The new electrified railway line from Athens to Thessaloniki was delivered for use on Tuesday, following the completion of its last section, that connects Lianokladi and Domokos. However, the Lianokladi-Domokos section will be served with diesel-powered trains for another month, until the electric line and signals are fully tested.

 

Travelers have been anticipating the completion for this project for years, as it will connect the country’s largest cities more efficiently, cutting down travel time to three hours and 20 minutes.

 

"With these works, Ergose completes a significant railway project: the construction of the new railway line serving the main ‘Piraeus – Athens – Thessaloniki’ railway axis with a modern, fully interoperable dual electrified line," a spokesperson for the train operator company said.

Located on the 8th floor of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar offers breathtaking views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and the Greek Parliament.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the GB Roof Garden Restaurant takes fine dining to a whole new level. Indulge in delicious dishes while relishing in the restaurant’s elegant setting, incredible views, and wonderful ambience.

In addition to the restaurant’s main menu, Chef de Cuisine Dimitris Boutsalis has created an exquisite seasonal menu inspired by the world-famous Wellington recipe. Visit the GB Roof Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar until March 24, 2019 to discover "The Grand Wellington" specials and savour 3 delicious variations of this renowned dish.

 

Even though many people are avid devotees of warm-weather vacations and refuse to visit Europe until the springtime, there’s something to be said about embracing the winter season.

 

Beyond Christmas and the holiday season, some cities are pleasantly crowd-free and inexpensive during winter time; they offer cosy and authentic experiences you won’t be able to enjoy during the Christmas hustle and bustle.

 

One thing is for sure, you'll be happy you're in one of these European destinations when the temperature drops.

 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Visit Copenhagen during wintertime, and your vacation is definitely going to be great. A cosy Scandinavian feeling can be found throughout Copenhagen, from pastry shops to inviting hotels. You don’t have to stay indoors to enjoy the season, though. Copenhagen’s Michelin-starred restaurants, Tivoli Gardens, and canal views are certainly worth bundling up for. Oh, and the buildings of Nyhavn look even more colorful against a snowy background.

 

Venice, Italy

Venice has become so overrun during peak season that recently there have been attempts to limit tourist overflow. But come wintertime, the city actually lives up to its La Serenissima nickname. The canals are quiet and shrouded in mist, hotels offer discounted rates, and you can actually visit St. Mark’s Basilica in peace and quiet.

 

Budapest, Hungary

Winter is, hands down, the best time to visit Budapest. Seeing the Hungarian Parliament surrounded by ice drifts on the Danube will definitely make you embrace the cold! Budapest’s grand cafes, museums, and thermal baths will seem so much more welcoming after spending some time outdoors, exploring the city.

 

 

To read the complete list of amazing European winter destinations, please visit: Condé Nast Traveler

 

 

 

Twenty-six-year-old Evangelos Marathos Rainey is half American and half Greek, but grew up in Yorkshire and has recently spent nine months as a Presidential Guard in Athens.

Like all members of the Greek Presidential Guard, his role was to watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the country’s most important memorial that is located in front of the Greek Parliament.

 

Even though joining the Presidential Guard is a huge honor, not everybody is eligible to join.

 

 

The Greek Presidential Guard, also known as Evzones have a very technical and unique way of marching. Each of their steps and movements has a symbolic meaning, even down to standing still while on duty. Standing still honours the dead, so the Guards are prohibited to move or talk. The only thing they are allowed to move are their eyes.

Evzon Evangelos Marathos Rainey talks about his experience on the Greek Presidential Guard, and explains the symbolism behind movements, marching, the traditional dress, and even facial hair!

Watch this interesting video to understand what it means to be a member of the Greek Presidential Guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To read this article in full, please visit: Forces.net

In a world where children have to deal with increasing distractions, stress, and overstimulation from a very young age, yoga is a low-cost activity that can have a very positive impact on kids’ everyday lives.

 

Children gain tremendous benefits from practicing yoga. It enhances flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness while also improving concentration, relaxation and serenity.

 

After having read about the benefits of yoga, we are happy to have found a few places that offer yoga classes designed specifically for kids!

 

OKTO

Okto is a serene yoga studio that offers yoga classes for all ages. Every Saturday from 11.30 to 12.30 they offer a yoga class for kids from 4 to 8 years old, while they also offer aerial yoga classes for teens (12-16 years) every Tuesday and Thursday from 19.00 to 20.00.

Address: 8-10 Grigoriou Kydonion, 172 37, Dafni (Ymittos)
Telephone: 210 7622295

 

Art n’ Play

Art n’ Play is a great alternative to traditional indoor playgrounds. Their mission is to offer quality creative programs and activities specially designed for children. Their kid’s yoga class takes place every Thursday from 18.30 to 19.30.

Address: 5 Flemingk, 175 63, Paleo Faliro
Telephone: 211 1110834

 

The Blue Elephant

Through its holistic approach ‘The Blue Elephant’ provides activities designed to encourage physical, mental, and spiritual growth. Among others they offer yoga for babies (3-12 months) every Tuesday from 17.00 to 17.50, yoga for kids (5+ years) every Wednesday from 18.25-19.15, and teen yoga (11+ years)  every Wednesday from 19.20-20.10

Address: 23 Leoforos Dimokratias, 154 51, Neo Psychiko
Telephone: 213 0402294

 

Even though all dates and times were accurate at the time of publishing, we kindly request you to check with the yoga studio to confirm the dates and times before heading to your first yoga class!

 

It’s been 10 years since British linguist Gareth Owens and Oxford University phonetics professor John Coleman have been working towards deciphering the enigmatic Phaistos Disk. The Phaistos Disk is a Minoan Bronze Age clay disk that was discovered in Crete in 1908 by Italian archaeologist Luigi Pernier.

Even though experts have been trying to decipher the script for decades, according to Owens and Coleman they can now read 99 % of the text, which is a Minoan lyrical hymn to a goddess. In fact, Gareth Owens has described the hymn as ‘The Bible of Crete.’

Listen to the voice of the disc, here. 

We've said it before that food is an integral part of Greek culture. Hence the fact that Athens has been voted of the greatest cities in Europe for eating out! And if you're looking for something alternative to a restaurant, we have put together a list with the best places in the city to enjoy  some delicious street food!

Are you a book eater? Great! Then you'll be delighted to know that the National Library of Greece has officialy opened at SNFCC and that we've also put together a list with the most important libraries in Athens!

Is it your first time in Greece? No need to worry! Let us supply you with a great list of useful Greek phrases to use at any occasion. And if you're looking for exciting places to go, the Museum of Illusions in Athens might just be the perfect day out!