XpatAthens
Thursday, 19 February 2015 13:32
Stormy Weather & Low Temperatures On Election Day
The national meteorological service EMY has announced that the weather will take a turn for the worse over the weekend, when the critical general elections are scheduled.
According to EMY the west, east and southern party of the country will experience rainfall and occasional storms, while the rest of the country will see overcast skies with sporadic showers. Mountainous regions may see localized snowfall.
The westerly winds will be strong, measuring between 20 and 50 Km/h in most parts of the country. In the eastern parts of the country, particularly in the Aegean, the south southwesterly winds may exceed 70 Km/h.
To read more, please visit tovima.gr/en
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Local News
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Thursday, 23 April 2015 17:17
Airbnb Athens Bookings Boosts Local Economy By 69 Million Euros
Hospitality platform Airbnb has boosted the local economy by 69 million euros, supported over 1,000 jobs and is attracting new visitors to Athens, a study released on Wednesday found.
The survey, conducted between October 2013 and September 2014 jointly by Airbnb and Athens University professor Christos Genakos, revealed that the platform complements the existing tourism industry and spreads the economic benefits across Athens to new neighborhoods and small businesses.
According to the findings, Airbnb is attracting new visitors to Athens, with 71 percent of guests visiting for the first time and 67 percent reporting that they were more likely to return. The platform has 11,500 entries for Greece, 2,500 of which are for Athens, a figure that has doubled since 2009. Airbnb hosts’ properties span 25 neighbourhoods in the Greek capital.
Besides contributng to the local economy, the community-driven hospitality platform also helps locals who share their homes to stay afloat in difficult economic times. The typical Athenian host shares their home with guests for about 68 nights per year, with 68% of hosts saying they rely on this income.
“Airbnb hosts attract new visitors to Athens, who are looking for an authentic, local travel experience,” explains Airbnb Regional Manager Jeroen Merchiers.
“This helps boost Athens’ tourism market and support the local economy while extending the economic benefits beyond the popular city spots. Meanwhile, Airbnb hosts have an extra income to sustain themselves and their families in this difficult economic period,” he adds.
Airbnb guests stay an average of 3.6 nights and spend 551 euros over the course of their trip. Some 26 percent said they would not have come or would not have stayed as long without Airbnb, while 91 percent would recommend the Airbnb property they stayed in to friends and family.
Guests opting for Airbnb are looking for genuine experiences with 75 percent saying they wanted to stay in a specific neighbourhood. In the meantime, 98 percent of hosts provide their guests with personalised recommendations on alternative neighbourhoods to visit and 70 percent provide their guests with locally produced products.
To read more, please visit Greek Travel Pages.
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Local News
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Thursday, 02 June 2016 07:00
Greek Archaeologist Claims He Found Aristotle’s Tomb At Stagira
A Greek archaeologist, who has been excavating Ancient Stagira in central Macedonia for the last 20 years, has claimed he found the tomb of Aristotle. At a conference in Thessaloniki to commemorate the 2,400th anniversary of Aristotle’s birth, the archaeologist, Konstantinos Sismanidis, said he was almost certain that what he found was Aristotle’s tomb.
Even though Sismanidis and his team have no definitive proof that what they found is Aristotle’s tomb, there are strong characteristics that led them to believe this was in fact the tomb. The characteristics include the location and panoramic view, its position at the center of a square marble floor, and the time of its construction, which started at the beginning of the Hellenistic period. The tomb, according to Sismanidis, was built in honor of Aristotle after his death in 322 B.C.
In addition to finding the tomb, Sismanidis and his team of archaeologists have also found the altar referred to in ancient texts and the road that leads to the tomb.
Another excavation that took place in 2014 in Amphipolis, northern Greece, led to the discovery of the largest ancient tomb ever found in Greece. There was speculation that the tomb belonged to Alexander the Great, Aristotle’s most famous student, but later evidence showed that the tomb had probably been built for a close companion of the king and conqueror.
To read this article in full, please visit: NY Times
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Greece In The News
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Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:30
Ithaca - Mobile Laundry For The Homeless
Ithaca is a non-profit organisation founded in July 2015 with the view to diminishing social exclusion of homeless people and raising awareness for the plight of the homeless. Ithaca operates the first mobile laundry unit for homeless people in Europe.
Ithaca's goal is twofold: to raise homeless’ people hygiene standards and restore their dignity, as well as to create opportunities for them. Ithaca manages to accomplish the latter by employing people from social vulnerable groups on a part-time basis for up to 12 months, contributing in this way to their social integration.
Ithaca's goal is twofold: to raise homeless’ people hygiene standards and restore their dignity, as well as to create opportunities for them. Ithaca manages to accomplish the latter by employing people from social vulnerable groups on a part-time basis for up to 12 months, contributing in this way to their social integration.
Published in
Community Groups
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Tuesday, 02 October 2018 14:53
October 2nd - Autumn Inspiration
Athens is perfect for every season and has a bit of something for everyone! Check out some of the best events the city has to offer this October and a few of the coziest Cafes we can recommend!
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Newsletters
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Tuesday, 26 March 2019 07:00
Trivago Awards Reveal Some Of The Best Hotels In Greece
Trivago, the well-known hotel search engine, recently announced the national winners of the “trivago Awards” 2019.
“As a leading global hotel metasearch with data on millions of aggregated guest ratings, we are well positioned to identify the top-rated hotels that are delivering exceptional guest experiences,” said Johannes Thomas, trivago Managing Director and Chief Revenue Officer.
“At the same time, being a digital marketing channel used by hundreds of thousands of hoteliers around the world enables us to recognize the hotels that are embracing technology and excelling online. The trivago Awards give us the chance to honor the hard-working and forward-looking hoteliers behind these exemplary hotels,” he added.
Among the winning hotels are: the five-star Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites on Rhodes, the four-star Rocabella Mykonos Hotel, the three-star Saint Vlassis hotel on Naxos island.
“As a leading global hotel metasearch with data on millions of aggregated guest ratings, we are well positioned to identify the top-rated hotels that are delivering exceptional guest experiences,” said Johannes Thomas, trivago Managing Director and Chief Revenue Officer.
“At the same time, being a digital marketing channel used by hundreds of thousands of hoteliers around the world enables us to recognize the hotels that are embracing technology and excelling online. The trivago Awards give us the chance to honor the hard-working and forward-looking hoteliers behind these exemplary hotels,” he added.
Among the winning hotels are: the five-star Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites on Rhodes, the four-star Rocabella Mykonos Hotel, the three-star Saint Vlassis hotel on Naxos island.
To read the full list of awarded Greek hotels, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Image Credit: Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites
Published in
Travel Greece
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Monday, 01 July 2019 07:00
Athens Railway Museum Relocates To Historical Building In Piraeus
The Athens Railway Museum has recently moved from the city center to a former train depot in Piraeus that dated back to 1912.
The depot, that is locally known as Rotonda, was chosen as the museum’s new home recently in an initiative of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the Railway Friends Association.
According to the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), the museum’s relocation to the historical building of Rotonda is the first step in an ambitious plan to promote the country’s rich railway heritage.
At the new railway museum, visitors can see old cars and engines dating back to the mid-1800, industrial and technical equipment, as well as a display of part of the company’s rich historical archive. Among the most impressive exhibits are the royal carriage, a carriage used by a sultan, and old tram cars.
To read this article in full, please visit: ekatimerini.com
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Local News
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Tuesday, 28 September 2021 07:00
Greece Ranked Second For Global Cultural Heritage Influence In 2021
CEOWORLD magazine has determined the world’s best countries for cultural heritage influence, by measuring their global influence in 9 country attributes: architecture, artistic legacy, fashion, food, music, literature, history, cultural attractions, and culturally accessible. Rather than economic, political, or military might, it’s the cultural heritage of these countries that most strongly impacts the wider world.
Italy took the prestigious number one spot, according to the CEOWORLD magazine 2021 report, while Greece and Spain placed second and third, respectively. The 2021 rankings placed India in fourth ahead of Thailand; while Portugal ranked sixth, and Japan seventh.
About Greece, the website said “the history development and culture of Greece has been a flagbearer for the whole world as a whole."
“From the Acropolis of Athens, Meteora to Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, the impressive architectural monuments make Greece a definite visit in many ways.”
To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com
Published in
Greece In The News
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Thursday, 17 March 2022 07:00
Sifnos Tops Condé Nast Traveler’s List Of Most Photogenic Destinations
The family-friendly island of Sifnos is a great choice for travelers looking to snap some gorgeous holiday pictures, according to the publication.
The Greek island of Sifnos topped the list with the ten most photogenic destinations of the world, according to the Spanish edition of Condé Nast Traveler, the largest travel magazine worldwide.
The Cycladic island came first with the Church of the Seven Martyrs, the idyllic landscapes, the Castle, the numerous churches, and the picturesque villages that charm all the travelers that visit the island of Apollo every year, the writer of the article Alberto Piernas Medina says.
Second was Morocco followed by Valencia, Portugal, and its lakes, France, the Canary Islands, Mexico, London, and the verdant regions of Italy.
Originally published on: greece-is.com
The Greek island of Sifnos topped the list with the ten most photogenic destinations of the world, according to the Spanish edition of Condé Nast Traveler, the largest travel magazine worldwide.
The Cycladic island came first with the Church of the Seven Martyrs, the idyllic landscapes, the Castle, the numerous churches, and the picturesque villages that charm all the travelers that visit the island of Apollo every year, the writer of the article Alberto Piernas Medina says.
Second was Morocco followed by Valencia, Portugal, and its lakes, France, the Canary Islands, Mexico, London, and the verdant regions of Italy.
Originally published on: greece-is.com
Main image: @greek_vibes_wd
Published in
Greece In The News
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Wednesday, 27 March 2024 20:58
2 Greek Beaches Among World's Most Sustainable
Seven out of the ten top sustainable beaches globally grace the shores of Europe, with two proudly located in Greece. Whether world-renowned or tucked-away gems, Greek beaches stand out for their unparalleled beauty, capturing the admiration of both international media and visitors alike.
Spanning from the Ionian and Cyclades to Crete and the Dodecanese, Greece boasts an array of beaches, inviting travelers to dip their toes into crystalline waters and unwind amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Recently, Greece celebrated a notable achievement as two of its beaches—one in the Aegean and another in the Ionian—claimed spots among the world's top 10 sustainable beaches for 2024, recognized through the esteemed Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards.
These accolades were based on user preferences on the popular travel platform, highlighting criteria such as serene waters, pristine sands, family-friendly amenities, cleanliness, and eco-conscious practices observed by beachside establishments. Galissas Beach in Syros and Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia stood out for their commitment to sustainability and guest satisfaction.
Travelers' growing emphasis on environmental stewardship and sustainability significantly influenced their choices for beach destinations. In fact, over half of Tripadvisor users now prioritize eco-friendliness when selecting their next travel spot, underscoring a shifting tide towards responsible tourism practices.
Collaborating with the travel sustainability firm BeCause, data from Blue Flag-certified beaches—indicative of cleanliness and safety—was utilized for the assessment, spanning from May 2023 to April 2024. These findings were complemented by positive reviews highlighting terms such as 'eco-friendly,' 'ecological tourism,' and 'clean water' over a 12-month period, providing a comprehensive overview of each beach's sustainability efforts and appeal.
Originally published in Greek on: intronews.gr
Originally published in Greek on: intronews.gr
Published in
Local Environment
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