Real Madrid in Santorini!

Coinciding with the 10-year birthday of the Acropolis Museum, the inauguration of new exhibition space has been announced; an entire ancient neighborhood has been excavated right below the museum building revealing ancient villas, streets, workshops, and bathhouses.

"For the first time we are able to see how people lived in the shadow of the Acropolis," said Dimitrios Pandermalis, the museum's director pointing towards a gorgeous ancient courtyard and a chamber where aristocrats held symposiums.

Building a €130m museum so close to the Acropolis in an area so rich in archaeology, was a difficult task and the discovery of so many ancient ruins – some of which date back the late classical era– significantly delayed the completion of the museum.

But the 13 years of digging paid off and helped archaeologists learn even more about ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy.

To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian

10 Years Acropolis Museum Celebration

Thursday, 20 June 2019

The archaeological excavation will be open to the public with the general admission fee ticket. The excavated area of 4,000 sq. meters comprises houses, workshops, baths and streets of an ancient Athenian neighborhood that existed from the classical to the Byzantine years, in successive phases. This impressive archaeological site will soon be enriched with the most representative findings of the excavation. Architectural ruins will be organized in a unique exhibition set that sheds light on the everyday life of an ancient neighborhood that existed in the shadow of the Acropolis. On this day the Museum exhibition areas will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

1. Greece is the 3rd largest olive oil producer in the world and the biggest exporter of extra virgin olive oil. Greek extra virgin olive oil is even exported to other oil producing countries such as Italy and Spain.

3. Each Greek person consumes an average of 26 liters of olive oil a year!

4. A mature olive tree will produce 15- 20 kilos of olives each year. It takes about 5 kilos of olives to make a liter of oil; therefore, an olive tree yields 3-4 liters of oil each year.

5. Extra virgin olive oil has a delicious, clean flavor and is produced from the first pressing of the olives without any use of solvents, and in specific temperatures that will not degrade the oil.

6. The fresher the olive oil is, the better it tastes. After about a year, it's best to use the oil for cooking, while keeping the fresher oil for dressing salads and other cold uses.

7. Olive oil has a high content of monounsaturated fats; studies have shown that replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats, can lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

8. It is a proven fact that olive oil helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL).

9. Olive oil is very high in oleic acid, which helps reduce blood pressure and contains several antioxidants such as vitamin E, carotenoids, and oleuropein.

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

2. Astra Inn, Zagori, Epirus

3. Candili Estate, Prokopi, Evia

Located on the underrated island of Evia, this 10,000-acre estate is part has been in the Noel-Baker family since 1832. Nowadays, the granary has been converted into ten bedrooms that overlook a glistening pool. Philip Noel-Baker, the mischievous lord of the manor, encourages kids to pile into his vintage Land Rover for off-road adventures. Meals are great fun at the estate, as everyone gathers around communal tables to exchange stories over Stavroula’s delightful Greek food. The estate can host up to 25 people, making it an excellent option for large family vacations.

4. Verina Suites, Sifnos, Cyclades

It's not easy to find a hotel that appeals to children of all ages; however, Verina Suites on Sifnos island wins the bet and also offers plenty of perks for adults too. Parents can sip homemade lemonade or coctails at the pool while kids can fool around on giant inflatables or play table tennis. Shallow Platis Gialos beach is right across the road, with pedal boats, paddleboards and a lively strip of beachfront tavernas and bars to choose from.

How To Get There: Five hours by ferry or three hours by catamaran from Athens.

5. Little Bird, Lesvos, North Aegean

Every single soothingly simple villa at Little Bird on Lesvos offers unobstructed sea views. Little Bird is a relaxing retreat with shady gardens, cobbled terraces, and an infinity from which you might see monk seals or flamingos. Kids will love the fruit smoothies and home-made custard pies and parents can while away the afternoon tasting Lesvos' most famous products: sardines, olive oil, and ouzo.

How To Get There: Daily flights from Athens (50 minutes) or it’s 11 hours by ferry. Car hire is recommended.

To read the full list of family friendly Greek villas and hotels, please visit: The Guardian

Around 360 B.C., the Greek philosopher Plato recorded the legend of Atlantis, the great civilization swallowed by the sea. For centuries, adventurers and archaeologists have searched in vain for the lost city. But now, an international team of experts has uncovered evidence of a major catastrophe that wiped out a technically advanced and wealthy Mediterranean civilization 3,500 years ago. The Smithsonian Channel details the devastating natural disaster and the cataclysmic events that changed history and inspired a myth.

 Source: The Smithsonian Channel

The number of visitors to museums and archaeological sites in Greece rose by 15% and 8.8% respectively in February, according to data that was published by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), last week.

Regarding museums, during the two first months of 2019, there was a 9.2% increase in visitors, an 8.5 % increase in free admissions, while revenues rose by 17.1%.

In archaeological sites, in February there was an 8.8% increase in visitors, a 20.5% hike in free admissions, and revenues grew by 7.2% compared to the same time last year.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greece-Is

Summer is already here, and those of us with children want to find something fun for our kids to do before and/or after our summer vacation. With schools in Greece being closed until the beginning of September, it is imperative for children and teenagers to have something fun, creative, and adventurous to do during the warm summer months.

We've created a list with summer camps taking place in Athens this summer. If you know of a good summer camp, please send us an email with detailed information at ideas@xpatathens.com.

Are you running a summer camp and want to let everyone know about it? Create an XpatAthens Profile and upload your event today!

Pierce Summer Camp
 
The Summer Camp aims to develop the athletic and artistic skills of children 6-14 years old who want to spend their time creatively after the school year has ended. The children are divided into groups according to their age and knowledge level. The program is primarily in Greek but the English language is also used by the instructors.

When: 5 weeks (June 17 – July 19, 2019)
Time: Monday to Friday (09:00 – 17:00)
Where: The American College of Greece
Price: Prices start at € 325 per child per week
Email: camps@acg.edu

The well-established tradition of the ACS Athens Summer Youth Camp will once again give the opportunity to children (4-14 years old) to experience fun, innovative and engaging activities. These activities are designed to appeal to the participants’ interests, talents, needs, and different personalities. The range of the offered activities has now expanded and is in line with the educational and technological evolution of the new era!

Saronida Summer Camp

This camp was establshed in 1961 in Ekali as the first sports camp in Greece. Because of its long-standing tradition, the small number of children, the specialised personnel, the excellent living conditions and the organised program, the Camp guarantees a high quality level of services, giving it a family character with emphasis on care, safety and entertainment of children.