Greece has made it through to the Grand Final of the Eurovision song contest after Maria-Elena Kyriakou’s dynamic and at the same time emotional performance of ‘One Last breath’, a song she co-wrote with Efthyvoulos Theoharous, during last night’s first semi-final impressed the crowd attending Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle  arena and won the vote of both the TV viewers and that of the professional juries.

The 31-year old, mother of three, Cypriot-born singer will be joined in this Saturday’s final by nine other acts from Serbia, Armenia, Belgium, Estonia, Hungary, Russia, Albania, Romania and Georgia.

Finland, Moldova, Netherlands, FYROM, Belarus and Denmark failed to qualify for the final.

As one of the ‘Big Five’ countries, the UK has gained automatic qualification to the Grand Final alongside Spain, Germany, France, Italy and current title holders Austria.

 

A recent leisure activity to enjoy during winter in Greece is ice skating! Ice skating is great for all ages and can be found at various spots around the city. Here we provide you with information on where to find ice rinks - either permanent or mobile - in Athens.

 

Ice Rink in the Heart of Athens
The largest, permanent ice rink in Greece is ready to welcome everyone this winter.  Operating from 19th September 2015 to the end of April 2016, the ice rink is over 1,000 square meters.  Located next to the Athens Heart Shopping Mall, the rink is covered by a specially designed tent, making it possible to skate in all weather and is perfect for families.

Price: €10 for an unlimited session

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 15:00 - 23:00 
Weekends: 11:00 - 23:00
Address: Piraeus St 186, Athens,

Ice Arena at Megaron Concert Hall
Ice Arena, for the first time in the history of Megaron, operates at its premises one of the most elegant and unique ice rink in Athens throughout the winter season.

In the special and original area of ​​the "Atrium", the new ice rink of ICE ARENA with a size of ​​375 square meters, completely covered by a beautiful and original tent so guests can skate in all weather conditions.

The service of our customers begins at the modern and picturesque houses of the ice rink, where our staff will help you rent skates and gives you the first necessary advice. Then you are ready to enjoy the top quality of ice for unlimited time, always accompanied by the specialized staff Ice Arena for your safety.

Price: €10 for an unlimited session

Opening hours: 

Mon-Fri: 16:00 to 23:00
Weekends & holidays: 11:00 to 23:00
Address: Athens Concert Hall, Vas. Sofias Ave. & Kokkali St., 115 21 Athens

Ice Arena at Village Shopping
In the open space of "VILLAGE shopping and more…," next to the cafeterias, the restaurants and all the playgrounds, a new ice rink of ​​400 m² is created, which is fully covered by a beautiful and practical tent for skating under all weather conditions.

Athenian churches lose nothing in comparison with those of the Greek countryside; the majority can boast a rich heritage and great architectural beauty! Here are a few of the most beautiful churches to experience Easter in Athens!

Just a few metres away from Evangelismos metro station is the picturesque chapel of Agios Georgios. The ascent on the paved street is all part of the ritual, as for a few moments the anonymity of the metropolis disappears and every single person in the procession, candle in hand, becomes united in one sacred purpose: to pass on the message of the resurrection. Whitewashed, as if from an Aegean island, Agios Georgios offers a spectacular experience with dozens of fireworks painting the sky red and a view of the whole city.

Situated in one of the most beautiful and picturesque districts of the city center, a visit to this church will combine worship and sightseeing! The church itself is on Erehtheos Street and the Holy Light actually arrives there first before it makes its way to the Diocesan Church. If you are not a fan of fireworks, perhaps this is the best place for you as the Easter celebration here is a little less pyrotechnic.

This church, the only one of its kind in the city, is on Bohali Street and offers an original spectacle on Easter Sunday. To enter the Ethiopian Coptic temple, you must take off your shoes. Also according to custom, Copts are dressed in white, so do not hesitate to wear something in keeping with the occasion. After the Easter bells ring, there is a celebration accompanied by the sound of drums and various other percussion instruments, while the choir recall moments from the life of Christ with a great sense of drama and reverence.

Kapnikarea is a landmark on Ermou Street and a meeting point for Athenians. The low wall around the churchyard makes an ideal place to rest for shoppers traipsing up and down the longest commercial street of the city. Though small, it is one of the prime choices for celebrating the Resurrection in Athens. It dates back to the 11th century and if you do visit during the holidays, do not forget to look at the impressive murals painted by Fotis Kondoglou, which enhance the feeling of reverence that these solemn days bring.

To read more about the most beautiful churches in Athens, please visit: Discover Greece

Navarino Challenge, the award-winning sports tourism event, which promotes sports and fair play, is yet again adding more activities for the entire family, in its program! Between October 13 and 15 2017, Costa Navarino, with the support of Swim Academy, will host already familiar water activities such as baby swimming (for babies and children ranging from 3 months to 3 years old) and aqua aerobic (considered the most popular aerobic exercise).

The Federal Technical Coach of Swimming and Swim Academy representative, Nikos Gemelos, who is taking part in the event yet again, stated, “It gives me great pleasure and honor to have been cooperating with the Navarino challenge event all these years. From the technical point of view regarding the swimming competitions, I have observed that more and more people are embracing the sport of open water swimming and I feel even more proud to be able, along with my team, to offer the necessary safety that is needed for these races, while leaving to the participants a great experience. With the help of Swim Academy and my close colleague, Silver Olympic Medalist and World Champion in open water swimming Spyros Gianniotis, we will be presenting for this second year, activities that gave to the parents and children great joy, such as baby swimming for children up to three years old but also aqua aerobic, which took place for the first time last year and proved to be extremely successful."

 

Furthermore, Navarino Challenge 2017, will also host another Olympic event, the sport of tennis. With the support of Navarino Racquet Academy, amateur and medium level athletes of tennis will have the opportunity to try out the Tennis Cross Training.

It’s a workout program which combines tennis and cross training (which is a type of workout that combines muscular empowerment and cardio respiratory toning, using one’s body weight but also actual weights – depending on the trainee’s level – accompanied by music). It offers a full body workout and improves strength, stamina and flexibility while creating a sense of teamwork for those taking part. Tennis Cross Training can apply to all levels of technical knowledge and physical ability. Meanwhile the experienced staff of Panellinios Agora Games will support the activity of a Padel Family Competition which is ideal for the entire family.

The Navarino Challenge will take place for another year with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Official Sponsor: Vikos natural mineral water

Official Supporter: Wyndham Grand Athens

Assisted: Swim Academy, Navarino Racquet Academy

 

Photo Credit: Vangelis Patsialos @ Navarino Challenge

As part of the World Book Capital initiative and Athens‘ role as the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2018, the municipality created a mobile library and is bringing books to every neighborhood in the city.

The areas of Zapio, Agios Panteleimonas, Petralona, Avdi square, Pagkrati and Syntagma Square are just some of the locations the library will visit in June.

The mobile library is offering residents and visitors the opportunity to become members and borrow up to two books at a time for free. Books offered are in Greek, English and French.

For more information (in Greek), please visit: City of Athens

Article source: Greek Travel Pages

Following the decision to ban 10 single use plastic items in the European Union in 2021, an innovative idea has been presented by a group of volunteers from the city of Kilkis, as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic straws.

Scuderie Del Quirinale, Rome
October 11 to January 06, 2020

 

To read this article in full, please visit: Scuderie Del Quirinale

Summer is the season children enjoy most because they have a lot of free time. So much so that they often spend several hours in front of a screen. I get lots of questions from concerned parents asking me how to handle this, how to set a schedule. After all the pressure children faced during the quarantine period parents are a bit confused. Should they push their kids or should they just let them free to do what they want?

 

So what do you do? I’d say “yes” to a flexible schedule. What does that mean? Make a relaxed daily program but do not push your children or yourself. No need to follow it to the letter, just have fun. We all need vacation; we all need to relax!

It’s an absolute must to “plan” free time without activities during the day. We leave time so that both kids and parents get bored. This way we will all get into the process of thinking about what we like, what we want to do, and actually get into doing what we want. Leaving our imagination free we can relax and at the same time get ideas, find solutions.

 

"But then my child won’t study at all during summer and he/she will forget everything" is a typical comment I often get. I’d say another big “yes” to reading extracurricular books that attract their interest and let their imagination run wild! But children need rest, just like adults do. Would you want to work during your vacation? And please do yourselves a favor and go back to the time when you were a child. Do you remember how you enjoyed spending your summer vacation? Let them play, run, bike, enjoy the sea, the mountains. This way they will “recharge their batteries” so they’ll be ready to go back to schooling and studying from September onwards.

Summer also offers an excellent opportunity to observe your child as a personality without time or school restraints. What is the activity or activities they choose to spend more time with? How does he/she behave when they are relaxed? How does he/she like to be treated? What are the areas they need your help with and what not? What do they like to do together with you?

Summer gives us a good opportunity to get to know our children better and to help them become independent and make their decisions on some of the issues that concern them.

If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!