Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, travel bans, and safety measures, archaeologists in Greece made a startling array of exciting discoveries. In some cases, the lack of visitors proved a blessing, allowing researchers to pore over popular sites that would otherwise feature crowds of tourists.

This list explores 3 of the most significant archaeological finds reported in Greece over the past months.

1. Theopetra Cave, Thessaly

Theopetra Cave in Thessaly is a significant site that was continuously occupied by humans for 130,000 years. The cave is famous for the fossilized footprints of a group of young Neanderthals and a 23,000-year-old wall one of the oldest known human constructions. Excavations at Theopetra have also revealed the well-preserved remains of a young woman, named Avgi who lived in the cave during the Mesolithic period, around 7000 BC.

The results of the analysis of the most recent finds reveal even more clues about the lifestyle and diet of the cave’s later Neolithic inhabitants. In fact, the evidence shows that Stone Age Greeks ate a healthier diet than many modern humans. The inhabitants of the cave ate wheat, barley, olives, and pulses, and a moderate amount of meat from a mix of domesticated and wild animals such as wild boar. Evidence suggests the people in Theopetra Cave kept cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and at least one dog, perhaps as a companion for hunting and herding.

2. Aiolou Street, Athens

A well-preserved head of a statue depicting the god Hermes was discovered lying a mere 1.3 m under street level last November during construction works on the busy Aiolou Street in central Athens. The head is thought to have formed part of a herma (literally meaning ‘heap of stones’), one of many similar statues that functioned as road markers or indicators of important public or private spaces in ancient Athens.

Based on its style, the newly found bust dates to around the end of the 4th or the beginning of the 3rd century BC and resembles the bearded Hermes Propylaios famously sculpted by Alcamenes who is considered by many as one of the finest sculptors in ancient Greece. Its unearthing is a reminder that Athens is still packed with hidden archaeological treasures waiting to be discovered.

3. Akrotiri, Santorini

Santorini’s strategic position on the maritime routes connecting southern Cyclades, Crete, and the copper-rich island of Cyprus was one of the reasons why it became an important trade center during the Middle Bronze Age between 2160 and 1600 BC.

In early 2020, Professor Christos Doumas reported on new archaeological finds discovered during excavations at the famous settlement of Akrotiri. Among the finds in the interior of a building known as the ‘House of Thrania’ (‘House of Benches’) were two large double-headed axes made of finely-crafted bronze plates; artifacts that are typical of Minoan culture and religion in Crete and the southern Aegean. A large number of miniature ceramic vessels, other bronze items, and fragments of jewelry, including a small bead of rock crystal carved in the shape of a figure-of-eight shield were also found.

The most remarkable discovery was an inscription in Linear A, the undeciphered writing system used by the Minoans, on a fragment of what would have been a wooden construction, perhaps a box or chest. These finds gave more insight into the life of the settlers of the Bronze Age town before the Theran eruption in 1628 BC, one of the largest and most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in Mediterranean history.

To read this article in full and discover the full list of significant discoveries, please visit: greece-is.com

Valentine’s Day is here. The celebration of love, for those who believe in it, of course. It certainly is not the only day to celebrate love. For me it is yet another reason to give and receive love. How, you may ask, especially now that quarantine number 3 is on.

“My husband works in the Middle East and it makes no sense to celebrate alone,” one of my clients told me recently.” “Since all this has started, both my partner and I have been working from home and we’re all day in our jumpers. Valentine’s won’t make a difference,” said another. “With three kids at home this will be just another crazy weekend,” added a third one.

I’m sure they are not the only ones who would prefer something different. We are all tired from this quarantine and the slightest change would make a huge difference. How can we make this change? Here are but some ideas to help you going.

 

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!

 

Athens reveals its best charms to those who put one foot in front of the other!
 
Whether you're looking to just stretch your legs while taking in some key sights and gorgeous scenery or want to give your kids the chance to burn off some steam, here are some great walking routes in Athens to cover all the bases.
 
 
The Great Athens Walk 
A new name for what is effectively a (very) old route. Since the first prehistoric settlers set up camp in the caves around the Hill of the Acropolis, people have continuously inhabited the area we know today as the Historic Centre. And it’s here that you'll find the city's most famous ancient sites: the Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Agora and much more. During Athens' post-war development, many of these sites became isolated from one another; the ancient landscape broken up by the busy roads of the modern metropolis. But that’s now changing, thanks to a major project launched by the City of Athens. Through interventions such as limiting traffic on certain roads, creating bike lanes and green pedestrianized areas and extending pavements, moving around the entire Historic Centre on foot is getting easier and more enjoyable. Key sections of the Great Athens Walk are already in use (such as Vasilissis Olgas from the Arch of Hadrian toward the Panathenaic Stadium, and the lower half of Ermou Street). The end result, by 2022, will be a roughly circular 6.8 km route that links all of Athens' major cultural stops, making them accessible on foot.

Lycabettus Hill
To the northeast of the Acropolis lies Lycabettus Hill, the tallest point in central Athens. A path winds (rather steeply) up the hill through pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees. If you don't fancy an uphill trek in the heat, a funicular train runs up there every half hour from Aristippou Street in the neighbourhood of Kolonaki. It's a great option for those with kids in tow; they'll get a kick out of the train. You can then walk down the path. At the top of the hill there is an interesting church built into a cave, an upscale restaurant and a café, but the primary reason to head up here is for the best view in downtown Athens. There's an open-air amphitheatre near the top which hosts concerts and film screenings in summer. If you get the chance to see a show up here, don't pass it up!

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
A few minutes south of the city-centre, near the Athens waterfront, the SNFCC is a relatively recent addition to the Athenian landscape but one that swiftly became a favourite day out destination. With good reason. Its centrepiece is an inspiring Renzo Piano-designed complex of buildings, home to the Greek National Opera and the National Library. But what makes this a true walker's delight are the well-manicured 50 acre grounds. There’s a 400m long canal, a Dancing Fountain, exercise and play areas, cooling water jets to play in and groomed gardens with indigenous plants. The latter merges with the buildings, becoming part of the roof. Walking up the slope will take you to the “Lighthouse”—a viewing platform with a dramatic city and sea panorama. When the city begins to stifle, the sea views and open horizons are, literally, a breath of fresh air. It's also an ideal stop if you have time to kill before heading to nearby Piraeus to catch a boat. It's worth mentioning that each June, the SNFCC hosts the Summer Nostos Festival with concerts and performances including major international acts. Tickets are free but often must be booked in advance.

Marina Flisvou & The Athenian Riviera
About 1 km from the SNFCC  is Flisvos Marina, marking the start of an attractive and walkable strip of the Athens seafront, close to the city-centre. Next to the marina is a tidy park and children's playground, followed by a 4.5 km stretch of seaside promenade. This stretch features another large marina and a number of beaches small and large (some undeveloped, others with umbrellas, bars and restaurants). You can continue along on foot easily at your leisure until you come to the former airport, where a large-scale development is underway, making walking by the sea presently more difficult. In the summer, this is a very enjoyable route for a stroll with all the classic seaside amusements: ogling multimillion-euro yachts, eating ice cream by the water, watching the sunset, chatting with fishermen, or just gazing out at the deep blue thinking deep thoughts. If you fancy a dip, follow the locals and dive in! How long: Walking from Flisvos to the old airport at a steady pace will take about an hour, but in practice you'll dawdle a lot more. Note that all along this route you will be walking alongside the tram line, so you can always hop on for the return trip.

The National Garden 
Where's the best place to walk with kids? It's actually right next to busy Syntagma Square in the National Garden. This 38 hectare park, once the Royal Garden, is a wonderful downtown oasis with a number of diversions to delight kids of all ages. Why: With tall trees (of a wide range of species) shading much of the park throughout the day and multiple ponds and streams, the air temperature is noticeably cooler than outside the gates. Kids can spot the fish and frogs in the ponds and there's a central lake with geese and ducks, along with a small zoo with goats and rabbits. They'll also enjoy the well-maintained playground, and the grassy open spaces for picnics and games. A permanent population of bright green parakeets lives in the park – listen for their loud screeching and try to spy them in the treetops!

This content was originally published on This is Athens
Photo Credit: Christos Pastalidis

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share!

 

This is Athens is 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.

 

Athens can bring out the romantic in you too! Here are some fun ideas for every kind of couple on what you can do for a perfect date night, from seaside sunsets to midnight stargazing.

We're sure these suggestions will impress, surprise and charm your date or significant other!
 


The Cultured Couple 
Are you the duo that gets fired up by art? Stroll around the stunning Acropolis Museum, looking for representations of Eros and Aphrodite as you wander among the statues in its glass-walled halls. The museum stays open until midnight on Fridays, with live jazz in the sleek modern Greek restaurant. Head up Rovertou Galli Street for dinner at Attikos Greek House, a rooftop restaurant with the Parthenon so close you can almost touch it. The roof garden is smaller and more intimate at Athens Was hotel nearby, but the menu is more sophisticated. The view from the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman amphitheatre built into the slopes of the Acropolis, is even more dazzling. Just have dinner first; the show doesn’t begin until after sunset.

The Daylight Romantics
Got an early flight or ferry to catch? The glittering Athens Riviera will get your heartbeat racing any time of the day or year. If you want to impress your date, book a sunbed and a massage at Astir Beach—in Athens, it’s warm enough to sunbathe and even swim for at least six months of the year. (Adjacent Vouliagmeni bay is more budget-friendly). For a seaside lunch, head to Lambros for some grilled fish, thinly sliced octopus, and saganaki (fried cheese) or Blue Fish for seafood served on a deck suspended above the sea. Then head over to Krabo, a boho beach bar on secluded Zoska bay (next to Kavouri), to watch the sunset with an Aperol spritz with a twist of lime and watermelon.

The Nature Lovers
You won’t find a more electrifying backdrop for a date than the Acropolis. Pack a blanket (or a couple of yoga mats), pick up some Greek cheese, charcuterie and dried fruits (or some takeaway from Ellinika Kaloudia or Pantopolion in Koukaki) and head up to Pnyx for a picnic with Parthenon views. This is where the ancient Athenian assembly met to debate the issues of the day. The entire hill is an archaeological site, but it’s rarely crowded—the perfect spot for practicing yoga or tai chi (outdoor classes are often held here). As dusk falls, wander down to the Athens Observatory, on the adjacent hill of the nymphs: it’s time for some stargazing.

The LGBT + Vibe
You won’t find a more electrifying backdrop for a date than the Acropolis. Pack a blanket (or a couple of yoga mats), pick up some Greek cheese, charcuterie and dried fruits (or some takeaway from Ellinika Kaloudia or Pantopolion in Koukaki) and head up to Pnyx for a picnic with Parthenon views. This is where the ancient Athenian assembly met to debate the issues of the day. The entire hill is an archaeological site, but it’s rarely crowded—the perfect spot for practicing yoga or tai chi (outdoor classes are often held here). As dusk falls, wander down to the Athens Observatory, on the adjacent hill of the nymphs: it’s time for some stargazing.

This content was originally published on This is Athens
Photo Credit: Thomas Gravanis

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is 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.

Have you ticked off the Acropolis and already done Plaka? If you're looking for some great must-do experiences in Athens, don't miss out on these fascinating Athenian experiences.

We’re thinking movies in open-air theatres, hillside strolls at sunset and lunches by the sea!



Find The Greek Islands In Anafiotika
How so many visitors to Athens manage to miss out on romantic Anafiotika—even though it’s just below the Parthenon—is a complete mystery. A serene Cycladic village smack in the city centre, Anafiotika was built in the mid-19th century by stonemasons from the island of Anafi, summoned by King Otto I to build his palace (today’s Parliament building). By night, the islanders knocked up these humble, whitewashed dwellings for their own families. Once illegal, these flower-framed cottages are now an essential element of Athens’ architectural heritage. A perfect escape for those who don’t have time to hit the Greek islands, Anafiotika is Insta-heaven. Getting lost in the meandering, nameless lanes is half the joy.

Watch The Sunset
Athenian sunsets never grow old. The higher you go, the more impressive the show. So join the stream of locals racing up to Areopagus Hill as dusk falls. Just opposite the gateway to the Parthenon, this rocky outcrop was where the ancient city elders presided. It later served as a criminal court where murders were tried. These days, it’s a popular spot for courting couples and young friends, simply known as Vrahakia (“little rocks”). From up here, you can see get a sense of the modern city’s topography as well as its ancient iconography. Wear sneakers—the rocks have been worn smooth by countless bottoms perched here over the centuries.

Catch A Concert At A Roman Amphitheatre
There are music venues and then there’s the Odeon of Herod Atticus (or rather, the Herodion, as every Athenian calls it). Some pretty stellar names have played at this epic 2,000-year-old arena on the southern slopes of the Acropolis. Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Liza Minnelli, and, of course, Maria Callas. Put them all together and they still can’t outshine the star quality of the Herodion. From May to October, it’s the main open-air venue for the Athens Festival, an international bonanza of arts and culture. On stage, global icons like Sting gaze up at the moon rising over the glowing Parthenon, as if to say: “Holy cow”.  And so will you.

Wrap Your Chops Around A Souvlaki
Leaving Athens without sampling our finest street food? We don’t think so. With a history dating back centuries, these moreish skewers of char-grilled meat are Athens’ answer to the hot dog in New York or fish and chips in London. Beloved by locals-on-the-go as a cheap and hearty snack between shopping, meetings, or bar-hopping, souvlaki comes in all kinds of tasty guises. You can even get vegetarian options these days, wrapped in pita bread and drizzled with secret sauces. You really can’t go wrong, especially if you go to one of the locals’ favourite souvlaki joints.

Do An Olympic Workout
There are plenty of scenic running routes in Athens but the most heart-racing one is the 500-metre, pine-shaded track that runs above the Panathenaic marble stadium on Ardittos Hill. Grab your Nikes—they were named after the Greek Goddess of Victory, you know—and slip through the green gate on Archimidous Street (just behind the stadium in Pangrati) to access this hidden running track with rousing Acropolis views. It’s free to use and overlooks the gleaming stadium that kicked off the modern Olympic Games in 1896, the world’s only athletic arena built entirely of marble. There’s a running track inside the stadium too, if you really want to act the sporting champion.

Say A Little Prayer
Wandering the streets of Athens, you’re likely to spot locals making the sign of the cross—a telltale sign that there’s a church nearby. They may not be obvious at first glance, but the magical Byzantine churches of Athens are peppered among the city’s apartments and squares. Athenians throng to church in the week before Easter on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15. But step inside a Byzantine chapel any time of day or year and you’re transported to medieval Athens. Light a candle, say a prayer or make a wish, and watch the flames flicker over the frescoed dome and gold-tinged icons. You might stumble upon a church service, christening or wedding in progress. Don’t hesitate to join in. The musky, meditative world of Greek Orthodoxy is open to everyone.

Sunday Lunch By The Sea
Most Athenians don’t care a jot about the shops being shut on Sundays. They’d much rather be indulging in one of their favourite pastimes: the marathon Sunday lunch by the sea. Year-round, you’ll find Athenians enjoying high-spirited feasts all along the Athens Riviera, from the fancy seafood restaurants of Mikrolimano, near Piraeus, to the laid-back, seaside tavernas of Varkiza and Kavouri. To lunch like a local: go late (never before 2 pm), order dozens of meze to share, and squabble at length over who gets to pay the bill.

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is 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.

Every year on the anniversary of moving to Greece, Lynn Roulo, an American expat and a good friend of XpatAthens puts together a list of reasons why she loves living in Greece. Nine years ago, she left her job and life in San Francisco and decided to make the move to Athens, Greece. She has never looked back!

Here are this year's top 10–plus an extra reason–why she loves living in Greece:

 

 

 

1. The Region Of Mani

Since international travel was unpredictable, local travel became more attractive, and I went on a road trip to Mani, a part of south mainland Greece in the Peloponnese. In Mani, you can easily spend weeks going from village to village and ancient site to ancient site. The landscape is beautiful and rugged, the beaches unspoiled, the tavernas offer inexpensive and amazing Greek dishes, and there are lots of hidden surprises in the area. My favorite was the shipwreck in Valtaki named Dimitrios. It is like straight out of a movie…

2. Use of “oula”

In the Greek language, it is considered rude to be too direct so Greeks add “oula” to the end of a word to soften the delivery. If you want to ask for the price of something, “timi” (price) becomes “timoula?” (sweet, little price). Need a favor? “Hari” becomes “haroula” as in “I need a sweet, little favor.” I got good at that one this year…

3. Outdoor Everything

As the pandemic unfolded, and it became clear that transmission was less likely in outdoor environments, I was very grateful to be in Greece. From outdoor cinemas, to beach bars and outside dining, everything is done outdoors anyway in the warmer weather. For the months we weren’t in lockdown, it was easy to keep our social lives moving along. The outdoor theatres (called theorion) are my favorite, and you’ll find them all over Greece, from tiny villages in Ikaria to the famous Thission Outdoor Summer Cinema in Athens where you can see the Acropolis from the seating area. It’s magical watching a movie under the stars on a hot Greek summer night.

4. Athens Is Cleaning Up

Omonia Square used to be a really rough part of Athens where prostitutes and drug dealers hung out. Even in the daylight and with my dog, I never felt comfortable walking through the neighborhood. But this year, they’ve cleaned up the square by installing an elegant water fountain in the center, planting green grass all around, adding better lighting, and having police on patrol during the evening hours. I won’t say it’s like Union Square in San Francisco, but it’s starting to have that feel. Nice!

5. The Food Delivery People

E-food and Wolt delivery people were my unsung heroes during the pandemic and in the first lockdown, I saw them more often than I saw my own friends. Fast, reliable, and supporting lots of restaurants and food establishments, they became small symbols of resilience. I love watching them whiz through Athens on their scooters and bikes. Wolt also became a verb when I had to ask my friend “Can you Wolt me a burrito? I lost my wallet…” I like them so much, I even acquired my own Wolt jacket. Fashion circa 2020…

6. I Became A Greek Correspondant

Like many of you, the pandemic changed the way I earn money. With Airbnb and yoga income collapsing, I changed my focus, and 2020 is the year I became a freelance writer and the Greek correspondent for International Living, a site that helps people move abroad. It is almost like a small miracle because now I get paid to write about and promote the country I love.

7. Ertflix

ERT, the Greek national television station, started a free online movie service called Erflix, and I started watching a series called “Our Best Years” (Τα καλύτερα χρόνια μας). It’s the rough equivalent of the US show “The Wonder Years” and is set in Greece around the time of the dictatorship (early seventies). I love watching life in Greece during a different era, when things moved at a slower pace. And as another benefit, it’s helping my Greek. Thanks Ertflix.

8. Hidden Neighborhoods

To relieve the monotony of being housebound during lockdown, I take my dog Andromeda on long walks most days. This was the year I explored Dafni, Exarchia, Kallithea, Gazi, Mets, Metaxiougio, Petralona, Tavros the list goes on. There are hidden corners everywhere, and our long daily strolls keep life interesting during Lockdown 2. I’ve found haute couture dress shops in Kallithea, modern lofts in Gazi, the organic food stores in Petralona, and even an ancient Aqueduct I had never heard of in Kolonaki. Athens has lots of secrets to uncover when you go off the beaten path.

9. The Greek Government’s Response To The Pandemic

It’s a tremendously difficult situation and no country nailed it 100%, but Greece is doing a pretty good job. The administration follows science, takes measured actions, communicates clearly and regularly, and offers rational explanations for their decisions. They even came up with innovative ideas like “click away” when the holidays were approaching but the virus case numbers didn’t support a reopening of the shops. It hasn’t become “us against them” and instead the response felt like a mature approach to an international crisis.

10. The Holiday Decorations Throughout Athens In December 2020

In April of 2019, I was baptized Greek Orthodox with the name Evangelia/Ευαγγέλια and as part of the process, I formed a relationship with a church and a Greek Orthodox priest. I love my church–it is called the Ragavas Church in Plaka, and it is where the revolution in 1821 started in Athens. They have a special bell-ringing ceremony on March 25th to commemorate the revolution, which works out well for me since that’s also my name day.

11. The Greek Attitude In The Face Of Crisis

The pandemic has been hard for the entire world, but as Greece was just coming out of a decade long economic crisis, it has been really difficult here. Over 20 percent of the country’s GDP is based on tourism, and the country has a very large elderly population, making the situation even more precarious. But the country came together, and phrases like “kali dinami” (good strength) and “ipomoni” (patience) became our daily mantras. This isn’t a pandemic thing though. I saw this same resilience during the 2015 referendum crisis. There was one week in July of 2015 when we didn’t know if we’d leave the euro zone or stay. Everyone was tense and stressed. In the middle of all this I overheard a taxi driver say to his friends “A beautiful woman is a beautiful woman whether we spend drachmas or euros.…we’ll be fine.” Yeah, we will...Thanks for the reminder Greece. Love you.

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Lynn is an American Kundalini yoga and Enneagram instructor teaching a unique combination of the two systems, combining the physical benefits of Kundalini yoga with the psychological growth tools of the Enneagram.

 

Most of her adult life has been as a Certified Public Accountant (US CPA) working in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco technology start up and venture capital industries. In 2012, she decided to move to Athens, Greece for purely intuitive reasons.  She's not Greek by heritage, she did not have a job here, she didn’t speak any Greek (at the time), and there wasn't a Greek man in the picture either! She simply had a really clear feeling that she should go to Greece. And so she did.

 

“I remember getting on the plane to leave San Francisco. My dog and two cats were in cargo below and I had packed a suitcase full of clothes. Almost everything else I had sold or given away. There wasn’t anyone to meet me in Athens because I didn’t know anyone. But it was one of the calmest moments of my life. I was totally sure I was making the right choice.  And I haven’t regretted it at all. I love Greece.”

We're thrilled to collaborate with Lynn as an official XpatAthens Content Contributor! To learn more about her and all the great things she does in Athens please click here.

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The Greek government plans to convert the former Royal Palace in Tatoi into a hub of history, culture, and luxury. The palace, which sits on grounds spanning 10,000 acres, was bought as a summer residence for the Greek royal family in the 1880s has been abandoned for almost 50 years.

Following the restoration, the estate will include shops, restaurants, nature walking trails, and a luxury hotel and spa. The main palace building will become a museum to display artifacts and items found on the site, including the royal family’s famed car collection.

Tatoi lies on Mount Parnitha, 27 kilometers from the center of Athens, in a green area with woods, rivers, and abundant wildlife.

By transforming the site into a luxury vacation spot and highlighting its royal history with a new museum, the government aspires to attract more visitors and history lovers to Greece.

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

When people ask which island has the best beaches in Greece, they expect to hear answers like “Crete” with the world-famous pink sands of Elafonisi Lagoon or “Mykonos” with the beaches named Paradise and Super Paradise. While these beached are beautiful, they often get overcrowded, hard to get to, or expensive. For just as gorgeous but more accessible beaches, I invite you to the island of Milos.

Milos is the most southwestern island in the Cyclades. It takes about 3 hours to get to Milos from the port of Piraeus on a fast ferry. The island has an airport, so taking a flight is also an option. Milos has over 40 beaches, and since the island is relatively small, you can go beach hopping, taking-in stunning seaside after stunning seaside, in a short time. Like most Greek islands, Milos offers both organized and unorganized beaches.

Organized beaches offer sunbeds, umbrellas, and snack bars so you can eat, drink, and relax on the beach without bringing much more than your beach towel and sunscreen.

Unorganized beaches offer raw Greek nature at its finest but with very few extra amenities. There are typically no sunbeds for rent, no umbrellas, and few, if any, options for food or drink. If you bring along your gear, you'll be rewarded with unspoiled beaches and free access.

Sarakiniko

Sarakiniko is a truly unique beach with an almost lunar landscape featuring white volcanic rock formations set above the sparkling turquoise water. Its otherworldly feel makes it a popular spot for climbing, diving, and snorkeling. Sarakiniko is not an organized beach, so bring along a towel, water, and sunscreen.

Firiplaka

Firiplaka beach is an easily accessible, gorgeous beach where you can rent sunbeds and get refreshments. With sand instead of pebbles, Firiplaka is the calm, clean cousin of the wilder beaches nearby. Firiplaka is an ideal beach for a relaxing, enjoyable afternoon at the beach, however, try to arrive early as sunbeds can sell out.

Triades

Triades beach constists of 3 sandy beaches side by side. Situated on the west side of the island, this fairly unknown beach is remote and unorganized with no restaurants, cafes, or sunbeds anywhere to be seen. If you're looking for an unspoiled setting, off-the-beaten-track, you should head to Triades!


To read this article in full and discover other amazing beaches on Milos, please visit: internationalliving.com

Written By: Lynn Roulo

When it comes to architecture in Athens a visitor's first thought will most probably be the Parthenon and the second the sea of apartment blocks that dominate downtown residential neighborhoods such as Kolonaki and Pangrati and spread outward to the suburbs.

However, if you take a closer look you will find, tucked between the ancient sites, the neoclassical buildings, and the monotonous apartment buildings a bunch of modernist architectural gems.

Among them, the National Hellenic Research Foundation and the Athens Tower, have been overlooked in part due to being erected during the military dictatorship of 1967-1974 and dismissed as “junta” projects. But the Greek architects of these and other landmark post-war structures were largely inspired by the Bauhaus school and sought to amalgamate Greek urban life with the international spirit of the times. Here are 3 of the most notable modernist buildings in Athens.

Embassy Of The United States

The US Embassy in Athens is a monumental example of mid-century modernism. The Embassy was designed by Walter Gropius, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century and founder of the Bauhaus school, alongside Greek architect Perikles Sakellarios.Opened to the public on July 4, 1961, the building features brilliant white Pentelic marble, black marble from the Peloponnese and grey marble from Marathon, and a simple colonnade that wraps around the entire structure.

The Embassy's expansive courtyard was designed to encourage people to linger, converse and debate ideas openly. Unfortunately, the openness Gropius envisioned has had to submit to security concerns and now the unique outdoor landscaping has now given way to security fencing.

The Athens Hilton

The Athens Hilton opened its doors to the public on April 20, 1963. Conrad Hilton himself attended the inaugural celebrations and proclaimed the new building “the most beautiful Hilton Hotel in the world.” The Athens Hilton is a bold showcase of contemporary architectural ideas, seamlessly blending timeless local materials with cutting-edge modernism.

The building's facade is adorned with massive reliefs created by the noted mid-century artist Yiannis Moralis. The reliefs depict ancient and mythical themes and manage to combine modern and classical.

Emmanuel Vourekas, Procopius Vassiliades, Spyros Staikos, and Anthony Georgiades were the 4 architects responsible for the building's design. Vourekas was one of the busiest Greek architects of the era is also the architect of the Megaron-Athens Concert Hall.

National Hellenic Research Foudation

This building was designed by Constantinos Doxiadis, the father of ekistics – the science of human settlement. Doxiadis oversaw projects around the world, from Islamabad, where he was in charge of the city's master-plan, to Detroit. At the time of the NHRF commission in 1962, his firm, employed about 400 people, half of which were deployed internationally, while the other half worked from the firm's headquarters in Kolonaki.

The National Hellenic Research Foundation was the first Greek public building to materialize the dictum that "form follows function." It consists of three principal structures, a six-story office building, a three-level library, and the entrance foyer and lecture hall. The buildings are dressed in white and pink marble to project monumentality, without compromising the foundation’s mission.

 

 

To read this article in full and discover more modernist buildings in Athens, please visit: greece-is.com

 

Eager to please you more, Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis and Pastry Chef Evgenios Vardakastanis with their epicurean Team present a new menu for the ultimate brunch experience at home, inspired by the famous Weekends at the Winter Garden.

The finest sweet & savor delicacies and handmade pastries compose another unforgettable culinary experience! The menu includes a variety of freshly baked croissants, traditional mastiha scented ‘tsoureki’, brioche and caramelized puff pastry ‘baton’ served with fresh local butter, pine honey and homemade forest fruit marmalade. The experience goes on with a unique appetizer of smoked salmon and ‘balik’ with avocado, quail egg, king crab and crisp green salad. For main course, the ‘candele’ pasta filled with slow cooked beef, mushrooms, winter truffle gratinated with Cretan ‘graviera’ cheese and the seafood –shrimp and scallops- with fennel and spinach, citrus and grill-smoked eel will carry you away. A delicious pear tart with almond cream, hazelnut praline and lemon seals the sweetest epilogue of your family brunch. While opening the boxes, you will find an exquisite menu for four people uniquely presented in ovenproof porcelain tableware, which will enrich your home collection, as well as the authentic white linen napkin embroidered with the crest of the historic hotel.

To fascinate even the most discerning palates, Chef introduces the Caviar & Champagne Brunch featuring the exclusivity of a TAITTINGER BRUT 750ml and a ROYAL GOLD RESERVE CAVIAR 30gr.

Hotel Grande Bretagne promises to deliver exquisite flavors and aromas at home creating for you the most elegant brunch.