If you have decided to explore unknown Greece and venture past the famous tourist areas, the Peloponnese offers quite a few options.

Perhaps the most unique and wild is the Mani peninsula, which is home to the southernmost point in Greece, Cape Tainaron.

Within the Mani Region, you will find quite a few towns and villages, some more famous than others.

You may have heard of Stoupa and Kardamyli, where Patrick Leigh Fermor’s house recently opened to visitors. You may also have heard of Gythion, Areopolis, and the impressive Diros Caves.

Few people, however, have heard of places like Limeni, Gerolimenas, and Porto Kagio, which is all the way to the south of the Mani. A tiny village with just four small hotels, it is a very special place to visit, and perhaps spend a couple of nights.

Things to do in Porto Kagio

Mani Porto Kagio is a tiny village, and there is very little to do, which is why it’s ideal if you want to relax. The pebbly beach is quite small, and there is not a lot of space to sit on. However the water is clear and refreshing, and the area is great for snorkeling. The bay is fairly protected, even on windy days.

On the way to Porto Kagio, you will pass by Vathia, the stone village. Allow some time to wander around the pebbled streets, and observe the stone towers, silent remnants of an era long gone.

Porto Kagio is a great base if you want to explore Cape Tainaron, the Gateway to Hades. You can get there by a short hike, which is suitable for pretty much everyone. Standing at the edge of the world is really cool!

Make sure you get to the amazing Marmari beach, a long stretch of sand to the west of the Mani peninsula.

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

Main image: @daphne_kavoura

A large pod of dozens of adult and young dolphins enjoyed the blue waters of Theologos in Fthiotida, Central Greece, offering a spectacular natural show.

The spectacle was captured by a drone of UpStories.

The bay of Theologos is a well-known refuge for the dolphins in the Evia Gulf. The crystal clear shallow and warm waters, combined with the swarms of fish that often appear in the area, create the ideal conditions for dolphins to swim there almost all year round.

Originally published on: keeptalkinggreece.com

It may be a little hard watching everyone packing their suitcases and heading for one of the so much-appraised Greek islands, but, just because you are stuck in Athens during the hottest month of the year, it doesn't mean you can't have a blast! 

The Greek capital is full of surprises; a city that never sleeps; a city that has something up its sleeve for everyone, locals and visitors. Here's a list of fun things to do in the city this August!

Watch A Movie At An Open-Air Cinema


@neofilms_gr

In Greece, you know it’s summer when outdoor cinemas are finally open. It’s the ultimate sign of summer the season. Movies under the starlit sky, jasmine-scented gardens, and fresh popcorn; what else could you ask for? Almost every Athenian neighborhood has its own open-air cinema or “therinos” in Greece, with Cine Thisio perhaps being the most pretty one, since just above the movie screen one can see the lit Acropolis.

Who said you have to leave the Greek capital to find lovely beaches and have a great summer vacation? The Athens riviera has an array of organized and non-organized beach heavens that will make you feel you have escaped to a Greek island. Except for swimming though, there is so much you can do along the Athenian riviera; exercise, eat seafood, sip cocktails at a beach bar, and the list goes on. 

Sitting outside at bars and restaurants is, of course, an integral part of summer in Greece, and rooftop bars take the al fresco experience to a whole new level. Whether you’re looking for a romantic setting with gourmet food and lounge music, a place to party under the stars, or a spot to chile, Athens has a rooftop for everyone. Just imagine enjoying an exotic drink all while contemplating the mesmerizing views towards the Acropolis and gazing at majestic sunsets; pure magic!

Attend A Performance At The Odeon Of Herodes Atticus


@marco_marro

Summer in the city also means outdoor concerts. Therefore, a visit to the Odeon Of Herodes Atticus is a must! This stunning gem sitting on the southwest slope of the Acropolis Hill is one of the prime locations for the Athens Festival, happening every year from May until September, and for years it has been welcoming top-notch names from the local and international music and theatre scene. 

For many, Plaka is the most beautiful neighborhood of Athens, and justifiably so. Just below the Sacred Rock of Acropolis the oldest neighborhood of Athens is teaming with impressive neoclassical buildings, small churches, taverns, scenic cafes, museums, galleries, bougainvillea decorated houses, and breathtaking views. Wandering its winding streets is a unique experience that makes for lots of Instagram-worthy moments!

August 15th, or Dekapentavgoustos in Greek, is one of the most important religious celebrations in the country and a quintessential part of the Greek summer. Except for honoring the final resting of the Virgin Mary, on this day, Greeks throughout the country celebrate with major festivities known as panigiria that include traditional music, dancing, good food, and plenty of drinks!

If you find yourself in Greece during August, make sure to experience the splendor surrounding the Dormition of Mary. Where else? On a Greek island, of course!

Tinos


@gpapapostolou.photo

The most popular destination for celebrating August 15th in Greece is Tinos, home to the Greek Orthodox Church’s holiest church, the Panagia Evangelistria. Thousands of visitors arrive in Tinos each year to enjoy various festivities in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, including Tsiknias (the leavetaking of the Dormition, the mother of God, held nine days after) and Exοmbourgo (a religious feast in honor of Jesus).

Astypalaia


@astypalaia_island

Religion plays a vital part in the ethos of the residents of this scenic island in the Dodecanese archipelago. The most important celebration is the feast day of the Virgin Mary. The island’s biggest festival takes place in the monastery of Portaitissa, and the celebrations last for three days. On August 15th, everyone gathers in the church to shower the miraculous icon of the Virgin of Portaitissa with flowers and then moves to the ‘Rodia’ courtyard for the big fete with violins, lutes, and traditional dancing.

Ikaria


@dimitris_pazaitis

When it comes to “panigiria” Ikaria is the island to be! Especially on August 15th, big celebrations are held throughout the island, but the biggest ones can be found in the villages of Christos Rachon and Lagada. There you will find thousands of locals and tourists dancing the Ikariotikos and enjoying traditional food and delicious Ikarian wine; an experience not to be missed!

Lesvos


@evangelou_giannis

On the 15th of August, the most popular celebrations in Lesvos take place in the village of Agiassos, where the church of Panagia Agiasotissa is located. Along with a church service and plenty of food, including the traditional dish “Keskeki” ( a combination of stew and wheat ), visitors can attend several cultural events such as theatrical performances, exhibitions, and concerts, as well as the local track races known as “Christophidia”.

Nisyros


@nuno_eca

Nisyros celebrates the day of the Assumption with great reverence! The celebrations take place at the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani and run from the 6th until the 15th of August. During these days, the monastery hosts women from all over the island who are committed to making 300 prostrations daily, kneeling in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary, and fasting. On the day of the Assumption, the icon of the Virgin Mary is carried in a procession. The feast begins when the icon arrives at the village, with the traditional dance of “koupa”.

Kefalonia


@nico_cene

A rather peculiar legend surrounds the celebration of Dekapentavgoustos in Kefalonia, as well as the church hosting it, Panagia Fidousa, in the village of Markopoulo. Every year around August 15th, small snakes appear inside and outside the church. According to the legend, in the 1200s a convent of nuns was praying for safety from a pirate attack, and during their prayers, hundreds of snakes appeared between the nuns and the pirates, saving their lives. Since then, “Virgin Mary’s snakes”, as they are called, enter the church and head for the icon of the virgin.

The Greek "panigiri" is a traditional festival that serves as a cornerstone of cultural and religious life in Greece. These vibrant events are deeply rooted in the Orthodox Christian faith, often held to honor the feast days of saints, but they also blend ancient customs with modern festivities. The word "panigiri" itself derives from "pan" (all) and "agora" (gathering), embodying the communal spirit that defines these celebrations.

What is a Panigiri?

A panigiri is much more than just a festival; it is a community gathering that encompasses religious rituals, music, dance, food, and social bonding. Typically hosted by villages or towns, these festivals are often centered around a church or chapel dedicated to a saint. The celebration usually begins with a religious service, followed by communal feasting, traditional music and dancing, and various local customs that have been passed down through generations.

Key Elements of a Panigiri

 

Greek citizens can securely upload their national ID and driver’s license onto their smartphone via the Gov.gr Wallet app. The app, a joint initiative of the digital governance, transport, and citizen’s protection ministries that was launched in 2022.

Documents downloaded onto the Gov.gr Wallet app can be used in all transactions where physical documents were used with the ultimate goal to facilitate e-business and e-government services.

However, the wallet cannot be used for travel. Greeks can use it for domestic travel, but documents on the Gov.gr Wallet app are not valid for international trips or travel in the Schengen zone.

An additional advantage of the app is that it provides a secure means for authentication and identification. Users can sign digital documents easily, quickly, and more securely through docs.gov.gr.

The Gov.gr Wallet can be downloaded from app stores for both iOS and Android devices or from wallet.gov.gr.

Once downloaded, users will have to log in with the use of their TaxisNet or web banking codes, and then they will receive a text message for verification for every document uploaded. Documents in the app can be accessed or verified via QR code.

If phone, ID card, or driver’s license is lost, the digital documents in the wallet are canceled.

More information can be found HERE (greek only). 

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr

Santorini’s tourism will boost again with Santorini Experience 2022, as amateur and professional swimmers and runners, are expected to visit once again one of the world’s top tourist destinations through sports tourism. Santorini Experience will be held on September 23-25 ​​for its 6th year and will include unique running and swimming routes with a backdrop of Santorini’s enchanting landscape. 

 

On Wednesday, July 27, this year’s event official presentation took place in the Acropolis Museum, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, the President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Ms. Angela Gerekou, the Mayor of Thira, Mr. Antonis Sigalas, the Deputy Mayor of Thira and Head of Culture Ms. Sofia Kitsou and the Chief Executive Officer of ActiveMedia Group, Mr. Akis Tsolis, while the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis sent his greeting through a video message. The press conference was held in the presence of the Technical Director of the event’s swimming race, Nikos Gemelos, the World Open Water Swimming Champion, Representative of the athletes of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and member of its Board of Directors, Kelly Araouzou, the President of the Hellenic Association of Sports Press, Mr. Yannis Theodorakopoulos as well as many journalists.

 

Thira Municipality is not limited to simply hosting a major tourism event on the island of Santorini, as it intends to also highlight the cultural wealth of a globally leading tourism destination, organizing Santorini Experience, after two years of pandemic.

In the context of the press conference, the Mayor of Thira, Mr. Antonis Sigalas, stated among other things: “Santorini holds an enviable position on the world stage, and is one of the leading and most popular holiday destinations. Our goal is to further upgrade our tourist product and enrich it with new alternative forms of tourism that offer unprecedented experiences. The symbolisms of the names of the two sports activities that we have announced for Santorini Experience is obvious. We want to connect the authentic experience with the history and the elements of our cultural reserve as well as to honor the founders of the “Loula & Evangelos Nomikos” Foundation.

Accordingly, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, said: “The sporting event of Santorini Experience, on the one hand, enriches the tourism product beyond the two elements of sun and sea, while it has all the elements that will make this experience special so that the visitor will return to this wonderful island and our country. At the same time, it has the details of the repetition of the visit for anyone who participates in this event. In Santorini, you have no shortage of reasons to return to the island, but you have many reasons to visit for the first time. We will be there both with the auspices and with the physical presence, but mainly with the message that we will convey to the whole world, that this event is happening in Greece, adding to our overall effort, for quality, sustainability, balance”.

The Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, addressed his greeting with a video saying, among other things: “Warm congratulations are deserved to the Municipality of Thira, to ActiveMedia Group as well as to all those who have worked for the implementation of this year’s event. What makes this event special is the perfect combination of culture, history, and the natural wealth of Santorini, with the sports tourism of the region as the main driving force”. 

The President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Ms. Angela Gerekou highlighted among other things: “In recent years, Santorini has proven that it can combine the entire kaleidoscope of tourism that we work on and promote for our country. The exceptional event, Santorini Experience, that combines sports, tourism, culture will be able to give a very dynamic boost to the tourism of Santorini”.

In addition, the Deputy Mayor of Thira and Head of Culture, Ms. Sofia Kitsou stated in the context of the Press Conference: “The Daedalic Kore of Thira, is a unique archaeological finding of supernatural size made of marble, dating back to 640 BC, which was found preserved in excellent condition at the site of Sellada in Ancient Thira. This finding of 2.30 meters height and about 750 kilograms weight, is going to be exhibited to the world for the first time, in the outdoor area of ​​the Archaeological Museum of Thira. I am especially glad that ActiveMedia Group shared this vision with us, as we jointly decided to give the name of the Daedalic Kore to the Half Marathon. This year you will have one more reason to participate in Santorini Experience to see the Daedalic Kore up close”.  

Finally, the Chief Executive Officer of ActiveMedia Group, Mr. Akis Tsolis said, among other things: “In combination with all the new trends in tourism, the tourism plan based on the destinations together with the institutional framework formed by the Ministry of Tourism, aims at creating Greek branded tourist products in the field of sports tourism. The high-quality and diversified events that are created are sporting events with a unique Greek identity, are a national treasure on which our national income directly depends and overall, contribute to the well-being of our country. Moreover, we should keep in mind that we don't create our brand, but the audience that participates. We do not have a say οn this, but our participants are the only ones who do, because it concerns them. For this reason, we are optimistic about our new venture”.

“Travel” through the magnificent images of Santorini’s landscape and the tune composed by the renowned Greek artist Kid Moxie following an international career in Los Angeles, USA. The music was inspired by the santouri. An ancient musical instrument, which is an integral part of the Greek tradition and is widespread all over the world both to India, China and to the west, in the Middle East, the Balkans, etc.

Watch the teaser video here: https://youtu.be/NUaOiwE548E

Register now – Free registration for Thira Municipality Citizens

Participants can register and take part in the impressive “Daedalic Kore of Thira” Half Marathon and the 1.5 miles “L & E Nomikos” Open Water Swimming. The citizens of Thira Municipality can participate for free.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3oyKX27 

Run in the “Daedalic Kore of Thira” Half Marathon 

The “Daedalic Kore of Thira” Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022, running across the enchanting areas of Oia, Imerovigli and Fira. More routes and surprises will be announced.

Take part in the 1.5 miles “L & E Nomikos” Open Water Swimming route from the Volcano to Fira 

Participating athletes will have the opportunity to swim in the unique 1.5 miles (2.4 km) “L & E Nomikos” open water swimming route, of Santorini Experience. The swimming event is going to be held on Sunday September 25, 2022, starting from the volcano with its finish line at the old port of Fira, under the imposing view of the island.

Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the event’s Official Water.

Englobia and Esperisma bar restaurant are Official Supporters.

 

Up to this point, this year’s event is enormously supported by the following hospitality sponsors / hotels: Kivotos Santorini, The Tsitouras Collection, Vedema, A Luxury Collection Restort Santorini, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Colombo's Beachfront Hotel, Sienna Eco Resort, 270 Oia's View – Lydia's House, West East Suites, Marvarit Suites, Loizos Stylish Residences, Athina Luxury Suites.

Santorini Experience takes place this year for the 6th year and is organized by the Municipality of Thira and the Sports Tourism department of ActiveMedia Group.

 

The event will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization.

 

More information on new surprises of this year's event and special offers for access to Santorini, will be announced in the coming weeks at: www.santorini-experience.com 

Sports Production: ActiveMedia Group

#SantoriniExperience

Photo by Babis Giritziotis 

Greek divers discovered a shipwreck off the island of Kythnos in the Aegean with indications it sank after an explosion at its bow.

Researcher Kostas Thoktaridis told Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) that the wreck was found at a depth of 110 meters, and its stern has also collapsed.

Its bow is facing north, and widely dispersed debris has been found thirty meters from the stern. Metal parts of the ship and the deck have been blown off beyond the wreck, he said, and damage indicates the ship sank quite fast.

Following a review of the wreck with a remote-operated vehicle (ROV), the ship’s length was estimated at nearly forty meters while its profile height appears to be three meters high. An additional unique construction factor is that the frame lines are spaced very close to one another.



Another shipwreck discovered by Thoktaridis and his team

Earlier in 2022, Thoktaridis and his team of divers discovered another shipwreck that has languished in the waters off Cape Sounion, Greece since 1891. The shipwreck was identified as the Italian freighter “Taormina.”

“It is one of the rarest shipwrecks,” said researcher Kostas Thoktaridis, speaking to AMNA. “It seems almost unbelievable, how well the mast has been preserved,” he added.

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

Greek islands are experiencing phenomenal growth in tourist numbers with inflow rates already higher than comparable numbers for 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic curtailed travel, several local mayors reported.

As they point out, August will raise the numbers even higher, judging by full hotels or annually expected last-minute bookings for August, while some islands report bookings at high capacity through September. Higher accommodation rates are observed not just at key tourism islands like Mykonos and Santorini, but on several other islands as well including those in the North Aegean.

Besides high rates of domestic tourism – especially for nearby islands like Andros – foreign travelers hail in the main from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and the United States, hotel officials told Athens News agency.

Popular Destinations

Mykonos saw a rise in reservations, Andreas Fiorentinos, says head of niche tourism issues in ruling New Democracy and former head of the island’s hotel owners. Based on current and six-month figures, he notes the island expects a lot of last-minute bookings for August, as usual for the month.

Santorini has reached 100% capacity in reservations for August, according to Mayor Antonis Sigalas, who asserts the figures show an impressive rise over 2019 data. He also expects results from the expanded tourism season further into fall, and from an island strategy to encourage tourists to stay all over the island instead of focusing on towns such as Oia, which make it difficult for local residents.

Naxos is fully booked, Deputy Tourism of Naxos & Small Cyclades Vangelis Katsaras tells ANA-MPA. “Arrivals by ship rose 200% in May compared to 2019, and over 94% in June compared to 2021,” he notes.

September Reservations

Paros has far exceeded reservations in terms of 2019 numbers in June, by 40%, Mayor Markos Koveos says, and has welcomed over 120,000 arrivals by air or sea. It also sustained a good rate of inflows even during the two pandemic years. He expects high inflows to be sustained beyond September.

Similar high returns compared to 2019 are reported by officials on Milos, Ios, Andros, Sifnos, and Tinos.

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