XpatAthens

Tuesday, 17 September 2019 23:18

September 17 - Rediscovering Athens In The Fall

Athens in home to thousands of activities and events for people, as well as families to enjoy. If you're curious to find out, nothing beats our children's activities list, filled with fun and educational family outings in the city!

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Published in Newsletters

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Tuesday, 16 June 2020 16:17

The 3 Distinct Orders Of Ancient Greek Architecture

Ancient Greek architecture was produced by the Hellenic people who thrived on the Greek mainland, the Peloponnese, the Aegean Islands, and in the colonies in Anatolia and Italy from around 900 BC until the 1st century AD. The earliest remaining architectural works dating from about 600 BC.

Ancient Greek architecture is famous for its temples–the Parthenon being a prime example–that are found throughout the country, mostly in ruins, but a few surviving surprisingly intact. Other types of ancient Greek buildings still surviving today are open-air theaters, processional gateways (propylaea), public squares (agoras), storied colonnades (stoes), town council buildings (bouleuteria), monumental tombs (mausoleums), and stadiums.

There are 3 distinct orders in Ancient Greek architecture: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Romans adopted all 3 orders around the 1st century BC, and since then, they have been continually used in European Neoclassical architecture.

Even though sometimes the Doric order is considered the earliest, there is no concrete evidence to support this. In fact, the Doric and Ionic orders seem to have made their appearance at around the same point in time; the Ionic in eastern Greece and the Doric in the west and mainland.

The Temple of Hera in Olympia is the oldest, well-preserved Doric style temple dating back to about 600 BC. The Doric order later spread throughout Greece and Sicily, where it continued to be the leading monumental architectural style for 800 years.

Doric Order

The Doric order originates in the mainland and western Greece. It is the starkest architectural order and is characterized by short, organized, massive columns with plain, round capitals, and no base. With a height that is just 4 to 8 times its diameter, Doric columns are the shortest of all orders. The shaft of the Doric order columns is channeled with 20 flutes, while the capital consists of a simple ring necking or annulet. The echinus is convex, or circular cushion-like stone and the abacus is a square slab of stone. Above the capital is a square abacus that connects the capital to the entablature. The frieze of the Doric entablatures is consists of triglyphs and metopes. A triglyph is a section that consists of 3 vertical bands, separated by grooves, while a metope is the plain or carved relief located between 2 triglyphs. The Greek forms of the Doric order come without an individual base, and they are placed directly on the stylobate.

Ionic Order

The Ionic order originates from eastern Greece and is distinguished by slender, fluted columns with a broad base and two opposed volutes or scrolls in the echinus, which is adorned with an egg-and-dart motif. The Ionic shaft comes with 24 flutes, 4 more than its Doric counterpart. At its base, an Ionic column has two convex mouldings called tori, separated by a scotia. A column of the Ionic order is 8 times its lower diameter. The architrave of the entablature usually consists of 3 stepped bands, and its frieze is sometimes adorned with continuous ornamental carved figures.

Corinthian Order

The Corinthian order is the most intricate of the Greek orders. It is distinguished by a slender fluted column and an ornate capital, which is decorated with 2 rows of acanthus leaves and 4 scrolls—the Corinthian order is widely considered the most graceful of the 3 orders. The shaft of a Corinthian order pillar has 24 flutes, which is usually 10 diameters high. According to the Roman writer Vitruvius, the invention of the Corinthian order is attributed to Callimachus—a Greek sculptor of the 5th century BC. The oldest known Corinthian style building is the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens that was erected between 335 and 334 BC.

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

Published in Greek Language & Culture

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Tuesday, 09 February 2021 15:30

Athenian Experiences Not To Be Missed

Have you ticked off the Acropolis and already done Plaka? If you're looking for some great must-do experiences in Athens, don't miss out on these fascinating Athenian experiences.

We’re thinking movies in open-air theatres, hillside strolls at sunset and lunches by the sea!

Find The Greek Islands In Anafiotika
How so many visitors to Athens manage to miss out on romantic Anafiotika—even though it’s just below the Parthenon—is a complete mystery. A serene Cycladic village smack in the city centre, Anafiotika was built in the mid-19th century by stonemasons from the island of Anafi, summoned by King Otto I to build his palace (today’s Parliament building). By night, the islanders knocked up these humble, whitewashed dwellings for their own families. Once illegal, these flower-framed cottages are now an essential element of Athens’ architectural heritage. A perfect escape for those who don’t have time to hit the Greek islands, Anafiotika is Insta-heaven. Getting lost in the meandering, nameless lanes is half the joy.

Watch The Sunset
Athenian sunsets never grow old. The higher you go, the more impressive the show. So join the stream of locals racing up to Areopagus Hill as dusk falls. Just opposite the gateway to the Parthenon, this rocky outcrop was where the ancient city elders presided. It later served as a criminal court where murders were tried. These days, it’s a popular spot for courting couples and young friends, simply known as Vrahakia (“little rocks”). From up here, you can see get a sense of the modern city’s topography as well as its ancient iconography. Wear sneakers—the rocks have been worn smooth by countless bottoms perched here over the centuries.

Catch A Concert At A Roman Amphitheatre
There are music venues and then there’s the Odeon of Herod Atticus (or rather, the Herodion, as every Athenian calls it). Some pretty stellar names have played at this epic 2,000-year-old arena on the southern slopes of the Acropolis. Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Liza Minnelli, and, of course, Maria Callas. Put them all together and they still can’t outshine the star quality of the Herodion. From May to October, it’s the main open-air venue for the Athens Festival, an international bonanza of arts and culture. On stage, global icons like Sting gaze up at the moon rising over the glowing Parthenon, as if to say: “Holy cow”. And so will you.

Wrap Your Chops Around A Souvlaki
Leaving Athens without sampling our finest street food? We don’t think so. With a history dating back centuries, these moreish skewers of char-grilled meat are Athens’ answer to the hot dog in New York or fish and chips in London. Beloved by locals-on-the-go as a cheap and hearty snack between shopping, meetings, or bar-hopping, souvlaki comes in all kinds of tasty guises. You can even get vegetarian options these days, wrapped in pita bread and drizzled with secret sauces. You really can’t go wrong, especially if you go to one of the locals’ favourite souvlaki joints.

Do An Olympic Workout
There are plenty of scenic running routes in Athens but the most heart-racing one is the 500-metre, pine-shaded track that runs above the Panathenaic marble stadium on Ardittos Hill. Grab your Nikes—they were named after the Greek Goddess of Victory, you know—and slip through the green gate on Archimidous Street (just behind the stadium in Pangrati) to access this hidden running track with rousing Acropolis views. It’s free to use and overlooks the gleaming stadium that kicked off the modern Olympic Games in 1896, the world’s only athletic arena built entirely of marble. There’s a running track inside the stadium too, if you really want to act the sporting champion.

Say A Little Prayer
Wandering the streets of Athens, you’re likely to spot locals making the sign of the cross—a telltale sign that there’s a church nearby. They may not be obvious at first glance, but the magical Byzantine churches of Athens are peppered among the city’s apartments and squares. Athenians throng to church in the week before Easter on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15. But step inside a Byzantine chapel any time of day or year and you’re transported to medieval Athens. Light a candle, say a prayer or make a wish, and watch the flames flicker over the frescoed dome and gold-tinged icons. You might stumble upon a church service, christening or wedding in progress. Don’t hesitate to join in. The musky, meditative world of Greek Orthodoxy is open to everyone.

Sunday Lunch By The Sea
Most Athenians don’t care a jot about the shops being shut on Sundays. They’d much rather be indulging in one of their favourite pastimes: the marathon Sunday lunch by the sea. Year-round, you’ll find Athenians enjoying high-spirited feasts all along the Athens Riviera, from the fancy seafood restaurants of Mikrolimano, near Piraeus, to the laid-back, seaside tavernas of Varkiza and Kavouri. To lunch like a local: go late (never before 2 pm), order dozens of meze to share, and squabble at length over who gets to pay the bill.

To read more of these unique experiences in Athens visit: This is Athens
Photo Credit: Thomas Gravanis

Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.

Published in City Discovery

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Wednesday, 04 May 2022 07:00

5 Of Europe’s Best Rooftop Bars Are In Greece

Five of Europe’s best rooftop bars are located in Greece: in the city of Athens and on the island of Santorini, according to a study released by entertainment site MrQ.

To determine its 2022 European Rooftop Bar Index, MrQ analyzed 145 rooftop bars in 30 European cities. Based on five metrics that can “make or break” a great rooftop bar experience, the study examines average rating, number of reviews, the popularity of Instagram hashtags, and average temperatures in the summer.

MrQ includes five Greek rooftop bars on its Top 10 list:

3rd spot – PK Cocktail Bar, Santorini

@pkcocktailbar

PK Cocktail Bar, Santorini’s longest-running cocktail bar ranks third. Clearly popular with its customers, PK Cocktail Bar has secured an impressive five-star rating and the hashtag #pkcocktailbar has been used 2,583 times, MrQ says.

7th spot – Thea Terrace Bar, Athens

@athenshotspots

Thea Terrace Bar may be one of Athens’ hidden gems, with just 134 Instagram hashtags, however, reviewers rate it 4.5 stars.

8th spot – V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar, Santorini

@santorini_vlounge_cocktailbar

On the top floor of the Panorama Boutique Hotel, V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar ranks in eighth place and gets reviewed well, scoring 4.5 stars with 1,092 reviews.

9th spot – Metropolis Roof Garden, Athens

@electrametropolis

With just 138 reviews so far and 187 hashtags on Instagram, Metropolis Roof Garden has secured a near-perfect 4.5-star rating.

10th spot – Acropolis Secret Bar Restaurant, Athens

@divanipalaceacropolis

Rounding off the top 10 is another location in Athens, the Acropolis Secret Bar Restaurant with breathtaking views of the Acropolis Museum. Another one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, this rooftop restaurant located on top of the five-star Divani Palace Acropolis, has a fantastic rating (4.5 stars).

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr

Main image: @santorini_vlounge_cocktailbar

Published in Greece In The News

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Friday, 19 December 2014 10:39

XpatAthens Members

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Published in About Us

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Thursday, 05 February 2015 12:42

My Week in Athens… February 23

One of my favourite things to do is wander through the historic centre and ‘see what I see’… Early on Sunday afternoon I was in Psiri, with no real agenda except to feed my coffee addiction. Psiri is one of those colourful neighbourhoods where you tend to notice something new with each visit. Call me naïve, but I feel it’s one of the ‘real Athens’ areas of the city-centre – classic Sunday afternoons with a bite to eat and live Greek music…

…I was emerging from the alleys, towards Monastiraki Square, and noticed the smooth, graffiti-free exterior of the ‘A For Athens’ boutique hotel. It’s a hotel, it’s hip & totally urban – I figured there must be a bar or a cafe in there somewhere. And there is. Up on the roof. And your reward for braving the cigarette-heavy air is a view that rivals any in the city. Seriously. Acropolis, Monastiraki, Plaka stretch across the super-wide window like a painting, with colours I never really noticed before, frozen in time. It’s breathtaking, and the best part is that I felt like I was sharing a ‘local’s secret’, not just another stop on the tourist route. And staring at the centuries-old scene below, I remembered a few of the reasons why I first fell in love with Athens…

A For Athens
2-4 Miaouli Street
www.aforathens.com

How was your Week in Athens? Do you have a story you want to share? Send me a note at ideas@xpatathens.com.

See you next week,

Jack

A reader’s comment from last week’s post:

Thank you for sharing the information about The Black Duck cafe. It is encouraging to hear that interesting cafes exist in the centre as most of the beautiful and historical cafes in Athens eg. in Syntagma square and Panepistimiou, have been destroyed or replaced by shopping centres and fast food places (which don't really merit the name "restaurants"). I think it is also important for those of us who live in the "sheltered" northern or southern suburbs to go to the centre of Athens and keep in touch with life "down there" and support events which happen -in spite of all the frequent turmoil- as the experience is often rich and rewarding.

Annetta E.

Published in My Week In Athens

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Monday, 16 February 2015 09:45

"The Deli Bar" in Voula

Opening in 2008 the Deli bar has proved a very popular place for the International community, local long term expat residents and Greeks alike to enjoy great beer, tasty food and excellent company. Located on Voula high street (Vas Pavlou) you will always find a great crowd enjoying a cool beer on the comfortable outdoor seating or tucking into a tasty home cooked meal in the bar. In addition to the regular menu the Deli Bar brings you a wide selection of products you may desperately miss from back home in their deli/shop.

Shop

The Deli Bar sells an impressive range of British products like Marmite, Branston pickle, Patak's sauces and pastes, Horlicks, Bisto, HP Sauce, pork pies, sausages and back bacon etc so why not go for a beer and take away a taste of home.

Drinks

The Deli Bar have a superb draught Guinness, Kilkenny and Mythos plus many bottled beers and a wide range or spirits and soft drinks.

Food

Drop by at lunch time for the famous Deli Bar sandwiches, freshly made salads, steak and kidney pies, steak and guinness pies and chicken and mushroom pies which are absolutely delicious.

What's happening?

Quiz night every Tuesday 8:30pm.

"The Hammers" Darts home team play every Monday.

Special events organized monthly, for example curry night, fish and chips night...

Coming Up.....

FRIDAY EVENINGS

LADIES HAPPY HOURS!!!

7:00 - 9:00 pm!

Join in and get involved!!

To view the menu click here

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30-12:00am
Saturday: 9:00-12ish am
Sunday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm

Address: Vas Pavlou 94, Voula
Telephone: 210 96 89 350
E-mail: info@delibar.gr

Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!

Published in Restaurants In Athens

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Wednesday, 18 February 2015 14:18

Travel Destinations in Greece

This topic always pops up in conversations I have with friends who plan a visit to Greece: "What places should I include in my two-week long itinerary"? I often pondered with the question myself, and knowing that no matter where I go there will always be another place I wish I had visited, I return to Greece with my family year after year just to find out that the best we have not seen yet. Every year's visit packs a few surprises that make it even better that the previous trips. I grew up in Greece, and I have traveled extensively around the country and the rest of the world before I moved to the USA, and even now I make sure to visit Greece at least once per year.

So I will include here my own personal favorite Greek destinations in brief, while in the other pages of this site I get to elaborate a little on each place.

The best vacations are often measured not by where one wanders, but by the friendships, the relationships, and the family bonds that one forges once there. The landscapes then act as mere vehicles for delightful moments.

A place is not enough. An open mind is also required to absorb the new social, cultural and visual signals that surround a traveler. Once this is understood, then it does not hurt to be absorbed by a unique topography, an ancient landscape, to be touched by a cool meltemi breeze, or to be lost in the azure ocean.

So then, where is the best place to visit in Greece? What is the absolute must-see locale? To answer the question one must define one's own interests first. Greece can offer an incredible gamut of activities.

The cultural and historical background of Greece has sprinkled the landscapes with ruins that span six thousand years. The alternating invaders, the peacefull settlers, and the country's position at the crossroads between east and west, have all left their mark on the Greek cultural landscape. Archaeological sites abound in the country side, and museums in cities protect priceless artifacts from antiquity. It would be an omission to visit Greece and leave without experiencing the ancient Greek culture; the culture that is credited with the birth of western civilization.

Source: Greeklandscapes.com

Published in Travel Greece

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Friday, 20 February 2015 16:52

Ekmek Kataifi Recipe

Although, this is not an original Greek dessert - I believe it originally hails from Turkey, this fabulous dessert has been enjoyed throughout Greece for quit some time. Traditionally, the dessert Ekmek is made with a base of ‘Kataifi’ pastry. This pastry resembles angel's hair pasta or vermicelli as it is cut into very thin strands.

Ingredients

Pastry Base Ingredients:
1/2 kilo kataifi pastry dough
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

Syrup Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Custard Ingredients:
7 egg yokes
6 cups milk
1 1/2 cup sugar
7 tbsp. fine semolina flour
2 tbsp. corn flour
grated rind of 1 lemon
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping Ingredients:
2 cups sweetened whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Heat your oven to 190C. Butter a 30cm pan. Make sure it’s a deep one so it will accommodate the layers of pastry, custard and cream.

Make the base. Take the Kataifi pastry and pull the strands apart so it lays light and fluffy on the bottom of the pan. Brush the pastry with the melted butter then put it in the oven to toast. Just a few minutes should be enough, as you want it golden brown.

Make the syrup. In a small saucepan, boil the sugar with the water and cinnamon stick. You only need to boil it until it thickens a bit, but if you prefer thicker syrup, just keep boiling off the water. Be careful though, you don’t want the syrup to burn or caramelize. When it’s thick enough for your preference, remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Pour the hot syrup over the toasted pastry base.

Make the custard. In a medium saucepan, beat the sugar and the egg yokes together. Slowly add the semolina flour, milk, and the corn flour, alternating them until all are incorporated. Move the pan to medium heat and cook this custard, stirring constantly. Again, be careful, you don’t want to scorch it, so keep right over it and stir continuously. When the custard thickens, remove from the heat. Beat in the vanilla and the lemon rind then pour the custard over the syrup/pastry base.

Let the whole thing cool completely before you add the final topping. If you like, you can refrigerate it overnight and make the topping the next day.

Make the Topping. Beat the whipping cream with the vanilla until its stiff. Spread this over the cooled custard/pastry and there you have it.... Ekmek!! You can garnish the Ekmek with maraschino cherries, chopped almonds, whole pitted dates, or whatever takes your fancy.

By Susie

faliraki-info.com

Published in Greek Food & Diet

Tagged under

Thursday, 14 May 2015 21:01

Overcoming Loneliness The 'OPA!' Way

Despite connecting with new "friends" via online social networking (e.g., Facebook), despite living in cities with thousands of people, and despite working in large organizations, the incidence of people who say they are lonely keeps rising. Many people are connecting all the time -- working two jobs, using Blackberries, iPhones and other devices 24/7, engaging in numerous activities -- yet they still feel that they have no one with whom to talk about serious issues in their lives, no one to talk things out. It's becoming a big issue in our society and postmodern world.

A recent AARP study, for instance, found that the percentage of Americans who have no one with whom to discuss important matters has risen to more than 24 percent (that's right, essentially one out of every four people!). They also found that the loneliest people were in their mid-years, not the older folks who are typically thought to be the loneliest in our society.

It's time for what the Greeks call an antidoto (αντίδοτο), which translates into the familiar English word, "antidote," meaning a remedy or something that relieves or prevents a situation. It's time to return to the OPA! Village where connecting meaningfully with Others is a daily priority.

In the village, it is customary to find men sitting in kafenios (cafés) talking and connecting with each other in the early mornings before the day's chores begin and again in the late afternoons after the day's chores have been completed. We also find young men taking walks with other young men with their babies in strollers in the early evening. We find community tables in restaurants where people truly bond over food, taking the time to share a meal such as dinner together and discuss life while eating from shared platters of food.

This is in sharp contrast to what is experienced in our North American society, where we typically eat at separate tables with individual plates of food, or rush through our meal at a "fast food restaurant," or even purchase "takeout food" that we take home to eat, often sitting alone in our homes. Importantly, we would like to point out that the Greek word for "banquet" is συμπόσιον, which is the English word "symposium," even though its contemporary meaning and practical uses have obviously changed over the years. To the Greeks, both in ancient times and today, the idea of connecting with others over food (and drink) is the true essence of the symposium, which is not treated lightly and, in point of fact, is a very important part of daily life.

Insight: Socializing is important to our health, not just in physical sense but also in terms of our emotional and spiritual well-being. Research has shown that bonding and having friends lowers our blood pressure and stress levels and also strengthens our immune systems, leading to longer, healthier lives! So go beyond social networking online -- reach out to truly find ways to bond with others. Let's bring back the traditional notion of the "symposium." This is an essential part of living (and working) The OPA! Way! Opa!

Dr. Alex Pattakos and his partner, Dr. Elaine Dundon, are the co-founders of The OPA! Way® lifestyle of "Living Your Inner Greece!" which means living all of life to the fullest with enthusiasm and meaning. You can find out more about Dr. Pattakos, author of the international bestselling book "Prisoners of Our Thoughts," and Dr. Dundon, author of the international bestselling book, "The Seeds of Innovation," in their HuffPost bio. You are also invited to follow The OPA! Way on Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheOPAWay) and join the OPA! Village (www.theopaway.com).

By Alex Pattakos

The Huffington Post

Published in Books

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September 17 - Rediscovering Athens In The Fall

The 3 Distinct Orders Of Ancient Greek Architecture

Athenian Experiences Not To Be Missed

5 Of Europe’s Best Rooftop Bars Are In Greece

XpatAthens Members

My Week in Athens… February 23

"The Deli Bar" in Voula

Travel Destinations in Greece

Ekmek Kataifi Recipe

Overcoming Loneliness The 'OPA!' Way

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