Greece is a surprising country; it surprises tourists – especially ones who scratch beneath the surface – and it also, occassionaly, surprises Greeks as well. After all, the notion that Greece is just golden beaches and clean blue seas isn't entirely true. In fact, Greece offers an abundance of off-the-beaten-path destinations and attractions, many of which are in the mainland and have absolutely nothing to do with a beach holiday!

The travel section of The Telegraph recently featured an article about 10 of the country's most surprising places, here are some of our favorite.

1. The Odontotos Railway in the Peloponnese

This is probably the closest you'll get to a Swiss landscape in Greece. Forget the crystalline beaches and white Cycladic homes; with the Odontotos (Toothy) rack railway you will travel through a mountainous, inaccessible part of the Peloponnese that bring the Alps to mind. Running for 23km from Diakofto to Kalavryta, the rack railway will take you through thick forests, steep inclines, and lush canyons that create an image of Greece you never imagined existed.

2. Grevena: The Fungi Capital of Greece

The mountainous Greek town of Grevena in Macedonia is rightfully called the Mushroom Capital of Greece. 1,300 species of mushrooms grow in abundance the oak forests near the town. Grevena claims a mushroom museum, a slew of tavernas serving forest fungi specialties, and public mushroom sculptures. Check out the annual four-day festival at the end of August for pure fungi pleasure.

 

3. Pyrgos: The Marble Village on Tinos Island

The village of Pyrgos on Tinos island is the historic home of a school of marble sculpture. Despite its small size, Pyrgos offers three museums: a museum dedicated to Yannoulis Chalepas, a Pyrgos native and one of the most praised sculptors in Greece, one showcasing contemporary talent, and finally the extensive Museum of Marble Crafts. Visit the village’s cemetery – which feels more like an art gallery than a burial ground – to admire the beautiful sculptures and memorials.

 

The preparations for the top sports tourism event “Santorini Experience” to be held for the 5 th consecutive year, on 4-6 October 2019, in Santorini, continue with a new distinction.

Specifically, “Santorini Experience” received the highest distinction at the prestigious Ermis Awards, by receiving the Gold Award, in the “Events Production” section, in the “Sports Events” category, for the best sporting event production in 2018! The event ended last year with participants from more than 40 countries and a participation rate of 55% of men and 45% of women.

Regarding Santorini Experience’s new award, the Mayor of Santorini, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, highlighted: “For the second time in the last three years we have the pleasure of winning the golden distinction with Santorini Experience at the Ermis Awards as the best sports event production. Since the beginning of the term of this municipal authority, sports and consequently sports tourism is a top priority and “Santorini Experience” is the “flagship” of the sporting events held under our aegis. By offering residents and visitors the opportunity to participate in a sporting event that combines sport with knowledge and information, but also approaching all ages and the whole family, we have established an event, that as an institution, is increasingly attracting more people from abroad. This gives Santorini the opportunity to show its comparative advantages and to participants the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the island, as well as to try out their personal stamina. I think we have achieved a great deal of our goals and we are now looking even higher, hoping to be able to organize a half marathon and even bigger open water swimming routes in the near future”.

Only a few days left for participants to take advantage of the early bird 50% discount on registration price, until 31/3/2019. During the second wave of registrations, beginning from 1/4/2019, the discount per activity will be 25%. The third and final wave of registrations will begin from 1/6/2019 and last until the event, with the final registration cost being applied.

Register HERE!

One of the most important factors to the success of “Santorini Experience”, is the support to the organization as well as to the island itself from the hospitality sponsors, who promote the event with special offers and prices and contribute in the prominence and development of sports tourism in Santorini. Until now, this year’s effort is supported by: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Vedema a Luxury Collection Resort, Mystique a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini and Loizos Stylish Residencies, while participation continues.

Official sponsors of the event are Ford Motor Hellas, Athina Luxury Suites, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” and Alafouzos Sport. For one more year, Luanvi is the official sports supplier of the event.
Official supporters of the event are: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Boatmen Union Santorini and Avance Rent A Car.
“Santorini Experience” is assisted by Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club, Atlantis Dive Center and Santorini Nautical Club. “Santorini Experience” is a co-organization of Municipality of Santorini, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) and Active Media Group.

More info at: www.santorini-experience.com

Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Greece, Athina Luxury Suites, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Alafouzos Sport Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi
Official Supporters: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Boatmen Union Santorini, Avance Rent A Car Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club, Atlantis Dive Center, Santorini Nautical Club Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Vedema a Luxury Collection Resort, Mystique a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini, Loizos Stylish Residencies
Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

With a history that spans more than sixty years, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival combines an impressive line-up of music, theatre, and dance performances. This summer, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival will be hosting a wide array of renowned Greek and international performers.

Among the headline acts are Chinese pianist, Yuja Wang, the British rock band Jethro Tull, and Yo-Yo Ma the greatest solo cellist in the world. A production of Oedipus based on Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, by acclaimed American theater director Robert Wilson, will be held at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on 21 & 22 June. The Greek National Opera will present Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma in June and Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata in July.

 

 

The Athens & Epidaurus Festival is Greece’s leading cultural event and one of the oldest performing arts festivals in Europe (1955). Each year, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival presents performances from acclaimed artists in theatre, dance, and music and attracts large audiences from around the world.

 

The festival takes place annually in the months of June, July, and August. More specifically, the Athens Festival performances are held between June 1st and mid to late July while the Epidaurus performances are held every Friday and Saturday, from early July to mid-August.

 

In Athens the festival is held at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Peiraios 260, and Opening to the City. In Epidaurus it takes place at Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus. Site-specific performances are presented in various neighbourhoods of Athens and Piraeus, including outdoor spaces and archaeological sites, thus expanding the Festival’s scope and audience and encouraging spectators’ active engagement.

 

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XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor of the Athens Festival

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Open HouseOpen HouseOpen House is one of the most important global institutions for the promotion of architecture.

The idea began at London in 1992 and until today it has spread to many cities around the globe. The Open House project invites the public to explore and understand the value of architecture.

Every year for one weekend, private and public buildings open their gates to everyone for free and the city is transformed to a big museum, with its buildings and architecture being the exhibits.

The 9th OPEN HOUSE Athens will take place on April 9-10, 2022, and will be accompanied by several parallel events!

To view all the Open House 2022 events click HERE! 

The 6th OPEN HOUSE Athens is back!

On 6 & 7 April 2019, 100 buildings open their doors; 500 volunteers are getting ready to guide us! A two-day event of free architectural guided tours addressed to the general public; an event based on volunteerism, which aims at promoting the architecture of our city; an opportunity to walk the city, look up while walking in the streets, see the buildings from a different angle…

It is our established appointment in early April, when everyone can continue their tour from where they left off last year!

The programme includes public and private buildings, modern and historic, monuments, museums, theatres, schools, residences, professional spaces, in the city centre and the suburbs… and it is strengthened by a plethora of parallel events and contests, which launch one month earlier:

 

Learn all about the buildings participating in OHA  2019 HERE! 

On the occasion of the Greek National Holiday on ​Monday 25 March 2019​, the Acropolis Museum invites visitors to enjoy its permanent collection with ​free entrance​ ​from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors will also be able to participate in ​walks through the Museum exhibition galleries, making unanticipated stops and various discussions, together with Archaeologist-Hosts.

 

 

Walks​ (in Greek): 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Participation​: For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day.

On the same day the Museum restaurant will serve Greek traditional dishes.


Click HERE for valuable information about the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

Ryanair the low-cost, Irish airline has announced the addition of 12 new routes to its Greek 2019 winter schedule. According to the announcement, Ryanair will be connecting Athens and Thessaloniki with major European cities and Israel. The airline’s 55 routes from Greece, will deliver 5.6 million travellers per year, and support more 4,200 jobs at Ryanair’s Greek airports.

 

More specifically, Ryanair’s Greek winter 2019 schedule includes new routes from Athens to Barcelona, Kyiv (two per week), Madrid, Nuremberg, and Tel Aviv. Furthermore, from Thessaloniki, Ryanair will be flying to Budapest, Copenhagen, Krakow, Manchester, Malta, Stockholm Skavsta, and Tel Aviv.

Article Source: Greek Travel Pages

 

 

The Central Council of Contemporary Monuments decided last month to approve plans for the renovation of the historic Modiano Market in the Greek city of Thessaloniki.

 

The Modiano Market was built by renowned architect Eli Modiano in the 1920’s and has always remained a vibrant spot of the city, a meeting point, and one of the most popular marketplaces in Thessaloniki.

 

According to the architectural firm, the plan is to combine the retro elements of the building with contemporary architectural styles. Restoration works will last approximately one year, giving the Modiano Market its new face around June 2020.

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

From Monday April 22nd untill Wednesday April 24th, the Industrial Gas Museum in Technopolis Gazi will hold an exciting camp for children!

You will find a great deal of fun outdoor activities, make new friends and broaden your imagination at Skywalk, our state-of-the-art action park.

Alongside artists and tutors you will learn Hip-Hop, impressive acrobatics, dancing, riddle and mystery solving and drawing inspired by the renowned Keith Haring.

The camp is for kids aged 7-10 and lasts from 08:30-14:30. You may attend from 1 to 3 days.

A light afternoon meal will be provided.

The Epidaurus Lyceum – International Summer School of Ancient Drama will be active for the third year in a row in Epidaurus on 2 – 16 July 2019, in collaboration with the Theatre Studies Department of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Peloponnese, which also accredits the programme with ECTS credits.

Prospective students can now apply. For more information, terms and conditions, and application forms, prospective applicants may click HERE! 

This year’s theme, Reinventing ancient drama on the contemporary stage will pervade all Lyceum classes and related events.

The 2019 teaching staff will include the following: Xu Jiali, actress and professor of Chinese Opera at the Shanghai Theatre Academy; Ichinosuke Umekawa, teacher and actor of Kabuki theatre; the dance group known as Sine Qua Non ART (Jonathan Pranlas – Descours and Christophe Beranger); Kamila Klamut, director, co-founder of ZAR Theatre and collaborator of the Grotowski Institute; Christiane Pohle, award- winning director and head of programme of the Academy of Performing Arts Baden- Wuerttemberg; Andrea De Rosa, director; Gabriele Vacis, director, writer and theatre scholar; Vangelis Theodoropoulos, director, and Anastasios Karakatsanos, composer and music teacher. Lectures and masterclasses will be given by the following: Kostas Georgousopoulos, writer, translator and theatre critic; Konstantinos Markoulakis, actor and director; Efimia Karakantza, assistant professor at the Department of Philology, University of Patras; George Sampatakakis, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Patras; Anna Tsichli, member of the special teaching staff at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese; Maria Mikedaki, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese, and Georgina Kakoudaki, director and theatre scholar.

The programme is realized with the support of the Institut Français de Grèce, the Istituto Di Cultura – Atene, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities in Italy, the Municipality of Epidaurus and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolis. The Epidaurus Lyceum is a member of the International Network of Ancient Drama of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.