LONGEVITY,GREEK COFFEE AND IKARIA ISLAND

The secret of longevity is hidden in a cup of 

Greek coffee served in Ikaria island,in eastern 

Aegian Sea! 

According ABC NEWS :

   "study

published in Vascular 

Medicine  focused on 

elderly residents from the Greek island Ikaria 

between the ages of 66 to 91 and found that 

those who drank boiled Greek coffee at least 

once a day (rather than just the filtered coffee 

popular in America) tended to have improved 

endothelial function, meaning they had the 

better functioning cells that lined their blood 

vessels, which could mean better cardiovascular 

health." http://abcnews.go.com/Health/answers-places-people-live-longest/story?id=18838734#.UVqwpbLiaXs

It's a good opportunity to introduce Greek 

coffee into your life style and schedule a voyage 

to Ikaria ,a really magnificent place with nice 

beaches,good food and nice night life for all kind 

of interests.  

KALAMATA BECOMES INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION

      Kalamata is a picturesque town in the southern Peloponnese (southern Greece) with beautiful villages and spectacular beaches.

It's located nearby many attractions including Sparta and medieval Castle State of Mystras and Gythion, Neapolis from where you can travel to  Elafoniso and Kythira islands  .

Recently In Kalamata is been created a new basis for international flights to nine destinations in five countries is created . Aegean Airlines opened its basis in the local airport,"Captain Claus Constantakopoulos" from which there  will be carried out from and to  Kalamata flights to four destinations in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and Rostov), Stockholm and Gothenburg in Sweden, to Germany (Munich), in Israel (Tel Aviv), and to Ukraine (Kiev).
Aegean will operate 12 weekly flights to these destinations with an Airbus A320/319 with crews based in Kalamata.

2 GREEK BEACHES IN THE TOP 10

     The list of the best beaches in the world and in Europe in 2013, which were selected through voting and comments of users published tripadvisor.

In the list of the 10 best beaches in Europe we find two beautiful Greek ones: The famous Elafonisi in Crete (southern Greece)in the sixth place and St. Paul's Bay in Lindos, Rhodes(Dodecanese islands complex) in the tenth place.

DOLPHINS IN GREECE

     About 150 dolphins hosts Amvrakikos Gulf(Western Greece), according to an article in the magazine "New Scientist». This is one of the healthiest populations of bottlenose dolphins in the Mediterranean as it remains stable. "Rich" in dolphins is the Corinthian Gulf.(southern Greece) .

In the waters shelter four species of dolphins found in Greece , which very often come in mixed flocks, which is a rare phenomenon. Indeed, Greenpeace and ACCOVAMS (International Agreement for the protection of cetaceans in the Mediterranean) have suggested setting the Corinthian Gulf as a standard marine reserve for Greece and the Mediterranean.

The Greek seas are considered as the most "rich" biodiversity in the seas of Europe, but also worldwide, because they host some of the largest remaining populations of marine mammals in the Mediterranean.

"THE FEAST OF PHALLUS"

     The Tyrnavos carnival has its roots in the Dionysian cult, and has a satirical concept, without taboos and prohibitions.It is addressed to visitors that love culture,history and tradition,who also want to celebrate Shrove Monday custom  without shame fertility around a phallus ...!

The climax of the carnival events in Tyrnavos (central Greece,near Larisa city)starts on the third Sunday of Lent, with many events in the city and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the "Bourani", the "feast of phallus", a custom that has its roots in the ancient Dionysiac festivals and history is lost in the mists of time.

GREEK EASTER CUSTOMS.

In every corner of Greece  Easter is celebrated in a unique way. Customs and traditions get alive and folklore events take place in the biggest celebration of Orthodox 

Christianity. Painting and crack the eggs, the procession of the Epitaph in the roads ,the transport of Holy Fire from the Church at home are the most characteristic  customs in whole Greece, Each region, however, has its own way of celebrating both the Passion and the Resurrection. In the Corfu resurrection is celebrated in a very "striking" way.

Inhabitants throw from their balconies  large clay vessels which shatter with a loud bang causing surprise of celebrating people and visitors of course.This year Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on May 5 th.

RETHYMNO CARNIVAL.

Fun,tradition and light life.

This is what Rethymno Carnival combines and that's why it is so successful ,attracting so many young people.

Rethymno city in Creta island (southern Greece) has a Mediterranean color and wonderful beaches.The winter is mild and summer begins really early there.

PATRAS CARNIVAL BEGINS

The Patras Carnival 2013 will be a a huge ,hot,full of suprises feast! The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 19 and will last from morning until late evening. 

The festivities will conclude with the grand parade on March 17! The nature in Patras will be beautiful, the weather will be hot thus it is expected a visitors increase , especially the young ones!

SNOWY ATHENS

 Tourists that visit Athens today have the chance to see something really rare:snowy Acropolis.This is the exciting view!

KICKBOXING "OLYMPICS"

K-1, the V.I.P sporting event in the Kickboxing 

world,that used to be

organized for the last 20 years in Japan, comes for the first time in Greece!

The "Olympics" of Kickboxing will be held today,Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Olympic Stadium of Athens, with the participation of the 8 best athletes in the  kickboxing 

world

, which emerged from the semi-finals in May.

Among the top 8,  Mike Zambidis, 13 times World Champion, who 

represents 

Greece .

 The remaining 7 players claiming the victory are:

Andy Ristie (Suriname)

Andy Souwer (Holland)

Artur Kyshenko (UKRAINE)

Chris Ngimbi (CONGO)

Murthel Groenhart (Holland)

Reece McAllister (UNITED KINGDOM)

Yasuhiro Kido (JAPAN)

THESSALONIKI,TOP DESTINATION

     
     National Geographic cites Thessaloniki (Northern Greece) in the top 20 travel destinations to be visiting in 2013."The "bright" Thessaloniki port remains one of the last urban beach fronts in southern Europe" reports the article and adds that the wooden boats are still sailing  in the tranquil bay while  the spiral paths draw the seafront in the second largest city in Greece .

     National Geographic refers also to the traditional markets, "symbols of the city",which  were founded during Byzantine and Ottoman historical periods,the art galleries of Thessaloniki,its bohemian nightclubs, restaurants and taverns that can  satisfy even the most "discerning palate"

30th ATHENS MARATHON RACE

A multinational feast with 30.000 participants!

The classic Marathon race attracts every year  athletes from all over the world,celebrities and thousands of people that love sports,fun and fit!Αmong them Kiera Chaplin and miss teen U.S.A Eleanna Frangedi.

Golden woman of the Marathon race was .The Kenyan Tsemtai Consalater Giada was the golden women's winner.From Kenya was the men's winner also(Raymond Bett Kimutai with 2:11:35)
BETT RAYMOND KIMUTAI with 2:11:35

OPERA IN "VARVAKIOS" MARKET OF ATHENS

VARVAKIOS, THE CENTRAL MEAT MARKET OF ATHENS ,TURNED INTO THEATER

FOR THE ARTISTS OF GREEK NATIONAL OPERA  .

 A GORGEOUS SPECTACLE FOR ATHENIANS AND TOURISTS

HUNDRED OF VIEWERS ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE,ENJOYED THE NATIONAL OPERA OF GREECE 
IN ATHENS  MARKET.

"CELEBRITY REFLECTION" IN RODOS ISLAND

     A floating palace has arrived yesterday in the blue waters of Aegian Sea."Celebrity Reflection" , one of the most impressive cruise ships of Mediterranean, made ​​its maiden voyage to Greece with the first port of arrival in Rodοs .

     On board there were about 3.000  tourists and 2.700 personel members .After Rodos and Myconos, the new cruise ship of "Celebrity Cruises" will continue its journey to Mediterranean locations for the next two months.

"Celebrity Reflection" has luxury suites, aqua spa, outdoors with natural grass, great restaurants ,cafes and bars .Ιt also offers spectacular theatrical and musical performances.

V. MORTENSEN-K.DUNST AT ACROPOLIS FILMING

  

   Acropolis and Plaka - Monastiraki traditional neighborhoods in Athens are the scenery of this week filming for the new movie of Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst .

As you can see from the last backstage pictures ,the two famous actors  wearing costumes from the decade of 1960 enjoy sunshine  during the  shooting breaks .

According to Greek newspapers , Kirsten Dunst was fascinated by the wonderful climate in Athens.

"The Two Faces of January  is based on Patricia Highsmith's novel and will  premiere in theaters in 2013.

MESSOLOGI A CITY IN THE LAGOONS

      Messologhi is a city in western Greece.Built  on one arm alluvium formed between two lagoons,Messologhi is famous over  the "pelades" - fishermen's wooden houses ,constructed on piles rammed into the water.

 Messologhi is known for its fishing products, especially the roe of mullet , as the  adjacent lagoons are ideal for aquaculture.  Τhe area is also a shelter for thousands of flamingos, ducks, egrets and cormorants, protected by RAMSAR treaty ,ratified in Greece since 1974. 

     The heroic exodus of  of Missologhi inhabitants during the Greek revolution against the Turks inspired Eugene Delacroix . 

 Νowadays ,the city celebrates every year this historical event with an impressive happenings .

KALAVRYTA RACK RAILWAY

     Kalavryta and the nearby region ,in Western Peloponese ,is an all year resort .

 

     Natural beauty ,historical attractions and the famous rack railway  are why tourists choose to visit the place. Vouraikos river begins its journey form Kalavryta,runs through the gorge of the area and ends at Diakopto,at the shores of a gulf, called Korinthiakos. Since 1899 the local rack rail way follows the same itinarary as well.

In the region tourists can find nice studios,hotels ski center and modern night clubs and restaurants . 

"DEMI MOORE IN MYCONOS"

    
 According to " Espresso " newspaper, the American star is incognito in Myconos   with 5 friends of her.

    Last Friday  Demi Moore had been enjoying  her dinner at one of the most "in" spots of the island, at "Kiku" restaurant. The owner said to the newspaper that  the Hollywood actress was very beautiful,she had shushi dishes .

The newspaper refers also that, Demi Moore talking with people in the island, declared enthousiastic over her visit in Myconos .

RED HOT CHILI PEPERS IN ATHENS

     

     They were great ! "Red hot chili peppers"  had rocked Athens in a fantastic concert at the OAKA stadium of the town ,last Tuesday. 

Fans of the group enjoyed rhythm ,excellent sound , and all the amazing success songs of the eternal child of rock from California .

"Red hot chili peppers"  declared very happy being in Athens .During the concert they had waved a Greek flag and sent an optimistic message to the Greek people saying : "we've heard a lot about the situation here but we saw that Greeks are  nice people that welcome us warmly ".

ETHAN HAWKE.ΒACKSTAGE OF "BEFORE SUNSET"

 These are the latest pictures  of "Before Sunset" 

backstage ,set to the central Square of Pylos city 

in Southern Peloponese.

According to "Eleftheria "local newspaper which 

published them ,security guards were around the 

area and kept it blocked from people trying to 

take photos of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy ,

during filming. After shooting,Ethan Hawke has 

signed autographs for his fans .

  Another newspaper ,"Proto Thema"has 

published  pictures of the  famous actor with her 

wife, Ryan Shawhughes,  and his children with 

Uma Thurman ,enjoying their family vacation in 

the region.

He was very friendly with people there and he 

didn't deny to be photographed with them.The  

pictures were shot in Voidokilia beach side ,one 

of the most beautiful of southern Peloponese.