Dynamic presence of the Greek National Open Water Swimming Team. Major sponsors support the organization for another year!

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

This year’s event will feature many big names of the Greek National Open Water Swimming Team such as world champions Kelly Araouzou and Antonis Fokaidis, European champion George Arniakos and Greek champions Dimitris Negris, Stellina Aplanti, Dejan Jovanovic and Dimitris Manios.

In the context of this year's participation, the Greek champion Kelly Araouzou stated: “I am very happy to participate for the 4th consecutive year in Santorini Experience. This is an event that increases both its racing and organizing level every year. Particularly the open water swimming race is unique, as it is conducted in a unique landscape and on a route that you can swim only once a year, in the waters believed to cover the lost Atlantis. The swimming race is always implemented with absolute safety from the volcano of Santorini, having the imposing view of the island in front of you, with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and following the FINA regulations. I invite all amateur and professional friends of the sea to take part and swim with me at the 4th Santorini Experience”.

Registration for “Santorini Experience” concludes on August 31 st , 2018. Hurry up and register now HERE as there are only a few days left:

For the second consecutive year in “Santorini Experience”, Samsung will be the official technology partner. The company will enrich the experience of those participating and attending the event with the innovative Samsung Galaxy ecosystem services, such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, coupled with the Gear 360, the Gear VR and unique 360 degrees content.

Ford Motor Hellas promotes sports and “fair play” by participating for the 4 th year in the support team of “Santorini Experience”. Athletes and organizers will move with the safety and efficient Ford Motor Hellas cars, the official sponsor of the event. Alafouzos Sport will also be present at the 4 th “Santorini Experience”, as in all previous events as the official sponsor of the event. Athletes will be able to pick up their participation numbers and packages from Alafouzos Sport store in Fira.

Watch the impressive video teaser of Santorini Experience 2018 HERE! 

Santorini is an island in which use of means of transportation is necessary and DNA Travel provides its services for this purpose. Participants will be able to take advantage of the special offer created by DNA Travel for the days of Santorini Experience and arrange a transfer from/to their hotels and from/to the airport or the port they arrive at a cost of €30.00 for up to 4 people and with €5.00 extra cost for every extra person. Reservations can be made at info@dnatravel.gr and info@dnatravelgreece.com , but also at the following telephone numbers: +306972245343, +306980027609, +302286021179.

VitaNTravel, as the official travel agent of the event, will take care and assist all athletes and escorts with information about the ferry routes, ferry tickets, car rentals and accommodation in the island while a special accommodation package has been prepared for the period October 5-7, 2018. You may book this special package for a two- night stay that includes your hotel accommodation, ferry tickets with Blue Star Ferries, in economy class for the itineraries: Piraeus - Santorini (5/10), departure: 07.25 am, arrival: 14.55 pm and from Santorini - Piraeus (7/10), departure: 15.30 pm, arrival: 23.25 pm as well as extra transfers from the hotel to the event venues.

The privileged package starts from 130€/person. For more information visit:

http://vitantravel.gr/ or call +30 2103249070.

To find all available offers related to the event click HERE!

Ryanair is the official airline partner. Official sponsors are for one more year, Blue Star Ferries, Athina Luxury Suites and Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa. Official Supporters are Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Avance Rent A Car, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels and Boatmen Union Santorini. “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.

More info at: www.santorini-experience.com

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair

Official Technology Partner: Samsung

Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Hellas, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa

Official Supporters: Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Avance Rent A Car, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Boatmen Union Santorini

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

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

Official travel agent: VitaNTravel

Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

Photo credit: Loukas Hapsis

Last week US casino operator Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment revealed its plan to build a big casino resort on the Athens Riviera.

Mohegan is competing with Hard Rock International in a tender to build and operate a casino within the planned 8-billion-euro resort at Elliniko on the site of Athens' former international airport. The winner of the tender will construct a large casino, a luxury hotel, entertainment venues, a conference center, and a sports center.

Mohegan's CEO Mario Kontomerkos, stated that all costing, land planning, and architectural design is finished. "We are ready to begin as soon as we receive all the necessary approvals," he said. "We want to start as fast as possible."

 

According to Kontomerkos, the Mohegan casino resort will attract even more tourists to Athens and generate over 7,000 job openings.

 

Article Source: Reuters

Going to the Museum of Cycladic Art with your children will allow you to bond with them. Whether it's reading labels under the artifacts and explaining what they mean, or laughing over a strange ancient object, you will leave the Museum with new knowledge and, most importantly, unforgettable memories. If your children are 2 and 10 years old, this is even more true with the Museum's weekend family activities running from October to May.

By taking part in these weekend programs, both parents and children get the unique opportunity to learn about the Museum's world through activities like storytelling, photography, music, theatre, interactive tours, and even art workshops. To help with finding the most suitable weekend activity for your kids, we've described each program below.

 

 

In this workshop, children are introduced to a book whose story and illustrations will inspire their artistic projects. Here kids will be encouraged to experiment with painting, drawing, impressions, collage, clay, and various construction methods. It will get everyone's creativity flowing by sparking their imaginations and perceptions. As an adult, you may discover creativity, you never knew you had; if you're a creative, you may find a new source of inspiration for your works! The benefits for your children, though, are clear: they will develop motor skills and learn to express themselves through art. Overall, though, you'll get the chance to spend time together while listening to stories and exploring new worlds!

For February, there is a Carnival-themed workshop, based on Jon Klassen's story, 'This is not my hat.' In this workshop, parents and children will make their own hat inspired by Klassen's story.

 

Language: Greek only
Ages: 2-5

Ticket price for both parents and children: €12

Note: Parental presence required.

 

 

Like the “There was a Little Book” activity, your children will listen to music from around the world that will get them dancing, and will inspire them to represent music through different media, like paint, collage, stamps, photographs, and smudging. At the end of these sessions, children will invite their parents to present their works and dance together!

 

For February, the workshop titled “You’re the One that I Want Grease (musical)” will focus on 1950s rock ’n’ roll music. Children will also dress up and dance to music from the musical Grease. Then, kids will get the chance to enter a fairytale, where a princess leaves her castle, goes on escapades, and meets her prince. Using Toulouse-Lautrec’s prints for inspiration, the children will use the love story they participated in to make posters for a musical. Parents will be invited to help decorate the room with their children’s posters, and even help stage the kids’ show!

 

Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.

 

Language: Greek only

Ages: 4-5
Ticket price: €12

 

 

In these workshops, children explore how the self has been portrayed in the visual arts of different cultures and time periods. It will also raise questions about how, as humans, we form our views about the world and people. Using different creative and artistic techniques each time, children will be encouraged to explore and develop aspects of their individual personalities, while learning how to navigate things like conflict, change, and diversity.

 

This February, the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop will allow children to think about true and imaginary selves, and what happens when they meet. To do this, kids will get the opportunity to transform into imaginary heroes in an inclusive story. They will use paints, collage, and cameras to transfer their story on paper and make it come alive!

Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.

 

Languages: Greek and English

Ages: 5-7
Ticket price: €12

 

 

This activity’s concept is exactly like the aforementioned one, but it is geared towards older children.

 

For February, kids between the ages of 8 and 10 can take part in the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop mentioned above, or they can choose to participate in the “Who Am I?” workshop. In this workshop, children discover more about themselves by taking on a different identity. They will be encouraged to describe and transform themselves, while also learning how to improvise in front of the camera. Unlike the other programs, this activity will teach children fundamental video and photography techniques to create mixed media works of art.

 

Languages: Greek and English

Ages: 8-10
Ticket price: €12

Although there are several kid-friendly activities in Athens, the Museum’s emphasis on teaching self-expression through artistic activities at different ages offers a unique experience that should definitely be considered!

 

To learn more about the various activities, please visit: Museum of Cycladic Art

Vibrant and cosmopolitan, Piraeus combines urban kick, commercial hubbub, massive industrial infrastructure and seaside hedonism in a heady brew that's hard to find elsewhere in Greece.

One of the busiest ports in Europe, Piraeus has for centuries been a melting pot of sailors and merchants arriving from every part of the globe, alongside the reams of immigrants and colonisers who have also landed ashore. These culturally-diverse influences have woven their way into the local commerce, gastronomy, arts and entertainment scenes.

There are some “old guard” landmarks that you might want to tick off first to give an important cultural context to present day Piraeus: the local Municipal Gallery, with its marine-themed haul of Greek art from the past 300 years or so (you’ll also catch contemporary art shows from time to time); the Hellenic Maritime Museum and the Piraeus Archaeological Museum.

These days though, the loudest art buzz is to be found in the Piraeus portside neighbourhood of Agios Dionysios (also known as Papastratos). Once a site of heavy industry dubbed "the Manchester of Athens" by the 20th-century Athenian middle-class, Agios Dionysios is full of large industrial buildings. They’ve made rich pickings for real-estate developers and eagle-eyed investors who are rapidly turning them into sleek developments amid the garages, metal workshops and warehouses.

Among the art professionals who have colonised the area in recent years are international galleries like Rodeo from London and Carwan from Beirut. Both have established new spaces here, sharing the neighbourhood with restaurants, night clubs, office workers and blue-collar locals. The arrival of these cosmopolitan galleries has transformed Agios Dionysios into an art-lover’s hotspot well worth making a detour from downtown Athens for.

Meanwhile, whether by chance or by design, Piraeus galleries are now luring visitors from abroad as well (outside lockdown at least). Within walking distance from the port and only a short taxi ride from the nearby yacht marinas, Polydefkous Street in particular has become an art stop for canny collectors en-route to their Greek island holiday homes every summer.

DL Gallery and ENIA Gallery

First on the scene at Agios Dionysios was Dimitris Lymperopoulos' DL Gallery. Raised in a family of Piraeus frame makers and art dealers, Lymperopoulos transformed his father's former factory into a gallery in 2015.
The large industrial space with its 1950s glass façade was more than suitable for exhibiting contemporary art, especially large sculptures and installations. To accommodate his growing roster of artists—which includes local and foreign names like Greek painter Dimitris Yeros and Portuguese photographer Virgilio Ferreira—Lymperopoulos acquired an old warehouse opposite his gallery and opened a second one. ENIA gallery is now DL Gallery’s next-door sibling. The former is dedicated to conceptual art and installation, whereas the latter tilts to contemporary painting and photography.

Growing up in Agios Dionysios has allowed Dimitris Lymperopoulos to witness every step of the area’s post-industrial decay and current renaissance. "Every building you see here houses workshops, businesses, craftspeople”, he explains. “Not all of them stand empty. During the day you can hear their machinery working. Agios Dionysios is still very alive and busy."

Rodeo Gallery

Housed in a former warehouse built in the early 20th century, Rodeo Gallery has kept its old façade, so it blends in seamlessly with its surroundings. Upon entering, you find yourself in a cool cavernous space. The stone of the walls and the original wooden roof have been left exposed, and a sleek box containing administrative spaces has been added in the middle by Berlin-based architect Etienne Descloux.

"It is a rather challenging space for exhibitions," gallery founder Sylvia Kouvali admits. "A white cube can be treated as a blank canvas. A stone wall is no blank canvas. That said, it's interesting to offer this space to artists. Artists today have a need to work with the space they exhibit in, which is part of the post-conceptual tradition we are going through now."

Rodeo Gallery was the first gallery to open on Polydefkous Street in 2018 and its programming is based on long-term collaborations with artists, most of whom use a variety of media in their work. The mix of artists’ backgrounds is international in scope and surprisingly diverse. For example, recent shows range from solo exhibitions by Greek painter Apostolos Georgiou, who was born in the 1950s, and young London-based artist Sidsel Meineche Hansen, whose work is a whimsical mix of digital media, contemporary drawing, sculptural objects and installation. Both exhibitions activated the space in different ways.

Floating somewhere in between polished and rough, Rodeo’s Piraeus space is one of the successful examples of how galleries can experiment with curating shows and activating repurposed spaces in Athens. Visitors often hang out at the benches of the wine bar next door, which are planted out on the street. Opening nights (in the pre-Covid-19 days at least), synced with neighbouring galleries, turned into lively block parties.

The Intermission

On the heels of Rodeo, art advisor Artemis Baltoyanni opened The Intermission on Polydefkous Street in 2019. The Intermission doesn’t have its own roster of artists, but instead invites artists and the galleries that represent them to exhibit at its space. So far Baltoyanni has hosted three exhibitions with two artists: the acclaimed American conceptual artist John Knight and emerging Athens-based artist Zoë Paul.
The Intermission is housed inside a former car workshop with stone walls and a high ceiling with a wooden roof — the same situation as Rodeo. In fact, the entire block used to be one interconnected facility, hence the architectural echoes between all the galleries here. Most of Baltoyanni's neighbours opted to keep the stone walls of their spaces exposed. She went for a more clean-cut, white-cube approach instead. The white walls work wonderfully with the bright natural light that floods in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, adding a special glow to the space.
“Piraeus has a very particular identity, which I like,” says Baltoyanni. “It's gritty and noisy and full of people. But at the same time it's so urban and full of pockets to discover. Also, artists and galleries want to come here to exhibit. Piraeus is not isolated: we have the Athenian audience that comes here, and there's buying interest locally."

Carwan Gallery

The most recent arrival to Polydefkous is Carwan, a contemporary design gallery that was founded in Beirut in 2011 and touched down in Piraeus in 2020.

Architect and curator Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, the gallery’s co-founder, and his new business partner, architect Quentin Moyse, renovated the space together. Their intention? To preserve the building’s aesthetic qualities and replace what was broken using the simplest elements possible. The space is a very organic addition to Piraeus’ new gallery street: when the Athenian sun is not too high in the sky, visitors are greeted outside and the street becomes an extension of the gallery.

Carwan's programme has consistently championed contemporary design from Western Asia and the Mediterranean. The gallery currently focuses on what Bellavance-Lecompte describes as “conceptual design”, work by designers that borders contemporary art and collectible design. The gallery’s opening show in Piraeus featured a collection of one-off bronze vessels by Vancouver-based designer Omer Arbel. The gold-hued pieces were cast in glass moulds that broke as the molten metal cooled in them: a great example of how design and manufacture can veer into the poetic.

“Moving to Greece has opened up a lot of new potential,” says Bellavance-Lecompte. Without doubt, the arrival of so many international galleries in Piraeus has upped the ante for the local art scene and is sparking new collaborations. It has also established a fresh way for exhibiting and viewing art: one that is slower and, even by Greek standards, more social and communal.

This content was originally published on This is Athens
Photo Credit: Thomas Gravanis

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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.

A minuscule gem of an island, Trizonia is the largest island and the only inhabited one in the Corinthian Gulf. It belongs to the prefecture of Fokida, and, along with the islets of Prasoudi, Planemi, and Agios Ioannis comprises a small group of islands. Rumor has it that when Aristotle Onassis was looking to buy an island of his own, he was constantly visiting Trizonia, looking for a way to acquire them.

This unspoiled getaway is an ideal destination for vacationers who seek scenic beauty combined with a peaceful serenity. On Trizonia, it’s unlikely that you will come across any cars, as they are not allowed there, and there are barely any roads for them to drive on. So, if you’re traveling with kids, this small island provides the perfect opportunity for them to run free, play endlessly, discover the world around them, and get back in touch with nature!

Trizonia is a verdant island with lush vegetation, including olive trees, almond trees, vines, prickly pears, eucalypti, and many more. Visitors can wander the picturesque port, admire the natural marina where boats and yachts dock, visit one of the seaside taverns and cafes or go for a swim on one of the island’s three beaches: Pounda, Aspra Halikia, and Kapsales. Located 2km from the port, Pounda is the largest and most beautiful beach, with fine red sand and emerald waters; a definite must-see!

How To Get There

The best thing about Trizonia is that you don’t have to travel for hours on end to get there. It’s only a 5 -minute boat ride off the coast of the fishing village of Chania, on the north side of the Gulf. And, for the best part? The boat ticket costs just 1 euro per person!

To get to Chania from Athens, travelers must follow the route Athens-Thiva-Aliartos-Livadia-Delfoi-Itea-Galaxidi-Eratini-Chania, which is 276km.



Main image: @m_tsili

 

Navarino Challenge returns dynamically on May 9-11, bringing together amateur and professional athletes with the presence of Olympians and world champions. With the message “Sports Unites People”, the event will feature a rich schedule with more than 60 activities and 20 Olympic sports. Participants will have the opportunity to live this unforgettable experience at Costa Navarino and Pylos with the events hosted at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, W Costa Navarino, and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort.

Navarino Challenge continues to lead the way in sports tourism, maintaining its position as one of Greece’s top events. At the recent Sports Marketing Awards and Sponsorship Awards 2025, the event received a total of 28 distinctions – 3 Platinum, 18 Gold, 6 Silver, and 1 Bronze – confirming its strong impact and innovative spirit.

The event was recognized as the top sports tourism event, the top wellness event, and the top multi-sport event. It stood out for its strategic approach to branding and sales, its innovative fan engagement program, its alternative and children-focused activities, its meaningful use of content creators, and its exceptional sponsorship collaborations with Miele Hellas and the MOTODYNAMICS Group.

As every year, the event remains committed to promoting values that support society, solidarity, and health. Participants are invited to take part in activities that help the fight against obesity while also being educated on the benefits of the Messinian diet. The event embraces the values of the Olympic Ideal, promoting a peaceful and better world without discrimination—where every athlete is awarded their own medal, celebrating participation and effort.

For the first time this year, the event joins forces with one of the greatest figures in Greek basketball, Panagiotis Giannakis – the only athlete in European basketball history to have won a European Championship both as a player and as a coach.

As part of this unique collaboration with Giannakis Academy, the innovative academy founded by the Greek Olympian and dedicated to the education and development of young athletes, the Basketball Clinic powered by Melissa will offer unforgettable sports experiences. Children aged 5 to 15 will have the opportunity to improve their skills and develop their athletic character alongside the legendary Greek basketball icon. At the same time, through Melissa High Protein and Melissa Boost products, participants will learn about the importance of proper nutrition and energy for a healthy and active sports lifestyle.

Basketball is one of the core pillars of this year’s event, with activities designed for everyone—from young athletes to basketball professionals.

Girls aged 5 to 16 will have the chance to grow and be inspired by Olympian and EuroBasket MVP Evina Maltsi, who is passionately focused on the development and empowerment of girls in basketball. She will lead the Girls Basketball Clinic powered by Trace ‘n Chase.

Meanwhile, the 4on4 basketball tournament powered by Trace ‘n Chase promises intense competition and spectacular plays, as teams collaborate and battle for victory.

The action-packed Knock Out Challenge powered by Trace ‘n Chase, featuring EuroLeague legend Joe Arlauckas, adds even more excitement, offering fast-paced and dynamic matchups where participants test their skills in a game that combines precision, speed, and strategy.

Additionally, this year’s event embraces the power of inclusive sports, with the Wheelchair Basketball Demonstration Game powered by Vikos. Champion basketball player Georgia Kaltsi and athletes in wheelchairs will deliver powerful moments of competition and inspiration, promoting inclusion and equal participation in sports.

This year’s Navarino Challenge schedule introduces an exciting innovation: the “Navarino Challenge Talks”, a series of talks focusing on sports, health, and wellness. One of the featured speakers will be Elisabeth Calbari (Corporate Neurosciences Psychologist | TEDx & International Keynote Speaker, Founder of Self Balance), who will speak about the power of exercise, leadership, and mental balance, highlighting how high achievers—both in business and in sports—live like Olympians in their daily lives, guided by determination and goal-oriented focus.

With the support of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, Olympian and former international basketball player Dimitris Papanikolaou will share his personal journey and the challenges he has faced, inspiring the audience through his experiences in both sports and inclusion.

Thanasis Chountras, motorsport coach, will dive into important topics related to road safety. Award-winning chef Ettore Botrini will give a special talk, unveiling the secrets of gastronomy, discipline, and creativity required to reach the top in his field. As part of the Obesity Awareness and Information Seminar powered by Novo Nordisk, participants will hear from Mrs. Mary Karageorgou, External Affairs Director of Novo Nordisk Hellas, and Dr. Spyros Sapounas, endocrinologist-diabetologist, Vice President of the Hellenic Medicines Organization, and former Vice President of the Hellenic National Public Health Organization. They will highlight the challenges of obesity across all ages and the solutions offered by modern science.

Additionally, through the initiative of π³ = Plastic Pollution Prevention and Humanity Greece, the event will connect NGOs with the world of sports, emphasizing the importance of reducing plastic pollution, raising environmental awareness, encouraging volunteerism, and promoting social solidarity, with the participation of non-profit organizations and the athletic community.

Navarino Challenge is proud to welcome back Kostas Katsouranis, Euro 2004 Champion with the Greek National Team, for the second time. The former international midfielder, who has had a remarkable career with top Greek and European clubs, returns once again to support the next generation.

For yet another year, under his guidance, the Football Clinics powered by Miele will take place for children aged 5 to 17, with the support of the model football academy Falcons Football Academy.

The F45 Barrio Salamanca HYROX powered by KORRES will make its debut this year, introducing a cutting-edge hybrid race that combines running with high-intensity functional exercises. With four world championships already under its belt, HYROX is considered the sport of the future, attracting athletes from a variety of sports disciplines.

The race and training include running, rowing, and dynamic exercises, challenging both the endurance and strength of participants. Athletes are required to complete eight different workout stations, with 1 kilometer of running between each station.

HYROX is a unique challenge that pushes the limits of fitness, strength, and endurance. It demands commitment and systematic preparation while offering multiple benefits for both amateur and professional athletes alike.

As part of the event, the MOTODYNAMICS Group supports society through initiatives that promote responsibility, innovation, and social contribution. Together with former international basketball player, Olympian, and Group ambassador Dimitris Papanikolaou, they will organize a special Inclusion Talk in schools of the Pylos-Nestor Municipality, promoting acceptance of diversity and inclusion through sports.

In parallel, middle and high school students in the region will have the opportunity to attend a specialized Road Safety Seminar, led by motorsport coach Thanasis Chountras. Thematic talks will also take place at Costa Navarino, as part of the Navarino Challenge Talks, focusing on both road safety and social integration, aiming to raise awareness and inform all participants.

The physiotherapists of Joint Athens, Aggelos Giakoumidis and Giorgos Poulianitis, will lead specialized sessions focusing on immediate lower back protection from pain and injuries, stress relief for the body, and the meaningful improvement of mobility—helping participants move freely and without discomfort.

At the same time, the exceptional Ifigenia Baka, pilates instructor and owner of Breath Pilates Studio, will lead two unique sessions: a full-body workout for all ages through Pilates High Intensity Interval Training, and a Stretch and Strength class designed to enhance flexibility and mobility.

The international retail company JYSK, constantly evolving, supports unlimited access to sports, by promoting initiatives that celebrate diversity, equality, and inclusion — core values of the brand.

As part of this year's Navarino Challenge, JYSK will support, for the first time, the sports of Boccia, featuring 7-time Paralympic medalist Grigoris Polychronidis, and Wheelchair Tennis, with Greek national champion and national team member Giorgos Lazaridis. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover these sports and be inspired by the athletes’ stories and achievements.

With this initiative, JYSK reinforces its commitment to creating an environment where every athlete can feel the power of participation and perseverance.

Since June 1989, JYSK has been the main sponsor of Parasport Denmark, making it one of the longest-standing sports sponsorships in Denmark. JYSK proudly supports athletes in achieving outstanding results over time.

As the company expanded and opened new stores abroad, this sponsorship extended to other countries as well.

At the same time, JYSK will welcome participants to the event with a Welcome Cocktail & Finger Food powered by JYSK, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where relaxation and socializing meet a shared passion for sports.

With the experience and expertise of Triantafyllidis Beach Arena and former international volleyball player and Greek national team record-holder, Michalis Triantafyllidis, Beach Volley offers a sports experience filled with energy, passion, and summer vibes. Participants will enjoy their favorite sport by the sea, taking part in two different tournaments: the classic and well-established King of the Court Beach Volley Tournament powered by Bacardi, as well as, for the first time, the Family Beach Volley Tournament powered by KORRES, which focuses on family participation.

The Men’s Round Robin Tennis Tournament powered by Grey Goose Super Premium Vodka raises the level of competition, delivering high-caliber matches. Focusing on performance and style, participants will have the chance to test their skills in dynamic games while enjoying an exciting tennis experience at the state-of-the-art Mouratoglou Tennis Center at Costa Navarino.

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Watch the teaser video of this year’s Navarino Challenge and get ready for a schedule full of surprises and new experiences!

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Participants will have the opportunity to compete in one of the top Half Marathons in Greece, the Navarino Challenge Half Marathon powered by The North Face, alongside Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes. The iconic beach of Messinia, known for its distinctive shape resembling the Greek letter Ω, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and provides the perfect backdrop for a unique running experience. It is the only trail race that combines different terrains – dirt, sand, and asphalt – offering an exciting and demanding course.

At the same time, runners can take on the enchanting 10km route powered by Dimello, alongside the sea, or the 5km route powered by Miele, through centuries-old olive groves, which can even be followed with a dynamic walk.

All running events are co-organized with the Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and the EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.

Join the action and choose the route that suits you! You can participate in races of 21.1km, 10km, 5km, or 1km, while the children’s races 1km for ages 10-14 and 1km for ages up to 9 powered by Vikos, are free of charge. At the same time, participants will have the opportunity to take part in the 1km Run For All race powered by the MOTODYNAMICS Group, supported by the DiaforoΖΟ club for people with disabilities. Sign up easily by completing the related form you will find here.

For yet another year, all runners will enjoy exceptional and exquisite gifts from the sponsors. Specifically, athletes who finish the 21.1km powered by The North Face will receive t-shirts from the top outdoor apparel and equipment company. Similarly, runners of the 5km powered by Miele will receive unique gifts from the world’s top manufacturer of high-quality household appliances, Miele. 

Experience a weekend full of outdoor sports activities for all ages! Get the complete sports activities package and enjoy an unforgettable athletic and cultural experience. For information about accommodation packages at W Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, you can send your email at booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or contact Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070. Discover the packages here.

Platinum Sponsor is Miele.

Gold Sponsor of the event is MOTODYNAMICS Group.

Silver Sponsors are JYSK, KORRES, Melissa, The North Face, and Chiquita.

Strategic Healthcare Sponsor is Novo Nordisk.

Official Water is Vikos Natural Mineral Water. 

Official Hospitality Sponsors are Costa Navarino and the hotels W Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort.

Official Sports Supplier is 42K.

Bronze Sponsors are Dimello, Trace ‘n Chase, Patron, and Pilia Express.

Premium Mobility Partner is SIXT, member of MOTODYNAMICS Group.

Οfficial Partners of Navarino Challenge are Messinian Nest, Pylos-Nestor Municipality.

Authentic Flavor Partner is Navarino Icons.

Official Optics Partner is Kois Optics.

Official Healthy Catering Partner is TO BAZAKI.

Official Supporters are Messinian Spa, Alpha Estate, Εlite Boats, Messinia Transfer, Vlaha, SportAdore, Karalis Beach Hotel, Karalis City Hotel, Silk Gonos, Memmos, and Rania's Flower.

Premium TV Partner is SKAI.

Premium Media Partner is Liquid Media.

Sustainability Partner is π³ = Plastic Pollution Prevention.

Educational Partner is University of Piraeus.

Athletic Partners are Angelic Yoga Arts, Breath Pilates Studio, F45 Barrio Salamanca, Falcons Football Academy, FitnessArt, Free Movement Skateboarding, Giannakis Academy, Joint Athens, Moraitis Outdoors, Moraitis Watersports, Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino, Navarino Golf Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim O’Clock, and Triantafyllidis Beach Arena. 

The event is assisted by Vita N Travel, and Humanity Greece. 

Navarino Challenge will take place under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization, with the organization and sports production managed by ActiveMedia Group.

More information about this year's activities and the schedule will be announced in the coming days.

#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitespeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell

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By Maria Ermides

~ It’s 2004, and Athens is alive with the energy of the Olympics. Stadiums are rising, the city is being “cleaned up”, and for Elena, director at XpatAthens, a lifelong dream of making Greece her home is just beginning.

Today, many know XpatAthens as the go-to-place for navigating life in the city and beyond. But its origin story is far from linear, marked by unexpected twists and turns, from the excitement of the early days of the .com buzz to the turbulence of the financial crisis.

Usually working behind the scenes, Elena stepped into the spotlight for this interview to share, in her own words, the challenges and triumphs of building a platform driven by passion and a whole lot of trust. We’ll also delve into the future of XpatAthens and what’s to come!

I grew up in Toronto, Canada. Greek dad, Canadian mom, and coming to Greece in the summer was part of our life.

We grew up culturally very Greek. Even my mom identifies very much as a Greek. And at a young age, as a teenager, I had decided one summer, yeah, I'm gonna live here.

And it became a reality right after university. Literally the day after I graduated, I was on a plane — I said: Okay, see you later, Mom. I'll be in Greece!

Yeah, totally. The decision to move was probably when I was about 15, the feeling of knowing that I was gonna go. It was a very distinct summer—I remember returning to Toronto and spending weeks crying, saying, ‘I just want to go back, I just want to go back.

And then during university, I had done a program in Italy, and I remember there was a distinct moment that I said to myself, okay, I'm doing this. I absolutely remember all of it. I was in Siena, I was in the city and I was alone. I had gone for a walk and it was a moment of...oh man, I just need to live in this. This is how I wanna feel all the time! But I didn't want to live in Italy, I knew that I wanted to live in Greece, but it was Europe. It was that connection with the energy of things, let's say, very different to where I grew up. So yeah, there were distinct moments.

My mom always said she knew that she’d lose one of her three children to Greece. She said she just didn't know which one it would be! And she was always supportive.

Of course, she made sure that I had a degree, that I had something lined up professionally. She created the support network around it so I could fall back on something if I needed to.

My dad—he was supportive. He was always one foot in Canada, one foot in Greece. When he left, he left with the intention of coming back. And so, my dad, he questioned it more so, I think, than my mom did. But generally he was ok with it too.

Greece was always home. Not Athens, but my dad's village, and all of my extended family was here. So it was very comfortable for me.

There wasn't a shock. I came during the summer and I just never left—which was a dream come true. Because every summer I would leave, and be sad to leave, crying on the way back on the airplane. It feels like a lifetime ago. But it was a very distinct time. I was young, so I feel like it was another lifetime ago because I was in my 20s. At the time, I was just feeling high on life—you know, I was so excited to be here. I was so happy that I finally got to live in Greece. Oh, my God!

The thing is, Athens has a very distinct energy, so it always feels alive. It's what makes us love it—love being here. It's what has made us want to move here. In my case, anyway.

Has it changed? Yes. But without teetering. It's still has the same energy at its core. But let's say the dynamic of the collective—what's going on around you, what we see, the people that are here, what's happening—yes, it's definitely different.

It was what I always wanted to be doing, so it just felt really normal. I adjusted right away, and I was happy that I wasn't leaving to go on an airplane back to Toronto.

I was fortunate in that way because I came with a community in place. I had family—and that's huge. And I also had friends. All of my friends from university—we all moved back to Greece! So that wasn't challenging. Like I said, I just slipped right in.

I was kind of winging it for a while—although I wasn’t telling my parents that… 

No, I wasn't spending all my time on the beach—not just floating around. I looked for job opportunities that required English. I spoke Greek, but not to the level of my English.

I grew up in a family business, and I've had an entrepreneurial bug since I was a teenager, maybe even younger than that. In addition to this, my work experience until this point was in luxury retail sales, so I had a really good work experience for my age.

I ended up getting a management position in retail for a British company at the time, at the Athens Airport. And it was a great experience. But life took me back to Toronto, and I stayed until 2006. As of 2006, I was back in Greece permanently.

So then, I applied for a job—totally out of my industry—in travel. It was a startup at the time. It was incoming luxury travel from the U.S., so all of the work was in English. I could speak the language of the luxury world; it was a young startup with a Greek that had studied in the U.S., who had recently repatriated. We jived, and it worked. I was there for close to 10 years. I was head of sales for several years, then I went into product development, and we expanded into a few different markets in the time that I was with the company.


Courtesty of @chromecabrio

XpatAthens came into my life in 2012. I was at the travel company and pregnant with my first child, which is a whole new phase of life. I say that it came in like I was standing at the right corner at the right time. XpatAthens just kinda showed up. There was a “for sale” sign on the website. My brother happened to be following the website. I didn’t really follow it at the time. And he sent it to me and said, “Call them.” And so I did, I called!

The gentleman who started the website was British, and had decided to leave Greece (the early signs of the economic crisis were over the horizon). At the time, it was a really great blog. Maybe even one of the first websites that spoke English in Greece. Imagine many of us were still using dial-up internet. You know, the kind we used to connect the cord to the wall for!? Websites were not very common in Greece, let alone ones that were in English. 

Anyway, three friends picked it up at the time, so we went into a partnership. Within two years, it was just me running the show. I’m still very good friends with the other two, but life just… you know, it unfolds and we go in different directions. 

I was doing XpatAthens alongside my full-time job in travel. There was some knowledge crossover—I knew things from my day-to-day work, and then I would talk about them on XpatAthens; writing content and creating newsletters.

At the time, experiences were a big thing. It was an up and coming trend—walking tours and food tours were really new. Boutique hotels were on the rise, and new restaurants were opening too. It was a very different landscape to what it is now. There were very few resources giving recommendations, especially in English. I remember writing about the first sushi place that opened up, and the first wine bar. Now there are too many to count. It was a very different time.

So this (English) content was very rich and much needed for locals and internationals and travellers alike. It was very valuable information, people loved it as did Google! I always say that XpatAthens was like getting a degree in digital marketing and content, and maybe even a master’s in how to survive the worst of the worst. I learned how to build websites, create digital content; also things like search engine optimization, the importance of keywords, mass content audits, communication channels, branding, all of that sort of thing. And actually XpatAthens has grown today without a marketing budget (we never had the money). This platform has grown totally organically.

Because I really love unfolding vision, I thought—okay, what am I going to do with this really great platform? Step by step I started to turn this great blog into something more. I ended up rebranding (not a name change, but a completely new look and feel); changed the website, and started slowly building some service around it. Soon it was more than just a really great blog—it started to become a community resource that people depended on.

At the time, the most logical place for revenue was advertising. Except that we were just at the beginning of the crisis. And what was the first thing that people cut out of their budgets? Yep, advertising. So XpatAthens quickly went from high potential to hanging on from a thread. Money was the biggest challenge along the way for XpatAthens. Everything was always run on a shoestring, and actually I usually say a thread-string budget. Because really, based on what was happening around us—it was just not the right time. Technically, XpatAthens really shouldn’t have survived. Young mom, full-time job, crisis, and no money—it was a recipe for closure.

Well, it wasn’t just Greece—it was a global financial crisis. Here, it got really messy in 2015. We got the tail end of it, but it hit with a vengeance. The crisis really hit hard.

It was a very different time of life, and it lasted for several years. A lot of unemployment and civil unrest. Every single person was affected. Take the example of capital controls—we all went to the ATMs, and no one could get money—every single person was affected.

XpatAthens was a big part of my life at that time. 

I remember I was on a flight to Toronto on the morning when the capital controls came into effect—we couldn’t access money. Everything was being restricted. Something had also happened with the XpatAthens website, and I was on the phone with my developers. I’ll never forget it—I was checking-in my luggage, couldn’t access money, problems with XpatAthens, and there was a distinct moment of ‘oh boy, are we going to stay here like this?’

I knew I wanted my life here in Greece, there was no question that this is where I wanted to be. I also felt very fortunate about having a choice—we could leave if we wanted (or needed) to. We always had Canada to go to, and this was huge. But aside from that, we also had our villages to go to, too if we needed—and I say “we,” because it was my husband and I, and our young son at the time. (There are now four of us, I had two kids along the way.)

So essentially we were pushed to the point of asking ourselves: Okay, what if we have absolutely nothing? What do we do? Where do we live and raise our family? Both of the companies we were working for had already downsized, we both had our salaries cut; not just us, this was a reality for everyone in Greece. And we were among the lucky ones who still had jobs that were able to pay us.

 

So what's the next step after that? Unemployment. And does the government even have money to pay unemployment? Who knows. So we actually asked ourselves: Where's the best place to be poor - Canada or Greece?

And we decided that it was in one of our villages in Greece, and actually my husband’s village because we could live off the land if it came to not having money for food. Thankfully it never came to this. Thankfully we had options. But we made it work — on threads for a good couple years — but we made it through. Just like all of our friends and family did too. This period of life was really a testament to the resilience of the Greeks and how they somehow pull through in the toughest of times.

For me, XpatAthens was always more than a passion project; I felt the connection with the community, I knew the content touched lives and this meant something for me. My income continued to come from elsewhere, and I’d say that XpatAthens was my creative outlet. Because I could write, it kept me intrigued, and there was always a sense of purpose.

During the crisis, we started to write about very practical things like capital controls, what to do with your money—we created content around the landscape of what was happening. Somewhere around 2019, things got better. 

As we were climbing out of the crisis, COVID hit. We were just starting to see light at the end of the crisis tunnel. Travel was getting back on track, and people were starting to feel like there was a little bit of money moving around again. But we were all still very cautious. 

And just as we were starting to breathe again, news reports of COVID began. And we all know what that meant. Downscale and pull out the ‘budget strategy called threads’ again.

The one thing that has always been consistent with XpatAthens is that I always kept it digitally healthy. It was always very well kept, plus we had great developers.

And so, the money was not always there, but it was always a platform that—I knew, there was always a very deep knowing—there’s a reason why it’s here. I just couldn’t say ‘XpatAthens is no more’. It was such a well followed website, people trusted us, it felt like we were holding each other’s hands in some funny way.

So you can imagine how many times my husband, my family, my friends, and even I would say: Why are you doing this? What’s the point Elena? It’s these ‘why questions’ that send you soul-searching, you really go deep. And so I questioned absolutely everything. 

As you can imagine, it became an emotional journey. I didn’t want to ‘give up’, I wanted to survive. I wanted it to live and grow into its full potential. It was really less about how long it had taken to grow or how many hours of work I’d put in. It was always more of this ‘core feeling’ — this is too important of a resource, we’re a community of people.

Not to mention that the traffic was still good. Like I said, it was digitally healthy. It was a digital garden, it was a home. And it just didn't make sense to just turn off the lights in this home.

Interestingly enough, over the span of 13 years, I’ve tried to sell. I’ve even tried to gift it away. All very interesting experiences. Each one of those times taught me something new (about myself). This all became a very personal story. XpatAthens has been a pivotal part of my personal growth, and professional development. I wouldn’t have the business I have now if it weren’t for XpatAthens.

I learned so much about the digital world. I learned so much about content. I learned so much about me. It was learn-as-you-go. I didn’t know how to upload content. Sure, I was a good editor and copywriter, but XpatAthens taught me how to do everything. It’s been a personal and professional development school.

There’s always been vision—remember I love unfolding vision. But there’s also been so, so much shift and change—for me personally, but also on the collective scale. The landscape of things has really shifted. To be totally honest, I got tired (even exhausted). So I did step away for a little while. I decided, okay, I’ll keep XpatAthens healthy (but quiet for a little bit), and I’ll focus on my other business. I needed to detach. To completely detach my own stories, to completely detach my emotional connection. To see where I was misaligned; to feel exactly what was ‘me’ and what wasn’t.

It was important to do this because XpatAthens always felt larger than me; I always felt a bigger purpose of things. And so I knew this was not my startup. This is not my little side hustle. It’s not my main business. It was all of those at certain stages, plus all of the learnings that came with it all. 

And so, that’s what I did for over a year. I paused and allowed the shift. Get clarity and align with true purpose. And then, somewhere around the end of 2024, I started slowly reconnecting again. I had to cut it off in order to reconnect. To feel it out. I knew there was something there, but I couldn’t see it. I had lost my ‘visionary senses’. It’s important to note here that I had a team member to keep the platform alive, without Angeliki XpatAthens would have died, and I would not have been able to take the time I needed to detach and regroup.

Step by step 2025 has been about slowly reconnecting with the landscape of things. Now, post-COVID, there were things called the digital nomad visas and co-working spaces. These didn’t exist before. And, of course, we’ve all gotten to the point where we have 5G on our phones (we’re no longer dialing up)! It’s a very different landscape now.

We’ve put ourselves back on the map again. For a while, it felt like we were a sailboat just coasting in calm, peaceful waters. And now, we’ve really been active in sharing and telling stories again.

I never felt XpatAthens as a traditional business. It wasn’t a cool new startup or a side hustle. There has always been a strong following (we continue to have 200–500 visitors daily), and we still haven’t paid a cent for marketing (yes we’re still growing organically)! People arrive at the website because they find it useful, because they’re enjoying it. This is what has always been important to me.

Also, it’s always been far more than trying to find money to pay the bills—sure that’s been part of the journey. But the community, meeting people, knowing that someone is actually sitting down with their coffee and reading it. We’re speaking to people and touching their lives in a way. XpatAthens continues to speak to this international community of people, and their needs have really shifted post-COVID. Property needs have shifted, legal needs have shifted, accounting needs have shifted—and of course we all have unique individual needs too.

We’ve created a lot of content in the last months around these very practical needs. And now we’re starting to develop that content into more storytelling—the stuff that we really love!

There’s a new dynamic of energy that’s unfolding. So we’re following, listening and connecting — first with ourselves and then with each other — but really also allowing the unfolding of a new story without pressure, and without ‘you have to do something with this.’ 

What does this mean for the future of XpatAthens? Today we are a Greek non profit organization called ΟΛΟΙ ΜΑΣ ΟΝΕ (meaning we are all one in Greek) and we’re super excited about telling Greek stories, personal stories, cultural stories... all of the stuff that gives you goosebumps. All of the great stuff that we love about living here. All of the great reasons why our international community chooses to make a life here. Because we love this beautiful country wholeheartedly. We’re letting things happen, one step at a time. 

Part of that growth is the arrival of Wellness Hub Greece as part of our non profit organization; it will be ready this December, and we’ve already introduced it on XpatAthens. This new communication and community platform is born from a deep passion for human wellbeing. WHG will be a digital space for Greece's wellness community; serving as a communication tool for the industry overall (who's doing what and where in Greece), while also a place where anyone can explore curated wellness experiences in Greece - from practitioners and retreats to workshops and tools designed to support a more balanced life.

And as we continue to grow and share the best parts of Greece, there are ways support our work, even little gestures help us to keep this community alive. There are also ways to share your offerings on our platforms, and we are most grateful for corporate sponsorships too!

In a span of 20 years—it’s a lifetime—so much has shifted collectively, let alone in my personal world. I went from moving to Greece as a 20-something, super excited about life, and completely carefree. And then once you start to have responsibilities, rent to pay, children—life gets serious, in a sense. And that’s the space I’m in at the moment: I’m learning how to have fun, feel lighter, and truly savour where I am. 

It’s always been fun, but just in a different way. Every phase has been different. Becoming a mom is a whole period of time. At least for me it was. Having infants is very different from having toddlers. And that’s very different from having a teenager. So at every stage, I’m learning a new me. There’s constant adjustment and constant growth. Am I the same person? No—but yes.

Greece is such a special place on Earth. There’s so much that’s wonderful about it. And there’s also so much that’s not exactly ideal, or things that are unexplainable, or simply don't make sense. We joke about this all the time—in the span of one day, you can feel every single emotion there is, just by walking down the street. It’s incredible. But that, in itself, is amazing. It is as it is, real, raw and perfectly human. And this is why we love it.

A Message To Our Readers 

XpatAthens has always grown through real stories and real connections, so we’d love to hear from you too. If you ever feel called to share your own experience or simply reach out, you can get in touch with us here. Conversation has always been part of the heart of this community.

Many of the insights that guided the evolution of XpatAthens — the inner clarity, the purpose-work, the storytelling — are part of Innerbloom. It’s a space dedicated to helping people and brands find their voice, refine their story, and feel more aligned with the work they’re putting into the world. If you’re curious, you can explore more at: www.innerbloom.gr