In a recent poll for the Condé Nast Readers' Travel Awards, Greece was voted the best country in the world! With excellent food, stunning beaches, and amazing hospitality, it’s no wonder that Greece came in at #1!

The Readers' Travel Awards celebrates the best of the best in travel, as voted for by people who love to travel: the readers of Condé Nast Traveller.

To see more of the ‘best of the best’ in travel, please visit: CN Traveller

Jessica from Athens Coast explores Glyfada and shares a favorite new bar in the area called Brewklyn. It was ‘just what Glyfada needed!’

Brewklyn has the feel of a neighborhood hang-out. It’s very easy to visit this place once and declare it ‘my new spot’.

Outside seating on the busy Giannitsopoulou Street is perfect for people watching, especially in the summer months when twilight extends past 9pm.

Once the sun goes down, the inside has an inviting, cosy feeling with dim lighting and simple decor.

They offer over 80 varieties of beer at Brewklyn. The beer lovers behind the bar are constantly bringing in new beers to try and keep things up-to-date. They pay special attention to new and up-and-coming Greek breweries and are always rooting for the ‘home team’. Brewklyn also offers a delicious selection of pizza.

Address: Giannitsopoulou 3

Telephone: 210 894 3400

Hours: Daily from 18:00 to 02:00.

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To read this article in full, please visit: Athens Coast

Learn how the first of May is traditionally celebrated in Greece, tips and secrets to living well and being happy. Discover a street food venture in London serving authentic Greek Souvlaki and a cafe in the heart of Plaka that was selected by Conde Nast Traveler as a world favourite!

 

 

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This August 2017, Greece witnessed a spectacular full moon with a partial lunar eclipse! The video below shows the moon rise over Cape Sounion in Athens where you can see the lunar eclipse and crowds enjoying the sight!

 

Explore how Carnivals are celebrated in Greece and all the traditions that come along with them!

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Each year the editors of Condé Nast Traveler magazine pick their favorite hotels and resorts of all time! The so-called Gold List spans six continents and 36 countries and is considered to be one of the travel industry's most elite accolades. In fact, the hotels on the list are exceptional, classic, and simply brilliant. They are the sort of hotel that will instantly make you daydream of an unforgettable vacation.

 

The only Greek hotel to make it on the 2019 Gold List is the famous Perivolas Hotel in Santorini. The hotel’s story began in 1969 when Manos Psychas and his wife bought a piece of cliff with cave dwellings and stables in the Perivolas area of the cliff top village of Oia. Faithful to the tradition of the island's unique architecture, the couple restored a group of 300-year-old caves that were once the homes of local fishermen and farmers. With the help local craftsmen, this historical setting was gradually transformed into a luxurious retreat of 20 very unique suites.

‘There are plenty of hotels on Santorini with giddying views—the most desirable places to stay teeter on the rim of a 300-meter cliff that plunges into the flooded volcanic caldera. But none have the spare, ethereal bone structure of Perivolas. Rooms are sculpted from brushed concrete, pressed into arched doorways and barreled ceilings with the builders’ bare hands. Bright hits of pink and purple—a sprig of bougainvillea, a heap of floor cushions—bring the cool white interiors and black volcanic walls into sharper focus. This fierce purity defines every detail at Perivolas, a family dream that materialized in the early 1980s and is still run with great passion and precision by the Psychas clan. The line-up here is scant but special: a hushed restaurant beside a pool almost indistinguishable from the blue horizon, where the chef cures, smokes, and ferments local ingredients into artful yet unfussy dishes; and a small, soulful spa streaming with natural light. It takes confidence to leave so much out of a five-star hotel, but Perivolas defines luxury differently than most hotels on the island—or anywhere else for that matter. One of the things that draws devotees back season after season is the fact that time seems to stand still here. Sure, discreet additions might appear, such as the purpose-built gym, lap pool, and yoga studio last year. But while the rest of Santorini is engaged in an unseemly scrum for more tourist dollars, life at Perivolas remains blissfully unhurried, unflashy and yes, unspoiled.’

 

To read the Gold List in full, please visit: Condé Nast Traveler

Photo Credit: Perivolas Hotel

When Shakespeare wrote, 'It all sounds Greek to me' in his play Julius Caesar, he pretty much summed up how the Greek language sounds to a foreigner's ear. Incomprehensible as it may sound, Greek is notably rich in expressions and meanings; and knowing a few words may come in handy if you are traveling to Greece. But if you think this means sweating over an English-Greek dictionary, think again; because here you will find the Greek words that you really need to know.

Yia Sou

Possibly the most essential Greek phrase, and one of the most common Greek greetings, 'yia sou' [jaː su] is an informal way of saying 'hello.' What your Greek phrasebook probably won't tell you, is that 'yia' is a shorter version of 'iyia' [ijiːa], which means 'health' in Greek. By saying 'yia sou' you are greeting people by literally wishing them good health!

The Greek government and Volkswagen have signed a memorandum to transform the island of Astypalaia into a zero-carbon, climate-protecting community.

 

This monumental task aims to transform the lives of Astypalaia's 1,300 permanent residents while raising their awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

 

The first step is to replace all of the island's 1,500 vehicles with electric ones and to create all the necessary infrastructure. Furthermore, a smarter traffic system will be implemented and alternative means of transportation such as scooters and light commercial vehicles will also be introduced hence, reducing the size of the transport fleet on the island by a third.

 

This large scale model developed by Volkswagen will allow for other places around Europe to embrace the approach. By embracing the project, Greece will be able to reach its own climate goals and provide other countries with a blueprint of how to achieve them as well.

To read this article in full, please visit: themayor.eu

Greek universities plan to expand the number of programs offered in English, aiming to attract students from the Balkans, other Mediterranean countries, South Asia, and China, as well as interested Greek students.

More than 200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs will be added, most in 2023-24 but some in the 2022-23 academic year.

Universities are seeking support from EU structural funds.

Likewise, UK universities aim to attract Greek students back, after seeing an exodus after Brexit, by offering joint programs with Greek institutions.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

The Olympic Games are not just about athletic prowess; they're also filled with remarkable stories, astonishing achievements, and unforgettable moments.

From groundbreaking milestones to incredible displays of resilience and determination, here are some of the most wow facts about the Olympic Games that will leave you in awe!

In ancient Greece, women were not allowed to compete or even attend the Olympic Games. However, one woman, Kallipateira, defied convention and made history. Disguising herself as a man, she entered the Olympic stadium to watch her son, Peisirrodos, compete in wrestling. When he won, she couldn't contain her joy and accidentally revealed her true identity. Rather than face punishment, Kallipateira was celebrated for her devotion and bravery, becoming the first woman to enter the Olympic Games.

In 1896, at the inaugural modern Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece, Spyros Louis captured the hearts of his nation and the admiration of trailing behind favored competitors from more established running nations. However, fueled by the cheers of his fellow Greeks lining the streets of Athens, Louis refused to succumb to the scorching heat and exhaustion. In a stunning turn of events, Louis surged ahead in the final leg of the race, overtaking his rivals and crossing the finish line at the Panathenaic Stadium to claim the gold medal. His unexpected triumph sparked jubilant celebrations throughout Greece, marking a symbolic victory for the host nation and forever etching his name into Olympic history.

At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, amidst the backdrop of Nazi Germany's propaganda of Aryan superiority, African-American athlete Jesse Owens delivered a stunning rebuke. Owens won four gold medals in track and field, disproving Hitler's ideology and cementing his place as one of the greatest athletes of all time. His triumphs transcended sports, sending a powerful message of courage, equality, and resilience in the face of adversity.

In 1960, Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila made history at the Rome Olympics by winning the marathon barefoot. Due to shoe discomfort, Bikila decided to run the race without shoes, a decision that astonished spectators and defied conventional wisdom. Not only did Bikila win the marathon, but he also set a new world record, becoming the first African to win Olympic gold and inspiring generations of athletes with his remarkable feat.

In one of the most heartwarming moments in Olympic history, British sprinter Derek Redmond tore his hamstring during the 400-meter semifinal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Determined to finish the race, Redmond refused to quit, hobbling along the track in excruciating pain. Suddenly, his father, Jim Redmond, broke through security and rushed to his son's side, supporting him as they crossed the finish line together. Their emotional embrace epitomized the bond of love, sacrifice, and resilience, inspiring millions around the world.

6. The Greek Goddess: Voula Patoulidou's Historic Hurdle



In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Greek hurdler Voula Patoulidou etched her name into Olympic history with a stunning upset victory in the women's 100-meter hurdles. Against formidable competition, including reigning champion Gail Devers of the United States, Patoulidou surged ahead in the final meters to claim gold, becoming the first Greek woman to win an Olympic track and field title. Her triumph sparked jubilant celebrations across Greece, inspiring a new generation of athletes and solidifying her status as a national hero.

In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Equatorial Guinean swimmer Eric Moussambani captured the hearts of spectators with his valiant effort in the men's 100-meter freestyle. Hailing from a country with limited resources and without access to proper training facilities, Moussambani had learned to swim in a hotel pool only eight months before the Games. Despite his lack of experience and preparation, Moussambani found himself competing on the world's biggest stage. In a race that became known as the "Eric the Eel" heat, Moussambani swam alone after his competitors were disqualified for false starts. Though he struggled to complete the distance, Moussambani's courage and perseverance endeared him to audiences worldwide, embodying the Olympic ideal of participation, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of personal excellence.