XpatAthens
This Mobile Hospital Travels To The Most Remote Areas In Greece
To read this article in full, please visit: snf.org
New Tram Service Ready To Start In Piraeus
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Originally published on: news.gtp.gr
Traditional Christmas Customs In Greece
- Christopsomo (Christ’s Bread): A special bread decorated with symbols of the family’s livelihood.
- Melomakarona: Honey-dipped cookies spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
- Kourabiedes: Almond shortbread cookies dusted with powdered sugar.
- Roast Lamb or Pork: Often the centerpiece of the Christmas Day meal.
- Vasilopita: The New Year’s cake, baked in honor of Saint Basil.
Sightseeing On The Island of Thassos
Thassos is believed to have been named after Thassos, the son or grandson of Aginoras, the king of Phoenicia. Thassos went to the island in search or Europe and he established himself there as its first king. Other ancient sources claim other names for the island, such as “Hieria”, by her chill summer breeze, “Athria”, by her clear sky, “Coast of Goddess Demetra”, by her fertile ground or “Dasos”, meaning forest in Greek, from the many forests on the island.
Thassos Ancient Town
Right next to Thassos town lay the remnants of Thassos ancient settlement which had two ports, the military one, closed to public and ships other than military ships, and the commercial one, used for the town’s commercial activities. The Agora, the cornerstone of politics, administration and economic activities is among the most important findings on the island. The findings number various statues, sculptures and inscriptions of great value most of which are exhibited today at the Museum of Louvre as the excavations that brought them to light was conducted in 1911 by the Archeological Faculty of France. The ancient Odeon and the ancient theatre, the sanctuary of Zeus and Artemis are also among the principal parts of the site.
Olives and Olive Oil Museum
Right outside the settlement of Skala Prinos is located this newly established and pretty interesting museum, paying a tribute to the miraculous products of olive trees! An initiative of a local bio-oil business, the museum hosts a space where a representation of oil production takes place, a photography exhibition space, a part where all types of oils are exhibited (around 40 from the 130 different types that are known up today), a projections’ space and finally the olive products exhibition, where you will be able to taste and buy anything you like!Kalogeriko
Kalogeriko is a historical building standing out from all the other buildings at the centre of the ancient port of Thassos. Is was built at the end of the 19th century and nowadays it hosts various cultural exhibitions and galleries of Greek and foreign artists. You should absolutely visit it and admire its architecture.
Potamia
A small traditional village located on the eastern part of the island, very near Panagia and Chrisi Akti. Potamia is built on the foot of Mountain Ypsarion and it consists in beautiful small houses with stone walls and wooden roofs. Potamia is ideal for hiking as here exist various paths that enter the mountain in a scenery of lush vegetation and total serenity.
Kazavitia
The Small and Large Kazaviti (Small and Large Prinos) villages are found in the north central part of the island and are, without a doubt, among the most beautiful and picturesque villages of the island. Small and narrow stone paved alleys, stone built houses with wooden terraces and balconies and painted ceilings, the scenery here will definitely take you back in time. Though both of the villages have seen very glorious times in the past, when the inhabitants stayed and worked here, protected by the pirates that raged the lowland and seaside settlements, nowadays are rather abandoned. Still standing here are the remnants of an old school that contributed greatly to the island’s history, the old mansion houses and churches. The perfect place to relax in the sound of nature and running waters and have a lunch or coffee at the Large Kazaviti’s central square.
Kastro
On one of the tops of mount Ypsarion, right in the heart of the island, lies the oldest settlement of the island, Kastro (meaning “castle” in Greek). Its inhabitants were here protected from the pirates till most of them left the village to work to the mines of a foreign company and transferred their settlement at Limenaria. The village used to be the place where they spent their holidays but during the recent years many attempts to restore the village have taken place with remarkable results!
We could keep on describing the island’s magnificent villages but it would be better for you to explore them in person making sure you will not leave aside Panagia, Kinira, Astris and Themonia.
Source: Cycladia.com
Varoufakis Expects Deal With Eurozone
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has told Kathimerini that a deal between Greece and the eurozone will be found, even at the last minute, as he prepares for Monday’s Eurogroup.
“Developments over the last few days have given me a significant degree of hope that, despite the differences, there is an appetite on both sides for finding common ground between the previous program and a new agreement between Europe and Greece that will put and end to the self-perpetuating crisis and will create a relationship of trust between us and our partners,” said Varoufakis ahead of his second meeting with his eurozone counterparts.
Wednesday’s Eurogroup ended without agreement as Greece objected to the wording of a common statement that suggested the current program would be extended. Athens wanted it to be clear that the bailout was being amended.
However, technical teams from Greece and its three lenders, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund began talks on Friday with the aim of preparing the ground for Monday’s negotiations. Kathimerini understands that another, extra, Eurogroup meeting may be held on Friday if there is no agreement on Monday.
In his interview with Kathimerini, Varoufakis refused to speculate how close the two sides are to an agreement.
“Our resolute stance on totally logical matters will, in the final analysis, lead to a mutually beneficial convergence, even at the 11th hour,” he said.
To read more, please visit ekathimerini.com
Fishing Tourism Given The Green Light
Great Spaces For Both Kids & Parents To Enjoy In Athens
If you have kids, then you must know how important it is to get them to go outside and run off some steam. Of course, it's an added bonus when you can enjoy a coffee and a snack while they play! Here are some unique places that your kids will love, but will also give you some 'parental relaxation' time. In other words, these places are great for both children and parents - enjoy!
Who doesn't enjoy the idea of having their coffee next to a fire place? At Funmily parents have the chance to start off with a hot drink and continue with delicious snacks. Meanwhile, children are busy playing indoors in areas speacially designed for them, together with the specially trained staff of the restaurant. In short, at "Funmily" you have child safety, ease and comfort while sitting at your own table.
Address: Pentelis 114, Marousi
Telephone: 210 810 5300
2. Koralli - Kallithea
Delicious dishes, fast service and affordable prices make Koralli stand out. The specialties of this traditional Greek mezedopolio are its sea food dishes, but if you or the kids are not fish lovers you can also enjoy classic dishes of Greek cuisine. The big advantage at Koralli is the indoor playground, where the kids can play for hours!
Address: Agamemnonas & Kolokotroni 19, Kallithea, 17675
Telephone: 210 941 8472
Website (in Greek)
3. Pisina - Piraeus
The famous landmark cafe and restautant called Pisina in Piraeus, is a perfect place to enjoy a coffee or sit down for lunch after a walk along the sea. On the lower level of Pisina there is a playground for younger children and electronic games for older kids.
Address: Akti Themistokleous 25, Pireaus
Telephone: 210 451 1324
Website (in Greek)
4. Balux Café - Glyfada
A great spot all year around in the south is Balux Café at the Asteras complex in Glyfada. This warm and welcoming place will make you feel like home from the moment you walk in. Whether indoors during winter or outdoors during the summer, this is an ideal spot to enjoy coffee, lunch or dinner all the while your kids release their energy in the large playground available.
Address: 58 Posidonos Av., Athens, Asteras Glyfadas Complex
Telephone: 210 898 3577
Website
5. Tritsi Environmental Awareness Park - Ilion
Coffee and outdoor exploration is the perfect combination at Tritsi Park in northern Athens. It is an ideal place to visit on a sunny Sunday morning and is great for nature lovers, both young and old. The kids can play whatever game they wish in natual surroundings and there are cafe options with light snacks and beverages for the whole family. There are often educational programs organized in the park for you and your children to enjoy together.
The Most Beautiful Beaches In Greece
The list includes:
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
Sarakiniko, Milos
Porto Katsiki, Lefkada
Lalaria, Skiathos
Balos Beach and Lagoon, Crete
St Paul’s Bay, Rhodes
Myrtos, Kefalonia
Voidokoilia, Messinia
To read the full descriptions, please visit: Condé Nast Traveler.
Family-Friendly Ways To Reduce Plastic Pollution In Greece
- 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s. The amount of plastic produced in a year is roughly the same as the entire weight of humanity.
- Nearly 2 million single-use plastic bags are distributed worldwide every minute.
- One million plastic bottles are bought every minute around the world — that number will top half a trillion by 2021. And less than half of those bottles end up getting recycled.
- 8 million metric tons of plastic winds up in our oceans each year. That’s enough trash to cover every foot of coastline around the world with five full trash bags of plastic…compounding every year.
- There is more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way.
- If plastic production isn’t curbed, plastic pollution will outweigh fish pound for pound by 2050.
Plastic Free Greece is an organization that raises awareness amongst schools and communities in Greece about the harm of single-use plastic. The organization's mission is 'To raise awareness about the harm of plastic pollution in Greece and to break the habit of single-use plastic through education, by encouraging beach clean ups, and through petitions to effect change.'
Fight Against Plastic Pollution With These 4 Simple Steps
- Water Bottles - Students can pledge to bring re-fillable water bottles to school (and parents can bring them to work).
- Refill Greece Station - Students can convince at least 1 local shop (it can be a store, coffee shop, or anything with opening hours) to become a Refill Greece Station - all it requires is for the shop to place a sticker on its window to show that it will refill passersby' water bottles with potable tap water for free.
- 'Sto Potiri Mou' Network - Students can try and convince local coffee shops to become part of the "Sto Potiri Mou" network - these are coffee shops all over Greece that offer discounts on takeaway beverages if you bring your own refillable cup. Even better, also convince the shop to stop using plastic straws.
- Sign Plastic Free Greece's Petitions - Plastic Free Greece intends to lobby politicians, businesses and consumers to change their habits so as to reduce their plastic footprint. Click HERE to read and sign the petitions.
Facts Source: Earth Day
Refugee Women In Greece Find Relief In Soccer
The team members come from 14 different countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, and Ethiopia, which makes communication during soccer practice a challenge. At a recent practice, the team's founder Katerina Salta and her coach went through instructions with the help of a translator who speaks English, Urdu, Pashto, Dari, and Farsi.
"The atmosphere in the team is fantastic," Salta said. "I started this program to empower them but what actually happens is that every single day I get empowered by them — their will, their (determination) to continue trying for their lives even in such difficult conditions."
Hestia FC participated in the Global Goals World Cup in Denmark last month a five-a-side women's tournament that aims to promote gender equality. None of the migrant women were allowed to travel, and consequently, they were substituted by volunteers who agreed to play in their place. Unexpectedly, Hestia FC won the tournament.
To read this inspiring article in full, please visit: The Associated Press
About Hestia FC
Hestia FC is the first refugee and migrant women football team in Greece. It’s a program of the International Olympic Truce Centre in collaboration with the international NGO Eir, which takes action globally for the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) though sport.
The overall aim of the project which is under the Auspices of the City of Athens and the Council for the Social Inclusion of Refugees is the protection, the psychological well-being, the empowerment and the social integration of refugee and migrant women, as well as the promotion of the Olympic values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport. Human rights based rules of a sport can help to replace culturally discriminative norms that exclude women from sport. By bringing people together, building communities and fighting attitudes of xenophobia, negative gender stereotypes and racism, sport has the potential to make an important contribution to the integration of refugees in the EU.
Since our ultimate aim is to fight against any kind of discrimination and promote equal access to sport for women in general, the team will also welcome Greek women with less opportunities in the near future.
Our vision is that like the ancient Greek goddess, Hestia FC will become a home, a refuge and that our players and supporters will raise their voices to support all vulnerable women.
Source: Hestia FC