One of the upsides of being in lockdown is that it compels you to appreciate nature in all its glory in the brief window allotted for daily constitutionals. Nike Morgan is happiest when walking on the hillsides, photographing the wild flowers of Greece. Here, she charts some of her most colourful discoveries – such as the fatal pink colch...
Read moreEvery year on Clean Monday, Greeks young and old can be seen in any available patch of green indulging in the traditional beginning-of-Lent activities of kite-flying and picnicking. Setting a kite in the air – and then releasing it – is said to symbolise the freeing of the body from sin, or the passing of the human soul to Heaven and God. [galle...
Read moreIn these colourful extracts from her photo journal, archeologist Holley Martlew goes behind the scenes to capture the pageantry, tireless preparations and deep community bonds at one of Greece’s most epic annual carnival rituals. 'Carnival in Rethymnon', I had been told, is special. It shares a few things, like its huge parade...
Read moreIt’s taken 25 years of preparation to make it a reality, but the wait has been well worth it. Athens celebrates the life and times of the legendary soprano Maria Callas with not one, but two cultural centres dedicated to the enigmatic icon. The newly inaugurated Maria Callas Museum in Athens on Mitropoleos Street with over 1,300 items ass...
Read moreIf you are looking for another excuse to go to Evia, on top of the dramatic landscape, welcoming locals, delicious food, sweeping sandy beaches, thermal springs, thriving wine culture and rich history, then Montofoli Wine Estate it is, Tom Hall recommends. Set back in hills from the town of Karystos, which has played a key rol...
Read moreSo, you’re on a runners’ high after the Athens Half-Marathon (or perhaps the 5km), and now have November’s Athens Marathon in your sights. Congratulations! The bad news is that you’ll need to train through the heat of summer, to make your mark on this gruelling course. But the good news is that with the exploding popularity of amateur run...
Read moreWith a notoriously good curatorial eye for spotting talent and a passion for celebrating the work of under-recognized artists, the Hydra School Project held annually since 2000 under the stewardship of Dimitris Antonitsis, showcases the work of up-and-coming Greek and international artists. His roster of artists at the Hydra School Projec...
Read moreNewcomer to Athens, Will Feuer, takes a historical tour inside Athens’ oldest and most famous neighbourhood and discovers a quaint enclave with a modern stance. The past century has seen Athens grow exponentially, swelling in population and pushing its borders farther than ever before as new neighbourhoods and suburbs emerge. ...
Read moreA poet, writer, conservationist, musician, archaeologist and Hellenophile, Ruth Padel is someone with the willingness to engage with the big issues, both personal and political. The vast range of her imagination, intellect and emotional sympathies embrace the worlds within this world and the need for connectivity between them: the bonds ...
Read moreWhen Arabella von Friesen and John de Falbe of the legendary Chelsea bookstore John Sandoe, consistently voted as one of the UK’s best-loved independent bookshops, decided to do a podcast to promote Miguel Flores-Vianna’s Haute Bohemians in Greece, they knew they could count on writer Sofka Zinovieff, philhellene and John Sandoe fan. Migu...
Read moreFrom moonlight pilgrimages to sacred monasteries and London-worthy fish tavernas, best-selling author Victoria Hislop shares her best Insider secrets about Crete - the magnetic Greek island that has stolen her heart. How - and when - did your deep connection with the island of Crete begin? My first visit was in 1980. I was tra...
Read moreAs a general rule, many Athenians prefer to holiday on Greek islands that are convenient to get to – but far away from “the masses”. Amanda Dardanis lists her favourite Athenian Boltholes – all within 3 hours of the capital. (Just don’t tell too many others!) Serifos There’s been a quiet buzz building about the island of Serifo...
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