As a general rule, many Athenians prefer to holiday on Greek islands that are convenient to get to – but far away from “the masses”. Amanda Dardanis lists her favourite Athenian Boltholes – all within 3 hours of the capital. (Just don’t tell too many others!) Serifos There’s been a quiet buzz building about the island of Serifo...
Read moreFear of missing out (FOMO) finally led us to the door of Nolan last week: the all-day concept restaurant in Syntagma that’s had fashionable foodies all aflutter since opening in December. At Nolan, Chef Sotiris Kontizas (pictured above right) is masterfully blending shades of Japan, Vietnam, Korea and China with indigenous Gre...
Read moreFrom rebel teen to globally-hailed artist, Stella Sevastopoulos catches up with the acclaimed sculptor Costas Varotsos, best known for his Athenian landmark ‘The Runner’, and encounters living proof that art conquers all. Costas Varotsos has proven that where there’s a will there’s a way. From expelled rebel teenager, to a suc...
Read moreInsider’s books expert Anna Roins delivers her verdict on Victoria Hislop’s latest paean to Greece, Cartes Postale from Greece. Costas, from Dodoni, works on his plot of land, his ‘kipo’, from morning to night to avoid his malodorous wife. One day, he discovers a piece of shimmering white marble under the hardened soil. ‘By mi...
Read moreFor many families living in Athens, half-term school holidays are just around the corner. Make use of Autumn’s awesome climate to sample our pick of fun family adventures that they’ll be only too happy to ditch the ipad for – all in the Great Attica Outdoors. Meet the Magic Horses of Rafina There are many delights on offer at t...
Read moreA trip to the museum just became a much easier sell for families with young children in Athens. The Benaki has opened an exciting new public exhibit “Childhood, Toys, and Games”, housed in an impressive neo-Gothic tower in seaside Faliro. Today’s gadget-obsessed children will receive an illuminating glimpse into a lost world o...
Read moreWhether you've been here for 6 months or 6 years, Greece - and all her crazy, glorious habits - just has a way of getting under your skin. How much of a local have you become? You’ve started saying “open” the light, instead of “turn on” the light; You clap when your aeroplane lands; You’ve invested in your own laiki tr...
Read moreFor brothers Vangelis and Vassilis Sotiropoulos, the roadblocks in seeing their dream project through – a gourmet gastro-pub housed in a beautiful neo-classical building – were many. But they persevered, through capital controls, (the restaurant opened in August 2015) navigating through mountains of paperwork to get all the requisite lice...
Read moreFrom Russell Crowe to J-Lo, it seems like everyone’s batting for Team Greece these days. In celebration of Oxi Day, Insider rounds up a collection of uplifting pro-Greece sentiments from some of the world’s most famous and high-profile peeps. Leonardo Di Caprio “Greece left me breathless. Greece is for sure one of the most beau...
Read moreEleni Zoe marks out the new infusion of fashionable foodie haunts and drinking dens that are cropping up in rapidly-evolving Koukaki. The charming area of Koukaki, sprawled at the feet of the Acropolis, has had many identities over the last century. But none are as cool as its current status as one of the most interesting neig...
Read moreThe head-turning knitwear creations of Nassos Ntotsikas are rapidly earning the attention of an elite, fashion-forward clientele. While widely admired for his pioneering fashion shows, Nassos also stays true to his Chios roots, discovers Insider’s fashion editor Michail-Alexander Passos. Your catwalks are renowned. Do you have a...
Read moreAthens is waking up to the best meal of the day, writes Amanda Dardanis There was a time– not so long ago - when the Athenian breakfast of champions was a frappe, cigarette and koulouri. But brunch is the perfect fit for the late-to-bed; late-to-rise Mediterranean lifestyle, and we’re now spoiled for choice when it comes to th...
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