XpatAthens
Christmas Tree Illumination At Hotel Grande Bretagne
Learn more about the Hotel Grande Bretagne, here.
Walk With An Athenian
Thousands visit Athens every day, but few get the chance to experience Athens like a local. Meet our community of locals and follow in their footsteps, discovering hidden treasures and places of interest. What do Athenians do in their spare time, and how do they balance their careers and personal lives? When and where do they go out? A community of savvy Athenians will answer all your questions and help you navigate the city. People of diverse backgrounds offer their perspective on what makes Athens so irresistible and unique.
Choose a themed walk with a local and get to know Athens as an insider. Experience the real Athenian lifestyle and explore the places you won't find in any tourist guides.
Here are some of our favourite "This is Athens with a Local" walks:
Surf Athens With A Local
Athens is a city of contradictions, where the past meets the present in imperfect harmony. Beyond the famous ancient monuments, there is a modern metropolis that's easy to discover on foot. A local will show you how it really feels to live in Athens, by exploring their favourite haunts and unravelling the hidden secrets of this ever-changing city.
Explore Athens Architecture With A Local
Understand the evolution of Athens through its architecture, with the help of a local insider. Scattered all over the Greek capital are ruins, monuments and landmarks that reveal many layers of history. From elaborate government buildings to Byzantine churches, Bauhaus apartments and contemporary landmarks, the architecture of Athens reveals fascinating stories of migration and gentrification.
Check Out LGBT+ Athens With A Local
Athens is often hailed as the birthplace of democracy, but it was also the birthplace of gay culture. Openly practiced and celebrated, homosexuality was part of the social fabric of ancient Athens. Today, the Greek capital remains a very gay-friendly city, with countless gay and lesbian bars, many openly gay celebrities, and a vibrant LGBT+ community. Your local will introduce you to the LGBT+ scene, including cafes, bars, and beaches, as well as suggestions for drag shows and nightlife.
To read more, please visit This is Athens
Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!
Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.
Lose Your Fear Of Speaking Greek
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” ― Nelson Mandela
A. Learn with a Greek friend or try lessons with a Greek teacher close to your home or online. You don't need to spend years learning Greek. Instead, you can use simple sentences and limited vocabulary which you use on a daily basis in Greece. The friendly reactions and comments from Greeks, impressed by your effort to learn their language, will motivate you to continue learning more.
B. Try the “Greek Speaking Starter Kit” an online multi-media starter kit, made by the Omilo Greek Language School.
C. Learn Greek by yourself. Learning a language on your own, without a teacher, is fun, but, keep in mind, that it can be full of difficult moments and delay the entire process by many years.
Masaresi.com was founded by Maya Cornelissens-Andreadi, who shares her experience about how “to integrate in Greece and feel like a local”. Masaresi = μας αρέσει = we like it! Discover the “real Greece," while delving into all the aspects of Greek life – from modern lifestyle and culture to history, literature, traditions, and many more.
Explore Greece - Read About Greece - Buy Greek - Learn Greek
New York Times Recommend A Greek Destination For 2023
At the top of its list of proposed destinations for 2023 is London, with the NYT noting that the bustling city is preparing for the coronation of King Charles.
The American newspaper in its list chooses destinations that are ideal for their cuisine, culture, for adventure or thanks to their natural beauty.
Regarding our country for the New York Times, Methana is one of the places one should visit in 2023, which ranks 39th on the list.
"Athens’s nearest active volcano, Methana, sits on a peninsula of the same name some 30 miles southwest of the Greek capital. Though largely unknown to tourists, the area is slowly evolving, in part because of its increasing popularity as a hiking destination.
"In recent years, groups of locals have managed to reopen and map old walking paths, some of which date back to the Mycenaean Era, creating hiking trails that attract visitors from around the world. (So far, more than 18 miles have been cleared and marked.)
"The Methana Volcano Challenge, first organized in 2021, offers a trail run across the peninsula’s sloping landscape.
"Visitors to this volcanic peninsula can also enjoy several hot springs, the most interesting of which is an ancient (and recently renovated) tub known as the Pausanias Baths near the village of Agios Nikolaos."
The Greek Roots Of International Music Hits
While The Beatles are renowned for their revolutionary impact on music history, few may realize that one of their early hits, "Honeymoon Song," has Greek roots. Originally composed by the legendary Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, this enchanting melody captured the essence of romance long before it became a part of the Beatles' repertoire. The song was initially known as "If You Remember My Dream," sung in Greek by Giovanna.
Brenda Lee's haunting ballad "All Alone Am I" carries a poignant melancholy that resonates deeply with listeners. However, its origins can be traced back to the Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis. The original Greek version, titled "Don't Ask the Heavens," was sung by actress Tzeni Karezi in the film "Island of the Brave," embodying a timeless elegance that transcends generations.
Dalida's captivating rendition of "Darla Dirladada" enchanted audiences with its infectious energy and rhythm. Yet, this lively tune finds its roots in the traditional music of the Greek island of Kalymnos, where it was sung for generations before finding its way into the global music scene.
Original: Egyptian Folk Song
"Misirlou," meaning "Egyptian woman" in Greek, stands as an iconic tune that has been reimagined by artists across genres and generations. While the melody originated in Egypt, it was a Greek, Tetos Dimitriadis, who recorded the first rendition of the song in New York in July 1927 under the Columbia label. This Greek version retains the essence of the original Egyptian tune, reflecting Dimitriadis's rebetiko style and precise translation from Arabic. Since then, it has captivated listeners worldwide with its hypnotic melody and pulsating rhythm. Its influence spans decades and musical styles, inspiring diverse interpretations ranging from Dick Dale's electrifying surf-rock rendition to contemporary adaptations featured in popular media like the movie "Pulp Fiction" and the Black Eyed Peas' hit "Pump It".
Armatomenoi Moraites – Nafplio 1822 – Staikos Staikopoulos
Sushi Saturday
At the tail end of a very busy January, with terrible weather and winter blahs - and in the midst of some serious political drama - Saturday arrived with sunshine, warm air and nothing to do. These are the best days - no plan, no schedule, no worries. What does one do on days when one doesn't know what to do? Why, one goes for sushi.
I sent out a Whatsapp message to a friend, and it came back with a ‘Let’s go!’, so we headed toward Syntagma and what has quickly become Athens’ staple sushi restaurant – Koi Sushi Bar.
I’ve written about Koi before. This is probably the most affordable sushi/Japanese eatery in town, with great prices and a simple menu (and as of this week, open in Kifisia!). I’ve been there quite a few times, and always leave stuffed and smiling at the number on the bill. There are some fantastic sushi restaurants in Athens – but for price and value, Koi can’t be beat. Take note: it can get very crowded, especially on weekends, so be prepared to wait. Cash only.
On the way home from the restaurant, right around the corner in fact, I walked by a little shop that I have never noticed before: Soya Athens. It turns out that Soya Athens has been around since 2005 and supplies an amazing range of authentic Japanese food products (foods, drinks, Sake, etc.) as well as tableware, kitchen utensils, etc. The shop is very cute and packed with great stuff. And they even have an online shop. The best surprise is their sushi club, where members can learn how to prepare sushi from a pro!
So Saturday turned into a ‘virtual visit’ to Japan – Arigatou gozaimasu...
Koi Sushi Bar
Nikis 15, Syntagma
210 321 1099
Soya Athens
Apollonos 33, Syntagma
210 323 6324
www.soyaathens.gr
Until next week,
Jack
In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…
Ikaria’s Villages, Beaches And Thermal Springs
Ikaria is a majestic island of the Eastern Aegean Sea and the home of the mythical Ikaros. Here you will find wild beauty, breathtaking panoramas, clean mountain air, therapeutic hot springs, truly unspoiled seas and friendly people. A rarity amongst the Greek Islands, Ikaria has remained true to herself and to the ways of her people—the Ikarians. Tourism on Ikaria is unimposing for all and reflects an "Ikarian Balance" between nature, freedom, time and development. Come visit Ikaria and see for yourself.
Ikaría’s Villages
Agios Kirykos: Seamen and captains had built their houses in the capital of the island to give it an air of marine tradition. In the archaeological museum this tradition lives on, as a great part of the exhibits had been fished out of the bottom of the sea. In the North there is another port village, Evdilos. Built around and above the port, the village is a beauty with traditional houses, cobbled streets, and a characteristic local colour.
Karavóstamo: It is the largest village and a very hard-working one; seafarers and the workmen who built the churches and the arched bridges of Ikaria used to reside here.
Karkinágri: It is an isolated fishing village, in the proximity of cape Papas, which is alleged to house the most fun-loving villagers of the whole island. It is also very impressive as it rests beneath a mountain with heaps of large stones. An old belief has it that the stones were thrown onto the island by God, when he had finished creating the world and had no longer need of building material.
Christós: One and two-storey traditional houses and cobbled streets mark the main village of the mountainous area of Raches. But tradition here does not hold strong only in architecture; in old times, farmers and unskilled workers of all kinds in an unrelenting need of making a living, would come here after the end of the working day, to trade their goods and shop. As a result, shops would be open when there would be no more daylight. Nowadays, shops in Raches keep the old habit; they are open from dusk till dawn!
Source: visitgreece.gr and Island-ikaria.com
Six Million Greeks Abroad Will Support The Country
In a letter addressed to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Former President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Stefanos Tamvakis noted that Greece should count on the 6 million Greeks abroad.
Tamvakis, as the last SAE president for six years, from 2007 to 2012, and honorary President of the historic Greek Community in Alexandria, invited Tsipras to utilize the Greek Diaspora’s resources, stating that Greeks abroad will stand by the government as allies in order to help the country exit the crisis.
Furthermore, Tamvakis stressed the need to establish a Ministry for Greeks Abroad, as well as the need to turn the General Directorate of Greeks Abroad into a General Secretariat. Meanwhile, he wrote about the postal voting issue and the need to reopen SAE.
To read more, please visit greekreporter.com
By Ioannou Zikakou
An αθηΝΕΑ Kind Of Week
While we were patiently awaiting some solid news on the financial future of Greece to emerge from the negotiation that would not end, we had some time to read. We started with this piece in the FT, in which an Italian economist basically tells Greeks to reform or kindly leave the Eurozone. What did the international media’s Greek darling, our finance minister Yannis Varoufakis, have to say about it? He sent out some pretty contradictory messages to our lenders, basically asking Germans to lead, while accusing them of being butchers. Oh, and we - as in the Greeks - also managed to piss off our only remaining ally in Brussels, Jean-Claude Juncker, so there’s that.
Enough politics, what else went on this week? For one thing we felt extremely jealous of our friends in London, who get to visit this participatory art exhibition. We also got a wonderful book recommendation (Primates of Park Avenue), about women who have it all and also get bonuses when their kids perform well in school, as well as a ton of music recommendations, some taking us back to the late nineties, others more contemporary and some that truly made us wonder!
What are your thoughts on the Caitlyn-Jenner-breaks-the-
As we speak, we are frantically packing for a lovely weekend somewhere warm, and are wondering if there’s any chance our voyage could be as fun as that of EasyJet passengers who witnessed Kate Moss calling their pilot a basic b*tch. Speaking of the female bro, here’s a College Humor video-guide on How To Tell if You’re a Basic B*tch, in case you were wondering.
Let’s leave vulgarity aside and once again focus on the serious stuff: the G7 vowed to finally do something about climate change, which according to Oliver Burkeman is kind of a must since we, as humanity, are a bunch of climate change deniers at heart, ‘hardwired to shirk existential challenges'.
Last but not least, we got some helpful tips on how to avoid mosquito bites (hint: don’t move, don’t drink, don’t speak to anyone) and learnt from the Buddha of breaststroke himself that maybe our swimming skills weren’t so advanced after all.
Want to hear more from a8hNEA? Let us know by email: ideas@xpatathens.com.
