From exploring Athens' cultural landmarks or wandering the orange tree-lined streets of its cool neighborhoods to experiencing the diverse culinary and cocktail scene, these are the reasons Athens has seen a record number of tourists in the last year. If you're so lucky to call Athens home, then the below suggestions are perhaps something to explore again, but if you are visiting this bustling Mediterranean city for the first time, then please read on for an ideal way on how to spend 36 hours in Athens. From the New York Times...

"There are cities that count their age by years; then there’s Athens, which can tabulate its history by millenniums. From battles and setbacks this ancient metropolis has rebounded again and again, proving itself to be resilient like no other. Sitting on a parfait of civilizations, the Greek capital could easily float on its past glories."

"Sitting on a parfait of civilizations, the Greek capital could easily float on its past glories. But recent additions like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center prove that this city in the heart of the Mediterranean isn’t afraid to raise new monuments and leave a bold statement for posterity."

To read 36 Hours in Athens, please visit: The New York Times

Athens is a European historical city and a great Tango Destination, famous for the advanced level of tango dancers!

Athens Tango Marathon is for tangueros and tangueras who want to dance with great partners, in amazing tango-venues, with well-selected tandas by international star djs.

As always, we try to keep high-level standards with a dream team of International DJs.

At the moment, Athens Tango Marathon is considered as one of the best organized international tango marathons in Europe and you are welcome to discover why!

A well-experienced line up of TDJs, many dancers from all over the world and special guests will be among us just to make this marathon dreamy.

Meet the well known Greek culture and hospitality!

Be part of our wonderful Athens Tango Marathon!

Enjoy a lot of priceless fun and much more!

Do not lose time, register yourself, exploit the early-bird prices and book your  ticket TODAY!

See you on the dance floor!

Entry for 2 days is 15 euro, while for 1 day 10 Euro. Yoga classes for children are free of charge.

Combining some of our fall favorites, pumpkin and feta cheese, this savory pie will be a hit with all your family and friends. This healthy recipe is from Olive Tomato is rich in vitamin A, potassium, and carotenoids. We hope you enjoy!

Serves: 4-6
Difficulty: Easy
Cooks in: 1 hour

Ingredients

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All is fine - it's just the Greek military testing the sirens. According to a local news source, Greek soldiers will be taking part in the annual Parmenion military and civil defense exercise of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff on Tuesday October 9th, 2018 from 11:00 am to 11:05 am.

As part of this exercise, air raid sirens will be heard across Greece every 60 seconds between the timeframe specified.

The military exercise, named after Parmenion – a general in the army of the ancient Macedonian warrior king Alexander the Great and of his father Philip II – will be held throughout the country and will end on Friday.

News source: Ekathimerini

From questioning who exactly is Homer to how women were viewed in society, these 6 things you (probably) didn't know about the Ancient Greeks are sure to rouse your curiosity. Paul Chrystal, author of The Ancient Greeks in 100 Facts, shares his wisdom with BBC History.

Who was Homer? Controversay ensues whether or not Homer existed as a single, real, and identifiable poet. Nineteen different places, including Athens and Chios, claim Homer as their son, however the ancient city of Smyrna may have the most believable claim.

"Blood ‘clogging up the venous system’ in the breasts signified that the woman was going mad – a physiological ‘explanation’ for the age-old stereotype that women are naturally neurotic, erratic and unpredictable. Menstruation as a purging agent was, then, considered a good thing."

"We know that in Delphi, Gortyn, Thessaly, Megara and Sparta, women were allowed to own land but, generally speaking, women had no legal or political status. Sparta, however, was another world; women played a vital role in keeping the Spartan war machine well-oiled and efficient. Generally, they enjoyed status, power, and respect that was unheard of in other parts of ancient Greece."

To read this article in full, please visit: History Extra

“Santorini Experience” is approaching, as in October 5-7, the thrilling running and swimming races will take place for the 4^th consecutive year in Santorini, the world-famous tourist destination of unparalleled beauty.

Santorini Experience will attract once again the public interest, where both professional and amateur athletes will participate in running and open water swimming races. The running races will take place on Saturday October 6, 2018 and the open water swimming with the breathtaking view of the island on Sunday October 7, 2018.

In particular, on Saturday 06/10, the races of 15 km and 10 km will start at 08:15 am, while the 5 km “Aristides Alafouzos” race will start at 11:00 am. All races have as a starting point the desalination plant located in Oia.

On Sunday 07/10, action will be transferred in the old port of Fira. The swimmers will feel the intense atmosphere of the volcano with the imposing view of the island in front of them. The starting point of the unique Open Water Swimming by Vikos will be the volcano and the race will finish in the old port of Fira. The race will start at 10:00 am and the route is 1.5 miles (2.4 km).

The swimming race is always implemented with absolute safety, with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and following the FINA regulations. Attila Manyoki, the prestigious Hungarian swimmer, who excels in open water races and is a member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is going to take part in the swimming race once again. The British two times silver Olympic medalist, Jazz Carlin, will also join Attila Manyoki in the swimming race, providing extra value in the event. In addition, it is worth to highlight the participation of the twin Greek expatriates racing with the colors of the national team of Netherlands, George and Timos Skotadis.

Watch an impressive video of the Open Water Swimming by Vikos HERE!   

In terms of the social events, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) will host an open concert with C:Real, in the surrounding area of the Indoor Hall DAPPOS, on Saturday October 6, at 20:00 pm. At 19:15 pm the International Dancing Group of Santorini “Stamatina Xiarchou” & Association of Pontians Eptamyloi Serres “Akrites” will open the concert.

More information about the schedule HERE!

On Friday, October 5, at 12.00 pm on the occasion of Santorini Experience, Samsung (as the official technology partner), in cooperation with the local Kotsovolos store, will organize the event “Kotsovolos and Samsung present the Hotel of the Future” at the conference hall of DAPPOS informing the island’s hoteliers of all the latest developments and the benefits of technology in their industry.

From now on, registrations can only be made at the store of events’ official sponsor, Alafouzos Sport, in Fira. Particularly, from Thursday 4/10 to Saturday 6/10, participants can receive their racing kits and registration numbers from Alafouzos Sport store (open hours: 09:00 – 21:00). Otherwise, runners and swimmers can receive their registration numbers one hour before the start of their race from the starting point of their races, on Saturday 6 October and on Sunday 7 October respectively.

Innovation is part of our event and this is proven by our new promising partnership.

Luanvi, the leading company in the sportswear industry in Spain, with more than 35 years of history and a great number of partnerships with professional teams from all team sports, is also the official sponsor of the Spanish Paralympic team and Spanish Tennis Federation.

Luanvi excels in the area of running, providing technical shirts and high quality sportswear at almost 40 competitions per year (indicative of this is the company’s exclusive partnership with Valencia Marathon). The Spanish sportswear manufacturer will cooperate for the first time with Santorini Experience. As the event’s official sports supplier, Luanvi will offer an extremely innovative sports T-shirt to all participants.

DNA Travel, as the official transport partner of the event, with a view to facilitate the transportation of all athletes and running participants to Oia and swimming participants to the old port of Fira, will implement the routes below:

On Saturday, October 6, two routes will be put into practice. The boarding point of the first route will be the Church of Timios Stavros, in Perissa, at 05:45 am with one stop in Fira (opposite to the old health center) at 06:30 am and final destination the desalination plant (Oia). The second route will start at 07:45 from Perissa (Church of Timios Stavros), with one stop in Fira (opposite to the old health center) at 08:30 am and the same final destination. When it comes to the participants return, another route has been scheduled at 12:30 pm from Oia to Fira and Perissa.

In addition, on Sunday, October 7, the participants of the open water swimming race will be transferred from the Church of Timios Stavros, Perissa at 08:00 am to the starting point of the race in the old port of Fira. The transportation of swimmers from the old port of Fira to the volcano will start at 09:30 am. DNA Travel has arranged another route at 14:00 pm from Fira (opposite to the old health center) to Athinios port (the main port of Thira). 

Discounts and exclusive packages for the event can be seen HERE!

Samsung is the official technology partner of the event. Ryanair is the official airline partner. Official sponsors are for one more year, Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites and Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa. Official Supporters are Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Boatmen Union Santorini and Avance Rent A Car. DNA Travel is the official transport partner and National Geographic the Strategic Partner.

 “Santorini Experience” is a co-organization of Municipality of Santorini, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) and Active Media Group. The event is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and approved by the Hellenic Swimming Federation.

More info at  www.santorini-experience.com

Official Technology Partner: Samsung

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair

Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi

Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa

Official Supporters: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Boatmen Union Santorini, Avance Rent A Car

Official Transport Partner: DNA Travel

Strategic Partner: National Geographic

Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club, Santorini Nautical Club, Department of Sports Organization & Management from University of Peloponnese

Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini, Casa Iphigenia, Loizos Stylish Residencies

Official travel agent: VitaNTravel

Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

Photo credit: Elias Lefas

Constructed in the late 19th century, specifically from 1880 to 1893, the Corinth Canal is one of Greece's most important accomplishments in engineering. Before it was built, ships wanting to cross the Adriatic or go to Corinth had to circle the Peloponnese, which added an additional 185 miles to the journey.

In the video below from Humans at Sea, we learn 10 interesting facts about this amazing engineering feat. Like the fact that it's only 6.3 kilometers in length, or 3.9 miles long!