Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular destinations, has been honored this year as part of the 2015 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Islands, ranking as the fourth on the list of top 10 islands in the world and top island in Europe for 2015. The list of Europe’s top islands also includes Crete in the third place and Zakynthos in the fourth.

This year’s awards honor more than 100 islands worldwide including lists for Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the U.K., and the U.S. The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers across the globe.

Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

“Our well-traveled community has uncovered the best islands around the world for that perfect island escape whether you want to lie on the beach or seek adventure,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.


To read the complete article, please visit: GreekTravelPages

What is a Tactual Museum exactly? Read on to find out more.

When Dave Briggs drew the Tactual Museum of Athens as the next museum on his list to visit, he was excited. He'd heard of tactual museums, but had never visited one before. The basic concept is that they are set up as a way for sighted people to experience and understand to a small degree what it must be like to operate in a world without sight. The idea is to be led around a room blindfolded, and then to touch a series of objects in order to understand what they might be.

The Museum does this with a difference. Rather than using ordinary objects, they instead display copies of artifacts from Ancient Greece. The idea behind this is twofold. Firstly, non-sighted people rarely, if ever, get to touch and feel the relics from an ancient past. These faithful replicas would allow them to do so. Secondly, it would give a chance for sighted people to approach ancient Greece from a new angle, and experience trying to work out what a new object is just by the sense of touch. People are given blindfolds to experience the museum as a non-sighted person would.

There were two rooms downstairs, and several larger rooms upstairs. Some of the smaller objects, such as the golden laurel leaf crown, were especially hard to work out what they were.

Location:
Visitors’ entrance via Lighthouse for The Blind of Greece
Athinas 17, Kallithea, 17673

Hours:
8:00 - 17:00

Museum Website: http://www.tactualmuseum.gr/indexe.htm

To read this article in full please visit: Dave's Travel Pages

Discover 14 gorgeous sandy beaches in Greece ideal for families, amazing hidden paths to add on your to do list, and perfect locations to take the best photographs of the Acropolis!

 

 

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In the last few years, Athens has become more than just a quick stop on the way to the Greek islands. With the plethora of affordable accommodations and exceptional experiences available in the Athens, more and more tourists are opting to spend a few days in the city.

Apart from the most popular experiences in Athens, there's always a market to wander, a rooftop bar to grab a drink, and plenty of shops to explore! From Condé Nast Traveler, here's how to spend 3 days in Athens.

Visit the Acropolis! But first, get acquainted with history with these 8 things you may not know about one of the most impressive and beautiful ancient structures.

After your first fix of ancient history, refuel with a mid-morning koulouri (a ring of sesame-covered bread) from one of the food carts below, and then make your way over to the Acropolis Museum, about a seven-minute walk.

For a late lunch, walk over to the hip-yet-tranquil neighborhood of Koukaki, which sits at the foot of the hill yet still manages to provide a much-needed respite from the more touristed streets nearby. For a budget-friendly option, try some of the best street food in Athens!

After lunch, explore the National Museum of Contemporary Art and spend the rest of the day wandering through the streets of central Athens. At night, grab a cocktail at one of Athens' roof gardens with astonishing views and delicious food.

Day 2

While Athens’ Monastiraki Flea Market is—in theory—open seven days a week, it’s only really worth your time on Sunday mornings, when jewelry makers and artisans set up their stalls for the day.

Don’t miss the Stavros Melissinos sandal shop for a pair of classic leather sandals, and make a quick detour to Pittaki Street to Instagram the 150 lanterns, chandeliers, and lamps that hang above the gritty alleyway. 

In the afternoon, hike up to the top of Mt. Lycabettus where you will see some of the best views of the city.

Try to time it for sunset and grab a drink at hilltop restaurant Orizontes Lycabettus, which has a panoramic terrace, before making your way back down to the Exarcheia below for dinner.

Day 3

Especially in the summer, the heat can start to take its toll so it makes sense that Athenians spend June through August on one of the 6,000 surrounding islands and islets. Take a peak at one of these day trips out of the city or a nearby island like Evia.

If you don’t want to stray that far from Athens, head towards Vouliagmeni Beach or Glyfada, a spectacular seaside town. For lunch try NAMI Sushi Bar.

Alternatively, dedicate your final day to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center near the Bay of Faliro, where you can do pilates on the Versailles-inspired Great Lawn of Stavros Niarchos Park, watch a ballet in the 1,400-seat main hall, catch the Greek National Opera, or even hole up in the brand new National Library of Greece.

At night, make your way back to the city center to Plaka and become mesmerized by the Acropolis once again. For your nightime cocktail, head to The Clumsies, known as one of the best bars in the world.

Source: CN Traveler

From exploring Athens' cultural landmarks or wandering the orange tree-lined streets of its cool neighborhoods to experiencing the diverse culinary and cocktail scene, these are the reasons Athens has seen a record number of tourists in the last year. If you're so lucky to call Athens home, then the below suggestions are perhaps something to explore again, but if you are visiting this bustling Mediterranean city for the first time, then please read on for an ideal way on how to spend 36 hours in Athens. From the New York Times...

"There are cities that count their age by years; then there’s Athens, which can tabulate its history by millenniums. From battles and setbacks this ancient metropolis has rebounded again and again, proving itself to be resilient like no other. Sitting on a parfait of civilizations, the Greek capital could easily float on its past glories."

"Sitting on a parfait of civilizations, the Greek capital could easily float on its past glories. But recent additions like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center prove that this city in the heart of the Mediterranean isn’t afraid to raise new monuments and leave a bold statement for posterity."

To read 36 Hours in Athens, please visit: The New York Times

A new chapter has begun for the National Library of Greece (NLG), as it has opened its doors to the public in its new premises at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).

 

The library's collection, which includes 5.400 manuscripts dating from the 9th to the 19th century, is one of the most extensive in the world. Among others it includes old maps, rare prototypes, engravings, and historical documents that constitute a valuable testament to Greek civilisation and culture.

 

Researchers, students, and the general public will have free access to collections of thousands of journals and manuscripts, while they will also be able to borrow works of literature and essays through the Library’s Lending Department. On Monday, January 14 the general public will gain access to all the collections of the research library, while on the same day the historical Vallianos building, in the center of Athens, is expected to reopen as a newspaper reading room and the main information portal of the National Library of Greece.

 

It is worth noting that the historic transition of NLG to the SNFCC was made possible through an exclusive grant of €5 million from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, covering the development of the NLG’s collection, the creation of the Library’s digital services, the development of the Library’s Public Section, an audience development campaign, staff training, and more.

 

Article Source: National Library of Greece

Photo Credit: @NLG_NikosKaranikolas

During a meeting of the Central Archaeological Council, works related to the restoration and promotion of the Western Hills of Acropolis (the Pnyx, the Hill of the Nymphs, and the Philopappos Hill) were unanimously approved.

The protection and promotion of the above-mentioned archeological sites is a top priority, combined with the safety of visitors and the cleanliness of the sites due to high traffic, as the entrance to these areas is free and they operate on a 24-hour basis.

The Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakogiannis, stated “Athens is taking another step towards the rebirth of its most emblematic areas. It is time to restore, protect, and upgrade all those elements of Philopappos hill that connect it to the history, culture, and modern life of the city of Athens. In this effort, our smooth cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Sports is required to achieve the best result."

The goals of this Cultural Development Program are the following:

• The preservation and promotion of the monuments located in these archaeological sites.
• The safety of visitors.
• The improvement of the existing infrastructure.
• The protection of the natural environment (flora and fauna) and its harmonious inclusion in the archaeological landscape.
• The elimination of risk factors (fires, landslides, delinquency).

Acropolis' Western Hills

The hills used to be an important and densely inhabited section of ancient Athens. Today, they form an archaeological site including monuments of great historical value, such as the Assembly of the Demos, the Diateichisma, residential remains of the ancient districts of Melite and Koile, the ancient street of Koile, the monument of Philopappos, the remains of the temple of Musaeus, Socrates' Prison and the Kimoneia Monuments, cemeteries, post-Byzantine temples (Agios Dimitrios Lombardiaris, Agia Marina, Agios Konstantinos), unique works by famous architect Dimitris Pikionis, and the National Observatory of Athens.

The hills cover a total area of about 680 acres and are part of the buffer zone surrounding the Acropolis as a UNESCO world heritage site. They are also included in the List of Monuments around the Acropolis that have received the European Heritage Label.

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XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing news and inspiring stories about how Athens aspires to be a clean, friendly, and welcoming city to live in

As spring blooms in Athens, it brings with it the perfect opportunity to embrace the outdoors and indulge in the simple joys of a picnic. While the city pulses with life and history, there are serene havens waiting to be explored by nature enthusiasts and picnic aficionados alike.From verdant parks to enchanting botanical gardens, Athens offers an array of idyllic spots that beckon for a leisurely al fresco dining experience.

Let's explore some of the best places for a picnic in Athens, where you can bask in the beauty of nature and savor the delights of the season!

Located right in the heart of Athens, the National Garden is a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling city streets. Spanning over 15 hectares, this lush green park offers ample space for picnickers to spread out and enjoy a relaxing day surrounded by nature. With its shaded pathways, charming ponds, and diverse flora, the National Garden provides the ideal setting for a leisurely picnic with family and friends. Additionally, the garden is home to a variety of animals, including ducks, peacocks, and turtles, adding an extra element of charm to your picnic experience.

Nestled in the area of Chaidari, the Diomedes Botanical Garden is a haven for plant lovers and picnic enthusiasts alike. Often dubbed the largest botanical garden in the Mediterranean, it's just a short distance from Athens city center. Boasting approximately 4,000 plant species and tens of thousands of dried plants in its herbarium, the garden offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich diversity of Mediterranean flora. Spread across a vast forested area of 1,860 acres, it provides ample space for exploration and relaxation. With designated picnic areas scattered throughout the garden, visitors can enjoy a scenic outdoor meal surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Just a short drive from Athens lies the sprawling Tatoi Estate, once the summer residence of the Greek royal family. Today, this expansive estate is open to the public, offering visitors a chance to explore its lush gardens, historic buildings, and scenic landscapes. Picnickers can find a secluded spot amidst the olive groves or set up camp near the tranquil ponds, enjoying a peaceful day surrounded by nature's beauty.

Situated amidst the pristine forests of Parnitha Mountain, Beletsi Lake is a picturesque destination for a picnic in nature. Surrounded by dense foliage and towering trees, the lake offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere. Picnickers can relax by the water's edge, take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore, or simply soak in the tranquility of this idyllic setting.

Spanning over 1,200 acres, Antonis Tritsis Park is one of the largest green spaces in Athens, offering endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The park features lush meadows, wooded areas, and scenic trails, making it an ideal spot for a picnic adventure. Whether you prefer a shady spot beneath the trees or a sunny clearing with panoramic views, Antonis Tritsis Park has something for everyone.