Weekly supplement by Insider Publications • insider-publications.com • facebook.com/insiderpublications • No 68 • Friday, July 03, 2015 Exhibition Margarita Bofiliou: Everything’s wrong, Xerxes
Music Stamatis Kraounakis – Lina Nikolakopoulou
The title of the show comes from the classic Greek tragedy “Perseus” by Aeschylus. The works featured are an exploration of symbols in contemporary culture. Until July 11, State of Concept, Tousa Botsari 19, stateofconcept.org
Inspired by the life of the legendary Dario Fo, a festive atmosphere underlined by the motto: “A laugh in the right place can be enough to bury them all!” Music, song, satire and beautiful actors. July 9, Herodes Atticus, greekfestival.gr
FAVE FIVE
Cavos, set into the rocks looking across the tiny port; when the evening boat arrives, you’ll be handed sparklers to wave as classical music crescendos from the bar’s sound system to reciprocal blasts from the horn. skyrosammoshotel.com
Summer Getaways
By Cordelia Madden-Kanellopoulou
With its abundance of charming, stylish and welcoming retreats, far from the madding crowd but increasingly within reach thanks to improved transport links, the options for idyllic getaways from Athens are innumerable. Here are our top five off the beaten track gems for a serene summer stay.
Portari Houses, Kythira: It took us more than 10 years in Greece to discover Kythira: an island of awe-inspiring beaches, precious little development, delicious food options, and last (but most important of all in my book) an animal welfare group whose work is evident in the condition of the strays. Among these good Samaritans is Evmorfia, who runs the tasteful and tranquil Portari Houses in Arondiadika, and whose meticulous list of where to eat, swim and shop ensures a superlative stay. Spitaki (The Cottage), nestled between old stone dwellings, has a charming courtyard where you can relax in deckchairs listening to the wind sigh through the pines. If you opt for the 30-minute plane ride from Athens (as opposed to the rather lengthier boat or carboat journeys), do rent a car, to explore all corners of this idyllic isle. portari-houses.com
True Halki, Halki: Symi gets the credit, but its neighbour Halki has all the attributes, without the jostling gulets and overpriced eateries. On its beautiful harbour-front of paintbox-palette houses, mirrored in a crystalline sea so clean you can leap right in and swim next to the moored craft, stands this flawlessly restored house, peaceful, graceful, and fitted with all mod cons. Across the bay, you’ll find Ftenagia beach, complete with a great little eatery; there’s also a castle to explore, a boat to zip you to further flung bays, a secondhand bookshop, and that’s about it. Sheer bliss. Undeniably far from Athens, it is accessible in just a couple of hours, by plane to Rhodes then onwards by boat. truehalki.com
Ammos, Skyros: It’s nearly half-way to Turkey, yet you can get here in less than half an hour and 50 euros, thanks to subsidized flights. Part-Cyclades, part-Sporades, Skyros wears its split personality comfortably, from the richly-forested, developed north to the scrubby south where rasta goats rule. Ammos Hotel, slotted between a Normandy-style beach and the dazzling hora spread across the hills above, is decorated in fittingly pale-sand hues, with huge balconies stretching towards the sea, and a superb breakfast spread (don’t miss the homemade carrot cake). At sunset, raise the cocktail flag at
Adonis Volanakis In “The Holy Bachelorette in the Wedding Cave”, Adonis Volanakis reshapes the tale of the tragic women and the myth of the faithful wife in his own unique way. Until July 31, Peiraios 260, Building A, greekfestival.gr
Kinsterna, Monemvasia: Tuscany in Greece. Steeped in history, this hushed old palazzo is surrounded by springs, nurturing acres of vineyards, olive groves and orchards that once fed all the inhabitants of Monemvasia. Past meets present in its thick-walled, narrow-windowed parapet rooms furnished with sleek appliances, and its courtyard restaurant where gourmet cuisine (many ingredients grown on the estate) is served around the ancient reservoir. It’s a long drive from Athens, but once you get here, there’s little need to stir further than room to pool to restaurant to pool again. kinsternahotel.gr
Astra, Kastania, Corinthia: A wonderful base to explore the delights of the northern Peloponnese, from wine-tasting in Nemea and bird-watching at Lake Stymphalia, to participating in July’s triathlon at the stunning Alpine-style Lake Doxa. Astra is a carefully and lovingly created boutique hotel, with cosy rooms, beltpopping meals, fine wines, and even a resident cat. astrahotel.gr
MUSIC Athens State Orchestra: Axion Esti To celebrate Mikis Theodorakis’s 90th birthday, one of the most emblematic works of poetry - by Odysseus Elytis. With Dimitris Platanias (baritone) and the Choirs of the Municipality of Athens. July 14, Herodes Atticus, greekfestival.gr
DANCE Antonis Foniadakis: Priority A Greek of the Diaspora presents for the first time at the Athens Festival a solo which he has choreographed and will be performing himself. He is returning to the stage in a mood for introspection. Until July 31, Peiraios 260, Building A, greekfestival.gr
CITY LIFE
The Athens Burger Crawl
It’s all about well-crafted burgers, signature house toppings and if you’re lucky a homemade ‘spitiki’ sauce! Christina Michele Rios embarks on an Athens burger crawl and finds the best burger in each neighbourhood, just in time for outdoor dining weather and barbecue season. Here are six flawless patties that burger-lovers the world over should sink their teeth into! 1. Nixon Bar, a sleek bar with a lively nighttime ambiance, jazz music humming through the speakers and its own cinema. Nixon’s décor is reminiscent of old New York circa the 1950’s. And then there is their burger; we recommend ‘the nixon’ with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, which comes with hand-cut fries, a side of sour cream and a small salad with a house-vinaigrette. Insider tip: head over for Sunday brunch and they will add an egg on top for 1 euro! Budget: 20 euro a person, drink included. Agisilaou 61, Kerameikos, 210.346.2077
2. Food Street, a street-food style tiny eatery that is a must-try on your next downtown outing, because sometimes the best things come in small packages! Try their cheeseburger with cheddar cheese, homemade tomato sauce and mayonnaise. Insider tip: Don’t commit a faux pas by asking for ketchup-they do not serve it! Order the hand-cut fries with yogurt mint sauce; you’ll thank us later. Budget: 10 euro a person, drink and fries included. Kalamioutou 14, Plateia Agias Eirinis, Monastiraki, 210.321.1003 3. Burger Joint, an authentic New-York style American menu with locally-sourced ingredients, Angus beef and an emphasis on premium quality. Order ‘the duke’ with fontina, brie, double bacon, onion rings and truffle mayo or ‘the hangover burger’ with cheddar, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, fried egg and spicy mayonnaise. Insider tip: Wash it down with an Oreo milkshake and make sure you try their ‘bj mayo’
The Athens Open Air Film Festival presents a film (1951) by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, libretto by Jules Barbier. A melancholy poet thinks about the three women he loved and lost in the past. July 13, Peiraios 260, Garden D, greekfestival.gr
Festival Bollywood and Multicultural Dance Festival
During these three days, many workshops will take place in combination with presentations, performances, lectures, Bollywood films, bazaars, the 2nd International Bollywood Dance Competition in Greece and lots of other activities. July 3-5, Technopolis, Pireus 100, bollywoodfestival.gr/en/ festival-timetable
TV THIS WEEK
CONTEST
The Brink
Athens Insider – Qatar Airways Contest
UPCOMING EVENTS VISUAL
Cinema The Tales of Hoffman
homemade sauce! Budget: 12 euro a person, milkshake included. Plateia Nimfon 1, Glyfada, 210.894.0260 4. Mpar-mpee-kiou, a casual burger-nook that almost always has a queue and for good reason! It’s all about stack ‘em high, larger than life multi-patty burgers here with a Greek twist. They have two pages of various hand-cut fries on their menu with different sauces, local-cheese and meat toppings. Put the ‘juicy lucy’ burger to the test, with a secret mix of cheeses, onions, tomato, lettuce and house sauce. Insider tip: Arrive early to avoid the queue! Budget: 12 euro a person, drink included. Freattidos 13, Peiraias, 210.451.8129 5. Kozi’s, a South African style grill with a cult following, renowned for their delectable grilled meat! The ‘kozi’s burger’ is a must-try; it’s a mozzarella-filled patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup and mayonnaise. Insider tip: Try the shambalala filet salad and boerewors South African sausages. Budget: 15 euro a person, drink included. Panagi Tsaldari 34, Melissia, 210.810.1584 6. Burger Times, the first American-style burger eatery to serve Angus beef in Athens is tucked away in a side street in the centre of Glyfada. Order up ‘the old western’ with homemade bbq sauce, mature cheddar and homemade onion strips. Insider tip: Burger Times has the best bbq sauce in Athens and is a must try. Budget: 10 euro a person, drink included. Konstantinoupoleos 14, Glyfada, 210.892.0959
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Magical Maldives Digital-Free Detox Of The Senses Whatever you do, definitely pack your camera – and leave behind your wi-fi obsessed world. There’s no point visiting this paradise if it is to stare at a screen or leaf through office files. This is an island country that actually matches its dream-like brochures with nature just beckoning you to give it all up and succumb to its embrace WA great choice for a romantic getaway, Maldives has a rich culinary tradition, some spectacular underwater life and just miles and miles of unending beaches. Jazzy Johannesburg A melting-pot of cultures With more than 3 million people calling this bustling metropolis home, Joburg or Jozi,
offers visitors an experience as vibrant and diverse as the city itself. Whether on leisure or business, for a dose of culture or on the lookout for adventure, Johannesburg has everything you’re looking for and more!
Bewitching Bali Between sunbeds and temple monkeys Bali is home to miles of sandy beaches, lush green, postcard-perfect rice terraces, towering active volcanoes over 3,000 meters, fast flowing rivers, deep ravines, pristine crater lakes, sacred caves, and lush tropical forests full of exotic wildlife. And with a rich cultural heritage to match – visit the island’s 20,000 temples and palaces or participate in its colourful festivals and traditions. And with a rich cultural heritage to match – visit the island’s 20,000 temples and palaces or participate in its colourful festivals and traditions. Sizzling Singapore Sleep will be the last thing on your mind Extend your trip if you’re going to be in Singapore for just a few days as there’s just so many places to see and things to do! For art aficionados, there are scores of galleries to visit, while history buffs can explore museums and heritage centres. Singapore boasts a colourful nightlife scene, a stunning rainforest bound to appeal to wild-life and nature lovers and sports enthusiasts can look forward to serious sporting action. And there are several theme parks for some good, wholesome family fun.
Top U.S. government and military scramble to prevent World War 3 from happening amidst the chaos of a geopolitical crisis. Sunday at 15:00 on Nova Cinema 1
Graceland
A rookie FBI agent is sent to a house for undercover agents in Southern California, where he is trained by a former legend FBI agent. Every Friday at 21:30 on Fox Watch FOX on OTE TV
CINEMA THIS WEEK
Amy
The story of British singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse in her own words, featuring unseen archival footage and unheard tracks. A documentary directed by Asif Kapadia.
A Little Chaos
A romantic drama following Sabine, a talented landscape designer, who is building a garden at Versailles for King Louis XIV. Sabine struggles with class barriers as she becomes romantically entangled with the court’s renowned landscape artist.