In his seaside workshop on the Greek island of Lesvos Dimitris Kouvdis uses ancient techniques to create pottery pieces that have recently been honoured with inclusion in UNESCO’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage and his family have kept an old technique alive near the once humming pottery hub of Mandamados just as the slow and careful methods of the past have been largely eclipsed by factory machines Their pottery is among the last in the Mediterranean to be produced from clay in local soil using a traditional kiln with olive pits as fuel “It’s an honor for me,” Kouvdis said with regard to the UNESCO recognition of his work He said a mechanised press can work at 10 times the speed of an individual potter There’s no space for (our) method to continue.” he continues to produce individual pots on an outcrop of land overlooking the Aegean Sea it’s a passion – trying to create something that fulfils you,” he said Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox The Pontian Society of Sydney Panagia Soumela is marking its 60th anniversary with a gift to the church of Agios Stefanos that being a replica of the icon of Panagia Soumela The organisation will unveil the gift at the church in Hurlstone Park on Sunday 19 May which will also feature a memorial service for the victims of the Pontian Greek Genocide The icon of Panagia Soumela holds great significance with the Pontian community resilience and devotion for many Pontian Greeks following their forcible removal from their ancestral lands originally housed in the ancient Monastery of Soumela in Trabzon present-day Turkey became a beacon of hope and resilience for the Pontian diaspora The image of the Virgin Mary depicted in the icon was seen as a protector and guide offering solace and strength to the displaced community as they all relocated and settled into their new homes The association stressed that the gifted icon to celebrate their 60th anniversary is intended to highlight the enduring roots they maintain with their identity “This gesture not only showcases the strong ties to our Pontian heritage but also serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy we aim to leave for future generations,” the group said in a statement “By offering this exquisite icon to the church we symbolize our commitment to preserving and honouring our culture here in Sydney.” The Pontian Society of Sydney added that the gift is “a pledge of our continued presence and support for the community and the church remain and thrive for years to come” Because Mykonos isn’t just about partying the sugar-cube-shaped Amyth of Mykonos offers guests a personalised service in homely surrounds The 17-key boutique hotel helps balance out retox:detox ratios while on the island with hot tubs or private pools in most rooms On the lesser-trod side of Mykonos, in the Cycladic village of Agios Stefanos, Amyth of Mykonos sits away from the south coast’s party scene. While the isle’s hedonic beach clubs are only a 20-minute drive away (should dancing feet start to itch) Amyth’s location offers visitors a more authentic glimpse at Mykonian life Not somewhere you’d necessarily walk around the white-stoned hotel serves best as a hideaway A precarious final turn marks your arrival at the hotel where an Acqua di Parma-fragranced lobby decorated in a palette of neutral tones befits the isle’s laidback sensibility and nods to the hotel’s overall ethos Cyprian group Thanos Hotels & Resorts recently acquired the hotel property (formerly Habitat) in Agios Stefanos, marking their expansion outside Cyprus Amyth of Mykonos will form part of a wider collection of boutique properties which will be sprouting in locations across the Med Previous guests of Habitat may find the hotel's overall look familiar but the service and food and drink have undergone the greatest rehaul Designed in collaboration with GNB Architects and hand-woven fixtures to create a rustic retreat (with all the usual mod cons) space is used effectively in the bedrooms with cosy seating and work areas plus bathrooms presented in various formats (all offer shower facilities and are stocked with Acqua di Parma toiletries) The 17 one-bedroom suites follow a similar style; sea view suites come with a private pool or hot tub Of the quartet of Cycladic Suites on the primary floor (each complete with a private pool) the primely placed Amyth Suite is the most coveted If you’ve forgotten a toothbrush or need a sewing kit there’s a little caddy by the sink – and an ironing board in the wardrobe while dry cleaning and laundry services are available for a charge David Goodridge is group executive chef across Thanos Hotels and has also lent his expertise to the menus at Amyth offers an all-day Greek and Mediterranean menu Plating up contemporary Mykonos fare and using local products where possible there’s a ‘healthful’ focus on a solid portion of the menu Considering Mykonos’ feted restaurant scene it’s a wise choice by the kitchen team not to try and compete with such highflyers but rather offer an alternative for those days when you want to stay closer to base and keep things casual if you have a craving or wish to go off-menu the kitchen will do its best to accommodate; just try to give them 24 hours’ notice for specific dishes though lunch bites are perhaps best enjoyed by the outdoor pool Open from sun-up to sun-down; the pool-adjacent bar offers both table and lounger service Order a classic pour or test out one of their signature cocktails – the Dionysus Sangria (a blend of rose wine In-room dining is also available for a charge – avail of this option come breakfast time or enjoy your morning meal from 8-11am in the pool or breakfast area A generous bakery basket with a selection of jams along with your choice of freshly squeezed juice Follow with a fresh fruit or Greek cheese platter before tucking into zingy avocado toast with poached eggs or American pancakes the overall feel of the restaurant spaces is laidback and easygoing they’ll do their utmost to help create the itinerary you want ask to be set up with the hotel’s WhatsApp number to ease communication for everything from car bookings to table reservations; it’s the simplest quickest way to connect with the hotel’s concierge there’s a small spa that can be booked on request for beauty treatments and massages Child-free travellers looking for a calmer island getaway (with the option of letting loose nearby when the notion takes them) Couples and groups of friends – including larger parties looking for an exclusive buyout – are likely to represent the biggest slice of the pie Dogs (weighing up to 20kg) are welcome for a surcharge of €25 per night though those with a private swimming pool are not advised a tail-wagging selection of toys and treats and a dog bed and bowl are provided Solar panels are employed to generate energy for the hotel. From a food perspective, produce – from cheese and milk to fruits and veg – is locally sourced where possible and there’s a concerted effort to minimise food waste, with excess food being repurposed for staff meals.  Accessibility for those with mobility impairments Due to the number of stairs positioned across the property, the bedrooms and pool space are not accessible to those using a wheelchair. Mykonos Airport is 6km away (approximately a 15-minute drive); the hotel can arrange transfers on request. If you’ve forgotten something, there’s a small boutique called Kult, plotted by reception, where you can pick up a swimsuit, coverup, and other beach accoutrements, choosing from a smart edit of international luxury brands. From here, make a beeline for the pool, open from 9am until 6pm daily with sunbeds available on a first come, first serve basis. There’s also a small outdoor gym for workout sessions. A simple hideaway for when you want to lay low and veg out, Amyth of Mykonos is a nice, easy-going place to relax and take fifteen before (and/or after) hitting the beach clubs. Greece -- Thousands of people fled fires burning out of control in Greece and Turkey on Friday including a blaze just north of the Greek capital of Athens.. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing Police are focusing their investigation into the murder of 54-year-old civil engineer Panagiotis Stathis who was gunned down on Tuesday morning outside the offices of his company in Psychiko in northern Athens where he had been professionally active since the late 90s Local officials tell Kathimerini that the victim had for decades been carrying out topographical studies and drawing up plans for major investments on the island some of which had come to the attention of town planning authorities over violations It is alleged that he had recently bought a plot of land in the Agios Stefanos area of ​​the island According to information that could not be officially confirmed the purchase had been the cause of intense friction with a person from the island He was also reportedly professionally engaged on the islands of Paros and Ios which will also be the focus of investigation by the police homicide department Stathis was considered one of the best surveyors on Mykonos had excellent communications with the municipal authority and was even expected to attend the meeting of the municipal council scheduled for Friday to discuss the new zoning plan Stathis had in the past reported to police that he had been physically assaulted without identifying the perpetrators he had filed a complaint to the Halandri police station in northern Athens that he was physically attacked on Davaki Street in Halandri by unknown assailants His murder on Tuesday occurred at 8.23 a.m on Kritis and Eikosti Pempti Martiou streets when an unknown assailant riding a scooter opened fire He was seen in CCTV footage moving in the area waiting for the victim for around an hour before the murder he approached the driver’s window and fired 20 rounds from a 9mm caliber pistol Police sources clarified that an initial review of the videos did not reveal any accomplices at the scene An alarm was sounded at the Fire Department on Thursday afternoon after a fire broke out in an agricultural area in Agios Stefanos Ground and air forces were immediately mobilized the flames are not currently threatening any homes Firefighters are working to contain and extinguish the blaze No injuries have been reported at this time The fire remains under control and no evacuations have been ordered Firefighters continue to monitor the situation and work to fully extinguish the blaze Authorities on Saturday confirmed a fresh outbreak of Covid-19 cases at Patra Prison in the Peloponnese including convicted robber Nikos Palaiokostas and one correctional officer at the Agios Stefanos facility have been placed in quarantine after testing positive for the virus The entire jail has been sanitized and contact tracing is under way among inmates and staff A coronavirus outbreak was reported in the same prison in late February Europe / 5 Dream Houses: Greece we travel to the country of white cliffs and cerulean seas Greece is our next destination and it wasn't easy selecting only five houses the market is chock-full of beautiful villas and apartments with stunning views and unique architecture.  When beginning our search for the most beautiful homes in the country we knew to start with beachfront properties and we were not let down we persevered and found this detached house in Mykonos.  Sporting natural rock accents both outside and inside this nine-bedroom home offers a jacuzzi in the bathroom and a private pool with one of them also enjoying a private pool raising the total number of the residence’s pools to three https://www.luxuryestate.com/p85456305-detached-house-for-sale-mykonos Traveling to a more populated part of the country this apartment is located in the heart of Athens surrounded by cafes, boutiques and designer stores The interior looks like it jumped right out of a Baroque painting embellished from glossy wooden floorboards to the trey ceilings https://www.luxuryestate.com/p73304785-apartment-for-sale-athens we found this lavish and modern gated home but the inside is contrasted in dark colors and marbles The look isn't the only thing this 5 bedroom home has to offer https://www.luxuryestate.com/p19377861-villa-for-sale-athens This modern beauty mimics the ancient Grecian architecture the entire property is divided up into three homes connected by a number of walkways Each house offers a different function: central building housing the common use spaces (sitting room a building containing the bed-rooms; to the south https://www.luxuryestate.com/p37500041-luxury-home-for-sale-vouliagmeni Greece is a dream vacation destination for many living outside of the country the idea of living in such a beautiful country is something many of us daydream about We hope you enjoyed a little break from all of the pandemic news to virtually escape to a Grecian paradise Look forward to another destination next week Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This week's Product Roundup starts with Avito (twice)..   Europe: Avito partners with M2Data for listing verifications Avito Real Estate.. This week's funding and investment roundup starts with a major deal in Russia that could see a public flotation shortly..... the parent company of India-based rental platform NestAway posted INR2.6 billion ($31 million U.S.) in consolidated operating revenue.. Realtor.com has reported strong growth in traffic Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value" The 23-year-old son of the owner of Greek toy store chain ‘Zaharias’ has lost his life in a tragic car accident in Agios Stefanos Alexandros Zaharias was driving his car on Tuesday afternoon along Trapezountas Avenue when he tried to overtake a car in front of him and lost control of his vehicle The car veered off the road and crashed straight into a pole Emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene and transferred the 23-year-old to hospital where he was pronounced dead by doctors who tried to save him but his injuries were too severe The accident has reminded people of the horrific car accident of George Vakakis the 24-year-old son of the owner of Greece’s well-known toy store ‘Jumbo’ when he lost control of his Porsche on the A1 Motorway Four people died in total in that accident including a 33-year-old mother and her 3-year-old child as the speeding Porsche crashed into their car at a rest area on the Athens-Lamia highway Speeding Porsche crashes at Athens-Lamia Highway killing 4 This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Multiple fires stretch resources as fires rage throughout Greece for a fourth day and a man dies from his injuries during a fire at Ippokratios Politia The fire in northern Attica has been approaching Malakassa, and is still out of control. At the present time, it is burning through a thick forest. Firefighters with heavy machinery are trying to break its progress. A large fire front is heading to Agios Stefanos, a suburb north of Athens, currently burning the Pefkofito settlement in the north of it, while it has reached the outer edges of Stamata, south of it, the Fire Brigade said on Friday evening. Rodopoli and Stamata are being evacuated. Firefighters are trying to put it out by ground and air forces, while police is removing residents of the areas and of settlements under an earlier evacuation order. The front is part of the fire that broke out across from Afidnes, east of Varybobi and west of the national highway. The fire reached the national highway, moved north to Kapandriti and then turned south, nearly reaching the water reservoir of Limni Marathona. Three more fronts are raging uncontrollably, at homes in Afidnes, Kryoneri and Ippokratios Politia, all of which have been evacuated. The community of Thrakomakedones in northern Attica has been ordered to evacuate towards Acharnes via Kimis Avenue, as a fire front that started near Tatoi airport is approaching the area, the Fire Brigade said on Friday evening. This fire front is also approaching the area of Olympic Village, where firefighters have created a bold patch to try to stop the fire on its tracks. The alert was sent via the Emergency European number 112. Foreigner, Greek arrested over arson suspicion at Pedion Areos, Kryoneri A foreign national who claimed she is Afghan was arrested at Pedion tou Areos park in Athens on Friday afternoon by police patroling the area after a ban forbidding visits to parks and forests through Greece. The woman was arrested around 17:30, a few minutes after a fire broke out in the park on the side facing Alexandras Avenue. It was put out immediately by the Fire Brigade. She was carrying two lighters, petrol and flammable materials, as well as a gas cannister to fill lighters. Police said she was emotionally disturbed. She was led initially to the Kypseli police station and from there to the investigators of the Fire Brigade. Meanwhile, a 43-year-old Greek who was arrested in the area of Kryoneri, east of Varybobi where the largest fire still burns, is being led before the prosecutor on suspicion of arson. State security drew up a file charging arson in a forest, possession of drugs, and violation of the law on flares. The man was found at Mantri in Kryoneri on Friday morning, riding a motorcycle without license plates in an area that is inaccessible to residents. Volunteer firefighters pointed him out to authorities because of a fire breaking out nearby without any discernible casue. He was arrested by state security and told them he was in the area to help fight the fire. When his house was searched, police found matches, lighters, flammable material and walnut shells, which police said can be used to kindle a fire without leaving traces. They also found a small amount of unprocessed cannabis. Security found out that he is involved in another two rekindles of the fire in Kryoneri, the first nearly half an hour after midnight on August 4 at the Kryoneri cemetery, and the second at 00:15 at the Mantri area ravine in the same town on Friday (today). Multiple fires stretch resources as fires rage throughout Greece for fourth day Efforts are continuing for a fourth day on Friday to put out fires throughout the country, that have damaged hundreds of homes in northern suburbs of Athens, Evia, the Peloponnese, and elsewhere. Firefighting forces, stretched thin by ground and air as fires kept breaking out, creating new and several fronts and rekindling, were aided by help from several countries in staff and airplanes. Meanwhile, major roads have shut down and train services suspended. Below are some of the ongoing fires in Greece as of Friday. On Friday, one fire front returned to the coastal town of Dafni, in the northwestern part, where it burnt a number of houses, the Fire Brigade said. The fire had approached Dafni several times the first time it broke out in the area. Firefighters who had been trapped in the area because the traffic between Limni and Agia Anna is closed off were safely removed, while the fire front was moving towards the Mourtia community. The fire has different fronts – on the Aegean, or east side of the island, a front is moving to Mantoudi (evacuated, along with other villages) and surrounded Kechries village (also evacuated), the other has returned from Strofilia and Kirinthos back to Limni, while also threatening Mourtia, which is evacuated. Another, northern front is heading from Kalamoudi and Paleochori back to Rovies, which it burned through when the fires broke out two days ago. Firefighters are at the site. A forest fire is blazing through the area of Nemouta, west of the town and ancient site of Ancient Olympia, the Fire Brigade reported on Friday. The village of Nemouta and the neighboring communities of Villia and Tsapareika in NW Peloponnese have all been evacuated. Traffic in the Tripolis-Pyrgos national highway has been closed off from Louvros to Miraka. The fire that broke out earlier on Friday at Cape Sounion has been put out, Mayor of Lavreotiki Dimitris Loukas told Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA). The fire had started right across from the ancient Temple of Poseidon, noted Loukas. Due to the quick response of all firefighters in the area and the efforts of civil protection, the fire was stopped before it could cross a ravine towards the town of Sounion and the national park that lies further out, he added. The mayor also asserted that the cause of the fire was most likely arson, as it started next to a hotel where there is absolutely no flammable material. Traffic on the Athens-Sounion highway has been restored. Firefigthing forces and a helicopter are fighting a blaze to stop it before it enters the city of Gythion, on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese, Lakonia Region Vice-Governor Theodoros Veroutis told Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) on Friday evening. Hardalias: Some 98 new fires break out in Greece in a day; 3 arson arrests on Friday Greece faced a total 154 fires throughout the country on Friday, Deputy Civil Protection Minister for Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said on Friday night, with 98 of those fires being new within the last 24 hours. At a live briefing, Hardalias said that 64 fires are still burning. The most important ones, he said, were in Attica, Evia island, Ilia (including a new fire in Ancient Olympia), Messinia, Mani (the latter three in the Peloponnese) and Tolofona, Fokida, Fthiotida (all in Central Greece), as well as the island of Crete, and Grevena (Macedonia). He said all available forces were taking part in firefighting efforts, and thanked all firefighters and volunteers working under very difficult and often risky conditions in unprecedented times, while he also expressed his sadness for the volunteer firefighter who lost his life at Ippokratios Politia on Friday. The minister enumerated the firefighting forces, on the ground and by air, in each of the areas on fire. He said that in the Varybobi area, where a great fire started on Tuesday and spread from Mt. Parnitha to town in northern Attica as far as Lake Marathon reservoir, a total of 720 firefighters were operating, with 40 terrain teams and 215 fire trucks, along with over a dozen airplanes and helicopters, which must stop operations during the night. The large Beriev water-dropping airplane sent by Russia is operating in Evia, he explained, where fires raced through villages and towns – sometimes several times over the last four days – and where at least 631 people had been evacuated by the time of his public address. Countries sending firefighters included France, Cyprus, the Ukraine and Romania (arriving Saturday), while Croatia, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as France and Cyprus, had or were sending airplanes and Super Puma helicopters. Hardalias also said that the Fire Brigade had activated teams of arson investigators, who would work with local offices and police in Attica, Tolofon, Evia, Ilia and Messinia. So far, three people have been arrested, in Fokida prefecture of Central Greece, Attica and Kalamata. The Attica suspect was held for intention to set fire and in Kalamata for repeatedly having set fires, with three of them confirmed. “We are facing a much harder night tonight,” he concluded Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. we now know a lot more about how the super-rich work I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice With his long limbs and delicate gait, Lord Mandelson could no doubt manage a quite convincing turn in Thunderbirds. He'd find Jeff Tracy most convivial: a billionaire astronaut with his own Pacific island, and now, it seems, he even has his own camera-shy friend to pull the strings. According to the High Court, Nathaniel Rothschild, scion of the banking dynasty and friend of seemingly everyone in the spheres of finance, business and politics, is indeed "puppet master" to the Baron of Hartlepool and Foy. The banker and Bullingdon boy has lost his libel case against the Daily Mail, which he sued for "substantial damages" over its account of his and Mr Mandelson's extraordinary trip to Russia in January 2005. Mr Rothschild claimed he was subjected to "sustained and unjustified" attacks in the May 2010 article, which portrayed him as a "puppet master", dangling his friend Lord Mandelson in front of the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska to ease the passage of colossal business deals. Messrs Rothschild and Mandelson's Russian trip would certainly have made entertaining viewing, but maybe not for Thunderbirds fans. Nobody needed rescuing, that's for certain. It began on Mr Rothschild's private jet from the World Economic Forum in Davos to Moscow, where they met Mr Deripaska, the aluminium plant manager who became the richest oligarch of them all, and continued on Mr Deripaska's private jet to his chalet in Siberia, where "to beat jet lag" they were whipped with birch leaves before plunging themselves into icy water – a traditional Siberian banya. Mr Rothschild claimed the trip was "purely recreational", and Associated Newspapers had to admit during litigation that it couldn't be sure that Mr Mandelson had joined Mr Deripaska at dinner or whether aluminium tariffs were discussed, and in fact the deal had been struck before Mr Mandelson and Mr Rothschild arrived in Moscow. But for Mr Justice Tugenhadt, recreation it was not. Mr Rothschild's "different and developing" accounts of the Siberia trip were confusing, he continued, adding that on this subject the banker had not been entirely candid. Puppet masters, of course, do not like the limelight, but when one pulls quite as many strings as Mr Rothschild would appear to, things will inevitably go wrong. Indeed, it is not the first time this seemingly unlikely trio has conspired to make the headlines. When Mr Deripaska moored his yacht next to the Rothschild family villa in the summer of 2008, they, along with George Osborne, managed to tie themselves up in an even more spectacular imbroglio. Either on the yacht or in the villa, Lord Mandelson might have said unkind things about Gordon Brown and Mr Rothschild is alleged to have suggested that Mr Deripaska might be interested in making a donation to the Tories. Via the two politicians it all ended up in the press – the last place their two hosts like seeing themselves. That leading politicians, bankers and businessmen associate with each other in fashions that blur the boundaries between work and pleasure is a secret too great to be maintained with any success, but it doesn't make the details, on the rare occasions they actually emerge, any more palatable. A spokesman for the Daily Mail said: "This case is a reminder, at a time when newspapers are under attack for invading privacy, that the rich and powerful regularly use the law to prevent legitimate scrutiny of their activities. Had the Mail lost this case, it could have incurred costs of more than one million pounds. "Not many news organisations, however committed they are to free speech, can afford to risk a loss of that magnitude. As Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry considers the balance between privacy and freedom of expression, the chilling effect on free speech that court cases like this one exert needs to be borne in mind." Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies and reveals secret world of money and politics","description":"Thanks to billionaire's legal battle Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the devastating fires around Greece reveal “the reality of climate change” “If there are even few people who have reservations about whether climate change is real I call on them to come here and see.” he looked on as flames threatened Ancient Olympia while closer to Athens flames engulfed settlements raging out of control and reaching the national highway at Afidnes towards Agios Stefanos on Thursday night The fire has crossed the national highway five times despite the Hellenic Fire Brigade’s efforts READ MORE: Greek fire fighters battling raging blazes across the country all night Police are shutting traffic at Agios Stefanos junction in the direction of Lamia and at Ippokratous Street from Lakkaginis store in Kiouka to evacuated Ippokratios Politia where a fire front is heading Flames engulfed homes in Politia and Afidnes Zones are being created to prevent the fire from heading to Agios Stefanos and firefighters on foot were working by themselves after help by 10 helicopters and 7 airplanes had to stop by nightfall while another two Swedish aircraft arriving through the RescEU emergency assistance programme have been grounded in Poland because of the weather High temperatures have exacerbated the situation and fire brigade officials said the power of the flames have created local wind channels fanning the rapid spread of flames The 112 fire emergency number sent evacuation messages to residents of Polydentri and Kapandriti calling on them to move towards Varnava and Nea Makri Kokkinovrachos and Afidenes were asked to head towards the Athens-Lamia national road Another message sai told those at Pefkofita and the Pontian Settlement of Agios Stefanos to head towards Athens via the Athens-Lamia highway READ MORE: Greek firefighters battle to bring 118 blazes under control, including at Ancient Olympia and Evia Firefighters went from house to house ensuring that residents evacuated the area A night of agony took place in Messinia near Vlachopoulos where the first homes have already been engulfed at Anthea flames travelled all the way to the village of Karnasi Aid from European countries is being sent to Greece to strengthen the three main fire fronts in Attiki where the Athens capital is located as well as Ilia in the Peloponnese and the island of Evia Cyprus provided Greece with 40 firefighters in Varybombi and two water dropping airplanes in Crete Fourteen major investment projects in Greek tourism focusing mainly in composite tourist accommodation have gotten the green light for their implementation through the process of first authorization by the Ministry of Economy According to the respective file of Greece’s Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura the major investment projects underway are the following: Composite tourist accommodation projects that have completed the maturation process and have been issued construction permits: ** in Vroskopos area of Kea (from Dolphin Capital diving tourism center and other facilities) ** in Chrysovitsa-Platana area of Laconia Prefecture of the former municipality of Dimos Faridos (from the “P Iliopoulos Tourist Enterprises SA” including a 5-star hotel with 271 beds Investment projects for which the procedure for issuing a Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) has been completed: ** Agios Stefanos-Benitses on Corfu island (from the company KLC III Hellas AE which will create at the site where the San Stefano Hotel was situated a composite tourist accommodation facility with a total capacity of 893 beds ** Ammoudaraki area on Milos island (from the company “Axsite Rural Tourism SA” controlled by Taurus Investment Holdings involving German and American funds and other international investors planning to build a five-star hotel (216 beds) ** Diakofto -Koumpara Peninsula on Ios island (by the “105 Tourism & Technical Real Estate S.A planning to create 5 star hotel and luxury holiday houses with a total capacity of 249 beds Investment projects for which the procedure for issuing a Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) is expected: ** In the Ipsos village area of Kato Korakiana on Corfu island a composite tourism accommodation facility This refers probably to a Fairmont investment project which took over the management of Ipsos Village Club Med from Russian owned Corfu Gardens AKTΞE intends to build a 180-room hotel  and 40 villas Investment projects in the process of obtaining Environmental Impact Studies from the relevant intergovernmental environmental administration institutions: ** Asteria Glyfada (Athens) – by the Nafsika hotel company which will renovate existing facilities to create a new 400-bed hotel establishment ** In Lagoudi – Charasonas location on Syros Island  (by the “Greek Traditional Houses SA and Merry-Land SA for a composite tourist accommodation facility ** On Velika beach of the Messinia  Prefecture (by Grace Hotels which will develop over a 261-acre area a composite tourist accommodation facility consisting of a 266-bed five star hotel a health spa and a conference center with capacity to host events for 300 participants) ** On Mareza island of the Corinthia Prefecture (from the company Island Mareza SA on a 780-acre area It involves creating a five star composite tourist accommodation facility including a hotel tourist furnished residences and a spa and hydrotherapy center The facility will have a 810-bed capacity and will also feature a 54 tourist vessels’ shelter The company’s project was deemed eligible for financial subsidy by the Aid for Private Investment to promote Economic Growth Entrepreneurship and Regional Cohesion Law (Ependytikos Nomos or Investment Law) as far as the creation of a 242-bed hotel was concerned ** In Nies area of the Magnisia Prefecture (by the company Golfing Developments SA company a member of the Dolphin Capital Investors group) ** In the Dounaiika site of the Heleia Prefecture (from the group of Dolphin Capital Investors involving a composite tourist accommodation facility with a total capacity of 1100 beds on a 186,350 square meters’ surface) ** The process for establishing an Area of Integrated Tourist Development (POTA) has been completed in regards to the Costa Navarino area in the Messinia Prefecture and the submission of an application for the creation of a composite tourist accommodation facility in the Pylos area is expected ** The proposal for the establishment of an Integrated Tourist Development Area (POTA) in the Lokros area of the Fthiotida Prefecture is being examined The proposed Area of Integrated Tourist Development shall encompass three separate composite tourist accommodation facilities under the names Notos Each of the three composite accommodation facilities shall have an 18 hole golf course The project shall include facilities for the promotion of environmental attractions the area as well as recreational and trade premises Hotels and residences shall extend over a 420-acre surface while the golf courses and sports’ centers shall cover 1,700 acres Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025 HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025 Promotion of Preveza on the metro and tram in Athens TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award 12th BAJAGREECE: Motorsports Competition in Western Macedonia Crete also invests in cycling tourism - 13th Pediadas Tour Competitions with a summer and autumn backdrop: Attica runs at the pace of sports ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership” Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Cruise Takeoff in Chania – Record Arrivals in the First Quarter of 2025 Three Greek beaches among the world’s 50 best – Triumph for the Ionian The “Typhoon” that saves the Greek coasts from garbage EOT at the “Arabian Travel Market” | Interest from Gulf countries, India, and Australia CERT to manage Vasilitsa Ski Resort – Investment of over 20 million euros Is American tourism in Europe “slowing down”? What do professionals see for 2025 and 2026 This is Athens & Partners | The 7 partners renew their collaboration - the joint actions FedHATTA: Dynamic presence of Greek travel agencies at the international Dubai exhibition ATM 2025 Ryanair announces new offer for Prime members on June flights Thomas Ellerbeck | “Rhodes can become a model of sustainable tourism internationally” The Times | The perfect time to experience the authentic side of Santorini Chania: The Alternative Tourism Festival returns to the Venetian Port Angela Gerekou: "Tourism is a force for good and Greece can play a leading role" New flights to Greece in 2025 from 4 airlines Crete welcomes Reveil 12 – Festival of Sounds and Ecology Greek tourism - 3rd quarter | 97% of arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki Modernization aid for the marinas of Symi and Messolonghi HOTREC Assembly: Focus on challenges and reforms in European tourism AEGEAN 2025: Passenger growth and fleet expansion with an eye on the international market FedHATTA Cooperation with Shaanxi Province, China Greek academic in finalists of European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 Thessaloniki museums join forces to promote the city GNTO introduces “Sustainable Greece” to British Agents Strategic meeting for cruises in Santorini A message of friendship and cooperation at the friendly Greek-Turkish football match in Chios Municipality of Xiromero | Diving tourism: Request for sinking of a decommissioned warship The first La Quinta by Wyndham in Batumi, Georgia Double racing event in Megalopolis on May 11: Festival Enduro and Theater Run 2025 Explora Journeys: Start of the summer season with the luxurious EXPLORA I from Piraeus Strong start in 2025 for Aegean and SKY Express Xanthi Tastes: A Gastronomy Festival with a Cultural Flavor Rhodes: These are the five-star hotels with the highest revenue – Which ones “fill up” first Greek Tourism/Webhotelier: The Winners and Losers in Online Bookings for 2025 GNTO | Promotion of Santorini in target markets Unprecedented blackout in Spain, Portugal, France Greece can play a leading role in the global sports tourism scene Rhodes | Event for the protection of biodiversity Attica, the …Caribbean of the Germans Agios Nikolaos | Cruise season kicks off with arrival of luxury Silver Spirit Operational Plan: “Cretan Food Culture 2026-2030” Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Thessaloniki Kefalonia: The authentic character of the island through the “Travel Reimagined” project Hoteliers vs. Booking.com: The European uprising has begun Tourism | Greece 4th choice for Europeans' holidays in 2025 - what the ETC survey shows New high-standard heated swimming pool in Chania, aimed at sports tourism Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent Greek-American Dean Spanos brings the NFL to Greece – Opportunities for promotion in the USA Lesvos: The season begins with birdwatching tourists MSC Cruises: Strengthens its presence in Greece with 6 cruise ships New Luxury Arrival in Crete | JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa Opens on June 2 "Peloponnese Trails" inaugurated today: New network of trails for sustainable tourism Knossos: 125 years since the excavations of Arthur Evans The Spanish TV show “Viajeros Cuatro” in Corfu Wyndham - Soliteight | 40 Super 8 hotels in Spain and Portugal Airbnb: Final price now displayed in accommodation searches Investments in the beaches of the Attica Riviera The Municipality of Chania at the “From Crete to Side” Festival in Turkey Region of Central Macedonia: Tourism Promotion Activities in Poland and the Middle East Region of Crete | Connecting Minoan Palatial Centers with Archaeological Sites Biodiversity protection plan is in full swing in Elafonisi Record participation in the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition | Chania 8 - 10 May Communities at the heart of tourism development Booking.com | No to limiting tourists, yes to infrastructure investments Thessaloniki’s dynamic presence at the World Tourism Summit in Hong Kong easyJet | Summer 2026 sales open Cruise | Turkey doubles its share, new opportunities for Greek ports Aid for the upgrade of the tourist shelter of Astakos and the Marina of Alimos Preparing the settlement of Kionia for the tourist season: An example to follow The action of the region of Crete "Let's go for... Greens" concludes this weekend “Art is our Language”: Campaign for the 70th Anniversary of the Athens Epidaurus Festival Tourism | Nostalgia drives Brits’ travel choices ΕΟΤ China | B2B meetings with Chengdu's t.os - Flights to Athens in June State-of-the-art conference center at Theartemis Palace Hotel in Rethymno Zagori: Collaboration with Impact Hub Athens for sustainable tourism and innovation Cooperation Memorandum between Development Athens and Piraeus University on Tourism Kos: New advertising campaigns with Jet2 and National Geographic Traveller UK Five cruise ships in Souda by Saturday Imbros Trail Run & Hike 2025: A sporting tribute to the History of Sfakia Cultural Days and Sea Routes in Piraeus Religious Tourism | The University of Palermo comes to Panagia Nafpaktiotissa Audio Walk in the Sitia Geopark: A Different Exploration Experience in Crete AEGEAN “takes off” Larnaca with a new direct flight to Rome FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025 HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025 Competitions with a summer and autumn backdrop: Attica runs at the pace of sports Crete also invests in cycling tourism - 13th Pediadas Tour 12th BAJAGREECE: Motorsports Competition in Western Macedonia ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development Promotion of Preveza on the metro and tram in Athens What to expect at this year’s ITB Berlin Exhibition from March 4-6 PM at 1st Greece-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council on Monday What the Israeli Ambassador discussed at the Chania Chamber Greece's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO organizing concert on January 16 Athens to host the European Film Awards in 2027 North Macedonia: Increase in foreign tourists in 2024 Alonissos tops the list of Greek destinations without mass tourism Athens Municipality Festival 2025 | The city's biggest celebration, with more than 200 events German tourism: Advance bookings are the new "last-minute" ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises' turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1 One of Europe's most popular package holiday destinations doesn't seem the most obvious answer We discovered - as far as a three-generational extended family of seven ever can - outer tranquility and inner contentment Since the tourist boom 'n' build days of the 1970s Corfu has been one of the most developed and crowded of the Greek islands welcoming more than one million visitors a year The north and west coasts are lined with strings of high-rise hotels and huge apartment blocks built with so little control they look as if a child has constructed them But in every area of over-development there is an oasis Clinging to the edge of a bay on the less-visited east coast of the island looking across a narrow channel of the Ionian Sea to the barren hills of Albania development in this tiny village consists of three tavernas There are no hotels and no large apartment blocks narrow road down to the village acts as a fortress against foreign invasion: it is too treacherous for a tour bus to navigate You can only reach San Stefanos by car or boat Our hired people carrier was the largest vehicle in the hamlet We needed it to drive us all - my boyfriend and I our toddler twins and 10-year-old daughter my mum and the au pair - up through the olive groves on the hillside behind the village and after an exhausting lunch of grilled meat and cheap wine (every taverna on Corfu offers exactly the same menu - grilled almost anything with a selection of dips) the thought of having to walk back up the steep hill to home was just too much for us with its views down over the verdant valley The granny loved just sitting under an umbrella watching the hills as if they might move if she didn't keep an eye on them My boyfriend loved the fertility; Corfu has exceptionally heavy rainfall making it a major provider of fruit and vegetables to the Greek mainland Rising up behind the villa was a vast garden of vines returning with bunches of grapes and black and green figs so fresh they burst bright red as he held them He plucked small handfuls of fresh oregano from the pots rubbing it between his palms for the joy of the smell It was tempting to spend the whole fortnight cocooned in Villa Kiki but every day we forced ourselves to venture forth from our Garden of Eden for a swim in the sea The coastline around San Stefanos is all pebble - thank goodness It's the lack of sand that has also helped to keep this slither of Corfu's east coast so low key; big developments require soft 10-year-old Storme felt comfortable swimming in the sea And it was perfect for the twins Savanna and River with a long shallow slope before the water became too deep Only when one of the large ferries passed between us and Albania was the surface of the salty water disturbed it was slight enough to just gently rock the lilos there was always a taverna that overlooked the water with an awning to retreat under at midday taverna food is better in Britain than Corfu Each of the three tavernas on San Stefanos waterfront had its own tiny wooden pier and there was a place to hire five-horsepower outboard engines so that when the wind wasn't up you could land at a cove that a car couldn't reach But hiring a small boat to skipper yourself is expensive; in general it cost far less to hire a man together with his own craft it meant you could go further under his guidance It also meant that we adults could concentrate on making sure that the toddlers didn't tip overboard while the boat was piloted by a professional We hired Captain Ioannis and his vessel for the day and together they carried us south to Kalami where the brothers Lawrence and Gerald Durrell lived in the 1930s is now a small hotel and restaurant (with identical food to that offered in every other taverna) Coming up north towards San Stefanos again where it's said Shirley Valentine was filmed and a "Tamsin Outhwaite Was Here" sign hangs over one of the three tavernas These unremarkable monuments are about as much in the way of sights that Corfu's east coast offers sensual pleasures: the feel of a freshly picked fig as it bursts between your lips; the shade from the midday sun offered by an ancient twisted olive tree; swimming under moonlight in the warm We were always glad to return home to the cocoon of Vila Kiki each evening bought on the roadside in old beer bottles and looked over towards the mountains of Albania There is great loyalty to this small place; we met many families who had been coming back to San Stefanos year after year making friends with other families who made the same annual pilgrimage they would spend a fortnight each August meeting almost daily in one of the waterfront tavernas or bars so that each generation was guaranteed company of their own age on holiday But it's surprising how quietly and quickly two weeks pass when you're doing nothing except indulging yourself in small ways when anyone tells me to avoid a certain destination because it's overrun by tourists Everywhere has somewhere you can retreat to Getting there: Direct Greece (020-8785 4000, brochure line 0870 5168683, directgreece.co.uk) offers one week at the Villa Kiki in San Stefanos based on five people sharing two-bedroom accommodation with a private pool The price includes direct flights from six UK airports (including Gatwick Manchester and Glasgow) resort transfers and car hire a picturesque town tucked away in central Greece is home to the awe-inspiring Meteora monasteries Visitors can explore the breathtaking natural scenery discover the town’s rich cultural heritage this charming town is the gateway to Meteora’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – renowned for its majestic sandstone cliffs and limestone rock formations Whether you’re looking for a spiritual experience or an outdoor adventure Kalabaka is the perfect destination for a truly memorable trip Here are some of the top things to do in Kalabaka: Meteora has some of the world’s most popular rock climbing peaks and routes giving climbers the overwhelming power of nature and the serene beauty of the region Several routes and bolts were opened and secured decades ago giving the climbers the challenge to face the haunting landscape of the site while putting their own bolts as they go Another great way to experience the challenge and beauty of Meteora is through hiking and scrambling the same path that monks took centuries ago Several tours accompanied by expert rock climbers and hikers are offered in the area The extraordinary landscape of Kalabaka offers another experience of exploring the region and indulging in some thrilling adventure Adventurers can experience the rapids of Venetikos and Aspropotamos rivers and into the heart of the thriving nature of Greece The rapids have a medium grade of difficulty during the winter and spring and a low grade of difficulty in the summer and autumn inviting beginner and seasoned rafters out in nature Accompanied by an expert truffle hunter and truffle dogs the Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum offers its visitors the to participate in truffle hunting in the nearby forests where they can have a taste of native mushrooms and truffle pasta After the fun hunting experience and the delightful meal prepared by the chefs the hunting participants can get a guided tour of the museum learn about Greece’s truffle industry and purchase mushroom-related products from the souvenir shop This family-owned vineyard has been planting wines since the 1960s and in the winery business since 2006 producing smooth and aromatic wines with local grape varieties Set in the village of Diava with its rich viticulture history the location of Louda’s Winehouse is one of the most historical in Greece Visitors can arrange an appointment to tour the vineyard and taste their varieties A relatively new museum that opened in 2018 the Museum of Geological Formations of Meteora is housed in a 1902 building that used to be the Kastraki Elementary School until 1985 and a local government building until 2012 The museum has a General Geology Hall and a Meteora Geological History Hall where audiovisual presentations of Meteora a detailed analysis of the formation and creation of Meteora and the surrounding mountain of Koziakas and Kalabaka’s general geology are displayed The Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum is a private museum established in late 2014 with over 350 species of taxidermized animals and about 250 species of mushrooms The dioramas of taxidermized animals represent the animal’s natural habitats while the mushroom collections are displayed according to the phases of their development The mammals displayed are native to Greece and its neighboring countries The bird collection is just as extensive as Greece The museum’s bird collection is also one of the largest in Greece constantly updated with new exhibits to enrich the public on the dangers that mammals and birds face nowadays and to protect them The Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum annually organizes a festival that promotes mushrooms’ nutritional and medicinal value The festival’s main highlight is when a dozen chefs cook different varieties of mushroom dishes for the thousands of festival participants at the Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum The Great Meteoron Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour simply known as The Monastery of Great Meteoron or “Megalo Meteoron” is the largest and oldest monastery in Meteora The Monastery of Great Meteoron was founded in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios founder of the monastery and monasticism for the region of Meteora Visitors can see historical codices and religious icons displayed inside the monastery The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas or Agios Nikolaos is the first monastery that pilgrims will encounter the resting place before continuing to the other monasteries Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas or Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Anthony and the crypt where historical codices and heirlooms were used to be stored can be seen from the monastery’s entrance Other sights within the monastery are 14th-century paintings was founded in the 14th century by hermit monks and suffered like the other monasteries during World War II Visitors can see paintings of the Catholicon by an unknown hagiographer or take the pathway from the monastery to an off-the-road panoramic viewpoint spot to get a different view of the cliffs The Holy Monastery of Roussanou was built at a lower elevation making it more accessible than the other monasteries The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is one of the most photographed monasteries in Meteora and the most recognizable landmark in all of Greece because it was the monastery featured in the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only The Holy Trinity Monastery sits atop a steep rock 300 meters above the town of Kalabaka it is difficult to reach in terms of its access The monastery was established in 1362 by a monk named Dometious and was abandoned in the early 20th century Archaeologists discovered artifacts in 1909 and locals constructed stairs in 1925 for safer access the monastery has been active and open for people to visit The Monastery of Agios Stefanos is connected by a walking bridge making it the most accessible monastery compared to the other monasteries at Meteora The Agios Stefanos Monastery was founded in the 12th century by the first hermit monk Hosios Antonios Hosios Philotheos is credited as its founders when they rebuilt the monastery’s foundations in the 15th century the monastery was transformed into a convent where nuns continue to live there to this day The Theopetra Cave is one of the oldest human constructions with significant remnants from the Paleolithic such as records of cultural transitions from Neanderthals to modern humans and hunting-gathering to farming Near the cave is the Theopetra Cave Museum where documentation and excavations from 1987 to 2008 are displayed The museum was built to promote the cultural wealth and unique archaeology and prehistory of the Theopetra Cave The museum has an educational trench where visitors can experience what an actual excavation is like and educational exhibitions that bring life to the prehistoric life of humans the Byzantine Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Inside the monument are 11th and 16th-century Byzantine frescos and relics from an ancient Greek temple dedicated to the god Apollo which stood on the same spot before the church was built This hidden treasure of Kalabaka stood for the past 25 centuries and stands as the only church in the world with an early Christian ambo or pulpit preserved in the center of the nave the church remains hidden behind the popular monasteries of Meteora even though the Byzantine Church of Dormition of the Virgin Mary is older than the Monastery of Great Meteoron Reaching Kalabaka and the monasteries of Meteora differs from how the first hermits arrived in the region trains that connect with the Athens-Thessaloniki line at Palaiopharsala or the local buses that run from Kalabaka to Kastraki and Trikala only run between April and October from 9AM to 5PM every 2 hours Visitors must observe the dress code and wear appropriate clothing before entering the monasteries sleeveless clothing and shorts over the knee are not allowed Women can borrow or buy shawls and skirts at the entrance of monasteries Check out our list of cheap Kalabaka, Greece hotels, and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city. 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