
XpatAthens
Ready To Rock 2019 & Become Your Most Authentic Self?
XpatAthens contributor, Eleni Meraki of Guts & Tales, has been cooking up another inspiring platform called Be Your Own Muse that is a 12-week online coaching program designed for women.
Eleni tells us that BYOM is the biggest professional accomplishment of her life so far. She's never felt more proud, strong, committed and excited about anything else before. For Eleni personally, the last 3 years have been quite a ride, from her own career and life change, including her emigration to Greece, it’s been a journey of many changes, many fears, and innumerable obstacles to overcome – continuous falling and getting up again.
We’d like to invite you to join women from all around the planet, to take part in a 12-week program that will truly impact your life. The program will take you through 12 themes that step-by-step will get you to exactly where you need to take you, to being your own muse.
- Being authentic.
- Managing your thoughts.
- Believing in yourself, no matter what.
- Navigating your feelings and emotions.
- Living a balanced life.
- Maintaining a positive mindset.
- Be present and patient.
About the creator of the Be Your Own Muse program:
February 5 - Valentine΄s Day Giveaway Brought To You By XpatAthens
How Reforestation Can Help Save The Climate
A startling 300 billion tons of carbon has been emitted into the atmosphere as a result of human activity since the Industrial Revolution, heating the planet to alarming levels. But trees can capture carbon, storing it above and below ground.
According to Professor Thomas Crowther, founder of the Crowther Lab at ETH Zurich: "We all knew that restoring forests could play a part in tackling climate change, but we didn't really know how big the impact would be. Our study shows clearly that forest restoration is the best climate change solution available today. But we must act quickly, as new forests will take decades to mature and achieve their full potential as a source of natural carbon storage."
To read this article in full please visit: ETH Zurich
It's Not Christmas In Athens Until...
Gone for a cocktail at: Noel Bar. A cosy concept bar on Kolokotroni Street where it's Christmas all year. The music is jazzy and the permanent holiday decor is a tad over-the-top. Just how you want it for Christmas.
Had a festive meal at: GB Roof Garden, with a quick stop by the Christmas tree at the entrance to enjoy the festive piano music. For my family, it's the place to mark the beginning of the holidays. As the season comes to an end, I like to visit a Mikrolimano fish restaurant for a glimpse of the winter sea.
Shopped for gifts at: Living Green in Kifissia. This little gem stocks very original eco gifts. Christmas can be so wasteful and this is the place to go to buy a gift for someone to plant in their garden or a toy that's made from recycled or biodegradable materials.
Enjoyed a performance at: Onassis Stegi. They put on such original and innovative work - you’re guaranteed to leave with lots to think and talk about over the holidays.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: Stunning Stavros Niarchos Park, where there's always something wondrous happening.
Gone for a walk around: The centre of Athens -starting from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki - to admire the lights and music. There's nothing more “Christmas” than a late afternoon walk in the cold December air, with a Christmas Stars tea from Tea Route in my hands.
Listened to: Athens Big Band (a popular swing band) in an open-air Christmas event in downtown Athens. You can't beat the joy of stumbling across fantastic live music as you're walking down the street.
Gone for a cocktail at: One of the groovy bars in the neighbourhood of Psirri. It gets very Christmassy there and always has a fantastic vibe, especially in December.
Had a festive meal at: Every year, I bake melomakarona (traditional Greek Christmas biscuits) at my house made with pure ingredients and spices that I buy from the wonderful food shops of Evripidou Street.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: The decorated city centre of Athens, especially the classic Christmas feel of Voukourestiou Street in Kolonaki.
Gone for a walk around: My favourite festive walk has to be down Dionysiou Areopagitou to see the seasonal lights and along the ancient alleys of Plaka with the lit-up Parthenon glowing above, adding to the magic of it all.
Listened to: The Christmas carols that resound from the children of Athens in every neighbourhood of the city as they do the rounds singing the kalanta (Greek Christmas jingles)
What I love most about Christmas: Baking Christmas cakes to give as presents and share with my friends in Athens.
Gone for a cocktail at: Athénée Athens (formerly Zonars). Since it opened right in the centre of town in the 1930s, this elegant icon has hosted everyone from Melina Mercouri and Sophia Loren to Anthony Quinn and can always be counted on when you’re in the mood for some serious retro glamour.
Had a festive meal at: Brunch or lunch at Brunello restaurant in Kolonaki is another Christmas classic. It has a cool crowd, an amazing food and wine list and such a great atmosphere & music, especially over the party season.
Shopped for gifts at: Cartier and Hermès on Voukourestiou Street in Kolonaki. I love going to this stylish street and visiting all the high-end fashion boutiques and going a little “extra” on Christmas gifts! Only the best for my loved ones.
Enjoyed a performance or concert at: Pallas Theatre, just around the corner from Athénée. It’s such a grand Athenian landmark and always has uplifting productions in the lead up to Christmas.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: Hotel Grande Bretagne at one of their famous high tea sittings in the Winter Garden City Lounge. You can’t beat it for luxury festive ambiance and their tree is always the best dressed in town!
Listened to: Classical music on Christmas morning is the best way to start this special day.
What I love most about Christmas: Being with family and loved ones, opening our gifts and spending quality time together! Those moments are so precious and irreplaceable.
Photo by: Nikos Karanikolas
Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share!
Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.
Athens Unpacked - A Podcast Series From This Is Athens
This is not just another podcast series. It's more of a documentary where you’ll visit a lesser-known aqueduct built by a Roman emperor, meet the capital’s most exposed skeleton, encounter the alternative culture behind Rembetika (Greece’s answer to the blues), climb a historic off-grid hill with a former archaeologist, experience a refugee neighborhood, browse a bustling farmer’s market with a local foodie, and explore the omnipresent legacy of the ancient philosophers and politicians. What a brilliant way to connect with the heart and soul of Athens!
To embark on this audio odyssey of Athens, please visit: thisisathens.org or subscribe here on Spotify, Apple Music, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this debut episode, you'll get acquainted with the geography of the Athenian basin and Zinovieff's theory of the 3 hills (Acropolis, Lycabettus & Tourkovounia), all while exploring the Syntagma Metro skeleton and Hadrian's aqueduct.
In this episode, follow Zinovieff as she explores the surprisingly diverse fabric of Athens and explains how the city went from being a European neoclassical capital in the 1830s to a concrete oasis brimming with apartment blocks in the 1950s.
In the series' third episode, Sofka explains why Athens is "the most foreign capital of the world" consisting of numerous villages, all with their own distinct character. Explore the neighborhoods of Pangrati and Anafiotika, Athens' only true remaining village, and learn all about the journey of the Greeks of Asia Minor who fled the 1922 Catastrophe.
4. Feasting & Fasting - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
This mouth-watering episode is all about food! Visit the Ampelokimpoi Laiki, discover the character of Greek cooking, get acquainted with Greek regional cuisines, like Cretan, and discover international flavors.
5. Taking To The Streets - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
In this episode, Sofka sets to explore the Athenians' beloved outdoor activities, from cafes to concerts and open-air cinemas. Find out why taking to the streets is part and parcel of everyday life in Athens and listen to the secret confessions of a young graffiti artist.
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.
Panagia Kapnikarea - One Of Athens’ Oldest & Most Historical Churches
Say Freeze!
The snow storm name 'Elpida' (Hope in English) covered Athens with an unusual amount of snow on Monday. Temperatures dipped below freezing, and the Greek capital's historic monuments looked beautiful in white!
Run With Us For The 10 Years Of Navarino Challenge
Tsimikas Football Clinics for the first time in Greece
The top sports tourism event Navarino Challenge, will showcase once again the beautiful natural environment of Messinia with more than 30 activities taking place at Costa Navarino and Pylos, on October 21-23, 2022 for the event’s 10th anniversary.Spend The Coziest Day In Athens

@acera_brunch

@littletree_books


@a_for_athens

@djangogelato_ath
Best Archaeological Museums To Visit In Greece
National Archaeological Museum of Athens - The museum houses some of the best examples of Greek art. Artifacts from prehistoric Greece all the way up to Roman times are exhibited in its halls. Highlights include a large collection of Mycenaean artifacts, archaic Kouros statues, and masterpieces from the Classical and Hellenistic eras. This is by far the largest museum of Greece, and it shelters the best examples of Greek Art and Culture from the entire country.
The building has been recently renovated in 2004, and some of its collections have been enhanced.
The Acropolis Museum (at the Acropolis of Athens)
A visit to the Acropolis should include a visit to the Museum on the site. If you love art, the Acropolis museum will not disappoint with its exhibition of mostly Archaic and Classical sculptures from the various Acropolis monuments. The highlights are the parthenon freeze, a large collection of Kouros and Kore statues, and the original Caryatides statues from the Erectheon. Now if the British government could return the Elgin marbles from London, one would be able to experience the entire Acropolis site in one visit.
Heraklion Museum in Crete
The best examples of Minoan art and culture have been collected in the Heraklion museum in Crete. Minoan civilization has been widely credited as the first European civilization and the artifacts it produced are dazzling in their quality. Highlights of the Heraklion museum include the Bull rython, the gold jewelry from Malia, and the beautiful frescoes from the palace of Knossos. Examples from the classical and Hellenistic periods are also exhibited at the museum.
Olympia Museum
The museum at ancient Olympia is a great place to spend a whole day strolling through its collection. Recently renovated in 2004, it is a pleasant building that shelters some of the best examples of ancient Greek Classical and Late Classical Greek art. Most visitors will marvel at Hermes of Praxiteles, and most art scholars will drool over the statues from the Temple of Zeus pediment and metopes.
Delphi Museum (from ancient-greece.org)
The museum at the ancient archaeological site of Delphi houses artifacts found during excavations at the site and should not be missed if you travel to Greece. Highlights of the museum include the "Charioteer of Delphi", a bronze statue of the severe style, and the two archaic Kouroi named Kleobis and Biton. Since the oracle of Delphi was so important for the politics of the entire Eastern Mediterranean, it was adorned by the best examples of art in ancient times, many of which have been unearthed and are now housed in the museum.
Museum of Prehistoric Art (in Santorini)
I visited the Museum of Prehistoric Art during my visit in Santorini, and I marveled at the variety and quality of its collection. While most travelers think mainly of the Classical and Hellenistic periods of Greek art and culture, there is a whole world of prehistoric art to be discovered in museums like this one. It houses a great deal of artifacts from the excavations at ancient Akrotiri, and its highlights include reconstructions of ancient houses with frescoes of joyous human and animal activity.
Vergina Royal Tomb
The royal tomb of Vergina have been renovated recently to become one of the most spectacular museums / archaeological sites of Greece. The rounded hillock, known as the Great Tumulus was created in ancient Greece to protect the tomb of the Macedonian king Philip II, father of Alexander the Great and others. Today, visitors who enter the tumulus enjoy an excellent exhibit of the artifacts found in the royal tombs alongside the tombs themselves. It is a great example of how the presentation of the artifacts in proximity to their original context allows for a unique experience and the best level of understanding.
Source: Greeklandscapes.com