XpatAthens
Wednesday, 18 February 2015 11:12
The Third Largest City In Greece - Visit Patras
Welcome to Patras, a bustling student city, a place where entertainment, history and culture mingle together to create a destination filled with wonderful discoveries. Start your exploration around the city from Aghiou Nikolaou (Ayiou Nikoláou), the most famous pedestrian street. There, 192 steps await to lead you to the Old City. A romantic stroll around its cobbled streets will reveal grand colourful neoclassic mansions, reminders of the city’s glorious past.
Visit the city’s Medieval Castle, built in the second half of the 6th century A.D. on the ruins of the ancient Acropolis. Its walls enclose an area of about 22 sq.m.; it consists of a triangular external compound enhanced with towers and ramparts.
Walk past the remaining buildings, and take in breathtaking views of the city.
West of the Acropolis, in the “Áno Póli” (upper city), you will find Patras Roman Odeum, which was actually built earlier than the Athens Odeum (Herodion 160 AD). The geographer Pausanias, who visited Patras in 170 AD, wrote: “It has the most beautiful decoration I have ever seen, excluding of course that of Athens". The surrounding space is turned into an archaeological area where mosaics, sarcophagi and other ancient findings are displayed. The romantic souls should seek for the city’s landmark, the Lighthouse, in order to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the port.
A visit to Spinney, the pine-tree-covered hill, the so-called “Veránda” of Patras will certainly uplift your senses. Its specially formed paths and the shade offered by the tall trees make it an ideal place for you to enjoy leisurely walks, or even go jogging. There you can also find a Municipal tourist kiosk from where you can admire a breathtaking view of the city, the port and the Patras Gulf.
In the centre of the city, two historical monuments will certainly draw your attention: Saint Andrew Church, one of the biggest churches in the Balkans, and “APOLLON" Municipal Theatre, one of the first opera houses in Europe. It was designed in 1972 by the German architect Ernest Ziller. Since 1988 it permanently houses the Patras Municipal Regional Theatre.
To read more, please see visitgreece.gr
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Travel Greece
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Thursday, 19 February 2015 12:50
ELSTAT: Internet Use In Greek Households
The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) conducted research on the use of information and communication technologies by households for 2013. The research revealed that in the first quarter of 2013, 60.4% of Greek citizens between the ages of 16 and 74 used a computer and 59.9% used the internet.
The vast majority of internet connections at home were broadband connections. Compared to the first quarter of 2012, the largest increase in internet connections was recorded in Attica (6.8%) and the smallest in Central Greece (1.5%).
More than 6 out of 10 men were using the internet and the ratio was almost the same among women. There was a strong variation, however, between different age groups. More than 9 out of 10 Greeks aged between 16 and 24 were using the internet, compared to 1 out of 10 Greeks aged between 65 and 74.
The variation between groups of different educational levels was also considerable. The internet was used by 9 out of 10 Greeks of high educational level, by 7 out of 10 Greeks of moderate educational level and by about 2 out of 10 Greeks of low educational level.
Moreover, in the first quarter of 2013, 93.3% of Greeks used the internet at least once a week, showing a 2.7% increase in use, compared to 2012 (91.7%).
By Evgenia Adamantopoulou
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Greece In The News
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Monday, 15 June 2015 07:00
Fire-Scarred Central Athens Cinemas To Receive Facelift
Two historical movie theaters in downtown Athens could be fully operational once more by the end of the year, if all goes according to plan in an initiative of the Museum of the City of Athens and the Vouros-Eutaxias Foundation with the support of Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis, who hopes that their relaunch could signal the rebirth of central Stadiou Street – once a vibrant shopping and entertainment thoroughfare and now a desolate stretch of closed shops.
It bodes well for the plan – though few know this fact – that the interior areas of both the Attikon and Apollon cinemas were untouched by the firebombs thrown by protesters in February 2012 during a violent riot that claimed the lives of three employees at Marfin Bank, located nearby on Stadiou Street. The exteriors of the two movie theaters, which are both located in the same once-beautiful block, were badly damaged.
“The fire was stopped at the last minute thanks to the efforts of a handful of firefighters and the cinemas’ operator, Giorgos Tsakalakis, and members of his family and staff on that fateful day,” says Antonis Vogiatzis, president of the board of directors for the Museum of the City of Athens, which is located nearby.
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
by Nikos Vatopoulos
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Local News
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Monday, 16 November 2015 07:00
Bill Granting More Cohabitation Rights Up For Consultation
Couples who choose to sign a so-called cohabitation agreement, including same-sex partners, will have virtually the same rights as those who are married with the exception of the right to adopt a child, according to new legal provisions that were put up for public consultation on Monday 9th November 2015 by the Justice Ministry.
The agreement, which in its current form grants non-married couples similar rights to those who are married, would be extended, giving signatories the favorable tax status enjoyed by married couples and increased inheritance rights. In the case of civil servants, the same benefits granted to married couples would apply.
The bill unveiled by Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos yesterday also includes provisions aimed at boosting anti-racism legislation. According to the proposed legislation, not only offenses with racist motives will be regarded as crimes, but also those stemming from discrimination based on someone’s sex or religion.
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
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Monday, 25 January 2016 07:00
Best Spots For Counting The Stars In Athens
The particular geography of Athens has endowed it with great vantage points from which to admire the city from above, not to mention the distinctive blue tones of Attica's sky and sea. Athenians place the city’s hills and Attica’s sandy beaches at the top of the list for best spots for a first date. Whether or not you're enjoying the scenery with someone else, you are surely going to fall in love with the view from these incredible spots around Athens!
Ardittou Hill
Verdant Ardittou Hill lies in the centre of Athens just above Kallimarmaron Stadium. Of enormous archaeological value due to its position, Ardittou Hill is a favorite spot among Athenians for romantic strolls as well as a great spot for jogging. It probably has the best views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and the Columns of Olympian Zeus. A night walk along its cool paths reveals many charming secrets, both ancient and modern. Continuing along these paths brings you to Mets, an area with a growing reputation for fun and entertainment. What better way, in fact, to end your meander down lovers’ lane than with a drink in-hand soaking up the atmosphere with other Athenian fun-seekers!
Verdant Ardittou Hill lies in the centre of Athens just above Kallimarmaron Stadium. Of enormous archaeological value due to its position, Ardittou Hill is a favorite spot among Athenians for romantic strolls as well as a great spot for jogging. It probably has the best views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and the Columns of Olympian Zeus. A night walk along its cool paths reveals many charming secrets, both ancient and modern. Continuing along these paths brings you to Mets, an area with a growing reputation for fun and entertainment. What better way, in fact, to end your meander down lovers’ lane than with a drink in-hand soaking up the atmosphere with other Athenian fun-seekers!
Strefi Hill
Climbing up the picturesque steps of Kallidromiou Street in Exarhia, picking your way through the playfully cunning cats who’ve made this place their domain and admiring neoclassical buildings of exceptional beauty, you will find yourself on Strefi Hill. This particular hill is one of the favourite haunts of the Athenian young, and it’s not uncommon for parties to be held there, just below the little stone theatre. The night, as we all know, is made for romance, but if you prefer something less intimate, during the summer months you have the option of “Exostrefis”, one of the best known restaurants in Athens which serves excellent food and wine. The panoramic view of the city from the hill is invigorating, its trees, shrubs and flowers offer a breath of cool fresh air.
Climbing up the picturesque steps of Kallidromiou Street in Exarhia, picking your way through the playfully cunning cats who’ve made this place their domain and admiring neoclassical buildings of exceptional beauty, you will find yourself on Strefi Hill. This particular hill is one of the favourite haunts of the Athenian young, and it’s not uncommon for parties to be held there, just below the little stone theatre. The night, as we all know, is made for romance, but if you prefer something less intimate, during the summer months you have the option of “Exostrefis”, one of the best known restaurants in Athens which serves excellent food and wine. The panoramic view of the city from the hill is invigorating, its trees, shrubs and flowers offer a breath of cool fresh air.
Lycabettus Hill
Perhaps the most iconic hill in Athens, second only to the Acropolis, Lycabettus is the highest point of the Athens basin, standing at 227 metres above the city. Access to this wonderful hill can be on foot but the most popular way is the picturesque cable car. Romanticism without the weariness of the climb and the whole of Athens at your feet! Atop the hill of Lycabettus sits St. George’s chapel in its whitewashed splendor, as if on permanent loan from the Cyclades. Before you decide to visit the hill, check if there is a concert on that day, as the theatre of Lycabettus is one of the most popular open air venues, and its stage has hosted top acts from the international music scene. However, even without musical accompaniment the climb to the top of Lycabettus is well worth it because of the unrivalled view when you get there. Sprawling Athens is at once tiny and vast, its myriad of lights is a starscape to match the heavens.
Perhaps the most iconic hill in Athens, second only to the Acropolis, Lycabettus is the highest point of the Athens basin, standing at 227 metres above the city. Access to this wonderful hill can be on foot but the most popular way is the picturesque cable car. Romanticism without the weariness of the climb and the whole of Athens at your feet! Atop the hill of Lycabettus sits St. George’s chapel in its whitewashed splendor, as if on permanent loan from the Cyclades. Before you decide to visit the hill, check if there is a concert on that day, as the theatre of Lycabettus is one of the most popular open air venues, and its stage has hosted top acts from the international music scene. However, even without musical accompaniment the climb to the top of Lycabettus is well worth it because of the unrivalled view when you get there. Sprawling Athens is at once tiny and vast, its myriad of lights is a starscape to match the heavens.
Philopappou Hill
Named after the monument discovered there, Philopappou Hill is one of the most beautiful spots in Athens. With a strong flavour of ancient Greece, full of olive trees and in full view of the Parthenon, Philopappou Hill seems to encapsulate huge swathes of Greek history, ancient and modern, in a single image. Besides the Parthenon, you can cast your eyes down on the Acropolis Museum, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the whole of Apostolou Pavlou Avenue and the Observatory. On a clear day you can see the sea. Especially at night Philopappou Hill is transformed into an Athenian beacon, its monument bathed in a single orange spotlight. After a romantic walk on Philopappou, there are many districts resting in its shade to discover. Theseion, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Petralona. Pick one and have fun until the stars disappear from the sky.
Named after the monument discovered there, Philopappou Hill is one of the most beautiful spots in Athens. With a strong flavour of ancient Greece, full of olive trees and in full view of the Parthenon, Philopappou Hill seems to encapsulate huge swathes of Greek history, ancient and modern, in a single image. Besides the Parthenon, you can cast your eyes down on the Acropolis Museum, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the whole of Apostolou Pavlou Avenue and the Observatory. On a clear day you can see the sea. Especially at night Philopappou Hill is transformed into an Athenian beacon, its monument bathed in a single orange spotlight. After a romantic walk on Philopappou, there are many districts resting in its shade to discover. Theseion, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Petralona. Pick one and have fun until the stars disappear from the sky.
Temple of Poseidon, Sounion
On the southernmost tip of Greater Athens lies the headland of Sounion, with its iconic Temple of Poseidon, which adorns the clifftop 60 metres above the sea. Sunsets at Sounion are cinematic to say the least and have served many a passionate liaison with a sumptuous mauve and orange backdrop. So if you are in Athens, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Sounion at dusk so you too can marvel at the sun’s majestic descent into the Saronikos gulf and – if you are lucky – perhaps a bright full moon rising a little later on. In the summer months don’t miss out on a night dip on one of the nearby beaches. The sea, an ancient floodlit temple and you. A leisurely jaunt down the coast from the city and this paradise can be yours.
On the southernmost tip of Greater Athens lies the headland of Sounion, with its iconic Temple of Poseidon, which adorns the clifftop 60 metres above the sea. Sunsets at Sounion are cinematic to say the least and have served many a passionate liaison with a sumptuous mauve and orange backdrop. So if you are in Athens, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Sounion at dusk so you too can marvel at the sun’s majestic descent into the Saronikos gulf and – if you are lucky – perhaps a bright full moon rising a little later on. In the summer months don’t miss out on a night dip on one of the nearby beaches. The sea, an ancient floodlit temple and you. A leisurely jaunt down the coast from the city and this paradise can be yours.
To learn about more great spots around Athens, please visit: Discover Greece
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City Discovery
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Sunday, 27 March 2016 10:38
How To Rent Your Flat On Airbnb
Those interested in renting out their properties, homes or flats in Greece on Airbnb must meet the following requirements as set out by the economy, finance and tourism ministries.
According to a recent government decision effective November 1, 2015, interested parties can lease properties that meet the standards of self-catering accommodation (furnished villas and rooms/apartments) subject to the provisions in article 46 of law 4179/2013 (A ‘175), without possessing the special accommodation sticker and with no set duration. Previously, in order to lease accommodation for less than 30 days, the special sticker was required.
Additionally, should owners of any of the above accommodation types provide services (cleaning, catering, protection) these will be taxed accordingly as income and be subject to the applicable laws as laid out by the finance ministry.
According to the current tax system, income from renting properties is taxed according to the following scale: for income less/equal than 12,000 euros, the tax rate is 11 percent, while for income over 12,000 euros, the rate is 33 percent. These rates may change once new tax legislation is voted in parliament.
According to the current tax system, income from renting properties is taxed according to the following scale: for income less/equal than 12,000 euros, the tax rate is 11 percent, while for income over 12,000 euros, the rate is 33 percent. These rates may change once new tax legislation is voted in parliament.
Owners wishing to engage in business activity and lease their property solely as a tourist accommodation [Article 1 of Law 4276/2014 (A 155)], must obtain legal authorization by local licensing and supervisory boards and obtain the special operations sticker. Different tax rules apply to properties registered as “tourist accommodation.”
Source: Greek Travel Pages
Source: Greek Travel Pages
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Local News
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Monday, 15 August 2016 10:09
Trip To Greece By Melina Mallos
Trip to Greece is a colourful workbook with an interesting narrative in English, and Greek keywords to practise and learn. Each page offers multiple fun opportunities for your child to hear, speak, read and write Greek (activities vary on the child’s age and language ability).
As technology continues to connect the World, the skill of speaking a second language becomes more relevant and advantageous to our younger generations.
An Australian children’s’ educator and author has just created a unique tool for children in the Diaspora, bringing some fun and travel to the process of learning a second language.
Relocation to different countries for various reasons has also become very common, and these days, many people immigrate to countries with cultures and languages very different to where they were born and raised.
Children’s’ Multicultural Educator and Consultant, Melina Mallos, recognises the importance of promoting intercultural understanding among children, as well as promoting a firm connection with and appreciation of their own original cultural heritage.
Ms. Mallos, who was born and raised in Greece until the age of 6, is a high profile blogger and commentator on the subject of childhood intercultural understanding and appreciation for a number of years. She published her first bilingual children’s picture book in 2015, titled 'Catch that Cat!'
“We are fortunate to speak English here in Australia, a universal language, and therefore a lot of doors around the world automatically open for us. However, fluency in a second language will open up a whole new world of possibilities to your child. And there are reported health, social and intellectual benefits as well,” she said.
Ms. Mallos assures parents that there are multiple benefits for the child, aside from the obvious advantages of expansive life experiences, such as sharper brain functions, including listening, memory recall, better problem solving, improved critical thinking, greater cognitive flexibility, verbal and spatial abilities.
To purchase 'Trip To Greece,' please visit: Melina Mallos
About The Author
Ms. Mallos is a passionate writer, researcher and teacher with over 15 years’ experience working as a child educator in art museums in Australia. Ms. Mallos is also a frequent presenter at conferences, schools, libraries and community events. Her work has been featured in international journals, television and on the radio. In 2010, she was awarded a prestigious Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship to research early learning programs in Washington D.C.
To purchase 'Trip To Greece,' please visit: Melina Mallos
About The Author
Ms. Mallos is a passionate writer, researcher and teacher with over 15 years’ experience working as a child educator in art museums in Australia. Ms. Mallos is also a frequent presenter at conferences, schools, libraries and community events. Her work has been featured in international journals, television and on the radio. In 2010, she was awarded a prestigious Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship to research early learning programs in Washington D.C.
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Books
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Thursday, 19 January 2017 07:00
Athens On The NY Times List Of '52 Places To Go In 2017'
For the 12th consecutive year, the esteemed NY Times put together its annual ‘Places To Go’ article by receiving feedback from regular contributors, many of whom live overseas, as well as having ‘marathon-length’ meetings to narrow down their suggestions. This year, Athens was recognized for its art scene and put on the ’52 Places To Go In 2017’ list!
Coming in at number 28, Athens is described as ‘a post-crisis art boom in an ancient capital.’
‘Prices have dropped, but the Greek debt crisis has not dampened Athens’s thriving arts scene. Recent years have seen a surge of galleries, collectives and nonprofit art organizations built for leaner times, like Radio Athènes, which hosts pop-up lectures and performances, and the immigration-focused Nomadic Architecture Network.’
A few notable and up-and-coming destinations also made the list including Tijuana, Mexico, Detroit, Michigan, and Greenville, South Carolina. And of course, classic cities like Madrid in Spain, Osaka in Japan, and Napa Valley in California were also listed among the top places to go in 2017.
To view the NY Times list of ’52 Places To Go In 2017’ in full, please visit: NY Times
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Monday, 08 May 2017 10:44
Meet Culture - When Greece Meets China
Meet Culture, the culture company founded in Athens, was invited by the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai to attend the Reception of Greek National Day. Miao Bin – the Founder and CEO, Chang Jing – the Artistic Director and Zhang Di – the Music Director met with the Consul General Mr Vassilis Xiros in Yuyuan, Shanghai.
In August 2016, Meet Culture organized the Aegean Music Tour in China, including several cities such as Lishui, Chengdu, Nanjing, Wuxi and Shanghai. In the concert in Shanghai, Meet Culture invited Mr Vassilis Xiros to join the Chinese and Greek musicians with his bouzouki to perform the Greek traditional music. Since then, Meet Culture has kept close relationship with the Consulate on the culture projects.
Based on the great contribution to the culture exchange between Greece and China, Chang Jing was awarded the Cultural Ambassador by the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai.
As said by Mr. Consul General, Music unites the two civilizations. Chang Jing has been contributing to the culture exchange between China and Thailand as the teacher of the Princess of Thailand, and now she devote her efforts to the relationship of Greece and China.
Chang Jing invited Miao Bin, the founder of Meet Culture, to the stage to present the gift from Meet Culture to the Consulate General. This is gift is the calligraphy from Mr Xie Qianhong, the calligrapher in Chengdu.
To read this article in full, please visit: Meet Culture
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People
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Tuesday, 12 March 2019 12:09
Epidaurus Lyceum 2019 – Applications Are Now Open!
The Epidaurus Lyceum – International Summer School of Ancient Drama will be active for the third year in a row in Epidaurus on 2 – 16 July 2019, in collaboration with the Theatre Studies Department of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Peloponnese, which also accredits the programme with ECTS credits.
Prospective students can now apply. For more information, terms and conditions, and application forms, prospective applicants may click HERE!
This year’s theme, Reinventing ancient drama on the contemporary stage will pervade all Lyceum classes and related events.
The 2019 teaching staff will include the following: Xu Jiali, actress and professor of Chinese Opera at the Shanghai Theatre Academy; Ichinosuke Umekawa, teacher and actor of Kabuki theatre; the dance group known as Sine Qua Non ART (Jonathan Pranlas – Descours and Christophe Beranger); Kamila Klamut, director, co-founder of ZAR Theatre and collaborator of the Grotowski Institute; Christiane Pohle, award- winning director and head of programme of the Academy of Performing Arts Baden- Wuerttemberg; Andrea De Rosa, director; Gabriele Vacis, director, writer and theatre scholar; Vangelis Theodoropoulos, director, and Anastasios Karakatsanos, composer and music teacher. Lectures and masterclasses will be given by the following: Kostas Georgousopoulos, writer, translator and theatre critic; Konstantinos Markoulakis, actor and director; Efimia Karakantza, assistant professor at the Department of Philology, University of Patras; George Sampatakakis, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Patras; Anna Tsichli, member of the special teaching staff at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese; Maria Mikedaki, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese, and Georgina Kakoudaki, director and theatre scholar.
The programme is realized with the support of the Institut Français de Grèce, the Istituto Di Cultura – Atene, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities in Italy, the Municipality of Epidaurus and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolis. The Epidaurus Lyceum is a member of the International Network of Ancient Drama of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Prospective students can now apply. For more information, terms and conditions, and application forms, prospective applicants may click HERE!
This year’s theme, Reinventing ancient drama on the contemporary stage will pervade all Lyceum classes and related events.
The 2019 teaching staff will include the following: Xu Jiali, actress and professor of Chinese Opera at the Shanghai Theatre Academy; Ichinosuke Umekawa, teacher and actor of Kabuki theatre; the dance group known as Sine Qua Non ART (Jonathan Pranlas – Descours and Christophe Beranger); Kamila Klamut, director, co-founder of ZAR Theatre and collaborator of the Grotowski Institute; Christiane Pohle, award- winning director and head of programme of the Academy of Performing Arts Baden- Wuerttemberg; Andrea De Rosa, director; Gabriele Vacis, director, writer and theatre scholar; Vangelis Theodoropoulos, director, and Anastasios Karakatsanos, composer and music teacher. Lectures and masterclasses will be given by the following: Kostas Georgousopoulos, writer, translator and theatre critic; Konstantinos Markoulakis, actor and director; Efimia Karakantza, assistant professor at the Department of Philology, University of Patras; George Sampatakakis, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Patras; Anna Tsichli, member of the special teaching staff at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese; Maria Mikedaki, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese, and Georgina Kakoudaki, director and theatre scholar.
The programme is realized with the support of the Institut Français de Grèce, the Istituto Di Cultura – Atene, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities in Italy, the Municipality of Epidaurus and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolis. The Epidaurus Lyceum is a member of the International Network of Ancient Drama of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.
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