Greece is undoubtedly one of the most appealing travel destinations, but amidst the Covid-19 crisis, the idea of a summer vacation in Greece sounds like an unlikely scenario! Or maybe not, according to Greek officials.
And that is because Greece appears to be a rare coronavirus success story. The safety measures and a strict lockdown was enforced very early, keeping the death rate extremely low compared to European countries.
This week, some small businesses–such as hairdressers and bookstores–were allowed to re-open for the first time after the long closure. This gradual lifting of the lockdown measures may be a model for welcoming back some travelers this summer, thinks Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
"The tourism experience this summer may be slightly different from what you've had in previous years," Mitsotakis told CNN's, Nic Robertson. "Maybe no bars may be open, or no tight crowds, but you can still get a fantastic experience in Greece – provided that the global epidemic is on a downward path."
However, opening up to tourism unavoidably means opening up to travelers possibly carrying the virus. Currently, every international traveler is screened for Covid-19 upon arriving in Athens; however, the Prime Minister is hoping for something more comprehensive such as global, or at least European standards that set the same travel protocols for all countries. "I would assume that people will be tested before they get on a plane, not after they arrive here. They can only get on the plane with a negative test, or with a positive antibody test," he said.
All going well, Greece will probably be able to start welcoming tourists by July 1.
To read this article in full, please visit: cnn.com
Embark on an audio odyssey of Athens with the podcast series, "We’ll Always Have Athens", and hear our legendary city beamed straight to your ears!
A city without stories is like a theatre without a stage. In Athens, stories are everywhere: whispered in ancient streets and mythical corners; imprinted on historic hilltops where the great philosophers held court; shared boisterously in the doorways and squares of this ever-changing modern metropolis. Welcome to a new 6-part podcast series where This is Athens invites stellar guests—who know and love Athens—to tell us their own tales of the city and what Athens means to them. Produced by the Greek Podcast Project, for This is Athens, tune-in each fortnight to capture the authentic essence of Athens today; a city that is so much more than the Acropolis.
Subscribe to “We’ll Always Have Athens” now on Spotify, Apple Music, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, to make sure you don’t miss an episode.
“When I walk around Athens, the myths are still there,” says the great British author, comedian and Hellenophile, Stephen Fry. Follow Fry through the winding lanes and sacred temples of Athens as he awakens his three favourite myths about the Greek capital: from the legend of the great hero Theseus; to the birth of the fabled king of Athens, Erechtheus, and the showdown between Athena and Poseidon over patronage of the ancient citadel. In his trademark masterful style, the beloved raconteur also explains why the Athenian neighbourhood of Thissio claims a special place in his heart.
In the autumn of 2019, on a moonlit night high above the Aegean, Athens-born fashion designer Mary Katrantzou pulled off a Herculean endeavour. She brought her bold dream to life with a spectacular fashion show, staged at one of Greece’s most revered ancient wonders - the 2,500 year-old Temple of Poseidon. Head for Cape Sounion on the Athens Riviera with the Queen of Prints as she vividly relives her historic paean to Greek culture and style. Katrantzou also shares how Athens has inspired the eye-popping digital designs that have won her a legion of famous fans, from Cate Blanchett to Michelle Obama.
“I was brought up in Athens, though I like to say that Athens brought me up.” Few people know more about the hidden stories and forgotten corners of Athens than city rover and culture journalist Nikos Vatopoulos. Join him as he guides us through the constantly-evolving streets and neighbourhoods that make up the bright urban fabric of contemporary Athens to evoke a city beyond museums and monuments. An Athens that is complex, contradictory – and always surprising.
“Athens is definitely a character. She can be chaotic, rather pleasingly moody, never ever dull - and always unpredictable.” Victoria Hislop, author of blockbuster The Island, first visited Athens as a teenager, during the summer of 1977, and was captivated by the heat, the people … and feta. Since then the best-selling British writer has become an adopted Athenian and even has her own apartment here. Hear Hislop awaken a dramatic 20th-century Athens through the pages of her new novel, Those Who Are Loved, and share how the city continues to fuel her writing.
“There’s no way to stop photographing these monuments. Even if you’ve been photographing them for 60 years, as I have.” Few photographers have amassed such a weighty visual record of post-war Athens as Robert McCabe. The New Yorker began shooting our city in 1954 and has been returning ever since to capture its people, architecture and ancient sites with his signature nostalgia. Hear McCabe recall a golden age of Athens where there were no traffic lights – and he had free run of our mighty antiquities.
“The power of art is to heal - physically, emotionally and politically,” says maverick Greek theatre director Elli Papakonstantinou. For Papakonstantinou, theatre has no boundaries. She has reimagined Aeschylus at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Austria; and rebooted the myth of Oedipus in New York as an opera fusing neuroscience with traditional performance. Her calling card is to pluck stories from ancient Greek drama and root them in the now. Join this forward-thinking artist as she introduces us to Athens’ thriving theatre scene and investigates the enduring relevance of the Greek classics in speaking to our contemporary concerns.
To embark on this audio odyssey of Athens, please visit: thisisathens.org
Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athensis the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!
Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.
After months of renovations, the Klonaridis - Fix park, located in the heart of Athens, has been transformed into a green oasis. Now, it is a fully sustainable urban park, designed according to international trends in landscape architecture and environmental design.
Through the "Adopt Your City" program, Olympic Brewery and FIX Hellas have actively supported the Municipality's effort to turn the historic park into an aesthetically pleasing breath of fresh air that will significantly improve the capital's urban landscape.
The Municipality's specialized crews carried out multiple renovation works, including the replacement of the park's pathways with permeable ones, the installation of new urban equipment (benches, garbage bins, etc.), the replacement of all street lamps with energy-efficient LED lights, and the restoration of the fountain.
Based on a study by Ecoscapes, a landscape design company, in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Department of Athens, more than 4,500 pollution-tolerant Mediterranean plants were planted in the park. Also, a perennial meadow was created, something that hasn't happened before.
On the southern part of the park, one will find a stunning biodiverse garden consisting of evergreen Mediterranean shrubs and aquatic plants surrounding the fountain. The lawn on the eastern part was replaced, making the area perfect for outdoor activities. Last but not least, watering cans and feeders were installed for all the birds living in the park.
The park's benches were designed by students from the AKTO educational group in the context of a wider collaboration with the Olympic Brewery, giving an artistic touch to the spaces.
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.
Most people tend to think that Greece is mainly a summer destination, thanks to its numerous wonderful islands and sun-drenched beaches. Indeed, summer in Greece is an awesome experience, however, the country is a year-round destination, and, not only that, but it's especially beautiful during the shoulder seasons, spring and autumn.
October, in particular, seems to be a rather popular month for people to visit Greece, as the weather is much warmer than most other places in Europe and it can be a great off-season break. Here's a list of our favorite Greek islands to visit this October!
Hydra
@greeceintrips
The cosmopolitan island of Hydra is the perfect weekend getaway, thanks to its close proximity to Athens. Upon visiting the island, it's like taking a journey back in time because there are no cars there, and people get around by donkeys! Among others, you will certainly admire nature, the neoclassical architecture, and the island's sincere authenticity. Hydra is also considered an ideal hiking destination, with a network of trails expanding over 80kms all around the island.
Corfu
@katsinis.photo
Corfu may be a very popular summer destination (and rightly so!), however, it's much more atmospheric in autumn. Imagine strolling around the Old Town, admiring the fortress, marveling at the charming Venetian and Italianate buildings, and sipping hot cappuccino while you are people-watching in the Spiniada square. Of course, don't forget to visit the Archaeological Museum!
Syros
@syroszen
Famed for its neo-classical architecture, Syros, the capital of the Greek Cyclades islands is a very charming place and it can be quite intriguing in October. With a lively student population, you can find bars and tavernas, live music venues, and gatherings that have more of a local touch at this time of the year. You can also combine your trip to Syros with a visit to the nearby cosmopolitan island of Mykonos! Rhodes
@rhodes.rodos
If you are interested in history and culture, then Rhodes is definitely the place to be! Spend the day wandering around the old town of Rhodes, a UNESCO-protected site and the oldest continually inhabited town in Europe! Make sure to visit the Acropolis of Lindos as well as the Anthony Quinn Bay for a breath of wondrous natural beauty.
With all the challenges we are facing in the last couple of years children have an increased need to feel safe and secure. I’m not referring to material safety. In her book “Understanding Childrens’ Emotions,” Isabelle Filliozat talks about children’s need to have a sense of security.
How do you cultivate that? Children want and need to trust their parents. In order to feel this trust, they need to be certain of their parents’ personal power. Unlike what some may believe, however, being a strong parent has absolutely nothing to do with being dominating. On the contrary, strong is the parent who expresses their feelings and gives space to their child to do the same. I bet that’s a definition of the word “strong” you hadn’t thought of.
Whether pleasant or not, our emotions have names and it’s significant to recognize them. By doing so we accept ourselves just as we are. That’s how we start to trust ourselves and how we become trustworthy.
When we acknowledge our emotions, when we are able to name them, and learn to tolerate them without criticism or fear we strengthen our personality. We also understand that our emotions alone cannot destroy a relationship or a person and that makes us feel more secure.
More than often though we adults tend to hide our emotions and don’t talk about them. As a result, without realizing it, that’s exactly what we teach our children to do. And when our children misbehave we take it personally and punish them.
What I would recommend doing instead is to take a step back and think about what may be the reasons for that behavior. They may be fighting about a toy or screaming about ice cream but the question is what lies behind the surface. What may be the possible emotions they are suppressing – unknowingly sometimes – and why?
We, adults, need to learn to decode the language children use – something “grownups” forget easily – and allow them to feel what they feel. “I understand you” is a very useful phrase. For example, “I understand you’re angry but I love you the same.” This is how we can help them to avoid feeling guilty and to start calming down. Knowing it’s ok to express their righteous anger allows them to have a sense of their limits and at the same time helps to strengthen their identity.
Expressing their feelings, even by crying, is a therapeutic process. We must allow them to “talk” and give them the space to live emotionally. Because the contrary, suppressing their emotions, may alter their personality. And this doesn’t make us strong parents.
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!
Kalanda, the Greek tradition of singing Christmas carols, holds a unique place in Greece's festive customs. This age-old practice, celebrated on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Epiphany, brings communities together through music, blessings, and cultural pride.
Origins of Kalanda
The term "kalanda" originates from the Latin word “calendae,” meaning “the first day of the month.” This Latin term itself derives from the verb “calo,” which shares its root with the Greek verb “kaló” (καλώ), meaning “to call.” In Roman times, calendae marked the beginning of each month, and celebratory songs were performed to announce and honor the new lunar cycle. Over time, this tradition blended with local Greek customs, particularly those associated with the Dionysian festivals.
In ancient Greece, the tradition of “Eiresione” played a similar role. During harvest festivals, children would carry olive or laurel branches decorated with wool, fruits, and nuts. These branches symbolized prosperity and fertility. As they paraded through villages singing hymns, they received small gifts or treats. The Eiresione custom, with its themes of blessings and good fortune, is considered a precursor to kalanda.
With the spread of Christianity, these pagan practices were adapted to celebrate the nativity of Christ and the new calendar year. The kalanda we know today reflect this blending of ancient and Christian influences, becoming an integral part of Greek festive culture.
How Kalanda Are Performed
On the eves of Christmas, New Year’s, and on Epiphany day, children gather in small groups, often accompanied by simple instruments like triangles, drums, or lyres. They visit homes in their neighborhoods, singing carols that offer blessings and good wishes. In return, they are rewarded with small tokens such as sweets, coins, or fruit.
The lyrics of kalanda vary depending on the occasion:
Christmas Eve Kalanda celebrate the birth of Christ and often include references to the Virgin Mary and the nativity scene.
New Year’s Eve Kalanda honor Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis), wishing health, prosperity, and happiness for the coming year.
Epiphany Kalanda commemorate the baptism of Christ and the blessings associated with the holy waters.
Regional Variations of Kalanda
Greece’s diverse regions have given rise to unique versions of kalanda, each with its own melodies, instruments, and lyrical themes. Here are a few examples:
1. Thrace
In Thrace, kalanda are accompanied by bagpipes and traditional drums. The carols often include references to local legends and folk tales, creating a rich tapestry of sound and storytelling.
2. Epirus
Epirus kalanda are characterized by slow, melodic tunes performed with a “klarino” (clarinet). The carols here have a reflective, almost solemn tone, emphasizing the spiritual aspects of the season.
3. Crete
Cretan kalanda are lively and upbeat, often featuring the lyra and lute. The lyrics reflect the island’s proud traditions, with frequent mentions of hospitality and the importance of family.
4. The Dodecanese
In the Dodecanese islands, kalanda incorporate influences from Asia Minor, with intricate rhythms and poetic lyrics. Traditional dances sometimes accompany the singing.
5. Pontus
Pontic kalanda are performed with the lyra, a stringed instrument central to the region’s musical identity. The lyrics often recount historical events or local folklore, blending nostalgia with festive joy.
6. The Cyclades
In the Cycladic islands, kalanda are simple yet heartfelt. The carolers’ voices take center stage, often harmonizing beautifully without the accompaniment of instruments.
Pertouli, built above the mountain slope, used to be a gathering place for farmers in the region. What makes the village special is its picturesque stone houses with red or stone roofs. The area is less tourist-oriented than Elati, with lesser but of a higher quality and style accommodation. It has a ski center which operates at the "Pertouli Meadows" with a relatively small track, which is suitable for less experienced skiers and it is equipped with ski-lifts.
Throughout the year you can also go horse riding, do archery, cycling and other mountain-related sports.
The forest near Pertouli is one of the most beautiful and well preserved fir forests in Greece. It is a refuge for wild animals, like deers, wolfs, bears and rare species of birds. The Aristotelio University of Thessaloniki has undertaken the tourist utilization and promotion of this forest.
Eighteen kilometers from Trikala to Arta, lies the beautiful town of Pili (Gate). The village lies at the entrance to the plains of Thessaly on the mountains of Pindos. The two opposite mountains, Koziakas and Itanos, separated by the Portaikos River are forming a magnificent natural gate, hence the name of the village. At the village, Pili, you can visit a Byzantine church which lies at a nearby village, Porta-Madonna built in 1283 AD. The main characteristic of this church is that it has placed on either side of the main gate to the sanctuary, the images of Mary and Christ. The images are unique, full-length, and made of colorful pebbles. The gate was throughout history a battlefield because of its position. Repeatedly destroyed by the conquerors, the last time it was burnt was on June 8, 1943, by the Italian troops during World War II.
The locals, in their effort to keep up morale, organize cultural events and traditional feasts all year around. The most famous is the annually organized “Andamoma ton Sarakatsanon”, on the last Sunday of May. This feast is a revival of old customs with traditional songs and dances.
The Minister of Finances Yanis Varoufakis has persisted upon the adoption of 70% of structural reforms contained in the existing bailout agreements, with the remaining 30% considered “toxic”.
In accepting such a possibility though, the European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has demanded that the toxic 30% be replaced by equal, alternative measures.
Sources suggest that the Greek government is willing to adopt the following structural reforms of the existing bailout agreement:
New Ethics Code for banks Changes in the Judicial Code OECD report on administrative burden Taxation of collective investment vehicles Broadening the definition of tax evasion and tax fraud Changes in personal and company insolvency Reforms in wages Changes to legislation on the budget Addressing legal hurdles in competitiveness, as noted in OECD report Changes to investment permits Changes to the government’s Accounting Plan
Additionally, the Greek government is said to have declared that it will not accept the following prerequisites for the completion of the troika’s final review:
VAT reform Reduction of non-wage benefits Changes to collective dismissal legislation Changes to union actions legislation Reform of pension system
It’s a nightmare… for drivers in many areas. Finding parking in Athens is a difficult feat. However, things can become are lot easier with ParkAround. An innovative Greek Startup that gives you real time information about the availability and prices of car parks in the area you’re interested in. In fact, if you book a spot through ParkAround, you get major discounts. One of it’s Co-Founders, John Katsiotis, speaks to HuffPost Greece.
Finding parking is one of the biggest problems for drivers in Athens. How does your innovative app solve this issue? Through ParkAround, drivers are able to book a parking spot in the nearest and cheapest car park in the area they want and to have total control of the price because they know beforehand the exact amount, which in many cases is reduced up to 80% through our exclusive discounts. In fact, 30% percent of traffic in the city is caused by drivers looking for parking. With ParkAround, drivers know in advance where they are going to park which means that they save valuable time for themselves but also for the other drivers moving around in the city.
How does ParkAround work?
ParkAround is available for web users as well as for iPhone and Android Smartphones. The driver fills in the address or the place (eg. restaurant, cinema etc) he would like to park and the app displays all the available car parks with information such as cost, distance, opening hours etc. Finally, the driver is able make a booking through the app and therefore guarantees exclusive discounts as well as a parking spot. ParkAround then informs the car park immediately so that when the driver arrives at the car park there’s a spot waiting for him!
Based on the information you have, do you think that the price of parking in the capital is high or low? And with that I mean, the initial pricing, independent of the discounts that you offer. I ask this because a lot of drivers think that the cost is quite high, especially for daily use.
The cost of parking is directly correlated with the area. What this means is that, in areas such as Syntagma and Kolonaki parking costs around15 euros for 3 hours and in areas such as Omonoia you can park with 10 euros for the whole day. Of course through ParkAround, drivers can park with one 1 euro per hour in Omonoia, 2 euros for 3 hours at Chalandri and 5 euros at Syntagma.
You recently got major funding of 185.000 euros. How easy is it for a Greek startup to receive funding?
As time goes by, the ecosystem of startups gets bigger which makes funding more attainable.
If I’m not mistaken, ParkAround has expanded to London. What differences have you noticed between Athens and London in terms of developing your startup?
One difference is that drivers in London book parking hours or even days before, while in Athens most of the bookings happen just a few minutes prior. In addition, the phenomenon of illegal parking is not present in London.
As you’ve stated in previous interviews, you intend on expanding to other European cities. What are your immediate plans in terms of your global expansion?
For the time being, we are focusing on the Athens market seeing that we recently launched a new service for parking at the airport and at Piraeus port and there are still more opportunities for expansion in the Attiki area and the rest of Greece. More specifically, in just a few months the new service for parking at the airport has been met favourably by drivers - especially as the Christmas holidays approach - as it offers parking at much cheaper rates than taxis and sometimes even public transport.
What problems or obstacles have you faced in your business venture so far?
The biggest challenge that we have faced is trying to educate the parking market on new technologies. ParκAround is a purely technological solution as it gives car parks a platform for smartly billing their customers. Nothing similar has happened before and therefore it has taken us a bit more time to educate the car parks on the advantages of using our service.
Let’s talk numbers, how many drivers in Athens use your app?
In Athens, we have 20.000 drivers that have downloaded ParkAround and we serve hundreds of drivers everyday through 90+ affiliated car parks.
To learn more about ParkAround, please visit their website HERE.
This is a translation of the article originally published on HuffingtonPost.gr By: Yiannis Belegrinis
In an historic day for the gay and lesbian community in Greece, Athens Mayor Kaminis has signed the country’s first same gender civil partnership.
“As the first day that the law is being implemented, today is very important for civil rights in Greece and the country’s compliance to international reality,” the mayor said during the signing ceremony at Athens City Hall on a Monday in late January.
While Greece is one of the last European countries to legalize gay civil union, the Greek Orthodox Church still opposed the policy.
To read more, please visit: Greek Reporter by C.J. Polychroniou
