XpatAthens
Wednesday, 24 June 2015 07:00
Fishing Tourism Given The Green Light
It is one of the most emblematic images of Greece and a favorite for shutterbugs from around the world visiting the islands in the summer: the typical Greek fisherman, seen on a colorful wooden caique casting his nets in the sea, carefully untangling them at the harbor where he comes in every morning to sell his catch or setting off at night to the light of the stars and dozens of small lights strung on the mast of his boat. The world of the professional Greek fisherman has always been a source of wonderment and mystery and now it is open to everyone.
After years of legal and political wrangling, legislation has finally been passed setting the terms and conditions for the development of fishing tourism in Greece – an area of tourism that holds great promise and had been largely untapped. Thanks to the new regulations, professional fishermen can apply for a license that will allow them to take passengers either on pleasure trips or fishing excursions. This not only allows fishermen – already squeezed by competition and over-fishing – to supplement their incomes but also offers a rare opportunity to fans of fishing or people who simply love the sea to enter a completely different world and discover its secrets.
Hundreds of professional fishermen have already applied for the license and are waiting for the coveted piece of paper before the tourism season gets under way in earnest.
“There is a great deal of interest being shown all over the country. The fishermen have been asking for this measure for years and particularly in areas that have a lot of tourism, as this will make it easy for them to have a second source of income. Most fishermen can’t even cover the cost of petrol the way things are right now,” says Giorgos Lourdis, a mechanical engineer by trade but a fisherman at heart, who for years has been trying to promote fishing tourism in Greece.
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
by
Lina Giannarou
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Thursday, 21 June 2018 07:00
Great Spaces For Both Kids & Parents To Enjoy In Athens
If you have kids, then you must know how important it is to get them to go outside and run off some steam. Of course, it's an added bonus when you can enjoy a coffee and a snack while they play! Here are some unique places that your kids will love, but will also give you some 'parental relaxation' time. In other words, these places are great for both children and parents - enjoy!
Do you know a great place and want to share it with us?
Send us an email at ideas@xpatathens.com and we'll add it to the list!
1. Funmily - Marousi
Who doesn't enjoy the idea of having their coffee next to a fire place? At Funmily parents have the chance to start off with a hot drink and continue with delicious snacks. Meanwhile, children are busy playing indoors in areas speacially designed for them, together with the specially trained staff of the restaurant. In short, at "Funmily" you have child safety, ease and comfort while sitting at your own table.
Address: Pentelis 114, Marousi
Telephone: 210 810 5300
Who doesn't enjoy the idea of having their coffee next to a fire place? At Funmily parents have the chance to start off with a hot drink and continue with delicious snacks. Meanwhile, children are busy playing indoors in areas speacially designed for them, together with the specially trained staff of the restaurant. In short, at "Funmily" you have child safety, ease and comfort while sitting at your own table.
Address: Pentelis 114, Marousi
Telephone: 210 810 5300
Website (in Greek)
2. Koralli - Kallithea
Delicious dishes, fast service and affordable prices make Koralli stand out. The specialties of this traditional Greek mezedopolio are its sea food dishes, but if you or the kids are not fish lovers you can also enjoy classic dishes of Greek cuisine. The big advantage at Koralli is the indoor playground, where the kids can play for hours!
Address: Agamemnonas & Kolokotroni 19, Kallithea, 17675
Telephone: 210 941 8472
Website (in Greek)
3. Pisina - Piraeus
The famous landmark cafe and restautant called Pisina in Piraeus, is a perfect place to enjoy a coffee or sit down for lunch after a walk along the sea. On the lower level of Pisina there is a playground for younger children and electronic games for older kids.
Address: Akti Themistokleous 25, Pireaus
Telephone: 210 451 1324
Website (in Greek)
4. Balux Café - Glyfada
A great spot all year around in the south is Balux Café at the Asteras complex in Glyfada. This warm and welcoming place will make you feel like home from the moment you walk in. Whether indoors during winter or outdoors during the summer, this is an ideal spot to enjoy coffee, lunch or dinner all the while your kids release their energy in the large playground available.
Address: 58 Posidonos Av., Athens, Asteras Glyfadas Complex
Telephone: 210 898 3577
Website
5. Tritsi Environmental Awareness Park - Ilion
Coffee and outdoor exploration is the perfect combination at Tritsi Park in northern Athens. It is an ideal place to visit on a sunny Sunday morning and is great for nature lovers, both young and old. The kids can play whatever game they wish in natual surroundings and there are cafe options with light snacks and beverages for the whole family. There are often educational programs organized in the park for you and your children to enjoy together.
2. Koralli - Kallithea
Delicious dishes, fast service and affordable prices make Koralli stand out. The specialties of this traditional Greek mezedopolio are its sea food dishes, but if you or the kids are not fish lovers you can also enjoy classic dishes of Greek cuisine. The big advantage at Koralli is the indoor playground, where the kids can play for hours!
Address: Agamemnonas & Kolokotroni 19, Kallithea, 17675
Telephone: 210 941 8472
Website (in Greek)
3. Pisina - Piraeus
The famous landmark cafe and restautant called Pisina in Piraeus, is a perfect place to enjoy a coffee or sit down for lunch after a walk along the sea. On the lower level of Pisina there is a playground for younger children and electronic games for older kids.
Address: Akti Themistokleous 25, Pireaus
Telephone: 210 451 1324
Website (in Greek)
4. Balux Café - Glyfada
A great spot all year around in the south is Balux Café at the Asteras complex in Glyfada. This warm and welcoming place will make you feel like home from the moment you walk in. Whether indoors during winter or outdoors during the summer, this is an ideal spot to enjoy coffee, lunch or dinner all the while your kids release their energy in the large playground available.
Address: 58 Posidonos Av., Athens, Asteras Glyfadas Complex
Telephone: 210 898 3577
Website
5. Tritsi Environmental Awareness Park - Ilion
Coffee and outdoor exploration is the perfect combination at Tritsi Park in northern Athens. It is an ideal place to visit on a sunny Sunday morning and is great for nature lovers, both young and old. The kids can play whatever game they wish in natual surroundings and there are cafe options with light snacks and beverages for the whole family. There are often educational programs organized in the park for you and your children to enjoy together.
Published in
Kids Life
Tagged under
Thursday, 07 April 2016 07:00
The Most Beautiful Beaches In Greece
With the summer season quickly approaching, many people are planning their beach holiday, and with over 6,000 islands and islets, Greece is a perfect place to start. Every traveler has specific guidelines to what makes the perfect beach, but with so many to choose from, it may seem like an overwhelming task. Luckily, there's already a list of the most luxurious beaches in Greece, all of which are known for their sand, surf, history, and hidden locations.
The list includes:
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
Sarakiniko, Milos
Porto Katsiki, Lefkada
Lalaria, Skiathos
Balos Beach and Lagoon, Crete
St Paul’s Bay, Rhodes
Myrtos, Kefalonia
Voidokoilia, Messinia
To read the full descriptions, please visit: Condé Nast Traveler.
The list includes:
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
Sarakiniko, Milos
Porto Katsiki, Lefkada
Lalaria, Skiathos
Balos Beach and Lagoon, Crete
St Paul’s Bay, Rhodes
Myrtos, Kefalonia
Voidokoilia, Messinia
To read the full descriptions, please visit: Condé Nast Traveler.
Published in
Travel Greece
Tagged under
Thursday, 10 May 2018 09:10
Family-Friendly Ways To Reduce Plastic Pollution In Greece
Interesting Facts About Plastic Pollution Worldwide
Plastic Free Greece is an organization that raises awareness amongst schools and communities in Greece about the harm of single-use plastic. The organization's mission is 'To raise awareness about the harm of plastic pollution in Greece and to break the habit of single-use plastic through education, by encouraging beach clean ups, and through petitions to effect change.'
Fight Against Plastic Pollution With These 4 Simple Steps
- 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s. The amount of plastic produced in a year is roughly the same as the entire weight of humanity.
- Nearly 2 million single-use plastic bags are distributed worldwide every minute.
- One million plastic bottles are bought every minute around the world — that number will top half a trillion by 2021. And less than half of those bottles end up getting recycled.
- 8 million metric tons of plastic winds up in our oceans each year. That’s enough trash to cover every foot of coastline around the world with five full trash bags of plastic…compounding every year.
- There is more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way.
- If plastic production isn’t curbed, plastic pollution will outweigh fish pound for pound by 2050.
Plastic Free Greece
Plastic Free Greece is an organization that raises awareness amongst schools and communities in Greece about the harm of single-use plastic. The organization's mission is 'To raise awareness about the harm of plastic pollution in Greece and to break the habit of single-use plastic through education, by encouraging beach clean ups, and through petitions to effect change.'
Fight Against Plastic Pollution With These 4 Simple Steps
- Water Bottles - Students can pledge to bring re-fillable water bottles to school (and parents can bring them to work).
- Refill Greece Station - Students can convince at least 1 local shop (it can be a store, coffee shop, or anything with opening hours) to become a Refill Greece Station - all it requires is for the shop to place a sticker on its window to show that it will refill passersby' water bottles with potable tap water for free.
- 'Sto Potiri Mou' Network - Students can try and convince local coffee shops to become part of the "Sto Potiri Mou" network - these are coffee shops all over Greece that offer discounts on takeaway beverages if you bring your own refillable cup. Even better, also convince the shop to stop using plastic straws.
- Sign Plastic Free Greece's Petitions - Plastic Free Greece intends to lobby politicians, businesses and consumers to change their habits so as to reduce their plastic footprint. Click HERE to read and sign the petitions.
For more information and more ways to get involved, please visit: Plastic Free Greece
Facts Source: Earth Day
Facts Source: Earth Day
Published in
Local Environment
Tagged under
Thursday, 11 July 2019 07:00
Refugee Women In Greece Find Relief In Soccer
Even though many of the players at Hestia FC weren't allowed to play — or even watch — soccer matches in their home countries, here, they constitute Greece's first women's refugee team.
The team members come from 14 different countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, and Ethiopia, which makes communication during soccer practice a challenge. At a recent practice, the team's founder Katerina Salta and her coach went through instructions with the help of a translator who speaks English, Urdu, Pashto, Dari, and Farsi.
"The atmosphere in the team is fantastic," Salta said. "I started this program to empower them but what actually happens is that every single day I get empowered by them — their will, their (determination) to continue trying for their lives even in such difficult conditions."
Hestia FC participated in the Global Goals World Cup in Denmark last month a five-a-side women's tournament that aims to promote gender equality. None of the migrant women were allowed to travel, and consequently, they were substituted by volunteers who agreed to play in their place. Unexpectedly, Hestia FC won the tournament.
To read this inspiring article in full, please visit: The Associated Press
About Hestia FC
In Ancient Greek religion, Hestia is a virgin goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, the home, and the state. Since she represents all matters domestic, there was an underlying assumption back then that the belief in her would result in peace, order, and harmony in the home.
Hestia FC is the first refugee and migrant women football team in Greece. It’s a program of the International Olympic Truce Centre in collaboration with the international NGO Eir, which takes action globally for the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) though sport.
The overall aim of the project which is under the Auspices of the City of Athens and the Council for the Social Inclusion of Refugees is the protection, the psychological well-being, the empowerment and the social integration of refugee and migrant women, as well as the promotion of the Olympic values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport. Human rights based rules of a sport can help to replace culturally discriminative norms that exclude women from sport. By bringing people together, building communities and fighting attitudes of xenophobia, negative gender stereotypes and racism, sport has the potential to make an important contribution to the integration of refugees in the EU.
Since our ultimate aim is to fight against any kind of discrimination and promote equal access to sport for women in general, the team will also welcome Greek women with less opportunities in the near future.
Our vision is that like the ancient Greek goddess, Hestia FC will become a home, a refuge and that our players and supporters will raise their voices to support all vulnerable women.
Source: Hestia FC
Hestia FC is the first refugee and migrant women football team in Greece. It’s a program of the International Olympic Truce Centre in collaboration with the international NGO Eir, which takes action globally for the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) though sport.
The overall aim of the project which is under the Auspices of the City of Athens and the Council for the Social Inclusion of Refugees is the protection, the psychological well-being, the empowerment and the social integration of refugee and migrant women, as well as the promotion of the Olympic values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport. Human rights based rules of a sport can help to replace culturally discriminative norms that exclude women from sport. By bringing people together, building communities and fighting attitudes of xenophobia, negative gender stereotypes and racism, sport has the potential to make an important contribution to the integration of refugees in the EU.
Since our ultimate aim is to fight against any kind of discrimination and promote equal access to sport for women in general, the team will also welcome Greek women with less opportunities in the near future.
Our vision is that like the ancient Greek goddess, Hestia FC will become a home, a refuge and that our players and supporters will raise their voices to support all vulnerable women.
Source: Hestia FC
Published in
Greece In The News
Tagged under
Thursday, 03 December 2020 16:49
New Disabled Lift Installed At The Acropolis Of Athens
Coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an emblematic project was inaugurated on Thursday, December 3 by the Greek Prime Minister.
A new lift that will enable wheelchair users, elderly citizens, and people with mobility problems to visit the monuments of the Acropolis has been installed at the Acropolis Hill. The lift will carry disabled visitors from the level of the ancient promenade, on the northern slope of the Acropolis, to the top of the hill.
“Today, we inaugurate the new lift and also the designed routes to make the Acropolis Hill accessible to everyone,” the Prime Minister said with regards to the much-anticipated project. The project was bankrolled by the Onassis Foundation, which has also paid for two electric cars for people with disabilities and the new illumination of Athens' most important archaeological site.
To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Friday, 15 October 2021 07:00
Athens Grant Walk: Downtown to Get Green Makeover
The redevelopment of central Athens’ Panepistimiou Avenue is part of a general urban redevelopment plan. So far the makeover has included park projects, pedestrian walkways, and major city square overhauls.
After major construction works on the central street of the capital, 19,360 square meters will be redeveloped. Athens will, presumably, have more aesthetically modernized and environmentally valuable public space after the renovation.
To enhance sustainable mobility by expanding existing sidewalks, 4270 square meters will be allocated for pedestrians, according to the makeover project. Another 2260 square meters of Athens green space (large flower beds with shrubs and seasonal plants), will be created.
A total of 87 new large plane trees are to be planted along Panepistimiou Avenue, lining both sides of the street. The Panepistimiou renovation has a budget of €3 million euros and is a plan Athens mayor Kostas Bakoyiannis believes in.
Upgrading Athens’ standard of living
The makeover aims to upgrade the standard of living in the urban center, the municipality says, making it more accessible and friendlier to Athens residents and visitors.
This stage of the project comes after the recent start of renovation work on the lower part of Athens’ Syntagma Square. The makeover renovations are scheduled to begin at the end of the year.
The works will continue for a period of up to 15 months, the Athens municipality announced. The makeover will allegedly follow the example of similar urban plans implemented in Berlin and Paris.
In an effort to clarify a number of issues (and take the pulse of the reactions), the Athens municipality has launched an FAQ series covering questions on the makeover project.
Athens authorities are noting that the disruption will be as little as possible in the capital. They have announced that works will be carried out in segments.
To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com
To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Tuesday, 29 March 2022 19:44
Museum Of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions in central Athens brings an amazing location for both socializing and entertaining.
A perfect place for new experiences and fun, there’s something for everyone: friends and family, parents and couples, grandparents and grandchildren!
Enter the fascinating world of illusions which will trick your confidence in senses, but amaze you by doing it; the world that will confuse you completely, but also educate you.
Let your imagination run free in the vast expanse of the Infinity Room, defy the laws of gravity in the Reverse Room, shrink to miniature size in the Ames Room… all while capturing you in the coveted, impossible photo.
A perfect place for new experiences and fun, there’s something for everyone: friends and family, parents and couples, grandparents and grandchildren!
Enter the fascinating world of illusions which will trick your confidence in senses, but amaze you by doing it; the world that will confuse you completely, but also educate you.
Deceive your eyes and entertain the mind!
Enjoy a collection of holograms, look closely at each optical illusion, and observe each exhibit. You’ll find that each is a brilliant, playful reminder that our assumptions of the world are often nothing but a spectre of illusions.
Amusing and awesome tricks will teach you about vision, perception, the human brain and science so it will be easier to perceive why your eyes see things which your brain cannot understand. Make sure you visit our playroom with intriguing and educational games and puzzles. These brain bashers are definitely great fun but tend to be frustrating as well.
Come and explore the world of illusions. Experience the impossible. And, by all means, bring your camera!
Published in
Museums & Sites
Tagged under
Thursday, 25 August 2022 12:47
The Greek Maritime Golf Event Is Approaching
The countdown has begun for the top golf tournament in Greece, the Greek Maritime Golf Event, which will gather more than 100 leading executives from the maritime industry for the 8th year, on September 8-11, 2022, at Costa Navarino, Messinia.
Showcasing golf & maritime
The event promotes the golf activity on a yearly basis, giving the opportunity to distinguished executives of the Greek maritime industry to get acquainted with the values and benefits of the popular Olympic sport, to admire the beauties of Messinia, to compete in an idyllic landscape full of centuries-old olive trees with stunning views of the Ionian Sea, the historic Bay of Navarino and the picturesque port of Pylos, while also contributing to the good cause of the event.
Golf for everyone at the Greek Maritime Golf Event 2022
This year’s golfing action includes a two-day shotgun scramble for participants, with the first day of competition taking place on Friday, September 9 at The Hills Course and the second on Saturday, September 10 at the International Olympic Academy Golf Course.
In addition, non-golfers will attend a golf clinic on Saturday, September 10 and participate in the putting competition that will be held at The Dunes Course.
On Friday, September 9, the event will greet its participants at the Welcome Cocktail by Marine Tours.
On Saturday, September 10, awards will be given to the top three teams in the overall standings, whereas special awards will be given to individual players who will achieve the best scores in the “Longest Drive” and “Closest to the Pin” categories. The awards night will be presented by the EuroLeague legend Joe Arlauckas, who will also compete in the tournament.
Check the full schedule here: www.greekmaritimegolf.gr/schedule
The maritime industry supports HOPEgenesis
Greek Maritime Golf Event will support the Non-Profit Company HOPEgenesis through its actions. On Saturday, September 10, during this year’s award ceremony, participants will have the opportunity to contribute with their desired amount by taking part in raffles for significant lottery prizes. The total amount to be collected will be given to the Non-Profit Company HOPEgenesis.
For more information about HOPEgenesis: www.hopegenesis.org
Top maritime companies highlight the event
Greek Maritime Golf Event is attended by some of the most significant maritime companies from Greece and Cyprus, as well as various other important companies that support the event.
IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry is the event’s Platinum Sponsor.
Mainline Shipping Company, Jotun Hellas and Onego Shipping Company are Golden Sponsors.
DNV, Arrow Hellas and Marine Tours are the Silver Sponsors.
Optima International Shipbroking Services SA is the Official Sponsor.
Spanos Luxury Cars is the Official Mobility Sponsor.
Standard Club, Poseidonia Restaurant and Grey Goose are the event’s Official Supporters.
Under Armour is the Official Clothing Partner.
Greek Maritime Golf Event is organized by Birdie Events, through an initiative of the recognized Greek PGA golfer, Mr. Thanos Karantzias. The award-winning sports marketing agency of ActiveMedia Group has undertaken the event’s Golf Production.
Messinian Spa is the event’s Official Beauty Partner.
Minoa Water is the event’s Official Water.
Hellenic Grocery, Spitiko, Karalis Beach Hotel, The Margi, Domaine Skouras, Arifakis Menswear, Iliada Sunset Suites, Afanos Guesthouse, OKIO Restaurant, Kayak and Athi Rodi are the event’s Partners.
Boo Productions is the Audio Visual Partner.
The event will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Hellenic Golf Federation. The tournament is addressed exclusively to distinguished executives of the Greek maritime community.
Hashtags: #greekmaritimegolfevent #costavarino #navarinohills
Photo Credit: Mike Tsolis
Photo Credit: Mike Tsolis
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Wednesday, 18 February 2015 13:03
Patmos & The Monastery of St. John
The locked gates to one of the world’s most revered holy places are themselves imposing, looming high above the port of Skala on this island in the eastern Aegean. The St. John monastery was built by St. Christodoulos in 1088 to venerate St. John, who wrote the Book of Revelation in a nearby cave after being exiled to the island in 95 AD by the Roman emperor Domitian.
Now home to 15 monks, the monastery is located at the highest point of Hora, which is a spiral of whitewashed buildings, many in varying states of graceful decay, perched dramatically over the port.
Visiting the monastery was my first order of business on Patmos and it did not disappoint. The church’s icons are visually arresting, the views of the surrounding islands are sublime, and the presence of black clad monks a reminder that St. John’s is a magnet for devout Christians.
Locals claim that Patmos has more than 300 churches, or one for every 10 residents. Father Ioustinianos, 62, a monk from Crete who has lived at St. John’s for 22 years. took me on a private tour of Zoodochos Pigi, an early 17th-century monastery in Hora, and invited me to an afternoon service at St. John’s.
To read more, please visit boston.com
By Dave Seminara
Published in
Travel Greece
Tagged under