XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Monday, 29 March 2021 19:54

11 Key Projects For Greek Tourism

11 major investments in cruise, marina, and airport infrastructure are expected to take Greek tourism to the next level after Covid-19, according to a report released this week by Axia Ventures.

Titled “Greece: Post-Covid Perspective”, the report’s analysts forecast better and faster-than-expected tourism recovery after the pandemic subsides.

“For Greece, we believe that recovery will come sooner rather than later, given that demand for destinations with ‘sea & sun’ will be high on the list of those who will travel after the pandemic,” said the report.

It goes on to add that strong demand in 2022 may reach 2019 levels, provided the tourist season is extended to include spring and autumn. Axia analysts expect the robust demand for Greek destinations to continue in the coming years as well as increased spending, which will be a direct result of upgraded tourism services and products.

Greece is set to benefit from people’s desire to go on vacation, particularly in view of key infrastructure projects that will help upgrade Greece’s brand name, the report notes.

More specifically, listed in the report are the following projects, investments and privatizations:

– Hellinikon on the Athenian Riviera, which includes an integrated casino resort;
– a new cruise terminal at Piraeus port expected to be operational by 2023;
– a new marina at Alimos;
– the new Heraklion airport in Kastelli, Crete;
– the expansion of the Naxos and Chios regional airports;
– the new marina in Monolithos, Santorini;
– the privatization of a number of ports countrywide;
– the privatization of Athens International Airport;
– the upgrade and increased connectivity of the country’s train/rail network;
– modernized road networks including Crete’s North Road Axis;
– and finally, the framework for the operation of some 150 waterways.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr
Photo credit: thehellinikon.com
Monday, 20 January 2025 07:00

Great Theme Parks To Visit In Greece

Who does not love the exhilaration of theme parks? From your 7-year-old nephew to your 35-year-old co-worker at work, there is just something about theme parks that endears them to a multitude of visitors of all ages.

If you ask us, there isn't anything better than a family enjoying a theme park together. Luckily, Greece is home to some beautiful theme parks you can explore, try interesting activities, and spend quality time together.  

Here is a small list of some great theme parks, perfect if you want to take a break from your daily routine and escape to nature for a while!

Mia fora ki enan kairo 

Mia fora ki enan kairo
Courtesy: miaforakienankairo.com

Located just an hour from the city center, Mia Fora Ki Enan Kairo is a park surrounded by lush nature where you can get acquainted with village life and enjoy endless play! You can also have the chance to interact with various animals and practice your favorite sport! Through experiential tours, children of all ages are able to embark on a journey to a bygone era, traveling back to those nostalgic days of yesteryear when people would harmoniously coexist with nature. 

Location: Panagias Grigorousis, Avlona
Telephone: 22950-29933
Hours:Saturday-Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm
  
Donkeysland

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@gagarasb
 
A donkey sanctuary in Koropi, about 40 minutes southeast of Athens, Donkeysland aims to inform kids, adults, and animal lovers, in general, about donkeys. Donkeys are part and parcel of Greek village life and culture. You will learn information about these beautiful equines and have the opportunity to pet and feed them, always under the instructions of well-trained and experienced staff. Donkeys are extremely caring, communicative, and playful animals, able to develop a very tender relationship with any person, especially a child!
 
Location: Koropi
Telephone: 6944 616160
Hours:  Saturday-Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
 
Adventure Park 

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@mylittleworld.gr

Located in Malakasa, just outside Athens, Adventure Park is the perfect place to be if you seek a way of life that embraces thrilling leisure along with nature, environmental education, and action. The park provides a wide range of fun and exciting activities, each with a different level of difficulty, so anyone can participate. Depending on their age, kids can opt for several nature-associated activities, test their strengths, and explore their abilities. Of course, training is mandatory, even for the easiest of games, because safety comes first!

Location:  Provincial road of Malakasa -Oropou, Malakasa
Telephone: 2295 098335
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 10 am until sunset
 
The Ranch

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@evzeni_ 

The Ranch, which sits on 400 acres in the Peloponnese, is a Western-themed park that combines stunning natural beauty with modern facilities. It provides a delightful one-day excursion for people of all ages. Everyone can play, learn, and grow while participating in one of the various activities the park offers, from all kinds of sports to oh-so-fun pony rides. If you wish to extend your trip, accommodation options are available, and the park also features a restaurant and a cafe bar.
 
Location: Sofiko, Korinthia
Telephone: 2741 093800
Hours:  Saturday & Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
 
Saloon Park

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@saloon_park

Nestled amidst the mountains of Karpenisi, Saloon Park promises to offer a memorable Western experience! People of all ages are welcome to ride on the train through the fiery nature, try horseback riding, jump on the trampoline, have a picnic under the blue sky, and see a deer or two if they are lucky enough. Or, you can relax with a coffee by the fireplace in the wooden retreat, enjoying the beauty of Greek nature combined with the ambiance of the American South.
 
Location: Sofiko, Korinthia
Telephone: 22370 24606
Hours:  Monday-Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
 
 
Once again, Santorini captivates the attention of the global sports community as it prepares for the 7th Santorini Experience, which will take place on October 3-6, 2024. Both professional and amateur athletes will have the opportunity to enjoy sports activities in breathtaking locations on the island, such as the Volcano and the trail connecting Oia with Fira, featuring the impressive Caldera and stunning views of the Aegean Sea.

On the morning of Friday, October 4, participants will swim from the Volcano to the old port of Fira, with the imposing view of the island in front of them, in the thrilling 1.5-miles (2.4 km) open water swimming race. Santorini’s volcano is the most famous among the volcanoes that make up the volcanic arc of the Aegean. It is one of the largest underwater volcanoes that remains active, with its famous caldera being the only inhabited one in the world. The swimming route will take place, as always, with absolute safety in the enchanting waters of Santorini (average water temperature of 22-23 degrees Celsius). The race’s safety will be ensured by specialized lifeguards and rescue boats, while the organizers will provide all athletes with safety buoys, offering extra security to each participant. The use of individual floats is mandatory for everyone. The Technical Director of the swimming race is Nikos Gemelos, an accomplished swimming coach with Olympic and world accolades, who once again had an athlete competing in their sixth Olympic Games.

2 Santorini Experience by Elias Lefas

From Paris Olympics to Santorini 

Santorini will once again be in the spotlight this year, with athletes from the global elite of open water swimming, who participated in Paris Olympics, expected to attend the event. Specifically, the swimming race will feature Italian world and European champion Barbara Pozzobon, Italian world and European champion and Olympic fourth-place finisher Domenico Acerenza, and Hungarian silver medalist and Olympic fourth-place finisher Anna Olasz. They will compete on the challenging and fast course of Santorini Experience, showcasing their strength and skill. The event will also be attended by the Italian coach of top Olympic and world championship successes, Fabrizio Antonelli. 



Valuable and Unique Prizes this Year 

hoper, the company that brings scheduled helicopter flights to Greece, will be the Official Helicopter Partner of Santorini Experience for the first time. hoper is rewriting the rules of transportation in Greece, bringing destinations closer than ever. As part of this year’s event, the innovative company will offer the winner of the 15 km running race and the winner of the open water swimming race a helicopter tour, with the safety provided by its fleet.

Great names are expected to participate in the running events as well, such as HOKA athlete Alexandros Karykas, who has competed in the 116 km Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB in France, the 100 km Julian Alps Ultra Sky Trail in Slovenia, and the 73 km Chianti Ultra Trail 2023 in Italy. HOKA, one of the top brands in running, is participating for the first time as the Official Footwear Sponsor of the event. As part of its participation, the company will offer a unique pair of HOKA shoes as a gift to both the first male and female finishers in the 15 km race powered by HOKA. More names will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to swimming, participants can register for the 5km “Aristides Alafouzos” powered by Miele, the 10km powered by SIXT, a member of MOTODYNAMICS Group, or the 15km powered by HOKA. 

To register, please CLICK HERE!


1 Santorini Experience by Elias Lefas


For more information on the terms of participation, click here: https://www.santorini-experience.com/en/event-info/terms.html  

The Legendary Georgios Printezis in Santorini with Joe Arlauckas! 

Santorini Experience enriches this year’s schedule with the addition of the Olympic sport of basketball. For the first time in the event, two prominent sports figures, the two-time champion and EuroLeague record holder Georgios Printezis and the EuroLeague legend and European champion with Real Madrid Joe Arlauckas, join forces to teach the island’s kids the basic principles of basketball. On Sunday, October 6, children from Santorini’s basketball clubs will have the opportunity to meet these international basketball stars and learn the “secrets” of basketball at the Indoor Gymnasium Basketball Court of the Municipality of Thira.

6 Georgios Printezis by Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival

Free Participation for Thira Municipality Citizens

The citizens of Thira Municipality can participate for free. Thira residents can register for free exclusively at Alafouzos Sport, the event’s Official Sports Store, at Fira in Santorini.
 
Travel to Santorini with a 30% Discount on Ferry Tickets

Those visiting Santorini by ferry for Santorini Experience can travel with the safety and comfort of Blue Star Ferries, the event’s Official Sponsor. The top Greek shipping company offers a 30% discount on ferry tickets (all seats except cabins) from Piraeus, Cyclades, and Dodecanese to Santorini on round-trip tickets and 30% on vehicles for those participating in the event and visiting the island from October 1 to 8, 2024. Each person who has completed their registration is entitled to the same discount for 3 additional people (if they are their escorts).
 
Participants who have completed their registration can contact the following port offices for seat reservations and ticket issuance:
-Piraeus, GIOVANTI TRAVEL, Tel. +30 210-4119171
-Santorini, DAKOUTROS TRAVEL, Tel. +30 22860 22201

Premium Mobility Partner of the event is SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group. 
Athina Luxury Suites is the Silver Sponsor.
GoPro is the event’s Official Action Camera.
HOKA is the Official Footwear Sponsor.
Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the Official Water. 
hoper is the Official Helicopter Partner.
Miele is the event’s Bronze Sponsor.
Alafouzos Sport is the event’s Official Sports Store.
Blue Star Ferries is the Official Sponsor.
Luanvi is the Official Technical T-shirt.
Kois Optics are the Official Optics Partner.
Nobu Hotel Santorini, Santorini’s Best Driver, and Messinian Spa are the event’s Partners.
π³= Plastic Pollution Prevention is the Sustainability Partner.
The event will be implemented with the invaluable support of our Hospitality Sponsors, who promote the island with special prices and offer enormous support to the event. The confirmed hotels so far are the following: Athina Luxury Suites, Nobu Hotel Santorini, NOUS Santorini, Katikies Garden Santorini, Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini (Empiria Group), Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas, Santo Mine Oia Suites, Apeiron Blue, 270 Oia’s View, West East Suites, Lydia’s House, Santorini Folia Bianca, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini, Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini, De Sol Hotel & Spa, The Majestic Hotel Santorini (Kord Hotels), Meltemi Suites, Meltemi Village, Atlantis Beach, Neoklassiko Koukouli, Noni Studios, Santoriviera House, Ifestau4, En Plo Boutique Suites, Epavlis Grace, Fanouris Condo, MONOLiTHIA, Epavlis Hotel (Meraki Collection), Eteoro Suites Santorini, K & K Unique Holiday Homes, Blue Dolphins, Loizos Stylish Residences, Venus Sunrise Suites & Villas, Sienna Eco Resort. 


Check HERE for the available special offers from the hospitality sponsors for the participants of Santorini Experience, which are only valid during the event’s days.

Santorini Experience is organized by the Municipality of Thira and ActiveMedia Group. The event is held under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization.

For more information visit: www.santorini-experience.com  
#SantoriniExperience

Thursday, 05 February 2015 14:30

My Week (not) in Athens

Having joined the August exodus from Athens, and arrived safe & sound in Crete, I am happy (and lucky) to report on My Week in Crete. Finally, after to-ing and fro-ing, a group of 8 friends jumped on a ferry and headed to the big island.

Crete: the isle of the Minoans, the isle of fantastic food, beautiful beaches, authentic villages, picturesque landscapes – and seventeen Ryan Air flights per week.

Crete really does have it all. It is big – very big – and requires resetting one’s geographic ‘clock’ to allow more time to get to one’s destination. But the rewards are well worth the drives…

With 8 people in tow, the island holiday takes on a decidedly positive flavor. Costs are shared, laughs are had, and fond memories are created. Deciding where to have dinner does prove to be a challenge, but splitting the bill by 8 means that we have been consistently surprised at the great value and low cost of this holiday.

We are staying in the little village of Gavalohori, a 30-minute drive east of Chania. I can confidently report that Gavalohori is one of the most ‘authentic’ Greek villages I have seen yet. It is tiny, with 2 tavernas, 1 kafeneio and a general store. There is a beach nearby, and the Lefka Oroi mountain range as a backdrop. There are families who have lived here for generations, in houses that look like they’ve been standing forever.

Between swimming, eating & drinking, and hanging with friends, it seems like the typical island holiday doesn’t involve much activity. Sure, you can visit an ancient site, or browse in the shops – but at the end of the day, sitting still and sharing with friends is what an island escape should be about. And in my world, this is a good thing.

And there are a lot of tourists here. Everywhere – including lots of Greeks. But the size of the island means that it never feels over-crowded. And truth be told, I am happy to see full restaurants and crowded beaches – maybe it means that tourism numbers are back to normal. Maybe it just means that ‘doing nothing’ was also on the agenda of everyone else who is tired of the everyday in Europe.

Until next week,

Jack


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

Monday, 16 February 2015 12:21

Trattoria Da Nonna

We tasted it, we loved it and we present it to you: Trattoria Da Nonna! A tasty temptation, of Italian origin, hidden in the narrow streets of Halandri! A place made like traditional Italian restaurants, ready to entertain and serve each one of you. The owner, Christos Xanthopoulos, gets all his raw materials from Italy through a special supplier which supplies all the genuine trattorias of Athens, to maintain the authenticity of the recipes of the Italian cuisine! The menu at Da Nonna trattoria consists of traditional Italian recipes, has curated an Italian chef and good friend of the owner, who aims to keep high levels of quality and proper execution of recipes.

For this reason, he brought from Italy a special pizzagiolo (person who makes pizza), to teach the rest of the team how to make a proper Italian pizza.

Enjoy!

Address Griva 18, Chalandri, 15233
210 6830 009, orderdanonna@gmail.com
Tuesday - Friday 6pm to 12am
Monday closed
Saturday-Sunday 1pm to 12 am

gourmetandcheap.com
 


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

 

Small and medium-sized Greek enterprises with an annual turnover of up to 10,000 euros will be able to spare themselves from the system of value-added tax returns as long as they submit an application by Monday, January 12.

Up to 415,000 SMEs are eligible for the provision that will allow them not to charge VAT on the receipts and invoices they issue and relieves them of having to submit a quarterly VAT statement and payment.

The turnover threshold of 10,000 euros concerns the 2014 financial year and does not include VAT.

Farmers and sellers of new vehicles are not eligible.

To read more, please visit ekathimerini.com

By Prokopis Hatzinikolaou

Saturday, 21 February 2015 15:14

Pleated Feta Filo Pie & Green Tomato Chutney

It all started with these: A bushel full of end-of-summer green tomatoes that I picked, literally, an hour before we left the island for Athens. I just couldn’t leave them behind. I love the acidity and crunch of green tomatoes, but I had never made chutney with them.

So, inspired by the pine honey, hot peppers, and dark raisins of Ikaria, the latter of which were once a prized agricultural product on the island, I set out, in my Athens kitchen, to make chutney because I wanted to serve it with a simple feta-phyllo pie, tyropita.

I call this my pleated tyropita recipe, because of the way you have to fill and scrunch up individual sheets of feta-cheese-stuffed pastry before baking. It’s a technique I learned a few years ago, and I’ve made the recipe a little healthier, by replacing the butter with extra virgin Greek olive oil. 

Serve it with the chutney, of course!

To get the recipe, please visit dianekochilas.com

By Diane Kochilas

Thursday, 29 December 2016 07:00

The Ancient Greeks’ Six Words For Love

Looking for an antidote to modern culture's emphasis on romantic love? Perhaps we can learn from the diverse forms of emotional attachment prized by the ancient Greeks.

Today's coffee culture has an incredibly sophisticated vocabulary. Do you want a cappuccino, an espresso, a skinny latte, or maybe an iced caramel macchiato?

The ancient Greeks were just as sophisticated in the way they talked about love, recognizing six different varieties. They would have been shocked by our crudeness in using a single word both to whisper 'l love you' over a candlelit meal and to casually sign an email 'lots of love.'

So what were the six loves known to the Greeks? And how can they inspire us to move beyond our current addiction to romantic love, which has 94 percent of young people hoping—but often failing—to find a unique soul mate who can satisfy all their emotional needs?

1. Eros, or sexual passion

The first kind of love was eros, named after the Greek god of fertility, and it represented the idea of sexual passion and desire. But the Greeks didn't always think of it as something positive, as we tend to do today. In fact, eros was viewed as a dangerous, fiery, and irrational form of love that could take hold of you and possess you—an attitude shared by many later spiritual thinkers, such as the Christian writer C.S. Lewis.

Eros involved a loss of control that frightened the Greeks, which is odd, because losing control is precisely what many people now seek in a relationship. Don't we all hope to fall 'madly' in love?

2. Philia, or deep friendship

The second variety of love was philia or friendship, which the Greeks valued far more than the base sexuality of eros. Philia concerned the deep comradely friendship that developed between brothers in arms who had fought side by side on the battlefield. It was about showing loyalty to your friends, sacrificing for them, as well as sharing your emotions with them. Another kind of philia, sometimes called storge, embodied the love between parents and their children.

We can all ask ourselves how much of this comradely philia we have in our lives. It's an important question in an age when we attempt to amass friends on Facebook or followers on Twitter—achievements that would have hardly impressed the Greeks.

3. Ludus, or playful love

This was the Greeks' idea of playful love, which referred to the affection between children or young lovers. We've all had a taste of it in the flirting and teasing stages of a relationship, but we also live out our ludus when we sit around in a bar bantering and laughing with friends, or when we go out dancing.

Dancing with strangers may be the ultimate ludic activity, almost a playful substitute for sex itself. Social norms may frown on this kind of adult frivolity, but a little more ludus might be just what we need to spice up our love lives.

4. Agape, or love for everyone


The fourth love, and perhaps the most radical, was agape or selfless love. This was a love that you extended to all people, whether family members or distant strangers. Agape was later translated into Latin as caritas, which is the origin of our word 'charity.' 

C.S. Lewis referred to it as 'gift love,' the highest form of Christian love. But it also appears in other religious traditions, such as the idea of mettā or 'universal loving kindness" in Theravāda Buddhism.

There is growing evidence that agape is in a dangerous decline in many countries. Empathy levels in the U.S. have declined sharply over the past 40 years, with the steepest fall occurring in the past decade. We urgently need to revive our capacity to care about strangers.

To read this article in full, please visit: Yes Magazine


Thursday, 03 September 2015 10:09

September Heatwave!

Just in time for fall, get ready for a heatwave with temperatures up to 40C!

Sun and high tempartures are in the forecast for the next few days throughout Greece. Northern and eastern parts of the country will experience temperatures up to 36C, while eastern parts will reach up to 38C. The Aegean islands and Crete can expect temperatures up to 37C. In Athens it will reach up to 39C and in Thessaloniki up to 37C.

Here's what to expect for the next few days in Athens:

Thursday: 35C
Friday: 37C
Saturday: 38C
Sunday: 39C

Sources: Protothema & The Weather Channel

Participations from Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, North & South America and international promotion around the whole world through FOX Sports! The curtain for the special sports tourism event Santorini Experience 2016 fell in the best possible way, giving away unprecedented times and creating great memories for each participant and every visitor who found himself in the magical volcanic island on 7-9 October 2016!

Santorini Experience, at its 2nd consecutive year of materialization exceeded all expectations in the number of participations and the occupancy of hotels in the island by attracting the global interest of athletes, participants and visitors! In particular, 3 Olympic Champions, 2 World Champions, 1 European Champion, 1 Greek Champion and hundreds of professional and amateur athletes of all ages (75 years old was the oldest athlete) took part in the activities of the sports weekend while thousands of visitors swarmed the island to attend this unique event!

The global nature of the event was reflected in the entries recorded from 28 countries and more particularly from USA, Canada, Colombia, Chile, New Zealand, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Ukraine, South Africa, Morocco, Tahiti, Taiwan, Turkey, Albania, Cyprus and of course Greece.

Actually many of the participants didn’t hesitate to even travel 8,286 miles (South Africa) and 11,000 miles (New Zealand) in order to swim in the magical Caldera.

The extroversion of sports tourism was the first and basic target of this year’s event. Santorini Experience will have an outstanding international promotion, as FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group, as the Official Broadcaster of Santorini Experience will display the event’s sports documentary, to millions of homes in Europe, Asia and Africa, creating a unique television product.

Athletes and visitors of the event flew with the official airline partner of Santorini Experience Ryanair, which in response to the huge demand for the sport event, embraced it by adding 5 additional flights (beyond its 2 daily scheduled) in the Athens-Santorini route, carrying out a total of 25 flights in 10 days, with an occupancy reaching 100%, contributing to the overall promotion of the destination.

For the ferry access to the island, Blue Star Ferries took care of the immediate and safe service of participants, the convenience of attendants and Santorini Experience spectators by offering 50% discount on ferry tickets to everyone who visited the island, recording a significant increase in its bookings, within the days of the event.

Santorini Experience 2016 schedule was even richer this year compared to the first year, having for the first time the kind support and auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

More than 1.400 children participated in all children's activities of the event. Specifically on Wednesday, 5th and Thursday, October 6th, 2016, the activity of Kids’ Athletics was presented for the first time in Thira Stadium (Panthiraikos) at Fira by the Olympic and World Champion in 400m. hurdles Periklis Iakovakis. The activity aimed at getting children acquainted with the track and field sports, as it has been developed and established by a special panel of scientists from IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) and is officially implemented in Greece by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

On Friday, October 7, 2016, students ran the 1km running route that was held at the Indoor Hall of DAPPOS, at Fira.

Respectively at noon, the twice Silver Olympic Medalist, Alexandros Nikolaidis undertook to introduce the secrets of TaeKwonDo martial art to beginners and advanced athletes, at the Indoor Hall of DAPPOS, at Fira.

On Friday, a Meet & Greet was held with the great Silver Olympic Medalists Spyros Gianniotis and Alexandros Nikolaidis and top athletes such as the World Champions Kelly Araouzou and Antonis Fokaidis, the European Champion Giorgos Arniakos and the Greek Champion Dimitris Negris, at Alafouzos Sport store (official sponsor of the event) at Fira that supported for the second consecutive year the organization and helped its implementation from the beginning.

On Saturday October 8th 2016, catching the limit of 500 participants (under the safety limit of the paths set by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias who designed and edited the routes) runners of all abilities had the opportunity to run at the exceptional routes of 5km (running and dynamic walking), 10 km and 15 km (total positive altitude: 834 m.) overlooking the unique images of the volcano, the Caldera and the sites Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia. All routes had as start and finish point the desalination plant in Oia.

On Saturday night, Municipality of Santorini and the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) honored at a glittering event held at the conference center Petros M. Nomikos in Fira, the silver Olympic medalist and World Champion in open water swimming Spyros Gianniotis, the Federal Technical Coach of Swimming, Nikos Gemelos, the World Champion in open water swimming, Kelly Araouzou, the President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, Mr. Dimitrios Diathesopoulos and the twice silver Olympic medalist in TaeKwonDo, Alexandros Nikolaidis.

On Sunday, October 9, 2016 participants of the sport of swimming (with the presence of the elite of the Greek national open water swimming team) had the opportunity to swim in the unique swimming route of 1.5 mile (2.4 km) of Santorini Experience, from the volcano to the old port in Fira.

The route was designed by the Federal Technical Coach of Swimming, with Olympic and World distinctions in open water swimming and Technical Director of the event in swimming, Nikos Gemelos. The event was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), something that happened for the first time in open water swimming, at a sports tourism event, marking the explosive participation achieved from swimmers and swimming clubs from all over Greece and abroad.

The swimming day was supported and respectively implemented with the safety of Santorini Boatmen Union, Santorini Yachting Club, National Lifeguards of Santorini, Aegean Divers and the Lifeguard Schools from Athens, Piraeus (European Lifeguard School) and Katerini (Lifeguard Patrol). More than 25 vessels and more than 70 people in the water helped in the smooth running and safety of the race.

For the second consecutive year, athletes and organizers moved with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official supporter of Santorini Experience. The athletes who took part in the event had also the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” that contributes to the good functioning of the body during sports.

Santorini Experience stood alongside Iron Samba!

Part of the Santorini Experience revenues will be given to the Give & Fund created to support Maria Sampanidou or “Iron Samba” rehabilitation race who gives the most crucial fight of her life. Anyone can support Maria Sampanidou through the following page: http://www.giveandfund.com/giveandfund/project/Ironsamba

The event received very significant support by Avance Rent A Car, which covered with its fleet and its exemplary service, the event’s and all visitors’ needs in car rentals.

Accordingly, Saucony company offered beautiful gifts to participants who finished in the top positions in running and swimming.

The event was also supported by Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Arena, Village Cinemas, Demilmar Restaurant Beach Bar and Passagio Santorini Oia.

Santorini Experience could not have been successfully completed without the valuable support of nineteen hospitality sponsors that hosted the people of the event and offered special prices and discounts on their accommodation, raising the total occupancy of accommodation in all parts of the island, the days of the event. Specifically these are: Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Athina Luxury Suites, Santorini Secret Suites & Spa, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Sunday Suites Santorini, Caldera Collection, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, White Pearl Villas, Suites of the Gods Spa Hotel Santorini, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Esperas Santorini, Maistros Village Hotel, Sienna Residencies

After the end of Santorini Experience 2016 Santorini Mayor, Mr. Anastasios Nikolaos Zorzos said: “Santorini Experience has already become a tradition for our island and both locals and visitors embraced with great fervor. The volcanic soil and the energy that our place transmits in conjunction with the sports activity, guarantee a unique life experience. Santorini island offers alternative forms of tourism throughout the year and Santorini Experience proves it. We continue this effort; we support and participate actively so that our island remains in the first preference positions of the visitors. Many thanks to all organizers, sponsors and our volunteers; without them we would not realize this successful event.”

Respectively the President of D.A.P.P.O.S., Mr. Eleftherios Tzouros noted: “The beautiful, magical, unique and endless journey of Santorini Experience continued in 2016 even more dynamically and reminded us that the original idea to borrow the caldera of Santorini so that the participants will test their limits was and remains unique. Santorini Experience 2016 opened the sails and already showed us from its second year its dynamics fully satisfying the objectives we set in the beginning. The joy, the smile and satisfaction on the face of the participants is the energy that we got so that this sports journey will never end. Activities such as the kids’ athletics, the students running and the TaeKwonDo training of students highly demonstrated how interested we are in the sports education and the progress of children of Santorini. I would like to also say a big thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers.”

The event had the honor of the presence of the Greek National Tourism Organization General Secretary, Mr. Dimitrios Tryfonopoulos and the President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, Mr. Dimitrios Diathesopoulos.

The event was assisted by Diana “exoplizein”, Kassimatis Cycling, Science In Sport, Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), IAAF Kids Athletics, Grafistes, Aeromotion Aerial Video Photography, Rivios Thanos Photography, Aegean Divers, National Lifeguards of Santorini, University of Peloponnese – Department of Sports Management Implementation and Lifeguard Patrol.

Santorini Experience in cooperation with the MPASS innovated by presenting the Santorini Experience chatbot!

The event served, directly and reliably via Facebook Messenger, all the participants of the event who needed to have all the necessary information for the top sports tourism event!

Through Santorini Experience Chatbot, participants, when writing their bib number in running were able to receive a message with their time, at the time of their finishing, and were informed on offers that were active during the event, and on individual activities which took place.

Santorini Experience was held with the collaboration between the Municipality of Santorini, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) and Active Media Group.

Official Broadcaster: FOX Sports
Official Sponsors: Alafouzos Sport, Blue Star Ferries, With the Kind Support of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Santorini Boatmen Union
Official Airline Partner: Ryanair
Official Supporters: Ford Motor Hellas, “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Avance Rent A Car, Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Saucony, Arena, Village Cinemas, Santorini Yachting Club, Demilmar Restaurant Beach Bar, Passagio Santorini Oia
Hospitality Sponsors: Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Athina Luxury Suites, Santorini Secret Suites & Spa, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Sunday Suites Santorini, Caldera Collection, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, White Pearl Villas, Suites of the Gods Spa Hotel Santorini, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Esperas Santorini, Maistros Village Hotel, Sienna Residencies
Assisted by: Diana “exoplizein”, Kassimatis Cycling, Science In Sport, Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), IAAF Kids Athletics, Grafistes, Aeromotion Aerial Video Photography, Rivios Thanos Photography, Aegean Divers, National Lifeguards of Santorini, University of Peloponnese – Department of Sports Management Implementation, Lifeguard Patrol, European Lifeguard School

With the Kind Support & Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization

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Image Credit: Vangelis Patsialos
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