Navigate the expat life with learning how to find home in a foreign country and getting to know fellow expats!

 

Turkey’s transport ministry said on Monday it was banning travel to Greece on yachts, sailboats and ferries after Greek authorities seized 11 vessels among them four yachts headed for Kos and Rhodes, as well as a freighter off the port of Kalamaki for violating maritime regulation.

All Turkish-flagged commercial yachts (starting September 25) and passenger ships (as of October 12) are banned from traveling to Greek destinations, the Turkish transport ministry said in a September 25 statement citing the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) inspections.

“As of today we have stopped the sailing of commercial yachts to Greece. The fact that Greece started to inspect and seize such small commercial vessels, shorter than 24 meters, by claiming they did not comply with the rules, has put at risk Turkey’s status as a ‘white flag’ country. This is unacceptable,” Turkey’s transport minister, Ahmet Arslan, said as reported by Turkish daily Hurriyet.

“We have also warned our correspondents and sent our experts there. If Greece changes this exception, our commercial yachts will travel to Greek islands and contribute to trade. But we will not allow those vessels to sail as long as Greece maintains its attitude regarding this rule,” he said, adding that he would discuss the issue with his Greek counterpart on October 12 while on an official visit to Athens.

In the meantime, companies offering Greek island tours have said they would stop operations as of October 12 while the head of the Bodrum Sailors Association, Mustafa Demiröz, said the issue should be resolved through dialogue.

Continue reading reading this article on Greek Travel Pages.

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens, Greece, has been nominated for the RIBA International Prize 2018, a biennial architecture award given by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The RIBA International Prize 2018 will be awarded to a building which exemplifies design excellence, architectural ambition and delivers meaningful social impact. The SNFCC, an international complex for sustainability, culture, education and entertainment, is the only Greek nominee among 62 buildings in 30 countries.

 

Designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with the Greek architectural office BETAPLAN, the SNFCC is one of Greece’s largest infrastructure projects that houses the Greek National Opera, a two-million-book National Library and the 170,000m2 Stavros Niarchos Park on the Faliro Bay shoreline.

Winners will be announced in December 2018.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Photo Credit: Greek Travel Pages

For several centuries, the theatre of Epidaurus has been home to the theatrical arts, offering audiences ancient drama plays and comedies, as well as performances of opera, dance and classical music.

A series of Chinese comics events are being held in Athens from October 25th to November 5th. The events are hosted by The State Council Information Office of China, The National Radio and Television Administration of China, and the Embassy of China in Greece. Organized by The Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, The Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangzhou, and The China Artists Association.

There will be more than 100 Chinese modern classic animation works featured at the exhibition, including the masterpieces of Feng Zikai, Zhang Leping and other cartoon masters. The masterpieces of contemporary Chinese cartoon masters Cai Zhizhong, Zheng Xinyao, Jincheng and others, as well as the representative works of Laoshu (Liu Shuyong), Xiaolin (Lin Dihuan) and Gao Youling in the new media era. Animation Movies include Havoc in Heaven, Where is Mama, Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King and other classic works with Chinese ink characteristics, and also those won the International prizes, such as One Small Step and Life Smartphone.

The participants also have the chance to watch the movie Ne Zha which had a big success in China. It was created on the basis of traditional mythology and has been re-interpreted in modern times creating a second smash hit at the box office in Chinese film history, and entering the Oscar Best Animation feature Primary.

The design exhibition of "Beyond the Tower: The Transfer and Transmission of China's Image" held at the same venue gathered more than 200 designers' works of cross era, cross theme, cross discipline and even cross-cultural background, trying to activate Chinese traditional culture, create new concepts, new categories and new expressions at home and abroad, and explain the macro, open, diverse and confident temperament of contemporary Chinese culture. The exhibition also brings with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games mascot Bing Dwne Dwne to meet the audience in Athens Greece, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

The exhibition of paintings starts on October 25th. The opening ceremony will be held at 3 pm on October 31st. The opening ceremony will combine activities such as animation, food and China Greece friendly stories sharing. Famous art experts from China and Greece will share their creative experiences and stories of cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries. On the night of the opening ceremony, the movie Ne Zha will also be shown at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens.

Sitting pretty on the south-western foot of Mount Ymittos, about 40 minutes from the city, this luxe resort town has a year-round tropical vibe and is to Athens what Cannes is to the Cote d'Azur.

 

Palm trees, fountains, and sunny beds of marigolds line Athinas Avenue, heralding your arrival at this most self-aware of southern suburbs whose main game is leisure. Kostis Georgiou’s bright zoomorphic sculpture Equus accentuates the near-constant blue of the sky and the sweep of Vouliagmeni Bay, with its luxury yachts and members-only nautical clubs and marinas.

Vouliagmeni still falls rather short on culture and shopping, but it does flaunt Athens’ comeliest free and paid beaches and finest seaside dining. Along Fleming Street (the area’s Millionaire’s Row) and in verdant Kavouri you’ll find some of the capital’s priciest real estate. On summer weekends, when this coastal enclave swells with tourists and townies seeking a city reprieve, locals have learned to avoid their own beaches and artisan ice cream parlors. Here's a look at what to experience in this southern suburb of Athens.

Vouliagmeni Lake
Almost hidden from view behind Posidonos Avenue is the beautiful sunken cavern of Vouliagmeni Lake, which lends this southern suburb its name (Vouliagmeni means “sunken” in Greek). Open year-round, the lake is actually a flooded limestone cave, lined with tawny cliffs and fed by underground mineral currents that stay a constant 24° C. Many gripe about the hefty entrance fee (currently €12 on weekdays, €15 on weekends). But wading through the brackish grottos, with tiny blackfish (kalogries) nudging your toes, conjures the feel of an exclusive spa. The lake is flanked by luxuriant lawns and sunbeds and there’s an all-day restaurant that hosts gastronomic evenings (spring to autumn), accompanied by live jazz and orchestral performances, under the illuminated rocks.

Swimming in Vouliagmeni
Elegant Vouliagmeni is more democratic than first impressions suggest: you’ll find all bases of beach covered here. High rollers head to the famous Astir on the lush pine-clad peninsula of Mikro Kavouri. Once the summer playground of Jackie Onassis and Bridget Bardot, Athens’ most expensive beach offers manicured sands, waiter service to your lounger, designer boutiques, and fine dining. Central Akti Vouliagmeni, where Posidonos and Apollonos converge, is one of the city’s best-groomed municipal beaches and a multi-tasking oasis that caters to all. For €5 entry, you have access to sun loungers, wide grassy strips for picnics and ballgames, tennis and volleyball courts, cafes and a playground, plus an aqua inflatable park.

Locals like to swim for free from the rocky piers outside of En Plo café or Sardelaki. Both provide access to the clear waters of the Vouliagmeni basin. Also free, Limanakia Vouliagmeni is the most popular of a run of rocky coves off the coastal road, just outside of Vouliagmeni. Bronzed locals chill out to music on a sociable deck before leaping into the deep blue sea. Grab a seaside perch at Sardelaki on Vouliagmeni Bay and watch the boats roll in. 

Big Crab and Little Crab - Kavouri
Vouliagmeni’s western half, from Athinas Avenue to the sea, is arguably the postcode’s prettiest face. It takes in the two, adjoining pine-covered peninsulas of Megalo and Mikro Kavouri (Big and Little Crab) and is host to lavish villas, unsullied swimming coves, the iconic Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel, scenic seaside promenades, and the picture-book chapel of St. George. It’s here that you’ll find Vouliagmeni’s most revitalized pulse. One of Athens Riviera’s most popular promenades, the paved seafront path that starts just after Lasithi Café on Iliou Street, has been spruced up with new greenery and fresh eateries in place of the slightly seedy shacks of old.

Further down on Iliou, opposite the Divani Apollon Palace, established sunset haunt Garbi has been joined by the chic and breezy Agora Riviera (another recent refit of a once tired venue). But last summer’s talk of the town was the Margi Hotel’s new beach club, Krabo by the Sea, a high-aesthetic (and high-cost) outpost on stunning Koska Bay with canopy sunbeds, a resort wear boutique, and on-the-sand fine dining.

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Photo Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

The transformation of Athens into a smart and sustainable city, where citizens enjoy living and working in it, is one of the top priorities of the Municipality. In the last two years, the Municipality of Athens has developed a series of bold interventions, creating new digital infrastructures and services that make the daily life of the citizens easier.

The Municipality of Athens has already created 118 easy-to-use digital services, which cater to the needs of both citizens and local businesses. Thousands of citizens can now receive certificates and documents online, thus avoiding the need to visit state services and helping prevent overcrowding.

In the past month, the Municipality of Athens took another important digital step, enabling residents and visitors of the capital to enjoy free internet access in 11 parts of the city. Available in some of the city’s busiest neighborhoods, these free wifi hotspots allow citizens to save internet data and money.

During the first three months of its operation, the program has offered free wifi access to over 100,000 users with almost 300,000 unique connections recorded so far.

The areas where free internet access is provided are the following: Syntagma Square, Lycabettus Square, Iroon Square (Psyrri Square), Kotzia Square, Seraphio of the Municipality of Athens, Central Library of the Municipality of Athens (Domokou 2), Cultural Center (Akadimias 50), Liosion 22, Karamanou Square, 1st Cemetery of Athens, and KEP Victoria.

Athens’ citizens and visitors can access the WiFi4EU network from the list of available wifi hotspots on their mobile devices. By selecting “WiFi4EU” and pressing “Login”, they gain free internet access for the next 12 hours, without having to enter any personal information to use the network.

"This initiative marks the beginning of a new era, in which free digital services, focusing on citizens, are being developed every day. Our goal is to extend the program to all 129 neighborhoods of Athens, so that every citizen and every visitor of the city has the opportunity, within the framework of equal opportunities, to use the internet. Athens has entered dynamically into the new digital age.", emphasized the Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakogiannis.

Navarino Challenge presents this year’s schedule of activities as the event will be held for the 11th year, on October 13-15, 2023, at Costa Navarino and Pylos. More than 40 sporting activities and 20 Olympic sports are expected to take place at the W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino hotels, and Pylos.

The top clothing company Luanvi, which plays a leading role in the field of running events and participates in major Marathons such as the one in Valencia, as the Official Sports Supplier of Navarino Challenge, will offer for one more year the event’s official technical t-shirt which will bear the Spiral pattern. The Spiral, which combines the shape of a circle and its dynamic movement, symbolizes time. As part of the smooth endless line, it also symbolizes growth, continuity, the rhythm of breath, and life itself and adorns several of the elements one can encounter when visiting the Palace of Nestor, located in the province of Pylia. All participants will receive a bag, a Luanvi technical t-shirt, a Messinian Spa product, and rich gifts from the sponsors.

The best Greek pole vaulter, 4th Olympian in Tokyo in 2021, with three silver medals in European athletics championships and one bronze medal in world championships, the only Greek athlete in athletics with world records in 2 age categories, U18 and U20, Emmanouil Karalis, will be present at this year’s Navarino Challenge. The great athlete and ambassador of SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS group, will be present at Navarino Challenge for the first time and will be honored by the event for his overall contribution to sports.

Sports Unites People! Watch here the event’s relevant video. 

With the central message “Sports Unites People”, this year's schedule includes activities for everyone such as: football clinics powered by Hellmann’s with the European champion Giorgos Karagounis (for registration click here), basketball clinics powered by Knorr with the Olympic champion Evina Maltsi and the EuroLeague legend Joe Arlauckas, taekwondo powered by The Vegetarian Butcher with the Olympian Michalis Mouroutsos, beachathlon powered by That Gorilla Brand with the Olympian and European champion Periklis Iakovakis, pickleball induction & game play and King of the Court beach volley tournaments powered by Bacardi with Michalis Triantafyllidis, 4on4 basketball tournament powered by Trace ‘n Chase, wheelchair basketball demonstration powered by Trace 'n Chase with the champion Georgia Kaltsi and the Paralympian Makis Kalaras, Knock out Challenge powered by Trace ‘n Chase, tennis demonstration powered by Miele with the Greek champion in wheelchair tennis and member of the Greek National team Giorgos Lazaridis, Masterclasses by Miele’s Chef Ambassador Panos Ioannidis, Sweet treats and Pasta day by Miele’s Chef Alexandros Synkiridis, Men's & Women’s Round Robbin Tournaments with UTS format powered by Miele, climbing powered by That Gorilla Brand, golf clinics powered by Miele, flamingo e-bike ride powered by Europa, Voidokilia bike ride powered by Europa, tennis induction powered by Miele (ages 6 to 9 and 10 to 13 years old), high intensity training for all ages, crossfit, baby swimming up to 3 years powered by Vlaha, sunset beach pilates lessons powered by Europa, spinning challenge for all ages powered by Vikos, padel tournament powered by Miele, sunset beach yoga powered by Messinian Spa, water sports (kitesurfing, windsurfing, windsurfing foiling, wing foiling, SUP, tandem SUP, kayaking in Sphacteria, wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakesurfing), aqua aerobic, cleaning of Gialova beach powered by MOTODYNAMICS Cleaning Team in collaboration with Moraitis Watersports.  

Check here the event’s full schedule.

The event applies sustainable practices again this year, contributing to the protection of the environment. In particular, Navarino Challenge collaborates for another year with PHEE, a start-up company that has developed an innovative technology for the reuse of a range of vegetable waste, for the manufacture of bio composite panels, with commercial applications in architecture, furniture, and also in utilitarian objects. This year Navarino Challenge innovates again, as it will be the first event in the world to give participants a medal made from recycled Poseidonia leaves, while the prizes given at the honorary awards will be made from PHEE’s new material, based on espresso coffee waste. PHEE contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of Navarino Challenge 2023 through the substitution of conventional virgin plastics while raising awareness among participants of the principles of the circular economy.

The activities schedule in Pylos includes primary care diagnostic tests under the auspices of the Medical Association of Messinia powered by Novo Nordisk, near Poseidonia Restaurant, on Friday, October 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., 2 km walking powered by Novo Nordisk in Pylos from the residence of the Olympian Kostis Tsiklitiras to Niokastro on Friday, October 13 from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and an information and awareness seminar for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases powered by Novo Nordisk at Karalis City Hotel & Spa, in Pylos on Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

At the same time, the organization Free Movement Skateboarding, which is a recognized civil non-profit company, continues through the sport of skateboarding to support and promote the well-being, empowerment, and social cohesion of young people. In collaboration with the local businesses of Pylos, they will organize a skateboarding activity powered by Poseidonia Restaurant & Karalis Hotels, at the pier of the port of Pylos, in the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor. The public will be able to join in, on both Saturday, October 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as on Sunday, October 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., while children will learn the great lesson of “getting up when you fall down”.

Run for the first time in the Navarino Challenge Marathon by That Gorilla Brand with the ultramarathon runner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes, the Navarino Challenge Half Marathon by That Gorilla Brand, the 10km route powered by SIXT, member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group or the 5km route powered by Miele. Moreover, a 1km running route, for young people 10-14 years old powered by Europa and a 1km running route for children up to 9 years old powered by Vikos will also be held. Register through the special form available at the following link. The children’s race is held with free participation. All running races are co-organized with Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.

All the proceeds from the Marathon race, as well as 50% of the proceeds from all the other running routes, will be donated through the initiative “That Gorilla Brand's Adventures For A Cause”, by the Grand Sponsor That Gorilla Brand, the world's biggest lifestyle brand dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas, to improve sanitation facilities in Uganda. 

Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. Book now the event’s accommodation package with breakfast and live this year’s unique sports experience. For more information on accommodation packages at the full of energy W Costa Navarino and luxury The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, you may send your email to the booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070. Check the accommodation packages here. 

Check here for the available offers from the event’s Discount Partners which are valid for participants during Navarino Challenge.

That Gorilla Brand is the event’s Grand Sponsor. 

Miele and Europa are the Official Sponsors.

Novo Nordisk is the Strategic Healthcare Sponsor.

Knorr, Hellmann’s, The Vegetarian Butcher are the Official Supporters. 

Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the Official Water. 

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.

DHL is the Logistics Partner.

Athens Medical Group is the Medical Partner. 

Trace ‘n Chase is the Sports Memorabilia Partner.

Kois Optics are the event’s Official Optics Partner. 

Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner.

SKAI is the Premium TV Partner.

Liquid Media is the Premium Media Partner. 

The Sports Footprint is the Sustainability Partner.

The University of Piraeus is the Educational Partner.

Vlaha, Poseidonia Restaurant, Karalis Beach Hotel, Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, Phee, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Zoe Seaside Resort, Spalding, Fysiotek, Bombay Sapphire, Trata, and Pilia Express are the event’s Partners. 

Angelic Yoga Arts, FitnessArt, Moraitis Watersports, Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim O’ Clock, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena are the event’s Athletic Partners.

Navarino Challenge is Assisted by Vita N Travel, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, and Rania's Flower.

The organization supports this year the following CSR Partners: The Other Human, Alma Zois in Patras, the Shelter for Unaccompanied Minors in Oreokastro “ARSIS”, Doctors Without Borders, Dogs’ Voice, Humanity Greece, Karkinaki, the Association of Cancer Patients, Volunteers, Friends, Doctors “K.E.F.I.” of Athens, the Association of Parents of Children with Neoplastic Diseases of Northern Greece “LAMPSI”, the Association of Single Parent Families “STIRIZO”, the Parents Association of Children with Cancer “Floga”. This year's Silent Auctions will start in the next few days here.

Anazoe Spa, Apoella, Asoma, Attica Selections, Away Spa, Biblioteca, Bio & Pharma, Moraitis Watersports, Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino, Nargile, Navarino Outdoors, Panellinios Agora Games, Tsamis Eyewear Boutique are the Discount Partners. 

Navarino Challenge is held Under the Auspices of the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization.

The event has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2023 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. 

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

#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitespeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell

Photo credit: Elias Lefas

Podcasts have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering a wealth of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. Whether you're a history buff, a true crime aficionado, someone looking to improve your well-being, or even if you just want to improve your Greek, there’s a Greek podcast out there for you.

Here are some of the best Greek podcasts you should tune into right now!

Archaeostoryteller



Hosted by Theodoros Papakostas, Archaeostoryteller delves into why archaeology is the most enjoyable science. Papakostas brings the ancient world to life, showing how it can move us, frighten us, entertain us, and make us proud of our ancestors when they excelled, and of ourselves when we do better. He passionately explains that the past is an intrinsic part of us, awakening something within us when we come to know it.

Episodes We Loved: