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A joint Greek-American expedition announced that they have just discovered 22 shipwrecks around the Fourni archipelago, one of the largest collections of shipwrecks in one single place. A find that is being described as one of the biggest discoveries of 2015!

The newfound wrecks include cargo that dates from the Archaic Period (700 to 480 B.C.) up to the 16th century. The expedition team says the finds could change the way historians think about ancient Greek trade. For example, some of the amphorae styles found around the wrecks have never been seen before on the seafloor.

The Fourni archipelago is a small group of islands, islets and reefs that lies in the northeastern Aegean Sea, in the triangle formed by the islands of Ikaria, Samos and Patmos. The region sits in the middle of a shipping channel that is believed to have been an important maritime corridor during antiquity. Though the archipelago itself wasn’t a destination for traders, it did become the final resting place for plenty of ships buffeted by sudden southern storms as they made their way from Greece to Cyprus and Egypt.

This is the first time that an underwater archaeological expedition was organized around these islands. Archaeologists from the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and RPM Nautical Foundation worked together with local sponge divers, fishermen, and free divers. Funding for the expedition was provided by the Honor Frost Foundation, a UK charity that supports research in the eastern Mediterranean through an endowment from pioneer maritime archaeologist Honor Frost.

 
Monday, 23 September 2019 07:00

Michelin-Starred Restaurants In Athens

The Michelin Guide has been in publication for over a century! The Michelin Guide is the oldest European hotel and restaurant reference guide, so a Michelin star (or stars) of excellence is something that only a few of the very best and notable establishments receive. Here are some of the exceptional restaurants in Athens that have been awarded by Michelin:

Hytra
Take the express lift up to the 6th floor of the striking Onassis Cultural Centre; here you'll find a sultry restaurant looking out over Syngrou. Classic Greek recipes are executed in a refined modern manner - for something a little different try the cocktail pairings. They also offer a bistro menu at the bar.
 
Cuisine: Modern
Michelin Stars: One
Address: 6th Floor, Onassis Cultural Centre, 107-109 Syngrou Ave, 11745, Athens
Telephone: 210 3316 767

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart

Spondi
A discreet, intimate restaurant with two delightful courtyards and two charming dining rooms - one built from reclaimed bricks in the style of a vaulted cellar. Top quality seasonal ingredients are used in imaginative, deftly executed, stunningly presented modern French dishes. Greek, French and Italian wines feature on an impressive list.
 
Cuisine: French
Michelin Stars: Two
Address: 5 Pyronos, Varnava Square, Pangrati,  Athens
Telephone: 210 7564021

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart

Varoulko Seaside
Varoulko sits in a great spot in Mikrolimano Marina - the chef's old neighbourhood. Watch the yachts glide by from the maritime-themed dining room which opens onto the water. Greek and Mediterranean dishes showcase organic vegetables, Cretan olive oil and the freshest seafood; squid and octopus feature highly.

Cuisine: Fish and seafood
Michelin Stars: One
Address: Akti Koumoundourou 52, Mikrolimano, Piraeus
Telephone: 210 5228400

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart

Botrini's
A keenly run, ultra-modern restaurant away from the centre of the city; sit in the main room with its view of the chefs at work. Creative, characterful, flavour-packed dishes showcase the owner-chef's Greek-Italian heritage. He hails from Corfu and ingredients from the island are well used..
 
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Michelin Stars: One
Address: 24b Vasileos Georgiou, 10435, Chalandri
Telephone: 210 6857323

Price Point: $$$$
Dress Code: Smart
 
Source: www.guide.michelin.com


Click here for additional restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide.
Tuesday, 26 July 2016 07:00

Top 10 Things To Do In Mykonos

Travel blogger and author Rebecca Hall takes us on journey through Mykonos and shares her top 10 things to do while visiting this picturesque island!

1. Visit Delos, the Birthplace of Apollo

No trip to Mykonos is complete without a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, located 20 minutes away by small ferry. Ancient Greek mythology tells us that Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, the children of Zeus conceived through his affair with Leto. Delos was a safe haven for Leto to give birth, away from the jealousy of Zeus’ wife. Whether you’re a fan of Greek mythology or not, wandering through the ancient ruins on Delos helps you realize the importance of this island and Greek gods — it was constructed solely as a testament to the gods.

2. Explore the Quiet Town of Ano Mera

Ano Mera — the only other “town” on Mykonos — is an approximate five-mile or 15-minute taxi ride from Mykonos Town. It’s not particularly well-known to tourists as it lacks a sea view, yet is well worth visiting for its 18th-century Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. The monastery’s architectural splendor includes intricate marble carvings and a massive Italian baroque altar screen.

3. Escape the Crowds at Agios Sostis Beach

You can find secluded beaches on Mykonos if you know where to look. Head to the north coast of the island for Agios Sostis Beach, overlooked by Agios Sostis Chapel. The 250 meters of unspoiled sand is free of crowds and luxuries such as beach chairs and umbrellas. You’ll find that locals come here to swim.

4. Go Sea Kayaking

Spend your time paddling in the Aegean waters. You’ll have the perfect opportunity to spot dolphins, monk seals, Mediterranean shags and gulls. You can also snorkel in the clear water and eat a simple, yet delicious lunch on a remote beach. Previous experience of kayaking is not necessary, but a reasonable level of fitness is required. Perfect for families and all age groups.

5. Wine Tasting at Mykonos Vioma Farm

For those wishing to taste Mykonian wine, a trip to the old monastery vineyard at Mykonos Vioma farm in the village of Ano Mera is a must-do. Sample the organic red and white wines served with meze dishes specific to Mykonos, such as spicy Kopanisti cheese and traditional pork sausage. Sample salads made from herbs and vegetables picked right from the farm and fresh eggs from their chickens. Talk about farm to table.

To view the full list of Rebecca's suggestions, please visit: Onboard
According to TripAdvisor's 2018 Traveler's Choice Awards, the Acropolis was listed as the 6th best museum in the world. TripAdvisor gave a brief description of the Acropolis, saying, "The brand new building is as stunning as the treasures it houses. A clear glass walkway reveals the ruins and current excavations...”

The Acropolis Museum opened to the public in 2009 and has since welcomed thousands of visitors and won numerous awards. The museum covers about 14,000 square meters of space and is home to nearly 4,000 objects.

Also featured in the top spots for the top 25 museums in the world include the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in NYC, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, and The British Museum in London.
Friday, 01 March 2019 15:03

5 Years Of Impact - Impact Hub Athens

Impact Hub Athens 2013 - 2018.
We are counting 5 years of positive social impact and we keep going!
#5YearsOfImpact

 
It was the summer of 2013, when Impact Hub Athens opened its doors on Karaiskaki Street in Psyrri. Our aim is to create a dynamic community of individuals and organizations that through business actions could have a positive social impact both in Greece and abroad through the global network of the Impact Hub. Since then, ideas such as "social entrepreneurship" and "social innovation" have sounded loud and the pursuit of positive social impact has entered the central social and political dialogue. And on that, we also contributed.

By establishing a collaborative space that has already hosted 700 members, we have satisfied the conditions for creative people to meet, connect, collaborate, co-create. Impact Hub Athens has been the starting point for about 200 socially oriented business initiatives that have been supported and have taken their first steps, while at the same time Impact Hub has acted as an incubator and as accelerator for 100 emerging social businesses. Moreover, through our actions, more than 600,000 € has been invested in social enterprises and 150 new jobs have been created.

The people we met all these years helped us shape our stigma while the moments that designated us are many and difficult to record. But if we wanted to distinguish some points, the following would be:

- The social economy exhibitions (1st & 2nd EXPO Κ.AL.Ο. November 2017, November 2018) organized together with the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Social Solidarity, giving a substantial impetus to the cooperation and dialogue between the members of the Greek ecosystem of social entrepreneurship.

- The assignment of the management of the Kypseli Municipal Market, which came as a recognition of our experience in the development of active groups, the re-use of spaces, the positive imprint in the neighborhood we are participating in. In the Agora, with the main pillars of culture, education and, of course, social entrepreneurship, we promote social cohesion and citizen participation, and we have helped more than 200 vulnerable social groups.

- Collaboration with institutions such as Robert & Bosch and MitOst regarding the Kypseli Municipal Market which resulted in organizing the Cine-Mageiremata and the Super Kypseli, and will soon be developed into independent organizations. Also, the cooperation with WWF to implement programs that link entrepreneurship with environmental protection, and with Allianz to promote the social inclusion of children and young people. Furthermore, with the Onassis Stegi Foundation and the US Embassy in Athens for the program "Hack The Camp", which became thespringboard for creating new foundations in the lives of young refugees and the occasion to design new programs.

- The major European programs we participate in are dealing with serious social problems. One of them, HYDROUSA, provides innovative cyclical economy solutions for water management in the islands.

- The Kypseli Music - a program for children and young people using El Sistema's global methodology and music as a tool for social inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable social groups.

- And, of course, a top distinction: The IVLP Alumni Social Innovation & Change Award, awarded for the collective work of Impact Hub Athens, during the global meeting of Global Ties U.S. 2018 in Washington DC.

Having completed 5 impactful years, we welcome the “new era”. Anyone who is currently entering the Impact Hub Athens building and meeting the social entrepreneurs who have their office there, anyone who attends the events that take place here and participates in our actions, will acquire a very good preview of the modern and the dynamic that is currently happening in Greece, and will be in direct dialogue with the respective foreign communities.

And now, it is the moment, Impact Hub Athens community, that first talked about social entrepreneurship, to discuss,- with researchers from leading universities, creative professionals and actors from all over the world - what will determine the evolution of the social ecosystem in the next 5 years. It is the time to design along with the growing domestic community the guidelines for the next steps to maximize the positive social impact, the steps that will further affect social changes and will lead us over the upcoming 5 years.

On 28, 29 and 30 March 2019, during the # 5yearsofimpact, which will take place at Impact Hub Athens and the Kypseli Municipal Market, we will discuss what is currently occuring and will be crucial to us in the years to come in the areas of social innovation , urbanism, activism, technology and the cyclical economy.

What is emerging? Why is social innovation and entrepreneurship vital for the following 5 years? Where do we need to devote our potential and what are the most effective tools to contribute to positive change? Soon we will discover it together!


XpatAthens - Proud Media Sponsor 



Monday, 09 March 2020 07:00

When To Watch The Supermoon In Greece

The second out of the 4 supermoons of 2020 is expected tonight. Its elliptical orbit will bring the Moon closer to the Earth; tonight at 19:48, the full Moon will appear larger and brighter than it usually does. Compared to an average full Moon, supermoons are 7% larger and 15% brighter.
 
The next supermoon will be on April 8. Native Americans called the March full moon, 'worm moon,' because in March, the soil begins to soften causing earthworms to resurface.
 
The Moon follows an elliptical orbit, and so its distance from the Earth is not fixed. The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is 384.400 kilometers. However, this distance increases by approximately 5% at the apogee and decreases by around 5% at the perigee.
 
It is worth noting that the word supermoon is not a scientific term, but a name probably devised by astrologers.


Originally posted on newsbeast.gr.
Translated by XpatAthens.
Did you know that hydration levels affect your energy, stress levels, and overall mood? Water is your body's principal chemical component, making up about 60 % of your total body weight. Our body depends on water to survive; in fact, every cell, tissue, and organ needs water to work correctly.

Water gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements; it regulates our temperature, lubricates joints, and protects sensitive tissues.

To reap all the benefits that water has to offer you, here are some tips to help you stay hydrated throughout the day, every day:

1. Keep a bottle on hand
 
Weave water into your daily routine; keep a large bottle of water with you when running errands or taking your kids to extracurricular activities. Try to make water and intuitive staple ibn your daily routine.

2. Add a dash of fresh lemon

Stay hydrated all day by dring a glass of water, followed by a warm lemon water glass. Try not to drink coffee before having at least one full glass of water. 

3. Eat water-filled produce

Try to eat fresh produce with high water content such as watermelon and cucumber. Follow through with this habit during the winter months, and your hydration levels will go up, and your skin will look radiant and refreshed too!

4. Download an App

There are various hydration reminder apps out there, so choose what suits you best and start fueling your body with water. Push notifications are also handy when the day begins to get busy.

5. Make fruit-infused water

If water tastes too bland to encourage you to dring more often, try cutting up fruit and adding it to pitchers of water. Berries, pineapple, basil, lime, and ginger are perfectingredients to add a refreshing flavor to water.

How Much Water Do We Need To Drink Every Day?

Every day we lose water through breathing, sweating, urinating, and passing bowel movements. For our body to function correctly, we must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and water-filled foods.

So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? According to experts, adequate daily fluid intake is:

  • About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men
  • About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women

These recommendations include fluids from water, other beverages, and food. About 20% of total fluid intake usually comes from food while the rest comes from drinks.


This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

Athenians have always poured their pain into poetry, painting, and music. Thus, Greece’s well-documented economic woes fuelled a fertile decade of unprecedented cultural growth in its capital city.
 
Art moved out of buildings and into public spaces: from the grandest galleries and boxed-in museums; to pop-up exhibitions in disused shops, alternative culture hubs, and politically charged spray paint on neighborhood walls. In this bumper final episode, Sofka Zinovieff sets her sights on unpacking Athens’ wildly varied arts scene—and on untangling the fascinating marriage of big money and the arts. We’ll go in search of the boldest buskers and street murals, and hear how the great rivalry between two famous shipping tycoons transformed the city’s cultural landscape. (Clue: it involves an opera legend and former first lady).

Bestselling writer and former anthropologist, Sofka Zinovieff, embarks on a quest to uncover the true essence of her adopted home, in all its layers and mysteries. Discover how Athenians feel about their own architecture, how tragedy and trauma have flavored the city’s cuisine, why Athens has always been a “15-minute city”, and much, much more.


Listen To Episode 8 HERE

Produced by Pod.gr, for This is Athens, tune in each fortnight and get ready to capture the seductive soul of Athens!
 
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.
Is embracing a healthier lifestyle one of your New Year Resolutions? If not, then it should be! A healthy way of living not only can provide you with a higher quality of life, as well as more confidence and joy, but it can also prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses.

If you're wondering where to start, here are 5 tips on how to lead a healthier lifestyle, according to Ancient Greeks!

1. Eat meals in social settings & gatherings 

If you've ever been to Greece, you probably know that Greek meals are very communal, and it's only natural to witness large groups of people coming together to enjoy their favorite Greek dishes. This was the case in antiquity too, when dinner was almost always a social affair. Ancient Greeks used to dine with their friends, and after their meal, they would hold a banquet, known as a symposium, that involved drinking, dancing, recitals, and conversation. Engaging in intriguing conversations during their dinner would help them eat less and slowly, thus preventing indigestion.

2. Drink wine 

The ancient Greeks thought that wine was essential to good health, and they would accompany every meal with a glass of wine, often watered down to encourage moderation. Indeed, red wine is rich in phytonutrients that offer a variety of cardiovascular and cognitive benefits. According to studies, moderate wine consumption can reduce inflammation in the brain and help it clear away toxins, including those associated with various brain illnesses.

3. Embrace a healthy diet 

You are probably aware of the famous saying: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well, according to Hippocrates, this is completely true. The Father of Medicine famously wrote: “Let thy food be thy medicine", to emphasize the importance of nutrition to prevent or cure a disease. A healthy diet, as the Ancient Greeks perceived it, would include a variety of foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as fish, legumes, and poultry, whole-grain products, and healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, and seeds.

4. Engage in physical activity

Ancient Greeks used to say: "A healthy mind in a healthy body." They believed that our mind and our body are directly linked, so, to maintain a healthy mind, it is essential to maintain a healthy body, and vice versa. Physical fitness is particularly beneficial since it helps maintain a healthy body by regulating the blood flow, increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, keeping organs active, and eliminating toxins.

5. Pay attention to your dreams

When Freud proposed his psychodynamic theory a century ago, he emphasized the importance of dreams. However, thousands of years before, Ancient Greeks had highlighted that dreams can indicate the overall state of one's health. Hippocrates analyzed dreams to help make diagnoses, while, according to Galen, dreams could reveal specific problems someone could be suffering from.
The Acropolis of Athens has become accessible to the visually impaired through a route inaugurated on Thursday, November 24, that combines models of monuments, haptic feedback points, and signs in Greek and English Braille.

During the inauguration, Culture & Sports Minister Lina Mendoni noted that “equal access to cultural goods is a goal, an objective and a bet for the ministry and its services.

The haptic course features 12 stops and 4 information points, with signs in Greek and English Braille and a tactile 3D model of the archaeological site of the Acropolis, also with Braille notation in Greek and English.

Accompanying the visit are guides in large print and in Braille in six languages, among several more types of aid, while guards on the site have been trained to assist visually impaired people with the available tools.

In addition, an app for Android and IOS cellphones is also available through the Ephorate of the City of Athens.

The special route for the blind was implemented in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens and the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece organization, with the support and sponsorship of the Onassis Foundation.

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


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