XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Located in the peaks of the Peloponnese, the unknown mountainous regions of northern Greece and on sun-drenched islands, all of these places to stay have lots of character and are loads of fun for travelers with children.

1. Eumelia, Laconia, Peloponesse

Surrounded by more than a thousand olive trees, Eumelia is a sustainably minded, beautifully designed, biodynamic farm. Here you will find five guest cottages with beamed ceiling and geothermal heating. Activities change with the seasons: grape pressing, olive harvesting, or cooking lessons using organic produce from the farm. Kids can help the owners feed the animals, plant vegetables, and forage for the herbs used in various homemade delicacies.

How To Get There: The closest airport is Kalamata (1¾ hours). It’s a 3½-hour drive from Athens.

2. Astra Inn, Zagori, Epirus

Want to let your kids run amok in the wilderness? Zagori is just the ticket. Epirus, an overlooked mainland region of soaring peaks, steep gorges and rippling streams is slowly getting the attention it deserves thanks to lovely lodges like Astra Inn. Astra Inn is open year-round and consists of six wood and stone cottages and a cozy restaurant. Activities include truffle or mushroom hunting, swimming in rock pools, canyoning, cycling, and rafting.

How To Get There: Daily flights (45 minutes) from Athens to Ioannina, then one hour by car to Megalo Papigo.

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.

How To Get There: Candili Estate is a two hours’ drive from Athens.

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

Tuesday, 18 June 2019 13:49

Eleonas Holiday Houses In Messinia

Eleonas is an exceptional example of an authentic Greek holiday accommodation and offers villas, cottages, apartments and studios clustered on the hillside overlooking the beach of Gialova in the Messinia region of the Peloponnese. It is a family run property that affords its guests with the famous open-handed hospitality of the Greek countryside.

The accommodations are well spread out on extensive grounds, surrounded by olive trees and all built with privacy in mind. A wonderful place for a holiday experience that combines the best in hospitality, unspoilt nature, magnificent landscape, a unique ecosystem, the ultimate climate, and some of the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea!

Tuesday, 18 June 2019 07:00

The Secrets Of The Santorini Volcano

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

Tuesday, 18 June 2019 12:20

Nanos Studios - Parga, Greece

Nanos Studios is an accommodation complex situated in the impressively beautiful town of Parga in northwestern Greece.

Built in 2002 on a hillside, the property offers a breathtaking view of the entire town, the Venetian castle, and the picturesque island of the Virgin Mary.

Nanos Studios is comprised of 14 studios, 3 apartments for 4 or 5 persons, and 1 smaller apartment guest up to 4 persons.

Operating period: May - October

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!

When: Session 1: June 18 - 28 (2 weeks) Session 2: July 1– 5 (1 week)
Time:
Monday to Friday (09:00 – 15:30)
Where:
 ACS Athens
Price:
Prices start at € 495 per child
Email: summeryouthcamp@acs.gr / paterakig@acs.gr

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.

When: Session 1: June 16 - July 7 Session 2: July 8 - July 29 Session 3: July 30 - August 20
Time:
Live in
Where:
 Saronida Summer Camp, Anavissos
Price:
N/A
Email: info@saronidacamp.gr

Summer Camp at the Museum of Cycladic Art

The Museum of Cycladic Art has arranged six five-day terms in June and July that will fascinate the young friends of the Museum and make the summer in the city a creative adventure full of discovery. Packed with interactive guided tours, screenings, storytelling, painting, construction and sculpture crafts, group games and activities, the Museum of Cycladic Art's 'summer camp' is an alternative summer activity for children 5-9 years old.

When: 6 Terms: June 24 - June 28, July 1 - July 05, July 8 - July 12, July 15 - July 19, July 22 - July 26, July 29 - 2 August
Time: Monday to Friday (10.00-13.00)
Where: The Museum of Cycladic Art
Price: N/A
Email: museum@cycladic.gr

Astrocamp | Travelling From Earth To Space

Through experiential workshops, constructions, puzzles and educational games, children will obtain new knowledge about our planet, our sun, our planetary system, and space missions. This magical journey will end with the recognition of constellations and the way they are connected with mythology. The Astrocamp will be conducted in Greek and is suitable for children 8-12 years old.

When: July 1- July 5
Time: N/A
Where: National Observatory | Thissio Visitor Center
Price: N/A
Email: visitorcenter@noa.gr

Stay tuned for more!
Thursday, 13 June 2019 07:00

Oman Air Connects Athens and Muscat

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, recently began its new daily route between Athens and Muscat, on Sunday, June 2.

The flight is the only non-stop service between Greece and Oman and is expected to benefit both business and leisure travelers, as well as the Greek community in Oman.

"Oman has strong bilateral relations with Greece and the introduction of this new flight will certainly help strengthen relations even further," Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Oman Air's Chief Executive Officer, said. "Oman is turning into a very important regional logistics hub with world-class infrastructure and we are sure Greek investors and companies recognize the opportunities here," he added.

Through Oman Air's hub, the new service offers seamless connections to the airline's other destinations.


To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
 
Wednesday, 26 June 2019 12:45

Athens Photo Festival 2019

The Athens Photo Festival, true to its long-standing commitment, will celebrate for one more year photography and contemporary visual culture in Greece.

The Athens Photo Festival 2019 is inaugurated on Thursday, June 13 at the Benaki Museum/Pireos 138. This year’s Festival comprises photographic artwork, videos and installations by 132 emerging and established artists from 30 countries, encouraging artistic, social and political dialogue, as well as experimentation with related media. The Festival’s exhibition program is spread at the two floors of the Benaki Museum, as well as in 10 more venues in Athens.

Α wide range of activities –screenings, educational programs, talks, performances, social networking projects and parallel events– is at the core of this year’s programming, composing a dynamic platform that shows up contemporary photography practice and integration with the cultural community at large.

International experts and photographers are invited from all around the world, rendering the Festival an opportunity for gathering and cooperation of cultural bodies and institutions from different countries, aiming to artistic synergies and exchange.

For the Athens Photo Festival detailed program click HERE

Opening: Thursday, June 13 at 8:30 p.m. – Benaki Museum/Pireos 138
Visiting hours: Thursday & Sunday 10:00-18:00, Friday & Saturday 10:00-22:00
Entrance is free for the opening night.

XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of The Athens Photo Festival

Tuesday, 04 June 2019 12:20

Athens Gardens Festival

Athens Gardens Festival is bringing chamber music into the Athenian gardens.

The festival was born in the gardens of Athens and has been taking place since 2013 in the National Gardens of the city!

This year’s version is a contest between small music ensembles, performed inside the National Garden and on the gardens of the Center of Arts in Eleftherias Park. During the 14th, 15th and 16th of June, the participating music ensembles are going to be presented in the National Garden (morning) and the Center of Arts (evening) Melodies from the worldwide anthology of the classical, romantic, impressionistic, modern and neoclassical music are going to be played.

Athens Gardens Festival 2019 is co-hosted by the Athens Art Network and the Organization of Culture, Sports and Youth of the municipality of Athens.





XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of The Athens Garden Festival


The anticipated launch of Shedia Home was announced last week. Shedia Home is run by the publishers of the Shedia street magazine which is sold on the streets by certified vendors from vulnerable social groups, guaranteeing them a decent income.

“It’s funny how a cliche can have such resonance, but it does. We’re open and we’re waiting for you!”

Shedia Home is a space that aims to become a hub of social innovation and to offer support to vulnerable residents of the Greek capital.

Located on the corner of Kolokotroni & Nikiou streets in the historic center, Shedia Home is an inspirational initiative and already one of the coolest spots in Athens. It is a multifunctional space, spread across its 4 floors you will find an art workshop, an exhibition hall, a store, a cafe-bar, and a restaurant. Awarded chef Lefteris Lazarou has designed a delicious menu while his associate Yiannis Yfantidis spent several months training the team of Shedia members on how to prepare the dishes perfectly.

Almost 30 people, many of whom were left homeless and without work at some point in their lives will be employed at Shedia Home. The objective, says Christos Alefantis, the magazine’s editor in chief, is to “energize, empower, train and create job opportunities for the poorest of the poor of this country.”

The primary donor for this great initiative is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, alongside Tima Foundation, Visa Hellas, and Caritas.


To read this article in full, please visit: e-kathimerini.com

Page 179 of 436