About 80,000 jobs still to be filled – and country is turning to asylum seekers and overseas for help On the facade of the Karyatis taverna in a plaza of palm trees and garden plants beneath the Acropolis With record numbers of tourists slated this summer to visit Athens the restaurant’s owners are not taking any chances “It’s becoming harder and harder to find employees,” said Dimitris Stathokostopoulos “Tourism is definitely on the rise but these days Greeks prefer to work 9 to 5 office jobs that don’t require putting in hours at night In the countdown to the season getting into full swing, the search for staff to keep the industry afloat has assumed an unexpected urgency. Greece may be among Europe’s most popular destinations but workers are in short supply Shortages are such that just weeks away from tourists flying in an estimated 80,000 work slots have yet to be filled in the food and hotel sector – the backbone of an industry that Stathokostopoulos is not the only entrepreneur struggling to find staff to meet the demands of the popular taverna at what is likely to be the busiest time of the year hoteliers are in race to find front desk managers On big-draw islands such as Crete and Rhodes reports of hoteliers poaching employees from competitors with promises of better pay and work conditions have soared “It’s partly a legacy of the [Covid-19] pandemic, which all of Europe has felt but in Greece the problem is particularly acute,” said Giorgos Hotzoglou president of the Panhellenic Federation of Workers in Food Service and Tourism (POEET) “What we’re seeing is an unprecedented lack of qualified and experienced workers following the exodus of employees during the lockdown As a result an estimated 80,000 jobs are now needed.” For Hotzoglou the sector’s seasonality is to blame “Once the season is over workers are entitled to only three months of unemployment benefit how are they expected the rest of the year to possibly survive?” Tourism is not the only sector hit by the labour shortages Construction and agriculture have also been affected by the scarcity in a country not only confronting a dramatic demographic decline but still reeling from the exodus of more than 500,000 mostly high-skilled students and workers at the height of its near decade-long economic crisis In a bid to address the problem, partly because of pressure from local MPs, the centre-right government has sought to legalise the status of about 30,000 unregistered migrants It has also signed an array of bilateral agreements “for labour mobility” with third countries including Egypt “I’ve just received a recruitment offer from a company in Dubai that I’m considering,” said Stathokostopoulos “A Bangladeshi is working in our kitchen and he’s excellent It’s people from Asia and other parts of the world who are now applying for this type of work.” Asylum seekers, until recently languishing in refugee facilities, will take up jobs in northern Greece later this month after being trained by the Hellenic Hotel Association – a groundbreaking step in a nation where the coastguard and other officials have been accused by human rights groups of illegal pushbacks to keep migrants at bay Since assuming the helm of the migration ministry in March tightening a government policy that takes a “tough but fair” approach to immigration Free weekly newsletterThe most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment It is not lost on officials that Greece’s dilemma has also been spurred by its own success: in a resurgent economy that is also one of the fastest growing in Europe “Five hundred thousand new jobs have been created in areas ranging from construction to logistics retail services and healthcare,” said Spiros Protopsaltis the governor of the Greek public employment service a little inflated but there are still untapped sources of labour … starting with women.” Athens’ tourism ministry has forecast 40 million visitors – nearly four times the country’s population – a result of increased arrivals mostly from the emerging markets of India and China The tourist season is also lengthening as travel habits change with climate change Greece has begun actively recruiting abroad the hope is that Greeks who left during the financial crisis will also return “The Greek economy is not what you remember healthy lifestyle amid countless ancient ruins and miles of picturesque coastline The country is famed for its world-class beaches And 227 of those 6,000 Greek islands are inhabited “Over the past 12 months, we have witnessed a 30% increase in interest for Greek residency programs,” says Adalberto Pucca head of sales and business development at Global Citizen Solutions which assists clients with Greece’s visa programs as well as visa programs in Europe generally (Global Citizen Solutions has local representation in Athens and on the island of Corfu.) “Following the U.S “this interest has surged by over 85%.” Even frequent visitors to the country soon realize that once they’ve enjoyed the capital of Athens — climbing up to the Acropolis to marvel at the 5th-century B.C Parthenon — and island-hopped the Cyclades from the whitewashed cave houses of Santorini to the waterside taverns and bars of Mykonos Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail So much of the country is cinematically beautiful: Mamma Mia (2008) was shot in the lush and colorful Skopelos and Skiathos in the Sporades archipelago; the acclaimed Olivia Coleman vehicle The Lost Daughter (2021) unfolds in the chill southwest of Athens; and Ethan Hawke continues to romance Julie Delphy — this time in southern Greece — in the third installment of the Before trilogy Before Midnight (2013) is set in the spectacularly scenic Peloponnese but is actually composed of peninsulas extending from peninsulas The range of films shot in such divergent areas of Greece amply demonstrates that the country is far more than the dreamy cliffs and sunsets of Santorini as depicted in Summer Lovers (1982) Americans considering retirement in Mediterranean climes have noted that while Greece still offers its golden visa (residency in exchange for a property investment in the country) the cost of the transaction has spiked and spiked again That’s how popular this sun-splashed country “For those who can afford the golden visa, it’s an interesting opportunity,” says Federica Grazi founder and managing director of Mitos Relocation Solutions “Greece has one of the only golden visas left in Europe that allows you to obtain residency by investment in real estate.” When Greece debuted its golden visa program in 2014 you could obtain a visa by purchasing property worth 250,000 euros But as in other coveted European countries when foreign ownership began to price locals out of the housing market with the implementation of a dual-tiered system the cost to attain a golden visa in Greece’s most sought-after locales has been pegged at 800,000 euros This top tier includes Athens and its environs (known as Attica); Thessaloniki the second-largest city; and the iconic Cycladic islands of Santorini and Mykonos less densely populated parts of the country command a golden visa investment of 400,000 euros retirees may look into the FIP (Financially Independent Person) visa Though no substantial investment is required for the FIP applicants must show they can support themselves through a monthly income of 3,500 euros FIP visa holders must remain in Greece for 183 days a year and although working for Greece-based companies is forbidden remote work for overseas employers is permitted Pucca says the FIP “is ideal for those with passive income while the golden visa provides more flexibility as it has no minimum stay requirements.” Grazi notes that the FIP visa must be renewed every three years because it is dependent on holding property “It has more certainty,” she says Ancestry visas. Pucca points out that an ancestry visa is an option for a select few through municipal documents (such as birth or marriage certificates) depending on the consulate handling the application,” he notes though this timeframe may be longer if the sourcing of required documents proves challenging.” Taxes. Finally, American retirees in Greece are generally not double-taxed, including on Social Security it’s smart to enlist a tax accountant who is conversant in the tax implications of moving to Greece and keeps track of any changes in tax law Tax advantages may be influenced by the amount of time you spend annually in Greece as well as where your income (including passive income) is derived from “While Athens remains a top choice,” Pucca says “many retirees are now exploring alternative locations across Greece Crete and Corfu are particularly popular due to their high quality of life These destinations offer a perfect mix of authentic Greek culture and welcoming communities make them excellent alternatives to the capital providing retirees with both comfort and adventure.” Because it is Greece’s largest island Crete is a year-round destination that is generating a lot of interest “It’s a very balanced option,” Grazi says “You can drive almost everywhere within an hour and yet it has frequent flights to the mainland and a lot of diversity in terms of the cultural scene.” Grazi also praises the relatively populous Syros for its year-round activities as it is the administrative center of the Cyclades — and notes that it doesn’t carry the price tag of its more illustrious neighbors chose to retire in Greece four years ago on a golden visa which has accorded him permanent residency — as long as he doesn’t sell his properties and no one was really doing it back then,” he recalls sort of spur-of-the-moment choice: He retired in Symi known for its fine beaches and its multicolored harbor The island has a year-round population of around 2,500 (which swells during the summer tourist season) He’d enjoyed Symi on a previous visit and the thought of touring dozens of other islands for comparison was overwhelming “You can spend your whole life trying to figure out where to live in Greece,” he says You have to find one that works for you.” “I didn’t know a soul,” he says “The only other person I knew was my real estate agent I got to know a lot of people.” Symi has a “laid-back” quality and thriving international population and benefits from being a short ferry ride away from the much larger Rhodes it helps to be “fit” to settle in Symi — there’s a lot of walking The same can be said of virtually every Greek island don’t permit private automobiles at all people who favor car-centric lives might be more comfortable in Athens the city’s old town in the shadow of the Acropolis is a pedestrian neighborhood that’s full of stairs Beyond its physical and sybaritic attributes Greece is a developed country with the 52nd largest economy in the world It offers a fantastic quality of life without being costly: Everything from buying property to health care to meals out is relatively inexpensive compared to the U.S. isn't as strong as it was earlier in 2025.  As other marquee European countries reassess and even discontinue their long-term visa policies Greece is looking more and more like a feasible paradise for retirees Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up Drew LimskyContributorDrew Limsky joined Kiplinger Digital as a freelance retirement writer because he believes that every day offers opportunities to make better financial decisions and that it’s never too late to learn how to enhance your financial position and lifestyle Drew is the former editor of Lexus magazine Drew’s writing credits include The Wall Street Journal Greece is not considering supplying Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv a government official said on Monday in response to a Reuters report which said that Ukraine’s western allies were in discussions with Greece and the United States on the issue Ukraine is increasingly desperate to get more Patriots with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy telling CBS news last month his government was ready to buy 10 of the US-made air defense systems that are vital for shooting down Russian ballistic missiles According to Ukrainian Defense Express military analysts Ukraine had seven fully operational Patriot systems the New York Times reported on Sunday that Washington was planning to send a Patriot system that was based in Israel to Ukraine after it is refurbished Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox – Greece police shut down Family Market mini-mart on Dewey Avenue for illegally selling cannabis Officers executed a search warrant at the store The store owner received a ticket and must reapply for a building permit and resolve code violations before potentially reopening the Greece Town Board voted to opt out of allowing cannabis dispensaries and consumption sites Cannabis sales are not permitted in the town AI assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News10NBC uses AI Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public file should contact Richard Reingold at rreingold@whec.com or 585-546-1701 It’s may not seem like a good omen when Athens the city that’s the first leg of your vacation But it turns out to be the perfect way to begin a story about the Greek economy a subsidiary company of the Laskaridis family the financial and political newspaper that’s appended to The International New York Times a daily fixture in the hotel’s palm-dotted Winter Garden Restaurant was filled with news of Greece’s economic outlook much of it good but some of it challenging to say the least as the Greeks Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sounded a bullish note on the economy and working with President Donald J Trump:  “…There is a possibility of finding a win-win situation when it comes to trade a solution that is mutually beneficial.” That was music to the president’s ears:  “I agree Think tank KOBE has projected the Greek economy will grow by 2.2% — down .2% of what was initially expected the national budget saw a 12.1% increase in tax revenues over the winter museum visits increased 14.7% while their revenues soared 22.3% and holiday homes remained a good investment for sale and rental affordable housing for locals continues to be nettlesome with more than half of tenants saying they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and the country seeing a decline in revenues from house auctions due to less inventory Even tourism — a continuing bright spot that accounts for 20% of Greece’s GDP and employment – is not without its questions:  Will the possible influx of tourists who might otherwise have gone to the United States make up for the anticipated loss of U.S And will the looming challenge lead the nation to address the effects of tourism on infrastructure and the environment As Greeks enjoyed the two-week Easter holiday With the taxi demonstration over as the Athenian weather turned suddenly summery the Grande Bretagne was flooded with Americans looking to take advantage of the pre-tourist season In the afterglow of a $93.4 million renovation and its most successful year to date (both 2023) the Bretagne might best be described as a cross between the fanciful place in “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Wes Anderson’s movingly quirky film traditional elegance (the 320 rooms and suites; the Winter Garden and GB Corner Gifts & Flavors both off the lobby) meets contemporary sleekness (the GB Spa and the GB Roof Garden Restaurant with its stunning views of the Parthenon and Acropolis Parliament and Mount Lycabettus) in an institution that’s a touchstone in modern Greece’s turbulent 195-year history including Nazi occupation; civil war; strikes; demonstrations; terrorist attacks; celebrity sightings; presidential and royal visits:  The Grand Bretagne is a symbol of everything that Greece has lost and that has proudly remained we photographed the hourly changing of the guard at the Parliament of the Hellenes A 10-minute walk put us in the Plaka – or Plaka as the Greeks call the neighborhood – for neoclassical tchotchkes although for our money some of the best of these souvenirs can be found at Artpoint Papasotiriou at Athens International Airport A 15-minute walk down Greece’s version of museum and embassy row led us to the Benaki Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art offering excellent overviews of ancient Greek history (For the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum you’ll need a timed ticket and a cab ride respectively.) you could be forgiven for just wanting to lounge around the Grand Bretagne Some of our fondest memories – the impeccable service from everyone; the lobster pasta dish in the Roof Garden; the puréed soups in the Winter Garden where the pianist seamlessly transitioned from one standard to the next; and the chocolate hazelnut and chocolate pistachio cookies at GB Corner Gifts & Flavors One gesture encapsulated the experience:  At the Roof Garden where the balcony is reserved for bar guests and a different menu stole a cashew from a bowl of mixed nuts and flew off Our all-too-brief two-day stay at the Bretagne was but a morsel in time, but like that bird we snatched what prize we could before we, too, flew off to the charming port city of Izmir, Türkiye (as Turkey now wishes to be known), to begin our Aegean odyssey aboard the 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra.  Founded in 2013 by Australian couple Glen and Karen Moroney and sailing out of Nassau under the Bahamian flag Emerald Cruises has a fleet of Star-Ships for river voyages as well as two luxury yachts the service aboard the Azzurra was impeccable attentive but unobtrusive; the varied menu options As we plied the relatively tranquil teal waters of the Aegean under sunny skies but variable temperatures we were reminded of a banner we saw at Athens airport – “caring for culture.” No port or inland city no island is too small or too humble to have a well-appointed to say nothing of many jewel-like Greek Orthodox churches and chapels Yet the culture that is so integral to Greece’s tourist industry comes with a healthy helping of relaxation which we discovered  while strolling the sinuous cobblestone streets and artisanal shops or savoring coffee in the light-dappled squares of two off-the-beaten-path islands This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access. and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" CNN (CNN) — Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday while receiving the John F CNN (CNN) — Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday while receiving the John.. Trending Westchester A restaurant at The Mall at Greece Ridge with deep roots and a loyal following will close for good on May 15 Jim’s at The Mall is within the footprint of a forthcoming 175,000-square-foot Boscov’s department store Restaurant owner Elena Knapp declined to comment on the situation she did post a handwritten sign apologizing to customers who were under the impression that Jim’s would relocate to another space in the mall after Boscov’s construction began mall owner Wilmorite promised to facilitate a move but later decided the business would close “This restaurant has become a family to me and it pains me to say goodbye,” she wrote a longtime customer has launched a change.org campaign titled Save Jim’s at The Mall also asserting that Wilmorite took the option to move off the table the petition has more than 1,500 signatures on Thursday Wilmorite issued a statement: “Jim’s at the Mall is a wonderful restaurant and its presence at Greece Ridge will be sorely missed It’s unfortunate we were unable to come to terms on a new deal for another location The door will remain open for Jim’s at the Mall to return to Greece Ridge as we too are a Rochester based family run business and appreciate their partnership over the years.” Wilmorite released what it called an updated statement: “We have offered Jim’s at the Mall viable options to relocate they expressly stated that they desired a large monetary buyout Under their lease we have the right to move them and they were notified months ago but have resisted any form of compromise They are using the community and media as leverage.” Knapp did not reach out to the Democrat and Chronicle Jim’s at The Mall originally was Critic’s on The Mall George Criticos opened it in the old Greece Towne Mall when it debuted in 1967 (Greece Towne Mall and Long Ridge Mall were linked in 1994 to become The Mall at Greece Ridge.) Knapp bought Critic’s on The Mall in 2016 and renamed it Jim’s at The Mall That beloved establishment was demolished in 2015 to make way for an ALDI grocery store that wound up being built at a different Winton Road location (This story was updated to add new information.) Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood The problem with going down 411 steps is that you must go back up them Spelunking doesn’t usually come to mind on charter but we were following in the footsteps of Lord Byron and loads of European royalty by exploring this 300-foot-deep 45-million-year-old cave on the small island of Antiparos in the heart of the Greek Cyclades Islands After the most exercise we’d had in over a week, we treated ourselves to lunch at the Rooster Wellness Center on the island’s western shore I was a little surprised they let our sweaty motley crew in This is the kind of spa resort where the staff wear silk pajamas and speak in hushed tones about hot stone treatments The beautiful grounds are right out of an architectural photo shoot and the ocean view will make you want to move in for however long your credit card holds out we reached Kolona beach on the island of Kythnos This is only the second island down when heading south from the mainland and it made a great overnight stop as we tucked in behind the beach that’s protected from the north and the west The next day had us reeling off the miles on a glorious sail down to Milos Island where the Venus de Milo is said to have been unearthed by a farmer around 1820 (it’s rumored she still had her arms back then before they were lost in an ownership scuffle) My friend Frank Blanc and most of his family were the crew on this trip Frank never misses a chance to feed the fish when the wind is up He has the best attitude about seasickness of anyone I’ve ever met watching vendors flog their boat excursions to landbound hotel tourists Anthony Quin’s Zorba the Greek would have fit right in among these handsome entrepreneurs whose pitches included a cruise down the western side of the island with lunch and unlimited ouzo They were packing 20-plus people on 40-foot monohulls with “room to spare” as they said forming a plan based on the vendors’ brochures I picked up in town I planned our circumnavigating itinerary from the waterfront village of Klima on Milos’ western side where every shack is painted a different color and small fishing skiffs dance on moorings nearby we waited two hours after the tourist boats departed and then followed them arriving at each site just as they were leaving for the next First stop—the roofless cave of Sikia where we anchored and dinghied in The ceiling of this cave collapsed eons ago leaving a lovely ring of light above We continued to Kleftiko on the southwest corner of the island It’s chock full of purple and green caves and rock formations that had us dinghying and swimming the rest of the afternoon There is no town nearby and no way to get here other than by boat so once the tourist boats returned to Adamas we settled into a blissfully silent anchorage where zero light pollution had us ogling the stars for hours No visit to Milos would be complete without a stop at the white moonscape of Sarakiniko where sheer white cliffs fall into blue-green water and the edges are dotted with pink caves It’s a weird place that looks like an intergalactic movie set some of whom risked jumping off the high cliffs all of them turned their cameras on us as Hathor rested majestically at anchor Our next stop was supposed to be Santorini it’s a stretch to get there because it’s so far south we turned back north and made our way to the islands of Naxos This is where the beautiful people come to party with the iconic windmills forming an exotic backdrop The town is all narrow alleys with tiny restaurants shoehorned into every corner among bright bougainvillea bushes Fashion boutiques selling everything from designer jewelry to handmade flip flops provide whitewashed steps for the ubiquitous cats that are treated like royalty as they lounge about waiting for strangers to bring them treats Next door to glitzy Mykonos is Delos, an island that’s basically one big archeological dig. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is arguably the most culturally and historically significant island in the entire Cyclades mythologically the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis with ancient stone dwellings indicating people have lived there since 3,000 BC It’s easier to anchor at Mykonos and take the 40-minute ferry to Delos because anchoring there is neither easy nor convenient We had a blowy day and many of the ferry passengers didn’t fare well in the choppy seas which was clearly nothing new since a sign on the mirror in the onboard restroom read Delos is a square kilometer of ruins of ancient homes and temples with many of the mosaics and columns still intact the island’s peak as the commercial and religious vortex of the Cyclades Spending an afternoon here is walking through mind-bending ancient history we meandered around the Cyclades in a counterclockwise direction also stopping at Iraklia in the Lesser Cyclades and the large island of Naxos where we shimmied into a slip so tight even the dockmaster confessed later that he didn’t know if we’d fit when he assigned it so as I wiggled Hathor back along the stone wall I had an army of enthusiastic local men shouting instructions over each other in Greek—not exactly helpful It was in Naxos town where we were caught in a rainstorm so sudden and dramatic that the hilly narrow streets turned into treacherous knee-deep rivers The drenching didn’t put off the shopkeepers a bit They just tossed down towels and dragged us in sopping wet to showcase their wares The tavernas did their best to make us forget our soggy shorts with carafes of famous Naxos wine The food on every island was spectacular and provisioning in the islands is easy Cycladic tomatoes are renowned around Europe and the feta and seafood make your mouth water you can’t beat the churches and the views in the Cyclades Everywhere are small blue and white chapels or huge ornate churches like the Agios Nektarios monastery on Aegina Island where women must don rental skirts to enter And you really can’t beat being anchored in Sunion with a view of the lighted Temple of Poseidon on the cliffs above I was hoping to dodge the infamous Mediterranean meltemi winds you sail with either a wind pushing up dust from the Sahara that gets into everything including your teeth or you face a mean northerly called a Meltemi that can trap you in a harbor for days Our meltemi dropped on us at Paros Island about halfway through our itinerary We dropped the anchor for a Med-moor on the wall in the main town of Parikia the dockmaster tried to shoo us off and the exchange went something like this: “I called and tried to make a reservation,” I pleaded “That number doesn’t work!” he barked between deep draws on his cigarette “How was I supposed to get your cell number?” It took a lot of smiling and a few humbling apologies but it became clear that with enough attention and adulation we didn’t do the best job of setting the anchor which really didn’t seem to matter on this lovely day with little breeze We watched the big fuel truck masterfully maneuver down the narrow dock to service all the cruisers and then went into town to explore the Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani a renowned pilgrimage church which has the added benefit of being near a few great tavernas we started squishing the fenders on our transoms in a building meltemi By then we were well wedged in by boats on either side Every skipper on the quay was on deck nervously inspecting their lines and the waves from the huge ferries maneuvering on the next dock over didn’t help set anyone at ease The German boat next to us decided they were on a schedule and had to leave They asked to tie to us while they crept out into the howling wind All watched in horror as their boat bounced its way out coming to rest briefly on their other neighbor’s anchor chain we dropped our stern lines and made haste with both engines pushing as fast as the windlass could take up chain and after making damn sure we weren’t dragging we rented a car and set out for Antiparos and that wonderful cave but they’re not for first-time bareboat charterers the distances are greater than in other Greek island groups and navigation can be comedic since each island has at least two names with five spellings—and that’s before we even get into the mindboggling Greek alphabet “It’s easy to sail south,” chuckles Jesper Rönngard It’s a stretch to do many of these islands in less than two weeks which run roughly northwest to southeast in the eastern quarter of the Med I know it will take me at least three more trips to feel like I’ve even scratched the surface here I might skip the steps in the cave next time but I definitely won’t miss the cocktails at the Rooster If you want to bareboat in Greece or anywhere else in Europe and the Med it pays to start planning early when it comes to getting the certifications you’ll need Examples of acceptable certifications/experience are: RYA Day Skipper Course or above; International Certificate of Competence (ICC prerequisites RYA Day Skipper Course or similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing school; International Proficiency Certificate (IPC prerequisites ASA 104 or US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Course As a bareboat skipper in Europe and specifically in Croatia and Greece and add a basic cruising certification as listed above It takes time to complete the necessary coursework but you may be able to challenge the test and still receive an IPC which is good for five years and then can be renewed for a fee Contact ASA or US Sailing directly for specifics and pricing since many independent schools quote prices based on selling classes that you may not need The key is to start early so you have time to acquire the required documentation and experience before committing to a charter If you arrive without the necessary documentation the charter company may be required to assign you a local skipper at your expense SAIL Charter Editor Zuzana Prochazka is a USCG 100-ton master who logs countless miles on all kinds of boats around the world and never misses an opportunity to raise a sail or crawl into the engine room of a new design She serves as an international presenter on charter and is the executive director for the board of Boating Writers International Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen Sail Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site Copyright © 2025 Sail Magazine Firecrown Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited two Georgians were arrested in Greece on suspicion of espionage Both arrests were in connection to suspected spying on military bases including a port that is a key conduit of Western arms to Ukraine On Friday, a man described as a ‘59-year-old Greek citizen born in Georgia’ was charged with spying for allegedly taking videos and pictures of the port of Alexandroupolis in northern Greece which is an important logistic hub for the US and NATO as well as a transit centre for Western military aid on its way to Ukraine Greek authorities said they had intercepted text messages containing surveillance materials that the individual sent to another Georgian national in Lithuania who was also arrested in connection to the case The 59-year-old had also been advised to dress like a hiker to avoid suspicion In a separate incident, a 67-year-old man, reportedly a Georgian-Polish citizen, was arrested on 2 May near the Greek city of Serres after he was caught allegedly taking photos of a military base The man said he ‘did not realise that the place he was photographing was a military camp’ the charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence Nate joined OC Media as an editor after a year at The Kyiv Independent He has a background in grant writing and reporting on post-Soviet geopolitics with a focus on conflict-sensitive journalism and human rights The act must still be passed by the Senate and signed by the president to become law The EU looks the other way as Azerbaijan jails journalists and crushes dissent Officials in Tbilisi are surely taking note Ukraine’s western allies are in discussions about supplying additional Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv and are aiming to reach an agreement before a NATO summit at the end of June a source familiar with the matter said on Monday The US and Greece are among the potential suppliers of these systems according to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity It added that allies were talking about “the logistics of Germany or Greece” giving another one Zelenskyy said he had discussed air defense systems with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican in what he called the best meeting the two ever had Airbus Helicopters has been a long-standing partner in Greece since the early 2000s in both the civil and parapublic and military sectors. The Hellenic Fire Brigade operates two Super Pumas and the Hellenic Air Force operates 12 Super Pumas. The Super Puma ecosystem in the country will benefit from the support activities and training of technicians and pilots foreseen by the contract. Flash flood warning until 12:45 Tuesday morning for portions of Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties RadarJim's at the Mall inside Greece Ridge set to close sparking community petitionby Natalie Calzetoni a cherished dining spot at The Mall at Greece Ridge leaving longtime patrons in disbelief and calling for action A sign outside the restaurant revealed that the closure came as a shock has called The Mall at Greece Ridge home since 1967 most of her fondest memories took place inside the doors at Jim's "I came here with my great grandma when I was a kid and she's passed away," Michael said "It's just always been a place we've gone to after church on Sundays after my daughter's preschool graduation I dated my husband here and got their deep-fried ice cream "It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Jim's At The Mall will not be relocating Michael was eating breakfast at Jim's Wednesday when she heard the news and sprung into action we have to stand by them and support them,'" Michael explained "It's crazy to see how it took off." and it's been so sweet to see all of their comments just telling their stories," Michael said A mall spokesperson shared a statement with 13WHAM Mall owner Wilmorite announced in March that Pennsylvania-based department store Boscov's will be moving into a space near Entrance 6 Jim's does have another location on Main Street in Rochester. Michael hopes the petition will either help Jim's at the Mall relocate or delay the closure. "At the end of the day, if that doesn't happen, at least we're showing Elena and the staff there that's losing their jobs in two weeks that the community cares." UPDATE (Friday, May 2): The Mall at Greece Ridge has released another statement about Jim's. Greece's Finance Minister and the Governor of the Bank of Greece highlight the country's economic momentum, stressing the importance of investments, reforms, and crackdown on tax evasion. According to government sources, the resulting data will be made publicly available and visualized through interactive maps. What was agreed during the private dinner between Gerapetritis and Fidan regarding Mitsotakis' visit to Turkey, and the next steps in Greek-Turkish relations Greece’s Parliament faces tough choices as ex-minister Karamanlis may face charges over the 2023 Tempi train crash that killed 57 and sparked mass protests. arrested in Greece on an international warrant for a murder in his home town of Mlawa is seen in a police vehicle after making a court appearance in Thessaloniki Greece (AP) — A 17-year-old Polish high school student appeared in a Greek court on Monday after being arrested over the killing of a 16-year-old girl in Poland who was in Greece as part of a school exchange program refused a voluntary extradition request during his court appearance in the northern city of Thessaloniki He was taken into police custody pending a decision on extradition by a panel of judges Polish police discovered the victim’s body on May 1 in shrubbery near railroad tracks in Mlawa ending a weeklong search that began after she went missing on April 23 The search operation involved drones and scent-tracking dogs The girl had told her mother she was meeting a friend who lived on a nearby street before she disappeared police spokeswoman Katarzyna Kucharska said “We considered various scenarios — including the worst and most tragic possibility that’s the one that turned out to be true,” Kucharska said when a search-and-recovery dog led us to the location where officers discovered the body.” the 17-year-old suspect could face murder charges involving excessive brutality under Polish law Authorities in Poland have launched formal extradition proceedings to bring the suspect back to face charges Greece on Monday unveiled a national strategy to prevent and tackle youth violence and delinquency with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasizing the government’s long-term commitment to addressing what he described as a complex and growing challenge Speaking at the Maximos Mansion during the presentation Mitsotakis said the new framework would serve as a roadmap for government action highlighting the importance of ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence and school bullying The prime minister identified three key areas of focus: online safety and screen addiction He also defended the discreet presence of police in areas frequented by young people saying it contributes to a greater sense of security “No child can grow up without boundaries,” Mitsotakis said referring to the launch of the Kids Wallet application a digital tool designed to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activity Developed by the Ministry of Digital Governance Parents can access it using their TaxisNet credentials and customize screen time settings based on their children’s routines The app also provides data on mobile device usage giving parents better insight into their children’s digital habits Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki pledged to increase the number of psychologists and social workers in schools to ensure more consistent access to mental health support “The family is the most decisive factor in protecting minors A child’s personality is shaped at home,” said Social Cohesion and Family Minister Domna Michailidou warning that when violence is present or tolerated in the home children do not learn to reject it and are less likely to speak up Other measures announced include in-school suspensions for bullying the introduction of community service programs within schools the creation of 10 pilot technical middle schools to support students with integration challenges and the establishment of a legal framework for “digital adulthood” at age 15 with mandatory age-verification mechanisms for online platforms who led the expert group behind the strategy said the goal is to build a society where fear and violence are the exception “It’s not normal to live with violence,” she said “We must change our perspective in order to confront this phenomenon.” Europe has the freest media in the world according to Reporters Without Borders’ annual press freedom ranking — though Southern and Eastern Europe are lagging behind the rest of the continent and the world overall is struggling The RSF World Press Freedom Index released its yearly report and map on Friday and it’s particularly good news for journalists in the Nordics and Baltics Norway frequently tops press freedom rankings with robust legal protections and a thriving media market France (25) and Italy (49) both dropped several places compared to 2024 while the United Kingdom (20) improved slightly and Poland (31) leaped more than a dozen spots Greece recorded the worst result in the European Union for the fourth year in a row, coming in at 89. The main reasons for its lackluster score include wiretapping of journalists by intelligence agencies using Predator spyware intimidatory lawsuits and inadequate legal guardrails Serbia (96) and Kosovo (99) all among the worst in Europe For the first time since the index’s inception in 2002 the average score out of 100 fell below 55 with journalism conditions classified as “difficult” or “very serious” in more than half of all countries assessed RSF cited economic instability and media concentration as factors contributing to a worsening press freedom climate dozens of reporters have been killed during Israel’s military assault in Gaza North Korea and Eritrea were ranked the five worst countries in the world to be a journalist President Donald Trump’s administration is bringing about a “troubling deterioration” through funding cuts to public media and foreign aid maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” the U.S The hard right cruised to victory in Sunday’s presidential election first round sparking the stunning announcement from socialist PM Marcel Ciolacu TikTok and ultranationalism propels hard-right chief to cult status among Romania’s diaspora The nationalist chief vociferously supports Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni — and he leads the presidential race ahead of May 18’s critical second round – Longtime customers are rushing to Jim’s at the Mall for one last meal before the restaurant closes on May 15 A sign posted outside the restaurant indicated Wilmorite Management initially promised to relocate the business but later backed out they said they offered Jim’s another location Jim’s at the Mall was known as Critic’s at the Mall and it has been Jim’s at the Mall ever since “This was a favorite place for my brother and myself until he passed away We were here every week at Jim’s for breakfast or lunch,” said Marge DeGrave “We’re very disappointed because it’s a restaurant that’s family oriented and there’s not another one around here like it.” Wilmorite Management Group confirmed there few spaces available for restaurants The lease for the current location is almost up Much of the space will be taken over by Boscov’s The department store will take up 175,000 sq It is expected to open in the Fall of 2025 There is another Jim’s location on Main Street in Rochester that will remain open See the full updated mall statement below: ”We have offered Jim’s at the Mall viable options to relocate AI assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News10NBC uses AI ATHENS — Greece’s opposition parties are demanding an investigation into the government’s ties to a politically connected communications company that they link to shadow financing and online propaganda for the ruling New Democracy party The questions about the role of the PR company focus on a host of top New Democracy officials and close associates of center-right Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis — including Thanasis Bakolas outgoing secretary general of the European People’s Party the pan-EU grouping of center-right parties The little-known communications company at the heart of the political furor is called Blue Skies the son and brother of former New `Democracy ministers Blue Skies is an offshoot of the far better known V+O agency which represents some of Greece’s biggest businesses It was founded in 2003 with V+O as a shareholder and Varvitsiotis and Olympios as board members The government denies any link to the agency The main opposition center-left Pasok party is demanding “answers about the activities of this company and the links between New Democracy a propaganda machine and private companies black political money seems to be produced and channelled.” we expect the immediate intervention of the competent judicial authorities,” the party said in a statement on Tuesday Opposition Syriza MEP Kostas Arvanitis called on EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath and the European Parliament “to act accordingly in order to restore the confidence of Greek citizens in the democratic process.” New Left MP Nasos Iliopoulos complained: “The evidence raises reasonable suspicions that public funding is being used to sustain the government’s propaganda in flagrant violation of the Constitution and the laws on transparency of political money This is an extreme institutional aberration that undermines democracy.” More than half of the 57 people officially listed as employees of Blue Skies had high-ranking positions close to Mitsotakis or New Democracy at the same time, according to a report in Documento newspaper None listed their corporate PR roles on their CVs In addition to outgoing EPP Secretary-General Bakolas the names include Minister of Labor and Social Security Domna Michailidou and Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis Most of them appear to have worked at the company when Mitsotakis took over the party leadership in 2016 and stopped in 2019 when New Democracy was elected and they received official roles who works in the prime minister’s communications office continue to appear on the company’s payroll government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis dismissed the accusations saying many party members would naturally receive their income from the private sector when not in a paid party role people work in the private sector,” he told a press briefing The opposition’s objection is that Blue Skies looks like a New Democracy shadow operation but Marinakis called that allegation “a relic of science fiction.” Instead he said he supported public officials having experience of the private sector “I don’t know in which companies these people have worked It is good that they are working in the private sector and we still want more executives who are working either in the public or private sector and at the same time working for the party they believe in,” he argued Kyranakis confirmed to local television that he was employed by Blue Skies from 2016 to 2019 and argued that he was “a normal employee who paid taxes normally.” Government officials did not respond to a request for comment on Roussetou When asked about specific politicians’ connections with Blue Skies representatives for the PR company declined to comment we cannot comment on specific individuals and their role at Blue Skies due to Greek data protection laws which do not allow companies to provide information on current or former employees,” representatives of the group said in a statement the representatives of the group argued the criticism about indirect party funding “does not correspond to reality.”  many of our businesses have employed people with an understanding of the policy and political world to help us navigate the complicated waters of crises This is a standard market practice followed by our peers in both the Greek and international markets The “Inside Story” investigation focused on a news site called “Team Truth” with hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, run by two people working for Blue Skies. The account has sparked particular outrage with its attacks on families of victims of the Tempi train crash which has become a major political headache for the Mitsotakis government The PR company has distanced itself from the activities of those employees insisting “Team Truth” and other anonymous accounts were not a company project “As a company we do not monitor the social media accounts of our employees However we absolutely condemn any use of anonymity to cause harm or defamation,” the representatives of the company said in a statement issued statements to defend “the kids comprising Team Truth.” “I have great respect for them,” Marinakis said “I have absolutely no involvement with them,” he added but insisted he supported them against the “smear campaign.” Athens has 13 open cases into alleged human rights violations involving migrants the single largest number of incidents across the bloc nearly 34,000 fewer people attempted to enter the EU illegally in the first three months of 2025 compared to 2024 Greece has the highest number of open investigations on its practices across the European Union The country is splashing the cash on its military after years of austerity According to the latest analysis of over 6.7 million tax returns filed in 2024, the vast majority of Greek taxpayers own at least one residence and a car with spending habits ranging from everyday consumer purchases to luxury items such as private school tuition and yachts More than 3 million households declared ownership of residential property. Of these, 2.3 million live in their own homes, while 1.84 million rely on rentals or housing provided without charge Around 700,000 households reported owning a holiday or secondary residence In stark contrast to the rising cost of rent and basic utilities for low-income earners these figures suggest a divide between property-owning households and those living paycheck to paycheck Nearly 97,000 taxpayers declared yacht ownership in 2024, and over 18,000 reported having private swimming pools — 377 of them indoors. Meanwhile, 131,000 families sent their children to private schools paying an average of €4,591 annually in tuition Another 2,510 households declared paying for domestic staff such as nannies More than 83,000 individuals also reported holding assets abroad — including foreign bank accounts or other investments — underscoring a level of global wealth held by a small but significant portion of the population 1.08 million taxpayers declared a combined €4.69 billion in rental income from property Another 1,672 taxpayers earned €20.34 million in income from foreign real estate — an average of €12,000 per person Loan repayments remain a significant burden with 1.66 million taxpayers making mortgage or consumer loan payments totaling €6.24 billion The average annual loan payment was around €3,700 Meanwhile, electronic payments are now the norm Over 7.5 million taxpayers spent nearly €60 billion via debit reflecting both the digitization of the economy and sustained consumer activity — even as many households report financial strain underscores a deeper issue: the economic reality for many Greeks is shaped not just by their tax return The presence of luxury goods and high-end spending exists alongside widespread poverty As Greece continues to recover from over a decade of financial crises the divide between those with property and assets and those scraping by grows increasingly visible — both in the data and in daily life You must be logged in to post a comment The summer-like conditions follow a record-breaking Sunday, where Karditsa in central Greece recorded a high of 32.1°C marking the highest average maximum temperature in the past 10 days Meteorologist Christina Rigou from Mega TV reported that Tuesday and Wednesday will be the hottest days, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C in eastern and southern mainland areas, as well as Crete. The heat is accompanied by African dust which will be most prominent in southern regions potentially causing “mud rain” in some areas On Monday, May 5, expect partly cloudy skies with occasional thicker clouds. Local showers are forecast for the Ionian Sea and western mainland in the morning extending to mountainous areas and Crete by afternoon Winds will blow from southern directions at 3 to 5 Beaufort reaching 4 to 6 Beaufort in southern regions Temperatures will hit 26-28°C in most mainland areas dropping to 24-25°C in northwestern regions and the islands In Athens, mostly clear skies are expected with a slight chance of afternoon mud showers, and temperatures reaching 27°C. Thessaloniki will see partly cloudy conditions with possible mud showers near the Thermaic Gulf will bring increased cloud cover and local showers in the northern Ionian Sea The rest of the country will enjoy mostly clear skies with occasional clouds and southerly winds will strengthen to 4-6 Beaufort reaching 24-26°C in the north and 27-29°C in the mainland and Crete northern Greece will see partly cloudy skies with local showers and isolated thunderstorms while southern areas remain mostly clear with denser clouds at times African dust will continue to affect air quality Winds will remain southerly at 4-6 Beaufort shifting to northwesterly in western areas by evening especially in central and southern regions with northern Crete possibly exceeding 32°C will bring partly cloudy skies with occasional showers or isolated thunderstorms in northern mainland areas during the afternoon with northerly winds of 3-5 Beaufort in the west and southerly winds of 4-6 Beaufort in the east Meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis noted that while temperatures will hover near 30-32°C midweek, current conditions do not necessarily indicate an excessively hot summer ahead. Sunday’s heatwave saw 301 weather stations across Greece, monitored by the National Observatory of Athens/Meteo underscoring the intensity of the early May warmth As Greece navigates this unusual weather pattern and be cautious of reduced air quality due to African dust You must be logged in to post a comment. Police say the woman planned to plant the bomb in a bank’s ATM Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A woman has died in Greece when a bomb she was carrying exploded in her hands The 38-year-old woman was carrying the bomb to place it outside a nearby bank in the northern city of Thessaloniki at around 5am, police said. Several storefronts and vehicles were damaged by the explosion. The woman was known to authorities after taking part in several past robberies, according to police. They said they are investigating her possible ties to extreme leftist groups. "It appears that she was carrying an explosive device and planned to plant it [at] a bank's ATM," a senior police official told Reuters. "Something went wrong and exploded in her hands," the official added. govt and politics"},{"score":0.863076,"label":"/law govt and politics/law enforcement"},{"score":0.81997,"label":"/society/crime/property crime/robbery"},{"score":0.786711,"label":"/law  Wednesday, Apr 30, 2025Turkish Navy vessels navigate the Bosphorus in a parade to mark the 486th anniversary of the naval victory of Preveza and naval forces day on Sept. 27, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)ISTANBUL — Turkey and Greece have concluded a fresh round of talks in Thessaloniki, Greece, as part of the 2025 implementation of bilateral military confidence-building measures (CBMs), aiming to ease longstanding tensions between the two NATO members. The delegations – comprising senior diplomats, military officers, and defense officials – reviewed ongoing CBMs agreed in previous years and discussed a roadmap for 2026. These include military-to-military contacts, direct communication lines between defense and foreign ministers, joint disaster response exercises, language training exchanges, and environmental cooperation along the Meriç (Evros) River. Despite both countries being NATO members, Turkey and Greece have clashed repeatedly over maritime boundaries, airspace violations, energy exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, and sovereignty claims in the Aegean. Periodic crises have brought the two nations to the brink of military confrontation, most recently in 2020. This week’s talks, held on April 28 and 29, were described by both sides as constructive, with the next meeting scheduled to take place in Turkey. Cem Devrim Yaylali is a Turkey correspondent for Defense News. He is a keen photographer of military ships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. He was born in Paris, France, and resides in Istanbul, Turkey. He is married with one son. Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feedDefense News © 2025 Monday - Friday 9am-12pm / 2pm-6pm GMT + 1 All financial news and data tailored to specific country editions View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250504530683/en/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250504530683/en/ Authorities on Friday remanded in custody a Greek man suspected of photographing supply convoys on behalf of Russia in the Greek port city of Alexandroupolis Alexandroupolis has been a key gateway for the American military used to transport supplies into Europe under a mutual defense pact The 59-year-old man of Georgian descent was arrested Tuesday in the northeastern city and taken before an investigating magistrate for a hearing Friday who has identified himself as a house painter according to footage retrieved from his cellphone The man "confessed to taking photos and video of military material acting on behalf of another person to whom he sent the footage via an encrypted application," the police said in a statement Tuesday the suspect said he had "done nothing illegal," according to a judicial source and that he had not held or transmitted confidential information He said "photos showing the transport of NATO equipment have already been published many times in the media both locally and on the internet," the judicial source added who had served in the Russian army in his youth had apparently been enlisted by Russia's GRU military intelligence service via an intermediary The man told police that he had declined payment and was sending the footage voluntarily He faces a prison sentence of five to 10 years if convicted of espionage Greek media have reported that the intermediary was a Georgian man with organized crime links living in Lithuania Greek reports said Friday — information that Lithuanian authorities did not wish to comment on a Russian woman was revealed to have been living in Greece for years under the identity of a long-deceased Greek baby girl the suspected sleeper agent fled the country before the authorities could intercept her for questioning Greece has supported Ukraine since the start of the invasion hosted Ukrainian refugees and has provided humanitarian aid and weapons including infantry fighting vehicles Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help please support us monthly starting from just $2 and every contribution makes a significant impact independent journalism in the face of repression Sci-TechNewsGreece is helping parents with age gating, monitoring kids’ screen time with a government appBy The Associated PressPublished: May 05, 2025 at 9:52AM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved '#' : location.hash;window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery = location.search === '' && location.href.slice(0 location.href.length - window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash.length).indexOf('?') !== -1 '?' : location.search;if (window.history && window.history.replaceState) {var ogU = location.pathname + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash;history.replaceState(null "\/liveblog_entry\/pro-gaza-activists-say-malta-greece-turkey-threatened-to-confiscate-drone-hit-boat-if-it-to-comes-to-port\/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=IOgbTvtBWVZn3r_4SMUfSUvIDwe_kSSc6.iDpXhleYk-1746525946-1.0.1.1-LOHLLg4pAgBGt6nm5moVJXjTZpCuseU.RFaIxlHjRwg" + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash);cpo.onload = function() {history.replaceState(null ogU);}}document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(cpo);}()); Tourists enjoy the beach and the sea in Lindos But Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said some of the areas specified in Greece’s plan “violate our country’s maritime jurisdiction areas in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.” Greece has agreements in place delineating its exclusive economic zones with Italy and with Egypt “We would like to remind the need to avoid unilateral actions in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas such as in the Aegean and the Mediterranean,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement adding that “international maritime law encourages cooperation between coastal states in the seas in question our country is always ready to cooperate with Greece in the Aegean Sea.” Greece’s Foreign Ministry said the Maritime Spatial Planning was separate from the delineation of the exclusive economic zone In a series of explanatory notes posted on its website the Foreign Ministry said it still aimed to maintain dialogue with Turkey “That we’re solving pending issues from the past doesn’t mean we don’t seek Greek-Turkish dialogue That we disagree doesn’t mean that we don’t talk,” the ministry said “Greece wants a positive climate in relations with Turkey.” the Peloponnese offers uniquely Greek experiences ranging from visits to olive farms rickety old train rides and mountain farm stays Myth has it that Voidokilia Beach is Homer's 'sandy Pylos' where Telemachus was welcomed by King Nestor when searching for Odysseus.Photograph by Getty Images; AnkarbByKerry WalkerApril 26 2025This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). The southernmost part of mainland Greece is the image of the country that many travellers hold in their heads Home to ancient sites that speak of myths and legends and a coastline sprinkled with pretty villages and white-sand beaches it has all the appeal of Greece’s islands but few of their crowds But there are plenty of other reasons to plan a trip from staying on an agriturismo to visiting wineries and olive farms and birdwatching on a lagoon A time-lost magic hangs in the air at this delightful agriturismo in the Helmos mountain village of Kerpini near the town of Kalavrita you can properly slip back to nature for a spell in some of the most rugged scenery in the Peloponnese whether you’re hanging out with farm animals (including resident donkey mushroom hunting in the fir forest or helping harvest grapes the traditional way before a wine-tasting in autumn canoeing or skiing in the surrounds slide into inky nights that are perfect for stargazing Your hosts cook up delicious farm-to-fork dinners Vines march up rolling hills to cypress-tree studded heights in Nemea in the northeastern Peloponnese, one of Greece’s foremost wine-growing regions. The scenery is worth toasting in the 40 wineries sprinkling the region many of which open their doors year-round for tours and tastings April and May are glorious for vineyard walks and picnics mid-August and September for catching the harvest in full swing Stop at the carbon-neutral Semeli Estate for sublime views and ‘wine and dine’ experiences where both recent and older vintages are paired with locally reared meats and kitchen garden produce Or try family-run Ktima Bairaktaris nearby for wines matched with meat and cheese and all have been shaped over millennia deep in these flooded caves on the Peloponnese’s wild the caves were abandoned after an earthquake in the fourth century BCE and largely forgotten about until local husband and wife speleologists discovered and first properly explored them in 1949 you’ll take a boat across an ethereal green-blue lake then you’ll walk the remainder of the trail that penetrates deep into the caves — a mere fraction of what’s been explored so far Greece punches high for coastal beauty but few beaches make you gasp out loud like Voidokilia: a perfect smile of blonde sand in the Messinia region of the southwest Peloponnese this crescent-shaped bay slides into the Ionian Sea as it fades from bright turquoise to deepest sapphire Myth has it that this is Homer’s ‘sandy Pylos’ where Telemachus was welcomed by King Nestor when searching for Odysseus then roam the spectacularly biodiverse Gialova Lagoon behind the beach Greek deity Hermes hid 50 cattle he stole from fellow god Apollo a ruined medieval castle built on the site of the acropolis of ancient Pylos The company pairs insightful walks through centuries-old olive groves enclosed within medieval castle walls with visits to traditional and modern olive oil mills tasting workshops and meals prepared with olive oil where you’ll be using the ingredient in everything from filo pastry to tzatziki (yoghurt Olive Routes tour company pairs insightful walks through centuries-old olive groves with visits to traditional and modern olive oil mills, tasting workshops and meals prepared with olive oil.Photograph by Dimitris PalaiogiannisRide the rails through a GorgeBoard the rack-and-pinion train through the river-woven waterfall-splashed Vouraïkos Gorge and you’ll be glued to the window for the entire journey hour-long ride from Diakopto to Kalavrita unzips some of the wildest scenery in the Peloponnese with steep cliffs that feel close enough to lean out and touch burrows through tunnels and climbs more than 2,300ft using its cog system for traction a path hugs the track and forms part of the long-distance E4 trail Allow seven hours and bring your own picnic Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Cecilia Rodriguez is a Luxembourg based journalist covering Art&TravelFollow AuthorMay 04 10:36am EDTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") 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.font-size{font-size: 32px;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-accent{color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-base{color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-base{background-color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-accent{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-size p #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 32px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .color-accent{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-accent{font-family: Graphik,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-size{font-size: 24px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 0.8);} .bg-body{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Graphik,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}The beach at Cala Luna in Sardinia offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness,” according to EBD “Embark on a journey to these natural havens where you can disconnect from the stresses of daily life amidst stunning landscapes,” EBD recommends “It's time to indulge in the serenity and splendor that Europe's top beaches have to offer.” Aerial drone view of Port Glarokavos and lagoon beach in Kassandra peninsula Awarded the title of Most Beautiful Beach in Europe Port Glarokavos and its extraordinary lagoon beach are among the most stunning and peaceful escapes in the Mediterranean Located on the Kassandra Peninsula in Northern Greece this natural gem combines a tranquil lagoon soft golden sand and lush pine surroundings that combine to create a breathtaking setting for a relaxing and photogenic day (or many of them) at the beach Often described as Greece’s own “Blue Lagoon,” Glarokavos attracts those looking to immerse themselves in a raw and authentic coastal setting couples and families who want shallow waters for safe swimming and exploration The beach includes both organized areas with umbrellas and sunbeds unspoiled zones for those seeking peace and privacy Visitors can enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding which is also known for its birdwatching potential The nearby village of Pefkochori have local tavernas offering grilled seafood With its laid-back vibe and natural beauty Port Glarokavos is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe but also one of its most rejuvenating Often referred to as "Little Tahiti," Cala Brandinchi boasts fine white sands and shallow crystal-clear waters making it ideal for families awarded as one of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe is surrounded by a pine forest and Mediterranean scrub Located near San Teodoro on the northeastern coast of Sardinia it features a pay-parking lot near the beach bathing establishments for beach chairs and umbrella rentals inflatable boats) for visiting the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area bathrooms with showers and nearby local cuisine Known for its reddish-golden sands and clear waters voted third among the most Beautiful Beaches in Europe offers a unique landscape and a tranquil spot for those seeking relaxation Found on the northern coast of the island of Menorca it has nearby free parking at Binimelà Beach No facilities are available so visitors should bring their own provisions Local Cuisine is to be had at nearby Fornells: “Try ‘caldereta de langosta’ (lobster stew) Aerial view of the famous Cala Luna Beach in eastern Sardinia Cala Luna in Sardinia is accessible by boat or a challenging hike It features a crescent-shaped beach with golden sand It’s a haven for adventure seekers and nature lovers Situated on the eastern coast of Sardinia near the town of Dorgalim it has parking available in Cala Gonone for those taking the boat A small bar-restaurant operates during peak season on the nearby beaches No sunbeds or umbrellas are available; visitors should bring their own The beach is suitable for families seeking adventure and is popular for snorkeling and exploring sea caves A hidden gem with golden sands and clear waters Galé Fontainhas Beach is one of the less crowded beaches in Europe Situated near the town of Grândola in the Alentejo region There are no facilities so bring your own supplies The beach is wild and perfect for those seeking tranquility savor Alentejo dishes like "migas" (fried bread with garlic and herbs) and "açorda" (bread soup) La Pelosa beach in Sardinia's Sassari province La Pelosa Beach is renowned for its shallow often likened to Caribbean beach-paradises The iconic 16th-century Torre della Pelosa tower adds historical charm to this picturesque setting Situated near the town of Stintino on the northwestern tip of Sardinia it has paid parking available near the beach It’s smart to arrive early during peak times It's suitable for families and popular for swimming and snorkeling visitor numbers are regulated to preserve its pristine condition indulge in Sardinian specialties such as "fregola con arselle" (small pasta with clams) and "seadas" (cheese-filled pastry drizzled with honey) The great rock at "Playa de los muertos," Almería which means "Beach of the Dead," Playa de Los Muertos is celebrated for its striking beauty It features a long stretch of coarse white pebbles and clear water making it a favorite among sunbathers and snorkelers Located in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park near Carboneras in Almería it has a paid parking lot near the trailhead leading to the beach Visitors should bring their own provisions The beach is better suited to adults and older children due to the challenging access and lack of shade savor Andalusian dishes including "paella" and "gambas al ajillo" (garlic shrimp) Assos Beach is a charming pebble beach nestled in a picturesque bay surrounded by lush greenery and the quaint village of Assos The tranquil turquoise waters are ideal for swimming and relaxation Situated on the northwest coast of Kefalonia it has limited parking available near the village so best to get there early Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent The calm waters render it enjoyable for families Don’t miss local specialties like "moussaka" and fresh seafood at the seaside tavernas in Assos Banje Beach is Dubrovnik's most famous beach offering a blend of pebbles and sand with clear waters Its proximity to the Old Town provides a unique backdrop combining beach relaxation and historical exploration Located just outside Dubrovnik's Old Town walls it has limited parking near the Old Town; using public transportation or walking is recommended It’s great for families and those seeking active beach activities try Dalmatian dishes like "black risotto" made with cuttlefish ink and "pasticada" (marinated beef) Gulpiyuri Beach is a unique inland beach formed by a collapsed sinkhole semicircular sandy area surrounded by cliffs seawater reaches the beach through underground tunnels in the northern Spanish municipality of Llanes it has limited parking available near Naves It's suitable for visitors seeking a unique geological feature and a tranquil environment Due to its small size and lack of amenities it's less suitable for families seeking typical beach activities indulge in Asturian specialties such as "fabada" (bean stew) "cachopo" (breaded veal filled with ham and cheese) and "sidra" (traditional cider) the 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe that made it to the EBD 2025 ranking include secluded popular and wild beaches for romantic escapes or family adventures; feature activities from intense water sports to unspoiled nature for walks; and are also among the safest for sunny European holidays Please register for free access to the Montel news page Your information will help us understand our audience and shape our news coverage to your needs newsdesk@montelnews.com +47 22 99 42 00 Copyright © 2025   Montel - All rights reserved 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 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 Graves unearthed in northern Greece contain bones widely believed to be from victims of the country’s civil war in the late 1940s the burial site contains at least 33 bodies Officials hope DNA testing will identify the victims many believed to be political prisoners slain after summary trials Construction crews uncover a mass grave in the city of Thessaloniki containing remains believed to belong to dozens of prisoners executed during or after the Greek civil war A drone photo shows a square where mass graves have been uncovered with remains believed to be dozens of prisoners slain during or after the Greek Civil War Civil engineer Ηaris Charismiadis leads the redevelopment of a square that uncovered mass graves with remains believed to be dozens of prisoners executed during or after the Greek Civil War as members of the Greek Communist Party visit the site in Thessaloniki looms over the Greek city of Thessaloniki on Friday A girl holds a flower as people sit on a wall outside Yedi Kule prison Author and historian Spyros Kouzinopoulos holds a newspaper announcing the Sept court ruling to execute 52 people being held at Yedi Kule prison Agapios Sachinis holds a portrait of his uncle a prisoner executed in the Greek Civil War poses in front of a monument in Thessaloniki Flowers lie at the site where mass graves containing remains believed to have belonged to dozens of prisoners executed during or after the Greek Civil War were uncovered in Thessaloniki An officer reads execution orders to four condemned youths at a military installation near Athens as members of a firing squad stand with their backs to the camera were convicted of aiding a Communist rebellion the skulls,” supervising engineer Haris Charismiadis said standing on earth overturned by four months of digging Greece’s archaeological service cleared the site for development because the bones are less than 100 years old a suburb of the coastal city of Thessaloniki saying the chance find has “great historical and national importance.” Descendants have been coming to the site in recent weeks leaving flowers and asking authorities to conduct DNA testing “so they can retrieve the remains of their grandfather great-grandfather or uncle,” said Simos Daniilidis who has served as Neapolis-Sykies’ mayor since 1994 As many as 400 Yedi Kule prisoners were executed according to historians and the Greek Communist Party Items found with the bodies — a woman’s shoe a ring — offer glimpses into the lives cut short For the families of slain pro-Communist Greeks the find in the Park of National Resistance is reviving a wartime legacy kept dormant to avoid reigniting old animosities The small site has become Greece’s first Civil War mass grave to be exhumed Government forces executed 19-year-old Agapios Sachinis after he refused to sign a declaration renouncing his political beliefs “These are not simple matters,” his namesake nephew said during a recent visit to the site “It’s about carrying inside you not just courage but values and dignity you won’t compromise — not even to save your own life,” said Agapios Sachinis Sachinis was imprisoned in the 1960s for his political activity during the dictatorship Greece’s Communist Party belongs to the political mainstream largely thanks to its role in the country’s WWII resistance If Sachinis’ uncle’s remains are identified he will cremate them and keep the ashes at his home Greece’s Civil War began in the wake of World War II it quickly lost international attention but the conflict marked a turning point: U.S President Harry Truman’s policy of anti-communist intervention — the Truman Doctrine — was presented to Congress in 1947 as a means to direct funds and military support to Greece Etched on the newly excavated bones in Thessaloniki is a playbook that went on to produce decades of repression societal divisions and more unmarked graves in Asia Governments later addressing the Cold War-era abuses and atrocities faced a painful choice: To unearth the past — as attempted with investigative commissions in Eastern Europe and many Latin American countries — or suppress it for fear of fresh division Greek emergency laws were gradually lifted and only fully abolished in 1989 Records of summary trials and executions were never made public No political force pushed for the excavation of suspected burial sites From the AP Archives: An officer reads execution orders to four condemned youths at a military installation near Athens Politicians still use highly cautious language when addressing the past and the Thessaloniki discovery was met with a subdued public reaction The find has not been directly addressed by the country’s center-right government – a reminder that many Greeks still find it easier to walk past the country’s ghosts than confront them the neighborhood park in Thessaloniki — a densely populated port city of a million with ruins from the ancient Greek with historically strong Balkan and Jewish influences — was a field on the outskirts of the city it’s frequented by retirees and ringed by apartment buildings filled with middle-class families residents whispered that bones had been discovered when foundations were laid Executions by army firing squads extended into the 1950s and were publicly announced spent decades researching the executions at Yedi Kule including the indignities endured by prisoners in their final hours After a military tribunal issued a death sentence the chief guard would take the condemned prisoner to solitary confinement in tiny cells barely big enough to stand Many would use their last hours to write letters to their families the chief guard and two others would retrieve the prisoner and hand them over to the firing squad Most were loaded onto trucks to avoid attracting public attention Sometimes they were led to their death on foot Most of the victims were barely adults — youth Kouzinopoulos called “flowers of their generation.” were executed while wearing their uniforms “It shook me to the core,” Kouzinopoulos said City officials are taking steps to conduct DNA testing on the remains and urging families of the missing to submit genetic material the bodies can be identified and returned to relatives the septuagenarian whose uncle was executed Mayor Daniilidis has ordered an expansion of the dig to other parts of the park in coming weeks Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis leaves following the 'Coalition Of The Willing' summit in support of Ukraine at Elysee Palace on March 27 by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation Negotiated by the Foreign Ministries in collaboration with their respective Ministries of Environment and Energy and Rural Development and Food the agreement replaces a 60-year-old intergovernmental pact it guarantees Bulgaria’s provision of sufficient water for five years ensuring the uninterrupted operation of irrigation systems and sustained agricultural production in Evros The deal reflects both nations’ commitment to sustainable resource management and regional stability the agreement supports farmers in Evros while fostering stronger ties between Athens and Sofia The five-year framework provides a clear timeline for ongoing cooperation This accord underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in managing shared natural resources particularly in the face of climate challenges the agreement sets a precedent for equitable and practical solutions to regional water needs You must be logged in to post a comment The Point of Sale device has caused quite a stir in Greece Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Greece is struggling to fill thousands of job openings in the country’s tourism sector if you ever thought of going to that fascinating country for work But the job deficit is not only in the food and restaurant industry “It’s becoming harder and harder to find employees,” Dimitris Stathokostopoulos but these days Greeks prefer to work 9 to 5 office jobs that don’t require putting in hours at night As the countdown to the summer season begins, the search for staff to keep the industry afloat is facing an unexpected deficit. Greece may be among Europe’s most popular destinations Local experts estimate the worker deficit for the upcoming holiday season is approximately 80,000 across the food and hotel sector as it represents 25 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) As shocking as this may sound, it’s not the first time Greece has faced this challenge. Last year, the Panhellenic Federation of Employees in Food and Tourism (POEET) raised the exact same concern And in case the worker predicted shortage was not dire enough, Greece Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said the country kicked off 2025 on a promising note with tourism arrivals in January rising by over 10 per cent which usually means there will be more tourists during the summer as well revenue grew by 3.5 billion euros compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 further illustrating the strength of Greece’s tourism sector Greece set a new record in tourism revenues for 2024 up from 20.6 billion euros ($21.5 billion) in 2023 Greece also saw a record 35.9 million tourists in 2024 a 9.8 per cent increase from the 32.7 million the previous year The country’s travel sector has reported that they forecast selling over 28.2 million aeroplane seats into the country this year However, the Guardian reported that tourism is not the only sector affected by labour shortages “Construction and agriculture have also been affected by the scarcity in a country not only confronting a dramatic demographic decline but still reeling from the exodus of more than 500,000 mostly high-skilled students and workers at the height of its near decade-long economic crisis,” the UK news outlet added “500,000 new jobs have been created in construction Protopsaltis said he hopes to recruit thousands of foreigners but also wishes those who left would return Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Website#c134d6a1e8ab7eb9498cb74d{display:none} Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.