant and gooey, it might just steal your heart from the pistachio classic.

Beyond their signature creations, Gellissimo Biscoto offers a wide array of handmade treats: ice cream, pralines, waffles, crepes, pancakes,  all made with pure ingredients and serious craftsmanship.

Where: Astiggos 11, Athens


@itsmaryy____

For those craving something lighter, creative, or plant-based, Holy Llama is a revelation. This inspired bakery showcases the magic hidden in vegan cuisine, no animal products, no by-products, just full and expressive flavor.

One thing we absolutely loved? The no-sugar soft cookie. It may sound simple, but it’s truly to die for,  unbelievably soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and shockingly satisfying for a dessert without sugar. Pair it with their excellent specialty coffee and you have a guilt-free treat that still feels decadent.

Holy Llama proves that plant-based desserts don’t have to taste “healthy.” Here, they just taste good!

Where: Nikis 23, Athens


@holyllamacreativebaking

Inspired by the iconic cocktails of Baba Au Rum, this boutique pastry shop is a wonderland of creativity: beautifully crafted sweets, specialty coffee, lush greenery, and artful aesthetics. It’s one of those places where every dessert looks like it was made for your camera roll.

Among their standout creations:

• Ekmek — Ethereal, cloud-soft, fragrant with cinnamon and nostalgia.

• Devil’s Milk — A bold, cocktail-inspired dessert with layers of chocolate, spice, tropical notes, and silky cheesecake mousse.

• Tarta Masticha — A fragrant mastiha cream tart with bright citrus notes and pistachio for a crunchy finish.

Not only are they visually stunning, but they also deliver that ultra-satisfying “perfect cut” moment, the kind that dessert lovers live for.

A must for anyone who loves modern Greek patisserie with a twist.

Where: Kitiou 3, Athens


@inloveagain_athens

A place beautiful, sweet, and wonderfully old-school, this cozy French-style bistro is all charm. Think metal café chairs with cushions, soft lighting, vintage decor, and a calm warmth that instantly transports you to another time. The kind of spot where everything moves just a bit slower, in the best possible way.

The service is polite, warm, and genuinely caring. The barista-server is always eager to help and guide you through their specials. And the dessert you simply must order? The Lemon Pie, one of the best we’ve had. Bright, silky, balanced, and full of sunshine, the perfect treat for a cool Athenian winter afternoon.

If you’re looking for a quiet, atmospheric place to enjoy something sweet with style, this is it.

Where: Omirou 44, Athens


@matina_kyriazopoulou

Amalia, Harris and Anestis had spent years working with Doctors Without Borders, in the fundraising department. They loved working within a humanitarian organisation, yet something always felt distant. The crises they responded to were far from everyday Greek reality, and the needs surrounding them in their own country were becoming increasingly visible.

When the financial crisis hit Greece, they felt a growing urge to act locally; to support people living right next door, people who often appeared to be coping but were silently struggling.

After each of them left Doctors Without Borders at different points, they reunited and asked themselves if it was time to finally pursue the dream. And in 2019, after long discussions about what to offer and how, they founded their organisation, beginning with one familt and a simple vision: to support children who strive to have the same opportunities as everyone else but lack the necessary resources.

Not the obviously vulnerable groups, not the visibly homeless, but the children next door, the ones who could easily go unnoticed.

That’s how Children First was born and it stands for tangible, personalized support. Every child who joins the program receives help tailored precisely to their needs:

Daily Nutrition: Quality, fresh food based on each child’s individual requirements. A nutritionist evaluates every child, identifies gaps, and shapes a diet plan that supports healthy growth.

 

Education: Assistance with schoolwork, foreign language lessons, and participation in sports or activities that benefit both physical and mental health.

 

Medical Care: Preventive and ongoing healthcare determined through collaboration with a pediatrician, as well as dental support.

 

Counselling for Parents: A psychologist provides regular support to parents, helping them make the best use of the services offered and encouraging an active role in their children’s empowerment.

 

Just months after their founding, the pandemic struck. Still, by the summer of 2020, they welcomed their first family into their programs. Today, they support 19 children on a regular basis and another 21 with essential nutritional assistance, as food prices continue to place unbearable pressure on families.

How did they begin? By asking a simple question: Where do families turn when they need help?

The answer led them to municipal services: social grocery stores, meal programs, community pharmacies. They discovered, however, that these services depended heavily on European funding and often couldn’t cover all needs. Children ended up in large mixed-level classes, receiving non-individualized support, especially in education.

So they approached the Municipality of Aigaleo, which seemed organized and collaborative, and proposed a complementary partnership. Families visiting the municipality would be informed that there is an organisation offering individualized support: fresh food, tailored tuition, pediatric and dental care, all designed specifically for each child.

When a family expresses interest, the team of Children First visits their home. They want to understand the family’s environment, the dynamics between parents and children, and the conditions in which they live.

The goal is not only to assess financial need, but also the parent’s willingness to help their child move forward. Because as they say, they need parents who believe in their children’s future.

Families join for a year at a time, with contracts renewed annually after reassessment. Children range from newborns to 17-year-olds, though they try to prioritize primary school children, who benefit most from early, structured support. 

Once a child joins the program, the goal is for them to live their life like any other child. They attend the same type of after-school tutoring as their peers, simply with Children First covering the costs behind the scenes.

No spotlight, no stigma. A child is enrolled, attends lessons, sees doctors, makes appointments, just like everyone else.

Anestis, who is a psychologist, maintains regular counselling sessions with parents, helping them navigate challenges and support their children.

Importantly, they emphasize that throughout their journey they have met incredibly supportive people — doctors, teachers, tutoring school owners — who are more than eager to help. And of course, they meet families who, despite the daily challenges, deeply love their children, which makes all the difference. 

Another meaningful initiative emerged from one of their donors. She noticed the many single mothers in their program, and imagined a network where women support women.

The idea became Girls Empowering Girls, a mentorship program connecting women from various companies and professions with mothers in need of guidance.

A manager might help a mother structure her CV or prepare for a job interview.
A teacher might tutor a girl from the program.
A professional might make a donation dedicated specifically to women and girls.

It’s a circle of empowerment; one woman lifting another. 

Children First has witnessed many stories of courage, transformation, and resilience, each one a reminder of why this work matters.

One of the first children in the program lived in a tiny basement with minimal light, with all rooms blending into one. The little girl, in third grade at the time, struggled with school and carried a sense of pessimism far too heavy for her age. 

She had never done English lessons before, so Children First covered the full cost of her English classes. Soon after, her teacher suspected possible learning difficulties. An assessment confirmed the need for speech therapy and specialised educational support, all of which Children First also funded.

Just like all children in the program, she also had access to extracurricular activities that encouraged her personal growth. That’s where dance entered her life, and she absolutely loved it. Dance became a source of joy, expression, and confidence, giving her something to look forward to every week.

Week by week, her transformation became visible. Confidence replaced self-doubt. School shifted from a place of anxiety to a place of achievement. English lessons became something she enjoyed, not feared, and dance became her safe, happy space.

Another family included a single mother raising a little boy with ADHD. He urgently needed occupational therapy and speech therapy; therapies that were completely out of reach financially for his mother who didn’t work and consequently wasn’t insured. 

Children First stepped in and covered the full cost of these essential therapies. With this support, the child gradually became calmer, more communicative, and more expressive. The mother, seeing her child flourish, regained her own confidence and strength. She found work, secured insurance, and eventually part of her son’s therapy became covered by the healthcare system.

The child’s progress created space for the mother’s empowerment, a double transformation made possible through targeted, personalized support.

Every child in the program receives support designed specifically for their circumstances. Nothing is generic.

• Nutrition: Families meet with a nutritionist who evaluates each child’s habits and deficiencies. Every food delivery is customized, never pre-assembled or standardized.
• Education: Tutoring and extracurricular activities, such as English lessons or sports, are tailored precisely to each child’s level and interests.
• Medical care: Pediatric and dental support follows each child’s exact needs.
• Therapies: Needs such as occupational or speech therapy often arise unexpectedly and must be met immediately.

This individualized approach is powerful, but also costly. To continue providing personalized nutrition, education, medical care, and therapies, ongoing financial support is crucial.

Children First offers the Support A Child program, a way for donors to make a tangible difference in a child’s life. Your support can cover basic needs in one of the three pillars of action — Nutrition, Education, or Medical Care— or all areas for a full year.

• Supporting One Pillar: A donation of 700 euros provides for one child in a single pillar for an entire year.
• Supporting All Pillars: A donation of 2,000 euros covers a child’s needs across all three pillars for a full year.

Your donation not only helps a child grow and thrive, giving them equal opportunities with their peers, but also relieves families of financial and emotional stress and allows Children First to plan programs accurately and sustainably.

Even a small contribution can fund essential, tailored help for a child and break the cycle of poverty at the exact moment it matters most.

If one lesson stands above all, it is that love is everything.

If there is love in a family, if a child feels safe and cared for, the rest becomes manageable.

And in human relationships more broadly, when trust and positive emotion come first, everything else can be built around them.

Children First’s goals for the coming years are clear:

• To welcome many more families, though only when they have the resources to offer full, individualized support, not just numbers on a list.
• To provide not only food, but quality nutrition, proper tutoring, and full medical support and everything a child needs at the moment they need it.
• To create their own space, a hub for seminars, counselling sessions, group meetings, and community building.
• To collaborate with more organisations, especially the many small ones doing important work.

Children First organize educational workshops on employment, CV preparation, oral hygiene, digital literacy, and more. Each activity is designed specifically for their families, giving them tools to navigate everyday life and opportunities.

A Message to Society

Children First believe deeply that poverty should not define a child’s destiny. Yet poverty often reproduces itself, unless someone steps in to say:

The cycle is not unbreakable. Sometimes, all it takes is a single opportunity — given at the right moment — to change a child’s life.

Wonder Works invites you to a soulful, one-day retreat designed entirely for you, a day to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Held in Athens, Greece, the birthplace of philosophy, democracy, and my own native city, this one-day retreat blends quiet contemplation with rich, meaningful conversation. As the classical spirit of Greek civilization shaped the world we live in, together we will gently shape what’s next for you.

We will breathe, walk, reflect, and immerse in curated practices chosen specifically for your needs.

Who This Retreat Is For

Whether you are:

• an emerging coach

• a corporate leader

• a busy professional

• a solopreneur

• or someone simply longing to reconnect with themselves

…this retreat offers grounding, inspiration, and nourishment to help you create the next chapter of your life, work, or leadership.

What This Day is About

In the flow of deadlines, decisions, and constantly showing up for others, it’s easy to drift away from what truly matters.

This retreat is your sacred pause, a day carved out just for you to:

✨ slow down
✨ listen deeply
✨ resource yourself
✨ rediscover clarity
✨ remember who you are when no one needs anything from you

This one-day experience is a soulful invitation to come home to your creativity, your clarity, and your inner compass.
It is a gift you give yourself.

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Connect with the organizer HERE

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What’s Included

You’ll receive a beautifully curated experience tailored to your personal intentions, including:

During the Retreat

• Your facilitator’s full, dedicated attention

• Intention & goal setting

• A personalized guided visualization

• Embodied practices

• Soulful conversation

• Guided journaling & creative reflection

• Spaciousness for stillness, curiosity, and insight

• A mindful walk; in nature, by the sea, in the mountains, or among Athens’ classical monuments (based on your preference)

Before & After

• 30-minute alignment call before the retreat to understand your needs and shape your experience

• 30-minute integration call two weeks later to check in, support your commitments, and offer guidance

Hospitality

• Courtesy hotel pick-up and drop-off (upon prior arrangement)

• Lunch and light dinner, adapted to your dietary requirements

Optional Add-Ons

Enhance your retreat with:

• A craniosacral or breathwork session with trusted partners

• An extra day tour to the Delphi Oracle or the Temple of Poseidon

• A day trip by boat to Aegina Island

Not Included

• Hotel accommodation (recommendations gladly provided)

• Travel expenses to/from Athens

• Travel insurance (recommended)

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Connect with the organizer HERE!

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Every Sunday, from November 23 until December 21, Wonder Works and Imagine Heritage invite you to step into a creative, movement-based coaching journey in the heart of Athens!

• Feeling stuck or low on energy?

• Sitting with an idea but don’t know where to begin?

• Craving a shift—even if you’re not sure what it looks like yet?

• Longing to connect with other open, curious, creative people?

If you said yes to any of the above… this experience was made for you.

Join us for an experiential group journey that blends movement, coaching, creativity, and playfulness.

This is your space to slow down, tune in, and rediscover your spark.

You’ll have room to:

• Move mindfully, both indoors or outdoors

• Explore your inner landscape

• Share and connect in a confidential, supportive setting

• Use imagination and embodied practices to gain clarity

• Take grounded steps toward the life you want to create

Together, we’ll explore what it means to move — literally and metaphorically — from where you are now to where you want to be.

Finish the year with renewed clarity, confidence, and a compass for what’s next.

Event Info

 

When: Four Sundays beginning on Nov 23 - Dec 21, 11:00 - 13:00
Where: Imagine Heritage — 28 Didotou St., Athens
Cost:
 199€ for all 4 sessions 
Visit Organizer's Website Here

Note: To keep the experience personal and meaningful, spots are limited to 12 participants. We also recognize that finances differ. If the program speaks to you but cost is a barrier, we offer one sponsored spot at a reduced fee of 100€.

We are excited to honor the 44th anniversary of this beloved celebration right here in Athens and to support three meaningful community causes:

🎁 Christmas gifts for the children at Chatzikiriakio

🛒 Food donations for the Agios Spyridonas Food Bank in Pagrati

🍽️ Christmas Dinner for St. Therapontas Senior Citizen’s Home in Zografou

Join us for an elegant afternoon of fine dining, warm fellowship, and giving back. Enjoy a full buffet luncheon, vibrant community spirit, and lively DJ entertainment, all while supporting those in need this holiday season.

We look forward to celebrating together and making a meaningful impact in our community!

📅 Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025 — 2:00 p.m.
👉 RSVP / Info: hesperus359@yahoo.com 

CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025 was completed with great success and was hosted at TUI Magic Life Candia Maris of Metaxa Hospitality Group, in Heraklion, Crete, from November 6 to 9. The event attracted the interest of beach volleyball fans from all over Greece and Europe, offering unique spectacle and high-level matches.

CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025, held during the second week of November in Heraklion, was a true celebration of European beach volleyball, bringing together top athletes and raising the bar of competition and entertainment to the highest level. The good weather, the five beach volleyball courts that were created, the excellent facilities of TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, and the exceptional Cretan hospitality of the Metaxa Hospitality Group offered ideal conditions for matches in the sand, creating a unique atmosphere for athletes and spectators. At the same time, the event once again highlighted Crete as an emerging international sports tourism destination, confirming its dynamic potential in hosting high-level sporting events.

This year’s event, which significantly contributed to the promotion of the sport at an international level, featured national teams from 12 countries. Spectators had the opportunity to watch the matches free of charge, filling the bleachers. With top clubs from France, Spain, Serbia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Czechia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Romania, and Greece, the tournament brought some of the most important representatives of European beach volleyball to Crete. It was an impressive gathering of elite athletes who turned every set into a unique experience, offering the audience thrilling matches, intense emotions, and unforgettable spectacle.

In the women’s category, the Ukrainian club Sunrise Beach Sports Academy, led by European champion Tetiana Lazarenko, claimed the European title with two wins over the Hungarian club EDRA Tata, one of which came after a dramatic tie-break. The Ukrainian team showed excellent teamwork and composure, rising to the top of Europe, while the Lithuanian club KBC Oxyklinika won the bronze medal, needing a golden set to overcome Spain’s CV Majadahonda.

In the men’s category, the French club Re Beach Club, from the small island of Île de Ré in western France, was crowned European champion after defeating the Dutch team ZVH Zevenhuizen in a thrilling final that was decided in a golden set, concluding a high-level event in an impressive way.

See the full results HERE & HERE! 

 

The hosting of CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025 in Heraklion once again highlighted Crete as a leading international sports tourism destination. The flawless organization, warm hospitality, and strong interest it attracted from beach volleyball fans across Europe significantly enhanced the image of the island — and of Greece as a whole — as an ideal host for major sporting events. Crete hosted a demanding Olympic sport, reaffirming its position on the global map of sports tourism. An event is truly successful when it turns the destination into a backdrop of experiences, attracts travelers from different markets, and tells a story that travels far beyond the boundaries of the competition — exactly what happened with CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025 in Heraklion, which established Crete as a hub for European and international beach volleyball.

CEO of Metaxa Hospitality Group, Mr. Andreas Metaxas, stated:

“It was our pleasure and honor to host at TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, a member of the Metaxa Hospitality Group, one of the biggest beach volleyball events in the world, the CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025. The hotel’s modern facilities, along with the professionalism, experience, and dedication of all our people, fully met the high demands of a top-tier sporting event. This year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Metaxa Hospitality Group, and in this important year, we are especially pleased to have strengthened the foundation for Crete to emerge as an international, high-standard sports tourism destination. We would like to express our warm thanks to the co-organizers — the Region of Crete, the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, and the Municipality of Malevizi — for their excellent collaboration and trust. The success of this institution demonstrates what we can achieve when we join forces to promote Greece as an international destination for sporting experiences.”

The President of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, Mr. George Karampetsos, emphasized: “CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025 in Heraklion was a significant moment for European and Greek beach volleyball and marked a major highlight in the 2025 calendar. The event took place in early November, in front of full bleachers, with the island’s tourists demonstrating through their presence the genuine interest and momentum that beach volleyball holds. Our administration’s goal is for beach volley and snow volley events to be held throughout the year, provided that conditions allow it. The high level of competition and the warm response from the public prove that Greece is capable of hosting prestigious international events with absolute success. The selection of Crete and TUI Magic Life Candia Maris confirms the island’s dynamic potential, combining sports with the development of Greek tourism, while also reinforcing our vision to promote the sport in every corner of the country. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Metaxa Hospitality Group, the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Malevizi, and all contributors who worked with consistency and professionalism to deliver this impeccably organized, high-standard event.”

The collaboration of ReHORECA with the Metaxa Hospitality Group and the CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final provided an excellent opportunity to highlight the connection between sports and environmental responsibility, giving the event a modern, green dimension. The tournament aligned with international “Green Events” trends, making it a major sporting event in Crete with the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS). At the same time, it positioned Metaxa Hospitality Group as a leader in linking hospitality, sports, and sustainable development, reaffirming its commitment to a more responsible and sustainable future.

The experience was completed with live and free broadcasting of the matches, giving the audience the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle from every corner of the world. The matches were streamed live across Greece and Europe, ensuring wide coverage and immediate access for all beach volleyball fans.

The sponsors of CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025 played a decisive role in the success of the event. ANEK LINES facilitated the teams’ ferry transfers, ensuring a comfortable and safe journey to and from Crete, while SIXT, a member of MOTODYNAMICS group, took care of the safe transportation of athletes and organizers within the island. KORRES provided sun protection during the sunny days of the finals, while VIKOS Natural Mineral Water supported participants’ hydration throughout the event. The high-quality DANDALIS coffee set the pace of the tournament, giving participants the energy and focus they needed throughout.

At the end of the matches, the winners were awarded specially designed marble trophies, created by Spira Marble Art Gallery and marble sculptor Grigoris Kouskouris, inspired by the sea of Crete and beach volleyball. These trophies offered a unique artistic touch, combining local tradition with the spirit of the sport and linking Ancient Greece with the present.

Additionally, honorary awards were presented to individuals who played a decisive role in the success of the event:

• Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, Regional Governor of Crete, was honored by Mr. Andreas Metaxas, Chief Executive Officer of Metaxa Hospitality Group.

• Mr. Menelaos Bokeas, Mayor of Malevizi, was honored by Mr. Serafeim Karouzakis, General Manager of TUI Magic Life Candia Maris.

• Mr. George Gkagkalis, Head of Beach Volleyball at the European Volleyball Confederation, received an award from Ms. Maria Papadaki, Board Member of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation and member of the Beach Volley Committee.

• Mr. George Karampetsos, President of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, was honored by Mr. Nikolaos Syrigonakis, Deputy Regional Governor of Crete in the Heraklion Regional Unit.

• Finally, Mr. Alekos Paraskevopoulos, Beach Volleyball Coordinator of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, received an award from Ms. Faye Papaioannou, Senior Marketing & PR Manager of Metaxa Hospitality Group.

Official Hospitality Sponsor was TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, member of Metaxa Hospitality Group.

Silver Sponsor was ANEK LINES.

Official Mobility Partner was SIXT, member of MOTODYNAMICS group.

Partners were ECOLAB, KRIVEK Group of Companies, SPORTADORE, KORRES.

Official Water was VIKOS Natural Mineral Water.

Official Coffee Sponsor was DANDALI.

Educational Partner was Metropolitan College.

Health Partner was Cretan Medicare Medical Care in Crete.

Supporters were Anatomic Line, Assos Food Solutions, 3F Fasouletos Fresco Fruit, Spira Marble Art Gallery – Grigoris Kouskouris, ReHORECA, Agricultural Cooperative of Lassithi Plateau and Kalimera Frouta.

The tournament was held under the auspices of the European Volleyball Confederation (C.E.V.) and Ministry of Tourism and was co-organized by the Region of Crete, the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, the Municipality of Malevizi, and Metaxa Hospitality Group.

The Los Angeles Chargers successfully completed the first-ever inaugural series of NFL Flag Football events in Greece, marking a historic milestone for the sport’s development in the country. The activities took place in Santorini, engaging hundreds of children and families in a dynamic celebration of sport, education, and culture.

The Chargers hosted two flag football camps, an exhibition game, and youth activities, giving local boys and girls the opportunity to learn and play the game in a fun and inclusive environment.

The initiative aimed to promote flag football ahead of its debut as an official sport at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, celebrate the Greek heritage of the Spanos family – whose roots trace back to the island of Symi – and continue to expand the NFL’s global presence.

• Youth ages 11–13 had the opportunity to participate in a flag football camp hosted by the Los Angeles Chargers, learning the fundamentals of the sport in a fun and safe environment.
• Teen participants aged 13 and older took part in a second flag football camp, where they developed their skills and deepened their understanding of the game under the guidance of Chargers ambassadors.

• An exhibition game featuring Chargers legend Melvin Gordon, Greek-American former NFL linebacker and two-time Super Bowl XLII participant Niko Koutouvides, Greek-Swedish football player and coach Melina Malaxos, members of Aegean Elite, Greece’s premier American football team, as well as official staff from the Los Angeles Chargers, showcasing the energy, excitement, and teamwork that defines flag football.

As part of the celebrations, special awards crafted from marble—a material deeply linked to ancient Greece and prominent in the Olympic Games—symbolized tradition and perfection, bridging historical heritage with the modern era, were presented to individuals who contributed to the growth of sports and international cooperation, including: The Spanos Family Chargers, legend Melvin Gordon and the winning team of the exhibition game, who received the MVP Stoiximan Award.

• On Sunday, October 12, Greek media representatives, VIP guests and NFL fans gathered for a special watch party as the Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins 29-27 live on COSMOTE TV

On the occasion of the Los Angeles Chargers delegation visit to Santorini, Mr. Fred Maas, Chief of Staff and Counselor for Los Angeles Chargers highlighted: “From the beginning, our goal has been to bring the sport of football to the country of Greece. In the initial infancy stages, we wanted to achieve that goal by offering flag football opportunities to the local youth helping them understand, enjoy, and learn what an incredible sport football truly is. In addition to the youth camps and exhibition game in Santorini, we also hosted a watch party to bring people together, share the excitement of the game, and help more fans experience its energy firsthand. Having a true Chargers presence in the country of Greece means a lot to us and the Spanos Family. We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to our next visit.”

Τhe events were organized with the support of the Municipality of Thira, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement through sport.

The introduction of American football to Greece was made possible through the active support of Stoiximan, which enhanced both the event and the island through its social initiatives. 

During their visit, the Chargers also held a series of important meetings with key Greek officials and institutional representatives, including:

• Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Greece
• Vasiliki Koutsoukou, Secretary General for Tourism Policy (on behalf of Minister Olga Kefalogianni)
• Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Commit  tee
• Nikos Zorzos, Mayor of Thira
• Representatives from Deree – The American College of Greece

These meetings underscored the shared vision of expanding international sports collaborations, promoting Greece as a hub for athletic and cultural exchange, and fostering youth participation through sports development.

For more information about upcoming initiatives in Greece, visit www.chargers.com or follow the Chargers on social media: