Now that schools are closed many parents see their “tail” growing longer by the day. This is especially true for full-time moms with younger children who follow them around from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed in the evening.

From one room to another, you turn right, they turn right too; you run to the kitchen to check there’s enough water in the cooking pot, they run after you so much so that if you take a step back you’re afraid you’ll accidentally step on them. You play with them, you plan their activities, you do the needed chores – as much as possible. And, in some traditional households, when dad comes home, mom just continues the race.

Here comes the crucial question - Do you find time to rest during such a busy day with kids, especially young ones, at home? If your answer is “yes,” congratulations, you’re a step ahead! If however, your answer is “no” then it's time to change your perspective and start seeing things a bit differently.

You need to make some changes in your daily routine and create, better yet set aside, time for yourself. You can start with 15 minutes per day, every day. Mark it in your calendar as a “meeting with me” time like you would with any other activity or chore. You may choose what pleases and relaxes you the most. Like talking to your best friend, reading your book, gazing from your balcony, relaxing on your couch. 

Once you allocate these 15 minutes to yourself successfully, you may slowly increase the time to suit your needs. Don’t tell me you have no time at all. Be creative, take time from something else and offer it to yourself. It’s a gift you deserve! Because you also need to take a break and recharge your batteries. Only then will you be able to cope well with the daily challenges. And, as you very well know, they are plenty! Enjoy your daily breaks!

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

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!

The heart of mountain running beats at the “place beyond the mountain”. Preparations of athletes and organizers are gradually being completed while pulse rates are increasing and the adrenaline is rushing ahead of Zagori Mountain Running, the biggest mountain running race. The 10th anniversary race is approaching and Zagori, with its outstanding natural beauty, is expected to gather again, with utmost safety, professional and amateur runners from Greece and abroad on July 23-25, 2021.

Great athletes honor the event’s 11 years!
The TeRA 80km, which is considered as the milestone-race in the history of mountain ultras, is expected with even more excitement this year due to the participation of Greek athletes such as Fotis Zisimopoulos, Vangelis Noulas, Angelos Ziakas, Thodoris Zisis and Giannis Kourkourikis, while Dimitris Seletis, the 2019 winner with a time of 8:18’:06’’ will attempt to claim the first place again. Moreover, participations from Spain such as the one of Jesed Hernandez, who returns with the desire to claim the first place, and of Miguel Angel Heras, the greatest foreign athlete who has ever visited our country so far, are expected with great interest. Finally, Apostolos Tzoumakas is the outsider of the race.

The schedule
Participants will be able to receive their participation kits from Thursday, July 22 at the Fifth Element store (Dagli 2 & Papazoglou, in Ioannina), between 18:00 and 21:00 or alternatively on Friday, July 23 (12:00 to 22:00) and on Saturday, July 24 (10:00 to 20:00) at Tsepelovo High School. On Friday, July 23, at 19:00 in the afternoon, the race briefing of the athletes will take place at the Tsepelovo High School and at 20:00 there will be a Pasta Party for the athletes of 80km &44km races, with the support of Melissa pasta industry and Dodoni dairy product company.

Races’ action starts on Saturday, July 24, at 04:30 in the morning, at Tsepelovo, with the TeRA 80km mountain running race. The race’s development extends to 80 kilometers and its positive altitude difference exceeds the 5,100 meters. The race has a time limit of 20 hours from the start and has 4 intermediate elimination points. At 06:00 in the morning, Marathon 44+ takes over. A filling 44km circular route, with 2,600m of positive altitude, which challenges athletes to raise their personal goals and experience mountain running from a different angle.

With the coolness and hydration offered by the Natural Mineral Water ZAGORI, children’s favorite running race of 1km distance, ZAGORAKI, will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 18:00. The children are expected to have fun, run in nature and learn the values of sports. At the end of the race, there will be a draw and prizes will be given from the Natural Mineral Water ZAGORI in the context of environmental responsibility and familiarization with the concept of recycling. The lottery will be attended by all participants and visitors who will recycle any packaging of glass, plastic, and aluminum in the mobile recycling unit with photovoltaic panels that will be located on site.

On Sunday July 25, athletes will get to know the two brand new routes, the Half Marathon 21km and the Entry Race 10km. At 07:45 in the morning the renewed Half Marathon 21km race will start, while the competitive Entry Race 10km will start at 09:10. All routes have Tsepelovo as their starting and finishing point. Due to the current condition of the pandemic, the athletes on all routes will start gradually, in order to avoid overcrowding at the starting point.

How to join us
The event will be conducted based on the strict health protocol that has received the approval of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports which is being carried out by the organizing committee. All participants must bring an EU Digital Covid-19 Certificate in order to enter the event’s venue. Alternatively, they must have conducted a rapid test or a PCR test against Covid-19 within 48 hours before the start of their race and provide confirmation of their negative result. With the exception of those who will provide a vaccination certificate or a certificate that proves that they have recovered from Covid-19 within the last 2 to 9 months. Finally, if there are consecutive race days for a participant, it is recommended to do 1 test before the first race.

What Participants Should Know
Based on the current measures and the current period, all participants must bring an EU Digital Covid-19 Certificate in order to enter the event’s venue. Alternatively, they must have conducted a rapid test or a PCR test against Covid-19 within 48 hours before the start of their race and provide confirmation of their negative result. With the exception of those who will provide a vaccination certificate or a certificate that proves that they have recovered from Covid-19 within the last 2 to 9 months. Finally, if there are consecutive race days for a participant, it is recommended to do 1 test before the first race.

The 1km ZAGORAKI Children's Race
Τhe children’s favorite race returns with the coolness and hydration offered by the Natural Mineral Water ZAGORI. ZAGORAKI, the children’s 1 km distance running race, will take place this year at the village of Tsepelovo, in the afternoon of Saturday, July 24, 2021. Its goal is the contact of children with running in nature, through an entertaining activity that highlights the values ​​of sports. For the 1km children’s race, children 3 to 12 years old can participate. Each child will be awarded with a commemorative medal and a collectible technical t-shirt.

Children’s participation is FREE.

Few experiences herald the joys of summer living like eating and drinking outdoors, or dining al fresco as Italians call it, literally "in the open air."

But when you've lived through what has felt, at times, like an endless lockdown -- or indeed been unable to dine out at all, for up to a year -- then the thought of eating on sun-dappled terraces, elegant lawns, waterside promenades, or private balconies takes on whole new levels of excitement.

From the home of al fresco in Italy to the wilds of the UK's Lake District, cool metropolitan dining in Berlin and Dublin to ancient Greek vistas, these are some of the tables where we'd love to rock up this summer.

DaV Mare at Splendido Mare, Portofino (Italy)


@belmondsplendidomare

In the place that gave us the phrase al fresco, few dining vistas are as iconic or sought-after as those overlooking the waters of the Mediterranean. And when it comes to the waters of the Med, few destinations are as iconic as Portofino on the Ligurian Coast, a famously romantic fishing village with colorful houses.

It's also home to Splendido Mare, a Belmond Hotel that's just opened a new restaurant called DaV Mare in partnership with Italian culinary powerhouse Da Vittorio Group. Their open-air terrace overlooks gleaming yachts in Portofino harbor, while the menu features fabulous local seafood, signature pasta and inventive dishes like risotto with pesto and shrimp from Santa Margherita Ligure just along the coast.

Amanzoe, Kranidi (Greece)


@amanzoe

Unquestionably Mediterranean in both feel and location, Greece's Peloponnese is a famed peninsula southwest of Athens. On the east coast sits an ultra-luxury resort, Amanzoe, which overlooks olive groves and the shimmering blues of the Aegean Sea.

Their restaurant specializes in ethically sourced seafood, with one highlight being the catch of the day -- such as freshly caught bass, bream or grouper -- that is cooked in salt dough and cracked open. Local lamb and pork also feature, as do wood-fired pizzas and delicious local desserts for those with a sweet tooth. Once again though, it's all about those views, encompassing UNESCO-protected ancient ruins, fragrant gardens, and speedboats zipping between the islands off the coast.

@hotelalfonsoxiii

At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Hotel Alfonso XIII in the charming Spanish city of Seville was a centuries-old Spanish palace. In fact, the ornately decorated property only dates from 1929, but the past 90 years or so have seen it welcome countless dignitaries and celebrities, enchanted by its romantic architecture that's typical of Andalusia.

Nowhere is that more visible than in their stunning Patio, a sizable outdoor terrace where beautiful, intricately decorated Moorish tilework, a fountain, colonnades and more make it the place to be seen -- and increasingly an Instagrammer's dream. Irishman Brian Deegan oversees the menu, where wild sea bass with pumpkin and vanilla risotto, or truffled beef with pork belly and potato are just some of the decadent creations on offer.

Sky Bar by Seen, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel, Lisbon


@tivoliavenidaliberdade

Portugal's capital seems to go from strength to strength and has firmly cemented itself as one of Europe's coolest cities to visit. That's thanks in part to additions to its rich cultural history, such as Sky Bar at the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel, which itself dates from 1933.

The Arrábida Mountains, Lisbon's botanical gardens, and the imposing Castelo de Sāo Jorge are some of the landmarks to look for, but it's the views over the city's hills and down the length of Avenida de Liberdade towards the Tagus river that really set Sky Bar apart. The cosmopolitan vibe comes from a mix of glamorous locals and visitors enjoying drinks and small plates such as lamb croquettes, ceviche of fish, and lobster buns to accompany their carefully crafted cocktails.

La Terrasse, Cheval Blanc, St Tropez (France)


@chevalblancsttropez

The Mediterranean is at its sparkling finest along France's famed Cote d'Azur and one of the top places to enjoy it comes from La Terrasse at Cheval Blanc, St Tropez. Dazzling views come from underneath the shade of pine trees, which are hundreds of years old, looking over the beach and towards the water. Fifty shades of blue, as it were.

La Terrasse is open from breakfast throughout the day, with all of chef Arnaud Donckele's menus celebrating produce grown under the Provence sun. Whether it's indulgent long lunches fueled by a bottle or two of Rosé, or perfect summer dinner plates like a chilled soup of tomatoes, strawberries, and watermelon with burrata and Corsican Ham, La Terrasse perfectly distills the chic essence of the legendary coastline.

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

Main image: @amanzoe

People generally don’t think of Athens as a seaside destination. But did you know that there’s actually a bounty of beautiful clean beaches lining the Athenian coastline in all directions?

 

From family pleasers with shallow seas and active adventures, and party playgrounds with cocktails and tunes, to free rustic coves and five-star gems, Athens has a beach to suit every mood, age, mode and budget.

 

Does your perfect beach come with waiter service and luxe loungers—or is it an unspoiled patch of sand, far from the crowds? Whatever your best beach game, Athens has you covered!

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Young Guns 

Beach Style: You have at least one tattoo and the latest smartphone. You play paddle tennis to perfect your all-over tan. Your perfect beach comes with music and cocktails (and no pesky kids).

Best Beach Match: Erotospilia


Photo Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Where: Porto Rafti (off the northeastern Attica coast).

 

Why: As the name suggests, this small-but-happening cove—a mixture of sand and rocks—is where the young ones go to get loved up while listening to beachy music in the background.

 

Highlights: Lagoon-like waters for snorkeling, picturesque rocks for sunbathing, and a mostly local crowd.

 

You’ll Pay: Nothing. Except for any drinks or snacks you buy from the modest beach bar.

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High Rollers 

Beach Style: You’re a beach snob and you know it. Your sand needs to be clean, your water pristine, and your neighbor’s sunlounger at least one meter away… at all times.

Best Beach Match: Astir Beach 


Photo Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Where: Vouliagmeni

 

Why: Follow in the footsteps of Jackie Onassis at this prized spot widely considered to be Athens’ premier (and priciest) beach destination. Indulge in a luxury spa treatment, a designer kaftan, or gourmet dining by the sea.

 

Highlights: Lush natural setting in a protected bay, manicured sands, and clear, shallow waters. No pumping music. Waiter service to your luxe lounger, plus chic restaurants that stay open well past midnight.

 

You’ll Pay: €70 on weekdays for an umbrella with two loungers in high-season, €140 on weekends (€80 and €160 respectively, if you want to be in the front row). Regulars know to book their loungers online a day or so ahead to avoid disappointment.

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Castaways & Chill Seekers

Beach Style: You’re a Greek islomaniac, forever yearning for your next island escape. The more remote the better.

Best Beach Match: Panorama


Photo Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Where: Porto Rafti (on the northeastern Attica coast, opposite Avlaki beach).
Why: A small, sandy paradise full of locals.
Highlights: Elemental island ingredients and a lovely fish taverna and bar (Panorama Fish).
You’ll Pay: Nothing. Unless you treat yourself to lunch—and why not?

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The Family Guy

Beach Style: Happy children equal happy parents!

Best Beach Match: Akti Vouliagmeni


Photo Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Where: Vouliagmeni.

 

Why: Well-tended, multi-tasking summer playground with play spaces and sporting amenities, on Athens Riviera’s most scenic bay.

 

Highlights: An aqua inflatable park to occupy the kids for hours, grassy areas for picnics and ball games, pirate ship playground, tennis, and volleyball courts. Easy access to Vouliagmeni’s foodie delights.

 

You’ll Pay: €5 for adults, €3 for children over 6 years. Loungers included.

To read this article in full and discover which Athens beach is best for you, please visit: thisisathens.org

Where else but in Greece can you hear the average person singing along to modern tunes on the radio, set to Nobel Prize-winning poetry? Whether you’re into rap or jazz, opera or bouzouki, you can count on Athens to dish up every kind of music.

In this fast-tempo episode, we’ll visit a celebrated singer who has worked with some of the greatest Greek composers of the last century, and we’ll unpack some of the city’s most beloved sounds: from the haunting rebetika, born of poverty and catastrophe; to today’s glossy bouzouki nightclubs and the joyous panigiria summer festivals “where all hell breaks loose” in the village and everyone from youngest to oldest joins in the fun.

 

The Municipality of Athens, through Develop Athens (EATA), has joined forces with the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) in order to promote the city of Athens as a global competitive tourism destination. 

With the tourism industry largely affected by the pandemic's devastating consequences, the two sectors work together with the aim of strengthening the local economy and helping businesses recover. 

The strategic plan includes actions for the promotion of Athens as: 

• An ideal year-round city-break destination. 
• A standard destination for conferences and large events.
• A top destination for digital nomads. 
• A top destination for young travelers, senior travelers, gastronomy lovers, etc. 

The two sectors undertake a joint initiative for the development of a single destination brand, by creating original promotional material for special sectors of tourism, thus maximizing the popularity of Athens.

Check the video below, promoting Athens as a modern city whose daily life is inherent in contemporary artistic creation and expression. 

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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.

Piraeus is much more than just a port. It’s a city in its own right. Yet most visitors fleetingly pass through on their way to the Greek islands and see little beyond the smoggy hustle of the ferry terminal. Take time to explore and you’ll find archaeological sights, stunning sea views, as far as the Saronic Gulf islands; and some of the best fish restaurants in Athens.

Piraeus was first incorporated into Athens in 515 BC. In 493 BC, the great naval strategist Themistocles began fortification works to enclose both cities behind Long Walls. These defences, still visible today, gave the Athenians uninterrupted access to the sea. Over three millennia, Piraeus has grown to become one of the largest passenger and cargo ports in the world. There’s more to this commercial hub and gateway to the Greek islands than meets the eye. Whether you have a few hours to kill before your onward journey or a full day (or more) to explore the area, this guide will help you get the most out of Piraeus.

Around the Port
Inside the Piraeus metro station, the Electric Railways Museum of Piraeus is free. Highlights include a wooden metro carriage from the turn of the 20th century and a collection of rarely-seen black-and-white photography of Piraeus and Athens from the same period.

Perched on a ridge, the well-preserved fortifications of the Ietonian Gate were developed between the 5th and 3rd century BC. This easily accessible site overlooks the harbour and nearby Liberty Ship Hellas, a floating museum that provides a history of the Greek merchant navy.

The ungentrified, post-industrial area north of the port, Retsina is emerging as a new cultural quarter. Rodeo Gallery, which relocated from Istanbul to a cavernous former warehouse, shows a thought-provoking, avant-garde roster of artists from Greece and abroad. Beirut-born Carwan Gallery is the latest organic addition to Piraeus' gallery district, and promotes and produces collectible design, developing exceptional cross-cultural collaborations that call to attention a specific market—the Near East. Next door, Paleo Wine Store another repurposed warehouse with a striking wooden roof, offers an impressive selection of Mediterranean wines, paired with Greek cheeses and unpretentious tapas. In a former sheet metal factory, Pireé has a decadent ambience and a great cafe and cocktail bar, which bubbles with art events, performances, and pop-up exhibitions. This dynamic area comes to alive Thursday-Sunday when Rodeo is open and the surrounding bars and restaurants brim with a cultured crowd.

Kastella
This breezy neighbourhood perched on top of a hill feels a little like an Athenian version of Lisbon, Valparaiso or San Francisco, with winding stairways and colourful turn-of-the-century buildings. Climb up to the summit to take in the great views from the park surrounding Profitis Ilias Church, with the Saronic Gulf and Athenian Riviera stretching out below. Afterwards, refuel at the quaint cafés and tavernas around Idis Street, like O Kalognomas ouzeri.

Mikrolimano
Greek for ‘little port’, Mikrolimano is nestled beneath Kastella. Its biggest draw is the Michelin-starred Varoulko Seaside, presided over by celebrity chef Lefteris Lazarou. If that’s out of your budget, the cute houses that lead up the hill and the bright fish tavernas that ring the port are an aesthetic delight. Mikrolimano may be dwarfed by its neighbours Marina Zea and Piraeus port, but it has more of an upmarket island vibe.

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org
Photo Credit: Thomas Gravanis

Home turf to millionaires and popstars, this most commercial of beachy suburbs lies 16km from the Acropolis. Often compared to Beverly Hills, there are luxe, leafy pockets where you could indeed be on Rodeo Drive: jazzy Kyprou and Laodikis Streets with their upscale boutiques, imported palm trees and style-conscious pavement cafes.

But Glyfada is a game of two halves. Glam and grit presently exist side by side in this recession-hit postcode, especially in the former social HQ of Zisimopoulou Street, where a slew of boarded-up cafes and restaurants at the lower end evoke less salubrious parts of downtown L.A.

Sitting pretty on the south-western foot of Mount Ymittos, about 40 minutes from the city, this luxe resort town has a year-round tropical vibe and is to Athens what Cannes is to the Cote d'Azur.

 

Palm trees, fountains, and sunny beds of marigolds line Athinas Avenue, heralding your arrival at this most self-aware of southern suburbs whose main game is leisure. Kostis Georgiou’s bright zoomorphic sculpture Equus accentuates the near-constant blue of the sky and the sweep of Vouliagmeni Bay, with its luxury yachts and members-only nautical clubs and marinas.

Vouliagmeni still falls rather short on culture and shopping, but it does flaunt Athens’ comeliest free and paid beaches and finest seaside dining. Along Fleming Street (the area’s Millionaire’s Row) and in verdant Kavouri you’ll find some of the capital’s priciest real estate. On summer weekends, when this coastal enclave swells with tourists and townies seeking a city reprieve, locals have learned to avoid their own beaches and artisan ice cream parlors. Here's a look at what to experience in this southern suburb of Athens.

Vouliagmeni Lake
Almost hidden from view behind Posidonos Avenue is the beautiful sunken cavern of Vouliagmeni Lake, which lends this southern suburb its name (Vouliagmeni means “sunken” in Greek). Open year-round, the lake is actually a flooded limestone cave, lined with tawny cliffs and fed by underground mineral currents that stay a constant 24° C. Many gripe about the hefty entrance fee (currently €12 on weekdays, €15 on weekends). But wading through the brackish grottos, with tiny blackfish (kalogries) nudging your toes, conjures the feel of an exclusive spa. The lake is flanked by luxuriant lawns and sunbeds and there’s an all-day restaurant that hosts gastronomic evenings (spring to autumn), accompanied by live jazz and orchestral performances, under the illuminated rocks.

Swimming in Vouliagmeni
Elegant Vouliagmeni is more democratic than first impressions suggest: you’ll find all bases of beach covered here. High rollers head to the famous Astir on the lush pine-clad peninsula of Mikro Kavouri. Once the summer playground of Jackie Onassis and Bridget Bardot, Athens’ most expensive beach offers manicured sands, waiter service to your lounger, designer boutiques, and fine dining. Central Akti Vouliagmeni, where Posidonos and Apollonos converge, is one of the city’s best-groomed municipal beaches and a multi-tasking oasis that caters to all. For €5 entry, you have access to sun loungers, wide grassy strips for picnics and ballgames, tennis and volleyball courts, cafes and a playground, plus an aqua inflatable park.

Locals like to swim for free from the rocky piers outside of En Plo café or Sardelaki. Both provide access to the clear waters of the Vouliagmeni basin. Also free, Limanakia Vouliagmeni is the most popular of a run of rocky coves off the coastal road, just outside of Vouliagmeni. Bronzed locals chill out to music on a sociable deck before leaping into the deep blue sea. Grab a seaside perch at Sardelaki on Vouliagmeni Bay and watch the boats roll in. 

Big Crab and Little Crab - Kavouri
Vouliagmeni’s western half, from Athinas Avenue to the sea, is arguably the postcode’s prettiest face. It takes in the two, adjoining pine-covered peninsulas of Megalo and Mikro Kavouri (Big and Little Crab) and is host to lavish villas, unsullied swimming coves, the iconic Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel, scenic seaside promenades, and the picture-book chapel of St. George. It’s here that you’ll find Vouliagmeni’s most revitalized pulse. One of Athens Riviera’s most popular promenades, the paved seafront path that starts just after Lasithi Café on Iliou Street, has been spruced up with new greenery and fresh eateries in place of the slightly seedy shacks of old.

Further down on Iliou, opposite the Divani Apollon Palace, established sunset haunt Garbi has been joined by the chic and breezy Agora Riviera (another recent refit of a once tired venue). But last summer’s talk of the town was the Margi Hotel’s new beach club, Krabo by the Sea, a high-aesthetic (and high-cost) outpost on stunning Koska Bay with canopy sunbeds, a resort wear boutique, and on-the-sand fine dining.

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Photo Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Originally from Sicily, granita is a semi-frozen dessert with crystalline texture, made from sugar, water, and various flavorings, mainly fruit juices. It's extremely popular all around Greece, especially among kids, and it's the ultimate drink to survive the Greek summer's scorching heat.

Yield: 4-6 servings
Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ready in: 6 hours

• 150 g water
• 150 g brown sugar
• 800 g watermelon, cleaned
• 1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• lemon juice from 1 lemon
• lemon zest from 1 lemon
• sliced watermelon for decor

• In a pot, add the water with the sugar and place it over medium heat for about 2 minutes.
• As soon as it starts bubbling, let it boil for 2-3 minutes, and then remove from heat. Set the syrup aside to cool.
• Cut the watermelon into 2-3 cm pieces and puree them along with the syrup, the vanilla extract, and the lemon zest and juice into a blender.
• Share the mixture into ice-cube trays and freeze them for 5-6 hours.
• When they freeze well and you are about to serve them, pour the ice cubes into the blender and puree them until they look like snow.
• Fill the glasses and serve with watermelon slices.

To read the complete recipe and learn the nutritional information, please visit: akispetretzikis.com