Athens Acropolis Museum - Dodona: The oracle of sounds exhibition

The Acropolis Museum started in 2015 a series of temporary exhibitions displaying important ancient artifacts, deriving from significant archaeological sites of the Greek periphery. The Museum’s goal is to present unusual subjects that will intrigue the current visitor and at the same time urge him to visit the places the exhibits originated from.

The second exhibition of the series concerns the Oracle of Dodona and it will open on 20 June 2016 and last until 10 January 2017. The exhibition aims at providing wider knowledge about the oldest Greek oracle, tracing the way it functioned, its role and importance in the ancient world, and at the same time showcasing the human need to predict the future.

The exhibit’s narration begins with Dodona during the late Bronze Age. Clay and bronze artifacts illuminate the identity of the first inhabitants, the primitive cult of Mother Earth (Earth Goddess) and the establishment of Zeus’ cult. The main interest in the exhibition lies in Zeus and his predominant presence in the sanctuary. The central theme is the prophetic oak tree that with the rustle of its leaves would answer the agonizing questions of people of what lies ahead. Prophecies were also given by priests who de-coded the sounds of bronze cauldrons and the cooing of pigeons. The excavations conducted in Dodona have brought to light some thousands of questions carved in metal sheets of lead, posed by visitors in the sanctuary. Some of these questions concern matters of trade, debts, assets, court decisions, health, fertility, upcoming marriage, dowries and widowhood and are presented in a separate unit of the exhibition. From the dedications in the sanctuary parts of bronze statues, parts of armory, swords and part of their suspensions, dedications from those who benefited from the gods or invoked their help are also displayed. Moreover, characteristic coins highlight the political aspect of the Oracle and its connection with Pyrros, the King of Epirus. Lastly, the relationship between the city of Athens and Dodona is presented by two exhibits from the Acropolis Museum.

The exhibition will be accompanied with a scientific catalogue of the items on display. On a big screen of the exhibition area a video presentation will provide information about the Oracle and the natural environment surrounding it.

During the exhibition, the Museum’s restaurant will offer treats from Ioannina.

The exhibition is conducted with the collaboration of the Acropolis Museum and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ioannina. The exhibits are on a loan from the Ioannina Museum and the National Archaeological Museum, Carapanos Collection.

Source: http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en/content/dodona-oracle-sounds 

Thasos Island. A secret paradise for your holidays!

Thasos or Thassos (Greek: Θάσος) is a Greek island, geographically part of the North Aegean Sea, but administratively part of the Kavala regional unit. It is the northernmost Greek island, and 12th largest by area. Thasos is also the name of the largest town of the island (officially known as Limenas Thasou, "Port of Thasos"), situated at the northern side, opposite the mainland and about 10 kilometres (6 mi) from Keramoti. (source wikipedia.com)

How to get there:

Kavala Airport is the most convenient airport in order to be close to Thasos but most of the times the flight prices are extremely expensive. Then from here you should drive to Keramoti or to take a taxi to drive you to Kavala port, then take the boat and travel to Thasos. Thasos island requires a car if you want to explore it. Public buses are not convenient.  An alternative way is to flight to Makedonia International Airport (Thessaloniki) and then to drive to the previous mentioned ports. 

Thasos is serving by 2 ports. More specifically: 

1. From Keramoti port to Limenas Port (Thassos Town) is the shorter, faster, cheaper, more popular and most frequent route with a journey time of just 40 minutes.
2. From Kavala port to Skala Prinos Prinos at the west side off the island

New Airline Company "Germania" flies direct to Greek Islands from Switzerland and Germany

Pontikonisi

Germania Flug AG is a new Airline Company, headquartered in Glattbrugg near Zurich was founded in August 2014. The goal was to introduce a high-quality product that meets the needs and requirements of the demanding Swiss market. The Germania Fluggesellschaft mbH has been known in the German and other markets for almost 30 years for its premium service, excellent quality and high level of safety and reliability. The same concept of values is important for Germania Flug AG in the Swiss market.

Both Companies serves direct flies mainly to Crete/Heraklion, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes and only from Hamburg Airport there is a direct fly to Santorini - Thira.  For more information I provide you below the flights per departure airport! Enjoy and do not forget to compare prices at Skyscanner.com

Germania Flug AG offers direct flies to Greece. Here are the details:

From Zurich Airport (ZRH) direct flies to:
1. Crete/Heraklion (HER)
2. Kos (KGS)
3. Rhodes (RHO)

Germania Fluggesellschaft mbH offers direct flies to Greece. Here are the details:

From Bremen Airport (BRE) direct flies to:
1. Corfu (CFU)
2. Crete/Heraklion (HER)
3. Kos (KGS)
4. Rhodes (RHO)

From Dresden Airport (DRS) direct flies

Greece among the top countries of the Trip Advisor Travelers Choice 2016 Awards!

Again this year Greece is among the top 10 countries based on the Trip Advisor Travelers Choice 2016.

More specifically here are the categories:

1. Top 10 Islands — World: Santorini holds the 2nd position. 

Some things to do in Santorini:

1. Hiking Trail Fira - Oia

2. Visit Akrotiri Archaeological Site
3. For those who loves wines do not forget to visit Santo Winery
4. Eat fresh fish at Amoudi Bay (under Oia)
5. Visit the Red Beach (Akrotiri Area). Take with you good shoes - no flipflops!

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2. Top 25 Beaches - Word: Elafonissi Beach (Crete) holds the 13th  position

Some things to do in Elafonissi Beach:
1. Visit the Chrisoskalitissa Monastery
2. Suitable for those who loves serf!
3. Elafonissi Island is a Natura 2000 protected area.
4. Ideal for children. Near the “breaking” point of the peninsula, the water does not exceed 1m, creating a small lagoon.

Elafonissi is located 76km west of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, in the southwesternmost point of Crete.

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3. Top 25 Hotels - World. In this category there are 2 Greek hotels:

On the 5th place is the "Achtis Hotel".
Achtis Hotel is a boutique hotel in Afytos village, Halkidiki - Kassandra area. The space is dominated by stone constructions with traditional materials and fine furniture’s. The design of the facilities and the range of services aim to comfort convenience and relaxation for vacation. The hotel is available 24 hours, offering information about accommodation and movement.

To find the best prices for booking a room in Achtis Hotel click here


On the 12th place is the "Canaves Oia Hotel". Canaves Oia Hotel is in Santorini - Oia village. Ir is one of the most luxury hotels in Santorini. Inviting, inspiring and elegantly classic suites and contemporary facilities, entice guest to experience luxury accommodation beyond comparison in the best luxury hotel in Oia Santorini. All hotel suites are freshly renovated and elegantly decorated in a dazzling white, minimal manner, featuring private verandas, al fresco dining areas and breathtaking views to the Caldera and the Aegean Sea.

To find the best prices for your accomodation in Canaves Oia Hotel click here

Qatar Airways: Special flight offers from Athens until today!!!!

Qatar Airways announces special offers that end today, 9th of May 2016, flying from Athens to many international destinations among them Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Beijing, Cape Town, Dubai, etc.

Travel duration: Form 9th of May 2016 - 5th of May 2017.

Prices starts from 360 Euro. More info here: http://www.qatarairways.com/gr/el/special-offers.page?

Edelweiss Airlines flies direct from Zurich to Crete!!

Edelweiss Airlines announces direct flights from Zurich to Crete and mainly to Heraklion, Kazantzakis International Airport.

Edelweiss Airlines flies five times a week and during the high season (May to October) daily directly to Heraklion. Prices starts from CHF 249. 

Crete is a spontaneous getaway! Find your best hotel in Crete.

Hellenic Seaways announces the Thessaloniki - Sporades route

A fast connection between Thessaloniki and the Sporades islands will begin on 16th June 2016 and wil be operating until 25th September 2016.

Hellenic Seaways, in response to passenger requests, will be operating this route withFlying Cat 4, a fast catamaran type highspeed vessel which can accommodate up to 440 passengers and reach a speed of 40 knots, completing the journey between Thessaloniki and the Sporades islands in less than three hours.

More specifically, the route will operate 7 days a week, departing Thessaloniki at 09:00 and reaching Skopelos, Alonnisos and Skiathos. The return journey will take place daily at 19:10,  arriving at Thessaloniki at 22:45. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday a stop at Glossa port in Skopelos will be included in the itinerary.

Mr. A,. Agapitos, C.E.O. of Hellenic Seaways, on the occasion of the launch of the route, said: " We are happy to be reopening this route after two years and hope that Greek as well as international travellers will be taking advantage of the daily connection between Thessaloniki and the Sporades islands, both for day trips and for longer stays. We are working together with Thessaloniki authorities to increase the connectivity of the second largest Greek city with the islands of the N.E. Aegean with fast, safe and luxurious boats that offer the high quality services for which we continually strive."

Two Athens eateries among 31 places to 'eat at before you die'

An Exarchia eatery where waiters invariably forget some part of an order and a restaurant in Metaxourgeio where no dish ever exceeds 7 euros are among “31 places around the world you should eat at before you die," according to BuzzFeed. The popular news and entertainment website recently asked a group of professional globetrotters to share their favorite culinary destinations around the world.

Jess Brammar, senior broadcast journalist on the BBC's “Newsnight” program, singled out Ama Laxei in Exarchia, central Athens, where, she writes, “the food is amazing – traditional Greek with a modern twist, lots of salads and plates to share.”

Although Brammar points out that the service leaves a lot to desire, she adds, “When you are sitting in an Athenian courtyard at midnight drinking wine and laughing with friends, who cares?"

When in Athens, Guardian feature writer Jon Henley visits Seychelles, a no-frills, price-is-right restaurant in Metaxourgeio. “The food is Greek with a slight but inventive and hugely satisfying twist, and its quality is astounding,” says Henley, who mentions juicy lamb cutlets with thyme and grilled vegetables with a “just-right” fig sauce among his favorite platters.

Covering the globe, the BuzzFeed list also showcases Umm Hagar in central Cairo, where the lucky diners to get the one single table at the restaurant get to savor whatever the cook feels like preparing on the day, Armand's, a small bistro on a Phnom Penh side street, where dishes include a tenderloin Rossini with foie gras, south Indian cuisine at Vijay's, northwest London, where platters include green mango prawn curry, as well as the two-Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890, an Italian restaurant overlooking the stunning Amalfi and Sorrento coasts where beef fillet in puff pastry with buffalo mozzarella is among the favorites.

Source: Kathimerini Newspaper

Direct Delta Airlines flight linking Athens with NYC

Delta Air Lines will inaugurate a direct flight linking Athens International Airport with JFK Airport in New York City, beginning on Tuesday, April 5.

Delta is celebrating its 25-year presence in Greece this year, having transported some 1.5 million passengers between Athens and the United States since November 1991.

One flight per day is scheduled until June 17, followed by two flights per day during the peak summer season until the end of September 2016.

A permanent direct air link between the Greece and the United States has been a standing desire of tourism professionals in the east Mediterranean country as well as the significant Greek expatriate communities of North America.  

Source: Naftemporiki Newspaper

Additional flights and carriers to inaugurate tourism season in Messinia prefecture

Nine new air routes to and from Kalamata’s “Kapetan Vassilis Konstantakopoulos” and an additional two carriers are the latest additions to the burgeoning tourism sector of Messinia prefecture, in extreme southeast Greece.

Specifically, and beginning from April, British Airways will inaugurate two flights a week from London Heathrow on Thursday and Saturday; Vueling will service a route every Friday to Rome Fiumicino, while Aegean Airlines will inaugurate six routes from Milan (Tuesday), Copenhagen (Monday), Billund (Monday), Paris (Tuesday), Lyon (Tuesday) and Nantes (Saturday).

Messinia prefecture, which includes Kalamata, Pylos and the internationally known Costa Navarino resort, often inaugurates the holiday season in Greece, with Aegean Airlines flights arriving from Munich, Dusseldorf, Stockholm this month.

Source: Naftemporiki Newspaper

Chalkidiki increasingly attractive for Scandinavian tourists

Tourist arrivals to Greece from the lucrative Scandinavia market are expected to increase by 4-5 percent this year, according to initial estimates collected during the "Grekland Panorama" exhibition last week in Stockholm.

The exhibition was supported by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).

One destination that stood out at this year’s tourism fair was Chalkidiki prefecture (Halkidiki) in northern Greece, according to tour agency representatives on the sidelines of the exhibition.

Greece is ranked seventh in terms of Scandinavians' tourism preference.

Source: Naftemporiki Newspaper