ATHENS
weekly
Weekly supplement by Insider Publications • www.insider-publications.com • No 104 • Friday, June 17, 2016 JULIUS CAESAR
SUMMER OF LOVE GIVEAWAY
BENAKI’S BEST CHINA
Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ like you’ve never seen it (complete with endoscopic camera!) in this Athens & Epidaurus 2016 high note, June 17-20, tickets €5-20,National Theatre of Greece, Events Hall, Agiou Konstantinou St 22-24, Tel: 210.528.8100, n-t.gr
Have an unforgettable Dinner for Two experience at Dinner in the Sky (valued at €120 per person) up for grabs for one lucky Insider. Just like us on www.facebook.com/InsiderPublications and win a 5-course dinner with wine while floating 50 metres above Athens. insider-publications.com
See 90 historical masterpieces of Chinese ceramic art testifying to the global impact of Chinese civilisation, from the historical collection of George Eumorfopoulos, until September 4, at Benaki, Koumbari 1 & Vas. Sofias, Tel: 210.367.1000. Tickets € 5, € 7, benaki.gr
CITY LIFE
choices (such as Garbi), if you don’t want to eat at the Divani’s poolside cafe. Opening Hours: 10.00-20.00. Entry Price: €35, €25 for children (weekdays), €50, €35 children (weekends) Includes entry to private beach. Kid-Friendly? Yes. The pool area is large enough not to feel like you’re intruding on others’ adults-only holiday. Where: Agiou Nikolaou 10, Vouliagmeni, Tel: 210.891.1100, www.divaniapollonhotel.com
Insider’s Guide: ATHENS’ BEST POOLS
Astir Palace – Westin
ASTIR PALACE – WESTIN Not surprisingly, the spectacular pool at the Riviera’s most famous resort, Astir Palace, does take some beating. The Westin’s enormous pool terrace is people-watching paradise - and probably the Athenian hotel where you’re most likely to see Hollywood types and shipping scions while away a discreet day-or-two poolside before jetting off to Mykonos. Mix it up between the Olympicsized sea-water pool, the adjoining manmade beach lagoon, or simply leap off the rocks into the sparkling Saronic Gulf below. Opening Hours: 10.00-20.00. Entry Price: €50, €25 for children (weekdays), €100 (The price includes a €50 meal at Kymata Restaurant until 18.00) , €50 for children (weekends). Kid-Friendly? Surprisingly yes, especially the shallow lagoon area. Astir also has a fantastic kids club. Where: Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni, Tel: 210.890.2000, www.astir-palace.com
From high-roller options to the more pocket-friendly (and even the free!), Amanda Dardanis scouts the best watering holes in Athens to help you make a splash this summer: Entry Price: €30, children €15 (week days), THE MARGI With its distinctive green and white striped €45, children €22.50 (weekends) awnings, The Margi has the air of the Kid-Friendly? Not terribly. Probably wise to iconic Beverly Hills Hotel; and its gorgeous leave them at home. compact pool area, is pure “Californica- Where: Litous 11, Vouliagmeni, tion”. Even more so now, after a ravishing Tel: 210.892.900, www.themargi.gr makeover. The Margi has created a slinky and sophisticated oasis in the heart of lush DIVANI APOLLON PALACE Vouliagmeni. There’s stylishly accessorised Can’t decide between salt water or chlorine divan loungers, floating olive trees, and pool? No problem at the Divani Apollon Palloads of lovely drapey canopies and shady ace where you have both dreamy options, nooks to retreat behind. A perfect spot for a side by side. Plus, your day ticket grants special “ladies day out”, like a baby shower, you access (via a private tunnel) to the hobirthday or pre-wedding celebration, with tel’s lovely private beach. The revamped ARION AT ASTIR PALACE great poolside dining and cocktail options. Kavouri seafront directly across the road If the Westin’s pool is Sofia Vergara on the also has some terrific waterfront dining Red Carpet, the small but perfectly formed Opening Hours: 9.00-19.00. watering hole next door at Arion is her serene, nature-loving little sister. Bookended by pine-trees, this blissful infinity pool looks out over Astir Beach and provides a true retreat for mind, body and soul. Opening Hours: 10.00-20.00. Entry Price: €50, €25 for children (weekdays), €100, €50 for children (weekends). Kid-Friendly? So-so. Being far more compact than the Westin’s pool, rowdy kids quickly become conspicuous. On the other hand, there’s a lovely adventure park, recently renovated, on the grounds to help them run off steam. The Margi
UPCOMING EVENTS
Festival Metamorphosis Preview the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) and its world-class park at this free 4-day multi-cultural festival of creativity and participation, June 23-26. Metamorphosis features more than 400 Greek and international artists, Athens Faliron Delta, snf.org
Greek summer
The irreplaceable, humble Greek salad
An ode to that most basic, quintessentially Greek of all summer pleasures: the Greek salad (or the horiatiki salata). A dish that combines the uniquely sundrenched flavours of its ingredients with eye-catching colour, texture, crunchiness and succulence. When the mercury soars, nothing can substitute the simple Greek salad. A terrific example of Greece’s elementary yet immensely satisfying sun-drenched seasonal cuisine, the Greek salad is a humble dish, rich in flavour that balances the palate as few salads do. The sheer lusciousness and primordial flavour of a ripened Greek tomato, kissed by the sun, is hard to beat. The perfect ally to the tomato is the crunchy cucumber which adds just a hint of freshness to the salad. Feta adds a salty, sharp edge, while oregano brings subtlety; finely sliced, crisp red onions enhance the salad with a sweet sharpness; olives, preferably from Kalamata, reveal a hint of astringency; green pepper rings impart a bitter crispiness; and the drizzle of olive oil just brings alive the distinct-yet-collective flavours together. A national culinary treasure, the Greek salad is a child of the Greek summer, a product of azure blue skies and a blazing sun, uncomplicated in its construction and unparalleled in its satisfaction.
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girls 5
After having a fight with her husband, Marnie runs into her old boyfriend Charlie and goes out on the town with him. Friday @ 23.45 on Foxlife.
outcast
Kyle begins to question his family history and attempted to right some wrongs on this week’s Outcast. Thursday @ 23.35 on Fox. Watch FOX and FoxLife on NOVA, OTE TV, Vodafone, CYTA
CINEMA THIS WEEK
Florence Foster Jenkins
The Conjuring 2
Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits. With Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe
Balux (Asteras Complex)
Well-Being Yoga in the park Get your yoga on at two free outdoor workshops, 7-9pm: June 26 (Kolonos Open Theatre, Ioanninon & Kapaneos Street), and July 3, (344th Open Sports Center, Kimeon & Dimofontos Street, Konistra-Ano Petralona). Hosted by YogaWorks certified teacher Sofianna Stasinou for all levels. Tel: 210.528.4875/6 or opanda.gr
TV THIS WEEK
The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice. With Rebecca Ferguson, Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant
travel
Music Imany in Athens Exotic French pop-soul singer Imany queen of the chilled summer anthem, including “You will never know” and “Do not be so Shy” - returns to Athens, June 29, in a seaside concert at Akrotiri, Vasileos Georgiou B5, Alimos, Tel: 210.985.9147-9, Tickets from €15-55.
Where: Apollonos 40, Astir Palace Com- and a Country Club atmosphere. Great plex, Vouliagmeni, Tel: 210.890.2000, salads and pizzas - but the pool does get www.arionresortathens.com extremely busy on weekends, so best get there early. BALUX (Asteras Complex) Opening Hours: 9am-8pm. Located right above the sand at the sprawl- Entry Price: Free! ing Balux Asteras Complex in Glyfada, this Kid-Friendly? Very. Anima regularly hosts pool gets our vote because you can alter- childrens’ birthday parties at both the pool nate easily between sea and pool - and and the adjoining Volta Fun Park. Lifeguard because of the very reasonable entry price on duty. which includes towels, super-comfy sun Where: Akinthou St, Anavissos, bed and umbrella, usage of steam bath, Tel: 229.105.4001, www.animaclub.gr locker rooms and free parking. We prefer the more chilled-out morning shift from ΑΧΙΛΛΕΙΟΝ RIBAS 10am – 2pm. After this, the pool fills up Tucked up in the arid rocks above Varkiza is with beautiful young bods; the beach bar this true insiders secret that not many peonext door starts pumping out summer an- ple seem to know about (so don’t tell too thems; and a clubby atmosphere prevails. many others!). You’d be forgiven for thinkOpening Hours: 9.30-18.00. ing the Achillion-Ribas multiplex is just a Entry Price: €8 (weekdays), €12 (week- nightclub or special-events venue, but this ends). multi-levelled venue also houses a fantasKid-Friendly? Not at all. In fact, children un- tic 50m pool with panoramic views of the der 13 are not allowed admittance. Saronic Gulf, a relaxed non-pretentious Where: Posidonos Ave 58, Asteras Glyfa- vibe, and very reasonable entry prices, da, Tel: 210.894.1620, www.asterascom- considering the location. plex.com Opening Hours: 10.00-sunset. Entry Price: €5, €3 for children (weekdays), €7, €3 for children (weekends). ANIMA CLUB – SARONIDA A marvelous swimming option secreted Kid-Friendly? Yes and no. Kids love swimaway in the rolling hills of Saronida that’s ming under the bridge and there’s a lifewell worth championing. Especially this guard on duty - but there’s no shallow end, year, as they are granting FREE entry to all so be sure to pack floaties for the wee – on condition that you buy a coffee, juice, ones. etc. You’ll feel a million miles from Athens Where: 30th km, Sounion Ave, Varkiza, in this attractive stone leisure complex Tel: 210.965.6150-1, www.ribas-riviera.gr that’s also equipped with scenic tennis For our extended insider’s guide to Athens Best courts, a cheery indoor recreation room, Pools, visit: www.insider-publications.com
Holiday Couture
One-size-fits-all holidays are so over. Stress-free bespoke experiences in authentic properties are where it’s all at these days. Olivier Fahrni and Danae Migliaressi, of White Seagulls, are at the forefront of the personalized holiday movement, offering exquisite hand-picked rental properties and tailoring their services to fit like a perfectly-cut designer suit to cherish forever. Olivier Fahrni discovered Greece in his early 40’s through the eyes of his life companion. Born and raised in Switzerland, to a French mother and Swiss father, his innate curiosity and love for travel made him embrace photography. After more than 20 years of working for large multinationals, Olivier has now embarked on a new chapter in his life – that of promoting Greece, hoping to inspire others to fall in love with the country, as he did. White Seagulls is a personalized service for holiday rentals. How do you, a Swiss photographer and your Greek partner combine your unique cultural insights into offering a tailor-made proposal for your clients? We try to capture the essence of every place we visit while acquiring new villas to offer our customers by listening to each other’s feelings about it. Our cultural differences do enrich our views on the places we advertise and it allows us to better communicate with our customers, to make them get a feel for the place. Also, between the two of us, we have the experience of being “owners” as well as of being “vacationers”, which, in our view, is important in a business such as ours.
Could you spell out the unique features you offer, say compared to other booking services such as airbnb? We offer custom-made proposals to our customers. We are not just another properties listing on the internet. Based on our customer’s requirements for their next vacation, we propose a choice of villas that match their needs and requirements. We also spend enough time with them to fine tune their request if our original proposal doesn’t match their needs, and also provide support in organizing their trip. The internet is a fantastic marketplace to find millions of things, but too much choice can be confusing. We offer something that
goes beyond a description of a property – personalized advice and suggestions. In our view, additional services not only adds value to our business, but will be a key contributor to the best vacation experience our customers deserve! We do also provide consulting to the owners of the properties in order for them to have their properties optimized, intelligently, for their future guests. How do you select your properties? What is a definite no-no for you? And what is the one common feature you insist on? We only select properties we do feel good about. We only propose a place that we’ve seen first and whose “soul we have felt”. I know it is somehow difficult to explain this as we are talking about feelings, but we want our customers to have the best experience during their stay and if we don’t feel good about a place, how could we recommend it? It could be a house with the coolest design and stylish furniture, but if it doesn’t have a soul, we won’t propose it. You also design holiday itineraries for vacationers hoping to give them a local flavor of the destination. How many destinations does White Seagulls cover? How do you manage the logistics and complexity of such an operation? We currently cover 11 different destinations across the south of Greece and the Cyclades. We have developed a network of contacts that is of great support when we need to find more local “tips and tricks”. And we also partner with the owners offering their properties. Who could offer better advice than the person who has spent his holidays at the destination the property is in? Visit whiteseagulls.com or email: info@whitseagulls.com