An Online Survey helping you get the most out of living in Greece.

The British Consulate in Greece would like to hear from British nationals about your experiences of living in Greece. They are updating their guides, planning their communications with central government and local authorities and developing our social media presence in Greece. By telling them about the issues you have encountered, either getting a registration certificate, planning/obtaining healthcare, learning Greek and more, will help the Consulate to tailor their information services to your needs in the best possible way to be useful for all British nationals in Greece. 

Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey here.

The online survey will run until 29/02/2016.

Santorini Experience returns with an explosive mixture for 2nd year on 7 – 9 October 2016.

The event that caught the attention of all sports friends and offered unique moments and emotions to professional and amateur athletes, returns for second consecutive year in the energetic volcanic island of Santorini.

The first announcement for the great organization of sports tourism “Santorini Experience” was held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, with cinematic way at the Gold Class halls of Village Cinemas at The Mall Athens.

The event's program included two parallel screenings of the event’s video - documentary from the previous year (as was shown in more than 1.6 million households in Greece and abroad), to reporters and senior executives, as well as greetings from ambassadors and representatives of the organization.

During the event, this year’s activities of “Santorini Experience”, which include swimming and running, were presented for the first time, along with their ambassadors and coefficients. It was also announced that the organization has been placed under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), which happens for the first time in open water swimming competition in a sports tourism event, highlighting the importance and solemnity of “Santorini Experience”, not only in Greece but also internationally. The element of extroversion and international promotion was credited also to one more “surprise” - cooperation that was yet to be revealed.

TV channel FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group, one of the biggest sports television networks in the world in subscriber base, distribution and promotion of sport content, undertakes this year as Official Broadcaster the broadcasting of the sports documentary “Santorini Experience”. The sports documentary will carry forward unique images of sports tourism in Santorini, to millions of homes in Europe, Asia and Africa through the vast television network of FOX Sports.

This year's event program includes open water swimming from the volcano to the old port of Fira. The swimming route has been designed by the Federal Technical coach of Swimming, with Olympic and World medals in open water swimming Nikos Gemelos, who will be the Technical Director of the event in swimming, while great names of our national team, such as Olympic and World Champion in open water swimming, Spyros Gianniotis and World Champion in open water swimming, Kelly Araouzou, along with a variety of leading open water swimming athletes like Antonis Fokaidis, Giorgos Arniakos and Dimitris Negris will take part in this year “Santorini Experience”.

Respectively, various running routes will be held at the magical path that connects Oia with Fira overlooking the Caldera. This year’ s routes have been selected by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach, manager of All About Running and technical director of the event in running, Nikos Polias. At the end of the press event, the Mayor of Santorini Anastasios Nikolaos-Zorzos said: “Last year we started Santorini Experience. A sports event that is becoming an institution for the island. “Santorini Experience” gives visitors the opportunity to combine wellness with the unique nature of the island, to live an “explosive” experience. Santorini Municipality and the Athletic Organization DAPPOS embraced and supported this event from the first time, thus trying to highlight another face of the island, the athletic side. We welcome you to the organization and wish that you live a truly unique life experience”.

On his part, the President of the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) Mr. Eleftherios Tzouros said: “The journey that began last year in May 2015 continues. A journey where man and nature become one with respect and love. The idea of Santorini Experience is unique and unprecedented, since participants are invited to compete on the Caldera of Santorini (Land & Sea), with invisible spectator the Atlantis which many researchers speculate that sank in the sea of the caldera area. This “marriage” of nature - human and culture is a unique experience that we expect you to live”.

The President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), Mr. Dimitris Diathesopoulos said: “After last year's successful hosting of the Open Water race of “Santorini Experience”, at beautiful Santorini, with the participation of leading distinguished members of the national team, but also with the presence of the President of the Swimming Federation, and after relevant conversations between the Mayor of Santorini and representative bodies of the organization, it was a mutual understanding that this great event will be implemented for the second consecutive year. This time it has been placed under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Something that signifies the importance and solemnity, not only in Greece but also internationally. Both I personally as president and KOE, we believe that this year we will have successfully organized a large organizational and participatory event and this will mark its establishment in a national and international level as one of the most important events in the Open Water area. I wish good luck to those who curated the event, expressing the assurance that KOE will be standing close to this effort, aiming to become one of the most important events in our field with a long perspective and massiveness in participations”.

Finally, the CEO of Active Media Group, Mr. Akis Tsolis said among other: “Municipality of Santorini, D.A.P.P.O.S., KOE, local companies of the island and a top global television network join together to promote swimming, running, in a unique Greek landscape like that of Santorini. The announcements of this day are quite significant and a milestone for sports tourism in Greece. The assistance of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and the broadcasting of the complete documentary (rather than just highlights), by FOX Networks Group, to more than 40 million households, indicatively to countries like China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Israel, South Africa and many others, and in continents such as Europe, Asia and Africa, make me really happy that we managed in such difficult times to unite all our forces for an innovative organization like Santorini Experience. We do not rest on what tourism achieves today, but we continue to build for tomorrow”.

“Santorini Experience” is a collaboration between the Municipality of Santorini, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) and Active Media Group.

Sponsor: Alafouzos Sport
Supporter: Village Cinemas
Official Broadcaster: FOX Sports
Hospitality Sponsors: Athina Luxury Suites, Central Fira Hotel, Sienna Residencies, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies

Under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (K.O.E.).

For more information, please visit: Official Santorini Experience Website

 
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Olive oil is always present at the Greek table and nearly every dish Greek cooks prepare uses this highly prized oil.

According to legend, Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, is responsible for giving Athens the olive tree as a gift. It is unclear in some of the re-telling of this story whether other parts of Ancient Greece already had the olive tree or not. However, the story shows that the olive tree was highly important to the people of Ancient Greece.

In the legend, Athena and Poseidon were in competition over who would have the new city-state named after them. Poseidon struck the ground with his staff and gave the Athenians the gift of flowing salt water. Athena struck the ground with her staff and it turned into an olive tree.

Since the olive tree provided wood, nourishment, and trade, she won. The olive tree became a symbol of peace because of this victory.

Even though Athena is credited with giving the Athenians the gift of the olive tree, it is really the Early Minoan Civilization on Crete who displays evidence of being the first to cultivate the olive tree in 3500 BC.

Over time, the Minoans on Crete perfected the process of cultivating the tree and it became an important part of their culinary tradition and also helped generate income through trade. They were the first to export olive oil to both Africa and the Middle East.

The Ancient Greeks understood that olive oil was highly nutritious. Therefore, top philosophers and physicians in the 7th century BC in Ancient Greece explored the use of olive oil as medicine. Hippocrates, for example, used it for various things when he was treating his patients. Nowadays, olive oil is used to help with digestive problems, skin conditions, coughs, sore throat, congestion, and other respiratory complaints.

It’s also considered a health cure and essential beauty aid. The oil is used to combat dry skin, control frizzy hair, and even soothe irritated skin. It even played an important part in the Olympic games by becoming a symbol of the games themselves and part of the award given to winners. The olive tree, therefore, was not only important in history, but it also is still highly important today.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Boston

Over the last year, Athens has been preparing for changes to the public transportation system, most notably the transition from paper tickets to modern electronic tickets. With the new system, the paper tickets will be replaced by paper and plastic smartcards. Starting from November 1st, paper tickets will no longer be available. Please note that as of now, fare prices will stay the same.

There are 3 new types of transport tickets:

 

Constructed in the late 19th century, specifically from 1880 to 1893, the Corinth Canal is one of Greece's most important accomplishments in engineering. Before it was built, ships wanting to cross the Adriatic or go to Corinth had to circle the Peloponnese, which added an additional 185 miles to the journey.

In the video below from Humans at Sea, we learn 10 interesting facts about this amazing engineering feat. Like the fact that it's only 6.3 kilometers in length, or 3.9 miles long!

On July 7th, we celebrate 12 years of connecting the international community with inspiring stories, news and great happenings in Athens and across Greece! We'd like to thank our entire team, our contributors, partners, media sponsorships and especially all of YOU for being part of our incredible journey. Cheers to many more!

While the coronavirus pandemic has brought anxiety and uncertainty to the world, a beautiful sight is on its way to remind us how a natural phenomenon can carry extraordinary beauty.

The April full moon is often referred to as Pink Moon because of the pink spring flowers that appear at around the same time of year.

The 3rd and brightest supermoon of the year is about to make its appearance in the Greek sky. At 21:08 (EEST) tonight Tuesday, April 7, the moon will reach its closest point for 2020 at a distance of 356.907 kilometers, at the perigee of its orbit making it appear 30% brighter and 14% larger. The full moon will occur at 05:35 (EEST) on Thursday, April 9.

In a time of isolation and social distancing, this stunning natural phenomenon can be observed from our balconies, terraces, rooftops, and gardens. Don't miss the change to witness the awe-inspiring Pink Moon tonight!

"There are times I really shout a lot at my child, and then I think I am probably not a very good mom, and this makes me feel horrible. Needless to say what this does to my confidence level; it just doesn't exist." That's what a new client told me recently, and she is not the only one. Most moms share similar concerns and wonder how they can be effective without having to increase the level of their voice or scream.

Truth is we have too many expectations for ourselves as moms but also for our children. Expectations that most probably passed on to us by our moms, grandmothers, aunts, etc.

But let me ask you, did you go to school to learn how to become a mom? Or did you perhaps study it at the university? Not only do we repeat the model we grew up with but quite often we may hear worthless comments from our partners such as "it's your fault; you are responsible for your - not our – child. After all, moms are often to blame for everything related to a child, aren't they?

It is time to end the doubts, guilt and dilemmas that afflict us moms. Because what we inadvertently achieve is to continually criticize ourselves instead of enjoying the incredible privilege of motherhood. Yes, sometimes we do shout when our patience exceeds our limits – and it does take a lot of patience. It is not the right thing to do, but it happens; we're only humans after all. Accept it, apologize to your child and move on. Next time you're about to lose your cool, do something to improve your reaction.

Because there is a way to be effective without voices, anger and commotion, and it is a taught practice. No woman is born a "ready-made mom", but every woman can become a great mom!

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!

There are so many small steps we can take to help protect the environment from using metal straws instead of plastic ones to reducing food waste by eating leftovers and making use of the vegetables in the fridge before they go bad. 

Here are a few eco-friendly habits that do their part in protecting the environment on a regular basis. Which of these strategies will you try?

Turn off the lights when you leave the room
Marta from France recommends: “Ever since I was little, I was told to turn the lights off when I left a room. I’ve continued that habit into adulthood and have passed it on to my kids. There’s no need to keep the light on in an empty room, and every small green gesture helps.”

Bring your own bags to the grocery store
Kaleana from California recommends: “Since the pandemic began, our local grocery stores were forced to ban reusable bags. This has resulted in the excessive use of plastic bags for each grocery run. To help mitigate this, I began to request that the grocery clerk simply reload my groceries into the cart at checkout. Then, I would transfer the items into the reusable bags in the trunk of my car from the parking lot. This has allowed me to follow COVID protocols while reducing my carbon footprint!

Swap out your paper towels for cloth
Nikki from Illinois recommends: “In an effort to leave a better world for my grandchildren, I started using cloth napkins and cotton towels instead of paper napkins and towels. Sadly, paper towel production not only destroys a large number of trees but also uses a lot of water. Not to mention, a lot of our paper products end up in landfills. I’ve also started using wool dryer balls versus the dryer sheets which are single-use and loaded with chemicals. I’m taking an inch-by-inch approach as I work to be a better steward of our planet.”

Start using a metal water bottle
Isabelle from California recommends: “I do not use plastic bottles anymore, and I’m making an effort to use only metal bottles that I refill when I am on the go. I also help a local organization, Child Creativity Lab, build STEAM kits for kid programs with recyclable materials and we encourage the local community and businesses to recycle materials going to trash by dropping them off at our lab.”

To read this article in full please visit: thriveglobal.com