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Acropolis in Athens, ranks as one of the world’s most beautiful cultural world heritage sites, according to a recent research published by Betway, an online gaming company.

To compile the list experts at Betway used a seedlist of the most popular world heritage sites while sites of more than one location and specific areas of cities were removed from the ranking in order to create a fair analysis. The 109 locations used in the analysis where then categorized as either city, natural or cultural sites.

According to the research, Acropolis ranked as the 7th most stunning cultural heritage site in the world with over 1.5 million Instagram hashtags dedicated to the monument.

The Taj Mahal in India topped the list with almost 2.4 million hashtags. Built in the 17th century, the iconic mausoleum is a popular location among travelers to Asia.

The Versailles in France followed Taj Mahal on the list, while the top 5 was rounded up with the Statue of Liberty (US), Machu Picchu (Peru) and Petra (Jordan).

To read this article in full, please visit news.gtp.gr
Greece, with its rich history and vibrant culture, has always been a land of playfulness and innovation. Over the centuries, Greeks have indulged in various games that brought joy and camaraderie to their communities. While many of these traditional games have faded away with time, they remain an intriguing part of Greece's cultural heritage. Here are five such games that once thrived in ancient Greek society but are no longer played.


1. Ephedrismos (Εφεδρισμός)

Ephedrismos was a popular game among Greek children that combined elements of balance and agility. The game involved one player bending over and touching the ground with their hands while the other players jumped over them. The goal was to perform the jump without falling or losing balance. This game not only provided entertainment but also helped in developing physical coordination and strength.

2. Ostrakinda (Οστρακίνδα)

Ostrakinda, also known as "The Game of the Shells," was a strategic game played with small potsherds or flat stones. Players would draw a line on the ground and take turns throwing their pieces to see who could get closest to the line. The game was reminiscent of modern-day marbles and required a keen eye and steady hand. This game was particularly popular during the ancient Greek festivals and gatherings.

3. Kottabos (Κότταβος)

Kottabos was a drinking game that originated in ancient Greece and was especially popular during symposia (drinking parties). Participants would sit around a table with their cups of wine and attempt to flick the last drops of their drink at a target, usually a small saucer or disc balanced on a stand. The objective was to knock the target off without spilling the wine. Kottabos required both precision and a bit of luck, making it an exciting and competitive game.

4. Pentelitha (Πεντελίθα)

Pentelitha was a simple yet engaging game played with five small stones. Similar to the modern game of jacks, players would throw one stone into the air and try to pick up the remaining stones before catching the tossed stone. The game progressed through various levels of difficulty, challenging the player's dexterity and concentration. Pentelitha was a favorite pastime for children, often played during leisurely afternoons.

Reviving the Legacy

While these traditional Greek games are no longer commonly played, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. They remind us of a time when simple pleasures and communal activities were central to daily life. Today, these games can serve as a source of inspiration for those interested in cultural heritage and traditional play.

In an era dominated by digital entertainment, revisiting these ancient games can provide a refreshing break and an opportunity to connect with the rich cultural tapestry of Greece. 
Thursday, 05 February 2015 14:01

My Week In Athens… Jan 10

Happy New Year! What a blur the holidays were – friends in town, new year’s eve festivities, ‘back to work’ depression, snow in Athens (?!)…

I decided to break the mold over the weekend, and sent out a text to some friends: Who’s in the mood for Indian?? I certainly was. I love Indian food, whether it’s made by Indian people, or Canadians, or Greeks, or…

We ventured down to a place called Bollywood Gazi. I’ve heard good things about this place, and wanted to try it out for myself.

The rumours weren’t wrong.

This place is one of the more interesting restaurants I’ve been to in Athens. The massive, intricately carved wooden doors hide a decidedly cool interior. It’s a mix of serious warehouse grunge and extravagant Indian décor. Huge photos of Indian faces hang on the walls, and the place is full of low tables and reclining couches for eating… I definitely didn’t feel like I was in Athens. ‘Indian grunge’ – if it’s not a design trend somewhere, it ought to be.

The food is great. Admittedly I’m not a great judge of Indian food (read: I like it all), but my gang seemed to love it, and the bill at the end of the night was more than reasonable.

And the music. Bollywood Gazi styles itself as an ‘Indian Food & Music Bar’ – and the music plays an important part of the ambiance – right down to the ‘Buddha’ remix of Metallica’s Unforgiven. Seriously. The volume was a bit high, but I wasn’t bothered…

In the mood to break the mold for a night? Check it out (and book ahead)…

Bollywood Gazi
www.bollywoodgazi.gr
Ph: 210 345 0041

Until next week…

Jack

P.S. Really in the mood for Indian? Check out the 'Ticket to Bollywood' performance this weekend - win tickets HERE!

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

Monday, 16 February 2015 11:37

Mexicanos Restaurant

Travel to Mexico by visiting this cozy restaurant in Zografou. The atmosphere helps you take a journey to the other side of the Atlantic, as the walls are full of typical objects from Mexico, such as colorful lizards, hats and decorative Mayan and Aztec objects. The head chef is Victor Mayo, the new owner of this beautiful space. Besides tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas and burritos, be sure to order margaritas or tequila from the many choices on the menu.

 

 
Evdilou 15, Goudi, 15773
Tel: 2107716900
Prices: € 22-26
Open Fri.-Sun & for lunch

 

Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!

Thursday, 19 February 2015 11:06

Salty Bag Or Greek Recession Chic

Salty bag is the materialised original idea of giving a second life to already useless sails that belongs to four young Greeks from Corfu. Their idea to recycle the sails from the waste was born a little over a year ago.

Stratis, Spiros, Panos and Chrissa decided to continue the voyage of the sails, although not at sea but in different places, by turning them into small and large bags, briefcases, travel bags and small daily accessories. As they say, they give a "second chance to tired heroes."

Today the "salty" bags are offered in 12 shops in Greece and on the website of the company. "We are happy that we are making bags from a material that tells a story. The sails we use are worn out, they are no longer aerodynamic and so, they cannot be used in sailing. However, they are still very durable and can be used for a long time," Business Development Manager of the company Stratis Andreadis, who is a sailing racer and 33rd in the world ranking, told GRReporter.

In the beginning, they used the sails found in the waste. Now sailors can donate the useless sails. A note telling the story of the sail, namely the miles it sailed, the seas, the winds it encountered and the ports it visited, accompanies each bag. "Each bag is unique. It is distinguished by the fabric, the colour and age of the sail from which it is made. On our bags you will see signs of use, of the elements and time."

The "salty" bags are handmade and Chrissa is their designer. The sails are washed using an environmentally friendly method. The company employs six people and the staff will grow depending on the progress of its activity.

The interest in the bags by Salty bag is huge, states Stratis. "We are overwhelmed by numerous positive reactions and messages and this is very encouraging for our efforts. Within eight months we have won almost 5,000 friends on Facebook, other people had become acquainted with our products in the 18 shops that sold them last summer." The company sells 30% of its products abroad and in the summer of 2014, they will be available in 25 shops.

Soon Salty bag will launch a new series of products called "Road to Rio". "For it we will use sails that have a great history as they are the winners of world championships and Olympic medals. We will provide a large portion of the sales proceeds to sailing teams that want to participate in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. So, on one hand we will be able to get closer to the efforts of the Greek talents in this sport and on the other, we will contribute towards their participation in this great sporting event," adds Stratis.

By Anastasia Balezdrova

To read more, click here.

A robust traditional dish with thick spaghetti full of flavours and aromas. You will love its gorgeous taste for sure!

Ingredients

500g thick spaghetti
1/3 tea cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 dried onion, cut in thin slices
1 clove of garlic, crushed
2 country sausages, casing removed
1/2 tea cup of dry red wine
1 green bell pepper, cut in cubes
1 red bell pepper, cut in cubes
1 large aubergine, cut in cubes
800g fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 tea cup of olives, finely chopped
1 sprig of fresh thyme, leaves picked
1 sprig of fresh oregano, leaves picked
grated kefalotiri cheese for serving
salt
freshly ground pepper

Method

Line a baking dish with greaseproof paper. Put the bell peppers and aubergine in a bowl, coat them well with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and then transfer them to the baking dish. Bake them at 200ºC for 10 minutes until they wilt. Cut the sausages in thin slices. In a casserole type pan warm the remaining olive oil and cook the onion and garlic for a couple of minutes until they get translucent but not brown. Add the sausage and stir it in for 2-3 minutes. Add the vegetables, pour the wine in and wait until all liquids evaporate. Then add the tomatoes, herbs and olives. Season with salt and pepper and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes. In the meantime boil the spaghetti and drain them in a colander. Combine them with the sauce, sprinkle with the grated kefalotiri cheese, mix everything well  and serve immediately.

argiro.com.gr

“Dogtooth,” a 2009 Oscar-nominated film by the Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, was a distorted family drama. “The Lobster,” which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim, takes Mr. Lanthimos’s darkly comic dystopian vision to a deeper level and a much wider audience than ever before.

Written by Mr. Lanthimos and his longtime collaborator, Efthimis Filippou, in their sui generis deadpan style, the film imagines a world in which single people must check into a hotel and if they don’t find a partner within 45 days, they are turned into animals. The film explores with dark hilarity the contorted ways in which people try to find — or force — affinities.

“Someone said, ‘You’re so cynical, you see relationships this way,’ and I said, ‘Well, this is the most romantic film I’ve ever made,’” Mr. Lanthimos said in an interview here. “I always like contradiction in everything I do. It’s both for me an honest view of human relationships, and it has a romantic side of it which is kind of fighting with the more cynical view.”

After “Dogtooth,” which won a prize at Cannes in 2009 and “Alps,” (2011), both low-budget Greek-language films that won Mr. Lanthimos a cult following, “The Lobster” was filmed in Dublin in English. It stars Colin Farrell; John C. Reilly — who appears in three films at this year’s festival — Rachel Weisz; Léa Seydoux; the British television actress Olivia Colman; and Ariane Labed, a Greek-born French actress who is married to Mr. Lanthimos.

“The Lobster” has been one of the most-talked-about films at the festival. The Hollywood Reporter said Mr. Lanthimos “makes a practically effortless transition to the big leagues.” Variety called it “supremely singular” and “a wickedly funny protest against societal preference for nuclear coupledom that escalates, by its own sly logic, into a love story of profound tenderness and originality.”

For more on this, please visit the New York Times
by Rachel Donadio
Greece is the most popular luxury travel destintion in the world, according to an index for 2015 drawn up by global booking engine Switchfly.

According to the booking engine, the country ranks as the most popular with three cities in the top 15: Athens, coming in at the fourth most popular luxury travel destination, whilst Crete and Mykonos come in at numbers 12 and 13 respectively.
 
Switchfly notes that Greece's popularity is no doubt due to its dramatic isles and historical interest, but also to the economic crisis that, whilst creating hardship for local people, "also made travel to the country more affordable - extending the opportunity for luxury travel to those travelers who might otherwise go economy, and incentivizing luxury travelers who like to save a buck."

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Wednesday, 28 December 2022 07:00

Vasilopita - Lucky New Year's Cake

Vasilopita is a traditional Greek cake or bread served on New Year's to celebrate the life of Saint Basil. After baking the cake, a coin is inserted though the base and when cut, the person who finds the coin is said to be granted luck for the rest of the year.  

Vasilopita is made of a variety of doughs, depending on the region of Greece and almost every family has its own recipe. The most popular vasilopita recipes are made either with tsoureki dough or like a cake. Here, My Greek Dish shares with us their family's recipe which has been enjoyed for over 30 years.
 
Ingredients

For the Vasilopita:

  • 375g butter (13 ounces)
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 6 eggs (divided into yolks and whites)
  • zest of 2 oranges
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 200g strained yoghurt (7 ounces)
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 750g self-raising flour, sifted (26.5 ounces)

For the glaze:

  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 2 tbsps hot water (or milk)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

To find out important tips on how to prepare the Vasilopita, please visit: My Greek Dish

History Behind The Tradition

The Vasilopita is made in honor of St. Basil (Agios Vasilios) and a heavy tax burden. It is said that one year, during a time of famine, the emperor levied an excessive tax on the people of Caesarea. The tax was such a heavy burden on the already poverty-stricken people that to avoid debtors’ prison, each family had to give up its few remaining coins and pieces of jewelry, including precious family heirlooms.

Learning of this injustice, St. Basil, who was the archbishop of Caesarea, took up his bishop’s staff and the book of the Gospels and came to his people’s defense by calling the emperor to repentance. The emperor listened! He canceled the tax and instructed his tax collectors to turn over to St. Basil all of the chests containing the coins and jewelry which had been paid as taxes by the people of Caesarea.

St. Basil was then faced with the daunting and impossible task of returning the thousands of coins and pieces of jewelry to their rightful owners. After praying for a long time, St. Basil had the idea to bake the treasures into one huge pita (bread). He then called all the townspeople to prayer at the cathedral. After the church service, he blessed and cut the pita, giving a piece to each person.

The people all joyfully returned home, giving thanks to the bishop St. Basil the Great! In remembrance of this act, Orthodox Christians observe the tradition of the Vasilopita each year on January 1st.

Main image: @polikalablog

Thursday, 14 July 2016 07:00

Checklist For Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece so there's an abundance of things to do and see. It’s the center of the earliest recorded civilization in Europe. The Venetians, the Ottomans, and others, all of whom left their architectural marks from mosques to castles to fortresses, have occupied it. It’s home to the longest gorge in Europe, full of indigenous wildflowers and shy feral goats. So as not to miss anything, here is a checklist from Paste Magazine that highlights the top sites to visit.
  1. Knossos Palace - The largest and most elaborate Minoan palace on Crete is considered to be Europe’s oldest city, and offers an excellent introduction to an island so central to Greek myths.

  2. Heraklion Archaeological Museum - The magnificent holdings at this museum go back thousands of years of human history, from Crete’s earliest settlements, dating to the Neolithic period through Roman times. The large model of Knossos is one item not to miss.

  3. Samaria Gorge - One of Europe’s longest canyons boasts 1,000-foot cliffs. Hikers wind down from a wooden staircase at the southern end of the Omalos Plateau through rugged, dramatic terrain all the way to the Libyan Sea. Then you can have a swim or continue walking along the coast.

  4. Elafonisi Beach - In this protected nature reserve, you’ll find white sand tinted reddish pink by coral, as well as a part of the Mediterranean Sea so shallow during low tide that you can wade out to an uninhabited island home to 100+ types of plants and flowers.

  5. Cretan Wine Country - The world’s oldest wine press consists of a couple of massive stone urns and a trough through which the liquid flowed 3,500-odd years ago. Peza, an area around the cosmopolitan village of Archanes, produces about 70 percent of Cretan wine. Many wineries welcome visitors by appointment, or you can hang out in the town square, petting the stray dogs and staring at Mount Juktas, which is though to be Zeus’ final resting place.
To read this article in full and for more places to check off for your next visit to Crete, please visit: Paste
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