A harbour-side restaurant and its tenacious owner have become a beacon of hope for refugees landing on Lesbos.

Molyvos, Greece - "It feels sometimes like I'm doing the job of the UNHCR," Melinda McRostie says with a smile. The restaurant owner is pacing up and down the kitchen of The Captain's Table, her seaside restaurant in the town of Molyvos, on the Greek island of Lesbos.

"Especially when they're phoning me up, asking me to send one of our volunteers down to their office to register refugees - like they did today," she continues, pausing for a moment, as though taking in the absurdity of the situation.

Over last year, McRostie, an Australian who moved to Greece with her family at the age of three, has found herself thrust into the centre of Europe's refugee crisis.

For the upwards of 3,000 refugees arriving on Lesbos each day - disembarking from overcrowded plastic dinghies after their short but perilous trek across the Aegean Sea from Turkey - McRostie's restaurant, nestled beside the habour, has become a beacon of hope.

In November 2014, she began to offer more than just emotional support; setting up an organisation to provide practical assistance.

One year later, her organisation, Asterias (the Greek word for Starfish) has a volunteer force of 40 and has helped shelter, clothe, and feed more than 90,000 refugees. McRostie has even created two basic refugee camps in the north of the island - all without any significant help from an established aid organisation.

"The boats were coming in; people were distressed, some in trauma because of other refugees drowning. I had to help," she says.

McRostie never seems to stand still, and multi-tasking has become her norm. She uses one hand to make pesto, "It's especially good when the nuts are still crunchy," she enthuses, while the other holds the phone via which she arranges for that day's influx of refugees to be settled into the make-shift refugee camps. It's an unusual juxtaposition, but one that McRostie thrives on.

Young volunteers from Holland, Sweden, and Denmark mill around the restaurant-turned-office: some taking phone calls, others with their eyes fixed on computer screens, undertaking administrative tasks for the fledgling refugee organisation.

"She's incredible," says Filip Valentmadse, a 20-year-old Danish volunteer, when asked about McRostie. "She's taking phone calls every second, running everything."

Valentmadse jokes that McRostie is like a mother to the volunteers under her command, as well as to the thousands of refugees who have passed through the island, not to mention "her actual kids", he adds laughing.

To read more, please visit: Aljazeera

by Matthew Vickery

This month (December), Maria Callas would have been 92 years old, and almost four decades after her death, the Greek American opera singer still commands the news and media. At her peak, Callas was one of the most famous and written about women in the world.

Callas was born Maria Kalogeropoulos in New York City in 1923 to Greek immigrant parents. She impressed many as a child singer and pursued her training when her family returned to Greece. She began singing professionally in 1941 and was soon performing in major opera houses throughout the world.

Her voice is considered as one of the most dynamic in operatic history.

She died in Paris in 1977 at age 53 following a heart attack, but her persona and legendary status as a diva on and off the stage is entrenched in the public’s persona until this day.

To commemorate her 90th birthday two years ago, The Los Angeles Times published five extraordinary rumors about the soprano that have never been confirmed — nor denied. Follow are a couple of these:

1) She bore a son with Aristotle Onassis, but the child died soon after birth. Though she is believed to have been infertile, Callas was rumored to have had a love child with Onassis, the shipping tycoon and a Greek compatriot. The son was born in 1960, the rumor has it, and died hours later. Other rumors state that she had at least one abortion while she was with Onassis. Her relationship with the multimillionaire was stormy, as he is believed to have been compulsively unfaithful.

2) Callas continued her affair with Onassis during his marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy.Onassis left Callas to marry the widowed Jacqueline Kennedy in 1968. But it was widely believed that Callas continued her liaison with Onassis well into his marriage with the former first lady. “Greek Fire,” Nicholas Gage’s 2000 book about their love affair, portrays Onassis banging on Callas’ door, begging to be let back in.

To read this article in full, please visit: Pappas Post

by Gregory Pappas

Although Athens is not a city famed for its greenery, there are some lovely spots tucked away that offer pleasant green havens from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Whether you want to take a peaceful stroll, offer your children a pleasant environment to play, or have an enjoyable picnic, here are some natural environments in Athens that are worth the visit!

Just a stone's throw from the centre of Athens, the Forest of Tatoi was once the summer retreat of King George and Queen Olga, before being converted to the Royal Family's permanent residence in 1948. Walking in the forest, you will be stunned by the lush vegetation; Aleppo pine trees, tall cypresses, poplars, plane trees, beech trees, Greek strawberry trees, olive ad citrus trees - among others, adorn the Tatoi forest, which is protected by the Natura 2000 network as a area of outstanding beauty. Don't miss the 10m waterfall that offers an unrivalled sense of serenity and enjoyment.

Created and designed by Queen Amalia in the 19th century, this is the ultimate children's paradise in the centre of the city, and is home to more than 500 different species of plants, trees, birds and animals.  There is also a Botanical and a Children's Museum, a zoo and a playground along with scattered ancient monuments and statues. Relax at the pleasant and always shaded coffee shop, where children can taste one of the best strawberry sorbet in town!

Antonis Tritsis Environmental Awareness Park
Welcome to the largest green zone in Attica! It’s the region’s precious gem that encompasses ponds, canals, a rich flora and a refuge of hundreds of species of birds and mammals. A specially designed system ensures continuous recirculation of fresh water between the park’s six lakes. This abundance of water has helped promote and preserve the park’s rich biodiversity. Immerse yourself in some trekking, jogging, biking and even horseback riding!

To read more, please visit: This is Athens

Everything is ready for the top sports tourism event Santorini Experience 2016, which is expected to surpass itself in its second consecutive year of implementation with the interest being directed outside the country's borders as it will include entries from Greece and abroad! Amateur and professional athletes in running and swimming give this year's appointment on 7-9 October 2016, in Santorini!

This year's event will have an unprecedented international promotion, as FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group, as the Official Broadcaster of Santorini Experience will display the event’s sports documentary, to millions of homes in Europe, Asia and Africa, creating a unique television product.

The schedule of Santorini Experience 2016 has been enriched this year with additional activities, presented for the first time in the event.

More specifically on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at 09:00 am, the activity of Kids’ Athletics will be presented for the first time in Thira Stadium (Panthiraikos) at Fira by the Olympic and World Champion in 400m. hurdles Periklis Iakovakis. The activity aims at getting children acquainted with the track and field sports, as it has been developed and established by a special panel of scientists from IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) and is officially implemented in Greece by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

On Friday, October 7, 2016, at 10:00 am, students will run the 1km running route that will be held at the Indoor Hall of DAPPOS, at Fira.

Respectively at 15:00 and 16:00 pm, the twice Silver Olympic Medalist, Alexandros Nikolaidis will undertake to introduce the secrets of the TaeKwonDo martial art to beginners and advanced athletes at the Indoor Hall of DAPPOS, at Fira.

On Friday, at 18:30 pm a Meet & Greet will be held with the great Olympic Medalists Spyros Gianniotis and Alexandros Nikolaidis and top athletes such as the World Champions Kelly Araouzou and Anthonis Fokaidis, the European Champion Giorgos Arniakos and the Greek Champion Dimitris Negris, at Alafouzos Sport store (official sponsor of the event) at Fira.

In the following link you may find this year's event schedule: http://santorini-experience.com/event_program_2016_en.html

Online Registrations in swimming and running will continue until September 30th through the official page of the event in the following link: http://activemedia.com.gr/product/santorini-experience-2/. From October 1st all last registrations will be implemented at Alafouzos Sport store at Fira (in Santorini). From Thursday, October 6 to Saturday, October 8, 2016, all participants will be able to receive their numbers from Alafouzos Sport store (hours: 09:00-21:00). Alternatively the running participants may also receive their numbers one hour before the start of their route on Saturday October 8, 2016, from the desalination plant in Oia while the swimming participants may also receive their numbers one hour before their start from the old port in Fira.

The event has taken care of the transfers of the participants who wish to be at the start points of their routes right before their race. More specifically, on Saturday, October 8, 2016, two bus transfers will be held (at 06:30am and 08:30am) from Fira (bus station) to Oia (desalination plant) with the event’s buses that will serve participants who wish to get at the start point of their running route. Similarly, the return of participants will be held at 12:30 at noon from Oia to Fira. Those who are interested to be transferred on Sunday, October 9, 2016, from Oia to the old port of Fira, for the start of their swimming route, they will be able to take the bus of the event from Passagio Santorini Oia, at 08:15 in the morning.

Santorini Experience innovates with the new service of chatbot which is provided for the first time in the event!

In cooperation with the MPASS the event is ready to serve, directly and reliably via Facebook Messenger, all the participants of the event who need to have all the necessary information for the top sports tourism event!

Chatbot allows you to find, through your personal Messenger, the news and information that interest you, via a brief automated conversation. By typing the specific keywords or by selecting the appropriate category from the menu, the application will directly send information and a brief preview of each theme.

Through Santorini Experience Chatbot, participants, when writing their bib number will be able to receive a message with their time, at the time of their finishing, be informed on offers that will be active during the event, and on individual activities which will take place. Similarly, they will be able to evaluate the event!

The official airline partner Ryanair has added extra flights to serve the event while other sponsors such as Alafouzos Sport, Blue Star Ferries, Avance Rent A Car and Passagio Santorini Oia continue with significant benefits and special offers to support the “Santorini Experience”. For more information about the offers of the event you may click on the following link: http://santorini-experience.com/event_offers_en.html. For the second consecutive year, athletes and organizers will move with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official supporter of Santorini Experience. The athletes who will take part in the event will also have the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” that contributes to the good functioning of the body during sports. The event will officially be supported by Demilmar Restaurant Beach Bar.

Take advantage of the special prices offered in one of the hospitality sponsors of the event. For more information you may address your request to Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Athina Luxury Suites, Santorini Secret Suites & Spa, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Sunday Suites Santorini, Caldera Collection, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, White Pearl Villas, Suites of the Gods Spa Hotel Santorini, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Esperas Santorini, Maistros Village Hotel and Sienna Residencies which are available in the following link: http://santorini-experience.com/event_accommodation_en.html.

Santorini Experience will be held with the kind support and under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Santorini Experience is a collaboration between the Municipality of Santorini, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) and Active Media Group.

Official Broadcaster: FOX Sports

Official Sponsors: Alafouzos Sport, Blue Star Ferries, With the Kind Support of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Santorini Boatmen Union

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair

Official Supporters: Ford Motor Hellas, “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Avance Rent A Car, Aqua Vista Hotels, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Saucony, Arena, Village Cinemas, Santorini Yachting Club, Demilmar Restaurant Beach Bar, Passagio Santorini Oia

Hospitality Sponsors: Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aegean Plaza Hotel, Athina Luxury Suites, Santorini Secret Suites & Spa, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, Sunday Suites Santorini, Caldera Collection, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, White Pearl Villas, Suites of the Gods Spa Hotel Santorini, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Esperas Santorini, Maistros Village Hotel, Sienna Residencies

Assisted by: Diana “exoplizein”, Kassimatis Cycling, Science In Sport, Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), IAAF Kids Athletics, Grafistes

With the Kind Support & Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization

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Image Credit: Elias Lefas

The first heat wave of the year is officialy upon us! According to weather forecasts, temperatures will rise up to 38 degrees Celsius in Athens during the week of June 5, 2018 and 34-37 degrees in various parts of Greece.

Although weather like this perfectly resembles Greek summer and tempts us to a quick refreshing escape to the beach, precautionary measures are advised by the Ministry of Public Health.

Since such high temperatures can cause headaches, tiredness, high blood pressure and even fainting, it is recommended for all people to visit a hospital immediately in case similar symptoms appear in severe form. However, light clothing, using ice to cool down and frequent cold showers can help keep the body within normal temperatures.

 

In order to avoid dangerous overheating, it is also advised for everyone to avoid or limit sun exposure, heavy physical exercise, seek shady places, use hats and umbrellas and most importantly stay hydrated!

Especially for elders and anyone with heart and other medical conditions, immediate medical help should be considered necessary in order to prevent symptoms caused by the high temperatures and receive help regarding any potential changes in medicine doses.

Stay cool and stay safe, everyone!

Originally posted on Kathimerini

Translated by XpatAthens

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and Athenian streets are immersed in a lingering romantic mood. Flower shops are overflowing with red roses, and chocolatiers are preparing tiny delights to please lovers' palates.

 

How can you show your affection to your significant other, the Greek way? What are the best words to express your love and affection? Even if you're single, how would you go about flirting with a Greek lady?

 

 

Will you be my Valentine? | Θες να γίνεις ο Βαλεντίνος μου; | Thes na yínis o Valentínos mu?

 

I love you | Σ' αγαπώ | S' agapó

 

I adore you | Σε λατρεύω | Se latrévo

 

May I kiss you? | Μπορώ να σε φιλήσω; | Boró na se filíso;

 

Ι miss you | Μου λείπεις | Moo lipis

 

Baby | Mωρό μου | Moro moo

 

Υou make me happy | Mε κάνεις ευτυχισμένο / ευτυχισμένη | Me kanis eftihismeno (man) / eftihismeni (woman)

 

Would you like to go out to dinner with me? | Θα ήθελες να βγούμε έξω για δείπνο; | Tha itheles na vgume exo ya dipno?

 

When can I see you again? | Πότε μπορώ να σε ξαναδώ; | Póte boró na se xanadó?

 

Ι’ll call you | Θα σε πάρω τηλέφωνο | Tha se páro tiléfono


Happy Flirting and Happy Valentine's day! 

"No link in the city should be broken. Life in Athens goes through its streets, squares, sidewalks and neighborhoods. Fountains are links connecting the city in this chain" said the Athens Mayor Costas Bakogiannis.

For many years, the history and culture of Athens has been strongly connected with fountains. From small ones in neighborhood squares to emblematic ones like the one at Omonia Square.

Fountains have always been a big part of the city and its everyday life. Their colorful, running waters and sculptures have always been part of our walks, our overall experience of the city, and in turn of course the relationship that we have with Athens. Especially during this period of lockdown, when a simple walk has such importance and value to each one of us. 

 

The project started with the construction of the fountain at Omonia Sqaure which regained its emblematic character. Today, the Municipality of Athens is making great efforts to revive 34 emblematic fountains across the city. They are being repaired and renovated in order to offer residents and visitors a much needed fresh breath. Many of these developments have been made possible by the Adopt Your City program.

The municipality is determined to continue this large undertaking with fountain renovations already started at Truman Square, Rigillis Square, at the National Research & Foundation Square, Metaxourgio Square, Egyptou Square, Plateia Amerikis  and in the areas of Fix and Patission.

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XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing news and inspiring stories about how Athens aspires to be a clean, friendly, and welcoming city to live in.

Enterprises active in tourism are among the top startups in Greece, according to startup registry Elevate Greece.

The data was presented last week during the first National Awards for Startup Entrepreneurship by Deputy Development & Investments Minister Christos Dimas.

Based on Elevate Greece data, startups in life sciences lead the way with 14.1 percent, followed by tourism at 9.1 percent, and the environment with 9.1 percent.

Life sciences also account for startup companies with the most employees accounting for 11 percent of the total, followed by advertising at 8.3 percent, and e-commerce with 7.4 percent.

In terms of concentration of startup activity, Dimas said two in three startups are created in the Attica region, followed by 14.7 percent in the Central Macedonia region, 6.5 percent in Crete, and 4.2 percent in Western Greece.

In view of the data, Dimas said the government priority was to create more startup activity outside large cities. “We have already initiated discussions with regional governors, and in particular with governors in regions where the rates are too low – below 1 percent – to find ways to create financial incentives together so that more startups emerge outside large urban centers,” he said.

Dimas and Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis told a press conference ahead of the event that 600 million euros from the EU recovery package would be directed to startup activity and research in the coming years, 100 million euros of which towards the creation of science parks. An additional 30 million euros will be channeled into technology transfer startups, the minister said.

There’s nothing worse than coming home from a trip and finding out you could have had a much better time had you known to make different choices. Here we’ve listed a few things worth keeping in mind when planning and going on a vacation in Greece, along with plenty of useful links to content on our site that will help make your holiday everything you hope for.

Choosing The Wrong Destination

Greece may not be among the largest European countries, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most diverse. Some Greek destinations are made for families while others are awe-inspiring and romantic, and yet others are loud, bustling, and great for young party-goers. That’s not to mention the paradisiacal regions less trodden, suitable only for nature lovers, the wine regions and the cities with their interesting gastronomy scenes and shopping. While there’s a reason to love them all, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is booking a trip to the wrong place. 

Choosing The Wrong Time To Go 

As with picking the most suitable destination, choosing the right month for your trip can make your holiday infinitely better. Greece is on a mission to grow its tourism season, and the incentives for visiting in the low season are plenty. If, for example, you do wish to go to Santorini, but also want to avoid crowds, a visit in spring is lovely. Islands famous for their scenic beaches, like Milos and Kythira, meanwhile, are wonderful places to go in the fall, when the sea is warm and most Greek and foreign tourists have gone. 

Not Sharing Food

If your favorite quote to identify with is “Joey doesn’t share food,” you may want to adapt yourself on this vacation because the average Joe might get away with that but the average Greek will tell you that that’s no way to order; plenty of dishes for the table – not just meze, but mains as well – is the best way to experience the local cuisine. This way, you get to try more things at every meal.

Overlooking The Mainland

When you picture Greece, you picture an island. Or do you? The mainland, in fact, boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines, complete with the sandy beaches and picturesque villages the islands are so famous for. What’s more, the mainland, including the Peloponnese, offers endless opportunities to see more, to easily travel by car from one destination to the next, and see things like winding mountain roads, forests that are home to bears and wild horses, rural areas and vibrant cities, waterfalls and beaches, all on the same trip.

Spending No Time In Athens

For a long time, tourists treated the Greek capital strictly as a layover – somewhere to spend one night at a hotel and squeeze in a visit to the Acropolis before heading to the islands. Thankfully, in recent years, the world has opened its eyes to the city as a destination in its own right. While the city isn’t the ultimate place for those looking to spend their whole trip on the beach, it has many other attributes. The sights are some of the most renowned on the globe, the museums are great, as is the dining and shopping, and the nightlife is unbeatable.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

The Greek Culture Ministry is aiming to test run a special visitor zone plan aimed at easing visitor traffic to the Acropolis in Athens starting this fall.

According to a meeting between Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and tourism professionals, the plan is expected to go into effect in the next months, most likely on September 1, and after a pilot run be fully implemented in the spring of 2024.

In this direction, the ministry said that it was carrying out a study with the input of tourism professionals and guides.

The zoning plan aims to ease visitor traffic at the Acropolis which has reached 23,000 people a day. According to study findings and to expert recommendations, the goal is to keep visitor numbers at 21,000 a day in order to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The pilot plan foresees the creation of four hourly visitor zones from 8am to noon allowing the admission to the Acropolis of 8,000 people. The report notes that approximately 50 percent of all visitors chose morning hours to visit the archeological site.

An addition, eight hourly zones will be created from noon to 8pm allowing the admission of 13,000 visitors. The zoning program also foresees special category visits.

Read more on gtp.news.gr