At XpatAthens we're all about living well and experiencing everything that the great city of Athens has to offer. In our effort to connect locals and visitors with experiences in the city, we are especially excited to announce our cooperation with E-table.gr!

E-table.gr is Greece's top service provider for free online restaurant reservations in English! E-table.gr has connected 150,000 diners with more than 1,700 restaurants in 24 cities around Greece and users have written more than 20,000 confirmed restaurant reviews.

 

Now you too can find the best restaurants in Greece quickly and easily, 24/7, as well as get exclusive privileges and discounts. Check out E-table.gr’s dining suggestions and experience all your culinary desires across the city of Athens and beyond!

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us, drop us a line at info@xpatathens.com.

Enjoy!!

Special prices for international flights through Qatar Airways!

The "Navarino Challenge" will take place between the 13th and 15th of October 2017, in Messinia and Costa Navarino, as part of its overseas promotional strategy and is renewing the cooperation with Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is proud to be “Going Places Together” with travelers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways has been awarded World’s Best Airline, World's Best Business Class, Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways sponsors world-leading sports events, like “Navarino Challenge” reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message “Going Places Together”.

A short while ago, in New York, the 1st Greek Panorama exhibition took place with great success, aiming to promote Greece to the US market. Thousands of New Yorkers, as well as tourists from around the world, visited the expo at the most central station in Manhattan, the Grand Central terminal.

The “Navarino Challenge” will take place for another year with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Please use the promo code ATHNAVCH to book an exclusive offer for roundtrip tickets to Athens from over 150 places, via the following link: http://www.qatarairways.com/gr/el/cugs/navarinochallenge.page Offer valid from 3 to 15 October 2017 included (Outbound) and (Inbound) to be completed on or before 25 October 2017. This offer refers to roundtrip tickets to Athens from more than 150 destinations, including New York, USA.

More information will be announced in the next few weeks.

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Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #eatwell #runwell #livewell

Official Airline Partner: Qatar Airways
Official Sponsor: “Vikos” natural mineral water
Official Supporters: BIC®, BIC® Sport, Wyndham Grand Athens, Poseidonia, Surf Salad
Assisted by: Navarino Outdoors, Swim Academy, Navarino Racquet Academy, Apia
Strategic TV Partner: National Geographic

Photo:  A view from the cocktail “A Night to Remember by Qatar Airways” in Navarino Challenge 2016.
Photo credit: Elias Lefas

The Athens Public Transport Organization (OASA) has recently announced a buy-10-get-one-free deal for its paper tickets in a bid to boost sales. The offer is valid for regular 1.40-euro tickets and discounted 0.60-cent tickets.

The offer aims to raise awareness for the introduction of electronic ticket technology that will replace paper tickets on buses, trolleys, trams, the metro and ISAP trains.

Article source: Ekathimerini

The Ministry of Culture has announced that on Monday October 28, museums and archaeological sites will waive entrance fees in celebration of the Greek National Holiday known as 'Oxi Day'. This Greek National Holiday is an excellent opportunity to explore the city, experience the festivities, and then head to one of your favorite museums or landmarks.

One of our favorites and one of the best in the world – The Acropolis Museum – brings to life the statue of Athena Parthenos, made of gold and ivory, designed by Phidias for the Parthenon. The Museum invites its visitors on a walk of knowledge about its construction materials and techniques, its myths and allegories, its radiance and its adventures. Presentations about the lost statue of Athena Parthenos will be held by ​Museum Archaeologists-Hosts​ in Greek (​at 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.​) and in English (​at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.​).  Please note that the presentations are on a first come, first served basis and limited to 30 persons per talk. Therefore, we strongly advise you to register at the museum's information desk on the same day.

Even if you are not able to visit a museum on October 28, keep in mind that entrance to Greek museums, landmarks, and archaeological sites is free on the first Sunday of the month from November to March!

A recent study attempting to date the Homeric Epics compared the natural phenomena described in the epics with astronomical phenomena and has verified the historical accuracy of the narrative.

"We believe that the myth revolves around real events," says Panagiota Preka-Papadima, a Professor of astrophysics at the University of Athens.

She and a team of scientists have published articles in various international scientific journals and concluded that some of the events described in the Epics are real, while the natural phenomena mentioned, correspond to the time of their narration.

"Odysseus arrived in Ithaca on October 25, 1207 B.C.," they wrote. "Five days later there was a 75% solar eclipse covering the Ionian Sea and then the murder of the suitors happened," they continue.

NASA maps describing natural phenomena from 4500 B.C. to 10,000 A.D. have verified the October 25, 1207 B.C. eclipse.

Furthermore, another eclipse, which took place on October 30, 1207, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, is believed to be reflected in the Odyssey. In Rhapsody Y, just before the murder, Homer describes Theoklymenos saying to the suitors:"... and the sun was gone from the sky, and a heavy darkness spread everywhere!".

"This is a description of the eclipse that covered 3/4 of the sun's disk," says Mrs. Papadima. "The date of the eclipse, October 30, 1207 B.C., is in complete agreement with the Homeric descriptions of the weather, autumnal country life, and the noontime of the murder of the suitors," continues Ms. Papadima.

Researchers have concluded that there is a historical core to the myth of Odysseus and this is a compelling revelation for science and Greek culture alike!

To read this article in full, please visit: greecehighdefinition.com

Greeks are known to be philosophers and innovators. However, there is another side to the Greeks: the side where traditional beliefs, many of which are rooted in ancient times, overtake all sense of reason.

Here are some of the funniest and weirdest Ancient Greek beliefs and traditions!


1. Sneezing Prevents You From Getting Pregnant

This isn’t just some old wives’ tale, you see. Soranus, an ancient Greek physician, actually believed that women sneezing would act as a form of contraception, thus preventing pregnancy. After making love, he instructed women to squat, sneeze, and rinse.

2. Magical Sweat Was A Cure-All

Ancient Greeks admired their athletes and saw them as celebrities of a sort. Not only were they revered, but they were also thought to have magical sweat. How it worked: The athletes all performed naked and were rubbed with olive oil, and the sweat which they expelled during competitions was considered to have magical healing powers.

Slaves would scrape the sweaty skin of athletes after competitions. This sweat/oil mixture was called “gloios.” The gloios was in turn bottled and sold as an all-healing ointment for aches and pains.

3. There Is Evil In The Air

There is one ancient Greek superstition that is even now completely interwoven into the society of modern Greece. Generations upon generations have passed down the belief of the evil eye, or “mati.” There is evidence of the evil eye having an influence on the traditions of Greek society as far back as the 6th century BC when it commonly appeared on drinking vessels.

It is believed that someone can cast the evil eye onto another person out of envy (either good or bad) and jealousy. You are said to be hexed with the evil eye if you are dizzy or if you have a headache and yawn a lot. The good news is that you can have the “spell” broken by someone who knows how to perform a special ritual involving oil, water, and prayers.

4. The Island Of Mykonos Is A Breeding Ground For Vampires

Before the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, there were creatures endemic in Greek folklore who were considered to be dangerous. These “walking dead” creatures were called vrykolakes.

As the legend goes, vrykolakes would leave their graves at night and knock on the doors of their presumptive victims, saying their names aloud. If there was no answer after the first knock, no harm came to the innocent.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

This central Athens neighborhood’s fortunes have risen and fallen over the decades. Today, Kypseli is enjoying a thrilling period of new openings, new events, new people, and new energy, making it – once again – the trendiest and most exciting neighborhood in Athens.

Kypseli means “beehive” in Greek and that’s a great metaphor for this area that always throngs with activity. It’s one of the most densely populated urban areas in Europe – and you can feel it. The old apartment blocks stand close together and certain streets can provoke a sense of claustrophobia that sometimes detracts from the spectacular, historic architecture that abounds. The upside is that, while they might be a little cramped for space, the worker bees of Kypseli are constantly working hard on creative projects, chic eateries, and cool galleries, which all come together to form a vibrant honeycomb of cultural life.

Kypseli is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, but it only started to take on its present form in 1937 when architect Vasilios Tsagris began transforming a stream called Levidi into a long stretch of gardens with trees, water fountains, play areas and statues, including a much-loved dog statue which appeared in 1940. The now-pedestrianized Fokionos Negri Street became Kypseli’s central thoroughfare, as a middle-class to upper-middle-class neighborhood grew around it between the 1930s and the 1970s, leaving a treasure trove of architectural gems, from art deco to Bauhaus and mid-century modernist.

It’s still possible to relive the glory days of Kypseli’s golden era, a time when international stars like Frank Sinatra would hang out on Fokionos Negri whenever they visited Athens. Catch a movie at Stella, a retro open-air cinema whose bright neon-pink lighting is a throwback to the neighborhood’s glamorous, showbiz past. English-language films are screened without dubbing and the screen is surrounded by a mosaic of concrete balconies. After the film, head for a stiff cocktail at Au Revoir, a classic-with-a-Greek-twist drinking hole, run by the Papatheodorou family since 1958.

Diversity Dominates

Kypseli continues to attract people from around the world, with foreign-run shops and businesses abounding across the neighborhood and its multiculturalism extending to its food options as well. Kypseli manages to hold all of its old and new residents together in peaceful coexistence: traditional Greek kafeneios, tavernas, and bars sit comfortably alongside authentic food and social spaces from around the world, while creative spirits are constantly adding splashes of cool to the mix. Taken together, Kypseli is more than just a hive of activity; it’s a kaleidoscopic neighborhood of culture, cuisine, and creativity.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

Main image: Dimitris Vlaikos

Navigating Greek tax laws can be complex, particularly for expats and foreign businesses operating in the country. Local business consultants play a vital role in simplifying these processes and ensuring compliance with Greek regulations. With deep expertise in Greek tax legislation, local tax experts can assist individuals and businesses to determine whether they qualify as Greek tax residents or foreign tax residents, while offering tailored guidance to meet their unique needs.

Given the extensive Greek international community — spanning Australia, America, the UK, and beyond — local tax experts frequently support expats and international businesses in understanding their tax obligations, including:

• Income Tax
• Capital Gains Tax
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Social Security Tax
• Wealth Tax
• Inheritance Tax
• General Tax Advice and Structure
• Double Taxation Agreements with countries such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Israel
• Establishing Tax Residency
• Tax Compliance for companies and individuals
• Shipping and Vessel Taxation
• Greek Tax Incentives for Foreigners

The specialized team will be well-versed in helping clients clarify their residency status under Greek tax legislation. Generally, you are considered a Greek tax resident if:

• Your permanent home is in Greece.
• You have resided in Greece for more than 183 days within a twelve-month fiscal year, even if not consecutively.

For individuals considered tax residents in both Greece and another country, the situation becomes complex, requiring careful consideration of the double taxation treaties Greece has established with 56 other nations.

The Greek tax year aligns with the Gregorian calendar year, running from January 1st to December 31st. Tax returns for Greek tax residents must typically be filed by April 30 of the following year. For business income, tax must be paid in full based on the earnings declared, often in three installments.

Local tax professionals can guide you through the various tax types in Greece, including:

• Income Tax: Employers deduct the appropriate tax amounts from salaries each month for employees and businesses.
• Capital Tax: Gains from interest, royalties, lottery winnings, inheritance, or property transfers are taxed at rates ranging from 10% to 20%.
• Value Added Tax (VAT): Standard VAT is set at 24%, with some services qualifying for reduced rates.
• Social Security Tax: Employers contribute 25.06%, while employees contribute 16% of salaries.

For expats, foreign businesses, and even locals, working with a local Greek tax expert, like our trusted partner Tsaks Consulting, ensures all tax obligations are handled efficiently. Their team specializes in tax planning, compliance, and leveraging Greek tax incentives to help you optimize your financial strategy.

For more tips and insights on managing your business and taxation in Greece, visit this article. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to us with your questions - we’re here to offer you the guidance you need!

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This content has been created in collaboration with our partner Tsaks Consulting.