WELLNESS HUB
XpatAthens
Common Challenges Of Caring For Elderly Parents & How To Manage Them
Greece Dominates Europe's Highest-Rated Villa Destinations For 2026
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Crete – 9.4/10
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Zakynthos – 9.4/10
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Kefalonia – 9.4/10
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Paros – 9.4/10
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Guest rating: 9.3/10
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Median nightly villa price: £217
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Average late-summer temperatures of around 29°C
The Mediterranean Diet: What Most People Get Wrong
More Than Just Olive Oil
About the author
Eva, known as The Cretan Nutritionist, is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist whose international path to wellness is rooted in her Greek heritage. Raised on the island of Crete, she grew up immersed in the Mediterranean lifestyle long before she recognized it as a wellness practice. After studying Fashion Design in Athens, her path shifted when she moved to Canada and studied Holistic Nutrition, later adding certifications in Life Coaching and the Human Microbiome. Having lived across three countries and worked in corporate, hospitality, and wellness settings, Eva brings a grounded, real-world approach to health. Through coaching, workshops and seminars, she helps clients build sustainable, joyful habits rooted in the Mediterranean way of life she was raised on.
Carrying Greece Within: The Artists Who Create Between Worlds

@bsullivanphoto
Udinotti's distinctive artistic language is characterised by fantastical, often winged and androgynous figures with blurred contours, inviting multiple interpretations while conveying a powerful spiritual dimension. Exhibited internationally and the recipient of numerous honours, her work is also held in the National Gallery in Athens.
She is the author of Udinotti, a collection of her writings illustrated with photographs of her sculptures, and formerly served as poetry editor of Chimera.
In 2000, she began developing the privately funded Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art in Arizona, dedicated to the symbolic power of the human form, which officially opened in 2007.

@kiriakostml
A graduate of the Berlin University of the Arts, he draws on his family's history as descendants of Greek "guest workers" in Germany, weaving together the experiences of three generations. Combining painting with collage and the incorporation of real wallpapers, textiles and everyday objects, Tompolidis creates richly layered works that reflect the complexities of cultural memory, home and heritage. His distinctive visual language has quickly attracted international attention, culminating in his inclusion in the 2025 Taipei Biennial, Whisper on the Horizon.

@koulos.saki
The grandson of Greek and Italian migrant workers who moved north to work in factories and mines, his multicultural heritage is reflected in a multidisciplinary practice that combines collage, poetry, drawing, sculpture and even tattooing! Reassembling fragments from magazines, the internet or his own photographs, Koulos explores themes of history, sexuality and representation, giving voice to personal and collective stories often absent from dominant narratives. By dismantling images and ideas from their original contexts, he creates visual and poetic works that invite new interpretations.

@gazelliarthouse
Her powerful works, often created with wood, metal and fabric, examine the effects of neo-capitalist and patriarchal power structures while drawing on themes of memory and the stories passed down through generations, particularly by women. Deeply influenced by Japanese aesthetics, Lemos studied the art of Ikebana for 15 years and travelled extensively in Japan, developing an appreciation for what she describes as its "simplicity and balance". This sensitivity to form is evident throughout her practice, including in her film At the Centre of the World (2015).
Honoured with numerous distinctions over the course of her career, Lemos remains one of the leading contemporary artists of the Greek diaspora.

@panos_tsagaris
Drawing on both personal and sociopolitical realities, Tsagaris creates evocative works that bridge the conscious and the unconscious, inviting viewers into spaces of imagination, reflection and quiet introspection.

@destinisto
Blending abstraction and figuration, Stokou transforms fragments of online conversations and messages into dynamic compositions that reflect the complexities of human relationships and modern life.
Playing the Odds: Why Betting is Thriving in Greece

@anticaeviae

@ancient_origins

@aesthetical_symphonies

@dio.sot

@allwyn_kentrianos
How The Planets In Our Solar System Changed The Way I Schedule My Week
Why is Tuesday called Tuesday? Why is Monday Monday? Was someone just making things up or is there actually a reason behind it?
I became curious about this years ago and the more I learned and integrated it the more it fascinated me.
Many ancient cultures led by the Babylonians and Hellenistic astrologers associated each day of the week with one of the seven planets visible to the naked eye: the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn because they believed the cosmos directly influenced human affairs. Since these planets were the only ones that wandered across the fixed stars, they were considered powerful, time-keeping gods. The Babylonians passed this system to the Greeks and Romans.
In Spanish and other Latin based languages, Martes comes from Mars. Miércoles comes from Mercury. Jueves comes from Jupiter. Viernes comes from Venus.
The more I learned about the qualities associated with each planet, the more I noticed something interesting. The energy of each day actually seemed to match the types of activities that naturally flowed best for me.
As a business owner, I now intentionally plan my schedule around these themes. Here is how I plan my week according to the planets. Whether you see this as astrology, symbolism, or simply a mindful way to organize your week, I have found it incredibly helpful.
Monday Is Moon Day.
For me, Monday is all about slowing down before speeding up. It is a day for planning, brainstorming, journaling, meditating, and listening. I avoid scheduling work meetings on this day because I want space to think creatively and connect with my intuition before the busy part of the week begins. If I do have appointments, they are usually for my own personal growth or for planning my business.
Tuesday Carries The Energy Of Mars, The War Planet.
Mars is associated with action, courage, and momentum. It's in a way a more aggressive type of energy, which tends to fuel me and get me into gear. This is when I schedule my heaviest workload. It is the day I tackle the projects I've been putting off, check things off my list, and make progress. If I need to push through something challenging, Tuesday is usually the day I dedicate to that.
Wednesday Is Connected With Mercury, The Planet Of Communication.
This has become my favorite day for video calls, networking events, teaching, group coaching and conversations. Whenever I can, I schedule meetings that involve sharing ideas or connecting with people because the energy seems to support clear communication.
Thursday Is Associated With Jupiter, The Planet Of Growth, Abundance, & Expansion.
My Thursdays tend to feel lighter. Some meetings naturally spill into this day if they need to be rescheduled, but I also notice that this is when the more enjoyable work happens. Collaborations, creative conversations, and opportunities to connect often find their way here. Sometimes I even sneak in a personal event because it still feels aligned with building relationships and expanding my world.
Friday Belongs To Venus, The Planet Of Love.
Venus reminds us to enjoy beauty, relationships, creativity, and pleasure. On Friday’s, I usually leave plenty of space in my schedule. I'll run personal or work errands, I may have a meeting or two, or get outside. And I intentionally keep my evenings free for family, friends, or simply doing something that fills my soul and makes me happy.
Saturday Is Saturn's day, The Planet Of Restriction & Limitation.
Since it is the planet furthest from the Sun among the classical planets, it's enveloped in darkness and for this I personally think of it as a quieter, darker energy. I usually avoid scheduling anything major or important on Saturdays. Instead, I let myself color outside the lines a little. If I'm wearing all black or all red, going out with friends, or simply taking life less seriously, it somehow ends up happening on a Saturday.
Then Comes Sunday. The Day Dedicated To The Sun.
Named for our Sun, the center of our solar system. Sunday always feels bright. I love being outside in nature, opening all the windows, cleaning my home, letting fresh air and sunlight in, playing music, and preparing my space for the week ahead. It is a day that naturally invites light, gratitude, and renewal.
Do I believe you have to schedule your life this way? Not at all. But I do think there is something beautiful about paying attention to the natural rhythm of the week instead of treating every day exactly the same. I also believe there is a natural rhythm to the universe and its practices like these that help me connect with it more and be more in flow with it.
Since I started working with these daily themes instead of against them, my weeks have felt more intentional, more balanced, and surprisingly more productive.
Maybe it's the energy from the planets. Maybe it's the power of setting intentions.
Or maybe those two things have been working together all along. Either way, I love finding all the ancient wisdom hidden all around us and to me astronomy, or the study of our stars, can tell us so much about ourselves and how best to relate to our surroundings.
About the Author
Miosotis (Mio) Santana is a Certified Trauma Support Specialist, Transformational Trainer, Ceremonialist, and the Founder of Divine Journey, established in 2018. Through life-changing programs, retreats, and sacred circles, she guides individuals to transform from within by healing the inner child, cultivating self-love, raising vibrational frequency, and harmonizing feminine and masculine energy.
Her signature retreat, Rebirth, serves as the gateway into Divine Journey—an immersive rite of passage designed to reconnect participants with their inner power, clarity, and authentic self-expression through ritual, ceremony, and embodied practice. From there, participants deepen their path through Resilience: A Breakthrough Journey to Self-Love and Divine Mastery, a self-mastery immersion that supports conscious creation and personal sovereignty.
Now based in Greece, Mio continues to facilitate transformational experiences that blend ceremony, science, and spirit, empowering individuals to discover the divinity within every part of their journey. You can find her at www.divinejourney.life or on Instagram @Mio_Santana.
Athens International Airport Ranks Among Europe's Top 5 Best Airports In 2026
Europe's Highest-Rated Airports In 2026
According to Holidu's latest ranking, the top five highest-rated airports in Europe are:
| Rank | Airport | Country | Google Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Istanbul Airport | Turkey | ⭐ 4.4 |
| 2 | Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto) | Portugal | ⭐ 4.4 |
| 3 | Helsinki Airport | Finland | ⭐ 4.4 |
| 4 | Athens International Airport | Greece | ⭐ 4.3 |
| 5 | Zürich Airport | Switzerland | ⭐ 4.3 |
Why Travellers Love Athens International Airport
With nearly 54,000 Google Maps reviews, Athens International Airport continues to earn high praise from both international visitors and locals alike. Travellers frequently highlight its clean and modern facilities, efficient organisation, easy navigation, and pleasant overall passenger experience.
As Greece welcomes millions of visitors every year, the airport plays a vital role in creating a positive first and last impression of the country. Its consistent high ratings reflect ongoing efforts to provide a smooth, reliable, and comfortable journey, whether travellers are arriving to explore Athens or heading off to discover the Greek islands.
A Strong Showing For Southern Europe
Southern Europe performed particularly well in this year's rankings, with both Istanbul Airport and Porto's Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport retaining their first and second-place positions thanks to excellent passenger reviews. Helsinki Airport completed the top three, praised for its calm atmosphere, intuitive layout and efficient security process.
Athens' place among these leading airports demonstrates how the city continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe's premier travel gateways.
About The Study
The ranking was compiled by Holidu using average Google Maps review scores and the total number of reviews for the 100 busiest airports in Europe based on passenger numbers. Airports were ranked according to their ratings, with those receiving larger numbers of reviews given greater weight. Airports in Russia and Ukraine, as well as non-operating airports, were excluded, resulting in a final ranking of 85 European airports. The data was collected in **June 2026.
Anemoessa Stone House: A Seaside Escape In The Heart Of Mani

- Two peaceful bedrooms with luxurious king-size beds
- A spacious living room with a comfortable corner sofa bed
- A stylish bathroom
- A fully equipped kitchen with all modern appliances
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning throughout the property

- Marathos Beach – calm, crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming
- Soloteri Beach – a picturesque bay with turquoise waters beside a historic 19th-century chapel

- Gerolimenas (30 min)
- Areopoli (25 min)
- The spectacular Caves of Diros (27 km)
- Cape Tainaron, the southernmost point of mainland Europe (50 min)
- Sparta (1.5 hours)
- Kalamata International Airport (2.5 hours)

Athens Flying Week 2026: Europe's Top Airshow Returns To Tanagra
The largest airshow in the Eastern Mediterranean returns to Tanagra Air Base, bigger, richer and more spectacular than ever. With dozens of fighter jets, aerobatic and transport aircraft, as well as major international participants, it promises a unique show that will thrill thousands of visitors.
This now-established event will once again bring together some of the most advanced military aircraft and helicopters, as well as legendary aircraft from the past!
Europe's Open Water Elite Chooses Santorini



Register here for the 5k “Aristidis Alafouzos” run powered by Miele, the 10k powered by SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, the 15k powered by The North Face, the Ancient Thera 5k run powered by Sandblu Santorini, and the 2.4k swim!
Premium Mobility Partner of the event is SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group.




