XpatAthens
Friday, 22 May 2015 14:00
Exploring Parnitha & The Tatoi Estate
With nothing planned for Saturday (for once!) and sunny skies overhead, I decided to plan an afternoon escape from the city. As it still felt a bit too early for a dip in the sea, I called up a friend and made a quick decision to head north to Mount Parnitha. We loaded our bicycles on the back of the car and drove the quick 30minutes on the national road.
Parnitha is a forested mountain range north of Athens, the highest on the Attica peninsula, with an elevation of 1400m. It has something for all nature lovers: endless forest, walking trails, off-road bicycle trails, picnic areas, etc. There are several ways in once you get to the area, with parking lots and maps posted. On this day, there were numerous other families and groups enjoying the day.
Parnitha is the location of the Tatoi estate. Tatoi was the summer home and 10,000 acre estate of the former Greek royal family, and the birthplace of King George II of Greece. You can walk around and see the old buildings of the estate. These are all derelict now, and in need of some attention – but you can get a bit of a sense of ‘the past’ from your visit.
There is a great history of the estate written by Kostas Stamatopoulos, here: http://www.tatoi.org/?page_id=69 (scroll to the bottom of the page for English).
Parnitha is also the location of the popular Regency Casino, accessible by cable car/teleferik. As our day was about exercising our bodies vs exercising our luck, we did not visit the casino on this trip, but made a mental note to come back ;)
I would describe the section of Parnitha that we visited as ‘rough and wild’ vs ‘groomed and cultivated’. Of course, we didn't see the whole area in one afternoon, but it certainly felt like a nice escape from the city, some good exercise and some fresh mountain air. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday.
Until next week,
Jack
Parnitha Visitor Overview
Tatoi Info (in Greek, some English):
www.tatoi.org
www.tatoi.org
Regency Casino
Published in
My Week In Athens
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Wednesday, 28 July 2021 07:00
How The Greek Islands Got Their Names
The Greek islands are famed throughout the world for their incredible beauty and relaxed lifestyle, but have you ever wondered how they got their names?
To find the etymology behind the names of Greek islands, we need to take a few different factors into account - things like spelling and grammar, but also Greek mythology and the geomorphology of each island. Here is how some of the Greek islands were named:
To find the etymology behind the names of Greek islands, we need to take a few different factors into account - things like spelling and grammar, but also Greek mythology and the geomorphology of each island. Here is how some of the Greek islands were named:
Cephalonia (Kefalonia)
The island got its name from the hero Cephalus, the island’s first ruler, an Athenian leader and son of Dionysus. Cephalus was exiled from Athens for committing murder and settled on the island.
Chios
The Greek island acquired its name from Chioni (snow), daughter of Poseidon. When she was born on the island it was snowing, and thus the island was named Chios. According to legend, the island used to be a desert. After the snowfall, the land became fertile.
Lefkada
Homer named this Greek island from the Greek word “lefkas” (which means white) because the soil used to be white.
Kos
The name derives from “kofos,” an island with many caves. The word “cave” also comes from the Greek word “kofos.”
Tinos
The island’s name comes from the Greek word “tanaos”, which means long and perfectly describes the island’s shape.
Ithaca
The name derives from the Greek word “ithys” meaning straight or long - the elongated island.
Zakynthos
The name comes from Zakynthos, son of King Dardanos of Troy. When the Trojan expedition ended, Zakynthos and his people fled from Troy and lived on the island.
Skiathos
The name derives from the word “skia” (meaning shade). Due to the large number of trees, the island is very shady. However, it is also said that it was given its name because it's located in the shade of Mount Athos.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Monday, 26 October 2015 07:00
Greek Architect Wins Gardening World Cup In Japan
While some people dream of winning the football the basketball world cups, Konstantina Stara claimed the most prestigious award in Japan‘s gardening realm.
Stara won the gold medal in the 2015 Gardening World Cup, a gardening exhibition held in Japan, with her garden design entitled “Parea,” which is the Greek word describing a group of friends.
During an interview with the Athens Macedonian News Agency Stara, who lives in Thailand, noted that gardens have been a very significant aspect of Japanese culture for a long time.
To read more, please visit: Greek Reporter
by
Anastassios Adamopoulos
Published in
Greece In The News
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Thursday, 07 July 2016 07:00
Tilos Is The First Greek Island To Run On Renewable Energy
Starting in May 2017, Tilos island, located in the Dodecanese, will be the first island in Greece and the Mediterranean to run completely on renewable energy.
Tilos received permission from the Regulatory Authority for Energy to set up a hybrid energy production and storage station, which is expected to cover 85 percent of the island’s energy needs. The energy production and storage station will also provide the island of Kos with 400kW in power for 5 hours a day.
The project is part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 plan called TILOS, which stands for Technology Innovation for the Local Scale Optimum Integration of Battery Storage) and involves 15 stakeholders from 7 European countries. The project is led by a research team from the Laboratory of Soft Energy Applications and Environmental Protection at Piraeus University of Applied Sciences.
The TILOS program stood out among 80 other competing companies in the Horizon 2020, which is EU’s largest research and innovation program with about 80 billion euros in funding. The funds will be spread out over a period of 7 years, which started in 2014.
Tilos is currently powered by a submarine cable from Kos.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Tilos is currently powered by a submarine cable from Kos.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Published in
Greece In The News
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Tuesday, 28 February 2017 07:00
Sunday Brunch At Somewhere Vouliagmeni
Sunday brunch is catching on quickly in the Athenian Riviera with more and more restaurants offering a delicious brunch menu. Passion For Greece heads out to get a taste of the popular tradition and explores Vouliagmeni with friends. They dine in at Somewhere Vouliagmeni. Here's what they think!
Somewhere hotel brand opened its new property in the Athenian Riviera during the summer of 2016. On a warm summer evening, together with my fellow travel bloggers of Travel Bloggers Greece we were invited to savour the summer menu at the hotel’s bistro Lutetia.
Included on the menu were mini burgers, haloumi, beef steak, leek pies, tarts, and plenty more.
The buffet features a selection of freshly baked croissants and pastries. Do try the crusty apple tarts, they are simply delicious.
Somewhere Vouliagmeni
Address: Dios ke Agiou Panteleimonos
Telephone: 210 967 0000
Sunday Brunch Hours: From 08:00 until 16:00.
To read this article in full, please visit: Passion For Greece
Published in
Restaurants In Athens
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Sunday, 18 March 2018 23:35
March 13th - Loving Spring In Athens
Looking for ways to enjoy a great family day out in Athens? Learn all about them in this weeks newsletter, along with a guide to some of the best sushi bars in the city!
Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
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Newsletters
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Tuesday, 13 November 2018 07:00
Vote For Corfu As The Best Filming Location In Europe
The Greek island of Corfu is a finalist in a competition for the best European shooting location for film and television, organized by the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN).
All four seasons of the successful television series 'The Durrells' were filmed on the island of Corfu. According to the Hellenic Film Commission and the Greek Film Center, Corfu is one of the finalists and a strong contender for the award.
The European Film Commissions Network numbers 90 members from 30 countries and its objective is to promote European audio-visual production sites. From the 6th to the 30th of November cinema lovers can visit the Cineuropa platform and vote for Corfu!
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 14 February 2019 09:40
Aristotle University And 7 Historic Universities To Found European University
Greece, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland will cooperate to lead developments in higher education in the European Union. More specifically, a consortium of eight major universities will cooperate to propose the establishment of a European University, responding to one of the European Union flagship initiatives for building a European Education Area.
Headed by the University of Strasbourg, the eight universities, submitted their proposal, stating that they aim to create a model European University for the 21st century "that will ensure Europe's competitive leadership on a global scale in education and an unrestricted common framework for conducting and promoting research, innovation, teaching and learning to the highest international standards."
The consortium consists of the University of Strasbourg, the University of Upper Alsace in Mulhouse, the University of Freiburg, the University of Karlsruhe, the University of Amsterdam, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Poznan's Adam Adamczyk University, and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. All participating universities have a long history in higher education and their departments and faculties cover every academic field of study.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is a highly acclaimed educational institute and the largest university in Greece and the Balkan peninsula.
Article Source: AMNA
Article Source: AMNA
Published in
Local News
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Tuesday, 09 April 2019 22:25
April 9 - Only Positive Vibes
The Athenian Riviera is one of the city's many treasures! It is filled with beautiful beaches and places to explore, but it's about to become one of the main reason why Athens will be placed a worldwide top destination for leisure and tourism! Major developments are underway, which will offer visitors unforgetable experiences!
Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
Published in
Newsletters
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Tuesday, 05 November 2019 00:00
National Theatre of Greece | Performances With English Surtitles
Watch theatre,
where theatre was born!
No visit in Athens can be considered complete unless you witness its contemporary creativity! The National Theatre of Greece, a country’s leading cultural organization, invites you to check in for the ultimate artistic experience in Athens! For the Season 2019/20, the National Theatre has prepared more than 20 productions that satisfy all audiences: classical and contemporary plays, performances for young audiences, family seasonal shows, musicals, etc. Attend one or more of the following English-surtitled performances:
Where: At the Ziller Building’s Main Stage
When: Wednesday to Sunday
TONIGHT WE IMPROVISE
Based on the play of the phenomenal Luigi Pirandello, who knows best how to blur the borders between reality and fantasy. With Manos Hadjidakis’ legendary music score. Is there any reason to miss it?
Ends: 27/10/2019
A CHRISTMAS’ CAROL by Charles Dickens Jack
Thorne’s new adaptation of the popular novel turned into a must-see family musical! Original music by Thodoris Economou
From: 15/11/2019
Ends: 12/1/2020
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
No words necessary when it comes to a masterpiece! Directed by the NTG’s Artistic Director, Dimitris Lignadis, who holds the titular part as well. In co-production with the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus.
From: 7/2/2020
Ends: 8/3/2020
The LADY FROM MAXIMS’ by Georges Feydeau
The ingenious farceur bedevils his heroes… Yet once again! You are going to leave the theatre in tears – either from laughter or from anguish (we guarantee)!
From: 21/3/2020
Ends: 31/5/2020
Venue: Rex Theatre Stage:
Stage: “Marika Kotopouli”
THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, based on Victor Hugo’s magnificent novel.
The original Joker and his struggle for survival. Dark but charming, this adaptation combines music and theatre in the most interesting way!
Ends 10/11/2029
The NEW HOUSE by Carlo Goldoni
An insightful depiction of a life in debt. Rings a bell to anyone? Grandeur, lies, fake loves, greediness, opportunism, and so much more can be found in this timeless comedy.
From: 22/11/2019
Ends: 9/2/2020
Paper Moon by Michalis Reppas and Thanasis Papathanasiou
We wanted to add a new Greek comedy in our repertory and we opted for the best! We commissioned the duo Michalis Reppas and Thanasis Papathanasiou with it so that we don’t need to elaborate!
From 20/02/2020
Ends 31/5/2020
XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor of The National Theatre of Greece
Published in
Performing Arts
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