Navarino Challenge, the best sports tourism event in Greece as it has been distinguished within the past years, returns for its 11th year on October 13-15, at Costa Navarino and Pylos.

The message of the event is “Sports Unites People” and following the purpose of the Olympic Movement, Navarino Challenge will gather for another year people of all ages and abilities, amateurs and professional participants from Greece and abroad, in a rich schedule full of sports activities for all by hosting its guests at the hotels: W Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort.

Together with the Greek-American ultramarathoning legend and current ambassador of Greek Tourism, Constantine “Dean” Karnazes, along with dozens of Olympians and Paralympians, this year’s event will promote the value of participation and not victory or competition, with more than 40 activities and Olympic sports. With the message #eatwell #runwell #livewell and its recognition as the best wellness program in Europe, the event will endorse exercise and proper nutrition while promoting the benefits of the Messinian diet. 

It is worth to be noted that in 2022, Navarino Challenge had more than 3,000 participations of all ages and abilities, as well as more than 20 athletes with disabilities. Watch last year’s highlights video and get ready for this year’s action: https://youtu.be/x2aVusvzL34

64 awards in 10 years for the top sports tourism event

Navarino Challenge reached at the top of the Sports Marketing Awards 2023, winning 15 awards for the 2022 anniversary event. More specifically, the event received 3 Platinum and 11 Gold awards, such as:

• The best branding strategy, as it had the highest score in the whole section and received the Platinum distinction
• The best native advertising campaign that led to another Platinum award
• The best sponsorship of the entire awards institution for the collaboration with Stoiximan, which received the highest distinction and the 3rd Platinum award.
• The best sports/cultural tourism event
• The best sales strategy
• The best event in team sports
• The best Multi-Sport Event
• The best health and wellness event
• The best event for children 
• The best summer sports event 
• The best sponsorship platform for the collaboration with Miele Hellas

It also received 1 Silver Award in the category “Most Innovative Use of Content Creators & Influencers for a Sports-Related Activity”.

Navarino Challenge remained at the top of Tourism Awards 2023. In the respective awards of 2023, for the ten-year anniversary of the event, it received 2 Gold Awards in the categories “Sports Tourism” and “Health & Wellness Tourism” and 1 Platinum Award in the category “Integrated Communications Campaign,” collecting the highest score in the highly competitive field of tourism, section “Branding / Media/ Public Relations’’.

Grand Sponsor: That Gorilla Brand’s Adventures For A Cause – Fundraising Initiative #2

That Gorilla Brand, the world’s biggest lifestyle brand dedicated to the protection of the mountain gorilla, a dynamic, premium lifestyle brand driven by contemporary aspects of fashion and films, as well as a genuine, adventurous spirit, will make its dynamic debut in this year’s Navarino Challenge. Through its initiatives this year, That Gorilla Brand will help raise money to improve sanitation facilities in Uganda. Out of the total 16 schools located around the edges of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BNIP), which is home to mountain gorilla habitats, only three meet the hygiene standards for children and teachers, and all the remaining 13 schools require significant financial and humanitarian assistance to meet basic standards of health sanitation and provide clean and safe bathroom facilities. Watch the related video of That Gorilla Brand here.

That Gorilla Brand is the event’s Grand Sponsor. 

Miele is the Official Sponsor.

Luanvi is the Official Sports Supplier.

SIXT, member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, is the Premium Mobility Partner.

Costa Navarino and the hotels W Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, are the Official Hospitality Sponsors.

Poseidonia Restaurant and Karalis Beach Hotel are the Official Supporters.

Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner.

SKAI is the Premium TV Partner.

Deree - The American College of Greece is the Educational Partner.

FitnessArt, F45 Barrio Salamanca, Moraitis Watersports, Mouratoglou Tennis Center – Costa Navarino, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim O’ Clock, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club are the event’s Athletic Partners.

Navarino Challenge is Assisted by Vita N Travel, Karalis City Hotel & Spa and Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development.

The event is organized by ActiveMedia Group which is also responsible for the event’s Sports Production.

More information on this year’s activities, the opening of running registrations, and special accommodation packages will be announced in the coming weeks.

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas

LAMPSA Hellenic Hotels, a distinguished group in the hospitality industry, is pleased to announce another bonus initiative for its dedicated associates.In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, the major shareholder of LAMPSA SA has decided to offer a bonus totaling €1.3 million for the second consecutive year to all associates of Hotels Grande Bretagne, King George and Athens Capital.

Recognizing the unwavering professionalism and tireless efforts of its people, LAMPSA SA will be distributing a bonus of €1000 net to each associate, irrespective of their ranking at the company's three flagship hotels in Athens. This reward serves as a testament to their commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality services and their ability to excel during demanding periods.

LAMPSA SA, a company with a long-standing history in the hospitality field, firmly upholds the belief that employee recognition lies at the core of its corporate philosophy. By fostering strong bonds and trust- based relationships with its workforce, the company has consistently positioned itself as a leader in the tourism industry. For the second year in a row, LAMPSA SA has been named among Greece's ten most attractive employers according to the prestigious Employer Brand survey conducted by Randstad. This accolade reflects the enduring commitment of LAMPSA SA to charting a shared path with its employees, driving future accomplishments and continuing to thrive as the oldest hospitality and tourism organization in Greece.

The bonus initiative not only symbolizes LAMPSA SA's gratitude towards its valued associates but also reinforces their pivotal role in achieving the company's vision. Through their exceptional skills and outstanding achievements, they contribute significantly to the company's success and the promotion of Greek hospitality.

Greek poetry set to music in memory of Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis.

On 20 June 2023, the Acropolis Museum celebrates 14 years of operation, and it will be the first time that among us will be missing the late Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis, who served as President of the Board of Directors of the Organization for the Construction of the New Acropolis Museum from 2000 until 2019 and as President of the Board of Directors of the Acropolis Museum from 2009 until 2022.

Other than his great life achievement, which was the Acropolis Museum, Dimitrios Pandermalis dedicated a bid part of his life to excavating and revealing the archaeological area of Dion. His love and connection to people of Dion was deep. He supported in various ways the cultural events of the area, including the Olympus Festival and the Center of Arts and Culture of Dion.

On the occasion of the Acropolis Museum’s birthday on Tuesday 20 June 2023, to honor its late President, the Museum invited the Youth Orchestra of Dion to offer its visitors a free tribute to Greek poetry set to music, at the entrance courtyard at 9 p.m. The multi-member orchestra consists of young children, mainly schoolchildren and students, all sharing impeccable artistic skill, passion and inexhaustible talent. The performance will be led by the conductor Nikos Patris. Soloists will be Vassilis Lekkas, Gerasimos Andreatos, Zoe Papadopoulou and Babis Velissarios. The evening will be presented by Alexis Kostalas. Entrance to the concert is free. On this day, the Museum exhibition areas will be open from 9 a.m. until 12 midnight with a regular general admission ticket. During the same hours, the restaurant of the second floor will be open with beautiful night views to the Acropolis.

Greece is among the world’s top 10 luxury destinations this summer, according to the “Holiday Habits Luxury Travelers Guide 2023” released by Condé Nast Johansens.

More specifically, the annual study placed Greece among the world’s leading destinations for luxury travelers. The list also includes the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, Croatia, the United States, and the Caribbean.

Study findings also reveal that 38 percent of luxury travelers said they plan to spend an average of 8,000 euros on their holidays in the coming months. Overall, luxury travelers take three to four vacations a year generating up to 32,000 dollars in revenues annually.


To read this article in full visit news.gtp.gr

Get ready for the most exciting summer experience at the Summer Camp in Technopolis, brought to you by the Industrial Gas Museum of Fotaerio.

Designed for children aged 6-11, this camp offers a unique and unforgettable summer program filled with creativity and fun. Running from June 19th to July 14th, the camp provides a rich educational schedule in collaboration with Artfygio, a visual arts workshop. From Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, children will engage in various activities such as educational programs, innovative workshops, theatrical games, and performances created by the kids themselves.

The camp draws inspiration from the primary colors of light, including refreshing green, cool blue, vibrant red, and bright white. Divided into four themed weeks, it promises cool ideas and exciting experiences.

Children can participate in STEAM art workshops, dance classes, board games for all ages, group sports in the courtyard, educational city tours in Athens, and other incredible activities. Let your children's summer be filled with creativity at the Summer Camp in Technopolis!

The ATRIUM of Alexander's Lounge, an outdoor "secret garden" located on the first floor of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, is the ideal meeting point at anytime of the day. Olive trees, laurels, small cypresses and flowers perfectly blend with the elegant surroundings, away from the city’s soundscape while still in the heart of Athens.

As the sun goes down, Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis and his culinary team invite you to discover the “Il Giardino Segreto” in order to enjoy a unique aperitivo while savouring authentic Italian accompaniments prepared in his open kitchen using carefully selected Mediterranean ingredients that elevate the taste. No one can resist the delicious aroma wafting from the garden’s oven while baking six different styles of handmade sourdough pizza with fine organic tomato sauce and special international cheese varieties and crispy focaccia with olive oil and sea salt for the bruschetta of your choice. 

The cheese selection of the menu features Greek cheese specialties including truffle graviera, manoura from Sifnos, aged kaseri from Sohos, and is served with the special cold cut of the day featuring Jamon Iberico, Prosciutto San Daniele, Sbriciolona among others. Thinly sliced ​​on the spot with the impressive red vintage machine, it will land on your table paired with artichokes from Tinos island, ‘salami’ made of fig and olives. Not to be missed are the delicious panzanella salad with sweet cherry tomatoes and buffalo burrata from Kerkini as well as the famous Spanish anchovies with your bruschetta. 

To satisfy a sweet tooth, Pastry Chef Alexandros Koufas prepares daily a velvety handcrafted gelato selection with high quality natural ingredients and fresh seasonal fruit as well as the renowned Baba Napoletano dessert with citrus syrup, Aegina pistachio and vanilla-mascarpone cream.

In this unique atmosphere, the award-winning bartenders of the historic hotel, compose refreshing aperitifs and cocktails to complete the experience while the remarkable wine list features selected wines from Tuscany, Piemonte and Sicily, also available by the glass. For the cigar aficionados, the ATRIUM of Alexander’s Lounge features a worth-exploring variety of perfectly preserved cigars. 

Visit the ATRIUM of Alexander’s Lounge, the most elegant summer city escape to unwind and recharge. 

Discover the Il Giardino Segreto Menu

OPERATION HOURS

ATRIUM OF ALEXANDER’S LOUNGE | 11.00 - 02.00

IL GIARDINO SEGRETO MENU | 17:00 – 00:00  

The successful theatrical show in English about the mythical female figures of Medea, Maria Callas and Melina Mercouri, after a series of performances at the Railway Carriage Theater to Treno sto Rouf since 2016 and a long tour in Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Brussels, New Delhi, Bangalore, is back to the Theater Wagon as of 27 May 2023 for 10 performances only on Saturdays at 7.15 pm.

 

Three mythical female figures, Medea, Maria Callas and Melina Mercouri, travel among a crowd of passengers by a train of the 50’s. 

 

Medea, the tragic figure of ancient Greek drama, blinded by her deep love for her husband, murdered her own children.

Maria Callas, the internationally celebrated opera diva, devoted her life to music and let her fate be sealed by a “fatal” romance. 

Μelina Mercouri, one of the most beloved Greek actresses, singer and politician, who starred in the most well-known international films, fought for culture and democracy.

 

The departure station of this journey is ancient Greece while contemporary Greece is its destination. The tragic ancient drama heroine Medea, meets the two great priestesses of modern Greece, Maria and Melina. A common feature unites their different paths, and that is passion. Passion for life, passion for love, passion for creation, passion for freedom. History, culture, art, the power of the human soul, the struggles for democracy come alive by an actress and a musician, who accompany us to this fascinating journey of creative memory, humor and emotion where Greece is at the same time the starting point and final destination, with the feelings of people all over the world as stopovers.

 

During its long run, the show was presented to Greek and English-speaking viewers of all ages from all over the world, deeply touching the hearts of everyone and receiving enthusiastic reviews for the powerful and emotional play by Eugenia Arseni, the sensitive and inventive directional approach of Tatiana Ligari and the great acting of Evelina Arapidi in the iconic roles of Medea, Maria Callas and Melina Merkouri.

Every Saturday at 19:15 hrs (as of 27 May 2023) for 10 performances only (29/7)

The show may be followed by dinner in the Wagon Restaurant or at the open-air Bar & Restaurant “Apovathra” (dishes from 6€ / glass of wine 5€ / spirits 7,5€)

Born and raised in Kalamata, George has gone on to dominate the UK comedy scene, headlining in the biggest comedy clubs as well as appearing on BBC One several times. He has performed sold out shows at both the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In the last 2 years he has perfomed in 22 countries, while his videos have millions of views online.

This year, George won the International Comedian of the Year award at Melbourne Comedy Festival. This show is a collection of the best material he has done when touring.

Buy tickets HERE!

Tickets:

* Early-bird (til May 28th) : €14
* General admission (after May 28th): €16
* At the door: €20

We also offer 3 free tickets per show to persons with disabilities or unemployed persons (phone reservation required).

Recommended for audiences aged 16 and above.