The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) - E-learning Programme of its Center of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning addresses the international public through the universal language of culture. Perceived as an inherent part of their mission, they have set out an extrovert effort to introduce fascinating facets of Greece to the world. And this, by deploying the distinguishable and longstanding features of its cultural heritage, as well as via the contemporary identity shaped in country’s everyday life.

 

YouGoCulture, an initiative of the E-Learning Programme of the NKUA, constitutes an innovative and unique attempt to promote Greek culture in an extrovert manner and on two levels: on the one hand it shall showcase the country's priceless cultural heritage and on the other, familiarize the international public with aspects of the Greek society of today.

Balancing learning and entertainment in a promising and technologically updated way, this interactive online platform offers unique and individualized experiences regarding Greece's great history and the uniqueness of the cultural flourishing of its regions (including the broader south-eastern Mediterranean).

YouGoCulture offers exceptional Virtual Tours of certain “sites” of the longstanding culture of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. YouGoCulture is an integrated environment of images and information, but also of consolidated popular knowledge. The platform records points of global interest and offers access to them by familiarizing the world with the achievements of civilizations that constituted the cradle of the evolution and the values of the modern world as we know it.

Each destination is presented on the basis of its important cultural heritage (the “Myth”) and its contemporary life (the “Experience”). Points of Interest (POIs) are identified, having as reference marks the archaeological sites and other spots of cultural significance, based on the rationale of consolidated documentation of each destination, providing the history and the contemporary life, through the production of original audiovisual material, accompanied by informative text.

The vision of the people behind this project started as the need to utilize the competitive advantages of the Greek environment, while it was founded upon the experience and high level of specialization of the academic staff of the UoA, and hopefully of others, who are also embracing the effort.

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When it comes to shopping in Athens, there's something for everyone. Whether you are looking for big name brands, Greek names, or second-hand shops, Discover Greece tells us where to go, what to look for, and much more!

Amongst the great high streets of the city pedestrianized Ermou is definitely the one that stands out with an abundance of shops belonging to well-known clothes franchises, as well as historic Greek businesses. The bottom end of Ermou is Monastiraki. Don’t miss out on a walk in its flee market. There you will find clothes, shoes, accessories, leather goods and the world famous Greek leather sandals. On Sundays, there’s a bazaar with collector’s items such as books, old coins, vinyl records and antique furniture. Also, take the opportunity to walk around the gorgeous picturesque antique shops of the street.

Walk in the opposite direction away from Ermou and you’ll find Kolonaki, one of the most salubrious neighbourhoods of Athens. No wonder the biggest fashion designer studios have gravitated there, specifically on Voukourestiou street.

To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece

According to a survey released by GBR Consulting, occupancy rates for hotels in Greece are expected to rise at least 2 percent and 70 percent of Greek hoteliers estimate that room rates will improve by 2 percent.

Resort proprietors are expressing even greater optimism with 71 percent estimating occupancy levels will increase by more than two percent and 78 percent foreseeing price improvement of two percent and more.

According to the study, the positive momentum in terms of revenue will continue into 2018. Athens recorded improved figures compared to Rome, which marked a 0.6 percent rise over the year but behind Madrid, which saw an 18.4 percent increase in 2017.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Explore how Carnivals are celebrated in Greece and all the traditions that come along with them!

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The big day for all meat lovers is almost here! Tsiknopempti is right around the corner and now is the time to stock up with all the necessary meats, vegetables, salad dressings, sodas and beverages you will need for one of the most important days devoted to BBQ in Greece (after Easter of course…).

Do you need to get all of your supplies fast, hassle-free and delivered to your doorstep? 

Don't worry, it's easy! Open your laptop or tablet and log onto www.e-fresh.gr.

e-Fresh.gr is the best online supermarket that delivers your groceries within hours to the whole of Attica from 7am to 11pm on weekdays and Saturdays. The minimum value of your order must be 25€ or more, and you can by cash, POS, credit cards, even PayPal. You choose the day and time of delivery and the people of e-Fresh.gr will take it from there.

So what will need for Tsiknopempti?

At e-Fresh.gr you’ll find a big selection of fresh or frozen meats of all kinds, sausages and more traditional selections. You can search for the best side dishes for your meat feast like Freskoulis salads and of course a huge selection of salad dressings. There is also an impressive variety of beer and soda, as well as wine and snacks.

So, forget about the hassle of running to a supermarket. Get on e-Fresh.gr, create your account, shop from the comfort of your own home, and get that BBQ grill fired up!

Romantic holiday or not, who wouldn't want to find a secret cove or a hidden beach where all you will find is yourself and the sea? Luckily in Greece, there are plenty of islands to find a secluded paradise and Greek City Times is here to help! Below is a list of 6 secret beaches in Greece you will definitely fall in love with.

Ithaca, the destination of Odysseus and the symbolic end of his adventures, is one of the greatest islands of the Ionian Sea, with so many reasons to visit it! Afales beach is one of the most charming ones and totally secluded.

Ikaria is an island known for its wild beauty, but most importantly, known for its population’s longevity. One of the most magnificent beaches is Seychelles, with bright white and grey pebbles, blue- turquoise water, surrounded by cove scenery. Seychelles is located approximately 25 kilometers from Agios Kirikos, near the village Manganitis.

The island of Antipaxos is a small one near the well known Paxoi. The truth is that during the last years Antipaxos is becoming popular and due to its small size and easy access from Paxoi, it is often crowded. Nevertheless, Voutoumi beach tends to differentiate. It’s a quiet and hidden part, which you can access by a pathway.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek City Times

Because of the recent super (and very full) moon, Nafplio residents discovered a new beach in front of Nea Kios village. The full moon caused a low tide, moving the water dozens of meters back.

This unusual low tide was particularly impressive because of its wide extent. The phenomenon is repeated twice a day due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and the sun on Earth, as well as the rotation of the celestial bodies.

 

Source: Greek Reporter

The idea to open a traditional Cretan kafeneio came about when two childhood friends, Yioula Svyrinaki and Michalis Psomadakis, moved to Athens in 2012. They were both working day jobs, Yioula at a deli and Michalis in construction, when they started developing their plans to open To Laini, a kafeneio (a cafe that also serves food) specializing in Cretan cuisine. Culinary Backstreets shares their story and how To Laini came to be in March 2017.

They wanted something "small, cheap, welcoming, serving great tsikoudia and good food." Their space is just that – it’s quite small, with no more than ten tables in total and a bar. Their open “kitchen” behind the bar consists of a couple of electric stoves, a camping gas canister and a portable little oven. When we first saw it, we wondered how they managed. But when there’s a will – and we would add, a love for food – there’s a way.

Their guiding philosophy is to offer dishes made with high-quality products, cooked with love and at a low price point. Everything they serve, both food and drink, comes from Crete, either from family members there or other small producers they personally know and work with. Luckily, the main distributor delivering food products from different parts of Greece to Athens is nearby.

To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets

Photo Source: Culinary Backstreets

The move started a few weeks ago and after three long years of preparations, the hundreds of thousands of books and other items in the Greek National Library‘s collections are finally making the journey to their new home at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

The move is expected to be completed in April 2018, when the library will gradually start to go into full operation.

The transfer to the new building entails moving 750,000 items in the general collection and 40,000 in the lending section (10,000 of which are educational games), as well as 30,000 magazines published in the last five years.

"Within its new premises, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the entrance to the Library leads into a large open lobby that provides an immediate visual orientation to all the organization’s functions. The NLG Public Library Section, bolstered by a significant book collection and other media, will include separate areas for adults, teenagers, and children and will offer a wide range of educational and cultural programs. The natural light available throughout the National Library will help create an open hospitable environment for individual and collaborative learning. Events and seminars will be hosted for both children and adults, and classes will incorporate natural learning opportunities originating from collaborative programs at the Stavros Niarchos Park as well."

For more information about the National Library of Greece, please visit: SNFCC

Source: Protothema

Greece is reputed to have over 250 days of sunshine with warm temperatures in the summer and lovely mild temperatures throughout the rest of the year. But have you ever wondered exactly why temperatures can reach even 20 degrees Celsius during the peak of winter in Greece? It’s because of what the Greeks call ‘Alkyonides Meres’ or the Alkyonides Days! Today, the phrase ‘halcyon days’ has a literal meaning of calm, peaceful days, and here’s why…

The Alkyonides Days take place from December 15 to February 15 each year, and most often between January 16-31. During this time, the days typically have intense sunshine, with no clouds or wind and heightened temperatures for the season.

What's in the name?

 Alkyonides Days are named after the bird Alcyone (or halcyon/kingfisher birds), which lays its eggs during this time of year in the cracks of sea rocks. The allegorical meaning is of the homonymous star Alcyone in the Pleiades cluster (which bears the name of the bird). During this period, the star Alcyone culminates during the evening hours and therefore during the cloudless nights in January, the star is visible to the cluster of the Pleiades in the highest area of the celestial dome. As a result of this simple natural event, all the consecutive days that the Alcyone star is visible were naturally called ‘Alkyonides’.

Alkyonides Days From A Scientific Point Of View

From a meteorological point of view, the Alkyonides Days are created as a result of the latitude of Greece during these days of the winter, heightened barometric pressure, combined with no wind, cool temperatures, and intense sunshine.

The Myth Behind The Alkyonides Days

 

There are several myths surrounding the phenomenon of the Alkyonides Days, the most common of which is the story of Alcyone, daughter of Aeolus, the Greek god of the wind. Alcyone was the devoted wife of Ceyx, King of Thessaly in central Greece. Ceyx ruled his kingdom with justice and in peace. Alcyone and Ceyx were admired by gods and mortals alike for their physical beauty and the profound love they had for each other.

Zeus punished the arrogant couple who dared to compare themselves to gods by plunging Ceyx’s ship and drowning him. Alcyone lamented her loss so much that she threw herself into the sea and drowned, determined to join her husband in the land of the dead. The gods of Olympus were so profoundly affected by the tragic fate of the couple and their wonderful love for one another that Zeus transformed the couple into halcyon birds (kingfisher), yet condemned to give birth in the winter. The waves of the sea rushed into the rocks and destroyed Alcyone’s nest and eggs, and Zeus once again felt regret and ordered the winds to stop and the sun to shine for fifteen days in the heart of the winter so that Alcyone could safely lay her eggs.

Enjoy the sunshine!