XpatAthens
Monday, 22 February 2016 07:00
New Evidence Reveals Knossos Three Times Bigger Than Previously Believed
Archaeologists working on the Greek island of Crete have uncovered artifacts and structures that suggest the ancient city of Knossos - Europe's oldest city - was three times bigger and richer than previously thought.
Knossos is believed to be Europe’s oldest city, according to archeologists. It was an epicenter of Aegean and Mediterranean trade and culture, but historians thought that after a solid 600-year run of prominence during the Greek Bronze Age, the city suffered a major decline in the wake of a socio-political collapse around 1200 BC, when Thera’s volcano erupted.
The latest excavations suggest a more positive trajectory, however, extending Knossos economic and political successes well into the Iron Age.
Most of the new artifacts — bronze and other metals, jewelry, pottery and all sorts of status symbols — were recovered from burial sites. The archaeological haul reveals a city that was rich with trade well after the collapse of the Aegean palaces.
“No other site in the Aegean period has such a range of imports,” lead excavator Antonis Kotsonas, an assistant professor of classics at the University of Cincinnati, said in a press release.
The newly unearthed cemeteries also show Knossos was much larger than previously thought.
To read more, please visit: Pappas Post
Published in
Greece In The News
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Monday, 27 June 2016 07:00
Discover Athens Architecture - Ancient To Modern
Author and blogger Marissa Tejada recently went on a different kind of tour of Athens. Together with a local architect, she explored the city and listened to the stories behind each of the buildings. Here she tells us about her experience of the complex mix of ancient, historic, and new architecture of the city of Athens.
One thing I love about traveling in Europe is the amazing architecture that can be admired in the old towns. It’s wonderful to take in everything from fantastic castles, gorgeous sky high churches with spires and Gothic accents, to the charm of buildings and homes that have lined cobbled lanes before industrial modern times. For an American like me, it is all very fairy tale at times and simply charming.
It has been said that the landscape of Athens is an architectural challenge. Unregulated city growth and planning led to cookie-cutter housing, a lack of green space and grand centuries’ old buildings falling to the developer’s wrecking ball. Once elegant homes remain simply abandoned.
I have been walking the city center streets, where I live, for years now and failed to really look closer, only admiring the obvious: the Acropolis and other ancient structures that have survived with grace and the most important neoclassical buildings. However, I always kind of shook my head at buildings that lined the oldest Athenian neighborhoods which were a big old unnecessary hodgepodge of styles (some just ugly), at least to me.
Athens is a city built over a city, many times over. The ancient Greek world has been buried over time. Fast forward to today, within the past decades even, engineers and architects continue to literally bump into a landscape of antiquities.
Exploring much of Greece, you’ll find this kind of construction where eras are built over eras. Another reason why you can say Athens is truly a fascinating city of layers.
To read Marissa's article in full, please visit: My Greece My Travels
To read Marissa's article in full, please visit: My Greece My Travels
Published in
City Discovery
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Monday, 26 September 2016 07:00
Refugees Turn Abandoned Hotel In Athens Into Peaceful Home
Activists and refugees have turned this abandoned hotel in the heart of Athens into a new community. The City Plaza hotel is now home to nearly 400 refugees stuck in Greece after the rest of Europe closed its borders to them. Their goal is to build a peaceful and supportive community.
For more information, please visit: Al Jazeera
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Videos
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Monday, 13 August 2018 10:11
Yoleni's - A Food Emporium In Kolonaki
Located in the upscale neighborhood of Kolonaki lies Yoleni's, a multi-level food emporium offering visitors anything from a taste of cold cuts and cheese to wine at the wine bar or head upstairs to the restaurant.
Nikolaos Pipas with Dorotheos Chatziioannou opened Yoleni's in 2016 with the goal to showcase the hidden gastronomic treasures of Greece. Pipas spoke to the NY Times and said, "I was thrilled every time I found a new product hidden in a tiny corner of Greece, in a village where an old granny would tell the secrets of a recipe or a hidden treasured ingredient. We wanted to find all those treasures for Yoleni’s, to show people the real Greek cuisine.”
Behind the wine bar is Yoleni's expert on Greek wine who helps visitors narrow down their wine choice. They have over 30 types of local wines by the glass, and even more by the bottle.
The restaurant offers two menus, one called Topos, that was created by Yoleni's to revive their grandmothers' lost recipes. Menu offerings include grilled sardines wrapped in vine leaves, a cheese and egg pita, or a traditional Greek pie.
Yoleni's doesn't stop there. On another level they have a paradise for meat-lovers, with a butcher shop and steakhouse sharing the space. Go down a level for dessert and coffee and if the kids want to play, Yoleni's offer a children's play area. For a small fee, kids can play while their parents enjoy their meal or even go shopping in the neighborhood.
On the third floor, Yoleni's offers cooking classes that teach old and forgotten recipes, as well as an olive oil bar.
To read this article in full, please visit: NY Times
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Published in
Pubs, Bars & Cafes
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Tuesday, 30 July 2019 07:00
The Greek Island Of Milos Voted The Best In Europe
Each year Travel + Leisure magazine asks readers to share their opinions on top travel experiences such as islands, cities, hotels, cruise ships, and more. The islands on the top 15 list have been rated according to their sights, natural scenery, beaches, friendliness, overall value, and of course, food!
4 great Greek islands made the list of the 15 best islands in Europe: Crete, Paros, Santorini, and Milos. Milos, is in fact, the grand winner as it was voted the best European island for 2019!
4 great Greek islands made the list of the 15 best islands in Europe: Crete, Paros, Santorini, and Milos. Milos, is in fact, the grand winner as it was voted the best European island for 2019!
"One of the Cyclades, Milos is known as the place where the famed Venus de Milo statue was discovered. But visitors today still find their own treasures while exploring this 58-square-mile island. Stroll its cobblestoned streets, hike volcanic craters, wander through ruins, or stretch out on the groomed white-sand beaches overlooking turquoise waters. Even the largest town, Adamantas, which has two museums and a multitude of boutique hotels, remains largely free of the crowds prevalent on the other Greek isles. And, as one fan pointed out, “it’s very affordable.”
Other islands who made it to the list are Isle of Skye in Scotland, Ischia in Italy, Malta, and Madeira in Portugal.
To discover the full list of great European islands, please visit: Travel + Leisure
Published in
Greece In The News
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Tuesday, 01 October 2019 11:21
Discover The Wineries Of Halkidiki
Lovers of wine and stunning landscapes, you're in for a treat; Halkidiki, the three-legged peninsula in north-eastern Greece, is well known for its abundant nature and breathtaking coastline. There, you will discover a unique mix of traditional and modern winemaking techniques in a beautiful setting, from to the low-lying hills of Kassandra to the monasteries of Mount Athos.
Alongside its natural beauty, the region boasts excellent vineyards that, together, offer wine tours that are bound to change the way you see Greece and its wines.
Take tours around the local vineyards and their wineries, go wine tasting, and discover local grape varieties you probably never knew existed. The combination of modern winemaking techniques and longstanding traditions adds to the charm. There's no way you're going home without a bottle or three, to delight your friends and relive the experience.
Top Wineries In The Halkidiki Region
Here are some of our favorite wineries in the Halkidiki region. To keep things simple we've noted their distance from Thessaloniki.
Tsantali Winery
Location: Agios Pavlos (40km, 40mins from Thessaloniki)
Why Visit: Because of the panoramic vineyard and underground cellar housing more than 2,000 barrels.
Domaine Porto Carras
Location: Neos Marmaras (125km, 2.15hrs from Thessaloniki)
Why Visit: Because it is the largest organic vineyard in Greece.
Claudia Papayianni Estate
Location: Arnea (75km, 1.15hrs from Thessaloniki)
Why Visit: Because of the carefully selected indigenous and international varieties, and modern winemaking techniques.
Livadiotis Estate
Location: Marathousa (75km, 1.1hrs from Thessaloniki)
Why Visit: The estate's organic cultivation alongside and modern equipment produces high-quality wines.
Tsantali Mt Athos Vineyard
Location: Metohi Chromitsas (140km, 2.20hrs from Thessaloniki)
Why Visit: Because of the traditional Mt Athos winemaking traditions and the sloping hillside view of the sea.
Mylopotamos Winery
Location: Mt Athos (120km, 2hrs from Thessaloniki)
Why Visit: Mylopotamos is the most significant dependency of the Holy Monastery of Megisti Lavra. According to legend, it was St Athanasios who first planted vines in the area.
When To Visit
Vineyards in Halkidiki are open all year round, but you will get the most out of your visit if you go during autumn or spring. Some wineries open to the public upon request, so be sure to call beforehand. In the autumn, the wineries are in full production mode, with staff tending the vines and the grape harvest in progress. You might even be lucky enough to witness grape treading and bottling. In April and May, the vines are bursting with life, and maybe you'll be able to spot the first grapes of the year.
To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece
Click Here To Discover Athens Vineyards Worth Visiting
Published in
Travel Greece
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Thursday, 06 February 2020 07:00
From Canada to Ancient Greece: Traveling with Technology
The Museum of Vancouver in Canada worked with Simon Fraser University’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies to create an exhibit called Beyond Worlds: Greek Civilization XR Experience. This exhibit used both augmented and virtual reality technologies that enable visitors to virtually immerse themselves in Greek mythological and historical sites.
The exhibit was in its nascent stages and was only for elementary students until January 2020 while the researchers calibrated the technology being used. Even in its pilot run, though, the program offered visitors a unique opportunity to put on a pair of 3D goggles and be transported to a digital reconstruction of the Tholos of Delphi. Within this virtual site, museum-goers could explore the landmark and even leave an offering for the Delphic Oracle.
The museum also offers other virtual experiences for their visitors. For example, using a common tablet attached to a round shield, a still image of battleships could be projected onto the wall. Then, via the tablet’s screen, visitors were given access to a Greek warship’s deck after the Battle of Salamis, which took place in the 5th century BCE. From the ship’s virtual deck, viewers could see orange clouds emanating from the fires that destroyed enemy ships.
At a less dramatic installation, a tablet could also be used to virtually open a door painted on one of the museum’s walls. The door led to an ancient Greek villa’s yard, where actors in costumes of clothes from ancient times sat in conversation under the sun.
Visitors were also invited to wear 3D goggles and enter the mythological Greek underworld. In this world, people were transported throughout the underworld to perform simple tasks.
Although the exhibit is still considered to be a pilot project, it points to a new type of digital tourism and immersive learning. Museum-goers will not only be able to cross geographical boundaries in a matter of seconds, but they’ll also have the chance to go back in time and participate in mythological and historical events that they could only learn about, or watch from afar in movies and documentaries.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Published in
Greece In The News
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Thursday, 25 February 2021 14:15
Adopt Your City: A Program To Heal Athens
Like most large urban cities, Athens faces many challenges. Illegal tagging and graffiti, run-down schools, and the lack of public green areas are just a few of the effects of the recent crisis in Greece.
The City of Athens aims to deal with these problems by finding straightforward, practical solutions to help Athens recover from the recent economic crisis, as well as the current pandemic. To make Athens a cleaner, more accessible, and more sustainable city, it is essential to build collaborations between citizens and the public and private sectors.
It is this exactly that spurred the launch of the "Adopt Your City" program. The City of Athens is calling for our support to protect, upgrade, and maintain the city's public spaces; urging residents, enterprises, foundations, and organizations to "adopt" a street, a park, a square, a playground, a sports facility, a neighborhood, or even a tree to make Athens a brighter, greener, and friendlier place to live in.
The program includes big and small projects in every part of the city - including the redevelopment of Omonia Square and this pocket park in Pagrati. All interested parties are welcome to contribute ideas, in-kind offers, or donations. The "Adopt Your City" program focuses on areas such as sanitation, lighting, greenery, sustainable development, homeless issues, culture, social welfare, sports, education, and new technologies.
Learn more about this program here. You may also be interested to read about how Novoville is helping facilitate citizen to government communication.
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 and visit.
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 and visit.
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 25 November 2021 07:00
Why Ikarian Honey Could Be The Key To Longevity
In Ikaria honey is used to treat everything from wounds to stomach issues, influenza, and the common cold. Ikarians start their day with a simple spoonful of raw local honey, which has a high antioxidant level. This may reduce inflammation and also contains amino acids and vitamin C which are known to speed the growth of healthy tissue in the body.
This famous Greek island is a part of ‘Blue Zones’ a name given to 5 places in the world- Ikaria, Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa of Japan, Nicoya of Costa Rica, and Loma Linda of California, USA, whose inhabitants surpass the life expectancy and reach over the age of 90 years.
A new television report by CBS has taken a close look at why Ikarian honey could be one of the main keys as to why the locals here keep healthy and strong well into old age.
“Up the winding mountain roads of this isolated isle, you’re likely to notice brightly-painted boxes dotting the landscape. And what’s happening inside those boxes is generating some buzz: Bees busy making rare honey that locals believe is one of the secrets to a long life,” notes CBS.
“Up the winding mountain roads of this isolated isle, you’re likely to notice brightly-painted boxes dotting the landscape. And what’s happening inside those boxes is generating some buzz: Bees busy making rare honey that locals believe is one of the secrets to a long life,” notes CBS.
Ikarian beekeeper Andoni Karimalis explained to CBS correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti that people on the island “have been eating the honey for generations, to keep healthy and strong well into old age.”
At work in her weaving studio, 109-year-old Yiayia Ioanna from Ikaria agrees there is something special about it. So does 87-year-old-beekeeper Giorgos Stenos. He eats the honey “every single day.”
For centuries humans have valued honey for its medicinal properties. And in Ikaria, known in ancient times as the “healing island,” the honey is different from that found on most supermarket shelves.
As a result, the pollen and nectar collected by the bees are free of chemicals and pesticides normally found in commercial or private farming. And unlike most honey sold in the other parts of the world, Ikarian honey is also unheated, unfiltered, and unpasteurized – all processes which can destroy the natural vitamins and minerals.
Although this has been one of Ikaria’s best-kept secrets, after the CBS report aired live on American television, there has been a huge response with people all over the world wanting to get their hands on some of this Ikarian gem!
Originally published: greekcitytimes.com
Originally published: greekcitytimes.com
Published in
Greek Food & Diet
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Thursday, 26 May 2022 14:41
XpatAthens Receives Funding From The Stavros Niarchos Foundation
We are excited and honored to announce that XpatAthens AMKE has received the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
As a donor, their grant that will help our trusted platform continue fulfilling its mission of serving the international community in Greece. Their support further motivates and inspires us to continue working toward our vision and mission of connecting people and sharing knowledge, empowering our efforts to create a global digital community.
As a donor, their grant that will help our trusted platform continue fulfilling its mission of serving the international community in Greece. Their support further motivates and inspires us to continue working toward our vision and mission of connecting people and sharing knowledge, empowering our efforts to create a global digital community.
What is SNF?
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare. SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact on society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means of serving public welfare. Learn more about SNF here.
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Local News
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