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Wednesday, 26 February 2025 12:34

Taramosalata: A Lenten Dip For Clean Monday

Taramosalata, a creamy Greek dip, blends the delicate flavors of fish roe, olive oil, lemon juice, and bread crumbs. It's a staple of Greek cuisine, often enjoyed as an appetizer or spread on bread. It's also a Lenten favorite, savored during fasting periods, especially on Clean Monday.

Here's a recipe for a delicious homemade version of taramosalata to tantalize your taste buds!

Ingredients:

300 g bread, crust-less,

1.2 liters water

1 onion

2 cloves of garlic

200 g fish roe

white lemon juice of 2-3 lemons

lemon zest of 2-3 lemons

pepper

100 g olive oil

200 g seed oil

To serve:

olives

1 tablespoon olive oil

pepper

1 tablespoon thyme, fresh

Instructions:

In a large bowl, add the bread and water. Let it soak thoroughly.

Line a separate bowl with a kitchen towel. Add the bread and water. Wrap the bread in the towel and wring to remove as much of the water as possible. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

In a food processor, add the onion, garlic, and 200 g of water. Beat until completely pulverized.

Transfer to a bowl lined with a kitchen towel and wring to remove as much of the liquid as possible.

Place back in the food processor and add the fish roe, soaked bread, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest (2-3 lemons, depending on their acidity and your preferences). Beat for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is completely combined and fluffy.

Add the olive oil and vegetable oil in a slow, steady stream while beating. If your food processor doesn’t have an opening, add the oils in 50-gram batches for each type of oil.

Taste and adjust the lemon to your liking.

Serve with olive oil, pepper, thyme, and olives.

Originally published on: akispetretzikis.com

Published in Greek Food & Diet

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Sunday, 04 February 2024 07:00

Guide To Healthcare In Greece

Generally, the quality of Greek public health care is good, especially on mainland Greece. However, the recent financial crisis hasn't left the country's national health care system unaffected. This article explains public and private health service in Greece.

Public Healthcare

International citizens and their families can have access to free or low-cost public healthcare if they are subscribed to the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA), the public insurance company that oversees the country's social security. Once employed, they should apply for national health insurance and will be given a social security number known as AMKA. Medical care by EFKA-approved doctors is for the most part free, although patients will pay a contribution for prescribed medicines. Other social security benefits include free laboratory tests, maternity care, medical devices, and emergency transportation.

European Union nationals can also gain free healthcare benefits, for a limited period, provided they have their European Health Card. Pensioners from EU countries receiving a pension from their home country, intending to reside in Greece, are also entitled to state health benefits.

Primary healthcare is provided by ESY through regional health centers, clinics, and public hospital outpatient units. Public primary healthcare is also provided by social insurance funds, local authorities, and municipalities. Depending on their services, Greek hospitals are classified as either general or specialized.

Private Healthcare

Healthcare services in Greece are also extensively provided by the private sector. Private healthcare is provided by physicians contracted with insurance companies, independent physicians, and physicians who work in diagnostic centers, laboratories, and private hospital outpatient departments.

Private medical facilities generally offer better facilities and more modern equipment. Medical staff in private hospitals are also more likely to be able to communicate in English. Considering that the cost of private medical care is not covered by National Organization For Health Care Services (EOPYY), many Greeks also have private health insurance. International citizens who want to have access to private healthcare in Greece should consider purchasing private health insurance.

Pharmacies And Medicines

Pharmacies in Greece have a sign with a green cross on a white background. Most medication is easily accessible, although some specialized medicines may only be available from hospitals and state-run pharmacies. Pharmacies are generally open from 8 am-2.30 pm and 5.30 pm-8.30 pm, but many central pharmacies stay open throughout the day.

You can easily find on-duty pharmacies by visiting vrisko.gr. Simply select your prefecture and then choose your specific city or region to view the available options.

Emergency Services

Even though public ambulances are typically widely available in larger cities, access may be more difficult on some islands and remote areas. In these cases, private ambulances, EKAV helicopters, and taxis may be legitimate alternatives depending on the situation.

166 - The ambulance service in Greece, known as the EKAV
112 - As with other countries in the EU, the general emergency number in Greece

Published in Healthcare, Insurance & Visas

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Wednesday, 18 February 2015 12:03

Ancient Corinth

Corinth (Greek Κορινθία) is an ancient city about 48 miles west of Athens on the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece. Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece and it played a major role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Today, Corinth is the second largest city in the Peloponnese with several sites of interest to pilgrims and tourists.

History

The site of ancient Corinth was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC), and flourished as a major Greek city from the 8th century BC until its destruction by the Romans in 146 BC.

Its commanding position on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow strip of land that separates the Peloponnese from northern Greece, was the primary basis of its importance. Corinth controlled the diolkos (Greek for "haul across"), the 6th-century BC stone-paved roadway that connected the Saronic Gulf with the Gulf of Corinth. This overland route was highly valuable in that it allowed passengers and cargo to avoid the difficult and time-consuming trip around the southern end of the Peloponnese.

Being a leading naval power as well as a rich commercial city enabled ancient Corinth to establish colonies in Syracuse on the island of Sicily and on Corcyra (modern Corfu). These colonies served as trading posts for the richly ornamental bronze works, textiles, and pottery that Corinth produced.

After 1204, when Constantinople fell to the Fourth Crusade, Corinth was a prize sought by all. Corinth was captured by the Turks in 1458; the Knights of Malta won it in 1612; the Venetians took a turn from 1687 until 1715, when the Turks returned; and the city finally came into Greek hands in 1822.

In 1893 a 4-mile (6-km) Corinth canal was finally completed, providing an essential shipping route between the Ionian and Aegean seas. Like its ancient predecessor, modern Corinth is the center of commerce between northern and southern Greece. Today, it has a population of about 30,000.

Systematic archaeological excavations of the area, initiated by the American School of Classical Studies in 1896, are still continuing today and have brought to light the agora, temples, fountains, shops, porticoes, baths and various other monuments. The finds are exhibited in the on-site Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth.

To read more, please visit sacred-destinations.com

Published in Travel Greece

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Thursday, 19 February 2015 13:13

PM Offers Compromise Solution With Elections By End 2015

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Sunday presented a compromise solution to end a political stalemate that looks likely to send Greece to early general elections in about a month's time. Speaking in an unscheduled televised address to lawmakers in the country's 300-seat Parliament just two days ahead of the second of three rounds of voting for a new president, Samaras called for consensus over the government's presidential candidate, Stavros Dimas, saying that the election of a new president would be followed by the formation of an "expanded" government of "pro-European parties."

He also appealed for lawmakers to hold the current Parliament together so as not to interrupt the process of a constitutional review, saying that general elections could then be scheduled "even by the end of 2015."

This first time the premier has conceded that elections could take place before June 2016, when the coalition government's four-year term expires. Samaras also stressed the need for negotiations with the country's international creditors to be wrapped up before any polls take place, saying that "we cannot be swamped in an electoral battle right now."

"Let us complete the negotiation and the constitutional reform and then we can find the timetable for elections even by the end of 2015."

Launching an attack on main opposition SYRIZA president Alexis Tsipras and the leader of the Independent Greeks, Panos Kammenos - the latter in relation to claims by a party deputy, Pavlos Haikalis, that he had been offered a bribe to back the government's candidate - Samaras said "this unfounded string of accusations about the bribing of deputies, which are always proven untrue, cannot continue."

To read more, please visit ekathimerini.com

Published in Local News

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Thursday, 19 November 2015 07:00

Archaeologists Unearth “Greek Pompeii” In Sicily

As reported by London's Independent Newspaper, archaeologists unearthing the lost ancient city of Selinunte on Sicily's southwest coast have found a city frozen in time, little different from the day 2,500 years ago when it was suddenly attacked and its residents massacred and enslaved.

The allure of Sicily's beauty is nothing new. Around 650 B.C. the Mediterranean island seduced a band of colonists from the port of Megara in ancient Greece who settled near the mouth of a small river on the southwest coast. The colony - names for the wild celery ("selinon" in Greek) that grew in the surrounding hills overlooking the sea - grew into a prosperous trading port. Ships from across the ancient world sailed into its harbor. Residents of the city of 30,000 at the far western edge of anceint Greece purchased good from Egypt, Tirkey and France with coins imprinted with images of celery leaves. With its commercial wealth, the city erected mighty temples to a pantheon of Greek deities.

Approximately 2,500 years ago, however, the glory days of the city the Greeks called Selinus came to an abrupt end, In 409 B.C., an estimated force of 100,000 troops from Carthage traveled across the sea from modern-day Tunisia and laid siege to the city. After Selinunte held out for 10 day, the Carthaginian invaders breached the city's walls and massacred approximately 16,000 residents and soldiers who tried to defend the city. Another 5,000 residents, mostly women and children, were taken as slaves, The once-thriving city became a ghost town after the attack. Carthage's attempts to repopulate Selinunte never took hold, and it finally razed the city around 250 B.C. during the First Punic War.

To read more, please visit: History.com

Published in Greece In The News

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Monday, 01 February 2016 07:00

Greek Olive Oil Finally Gains Recognition

The local reputation of this premium product is travelling beyond the country's borders.

Slowly but surely, thanks to the great efforts of passionate people to overcome numerous obstacles, Greek olive oil is at last getting the recognition it deserves. While locals have long claimed that Greece produces the best olive oil in the world, it’s now being recognized as a premium product beyond the country’s borders. For a number of years now, Greek olive oil has been venturing out into the world in artfully designed packaging that almost makes you regret opening it, and presented as a precious elixir, all the time winning new fans.

Gaea is a champion in exporting packaged olive oil, which constitutes 50 percent of its sales. This year the company launched its latest product in the US, an extra-virgin olive oil from the Koroneiki variety that does not come into contact with light or air from the time of pressing to the moment the bottle is opened, which has met with great success. The neck of the bottle is filled with nitrogen “to ensure that the product retains all its excellent characteristics until the moment of consumption,” says Gaea CEO Aris Kefalogiannis.

The Greek capital controls briefly held up the Japanese launch of George Koropoulis’s Maleas olive oil, made with organically grown olives from Laconia, cold pressed with very low acidity and a distinctive taste, also stocked by Harrods. But this was his year and he reaped the rewards: a gold medal in the Olive Japan 2015 competition, gold for taste and silver for packaging in the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, and a Gold Medal in the Premio Biol 2015 in Apulia, Italy. In Greece, Maleas also received the olive oil production award for 2015 from Gastronomos magazine.

To read more, please visit: Greece Is

by

Tania Georgiopoulou

Published in Greece In The News

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Thursday, 26 January 2017 07:00

Emirates Launches Daily Year-Round Service From Athens To New York

Emirates is expected to successfully fill a gap and undertake an important role in the Greek market. On Monday, the airline announced that it will launch a new daily service from Dubai to Newark Liberty International Airport, via Athens, starting on March 12, 2017.

Emirates’ new Dubai-Athens-Newark flight will provide a year-round non-stop daily service between the United States and Greece.

Emirates flight EK209 will depart Dubai at 10:50 local time, arriving in Athens at 14:25 before departing again at 16:40 and arriving into Newark at 22:00 on the same day. The return flight EK210 will depart Newark at 23:45 local time, arriving in Athens the next day at 15:05. EK210 will depart once again from Athens at 17:10 bound for Dubai where it will arrive at 23:50.

According to Athens International Airport studies and surveys, the substantial indirect traffic flows between Athens and US exceed 570,000 passengers annually, while only last summer (2016) the direct passenger volumes to NYC (seasonal services) grew by 52 percent, reaching 156,000 passengers. Thus, the ATH-NYC market size represents a unique opportunity within Europe for year round services development to US.

The United States is also home to the largest overseas Greek community in the world, numbering approximately 1.3 million, and the New York City metropolitan area has the largest community of Greek Americans in the country.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Published in International Travel

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Monday, 03 April 2017 07:00

New Pedestrian-Friendly Streets In Athens

In an effort to improve the quality of life in the city center, the City of Athens is proceeding with its scheme to revamp Athens commercial district. Two new pedestrianized streets, Vyssis and Kairi in the area of Psyrri will be accessible to Athens’ residents and visitors.

According to an announcement by the City of Athens, traffic will be diverted and drivers will be able to reach Athinas street through Mitropoleos and Karagiorgi Servias streets. Xrysospiliotissis street is now banned to cars from the junction of Praksitelous street to Vyssis street.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Published in Local News

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Tuesday, 31 October 2017 09:33

Mikres Kyklades - From Island To Table

Born and raised on Schinoussa island, Antonis Kovaios came to Athens when he was 12 years old, returning to Schinoussa every year for holidays. After opening a successful beach bar in 1995 on Schinoussa, Antonis expanded his culinary dreams into Athens, and in 2005 opened Mikres Kyklades (Small Cyclades) in Ilioupoli. Culinary Backstreets tells Antonis’ story of how he incorporated his island upbringing to his Small Cyclades-inspired taverna in the city.

“Just like the seafood tavernas on the islands, Mikres Kyklades is small, warm and simple. Besides the white tablecloths (you’ll find disposable table covers at most island tavernas), the only other sign that you’re not on an island is the restaurant’s location on a quiet, residential street – nowhere near the sea.”

“Antonis is almost always there, with an islander’s smile on his face and a permanent suntan, making sure everything runs smoothly. In the kitchen, you’ll find Stavros Spanelis in charge; another inspired islander (this time from Lesvos), Stavros shares Antonis’s obsession with high-quality and fresh ingredients.”

To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets

Photo Credit: Culinary Backstreets

Published in Restaurants In Athens

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Tuesday, 25 September 2018 12:51

Santorini's Experience Schedule 2018

“Santorini Experience” is approaching, as in October 5-7, the thrilling running and swimming races will take place for the 4^th consecutive year in Santorini, the world-famous tourist destination of unparalleled beauty.

Santorini Experience will attract once again the public interest, where both professional and amateur athletes will participate in running and open water swimming races. The running races will take place on Saturday October 6, 2018 and the open water swimming with the breathtaking view of the island on Sunday October 7, 2018.

In particular, on Saturday 06/10, the races of 15 km and 10 km will start at 08:15 am, while the 5 km “Aristides Alafouzos” race will start at 11:00 am. All races have as a starting point the desalination plant located in Oia.

On Sunday 07/10, action will be transferred in the old port of Fira. The swimmers will feel the intense atmosphere of the volcano with the imposing view of the island in front of them. The starting point of the unique Open Water Swimming by Vikos will be the volcano and the race will finish in the old port of Fira. The race will start at 10:00 am and the route is 1.5 miles (2.4 km).

The swimming race is always implemented with absolute safety, with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and following the FINA regulations. Attila Manyoki, the prestigious Hungarian swimmer, who excels in open water races and is a member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is going to take part in the swimming race once again. The British two times silver Olympic medalist, Jazz Carlin, will also join Attila Manyoki in the swimming race, providing extra value in the event. In addition, it is worth to highlight the participation of the twin Greek expatriates racing with the colors of the national team of Netherlands, George and Timos Skotadis.

Watch an impressive video of the Open Water Swimming by Vikos HERE!

In terms of the social events, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) will host an open concert with C:Real, in the surrounding area of the Indoor Hall DAPPOS, on Saturday October 6, at 20:00 pm. At 19:15 pm the International Dancing Group of Santorini “Stamatina Xiarchou” & Association of Pontians Eptamyloi Serres “Akrites” will open the concert.

More information about the schedule HERE!

On Friday, October 5, at 12.00 pm on the occasion of Santorini Experience, Samsung (as the official technology partner), in cooperation with the local Kotsovolos store, will organize the event “Kotsovolos and Samsung present the Hotel of the Future” at the conference hall of DAPPOS informing the island’s hoteliers of all the latest developments and the benefits of technology in their industry.

From now on, registrations can only be made at the store of events’ official sponsor, Alafouzos Sport, in Fira. Particularly, from Thursday 4/10 to Saturday 6/10, participants can receive their racing kits and registration numbers from Alafouzos Sport store (open hours: 09:00 – 21:00). Otherwise, runners and swimmers can receive their registration numbers one hour before the start of their race from the starting point of their races, on Saturday 6 October and on Sunday 7 October respectively.

Innovation is part of our event and this is proven by our new promising partnership.

Luanvi, the leading company in the sportswear industry in Spain, with more than 35 years of history and a great number of partnerships with professional teams from all team sports, is also the official sponsor of the Spanish Paralympic team and Spanish Tennis Federation.

Luanvi excels in the area of running, providing technical shirts and high quality sportswear at almost 40 competitions per year (indicative of this is the company’s exclusive partnership with Valencia Marathon). The Spanish sportswear manufacturer will cooperate for the first time with Santorini Experience. As the event’s official sports supplier, Luanvi will offer an extremely innovative sports T-shirt to all participants.

DNA Travel, as the official transport partner of the event, with a view to facilitate the transportation of all athletes and running participants to Oia and swimming participants to the old port of Fira, will implement the routes below:

On Saturday, October 6, two routes will be put into practice. The boarding point of the first route will be the Church of Timios Stavros, in Perissa, at 05:45 am with one stop in Fira (opposite to the old health center) at 06:30 am and final destination the desalination plant (Oia). The second route will start at 07:45 from Perissa (Church of Timios Stavros), with one stop in Fira (opposite to the old health center) at 08:30 am and the same final destination. When it comes to the participants return, another route has been scheduled at 12:30 pm from Oia to Fira and Perissa.

In addition, on Sunday, October 7, the participants of the open water swimming race will be transferred from the Church of Timios Stavros, Perissa at 08:00 am to the starting point of the race in the old port of Fira. The transportation of swimmers from the old port of Fira to the volcano will start at 09:30 am. DNA Travel has arranged another route at 14:00 pm from Fira (opposite to the old health center) to Athinios port (the main port of Thira).

Discounts and exclusive packages for the event can be seen HERE!

Samsung is the official technology partner of the event. Ryanair is the official airline partner. Official sponsors are for one more year, Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites and Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa. Official Supporters are Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Boatmen Union Santorini and Avance Rent A Car. DNA Travel is the official transport partner and National Geographic the Strategic Partner.

“Santorini Experience” is a co-organization of Municipality of Santorini, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) and Active Media Group. The event is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and approved by the Hellenic Swimming Federation.

More info at www.santorini-experience.com

Official Technology Partner: Samsung

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair

Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi

Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa

Official Supporters: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Boatmen Union Santorini, Avance Rent A Car

Official Transport Partner: DNA Travel

Strategic Partner: National Geographic

Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club, Santorini Nautical Club, Department of Sports Organization & Management from University of Peloponnese

Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini, Casa Iphigenia, Loizos Stylish Residencies

Official travel agent: VitaNTravel

Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

Photo credit: Elias Lefas

Published in Local News

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LOGIN

Taramosalata: A Lenten Dip For Clean Monday

Guide To Healthcare In Greece

Ancient Corinth

PM Offers Compromise Solution With Elections By End 2015

Archaeologists Unearth “Greek Pompeii” In Sicily

Greek Olive Oil Finally Gains Recognition

Emirates Launches Daily Year-Round Service From Athens To New York

New Pedestrian-Friendly Streets In Athens

Mikres Kyklades - From Island To Table

Santorini's Experience Schedule 2018

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