THIS YEAR MARKS the 150th anniversary of the continuous operation of the Grande Bretagne. We at Lampsa Hellenic Hotels are all profoundly proud to celebrate this milestone at the helm of what is an iconic hotel, a true symbol of modern Greek history. For a full appreciation of the enduring legacy of the Hotel Grande Bretagne and its pivotal role in Athens’ evolution and social fabric, we recommend that you watch the documentary “150 Years Grande Bretagne: Hosting History.” Available through our in-room entertainment system or the streaming platform Ertflix.gr, this documentary brings to life the hotel’s rich past, with mesmerizing archival footage and insightful testimonies.
The 150th anniversary of the Grande Bretagne has given us an excellent opportunity to celebrate by hosting various events, details of which are featured in our magazine, and to deepen our commitment to continually raising standards at the Grande Bretagne, ensuring that its future is just as illustrious as its remarkable past. This summer, for instance, comes with exciting news, as the Grande Bretagne offers even more reasons for you to visit beyond simply staying with us.
Our iconic GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar has been fully renovated and now welcomes you with a stunning new look. Enjoy exquisite culinary creations while taking in unparalleled views of Athens from above. Our atmospheric Bar 8 boasts a new design as well, and invites you to enjoy fine cocktails and gourmet finger food under the enchanting Attic sky every evening.
Il Giardino Segreto, in the cool garden of Alexander’s Cigar Lounge, offers a delightful culinary journey for those seeking a taste of Italy. Our open-air cinema, Pool Your Cinema, celebrates the hotel’s 150th anniversary with screenings of classic films featuring stars who have enjoyed our hospitality over the years.
If you’re looking to treat yourself or find a special gift for your loved ones, you might want to explore the limited edition “The Always Grand Collection,” with fashion items and jewelry inspired by architectural details from the hotel and created by renowned designers Mary Katrantzou, Lalaounis, and Zeus+Dione. Alternatively, you could indulge in a rejuvenating session at the GB Spa and try out our new 111Skin facial treatments.
No matter what you choose, we’ll do our utmost to make sure that our hotel provides you with memorable experiences and cherished moments, so that we can eagerly await the opportunity to welcome you back to the Grande Bretagne.
28. GUESTS’ BRIEF
An update on the services and products that make a stay at the Hotel Grande Bretagne even more exceptional.
54. MY SPECIAL PLACE
Three Athenians and their favorite spots: the magical third floor of the Benaki Museum; the Hatzimichali Museum of Folk Art and Tradition; and a walk featuring historical landmarks.
72. ΑTHENIAN STROLLS
Nosing around Athens
74. MATTHEW AND ALEXANDRA LODGE
For the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Greece and his Greek-Australian wife, our country is their second home.
ON THE COVER
84. ALWAYS GRAND
Celebrating the Hotel Grande Bretagne’s 150 years of continuous operation.
60. WHAT’S ON
A summer mix of cultural events.
98. MILESTONES
The timeline of Grande Bretagne so far.
neck crepe dress by Zeus+Dione (GB Corner Gifts & Flavors). Lily bouquet earrings in colored titanium with citrine and 18K yellow gold backs by Anastasia Kessaris (KESSARIS).
Photo by Dionisis Andrianopoulos
Styling by Anna Zinchenko
Halter
102. PARTY TIME
Τhe Hotel Grande Bretagne celebrates.
112. FASHION
The summer we adore.
128. Α GARDEN OF GEMS
Precious gifts for special moments.
138. A FRESH TAKE
The new menus from the GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall restaurants.
environmental commitments at the 9th Our Ocean Conference.
Our
156. OPEN ART, FREE KNOWLEDGE
The Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation has created Greece’s first digital art gallery.
PROPERTY OF LAMPSA HELLENIC HOTELS S.A. ISSN: 2585-2566
The new signature facial treatments by 111Skin at the GB Spa.
144. FICTION Beatrice’s Grande Bretagne Diary.
152. SAFEGUARDING OUR SEAS
A dynamic presence and €13 million in
165. HOSPITALITY
The wider world of Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A.
176. MOMENTS
Publisher NEES KATHIMERINES EKDOSEIS SINGLE MEMBER S.A. Ethnarhou Makariou & 2 Falireos, 185 47, Athens. Tel. (+30) 210.480.8000, Fax (+30) 210.480.8202
GB Magazine is published twice a year by Explorer S.A. exclusively for the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A. does not necessarily share the opinions expressed in GB Magazine. It is illegal to reproduce any part of this publication without the written permission of the publisher. This magazine is distributed free of charge.
FASHION
Guests’ Brief
Our latest news and fresh arrivals
GRAND COLLECTION
To mark the historic occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, only an “Always Grand” collection of fashion items and accessories would be fitting. This task was entrusted to three internationally renowned Greek jewelry and fashion houses, each with special ties to the hotel. Αll the designs are inspired by the architectural character and decorative elements of this iconic building.
Mary Katrantzou created
Mary Katrantzou,
Since the early days of Zeus+Dione, its creations have been available at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. To celebrate the hotel’s sesquicentennial, Creative Director Marios Schwab designed leather clutches, pouches, and candles in ceramic and leather holders These items feature embossed patterns inspired by the hotel’s iconic balconies and façade. Soon, the “Always Grand Collection” will be expanded to include a jacquard shirt made with material from the famous slik town of Soufli and designed especially to celebrate the hotel’s 150th anniversary.
LALAoUNIS jewelry house, which has been associated with the hotel since 1970, created a collection that highlights the building’s relationship with the city; crafted by hand, the neclaces and earrings, designed by CEO and Artistic Director Maria Lalaounis, in gold and turquoise or silver and amazonite, are reminiscent of the doors and windows of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, which open up to the all-blue sky of Attica.
info
“The Always Grand Collection” comprises limited pieces.
Αvailable at the GB Corner Gifts & Flavors and also online.
REVIVING A CLASSIC
The history of the Hotel Grand Bretagne and its unparalleled location in the heart of Athens, along with the desire to elevate the visitor experience at the renowned GB Roof Garden and further highlight that venue’s breathtaking views of the Acropolis, inspired the comprehensive renovation of the restaurantbar by the award-winning design firm Goddard Littlefair. The creative team crafted the space to ensure that every guest now enjoys unobstructed views. While choosing colors, they employed a distinctly Athenian palette of fresh neutral tones, accented with soft hues of pink, green and gold. They integrated traditional elements, such as motifs inspired by the attire of the Evzones (the Presidential guards who stand vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament building on Syntagma Square), and softened the look of the wooden ceiling with a neutral fabric overlay. Greek artisans used local marble to adorn floors and columns as they added yet more touches of elegance. The overall design effortlessly blends contemporary freshness with timeless classicism in an authentic reflection of the vibrant spirit of the city.
ELEVATE YOUR EVENING
Between the Seventh Heaven and Cloud Nine lies Bar 8 at the GB Roof Garden of the Grande Bretagne. This summer hotspot is a favorite not just for hotel guests but also for Athenians seeking an superior experience involving drinks and finger food. Bar 8 offers an array of classic and creatively reimagined Martini recipes, alongside its legendary Zombie cocktail, crafted with three premium rums. Enjoy a selection of premium spirits and refreshing wines from their select list, all while soaking in the enchanting views of an illuminated Athens. Whether it’s the sophisticated drinks or the vibrant atmosphere, Bar 8 promises an unforgettable evening under the stars.
ATHENS: Mah Jong - Kolonaki
SUMMER’S SWEETEST TREATS
The fruit-inspired desserts from GB Corner Gifts & Flavors promise the coolest summer, courtesy of pastry chef Alexandros Koufas. New flavors have been added to the fluffy macarons, such as the luscious peach with pollen. One of the most refreshing desserts in the showcase is the Fleur Fraisier, with vanilla biscuit soaked in strawberry juice, verbena cream, and strawberry jam with long pepper and verbena. The Conure, resembling a flower, contains pineapple and lime and is wrapped in smooth mascarpone vanilla cream. For chocolate lovers, the Tarte Au Chocolat with four kinds of chocolate is a delight. Available all year round is the Bombe de Lampsas, created for the 150th anniversary of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, named after its founder, Efstathios Lampsas, with vanilla biscuit, citrus marmalade with Chios mastiha, and vanilla mousse.
POOL YOUR CINEMA: THE ANNIVERSARY EDITION
For yet another summer, the city’s most exclusive open-air cinema awaits you from Thursday to Saturday at the pool of the Grande Bretagne for evenings every cinephile will enjoy, accompanied by culinary surprises and a stunning view of Lycabettus hill. As part of the hotel’s 150th anniversary celebrations, its film lineup is dedicated to films featuring stars who have stayed at the Grande Bretagne, such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Hugh Jackman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Stone and Denzel Washington. In charge of the culinary side of the experience is the hotel’s team of chefs, who have crafted an individual set menu of finger food – freshly popped popcorn with sea salt, nachos with handmade crispy οrganic corn tortillas, mouthwatering tacos with lettuce, tempura shrimp, and mini cheeseburgers with a juicy Black Angus beef patty – and cool and refreshing ice cream!
A CULINARY TRIP TO ITALY
The atmospheric, breezy secret garden of Grande Bretagne transports you to Italy with the delicious dishes honoring their national origin. Pizzas and focaccia from the wood-fired stove, fine cheeses and cured meats, juicy Vitello tonnato and finely chopped Fassona beef for meat lovers, as well as exciting Greek products such as Aegina pistachios or Florina peppers star in a menu that could have come from the finest Italian trattoria. It goes without saying that you’ll be able to enjoy these dishes with refreshing aperitifs as well as selected wines from Veneto, Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily. Tip: don’t forget to try the fantastic tiramisu!
info
The Atrium of Alexander’s Lounge Tel. (+30) 210.333.0748 Open daily 11:00-02:00. The Il Giardino Segreto menu is served daily 17:00-00:00.
A NOSE FOR LUXURY
The KG Perfumery at the King George Hotel will not overwhelm you with endless shelves and countless mass-market labels. Here, choosing the fragrance that suits you is a ritual that awakens the senses like a caress. You’ll find exclusively handcrafted creations from leading perfumers and other houses not widely advertised that channel all their inspiration into limited or collector’s editions, in small releases every year, for a specialized audience. Among these are Etat Libre d’Orange, Le Jardin Retrouvé, Puredistance, Marcoccia, Electimuss London, Affinessence, and Manos Gerakinis.
Fun fact: Did you know that from the design floor to the beach, there are 32 production stages that go into making the best swimwear in the world? Unparalleled expertise, combined with the world’s most sophisticated fabrics, perfect fits and, of course, imaginative and vibrant designs make every Vilebrequin swimsuit an investment, not an impulsive, disposable purchase. The iconic brand from Saint-Tropez, which has been dressing us for summer for 53 years, has its exclusive boutique at the King George Hotel, where you’ll find its latest collection, inspired by France and the Paris 2024 Olympics, and more.
Α UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
The luxury concept store GB Corner Gifts & Flavors has put on its summer finery and is offering a different shopping experience, with the latest collections of some of the most famous quality brands in the Mediterranean, including Brunello Cucinelli, Zeus+Dione, Sun of a Beach, Castaner, Anthologist and, of course, GB’s own exceptional line of care products, home scents and household goods.
Clockwise from top center: sunglasses BRUNELLO CUCINELLI, braided copper chain belt, pouch with floral embroidery, cylinder leather shoulder bag, all by ZEUS+DIONE.
1. Clockwise from top center: Pouch and feather towel, both by SUN OF A BEACH X GRANDE BRETAGNE. GB Anniversary leather cover notebook. Sunglasses, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI. GB Anniversary baseball cap.
2. From left to right: Danakos Eau de parfum, THE NAXOS APOTHECARY X GRANDE BRETAGNE. GB Anniversary shimmering oil. The Danakos amenities range (conditioner, hand-body milk, shampoo, shower gel), all by THE NAXOS APOTHECARY X GRANDE BRETAGNE.
3. Clockwise from top right: Towel, SUN OF A BEACH X GRANDE BRETAGNE. Swimsuit, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI Swimsuit ZEUS+DIONE
4. Clockwise from top right: Leather letter bag, ZEUS+DIONE. Anthologist marble platter and Anthologist begleri bookmark. GB Anniversary leather cover notebook.
AN EXPERT’S GUIDE TO ATHENS
“The 150th anniversary of the Hotel Grande Bretagne takes us on a passage through time. The history of Athens as a European capital, as well as the journey towards the present-day Hellenic Republic, are defined on a trajectory that parallels that of the hotel. Its heritage ignites the desire to initiate a discussion with the wider social environment and to foster relationships of deeper knowledge and experience with the urban landscape and the historical imprint of Athens.” Few know Athens better than journalist and historian Nikos Vatopoulos, and no one is better suited to guide you on a fascinating walk starting from the hotel and encompassing 20 landmarks of the city – neoclassical buildings, sites from the interwar period, central avenues and smaller streets, squares and other important places in the capital.
Μy special place
Edited by XENIA GEORGIADOU • Paintings: DIAMANTIS AIDINIS
HISTORY AT HAND
I love walking through Athens. Each step feels like I’m tracing the city’s history from the beginning. One of my favorite walks starts at Klafthmonos Square and ascends toward Lycabettus Hill via Sina Street. This route seems to encapsulate the architectural and historical development of Athens. Klafthmonos Square sits on the remnants of the old city walls. Until 1800, this was the boundary of Athens. Parts of the walls are preserved in the square and in nearby basements. Next to it, the buildings of the City of Athens Museum, which housed the first palace, exemplify early post-revolution construction. Further along Panepistimiou Street, we encounter the neoclassical trilogy: Athens University, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. These symbols of the official architecture of the newly established state date from the late 19th century. Continuing onto Sina Street, we see many styles: neoclassical, eclectic, art deco up to 1930, and contemporary. The apartment buildings represent typical multi-story structures from Athens’ postwar reconstruction. We pass the French School, the first archaeological mission in Greece, featuring a neoclassical building and a later brutalist addition. Turning onto Oitis Street, we discover the school designed by Dimitris Pikionis, a testament to Greece’s transition to modernism in the interwar period. The road around Lycabettus Hill cuts abruptly through the city. From here, we emerge onto the paths that ascend to Aghios Georgios from the southern side of the hill. The first plantings in once water-deprived Athens – pines, cypresses and agaves – still thrive here. As we climb, we pause and look back. The city below is transformed into the city from above.
Kafantaris Architect, Head of Architectural Design at NEON
My Special Place
ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE BENAKI MUSEUM
During my years of study at the Athens School of Fine Arts, I regularly visited the Benaki Museum. However, I only stumbled upon the magical third-floor hall dedicated to the Greek Revolution quite by accident one day when I pressed the wrong button in the elevator. must have stayed for hours, mesmerized by the breathtakingly beautiful traditional costumes, until a guard discreetly informed me that there were more garments on the first floor. left behind the gold-embroidered vest of Markos Botsaris and the court costumes of King Otto and rushed to admire the anonymous costumes from the islands of the Aegean, the Peloponnese, Crete, and the Black Sea region. I felt myself “grow taller” as I absorbed this precious knowledge. I left the museum quite late… and it was only the beginning. I started to delve deeper into the history of Greece through its fabrics, motifs and colors. While I was fortunate enough later on to collaborate with the Benaki Museum, I’ll never forget the awe felt that first time I encountered the treasures of the 3rd floor.
1 Koumpari & Vasilissis Sofias, Open: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10:00-18:00, Thu 10:00-00:00, Sun 10:00-16:00.
Nathena
Visual Artist and Set Designer
My Special Place
MUSEUM OF POPULAR ART & TRADITION
ANGELIKI HATZIMICHALI
Every visit here is a journey into an Athens of the past and an exploration of the work of the notable Greek folklorist Angeliki Hatzimichali (1895-1965). The history of the city is revealed through the beautifully preserved artifacts that adorn the space and the architecture of the building itself. Hatzimichali dedicated her life to the research and promotion of Greek folk art, and her home in this picturesque alley of Plaka serves as a visual narrative of her devotion to this cause. The furniture, decorations, and personal items bear witness to her tireless efforts and the aesthetics of her time. The magical atmosphere is enhanced by the natural light streaming through the large windows, casting a warm, golden glow that highlights the textures and colors of the objects. This light is not only aesthetically pleasing; it also imparts a sense of warmth and hospitality and enhances, through its natural variations, the experience of taking photographs in that space.
info
6 Angelikis Hatzimichali,
Open: Tue-Fri 11:00-16:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-15:00.
Yiorgos Kaplanidis Photographer
PROXIS
MADE WITH ROXKIN TM TECHNOLOGY
Athens: Kanari 10, 10671
Athens Mall: A. Papandreou 35, 15122
Golden Hall: Leoforos Kifisias 37A, 15123
Glyfada: Angelou Metaxa 17, 16675
Piraeus: Sotirou Dios and Ipsilantou, 18535
Thessaloniki: Karolou Ntil 20, 54623
Mediterranean Cosmos: 11th Klm Ethnikis Odou, A / D Thessalonikis Neon Moudanion, 57001 www.samsonite.gr
BY XENIA GEORGIADOU
What’s On
ALWAYS PLAKA
Some neighborhoods remain charming no matter how many times you visit them, such as Montmartre in Paris, Notting Hill in London, or the district of Brera in Milan. For Athens, the jewel in the crown has always been Plaka, at the foot of the Acropolis. Plaka has been continuously inhabited since antiquity; in almost every corner, one can find remnants of the ancient Greek, Roman or Ottoman empires. Charming neoclassical buildings, two-storey houses with vaulted ceilings, and dwellings with beautiful wrought-iron balconies or pastel facades keep close company with the marble columns of ancient ruins. A short walk from your hotel will take you to Hadrian’s Gate and the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, once the temporary residence of Lord Byron. Not far from there is the newly inaugurated archive of one of the most famous Greek poets, K. P. Cavafy (16Β Frinichou). At night, the neighborhood is transformed; soft lights illuminate its alleys, and music spills out of the bars and restaurants.
– Tatiana Yeroulanou –
THE EXCAVATION AT THE MUSEUM
The Acropolis Museum is celebrating its 15th anniversary by inaugurating a new permanent exhibition space on the excavation level. This space showcases 1,150 artifacts, including vases, sculptures, figurines, coins, jewelry, and inscribed objects, from among the thousands of items left behind by people who lived in this area for over 4,500 years. The exhibition provides significant insights into the daily life of the residents of this ancient neighborhood, shedding light on how they entertained themselves, organized their households, conducted business, created art, and worshiped their gods.
* From 26/06, Acropolis Museum, 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou, theacropolismuseum.gr
FINOTTI: A MASTER OF MARBLE
Lyrical and dramatic, Italian sculptor Novello Finotti is celebrated as one of the foremost artists of his generation. His sculptures show a seamless blend of diverse influences that range from the grandeur of ancient Greece to the innovations of modernism. The exhibition “Novello Finotti: The Sensual Mysticism of Sculpture” marks the first major retrospective of his work in Athens. It features over 65 exquisite sculptures crafted from marble and bronze, underscoring his profound connection to his chosen materials. Finotti’s artistry captures the enchanting interplay between form and substance, drawing viewers into a world where the sensual and the mystical converge.
CINDY SHERMAN AT CYCLADIC: EARLY WORKS
Cindy Sherman, who has been a trailblazer in the fields of photography and performance since the late 1970s, is a one-woman show in her studio. She takes on the roles of model, makeup artist, hair stylist, wardrobe designer, and director as she transforms herself into various fictional characters that she captures in her photographs. Her first museum exhibition in Greece features iconic works from her early period; these are showcased alongside the renowned permanent collection of the Cycladic Museum, which includes the famous female marble figurines from the 3rd millennium BC that have influenced many 20th and 21st-century artists.
* Until 04/11, Museum of Cycladic Art, 4 Neofitou Douka, cycladic.gr
*Until 03/11, Τhe
Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts and Music, 9 Vasilissis Sofias & 1 Merlin, thf.gr
Athens: Kanari 12, Kolonaki 10674
Golden Hall: 37A Kifisias, Marousi 15123
ROBERT MCCABE’S GREECE
Two workers draw water from an ancient cistern on the Acropolis. A French tourist poses with a flock of goats on Manganari Beach in Ios. A class of students in Serifos smiles at the camera. The exhibition “Χαίρε Ξένε. In the Land of Dreams” by Robert McCabe captures post-war Greece through 100 photographs taken by the renowned American photographer during his travels, and offers invaluable glimpses into the true essence of this country: hospitality, authenticity, and history. Admission to the exhibition is free.
The Mentis – Antonopoulos Passementerie (NEMA) is a fascinating facility that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Located in Kato Petralona, this space, equipped with motorized looms and spindles, is where ribbons, braids, tassels, and other silk products are meticulously created using age-old techniques. Since 2012, it has also operated as a branch of the Benaki Museum, preserving and showcasing a part of Greece’s intangible cultural heritage. Recently, NEMA unveiled an exclusive collection of bags created in collaboration with Callista Crafts. These bags feature vibrant, geometric-patterned cotton trims, woven on French Jacquard looms and elegantly combined with luxurious leathers from Callista Crafts. This fusion of colorful traditional passementerie with contemporary design elements brings the past and the present together.
* 6 Polyfimou, Kato Petralona. Open Tue-Sat, 10:00 to 15:00. Closed throughout August.
*Callista, 11 Voukourestiou, callista.com
BRESSON: FAMILIAR AND NEW Henri Cartier-Bresson once said, “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.”
A glimpse into the world as seen through his unique lens is now on display in an exhibition divided into two parts. The first part features 74 images from his early period, taken from his 1952 photo album “Images à la sauvette” (“The Decisive Moment”), considered one of the most influential books in the history of photography. The second part showcases his travels in Greece, revealing many photographs that have never been displayed before.
Nosing around Athens
By VASSILIS MASSELOS
FOR HUMANS, unlike dogs, smell is not the primary sense; it is, however, more important than we think. Most of us notice scents more readily in the countryside. Hiking in the Greek mountains in late spring or summer, one detects the presence of aromatic plants such as thyme, wild sage, Cretan dittany, and many more. In the city, we’re bombarded mostly with sights and sounds, which often leads us to ignore smells. We might be missing out; Athens was recently named the most fragrant among 30 capital cities worldwide, largely thanks to the impressive number of bakeries, perfume shops, and florists it hosts. This is not surprising given that even on the shortest of journeys the attentive flaneur will be impressed by both the intensity of the city’s smells and the breadth of the bouquet, which can transport them from West to East and back again.
A short distance from the Hotel Grande Bretagne is Pnyka (24 Petraki), one of the few truly traditional bakeries in the city. Here, bread is made from flour ground in-house using a stone mill. Its aroma, however, is soon overtaken by scents from modern cosmetics stores, stocking both local and foreign brands, which line neighboring Ermou Street. That sensory effect is soon replaced by the fragrance of incense and candles from Kapnikarea, a beautiful 11th-century church located in the middle of the pedestrianized thoroughfare.
If you take one of the side streets off Ermou and head back up towards Syntagma Square and Klafthmonos Square, you’ll be treated to the wonderful and familiar aroma which envelops the neighborhood from the coffee roastery I Gonia tou Kafe (4 Praxitelous). The smell of tradition remains, even though this roastery is one of the few still in operation in the area. Walking down Evripidou Street to where it meets Praxitelous, the visitor will be struck by a sudden shift towards Middle Eastern odors, from the tempting smell of the Volvi souvlaki stand (24 Evripidou) to the complex bouquet of spices at Bahar, the fenugreek in the pastourmas at Arapian (41 Evripidou) and Miran (45 Evripidou), and the delicious smells of Anatolian cooking that drift out of Karamanlidika tou Fani.
Athens hides many fragrant surprises for the traveler who is willing to pause for a moment and breathe in deeply, rather than hurry through its streets. •
matthew and alexandra lodge
For the UK Ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge, and his Greek-Australian wife, Alexandra, this country is far more than a diplomatic post; it’s a home filled with deep connections and cherished memories.
The ties that bind
By TASSOULA EPTAKILI Portraits DIMITRIS VLAIKOS
HE FIRST came to Greece in 1998 as First Secretary for Political Affairs at the British Embassy in Athens. “Part of me was really happy as this was my first step as a diplomat abroad; and part of me was full of awe because I had read and heard so much about your country.” He had already had Greek language lessons. “For some seven months I had lessons in London; my teacher was Mrs Loula, a lovely Greek teacher who used to work with the Foreign Office back then. I had studied Russian and French at university but your language, due to its complex grammar and syntax, gave me a really hard time, I must say. Still, I managed to learn the basics every diplomat should know, phrases such as ‘delimitation of the continental shelf.’ Once in Greece of course, this ‘technical’ vocabulary was of limited use when it came to ordering food in a taverna, for example. I couldn’t understand a thing!”
Do you speak both languages at home?
Alexia Lodge: Yes, it’s natural to me as I am bilingual. I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia; my parents had migrated from Thessaloniki back in the 1970s. Matthew Lodge: I do seek to speak Greek, too, so I can get better at it. I want Alexia to be strict with me and to correct me. And I am indeed learning new words and phrases all the time; it’s just that some are giving me more trouble than others, such as expertise (empeirognomosyni ), recognition (kataxiosi ), interoperability (dialeitourgikotita). True tongue twisters!
How did you feel when you found out that you were coming back to Greece, as an ambassador this time?
ML: It was always at the back of my mind as a possibility but, to be honest, I didn’t expect it. It was a dream come true. We both celebrated the news!
AL: Matthew was posted in Paris back then. We went out for dinner and there he shared the big news. I couldn’t believe it! And after the original excitement I started stressing. I was to go back to an embassy I had worked at 20 years ago. What would it be like, me wearing my new “hat”? How was I to live up to my new role as the Greek wife of the British Ambassador to Greece, in the residence that once housed Eleftherios and Elena Venizelos? Fortunately, we were warmly received and everything just happened in the most natural way. None of my concerns were founded after all; we both quickly “clicked” with the new environment as if we had always been here.
How different was Athens this time round?
ML: When I first came to Greece there was only one metro line, the airport was still in Ellinikon, there were strays everywhere, and no one was riding a bicycle. When I assumed my duties in 2021, Athens was a completely different city, with modern infrastructure and more facilities. Strays are very few nowadays, at least in the capital; more and more families have a pet, which is something I am very happy about, as I love animals. And although the cycling lanes are relatively limited, I do see several... brave cyclists in downtown Athens [laughter]. What hasn’t changed, however, is that unique, fascinating character of the city, and of Greece for that matter: it still is a crossroads of cultures, a bridge between East and West.
Which parts of Athens do you love most?
ML: Because of Bruno, our dog, we get to walk a lot. We are very lucky because Lycabettus, the National Gardens, and Filopappou Hill are all excellent choices for our walks. In the post-pandemic days we’ve slowly discovered the museums of the city: the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum,
“Your country’s landscapes are so varied and you can discover so much here that I tell my British friends that they don’t do Greece justice if they identify it solely with the sea, its islands, and its beaches.”
the Benaki Museum, the Cycladic Art Museum, and the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation. We recently visited the Ghika Gallery on Kriezotou Street, housed in a building that once belonged to the great painter, Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas; it was really impressive.
AL: And on weekends, whenever Matthew’s diary permits, we do get out of Athens. So far we have visited Mani, Kardamyli, Nemea, Nafplio, Olympia, and Kalavryta. We are planning to visit Monemvasia next. We are exploring the Peloponnese because we know northern Greece quite well; I am from Pangaion, you see.
ML: Your country’s landscapes are so varied and you can discover so much here that I tell my British friends that they don’t do Greece justice if they identify it solely with the sea, its islands, and its beaches. There are mountain destinations and traditional villages of unparalleled natural beauty, and each of them can offer the traveler a unique experience.
Do you listen to Greek music at home?
AL: It’s intertwined with our lives. My parents loved music and back in Melbourne we had Greek LPs and used to listen to Kazantzidis and Theodorakis, to rebetika and folk songs. Matthew has become familiar with all this since we met.
ML: I’ve even been to traditional Greek panigyria [fairs]. I’ve had my fair share of Greek folk music over the years! But I particularly like the music that Evanthia Reboutsika wrote for Tassos Boulmetis’ film A Touch of Spice; it features on all my playlists.
Do you love Greek cuisine, too?
ML: Is it possible not to? There’s such a huge variety of dishes and the quality of the ingredients, such as the fruit, vegetables, herbs, and olive oil, is excellent! Nowhere in the world does a tomato, even an organic one, have the aroma and taste of a tomato from a Greek vegetable garden. I cook Greek dishes, too; I make excellent fasolada [bean soup] and stuffed grape leaves.
What does “Greekness” mean to you?
ML: It’s a difficult term to translate, that one; however, to me, its meaning is crystal clear. It is the kind of identity awareness that you Greeks have, stretching from antiquity to this day, along with your pride in your history, your strong bond with your homeland, your passion for life, your extrovert character, and the hospitality.
In the heart of Athens, on Stadiou str., discover a museum full of unique treasures housed in a building steeped in history.
This is the National History Museum, the oldest historical museum in the country. Its story spans three centuries, since it was founded in 1884. Its exhibits cover the history of modern Hellenism and the development of the modern Greek state, which has been in existence for two centuries. Since 1960, the Museum has been housed in the first building of the Greek Parliament inaugurated in 1875. The imposing Conference Room housed the country’s turbulent political life for 60 years. Today, the halls surrounding it house the Museum’s permanent exhibition.
This year, don’t miss the temporary exhibition “From Great to Modern Greece: the Refugees”, which tells the story of the influx of refugees into the Greek state during its first century of existence, radically changing Greek society. (exclusive sponsor: Piraeus Bank).
AL: It is what every Greek inevitably carries within him or her, that precious “mosaic” of language, religion, family and community ties.
Would you say that your sons, Alexander and Pericles, are more influenced by their Greek or their British culture?
ML: Since they were born – they are 21 years old now – I was hoping that they would get the love for their family, the sense of hospitality, and the pride in their ancestors from their Greek DNA and the model of international cooperation, respect for diversity, and understanding of the significance of multiculturalism from their British DNA. As well as the importance of being able to disagree without arguing. I think they got all these. Our sons have attended seven different schools and there are so many different elements shaping their personalities: they are Brit, Greek, Australian, and European at the same time; they are citizens of the world. Having said that, I must admit that the influence of their Greek mother and grandmother is obvious. In primary school, for example, they were the only kids who did not have a sandwich and crisps for lunch; their lunch box had olives, rusks, grapes, and spinach pie, those were their snacks [laughing].
AL: And, of course, they have heard the words “Don’t forget your jacket!” countless times! [laugh]. What I am really happy about is that, as they grow older, they’re expressing their wish to explore their Greek side fur-
ther. Alexander is studying in London and there is a Greek Orthodox church nearby, so he was telling me the other day that he likes to go there so that he can listen to Greek voices…
What are the greatest challenges that the international community is facing today?
ML: First and foremost, it is climate change and its dramatic impact, which we are experiencing – and we will continue to do so, more and more so. Countries may have different views or interests, but we cannot afford to ignore the significance of joint action to tackle the major issues our planet is facing. The risks and the disasters associated with climate change know no borders; they affect us all equally. And this isn’t just the diplomat in me speaking, it’s the voice of a concerned parent agonizing over his children’s future. Second on the list of challenges we’re facing is, in my view, the huge issue of inequalities, which are being exacerbated in many countries.
Has Brexit changed the UK’s relations with Greece and with Europe in general?
ML: What I have been saying all along is that forging new relationships with our European friends would need work. In the case of Greece, this is easier, possibly because of our traditional ties. There are always, of course, new opportunities to build on, for example, in education, tourism, and shipping. These are what we need to focus on.
How have these strong bilateral ties between Greeks and British come about, in your view?
ML: Mainly through the educational contacts and exchanges, particularly over the past few decades; they have greatly contributed to a deep understanding between our people and to forging people-to-people links.
How would you describe Greece to someone who is about to visit for the first time?
ML: As an amazing country, which one should visit with an open heart and open mind; as a destination with natural beauty and a tremendous history where he or she will find heartwarming hospitality, the Mediterranean way of life, and exceptional food. A country that one should approach with respect: a visit to Greece is a unique experience.
What do you think about the fact that the most historic hotel in Athens is called the Grande Bretagne?
ML: I think it’s great. It speaks to our shared history, our common path, and the mutual affection and appreciation in our bilateral relations. Even if it’s written in French [laughs]! •
Bulgari
Athens exclusive boutique
THE INEXHAUSTIBLE CREATIVITY, traditional know-how, and unparalleled elegance of the House of Bulgari are linked to Rome, but its roots are Greek. The founder of the Maison, Sotirios Voulgaris, a son of silversmiths, was born in a small mountain village in Epirus. Ιn 1879, he decided to seek his fortune in Italy and, in 1884, opened his first jewelry store in Rome. In 1905, he inaugurated the historic store at 10 Via dei Condotti, where the iconic flagship Bulgari boutique is housed to this day. Now, a modern temple of luxury has been opened in the heart of Athens by the Kessaris family of jewelers, showcasing the watches and jewelry collections of the Roman Maison. Located on Voukourestiou Street, the new Bulgari flagship store extends over 120 square meters and is divided into two levels. In keeping with the architectural identity developed by Peter Marino exclusively for Bulgari, spectacular marble is combined with refined walnut wood floors and elegant brass details. The famous signature Serpenti necklaces – deeply rooted in Bulgari’s Greek heritage – are on display, along with the brand’s most iconic jewelry and watches, in luxurious display cases lined in saffron-colored silk. For 140 years, the Greek soul of the Maison has influenced Bulgari’s creativity, and its modern collections continue to celebrate the Mediterranean roots of the House.
High jewelry necklace Bulgari Aeterna in white gold with sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds.
Athens exclusive boutique
H editerranea
This year, the Hotel Grande Bretagne celebrates 150 years of continuous operation, upholding its grandeur, exceptional service standards, and distinctive character with unwavering excellence.
Αlways Grand
Journalist
Pavlos Tsimas shares his personal reflections on the Hotel Grande Bretagne, drawing from his own experiences and extensive research while curating the official documentary for its 150th anniversary.
Hosting history
View of Syntagma Square in the early 20th century, with the tables of the
frequented by
L“LORDS.” THAT’S HOW LOCALS referred to visitors from abroad during the early years of the independent modern Greek state. It’s as if they were trying to translate one particular description of nineteenth-century global adventurers – “individuals whose journeys are spurred by curiosity and idleness, who seek merely the pleasure of travel” – into their everyday language. “Your definition of pleasure is a strange one indeed!” exclaimed two sailors, both well-acquainted with Greece, to a gentleman about to embark on a trip there. They went on to describe the country, without an ounce of exaggeration, as follows: “Treeless mountains, grassless meadows, merciless sunshine, endless dust, a place where vegetables come out of the ground fully cooked and hens lay hard-boiled eggs.”
Edmond François Valentin About first traveled to Greece in 1852. It took him nine days to reach Piraeus from Paris via Marseille; from the French port, he took a steamship that circumnavigated the Peloponnese – the Corinth Canal had not yet been excavated – before docking on the island of Syros. That’s where About boarded a second vessel, and it was from atop this ship’s deck that the Frenchman’s wide eyes finally caught a glimpse of the Acropolis as he entered the harbor of Piraeus. About’s impressions of this trip were published in a book that, for many years, served as a sort of travel guide in an age before tourism. Around the same time, The Spectator, a British magazine, decreed that accommodations in Greece made staying in a Bedouin tent seem positively luxurious. Athens was two cities; the old Ottoman town, where clean water was hard to come by, still coexisted with the new capital of a new country that wanted to strengthen its ties to its own ancient glory while embracing present needs, which led to the paving of wide streets – on which people yielded to sheep and goats – as well as
Up: Theodoros Petrakopoulos (1880-1963) A worthy companion and successor to Lampsas, and husband to Lampsas’ adopted daughter Margarita.
(1880-1963)
Right: Efstathios Lampsas (1850-1923), the self-made visionary who wrote the first chapters in the legend of the Hotel Grande Bretagne
(1850-1923),
Venizelos
The seven-time Prime Minister of Greece, with his ministers at the Grande Bretagne in 1917.
(1864-1936)
Τhe Fortress was the nickname given to the Grande Bretagne bar by British soldiers who stayed at the hotel after the liberation of Athens, in October 1944.
Eleftherios
(1864-1936)
the construction of fine neoclassical buildings for both public and private use.
It was one of these fine neoclassical structures – the Megaro Dimitriou, a palatial urban edifice standing opposite the actual palace of King George I of Greece – that Savvas Kentros transformed into the Grande Bretagne Hotel on April 9, 1874 (I was able to verify the exact date thanks to an elegantly handwritten contract that I found in the archives of Apostolos Doxiades). And it was not long before a man with a bold idea – to reopen the Grande Bretagne as a luxury hotel that could satisfy every demand of the potential Parisian visitor – arrived on the scene.
In researching the history of this hotel, an Athenian institution if there ever was one, I found no shortage of mythic personae and legendary narratives in the archives, photo albums, newspapers, and magazines that I consulted. But nothing made as great an impression on me as the story of Efstathios Lampsas.
HOLDING A MIRROR UP TO GREECE
A “shop-cat,” as the Greeks say when describing itinerant errand boys, Lampsas came to Athens from Sevastopol in the Crimea at the age of 14. He found work at a grocery store on Ermou Street, hauling orders to customers’ homes, as well as to the palace, where he managed to convince the royal family’s cook to give him an apprenticeship. However, it was the king himself who ultimately sent Lampsas to Paris for culinary school, where he quickly gained the trust of Abraham
Thousands of Athenians flood the streets (and line the balconies and the roof of the Grande Bretagne) to celebrate the liberation of Athens from the Germans in 1944.
Oppenheim, the banker who made him his personal chef. Upon Lampsas’ return to Athens, he successfully persuaded Kentros to let him buy into the Grande Bretagne and take on the day-to-day operation of the hotel. Together, they would take a giant leap into the world of luxury hospitality.
This investment was perceived by their peers as lunacy, plain and simple. And yet this lunatic decision led to the establishment of what is, after the Bank of Greece, in all probability Greece’s longest-running institution. It is a hotel that, apart from being synonymous with elegance, offers an unparalleled vantage point from which to view the entire recent history of the country.
The Grande Bretagne came about at a time of major archaeological excavations in Olympia, Mycenae and Delphi, all of which attracted the attention of philhellenes associated with the Age of Romanticism. At the same time, the opening of the Suez Canal meant Greece suddenly became a stop on the route to the East, just a year before the ascendancy of Prime Minister Harilaos Trikoupis, who ushered in the era of Greece’s modernization. Lampsas’ dream of running a hotel like the ones he’d seen in Paris, therefore, mirrors both the city’s desire to resemble a Western metropolis and the entire nation’s hope of becoming, to use the language
In February 1958, Elizabeth Taylor and her then-husband, Mike Todd, attended a reception hosted at the Hotel Grande Bretagne by Xenophon Zolotas, who was the Governor of the Bank of Greece at the time.
of the 1821 Greek Revolution, “indistinguishable from the civilized nations of Europe.” The history of the Grande Bretagne is the history of a Greece striving to make that dream a reality amid the countless twists and turns of fate.
Over the years, the hotel has played so many roles. Early one, it was a luxurious retreat for adventurers and prospective investors alike; a guesthouse for visitors to the royal family; and a meeting place for an Athenian gentry that was just starting to take shape. It served as the headquarters of the 1896 Olympic Committee; the seat of the Venizelist government in 1917 amid the Great National Division; the seat of the wartime government; and a barracks for soldiers who sought refuge in the hotel’s basement during the 1940 Greco-Italian War. It became the seat of the Greek government following liberation in 1944; a major theatre in the Battle of Athens in December of that year, and a besieged fortress during the fighting, one that narrowly escaped being blown up on Christmas Day, when British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Athens. The hotel functioned as the seat of the reinstated democratic government, led by Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, following the collapse of the 1967-1974 Regime of the Colonels.
In my first years as a journalist, GB Corner, as well as the legendary Apotsos a few blocks away, were both mandatory daily stops for every political reporter. It’s where we tracked down just about all of our “sources” and where composer Manos Hadjidakis was a regular.
I met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Cypriot presidents Spiros Kyprianou and Glafkos Klerides, Indian
The wedding of Princess Sophia of Greece to the heir to the Spanish throne, Juan Carlos, was held in Athens in May, 1962, with the Grande Bretagne hosting more than 140 members of royal families. Here, Constantine, the heir to the Greek throne and Sophia’s brother, welcomes the couple.
PIOP
MUSEUMSHOP
Take a piece of culture home…
NINE MUSEUMS come together at City Link in the heart of Athens. Using materials that include marble, silver, silk, and clay, Greek designers have created unique items exclusively for the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation (PIOP), inspired by the Museums in its network.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the hotel’s conference rooms. And I spent many an election night in the Ballroom, which invariably served as a situation room for the press. I thought I knew everything about the Grande Bretagne, about its history. But now I know how little I really knew.
MOMENTS, SNAPSHOTS
I’m still trying to find histories within history. I leave it up to fate to sort out all these moments: French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt greeting her admirers outside the hotel on her way to the Syngrou Theater; the great Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos in the lobby; the prime ministers Ioannis Metaxas and Alexandros Papagos in the basement of the “Bretania,” as poet and Nobel laureate George Seferis referred to the hotel in his diary; the German soldiers drawing hunting scenes on the walls during the Nazi occupation of Athens; British soldiers in 1944 drinking at what they had christened the “Fortress Bar;” the actress Kyveli making her bed in the days when the families of the ministers, together with the “good people of Athens” and the British soldiers, huddled together in a hotel that had neither electricity nor running water; Melina
A snapshot from one of the legendary New Year’s Eve parties at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, in 1956.
AIKATERINI LASKARIDIS FOUNDATION
The Language of Music The Music in Language
6|10|2024 at 19.00 Municipal Theatre of Piraeus
Antonio Vivaldi
Astor Piazzólla
Ernest Chausson
Jason Tzanakos
Robert Schumann
Camille Saint Saens
Kostis Palamas
Rainer Maria Rilke
Louis du Rieux
“Strings in Motion” and scholars of the Aikaterini Laskaridis “Ismini Karter Panhellenic Violin Competition”
Under the direction of Christos Kanettis, Professor at the Mozarteum Salzburg, Austria
Under the auspices of the Austrian Embassy
Mercouri hosting Greece’s first beauty pageant in 1952; well-dressed happy couples attending dances at the Grande Bretagne during the brief post-war Belle Epoque; the hotel sign being taken down during the anti-British demonstrations in response to the Cyprus conflict; the radiant Elizabeth Taylor standing beside Constantine, the heir to the Greek throne dressed in full military regalia, at an event to which seemingly everyone wanted an invitation; the Greek Cypriot leader Archbishop Makarios addressing the crowds from his balcony; Karamanlis rushing into the lobby in 1974; Bill Clinton signing autographs on the front steps; Lady Gaga being carried through the doors by her entourage; crisis-era protestors spray-painting the outer walls. Moments, snapshots of histories within history. •
One of the rare moments of the day (or night) when the lobby is empty… a perfect opportunity for the housekeeper
You can watch the documentary “150 Years Grande Bretagne: Hosting History” on the hotel’s entertainment system or on the ERTFLIX platform. Editor in chief Narrator: Pavlos Tsimas. Director: Thodoris Papadoulakis. Script: Natasa Segou. Original music: Minos Matsas. Production: Indigo View.
The Timeline... So Far
The Hotel Grande Bretagne, owned by Savvas Kentros from Epirus, moves from the corner of Stadiou and Mouson (today’s Karageorgi Servias) streets and opens its doors at its current location, in what was then the Demetriou Mansion, designed by architect Theophil Hansen. Το
Efstathios Lampsas, who first apprenticed as an assistant cook at King George I’s court and then, funded by the palace, trained in France to become a head chef, becomes Kentros’ partner. The hotel is radically renovated to meet the era’s highest standards. A key contributor to the improvement of the hotel is Lampsas’ French wife, Palmyra Palfrois, who focuses her efforts on staff training.
The hotel becomes the
electrified.
The Grande Bretagne innovates by introducing “diners dansants,” meaning dinners with live orchestra music.
diners dansants,
1910
Theodoros Petrakopoulos, son-in-law of Efstathios Lampsas and a dynamic journalist with stints as a correspondent for notable newspapers such as “Acropolis” and “Estia,” as well as a period as the director of the latter, steps in as hotel manager.
The Hellenic Hotels Company S.A. (later renamed Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A.) is established.
Efstathios Lampsas passes away.
The hotel expands onto Voukourestiou Street. Rooms are upgraded to include telephones and private bathrooms.
The
The hotel hosts a meeting of the International Olympic Committee prior to the first modern Olympic Games, which are held that year in Athens.
A new wing with 110 rooms opens on Panepistimiou Street. It is equipped with elevators, ventilation systems, and central heating.
Another 42 rooms are added to the building complex. Both the rooms and the new shared spaces are equipped with the most advanced ventilation and air conditioning technology available.
Mr and Mrs Lampsas and Mr and Mrs Petrakopoulos on
family outing.
The hotel’s guests are evacuated and he building becomes the headquarters for the government, the king, the General Staff, and the Allied Forces during the Greco-Italian War.
Εκκενώνεται
The hotel becomes the headquarters of the government of Georgios Papandreou and the British forces. On December 25th, a plan by the National Liberation Front to blow up the hotel is called off at the last minute, based on information that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is staying there during his visit to Athens.
In a room on the fifth floor, Konstantinos Karamanlis forms the Government of National Unity following the fall of the Junta.
The hotel hosts intergovernmental summit meetings during the first Greek EEC Presidency.
The hotel, requisitioned by occupying German forces, becomes Wehrmacht Headquarters.
The original building by architect Theophil Hansen is demolished to accommodate a major expansion.
The hotel in the late 1960s.
Τhe opulent lobby of the hotel
Members of the Doxiadis, Lampsas and Petrakopoulos families, all descendants of Efstathios Lampsas, sell their majority shares in Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A. to the CIGA Group.
Oι
Sheraton is acquired by Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
Eξαγορά
Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
The Hotel Grande Bretagne is inducted into the Luxury Collection by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Ahead of Greece’s EU presidency and the 2004 Olympic Games, the hotel is extensively renovated at a cost exceeding €90 million.
and Resorts.
Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A. and the Hotel Grande Bretagne come under the control of Regency Entertainment S.A., with Athanasios and Panagiotis Laskaridis overseeing management responsibilities.
The hotel group CIGA is acquired by the American multinational hotel company ITT Sheraton.
Regency Entertainment
A majority shareholding and, with it, total management control of Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A. pass into the hands of the family of Athanasios C. Laskaridis.
1. The screening of the
“IN THE HISTORIC SHADOW of the Parthenon, for 150 years, a hotel has been writing its own history. In the lounges of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the heart of the city was beating. Legendary figures were hosted in its rooms, the fate of Greece was often played out and decided in its corridors, and history paraded under its windows...” These words by journalist Pavlos Tsimas marked the beginning of a touching and impressive audiovisual journey through time, connecting two landmark dates: April 9, 1874, when businessmen Savvas Kentros and Efstathios Lampsas signed the official contract to joint
ly operate the Hotel Grande Bretagne, and April 9, 2024, one of the grandest birthday parties ever held in Athens! The official premiere at the packed Pallas Theatre of the documentary “150 Years Grande Bretagne: Hosting History,” with Tsimas as both chief film editor and narrator, was the centerpiece of a celebratory evening that had the grandeur and quality one would expect from an “emblematic symbol of hospitality in the Greek capital, an Athenian ‘ark’ of high aesthetics,” as Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, representing the President of the Greek
Government, noted in her address. Chloe Laskaridis, President of the Board of Directors of LAMPSA Hellenic Hotels
S.A., said, “It is one of the few hotels in Europe celebrating such a significant anniversary, and it is a special honor for us that this occasion finds us at the helm of the hotel and the LAMPSA company.” Later in the evening, the Hotel Grande Bretagne welcomed hundreds of guests to its premises for a spectacular event featuring musical and dance performances, as well as songs from different decades performed by singer Olga Veneti.
3.
4.
5.
6.
documentary celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Hotel Grande Bretagne at the packed Pallas Theater
2. Chloe Laskaridis
L to R: Mareva GrabowskiMitsotaki, Athanasios C. Laskaridis, Evi Lazou-Laskaridis
Queen Anne-Marie of Greece with Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark
Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, with Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Kyriakos Pierrakakis
L to R: Pavlos Tsimas with former Minister of Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos
1. Guests walk down the longest red carpet ever laid in Athens
2. Andreas Tsavliris, Milena Tsavliris, Tania Papakonstantinou, Stelios Agiostratitis
3. Nadia Theocharakis, Takis Theocharakis
4. Dinos Kokkalis, Atalanti Martinou
5. Former Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos, Athina Pikrammenou, Vana Lavidas
6. Nicholas Makropoulos, Cathlyn Makropoulos
7. Christina Kefalogianni, Eftichios Vassilakis
8. L to R Sophia Doxiadi, Apostolos Doxiadis, Alexandra Vovolini, Maria Doxiadi, Margarita Matsa
9. Elly Politou, Dimitris Fragakis, Former European Commisioner and current MP Dimitris Avramopoulos
10. Minos Matsas, Olga Kefalogianni, Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki and Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni
11. Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas
12. Former Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Daphne Simiti
13. L to R Satya Anand (Marriott Int. President, Europe, Middle East & Africa), Anneta Svoronou, Hom Parviz, Gonzalo Aguilar (Marriott Int. Chief Operation Officer for Europe), Erhard Noreisch (Former SVP Starwood for East & Central Europe)
Spectacular Gastronomy
FROM THE START, Grande Bretagne has been a culinary innovator par excellence; this was highlighted at the dazzling celebration of its 150th anniversary. Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis, a veteran of two Michelin-starred restaurants, pored over mid-20th century recipe books and drew inspiration from the timeless dishes served at formal dinners during that era. He infused every dish with his creativity, ensuring they were not only beautifully presented but also flawlessly executed by his expert team. For the official birthday celebration of the hotel on April 9th, the buffet tables were adorned to impress, standing out as some of the most spectacular that Athens has ever seen. Adding to the grandeur of the occasion, silverware from the hotel’s cherished collection, including some pieces dating to 1900, made up the table settings, further enhancing the historic elegance of the event.
1. Imperial red and magnificent floral arrangements set a majestic tone in the halls.
2. Part of Chef Asterios Koustoudis’ culinary brigade, which consists of a total of 120 people.
3. Guests enjoyed champagne and the finest Greek wines.
4. The buffet delicacies had a nostalgic touch: shrimp cocktail, Athenian salad, gravlax salmon, and much more.
5. A pyramid of dry martinis at Alexander’s Bar.
6. An impressive tower of classic French Croquembouche.
7. Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis
Τhe Almond Blossom Ball
FROM ITS EARLY YEARS the Hotel Grande Bretagne was a focal point not only for luxurious hospitality and high gastronomy but also for the city’s social life. The Almond Blossom Ball, established during the Interwar period, became one of the most significant high-society receptions in Athens during the ’30s. The atmosphere of that era was revived on March 12th, as the Hotel Grande Bretagne and Vogue Greece invited a stylish crowd from the worlds of business, politics, art, fashion, and entertainment to a black-tie evening, where the dress code married the past with the present. The Grand Ballroom was adorned in spring finery, with popular artists Katerine Duska and Leon of Athens performing new successes and nostalgic renditions of classic hits. DJ Sakis Tsitomeneas got the crowd dancing and kept them going until the early hours of the morning. The evening’s four-course menu – curated by Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis, a veteran of two Michelin-star restaurants – was based on timeless recipes presented at gala dinners held at the hotel in the mid-20th century.
1. Maria Koutzabasi, Pavlos Tsimas, Sia Kosioni, Katerina Poulopoulou
2. Kora Karvouni, Angelos Bratis
3. Stratos Hatziioannidis, Member of the Hellenic Parliament Maria-Nefeli Hatziioannidou
6. Hom Parviz, Minos Matsas, Olga Kefalogianni, Chloe Laskaridis, Giannis Koronias
7. Elli Stai
8. Leto Dipla, Apostolos Mangiriadis
9. Hom Parviz at the podium
10. Leon of Athens, Katerine Duska singing
11. Stefania Goulioti
12. Ioanna Bouki, Antonis Sroiter
Τhe Immersive Experience
THE EXHIBITION “A Journey Through Time: The Immersive Experience” launched the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Hotel Grande Bretagne in a most impressive way, captivating 3,500 visitors with an exhilarating trip through the years over the course of a week in February. Utilizing the technique of projection mapping on multiple surfaces, the exhibition transformed the Grand Ballroom into a colorful, multi-dimensional, and awe-inspiring setting, combining images, sounds, and stories. Olga Mavroeidi provided the concept and curation, while YARD Athens handled the exhibition’s design and execution.
1. “A Journey Through Time: The Immersive Experience” exhibition hall
ON MARCH 14TH, fortunate attendees experienced a rare festival of flavors at one of the most enticing wine and gastronomy events hosted by the Hotel Grande Bretagne in recent years, starring the prestigious winery Château de Beaucastel, which dates back to the 16th century and which, since 1909, has been under the stewardship of the Perrin family, a legendary name in the Rhône Valley. The honored guest, winemaker Thomas Perrin, joined wine enthusiasts in enjoying a six-course menu crafted by Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis. The dishes were paired with iconic wines selected by Head Sommelier Evangelos Psofides, including the “Hommage à Jacques Perrin,” inspired by the uncompromising personality of the family’s patriarch. •
Maria Doxiadis, Queen Anna Maria, Prince Nikolaos
1. An impressive art de la table set the tone for this special evening.
2. A special vintage Homage à Jacques Perrin, presented in a wooden case designed for the Grande Bretagne’s 150th anniversary.
3. Lobster Thermidor and brioche feuilletée
4. Blinis with caviar and lemon
5. Pastry Chef Alexandros Koufas, Wine Director Evangelos Psofidis, guest of honor Thomas Perrin, Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis
Photographed by DIONISIS ADRIANOPOULOS Fashion editor ANNA ZINCHENKO
The summer we adore
Tess: Swimsuit by Kiohne (ATTICA). Necklace and bracelets in 18K yellow gold from the “Heritage” collection by ZOLOTAS.
Kilian: Cotton polo shirt and linen trousers by Vilebrequin (VILEBREQUIN STORE). Sunglasses by Tom Ford (PANAIDIS EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE).
Kyala: Oversized crepe shirt and tailored wool trousers by Stella McCartney. Padded cassette bag by Bottega Veneta. Leather slingback pumps by Fendi (LUISA WORLD). Earrings in 18K rose gold with diamonds and tourmaline; rings (right hand) in 18K yellow gold with green and pink sapphires; ring (left hand) in 18K rose gold with black diamonds and rubellite (SERKOS).
Kilian: Linen shirt and trousers by Scotch & Soda (SCOTCH & SODA). Mille Miglia Classic Racing men’s watch in 18K rose gold, with self-winding mechanical movement and 60 hours’ power reserve by Chopard (CHOPARD BOUTIQUE).
Tess: Jean jacket and trousers by Twinset (HONDOS CENTER). Necklace and earrings in 18K yellow gold with diamonds, from the “Helen of Troy” collection by Ilias Lalaounis (LALAOUNIS). Sunglasses by Fendi (PANAIDIS EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE). Leather bag by Ames by Lia Manjorou.
Kilian: Linen/wool/silk jacket by Eleventy and linen/cotton polo shirt by Barba (INCROCIO). Glashütte Original PanoMaticLunar watch in stainless steel with moon phase and Panorama Date indications (KASSIS).
Right page Kayla: Silk midi dress by Victoria Beckham (ENNY MONACO). Earrings in rose gold with pear-shaped diamonds and brilliants from the “Happy Diamonds” collection. Heart emblem pendant in rose gold with pear-shaped and heart-shaped diamonds from the “Precious Lace” collection. Watch in rose gold full pavé with diamonds and a case with gradient rubies and rose sapphires from the “Happy Sport” collection, all by Maison Chopard (CHOPARD BOUTIQUE).
Tess: Swimsuit by Pretty Me (HONDOS CENTER). Handwoven Greek key necklace and ring in 18K yellow gold, gold hammered ring in 18K (GEORGE’S JEWELRY). Sunglasses by Bottega Veneta (PANAIDIS EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE).
Left page Tess: Cotton striped sweater, polo shirt and linen trousers by Polo Ralph Lauren (POLO RALPH LAUREN BOUTIQUE). Bracelets in 18K yellow gold by Ilias Lalaounis (LALAOUNIS). Sunglasses by Chanel (PANAIDIS EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE). Leather sandals by Valia Gabriel (AESTHET GREEK DESIGNERS).
Kilian: Cotton blazer, trousers and t-shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren (POLO RALPH LAUREN BOUTIQUE). Sunglasses by Brunello Cucinelli & Oliver Peoples (PANAIDIS EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE). Suede loafers by Tod’s (TOD’S BOUTIQUE).
Tess: Wool vest, lamé mini skirt and leather bag, all by Miu Miu (LUISA WORLD). Gold-plated chain necklace and stud earrings in 18K yellow gold by Kessaris (KESSARIS).
Kayla: Precious net embroidery top and satin skirt by Brunello Cucinelli (BRUNELLO CUCINELLI BOUTIQUE). Cuff earrings, necklace and bracelet in yellow gold with opals, diamonds and emeralds by Nikos Koulis (NIKOS KOULIS JEWELS). Kilian: Double-breasted wool blazer, wool trousers, cotton t-shirt and silk pochette by Brunello Cucinelli (BRUNELLO CUCINELLI BOUTIQUE).
Kayla: Satin top and skirt by Jacquemus (ATTICA). Earrings in white gold with diamonds and emeralds, and ring in blackened white gold with princess-cut white diamonds by Nikos Koulis (NIKOS KOULIS JEWELS).
Right page Tess: Silk dress by Dries Van Noten (ATTICA). Earrings in 18K gold with freshwater pearls and tourmalines by Maison Spoleto (VENETIA VILDIRIDIS).
Tess: Wide-leg jumpsuit with a detachable choker by Zeus+Dione (GB CORNER GIFTS & FLAVORS). B.zero1 small hoop earrings in 18K rose gold with pavé diamonds, Serpenti Pallini bracelet, and ring in 18K rose gold with pavé diamonds and black onyx, all by Bulgari. Raffia clutch by Callista (CALLISTA CRAFTS). Leather slingback pumps by Jacquemus (ATTICA).
Kayla: Striped blazer and trousers, one-button vest by Ckontova (AESTHET GREEK DESIGNERS). Chain necklace in 18K gold by Venetia Vildiridis (VENETIA VILDIRIDIS). Jacquard and leather clutch by Ames by Lia Manjorou.
Kilian: Cotton/silk/linen jacket, cotton polo shirt, cotton sport-style trousers and silk pochette by Kiton (MAH JONG BOUTIQUE).
Tess: Strapless swimsuit by Kiohne (AESTHET GREEK DESIGNERS). Sunglasses by Chanel (PANAIDIS EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE).
Right page Kayla: Fringed linen midi dress by Johanna Ortiz (ENNY MONACO). Earrings in rose gold with diamonds and rubies, and ring in yellow gold with diamonds by Serkos (SERKOS). Leather and raffia mini bag by Tod’s (TOD’S BOUTIQUE).
Top left, 18K white gold ring with diamonds and sapphire (SERKOS).
Right, 18K white gold ring with sapphires, diamonds, and turquoise paste; bottom left, 18K gold bracelet with turquoise, diamonds, and emeralds (both VENETIA VILDIRIDIS).
Bottom right, 18K gold "Helios" ring with lapis lazuli (ZOLOTAS).
BVLGARI BVLGARI watch (left) in 18K rose gold and stainless steel case and bracelet, 18K rose gold bezel engraved with double logo, green satiné soleil lacquered dial and diamond indexes. In the middle, 18K white gold necklace with diamonds and sapphire. Right, 18K yellow gold necklace with green tourmaline, all by Bulgari (BVLGARI BOUTIQUE).
18K gold earrings (top) and ring (bottom) with diamonds (LALAOUNIS).
In the middle, "Helios" ring made from 18K gold with diamonds and ivory (ZOLOTAS).
Top left, 18K gold ring with diamonds and peridot (PONIROS).
Top right and bottom, 18K gold ring and bracelet with diamonds (NIKOS KOULIS).
Top left, 18K gold bracelet with diamonds (SERKOS). Middle, 18K gold necklace with diamonds (MARCO BICEGO) and 18K white gold earrings with sapphires, emeralds and diamonds (GIOUZENIS).
Bottom, 18K gold ring with amethyst and blue topaz (GEORGE’S
Top center, 18K gold earrings with tanzanites, rubies, and diamonds GIOUZENIS). Below them, 18K gold necklace with diamonds and blue topaz (GEORGE’S). Bottom left, 18K gold ring with diamonds MARCO BICEGO). Bottom right, 18K gold earrings with diamonds and peridot (PONIROS).
Chopard "Happy Spirit" bracelet, in 18K white gold with diamonds and a moving diamond. Chopard "Happy Sport" watch with a 30 mm stainless steel case, pink dial with satin sunburst finish and freely moving diamonds (CHOPARD BOUTIQUE). Bottom, 18K white gold ring with diamonds and pink sapphires (SERKOS).
Top left, 18K gold earrings with diamonds and enamel.
Right 18K white gold earrings with diamonds and enamel.
Bottom left, 18K gold ring with diamonds and enamel (all KASSIS).
Bottom right, silver bracelet coated with nanoceramic and a precious stone (KESSARIS).
Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch, with a steel 38.8 mm case, featuring 48 diamonds on the bezel and a quartz movement STELLA VILDIRIDIS).
Rolex Oyster
Perpetual Day-Date
36 in 18K yellow gold with a dark grey, diamond-set dial, fluted bezel and a President bracelet. Mechanical, selfwinding movement, with a 70-hour power reserve (ROLEX BOUTIQUE).
From top and clockwise: Grand Seiko Sport Spring Drive GMT Hotaka watch, with a 44 mm steel case, powered by an automatic movement with a 72-hour power reserve (ORA KESSARIS). Bell & Ross GMT SKY BLUE watch with a 41 mm satin-polished steel case, blue sunray dial and an automatic mechanical movement (KASSIS). IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Oceana with a 41.9 mm ceramic case and an automatic, self-winding movement with a 46-hour power reserve (IWC BOUTIQUE). Hublot Square Bang Unico Blue Ceramic watch with a 42 mm case and a self-winding Chronograph Flyback movement with a 72-hour power reserve (GOFAS).
With the complete renovation of the legendary GB Roof Garden and a series of awards for the cuisine at the Michelin-starred Tudor Hall, this summer signals a fresh and remarkable new chapter for gastronomy at the hotels Grande Bretagne and King George.
A fresh take
GRILLED TURBOT,
The strong sea flavors of the scallops and the caviar demand a wine made from the Carricante grape in the Etna region in Sicily, such as a Pietradolce Archineri.
By NENA DIMITRIOU Photos: DIMITRIS VLAIKOS
SHRIMP
TARTARE, Kombu (dried sea kelp), grape sauce, cucumber, jalapeño and caviar Wine director Evangelos Psofidis recommends pairing this with a Riesling from the Rosacker Grand Cru, one of the most renowned vineyards in the world, in Alsace, France. The Domaine Mittnacht Rosacker Grand Cru offers high acidity levels and an outstanding mineral character.
Zucchini flowers stuffed with scallops and turbot, and a sauce with Florina peppers and caviar
STUFFED ZUCCHINI
with beef tartare, myzithra cheese and gribiche sauce (an eggyolk sauce with pickles)
This dish, an interpretation of a classic Greek recipe traditionally made with stuffed zucchini and ground meat, is presented here with beef tartare. Wine director Evangelos Psofidis recommends pairing this dish with a wine from the Pouilly-Fumé region in the Loire Valley of France, the Pascal Jolivet Indigene. The herbaceous aromas derived from the Sauvignon Blanc variety complement the vegetal character of the zucchini.
EXECUTIVE CHEF ASTERIOS KOUSTOUDIS has assembled one of the most outstanding culinary teams for the restaurants of the Grande Bretagne and King George hotels. His two head chefs possess not only abundant talent but also a structured understanding of modern Greek cuisine, each interpreting it in their unique way. Nikos Liokas at the GB Roof Garden draws inspiration from Greek recipes and presents classic dishes in their freshest and most contemporary versions. At the Michelin-starred Tudor Hall, Nikos Livadias crafts intricate dishes unlike any traditional Greek fare; nonetheless, his creations immediately transport your taste buds to Greece. For the summer season, the chefs make extensive use of aromatic herbs and fresh juicy fruits, and give crispy summer vegetables a starring role. Master pastry chef Alexandros Koufas prepares the most delightful desserts for the restaurant menus, showcasing refined techniques and complex flavors.
SMOKED EGGPLANT,
Florina pepper cream, yoghurt glaze and almond What lies beneath the black and white leaf? A dish that sparks curiosity at first glance, and impresses with its deliciousness. Pair it with a wine made from Carménère grapes grown in the Colchagua Valley of Chile. The Viu Manent El Incidente, aged in barrels, complements the smoky character of the eggplant, while the high acidity of the wine balances the creamy texture of the dish.
POACHED RHUBARB WITH
BLACK CARDAMOM and fennel, goat’s cheese cheesecake, rhubarb sorbet with raspberries, and citrus meringue Alexandros Koufas pays equal attention to appearance and flavor, ensuring that no dish lacks a playful variety of textures. This one matches perfectly with a late harvest wine made from Riesling in Germany’s Mosel region. The light body of the Joh. Jos Prüm Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese, combined with its high acidity and sweetness, creates an exceptionally refreshing sensation on the palate.
MARINATED STRAWBERRIES,
lemon streusel (crumb topping), strawberry compôte with hibiscus and sorbet and crunchy meringue
This moist and refreshing dessert, with different textures and parts, screams summer and should be paired with a Rossini Cocktail. This drink, made with puréed strawberries, crème de fraise liqueur, and Prosecco wine, perfectly complements the vibrant and fruity flavors of the dish. •
HERE’S SOMETHING I learned: the phrase “gap year,” the break between high school and higher education, is false advertising. It’s not a year-long break. It’s actually a year with zero breaks. Or at least it is in my case. Since it turns out I’m practically incapable of making decisions, I’ve elected to hold off on college for the time being. Right after graduation I started an apprenticeship at the Grande Bretagne, the hotel that has always felt like a second home to me. I’m back to spending all of my days here, as well as my nights, just like I did when I was little and my parents worked even on Sundays at the publishing house. Back then my grandfather was the doorman here. Every Sunday, he’d bring me one of those thin lily-white notepads with the Grande Bretagne logo emblazoned on each page. Munching on French macarons, I’d retire to some far-off table and draw barefoot princesses in skinny jeans or sketch the giant banana leaves that adorned the Winter Garden. I was five years old and couldn’t stop dreaming about the overseas voyages I still haven’t taken. What should I do with my life? I honestly can’t decide. Do I choose a career path that lets you traverse the globe with nothing but the contents of a suitcase to your name? Or do I go for something closer to home, something that makes me feel warm and comfortable, like a barefoot princess in skinny jeans in her living-room? I’ve worked just about every job this hotel has to offer – front desk, booking office, housekeeping – and each of them has felt like a game, like a fun return to my childhood stomping grounds. Now that I think about it, it’s sort of strange for a little girl to hold onto her mental blueprint of a massive hotel’s hidden passageways, but here we are. It makes sense, though. As a kid I had tons of hiding places here: behind the well-ironed tablecloths in the rotunda, in staff elevators, in utility closets, even in the occasional room-service trolley.
WHAT I REALLY WANT is to be exactly like Maria Koutzabasi, my supervisor here. She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met. She’s also the hardest-working multitasker I’ve ever met. I mean it; she can do five things at once and do them all well. She never gets angry, never gets scared and never worries. Or maybe she does, but she knows how to hide her feelings and smile – with her eyes, of course – even when tiny disasters start unfolding around her. Maria thinks that I’d be good at selling rooms to agents who organize trips to England, France, and the States. But for now I’m working beside her in the hotel’s Public Relations Department, where she’s the general manager. Maria is teaching me important lessons, like how to diplomatically handle a difficult phone call and how to buy time while problem-solving.
All day today I’ve been writing – well, mostly rewriting –a promo-announcement for Il Giardino Segreto, the hotel’s new atrium.
Maria looks at me with those smiling eyes of hers. “Can I count on you?” she asks.
“For what?”
“There’s someone here you should meet. July Alcott. She’s the former director of the world’s largest hotel conglomerate. She just retired and she seems a little out of sorts. She came to Athens for a short vacation.”
“But she doesn’t know the meaning of the word, I imagine.”
“Right, Beatrice. It’s up to us to show her. What would you say ‘vacation’ means to you?”
Definitely not being a high-profile retiree’s lady-in-waiting, that’s for sure.
“Hello? Beatrice? Are you still with me or off traveling the world?”
“Vacation, huh? I can sum it up in three short words: sunshine, pool, Aperol.”
“See if you can top that. Ms Alcott doesn’t drink or swim.”
“Hm. Grapefruit juice? Nature walks?”
“She has no desire to leave the hotel. Something is troubling her. I suspect she’s going through a bout of depression.”
“Okay, well, we can still bring her some sun and some juice, right? Or maybe offer her a nice brunch at the Winter Garden?”
“There’s the Beatrice I know and love! Okay I’ll book a table for two. For this Sunday. Does noon work for you?”
THEY CALL HER JULY but she’s more of a November. I don’t know what it is. She just has this air of autumnal sadness about her that really clashes with the blinding Athenian sun. She’s in her 70s but could pass for 50, like most of the
women who take good care of themselves these days. Dark glasses, immaculate bun, blue jeans, and a black silk blouse, which highlights an exotic necklace bejeweled with baby-blue semi-precious stones – her daughter’s handiwork, she informs me. She’s so thin that you could picture each of her little bones breaking at any moment.
“I have osteoporosis,” she offers, as if having just read my mind. “You should watch out for it, too, you know. You’re a stick. Just like my daughter. I keep telling her to go in for tests but she never finds the time. I never did either. Now look at me.”
MARIA GOT US a table bathed in sunlight. Our croissants have arrived, as have our little jars of preserves and our pink grapefruit juice. The purple buds sticking out of our centerpiece remind me of how desperate I am to visit Provence.
But July Alcott is killing my Francophile mood with her endless talk of danger and illness. I attempt to change the subject.
“Does your daughter live close to you?”
“Nah. She hates London. Lives in the Maldives, where she can spend all day collecting seashells. Runs a jewelry business. She took off and never looked back.”
“But as long as she’s happy there, I mean…”
“What does that even mean, ‘happy’? She took my grandkids with her and now I’m left with no one. No family, no nothing.”
“At least you can focus on yourself now.”
“You’re young. Too young to understand.”
What a sarcastic little grin she has. She completes my sentences as if she knows exactly what I want to say. But she misses the mark nine times out of ten. At the same time, though, I can’t help but like her. And not just because I have to for professional reasons, because my job requires me to exercise patience and diplomacy. She reminds me of a great-aunt of mine, a brilliant woman who picked fights with everyone. And
because she never went out looking for love, she lived alone her whole life.
I tell July all about my life’s many dilemmas, which at the moment are pretty much limited to bachelor’s degrees. I ask her what she thinks of journalism and public relations, whether she considers me more of a globe-trotter or a homebody. When the lobster thermidor arrives (for me), followed by the rainbow salad (for her), she gives me an aptitude test. She claims that, in order to determine what type of work I’m best suited to do, I have to first determine what sort of person I am. But she forgets to deliver the results of the test, and swiftly transitions to recounting her lifetime of business travel. Finally her eyes begin to smile ever so slightly.
Apparently July brought her daughter along on many a business trip when she was little. First to the Maldives.
“Maybe that’s why she decided to return there,” I suggest.
“I don’t get it,” she responds, glaring.
“Maybe she wants to raise her own children where you raised her. Now that I think about it, do you think you’d be able to visit them sometime soon?”
“She asks me to all the time but I’m always working.”
I stop myself from correcting her, from reminding her that she’s retired. Maria has taught me well.
Brunch at the Grande Bretagne is perfect for conversing without overthinking. Especially when it’s time for champagne and dessert.
“You really think I should visit them, huh?” She leans across the table and looks at me like we’ve known each other for ages. But that’s how it is. Sometimes you can be more up front with a young woman who won’t judge you.
“I really think it’s a great idea. Just look at it like a vacation. Or maybe like… like a gap year. A break to help you figure out what the next step should be.”
“I’d hate to be a burden.”
“You’d be a huge help! Especially with the kids.”
“But I don’t even know them.”
“This could be your chance then. How old are they?”
July starts to live up to her name. She lets her guard down and starts scrolling through photos of her grandkids to show me.
“WAS THAT VOODOO or something?” Maria asks me on Monday. “She can’t stop talking about you. She wants to take you to dinner tomorrow. Can you swing it?” I certainly can. I think I have a pretty good grasp on July Alcott. She’s a woman after my own heart. But she has to stop sleepwalking. She has to pull the trigger. As my gamer friends say, she’s beaten a boss and leveled up. And that takes courage, a sudden plunge into the unknown.
Here’s something I learned: there’s more than one kind of “gap year.”
ATHANASIOS C. LASKARIDIS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Safeguarding Our Seas
A dynamic presence and and €13 million in environmental commitments at the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens.
The Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, at the 9th Our Ocean Conference, reaffirmed its leadership role in safeguarding Greek waters from pollution, as well as its international pioneering position in environmental activities. This internationally recognized forum encourages governments, intergovernmental organizations, academics, businesses, and NGOs to embrace the common goals of protecting the oceans and promoting a sustainable future for the planet. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, where the proceedings of this important environmental event were held, welcomed representatives and organizations from 119 countries. During the event, 469 new commitments to protect oceans were made, at costs totaling over $11.3 billion. Beyond its own active participation in sessions and events, the Foundation made its own financial commitments of more than €13 million over the next five years, which exceeded the pledges of most other non-profit organizations.
Evi Lazou-Laskaridis, Chairman of the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, during Plenary Session II: Confronting Plastic Pollution. Below, the session’s panel.
The greatest portion of these funds is being allocated to combat plastic pollution, a pledge announced by Evi Lazou-Laskaridis, Chairman of the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, during “Plenary Session II: Confronting Plastic Pollution.” Ten million euros will be invested over the next five years to tackle this urgent environmental issue, a critical step toward ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. The Typhoon Project, the Foundation’s flagship initiative, which remains at the forefront of efforts to mitigate plastic pollution, is leading this battle.
Another significant commitment by the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, amounting to €1.5 million, will target the Saronic Gulf, the stretch of the Aegean that borders Piraeus, Salamis, and the Argosaronic islands. This area, which is of great historical, cultural and economic interest, has seen a dramatic increase in pollution over the last 50 years. The Foundation announced that it is adopting the Saronic Gulf as a “national experimental area,” where comprehensive scientific studies will be conducted on chemical pollution, waste, biodiversity degradation, and other consequences of human activity. Additionally, an extensive archive of all available data will be created, to aid in designing policies and strategies for the environmental restoration of the gulf. Furthermore, the Foundation will allocate an additional €1.5 million over the next five years to
Left: The “Fishing For Litter” project.
«Fishing For Litter».
Right: His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
continue the “Fishing for Litter” program, a sea-floor debris clean-up initiative, with the participation of the fishing community.
The Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation organized two parallel events during the three-day conference. The first was a panel discussion titled “Marine Litter: Bridging Science and Policy Making,” featuring distinguished guests from the fields of politics, science, business, and society at large. It was a great honor for the Foundation that His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew blessed the work of the Foundation and participated in the discussion. The second event, “Technology for Good: How Innovation and Open Data Can Deliver Ocean Action,” was held in collaboration with the renowned international non-profit organization Global Fishing Watch. Greece boasts one of the world’s most biodiverse marine environments. To protect it, the State has committed to safeguarding at least 30% of its national aquatic territories by 2030, participating in the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People as part of the European Biodiversity Strategy. The collaboration between the Greek State and Global Fishing Watch will ensure the protection of marine areas. The Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation will supply monitoring tools and other technology to help implement the program, and has committed to financially support the agreement as well.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis onboard the “Typhoon”.
Αn important social initiative
In 2016, during a period of economic crisis and widespread unemployment, the Foundation created “The People’s Trust.” This organization, funded exclusively by the Foundation, supports small businesses across all sectors by providing microfinancing and free business development services. To date, “The People’s Trust” has granted over €5 million to 611 businesses, contributing to the creation of at least 1,350 new jobs.
The visit to the Typhoon by Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkeviius, and the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianides, was a watershed moment for the Foundation. They were shown around the ship by the Foundation’s chairman, Evi Lazou-Laskaridis, and briefed on its capabilities and regular research activities. •
The Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation has created Greece’s first digital art gallery, which offers a new way to experience the works of Konstantinos Volanakis, the Greek master of seascapes.
Open Art, Free Knowledge
THE COLLECTION OF SHIPOWNER and entrepreneur Panagiotis C. Laskaridis is one of the most important in Greece. Instilled with a passion for shipping and literature from a young age, he began assembling a rich library of travel literature in the early 1980s, comparable only to those of major universities in Western Europe. Concurrently, he expanded the collection of nautical items bequeathed to him by his father, Dr Constantinos P. Laskaridis, an ichthyologist. He also began acquiring seascapes by renowned Greek and international artists, with the works of Volanakis, the father of Greek marine painting, holding a prominent place in his collection.
Knowledge
Volanakis was born in Heraklion, on Crete, in 1837. After completing art studies in Munich, he returned to Greece and dedicated himself to painting a multitude of seascapes. His works, which form a rich and diverse artistic oeuvre, feature harbors, ship departures, stormy seas, tranquil twilight waters, fishermen at dawn, and historical scenes such as the burning of the Ottoman fleet.
Volanakis’ significance extends beyond his seascapes. Paradoxically, his work stands out for its simple complexity. Rooted in the Munich School and influenced by various movements – the Barbizon School, the Hague School, and, of course, Impressionism – Volanakis applied colors in a unique way. He captured the grandeur of nature and light in a manner reminiscent of the great British artist J.M.W. Turner.
The Panagiotis Laskaridis collection features 52 works by Volanakis that cover the full range of the artist’s themes. These can be admired for free on the website: digitalgallery.laskaridisfoundation.org.
Leveraging the Laskaridis Foundation’s extensive experience in digital humanities and co-funded by the European Union, the digital art gallery offers a comprehensive understanding of Volanakis’ work, catering to both specialized and general audiences. Visitors can admire Volanakis’ works in high resolution, save their favorites to their computer or mobile device, and read accompanying authoritative notes from art historian and archaeologist Louiza Karapidaki, a member of the Academy of Athens.
The accompanying applications add significant value to the collection. Coloring pages, 3D paintings, puzzles, and electronic greeting cards invite users of all ages to interact and engage with the works of the renowned marine artist. Visitors can also take part in one or more of the four one-hour thematic tours led by art historian Venia Pastaka, exploring the works of Volanakis remotely.
The digital art gallery operates in both Greek and English and provides audio options for its explanatory texts. This feature respects diversity and inclusion, allowing visually impaired visitors to find out more about Volanakis’ oil paintings and drawings.
Designed by Dimitra Chrona (schema.gr) and supported by Pavla S.A. (pavla.gr), the digital art gallery of the Panagiotis Laskaridis Collection invites you to participate in a unique art experience: Open Art, Free Knowledge! •
We experienced the signature facial treatments by 111Skin at the GB Spa, and here’s why you should incorporate them into your skincare routine.
Revitalize Your Skin
By VASSILIKI PAPAGEORGIOU
WHENEVER I NEED detox for my mind, face, or body, one place instantly comes to mind: the GB Spa at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Nestled in the heart of Athens, this wellness sanctuary becomes my escape from daily routine as soon as I step into its tranquil atrium, which is adorned with palm trees. This time, I had yet another reason: I had heard about the exclusive arrival of the 111Skin line at the spa and decided to try its world-class treatments with a colleague.
We arrived a bit early to thoroughly soak up the experience, exploring the stunning facilities and indulging ourselves in the indoor pool, jacuzzi, various steam baths – including the Herbal Steam Bath, Amethyst Grotto, and Laconium – and the sauna, which relieved our pent-up stress. As we relaxed, I remembered all the accolades I’d heard about the luxurious 111Skin brand, founded by plastic surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides and CEO Eva Alexandrides, and its high-performance products, which have won over skincare experts worldwide.
Dr. Alexandrides launched the brand in 2007 with the best-selling antioxidant Repair Serum, renowned for the skin-healing properties enabled by the pioneering NAC Y² technology. The serum’s success was instant, quickly raising the new company’s profile and securing spots in prestigious beauty destinations such as Harrods in 2012. Alongside these achievements, Dr. Alexandrides also introduced invasive treatments inspired by surgical techniques and launched the now-celebrated sheet masks – often hailed as a backstage wonder. These masks, the Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask in particular, have gone viral on Instagram. Ever since makeup artist Pati Dubroff used it on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, it has been in high demand among celebrities, gracing the faces of Victoria’s Secret runway models and of Priyanka Chopra during her wedding to Nick Jonas. Now, the exquisite 111Skin line has made its exclusive debut in Greece at the GB Spa, which offers four signature facial treatments, including one utilizing the specialized Cryo Machine for cryotherapy. For our visit, highly skilled therapists Christina and Vaso had meticulously prepared the double suite. After a detailed consultation to assess our specific needs, they selected
Ιnspired by the positive results of his aesthetic treatments at the Harley Street Clinic in London, the noted plastic surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides created 111SKIN, a brand line of skinrejuvenating products and treatments.
the appropriate treatments for us. They briefed us on 111Skin’s innovative NAC Y2 healing formula and the impressive efficacy of their products. For my session, I was treated to the 111Skin Black Diamond non-surgical face lift. This luxurious treatment begins with a facial exfoliation using products enriched with retinol and fine diamond particles and is followed by powerful masks: the Celestial Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Face Mask, containing active ingredients such as goji glycopeptides, Centella asiatica extract, and niacinamide to smooth lines and enhance firmness, and the Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask, which gently rejuvenates the sensitive eye area without irritation. Christina’s expert massage techniques notably diminished fine lines and wrinkles, refined my facial contours, and restored my skin tone. The session also included a relaxing scalp massage. The 90-minute treatment is priced at €260. While I was receiving Christina’s expert care, my colleague was in the capable hands of Vaso, undergoing
111SKIN treatments prepare you for
summer by providing deep nourishment, hydration, and restoring radiance.
New, luxurious and effective, 111SKIN signature treatments rehabilitate the skin according to its own particular needs.
the 111Skin De-Puffing Energising Cryo Facial with the cryo machine. This treatment uses cold air to invigorate the skin, boosting blood microcirculation. Once it’s complete, radiant and healthy skin has replaced earlier puffiness, enlarged pores, and rough textures. This was followed by the Cryo De-Puffing Hydrogel Facial Mask, which contains powerful ingredients (such as caffeine) that firm the skin and inhibit collagen breakdown, minimizing signs of aging. The treatment lasts 90 minutes and costs €230, with a 60-minute option available for €190.
The spa menu includes two additional treatments: The 111Skin Signature Harley Street Facial, which soothes inflammation and accelerates post-surgical healing with the antioxidant NAC Y2 complex, enhancing protection against environmental damage (lasting 60 minutes and priced at €190); and the 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance Facial, perfect for lifting and firming and incorporating three layers of massage with rose crystals (lasting 90 minutes and priced at €230).
After our treatments, we savored the calming tea provided and made our selections. I opted for the Repair Serum and the Celestial Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Face Mask, and plan to purchase the Cryo De-Puffing Facial Mask from grandebretagnestore.com for days when my face feels puffy. Feeling content and rejuvenated, we promised ourselves to return to the GB Spa in the near future. •
High-performance sheet masks are an intrinsic part of 111SKIN facial treatments and have proven to be particularly beneficial.
Hospitality
Glimpses into the world of the Hotel Grande Bretagne.
King George
A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS
THE HOME OF DISCREET LUXURY IN ATHENS
The five-star boutique King George Hotel, operating under the Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts brand, has been prominently located in the heart of Athens, next to the Hotel Grande Bretagne, for more than 90 years. Its elegant 102 rooms and suites, furnished with authentic French antiques and featuring marble bathtubs, provide guests with a hospitality experience reminiscent of another era, while the luxurious amenities impress even the most discerning guest. The Junior Suites offer views of the atrium from their large windows; the Executive Grand Suites boast impressive views of the Acropolis from their private balconies; and the 350-square-meter Penthouse Suite has its own private pool with views of the Acropolis and the city of Athens. Along with its charming neoclassical decor and stunning Acropolis views, the one-star Michelin restaurant Tudor Hall offers contemporary cuisine with artfully plated dishes courtesy of Chef de Cuisine Nikos Livadias, as well as an exquisite dessert menu from gifted Pastry Chef Alexandros Koufas. King George Hotel also offers a gym, a 24-hour business center, the Boutique Vilebrequin, and the Perfumery, which offers a collection of select fragrances from the famed houses of Etat Libre d’Orange, Le Jardin Retrouvé, Puredistance, Marcoccia, Electimuss London, Affinessence and Manos Geraknis.
Athens Capital Hotel
CONNECTING THE OLD AND THE NEW
A strong identity, authentic lines reflecting the past and the present, cosmopolitan elegance, unique artwork, and bespoke services are what define the Athens Capital Hotel – MGallery Collection, which has found its home right next to the iconic Syntagma Square, in the heart of Athens. The hotel is offering a unique hospitality experience by designing a journey of discovery for guests, aiming to captivate their hearts and minds and produce an unforgettable city stay. With so many accommodation options to choose from – 158 contemporary design rooms that reflect the light and elegance of the timeless city of Athens, as well as 19 charming suites inspired by famous Greeks who served art in all its forms (music, acting, visual arts, writing, and more) – each guest is sure to feel at home in their ideal haven. The journey, however, wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the hotel’s dining and drinks venues: the MFlavours Restaurant; the Mappemonde, a rooftop restaurant, bar and lounge with amazing views and a pool; and the Galerie Café, where inspired gastronomy and creative mixology come alive in a cozy environment featuring unique pieces of art that draw guests into a playful interactive game of aesthetics. For discerning travelers who are seeking an experience unlike any other, the Athens Capital Hotel is the new ideal destination in the heart of the city!
Hyatt Regency Belgrade
IDEAL FOR BOTH BUSINESS AND PLEASURE
Experience the modern and sophisticated spirit of Hyatt Regency Belgrade, one of the finest five-star hotels in the city. It features 292 modern rooms and suites and constitutes the perfect option for both leisure and business travelers, as it occupies a premier address in the heart of the main business, culture and entertainment district of New Belgrade, close to the city center. As an extra bonus, the hotel is within walking distance of Belgrade Arena and just across the bridge from both Belgrade Waterfront, the most exclusive business and residential district in the city, and Galerija, the city’s largest shopping mall.
During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the irresistibly charming Serbian capital, known for its unique energy, friendly people, delicious traditional cuisine, and many tourist attractions. Back at the hotel, you can simply seek out the comfort of your room, or indulge in a relaxing treatment at the Club Olympus Spa & Fitness.
For those looking for a break from their everyday routines, Tea House is the perfect retreat, with its enchanting ambience, extensive coffee and tea selections, and irresistible treats crafted from the finest ingredients. Should you desire a higher level of service and privacy, you can opt for the accommodations offered at the exclusive Regency Club, located on the 7th and 8th floors, where you can conduct your business in the fully equipped meeting room or relax in the Regency Club Lounge.
For all lovers of quality cuisine, there’s the Metropolitan Restaurant, offering a range of international delicacies and local specialties. The exceptional choice of cocktails and beers at The Bar, combined with its elegant atmosphere, will help make your stay an unforgettable experience. If you require an event space, the hotel provides a selection of 10 different meeting and conference spaces, with sizes ranging from 39 m2 to 559 m2. To take advantage of group rates, meeting packages or special offers for leisure travelers, contact the Sales Department at belgr.rfp@hyatt.com
Μercure Belgrade Excelsior
A TIMELESS GEM IN BELGRADE
Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Serbian capital, Hotel Mercure Belgrade Excelsior exudes a neoclassical charm that beckons you into a world where the past intertwines seamlessly with the present. Built in 1921 by Viennese architects, this historical icon commenced its journey on March 15, 1924. With 73 thoughtfully designed rooms, a refined restaurant, and a well-appointed conference hall, Hotel Mercure Belgrade Excelsior is the embodiment of classic elegance. Our dedication to preserving history while embracing modernity makes it an ideal place to explore the story of Belgrade. The hotel’s century-long history provides a unique opportunity for guests to step into the footsteps of legendary figures. From the Nobel laureate Ivo Andri who resided here during his advisory and ministerial roles, to icons like Jean-Paul Sartre and Josephine Baker, the hotel’s halls resonate with the echoes of greatness. Step into this timeless haven, where the echoes of the past blend with contemporary luxury. Hotel Mercure Belgrade Excelsior offers not just accommodation but a chance to immerse yourself in the history and future of Belgrade. We invite you to be a part of the continuing legacy, of this cherished Belgrade icon, as we bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.
THE QUINTESSENTIAL HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Nestled in the peaceful Cotswolds countryside, just six miles from the World Heritage site of Bath, Lucknam Park offers unspoilt country-house living at its best. As you pull up through an avenue of trees and set eyes on the magnificent Palladian mansion, you know that you have arrived somewhere truly special.
This elegant hotel boasts 42 individually styled rooms and suites, along with nine charming cottages set within the estate. Experience fine dining featuring local produce in the Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones or relaxed meals in the Walled Garden Restaurant. Feel the wind in your hair while you explore the 500 acres of parkland on horseback, οr unwind with a range of spa and well-being treatments. For families, The Hideaway offers a variety of games and activities for children of all ages and is the perfect place to create wonderful memories. Lucknam Park is truly one of England’s finest hotels, providing five-star luxury at every turn.
Lucknam Park Hotel
Historical Highlights
By APOSTOLOS DOXIADIS FORMER GENERAL MANAGER of the HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE
AS THE HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, I begin this note with a salute to Efstathios Lampsas, the visionary co-owner who laid the foundations of its legend and supported every initiative that helped promote Greece. He was the first entrepreneur to embrace Pierre de Coubertin’s dream of reviving the Olympic Games, and among the first private sponsors of the Games.
Among the countless pages of history written at the hotel was the ratification, on August 13th, 1925, of the constitution of the Hellenic-American Foundation, which established the Athens College, with an initial enrollment of just 35 students. Four Prime Ministers of Greece and numerous key figures in political and economic life have been its alumni.
Jumping ahead to 1965, we find the expatriate journalist and publisher from Egypt, Themis Vokos, describing to the management of the hotel his vision about an international gathering of the shipping world in Athens, and receiving Grande Bretagne’s full support and assistance as he worked to materialize it. The first official version of this event, now known as Posidonia, took place in 1969. Since 1970, it has been held every two years; this year, the event broke all previous records, with 2,038 exhibitors from 138 countries and 32,527 visitors.
It’s also noteworthy that the hotel’s premises have been featured in many international literary works, including “Friends and Heroes” from Olivia Manning’s Balkan Trilogy. Based in part on historical events, the novel has its heroine finding refuge at the Grande Bretagne shortly before the German invasion of Athens. Filming for the BBC’s adaptation of another of Manning’s works, “Fortunes of War” (1987), starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh, also took place at the hotel, with its stars residing here as well, thus combining business with pleasure. •
