Are you looking for an interesting place to visit that is both outdoors and close to Athens? I suggest a visit to the archaeological site of Vravrona in southeast Attica.  The landscape here is diverse with vineyards, pistachio trees, pine trees, olive orchards, and rocky shores.

As you near the ancient site, you’ll encounter fruit and vegetable stands where the produce is grown just meters away from the stand. Near to the archaeological site of Vravrona there is a large parking area.

As you enter the grounds on foot, after about 50 meters you’ll find the museum on your left. If you keep walking down the path for another 100-150 meters or so, you’ll reach the archaeological grounds. The entrance fee is 6 euro for adults and free for children. This ticket includes a visit to both the museum and the archaeological site. Inside the museum, of course, you’ll need to wear a mask and no more than a certain number of people are allowed in each of the museum’s rooms, to maintain a safe distance from others.

 

The museum is small, clean, and well organized. There are five large rooms that feature archaeological finds not only from Vravrona but from surrounding areas as well, including Anavyssos and Perati. The exhibits cover the period from the Bronze Age until the Roman times. You’ll see vases, idols, and statues of young boys and girls.

The sculptures from the sanctuary of Artemis are of the most important finds. A few tactile sculptures have also been created to provide access to the original artwork for visitors with low vision or blindness. 

The ancient temple of Artemis was an important sacred site in ancient times. In the Doric-style temple, the goddess was worshipped and considered to be the protector of nature and women, as well as protector of childbirth. Women who had good deliveries would offer clothes and other personal items to the goddess Artemis. 

If you take a walk through the prehistoric acropolis above the temple of Artemis, you will get a panoramic view of the Erasinos valley and the surrounding area. 

You can also walk from the Vravrona Museum to the mavros vrachos [μαύρος βράχος] or ‘black rock,’ a low mountain beside the Erasinos River estuary. From here there is a great view of the wetlands and the southern Euboean Gulf. In the spring, there are beautiful wildflowers everywhere. You can even take a pony ride to explore the area.

The wetland and surrounding area of Vravrona also fall under the Natura 2000 Network. Click here to read about the protection and promotion of the Vravrona Wetland.

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About Eleni Maria Georgiou

Eleni Maria Georgiou is an independent writer and publishing professional devoted to creating books that are creative, original, and modern.  

Passionate about Athens and all the city has to offer, for four exciting years, I co-managed XpatAthens. This experience inspired me to write my first book, Eleni’s GREEK PHRASE BOOK: A Beginner's Guide to Greek Culture and the Greek Language in 2018, sparking the birth of Lenacke Press. I continue to write, think about, and publish creative and original books, adding to the Lenacke Press collection. 

In addition, since 2004, I have been running fixyourenglish.com, a business that provides Editing, Proofreading, and Translation services.

I currently live in Athens, Greece with my husband and two kids. I am fluent in both English and Greek and interested in learning more languages. I like organizing and attending community group events, reading, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, writing, lifting weights, and going hiking.

The award-winning sports tourism event Navarino Challenge, with a high sense of responsibility towards its participants and visitors, announces the postponement of the event to October 15-17, 2021, taking into consideration the epidemiological data and current health conditions prevailing in our country, despite designing and getting the necessary approvals for the strict health protocols.

Registered athletes and participants will receive relevant email communication from the event, whereas those interested can learn news and read all announcements directly through Navarino Challenge’s communication channels.

Navarino Challenge is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, with the support of the Pylos-Nestor Municipality. Navarino Challenge has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. All running races are co-organized with Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.

Samsung is the Official Technology Partner.

Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the event’s Official Sponsor.

Luanvi is the Official Sports Supplier.

Pylos-Nestor Municipality, Poseidonia, Karalis Beach Hotel are Navarino Challenge’s Official Supporters.

Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner.

On is the Official Shoe Partner.

Nestlé FITNESS® is the Official Breakfast Partner.

Target Security, Fysiotek Sports Lab are the event’s Partners.

Avance is the Official Car Rental Partner.

SKAI is the Premium TV Partner.

National Geographic is the Strategic Partner.

24MEDIA is the Premium Media Partner.

Deree - The American College of Greece is the Educational Partner. 
Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club, Marathon Team Greece are Navarino Challenge’s Athletic Partners.

Navarino Challenge is assisted by Vita N Travel, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Lifeguard Patrol, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Pilia Express, Kayak.

Anazoe Spa, Attica Selections, Kessaris, Nargile, Panellinios Agora Games are the Discount Partners.

Active Media Group is responsible for the event’s Sports Production.

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas

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Art Athina launches its digital programming through the platform Αrt Athina Virtual on 15th October 2020 and promises a uniquely different experience to the art-loving audience. Art Athina Virtual is under the patronage of H.E. The President of the Hellenic Republic Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

During the digital premiere of the International Art Fair of Athens which is one of Europe’s oldest art fairs, the visitors will be able to navigate the art fair through their computers, tablets, or smartphones and meet the artists and their artworks without time limitations, since Art Athina Virtual will be accessible 24 hours every day -with different day and night mode- 7 days per week, until the end of October.

Art Athina Virtual features the parallel programming that has always been surrounding Art Athina and has established its own audience, with sections such as Talks, Performances, Video, and independent art spaces under the title Projects.

The transfer of the largest annual art institution in Greece to a digital environment due to the unprecedented conditions that emerged with the advent of the coronavirus epidemic and forced the cancellation of Art Athina 2020 at Zappeion Megaron as originally planned, will not limit the public’s contact with visual creation exclusively in the digital world.

Art Athina Virtual organizes Art Athina Week that will last from 13 to 20 October, during which the Athenian galleries will be able to exhibit in their natural spaces the works that will be presented in the viewing rooms.

As every year, the organization of the event belongs to the Hellenic Art Galleries Association and to the Art Athina team, with Artistic Director Stamatia Dimitrakopoulos. The implementation of the platform is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Artistic Programming Art Athina

Virtual Viewing Rooms

The art galleries will present their digital booths through an easy-to-use platform, which will allow them to communicate the works of their artists with the public, locally and internationally. The platform will also support video art, audio installations, and digital artworks.

Projects

Independent art spaces from Greece and the United States are being invited to present their online projects exclusively for Art Athina Virtual. The participating spaces are Aetopoulos, Andreas Melas, Arch, Intermission, Radio Athènes, Serapis, and Vernon Gardens.

Talks

The Talks program of Art Athina Virtual has its own platform connected to the main website, offering the possibility of reproduction in all the communication channels of the exhibition. The program, curated by art critic and curator Marina Fokidis, will be based on subjects focusing on artists, collectors, galleries, and institutions. The discussions will include reflections on contemporary art in the context of the new reality. The Talks section will also present the Educational Program implemented for the third year by the Hellenic Association of Art Galleries and the Ioannou F. Costopoulos Foundation in the context of Art Athina. The program, designed by the artistic director of Art Athina, Stamatia Dimitrakopoulos, is addressed to students of the School of Fine Arts and aims to inform, inspire and prepare them for their introduction to the art world.

Performance

The Performance program of Art Athina is curated by Marina Fokidis under the title “Signs of proximity” is "Signs of proximity”. The program aspires to present new productions along with historical performances. A total of 24 artists from Greece and abroad - including Lida Papakonstantinou, Thalia Chioti, Panos Charalambous, Nikos Tranos, Nikos Navridis, Mary Zygouri, Angelos Skourtis, George Sapountzis, Georgia Sagri, Liliane Lijn, Jannis Varelas, Vassilis Karoul covers a time range of 21 years.

Video

In the digital realm, the Video program returns to its roots. It includes videos of artists such as Marina Abramovic and Ulay, Menelaos Karamaghiolis, Loukia Alavanou, Leto Kattou, and George Drivas - selected in collaboration with organizations and collections such as Daata Editions, DESTE Foundation, Daskalopoulos Collection, POLYECO Contemporary Art Initiative, along with independent artists and project spaces, such as Enterprise projects. The Video program is curated by Art Athina Artistic Director, Stamatia Dimitrakopoulos.

Visual identity of Art Athina Virtual

The visual identity of Art Athina Virtual refers to the pandemic and its consequences in our daily lives. Each letter of the new typeface is made out of shapes that do not stick together, referring to the social distance that is required for the safety of all of us due to the pandemic. Just as we are called to be together without physical contact, the elements that form each letter try to form a cohesive image so that the text is legible. Among the words, the visitors can see red doodles that humorously capture situations we all experienced every day during the lockdown and try to add a note of optimism to the new reality.

Art Athina’s visual identity is signed for another year by G Design Studio.

 

The first A321neo, the largest member of the A320neo family, landed late last week at AEGEAN’s base at Athens International Airport.

 

The new Airbus A321neo is equipped with advanced Pratt & Whitney GTF™ new generation engines that will reduce CO2 emissions per passenger seat by 23% compared to the current Airbus fleet and by 53% compared to AEGEAN’s initial and new at the time Avro RJ100 aircraft 20 years ago. The new aircraft also brings a significant reduction in NOx emissions per flight and passenger flown by 50% and lowers the noise footprint by 75%, making it the most environmentally friendly and efficient aircraft type ever to join AEGEAN’s fleet.

 

With an increased capacity of 220 passenger seats, reduced fuel consumption, and an additional range of 1 hour of flight, the new Airbus A321neo is expected to be an added competitive advantage for Aegean, post COVID-19.

To read the press release in full, please visit: aegeanair.com

This year, for the first time in its history, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival expands its activities throughout the autumn and winter season, introducing a series of research initiatives and collaborations, named after the well-known architectural term Open Plan; a term carrying connotations of open space, flow, freedom of thought and movement. As with open plan spaces, this set of initiatives launched by the Festival suggests a new way of being together, of breaking down boundaries and barriers.

The Festival events under the Open Plan umbrella – workshops, masterclasses, performances, webinars, and original artistic works – are addressed both to professional artists and to the public at large, regardless of age.

True to the flexible character of this new project, the majority of the Open Plan events are specially designed to be conducted online, digitally bridging the physical distance that separates us all due to the ongoing pandemic and bringing us all together in a virtual, open space, a terrain of creativity and exchange of ideas.

The Open Plan program, which is free of charge, fulfills three basic goals that pervade our entire programming. First of all, it gives us a foretaste of the Festival program that will be realized in the summer of 2021, in the form of two thematic sections that had already been announced in the original 2020 program, focusing on experimental and electronic music (Chronotopia, held in collaboration with the Berlin-based CTM Festival and Goethe-Institut Athen) and hip hop and street dance culture (Layers of Street). Secondly, the program brings attention to ancient drama, connecting it with contemporary art and daily practice. Thirdly, Open Plan caters to artists (directors, dancers, actors, choreographers, musicians, dramaturges, etc.) and their longing to be active again and hone their tools amid this year’s difficult circumstances. Last but not least, Open Plan is also targeted at a broader audience of all ages, encouraging them to create their own works of art. By eliminating the distance between artists and audiences, by foregrounding creativity and artistic research as fields of expression accessible by everyone, the program aspires to foster a creatively engaged audience that will jointly shape the Festival’s artistic identity.

These events will be held at Hall B of Peiraios 260, in the process reanimating a venue that has been inactive this year – a largely symbolic gesture for culture professionals, who have been dealt a heavy blow by the pandemic.

Microsoft Corp. has announced its "GR for GRowth" initiative, a significant technology commitment to support the people, government, and businesses of all sizes in Greece with the technology and means to create new growth opportunities.

As part of the plan, Microsoft announces its intention to build new data centers in Greece, adding the country to Microsoft's massive global infrastructure map and delivering low-latency, enterprise-grade access cloud services. Furthermore, Microsoft has announced its plan to train approximately 100,000 professionals in Greece in digital technologies by 2025.

The initiative was announcer by Microsoft President Brad Smith at the Acropolis Museum in the presence of the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the General Manager of Microsoft Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, Theodosis Michalopoulos.

"Today's commitment to the people and businesses of Greece will position the country among the digital leaders of Europe. A Microsoft data center region provides a competitive advantage to our digital economy. At the same time, it is a long-term investment and a vote of confidence in our country's potential. The cloud is transforming every industry and sector. The investment in skilling 100,000 citizens will empower Today and tomorrow's Greek workforce," said Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Microsoft's "GR for GRowth" initiative is a vital step for Greece, with technology as a catalyst for growth, providing people and businesses the tools and expertise to thrive and innovate in the digital era.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.microsoft.com

A Greek long-distance runner helped a mobility-impaired biology student to fulfill her dream of climbing to the top of Mount Olympus.

Marios Giannakou, who carried Eleftheria–a 22-year-old student from Drama–on his back to Greece's highest point, said that "it was the best and most important struggle of my life, and the best thing I've done as a human being ever."

 

Giannakou carried Eleftheria in a custom-made backpack and climbed the mountain with an 8-member support crew, including police officers, deep-diving specialists, and a trainer. The team reached a mountain refuge at 2,400 m to spend the night, before setting off at 06:00 am on Monday for Mytikas, Olympus' highest peak at 2,918 m.

 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis congratulated the two saying, "It was a fantastic idea, and we are very happy you implemented it," and wishing them a safe return.

Photo Credit: Marios Giannakou

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This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

The top sports event Santorini Experience, which endorses the volcanic island of Cyclades for its sports tourism is postponed to October 1-3, 2021. Despite the dynamic efforts and the provision of all necessary permits, licenses, and approvals of health protocols for the safe and smooth implementation of the Santorini Experience in 2020, the event, which has been successfully assigned for the last six years to Active Media Group by the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS), will not take place in 2020.

Santorini Experience, is the annual sports appointment of Santorini, attracting professional and amateur athletes from Greece and abroad, while presenting unique running activities with a breathtaking view, on the path that connects Oia with Fira and an open water swimming race from the volcano to the old port of Fira. The appointment for the award-winning sea tourism event, with the running and swimming audience, is renewed for October 1-3, 2021.

Approval of Health Protocols

Santorini Experience had received the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation for the implementation of the swimming event and the approval of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) for the implementation of the running races. At the same time, Active Media Group had acquired the approval of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, through the strict distinct health protocols designed for running and swimming respectively, while successfully passing the tests of the World Health Organization and World Athletics.

Registrations: Refund or Transfer of Participations to 2021

Active Media Group, always prioritizing the best service of its participants, offers the possibility of a refund to all runners and swimmers who had already completed their registration for Santorini Experience 2020 or alternatively the possibility of transferring their participation to the 2021 event.

Participants who had completed their registration will receive additional information within the following week, regarding the possibility of transferring their registration to the respective event of 2021 or its cancellation and refund of their registration fee.

A big thank you

Active Media Group would like to thank several people for their ongoing support. First of all, the people of Santorini, those who proved what solidarity, ethics, support, innovation, sustainability, creativity, quality, and vision mean, when society needed it, when Greek tourism needed it. 

Also, the foreign participants, the foreign champions, the swimmers’ groups from abroad, and the foreign journalists for their patience and understanding. 

A huge thanks to the members of the national swimming team, the Olympic medalists and world champions, the technical directors of the races, and all professional and amateur participants for the interest they showed until the very last minute to take part in the top sea tourism event.

Lastly, Active Media Group wishes to express their gratitude towards all sponsors, supporters, and partners, all the Greek and foreign media who stood alongside throughout the year and thank them for all their physical and ethical support.

An event that managed to achieve something unprecedented, to unite major companies of the island, top entrepreneurs, not only of the Greek tourism industry but on a worldwide scale. An event that was rewarded for the excellence of its best practices at the Greek Tourism Awards, the Sports Marketing Awards, and the Ermis Awards receiving foreign distinctions and awards, respectively.

In the aspect of healthcare, no consent or any additional action is required, nor the ratification by another body (e.g. Ministry, National Public Health Organization [EODY]), as the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports is the competent authority for sports events. In fact, the Committee is in constant contact with the sports committee of EODY for all current developments and more. We should not forget that when we talk about competence, we are talking about legal authority and the most fundamental form of the concept of competence is the constitutional distinction of the functions of a State.

Events will continue to take place, as they were recently held in Evia, Rethymno, Ioannina, as we all must learn to live in the new normal, with safety rules and strict protection measures, as set by the state.

Without fear, but with logic.

In these difficult times, this year’s event was supported with amazing offers and prices by the following hospitality sponsors: Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Katikies Santorini, Andronis Arcadia, West East Suites, K&K Unique Holiday Homes, Folia Bianca, Cocoon Suites, Marvarit Suites, Iriana Suites, Nefeles Luxury Suites, Sienna Resort, Santo Houses, Memories Hotel, 270 Oia’s View, Cori Rigas Suites, Uma Ray Suites, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Monolithia, Fanouris Condo, Epavlis Hotel, Iokasti Villa, Olive Cave Houses, Panorama Boutique Hotel, Esperas Santorini and Santorini Hospitality.

Santorini Experience had joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission which is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

Running races were organized along with AS Ifestos Thiras and EAS SEGAS Cyclades Region.

The event joined the swimming community Global Swim Series (GSS) and the running community World’s Marathons.