THE CITY MAGAZINE OF
May - June 2015 Year 14. Issue 121 €4.50 ISSN 1790-3114
ATHENS
Art and the City Art-Athina raises the ante / Athens Festival highlights / Tribute to Teresa Stratas / Ottoman Athens / Myrsini Margariti, the songstress Plus: Athens’ best wine bars / Life is a beach / A haven for well-being / Rhodes, an island of colossal charm / Review of Astir Palace’s restaurants / Glyfada Golf Gardens | May insider athens - June 2015 1 PLUS: ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD & WINE, NIGHTLIFE, SHOPPING, NOVELTIES, MAPS AND MORE
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Sudha Nair-Iliades
As we head to the printers, we’re back to where we thought we’d narrowly escaped from – another nightmarish, numbing scenario of going through the motions and not knowing what we’ll wake up to. As contracts are being revised to include drachma clauses, all that uncertainty and angst seems to have given way to artistic expression. Whether in street tags and cheeky graffiti, or through singularly powerful and thought-provocative works of art, plays, music, books, blogs, posts and columns, the creative scene in Greece has never been more dynamic, or more defiant. Showcasing some of that post-crisis talent, organisers of cultural events such as Art-Athina and the Athens Festival have fought hard to keep the creative content relevant, despite budget cuts and often at the risk of staying solvent.
publisher’s note It is to these warriors of the arts that this issue is dedicated to - for those struggling to have their voices heard and to those for providing them a platform to shout from. Come and visit us at Art-Athina and follow our recommendations for the Athens Festival. But if you’d rather find your artistic inspiration in nature, take in the spectacular beauty of the Vouliagmeni Lake or the eternal allure of the Astir peninsula. That is one thing, bankrupt or not, that neither politicians nor banks can take away from Greece – its rich beauty. Soak in it, let the sun caress your woes away and get carried away by the promise of Greek summer.
Kalo kalokairi!
Sudha Nair-Iliades
Publisher - Editor Sudha Nair - Iliades
Web Design Siteland
Art Director Michel Devanakis
Contributors in this Issue Sherri Moshman Paganos, Vanessa Wildenstein, Cordelia Madden-Kanellopoulou
Editorial Team Christina Michele Rios Muriel Noël Client Relations Sophia Velissaridis Web Content Royce Gavrias Photos Angelos Giotopoulos, Christos Kontsaloudis
Founder Steve Pantazopoulos Legal Counsel Christos Christopoulos Prepress and Printing Grafima Distribution Econews
Subscriptions * Athens Insider published in English in Greece € 30, Abroad € 60 *B onjour Athènes published in French in Greece € 20, Abroad € 40 * Both magazines in Greece € 50, Abroad € 90 Also published in Chinese, Russian, Turkish and Arabic Prices include VAT and postage. info@insider-magazine.gr www.insider-magazine.gr www.insider-publications.com Athens Insider is published monthly and its brand, logo and all editorial content is held worldwide by:
Insider Publications Ltd. located at Markou Botsari 16 A 117 41 Athens, Greece. Telephone: 210.729.8634 Fax: 210.729.8634. Tax: No. 099747145. Email: info@insider-magazine.gr Reproduction in whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, is forbidden except with the express written permission of the publisher. Although Athens Insider has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions it may contain. Athens Insider maintains a strict policy of editorial independence and preferential treatment is never guaranteed to advertisers.
Athens Insider: Monthly Publication ISSN 1790-3114 Code: 6548
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Sophia Velissaridis
Sophia grew up in Johannesburg and studied industrial psychology at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She later moved to Greece to pursue her interest in fashion and travel. She juggled her twin careers in both industries, specializing in incoming tourism from emerging markets such as India and China. With an innate sense of style and privy to Athens’ best kept insider secrets, Sophia is a welcome addition to the Insider Publications team.
French by origin and a long-time Greek resident, Muriel is a trained geographer whose love for the media veered her towards a career in publishing with French lifestyle magazine VSD and Maison Française, a design magazine. After a career that spanned several years, she moved to Athens, where she has been actively involved with the French community. Muriel splits her time between Paris and Athens and is the force behind Insider Publications’ French magazine, Bonjour Athenes, its French website and weekly newsletter.
Muriel Noël
Born to a French-Spanish father and American mother, Christina is passionate about learning about new cultures, the arts and fashion. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and worked for a number of luxury CHRISTINA fashion brands, before relocating to Athens in 2008. She hasn’t looked back since and has been culling the best MICHELE RIOS addresses to wine and dine in the city for Athens Insider and our weekly newsletter.
Dimosthenis Therianos was born and raised in Athens. He studied accounting at TEI Piraeus and continued with studies in Human Resources. Always criss-crossing the city on his motorbike to meet his clients, he makes the most of the opportunity to visit Athens’ trendiest neighbourhoods and to keep a lookout for new cool restaurants and bars in town.
Sherri Moshman Paganos
Leaving Manhattan in the mid-1980’s, Sherri Moshman Paganos came to Greece for a two year sojourn that turned into a 30-year career as an educator, as well as a non-fiction writer and poet. She loves the wonders of living here: food cooked with tradition and care, swimming in the clear sea, watching films and concerts under the stars, and taking walks into the past in vibrant Athens neighborhoods like Plaka and Thiseio.
Greek-German Phil Gatos and New Yorker Kalila Fahey, both studying international communications and media at the University of Utrecht, are currently interning with Insider. Avid travellers with a passion for photography, they have been exploring and gathering insights into new cultures.
Vanessa Wildenstein
Kalila Fahey & Philipp GATOS
Vanessa Wildenstein grew up in Manhattan where she attended a French school. She received her BA from Brown University and moved to Greece in 2004. She is an editor, proofreader and translator who also writes articles for publications. She recently published articles on contemporary art on the Artslant blog. In the past, she worked in an auction house and helped curate exhibitions. She has two young children, and loves traveling, classical singing and walking her dog.
Cordelia Madden-Kanellopoulou is a freelance journalist and editor. She is currently working with Attikes Ekdoseis and Communication Lab, and has written for publications ranging from the Athens News (where she was fashion editor and animal welfare correspondent for seven years) to Marie Claire Australia and the South China Morning Post. Between 2008 and 2010, she was editor of Athens Insider magazine. She wrote the lifestyle sections of the Time Out and Dorling Kindersley guides to Athens, and her own guidebook, Shopping in Athens, was published in 2004. She is a founding member of the charity www.ninelivesgreece.com helping street cats in Athens, where she lives with her husband, four cats and dog.
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Dimosthenis Therianos
CORDELIA MADDENKANELLOPOULOU
06 14 16
Features Art Mart 6 A quick round-up of Art-Athina, now in its 20th year Leading the Change 12 Interview with Gianni Riatsch, GM of the Athens Ledra Hotel on reinventing the hotel’s identity. Tribute to a Legend 14 Insider traces the remarkable life and career of Greek-Canadian opera singer Teresa Stratas. Athens’ Annual Summer Fest 16 Athens’ yearly cultural rendez-vous Four Must-Reads 22 Discover the landscapes that have shaped its people through a series of books on Greece. The Songstress 24 Myrsini Margariti, one of Greece’s top sopranos talks to Vanessa Wildenstein about her thoughts on the future of music in Greece. Ottoman Athens 26 Sherri Moshman Paganos explores life in Ottoman Athens, the subject of two exhibits currently on in the city, one at the Gennadius library and the other at the Benaki Museum.
Sections Arts & Events
04
Fast Lane
08
Business
12
Books
22
Music
24
Culture
26
Fave Five
28
Gastronomy
34
Travel
30
Restaurants
34
Life is a Beach 38 The Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni combines its beautiful setting with world-class water-sports facilities!
City Escapes
38
Wellness
42
A Haven for Well-Being 42 A natural retreat, the Vouliagmeni Lake offers an authentic wellness experience like no other
Kaleidoscope
64
The Grape and the Good 28 Cordelia Madden-Kanellopoulou picks her favourite spots to quaff this country’s worthiest wines. A Colossus of an Island 30 Rhodes, steeped in centuries of prosperity and multi-culturalism boasts world heritage monuments and unique natural sites A Gastronomic destination 34 Savour four distinct culinary experiences at the Astir Palace Resort Glyfada Golf Gardens, a venue for all occasions 36 A sprawling green space, Glyfada Golf Gardens is a venue that has timeless allure.
Sun-kissed not sun-burnt 44 Repair your skin and hair from excessive exposure to the sun with Valmont.
26 30 36 38 42 Cover illustrations: by Michel Devanakis
Find us on:
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04 07 27 until
june
june
Faliron Pavilion Art Athina Art-Athina is back with its 20th edition! A meeting point for international artistic creation, Art-Athina brings together significant Greek and foreign art galleries, cultural institutions, curators, collectors, art critics and art lovers. Art-Athina stands today as one of the longest lasting contemporary art fairs in Europe and as the largest annual visual arts event in Greece. Moraitini 2, Palaio Faliro, 210.922.1254, art-athina.gr
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june
N. Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Gallery
28
until
june
30
until
june
Diplareios School
Gennadius Library
Strange Cities: Athens
Ottoman Athens, 1458-1833
An exhibition comprised of visual artists from around the world and their images of Athens as they ‘imagine’ it would be. Containing a recipe, a scent, a poem, a book and recordings of the sounds and music of the city—the show seeks to arouse the curiosity and activate the imagination of artists and visitors alike. Theatrou Sq 3, sgt.gr
An exhibition showcasing Ottoman period collections through exploring several themes of everyday life of the inhabitants of Ottoman Athens and the interest of the visitors in the antiquities of the land. It also highlights the significance of Athenian Agora excavations and the relationship of people of the early modern period. Souidias 61, 213.000.2400, ascsa.edu.gr
Wolf Suschitzky: Greece in the 60’s Photographer Wolf Suschitzky has captured nostalgic and romantic black and white imagery of Greece in the 1960’s, of traditions and occupations, shortly before the country was inevitably altered. Therefore, his photographs are not only a record but also a nostalgic impression of forsaken Greece. Kriezotou 3, 210.361.5702, benaki.gr
On the town For location details see listings p.61
30 june
11
until
july
2719 03 26 june
july
june
july
Technopolis
State of Concept
Athens University Museum
Benaki Museum
Beth Hart The Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter is globally recognized as one of the greatest singers of our time. For 20 years, she has captivated audiences with her live appearances, incredible strength, range of voice, and artistic capabilities. Beth Hart will make a live appearance on June 30 at Technopolis in Gazi. Pireos 100, 210.347.5518, technopolis-athens.com
Margarita Bofiliou: Everything’s wrong, Xerxes The title of the show derives from a vague memory from a discussion the artist had with a friend; the phrase «everything’s wrong Xerxes”, derived from the classic Greek tragedy “Perseus” by Aeschylus, stayed with Margarita Bofiliou. The works featured in the exhibition are an exploration of symbols in contemporary culture. Tousa Botsari 19, 213.031.8576, stateofconcept.org
Socrates Now A theatrical production featuring Socrates on trial in ancient Athens under the threat of a death sentence. Watch as the philosopher faces his accusers and evaluates arguments on virtue, justice, politics, civic duties, love for life and hope for the afterlife as you are encouraged to assess and draw your own conclusions. At the end of the show, take the opportunity to discuss your own personal verdict with the actor. In English with Greek subtitles. Tholou 5, 210.363.2764, ellinikotheatro.org
Athens Photo Festival 2015: Reframing Memory The most important festival dedicated to photography in Southeastern Europe and a premier cultural event in Athens, the 2015 edition’s theme under the title “Reframing Memory” explores how photographers and artists today represent history, defining the social changes they undergo, bringing together a wide range of international artistic positions. Pireos 138, 210.345.3111, benaki.gr
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Art
Art-Athina raises the ante In addition to being able to see and buy art by leading Greek artists and up-and-coming talent from the world over, Art-Athina features a unique, critically acclaimed programme of debates, panel discussions, platforms and parallel events to keep the dialogue on contemporary art alive and kicking. Here are a few of the highlights you can expect at this year’s Art-Athina.
Tribute to Dakis Ioannou
Art-Athina Contemporaries: 2015-1976 Curator: Christoforos Marinos The theme of the exhibition Art-Athina Contemporaries arose through the selection of artworks and the parallel reading of certain texts. The exhibition proposes a succession of images which, seen as a whole, chart a narrative journey from darkness to light, from representation to abstraction, from now to the past, from west to east, from political to personal, from unconscious to conscious, from deed to thought, from labour to sun, from earth to the sky.
Art-Athina honours one of the world’s most prolific collectors, Dakis Joannou, who has amassed one of the most important collections of postwar and contemporary artists. Through DESTE, Joannou frequently mounts exhibits, and gives out awards to support emerging artists. Since its inception, DESTE, the Greek word for ‘look,’ has been an international organizer of contemporary art exhibitions and a global supporter of arts-based projects and publications. Today, DESTE supports the biennial DESTE prize, which awards young Greek contemporary artists, and stages a yearly exhibition/event at the DESTE project space, The Slaughterhouse, on the island of Hydra. There are also annual museum-quality exhibitions staged at DESTE Foundation’s headquarters in Neo Ionia, an unpretentious, industrial neighbourhood in the northern suburbs. The DESTE Foundation’s presence at the 20th edition of Art-Athina with Nikos Navridis’ installation Breath, is part of the foundation’s effort to present important works by Greek and international artists to a broader public and to promote radical developments in contemporary art practice.
Platforms Project
THE WALLS OF ATHENS AND THEIR DESTINY
Director: Artemis Potamianou The Platforms Project @ Art Athina was started in 2013 with the aim of charting the artistic actions produced by collective initiatives of artists who decide to join forces in seeking solutions to art matters through what is known as platforms. The 2015 Platforms Project @ Art-Athina is to present 48 important platforms / art group actions from 15 countries with over 700 artists, making up a programme that attempts to offer viewers an insider’s look into visual creation, into the aspect of chemistry and collaboration in artistic practice, without focusing on sales.
Curator: Manos Stefanidis Art-Athina returns this year with a tribute to the graffiti painters of Athens, their “tags” but also their large narrative composition, paying homage to an art that is anonymous but not without its specific practitioners; disputed but not outside history. The impressive project, presented at Art-Athina 2015, has the signature of Manolis Anastasakos, Vasilis Griparis (Billy Gee) and Alex Martinez. June 4 to June 7, TaeKwonDo Stadium, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.884.0600. Full price: €7, Discounted price: €5 Thursday: 20:30 to 23:00, Friday: 15:00 to 21:00, Saturday: 12:00 to 21:00, Sunday: 12:00 to 21:00.
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Let your feet do the talking!
Robbie Williams gets ready to entertain you Robbie Williams, the one-time bad boy of pop, and possibly future 007 comes to Athens to do what he does best – entertain. While he has sobered up and is a responsible dad, he still gets his biggest highs performing at sold-out concerts. “The people in the front rows are the ones that have been there the longest, so they give me the most energy and my performance is always about being allowed to be grandiose, big, and rock and roll.” Robbie Williams will be performing at Terravibe as part of his Let Me Entertain You tour which he describes as a “communion with the audience.” For ticket info, check tickethouse.gr. On June 20 at Terra Vibe Park, 370th km Athens-Lamia National Highway.rockwavefestival.gr
Ancient Greek Sandals launch a limited edition seven-piece collection in collaboration with iconic jewellery brand, Ilias Lalaounis decorated with signature Lalaounis motifs. A world renowned brand that creates luxurious jewellery steeped in history, synonymous with elegance and glamour, its brand champions over the years have included style sirens such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Elisabeth Taylor, Barbra Streisand and more recently, actress Charlize Theron. Christina Martini, creative director of Ancient Greek Sandals, worked closely with Maria Lalaounis, creative director of Ilias Lalaounis, to create the exclusive collection. Gold plated jewellery motifs in 24k gold from the ‘Minoan & Mycenaean’ and ‘Paleolithic & Neolithic’ collections have been re-worked to complement a range of clean and chic sandal designs. Named after Greek island locations, the sevenpiece collection is available in natural, chocolate brown, light grey, black and white vacchetta leather. Prices range between 200 and 350 euros. The collection is available at ancientgreeksandals.com and at select stores in Greece and abroad
Gelato passion! Chef Dimitris Alertas and his pastry team at the NJV Athens Plaza create low-fat fruit sorbets and exotic ice-cream flavours to beat the heat. For local Greek flavours, try the kaimaki ice-cream but if you’d rather let your taste-buds transport you to tropical havens far, far away, go for the tangy lemon, passion fruit and mango sorbets at the Plaza Lounge and the renovated Parliament restaurant!
Putting Socrates on trial! Witness history’s most famous tribunal as Socrates goes on trial for his life, beneath the Acropolis! Characterized as ‘restless, humorous, brilliant and fascinating’, Socrates Now is a celebrated theatrical experience, starring Emmy award winner Yannis Simonides. In English from June 27 to July 19 at 9pm at the courtyard of Athens University Museum, 5 Tholou St, Plaka. ellinikotheatro.org
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Shoot your hoops For the third year in a row, the Westin Resort at Costa Navarino organizes a Basketball Camp from June 27 to July 1. Addressed to kids from 7 to 17 years of age, the 2015 Basketball Camp “Papaloukas & Friends” offers the unique opportunity to join the internationally renowned basketball player Theo Papaloukas, and acclaimed international players and coaches, at the FIBA standards indoor basketball arena at the resort to learn new basketball techniques. Adults can join in the fun too at the Fantasy Basketball Camp! The Basketball Camp package offers 3 or 4 overnights, with breakfast, participation in Basketball Camp (lessons, training, practice, snack break, t-shirt), free access to WestinWORKOUT: indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, fully equipped gym, Pilates, Yoga, aquarobics, stretching sessions. For more information visit, westincostanavarino.com and for bookings please contact +30 27230 97000 or reservations.navarino@westin.com.
Greek tragedy in English Euripides’ masterpiece in a new and phenomenal production by Spyros Evaggelatos maintains the integrity of the classic theatrical format in 21st century theatre. Electra constitutes a profound study of the notions of revenge, guilt, repentance and justice. The awardwinning Marina Aslanoglou brings the title character Electra to life with her unbridled passion for the role. Alongside her are the legendary Reni Pittaki and Yiannis Voglis in the company of other renowned actors. With subtitles in English, French and several other foreign languages, from June 12 until September 26 at the Badminton Theatre. badmintontheater.gr
Gaitis’ audacious anthropakia The Radisson Blu Hotel has long embraced the arts and its lobby will now be adorned with the iconic works of one of Greece’s most prolific artists, Yiannis Gaitis, whose geometric forms and male figurine, became the recurrent motif in his subsequent work. In most of Gaitis’s paintings, multiples of his standardized male figure suggest an anonymous crowd, mechanized and socially controlled. Gaitis’s expressionless male figurine has become a symbol, not only of the artist’s work but of the crushing power of standardization over individuality. Belonging to a generation of artists such as Nikos Kessanlis, Stathis Logothetis, Vlassis Caniaris, Pavlos and Costas Tsoclis - who pioneered postwar modernism in Greece, Gaitis’ politically charged works form part of the exhibition at Hotel Radisson Blu from June 10 to July 24, aptly titled “The irreconciliable dandy.” radissonblu.com
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A cinematic story of war and peace around an orange grove! Tangerines, a film by Zaza Urushadze, set in 1992, is a brilliant narrative on war and peace. Set during the growing conflict between Georgia and Abkhazian separatists in the wake of the Soviet Union’s dissolution, this compassionate tale focuses on two Estonian immigrant farmers who decide to remain in Georgia long enough to harvest their tangerine crop. When the war comes to their doorsteps, Ivo (played by legendary Estonian actor Lembit Ulfsak) takes in two wounded soldiers from opposite sides. The fighters vow to kill each other when they recover, but their extended period of recovery has a humanizing effect that might transcend ethnic divides. Set against a beautiful landscape defiled by war, this poetic film makes an eloquent statement for peace. Promoted by Neo Films, the film hits screens on May 28.
GET READY TO TEE OFF Keep your sense of humour If everything else fails, you can keep your sense of humour and still survive, or at least die laughing.
Bet only what you can afford to lose Never bet on your golf game what you can’t afford to lose. One idea is to bet everything in your pocket except for $10, and that is for the petrol home.
Keep the ball low in the wind Keep the ball as low as you can, and you can manage your game much more efficiently. You probably won’t lose as many golf balls, either.
Take some golf lessons If you really want to have fun playing this game, start off with a few lessons to get you on the right track. It’s amazing what you can do with a clear concept in your mind of how to make a golf swing.
Do not give lessons to your spouse Giving golf lessons to your spouse can be a federal offence. Don’t do it! Doing so can only lead to disaster. Invest some money in lessons. Get good instruction and reap the benefits (peace of mind).
Vantage Point For spectacular views of the Acropolis and signature cocktails, Point A at the Hotel Herodion offers the perfect perch to admire Athens from above. Here is a terrace done up in exquisitely good taste that combines high aesthetics (check out their ongoing exhibitions), astute mixology skills, delectable nibbles and meals in a setting that is unbeatable. Open until the end of September, take advantage of the good weather to make the most of what Point A has to offer. herodion.gr
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Always tee it up at the tee boxes Whenever it’s legal (in the teeing area), tee the ball up. This game is more fun when the ball’s in the air.
Never blame yourself for a bad shot Give yourself a break. This game is hard enough without blaming everything on yourself. Find creative ways to blame something else, like the magnetic force field from alien spacecraft. Let your mind go and see how crazy your excuses can be. Save your sanity! Golf tips brought to you by Glyfada Golf Gardens.
A Golden Odyssey Zolotas celebrates 120 years of excellence with a unique exhibition entitled Greek Jewellery Heritage that will run from June 1 to September 20, tracing the House’s unique path in the history of jewellery. The exhibition showcases the House’s creations which are inextricably linked with Ancient Greece and Greek cultural heritage. Zolotas’ hand-crafted designs have constituted a turning point in Greek haute joallerie and its eternal appeal lies in its philosophy of seamlessly combining contemporary designs with ancient motifs. At Panepistimiou 10. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 11 am to 4pm and every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11am to 7pm. For private tours, contact: 210 36 01 272, email: panepistimiou@zolotas.gr
More reasons to fly Qatar Airways announces the launch of an additional daily service starting June 1 to Athens, bringing the number of weekly flights to the city from 14 to 21 flights per week. The increase was in response to the continuous rise in passenger demand with an increase in the frequency of weekly flights to 10 of its most popular destinations throughout the Middle East and Europe. Qatar Airways, which currently flies to 146 destinations around the globe, will implement the frequency increases over the next few months for a mix of business and leisure destinations. qatarairways.com/gr
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Hospitality
Since 2014, the Athens Ledra Hotel has had to reinvent itself as a new entity. Gianni Riatsch, a seasoned hotelier, who took over as the General Manager, knew that the transition would be gruelling because so much was on the line - not just the money but also the hotel’s reputation. But as so much of post-crisis resilience has shown us, change is sometimes a catalyst for learning from the past and building on ones core strengths. Gianni Riatsch in conversation with Sudha Nair-Iliades.
W
hat were among the first changes you implemented on taking over? One of the first things I wanted to come through – both for our staff and guests - was that the Athens Ledra Hotel was not just a hotel for foreigners. It had to integrate the city into the hotel and engage with the local community. So our guests are now greeted with a Kalimera as they walk in through the door, our breakfast restaurant Zefyros stocks local Greek products and our Panorama pool restaurant is open to Athenians throughout the summer. The idea was to generate pride in being Greek and for the hotel to acquire a Greek touch. And then we improved on some of the physical aspects – the lobby has creative floral decorations, the terrace at the lobby level has now been converted into a covered patio, with a cascading waterfall; we made the hotel greener and our rooftop pool has cosy sofas done up in muted shades to give it a ‘homely’ rather than impersonal, hotel look. This small investment seems to have paid off as our guests have noticed the change and embraced it. How challenging was it to move on after being yoked to an international brand for three decades? The hotel was run with a different philosophy. Running a hotel of this size (314 rooms) takes social skills, business sense, and an artist’s eye for detail – so we’re trying to make a change and promote it more efficiently. We recently hosted a cocktail dinner reception for our 30year old Polynesian restaurant Ledra Kai’s loyal clientele who have been coming here religiously over the years. We’re trying to build on our lasting relationships, promote our strong features and attract more international customers to our banquet rooms. But to do so with a personalized, human touch. Describe a typical day at work. I come in to the hotel around 8-8.30am (sometimes, I drop in at 7). I take a full tour of the hotel before settling behind my desk. We have a morning briefing at around 9.30 to review the day’s activities and then I try to meet a few of our VIP guests on arrival and some of our
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key customers in the banquet area. My key staff have realized that I expect them to be seen around the hotel, not behind their desks. That’s how you manage damage control – by being on the ground. You have lived in several countries at last count. How has your globe-trotting career informed your management style? I have lived and worked extensively in the Americas, the Carribean, all the major capitals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. And I have run three hotels in Greece. When I first came to Greece around 29 years ago, Athens was behind most European capitals by at least 20 years. Now I’d say, we’re on par. So Athens has come a long way. Travel informs your choices and your world view and in your expectations as a hotelier. How would you describe yourself as a manager? My management style is geared towards listening to the customer. Among some of the things I insist on is to ask guests if they enjoyed their stay at the check-out counter. If there is a complaint, a manager needs to come down and meet the guest. The guest is going to check out anyway but it’s important they know that you’ve listened and that they leave with pleasant memories. I’d describe myself as a democrat with limits, though I’m told that sometimes I am perceived to be like a dictator! I listen to opinions but the final decision is mine – and I do harp on two things – on details and on following-up! I’m also notorious for my spot-checks. At the end of the day, I tell my staff, if you can’t do a perfect job, at least try and do a good one! i
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Culture Insider traces the remarkable life and career of Greek-Canadian opera singer Teresa Stratas as the Greek National Opera shines a spotlight on the indisputably legendary diva, whose singular artistry and persona have given her a sense of mystery and allure. In 1995, Stratas made Met history by performing both lead soprano roles in an opening-night double bill, singing Nedda in Pagliacci opposite Luciano Pavarotti and then Magda in Il Tabarro opposite Placido Domingo. Her professional pinnacle, however, might have come in February 1979 at the Paris Opera, where Stratas sang the title role in the first full-length performance of Alban Berg’s Lulu, an event The New York Times called “perhaps the most important and glamourous operatic premiere since the Second World War.”
Tribute to an operatic legend and rare human being
O
ne of the finest operatic singers of the century, the waif-like Teresa Stratas remains, at 78, a refreshing bundle of paradoxes. Described as a Garboesque reclusive diva, Stratas has striven to shun everything the word implies, by consistently defying convention and showing a rare generosity of spirit for someone as successful. Born Anastasia Stratakis to Cretan immigrant parents in Toronto’s workingclass Cabbagetown district on May 28, 1938, Stratas was described by Juilliard School president Joseph Polisi as someone who, ‘set the standard for operatic dramatic interpretation in the late 20th century’. Her Dickensian youth seems to have informed her career and lifechoices with Stratas first performing for an audience at the restaurant run by her parents, literally singing for her supper! She began formal voice training at age 12 and her exquisite lyric soprano earned her a three-year scholarship to Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music, where she studied under the legendary Irene Jessner. The little girl who got her start at neighborhood Greek folk-song festivals went on to play Puccini’s Mimi at Covent Garden. Over the course of her thirty-six year career at the Metropolitan Opera, she performed at opera houses around the world, including the Bolshoi, Vienna State, Berlin, Bavarian State (Munich), Paris and San Francisco Operas as well as the Salzburg Festival and appeared in 385 performances of 41 different roles, including Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Cherubino and Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Liù in Turandot, Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly, Micaëla in Carmen, Marguerite in Faust, Desdemona in Otello, the title roles of Salome and Lulu.
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Stratas was often singled out by critics and beloved by composers for the breadth of her emotional range. Kurt Weill’s widow, Lotte Lenya, once declared that she “sings Weill like he wrote it for her,” and trusted her with an unpublished collection of Weill’s songs. Stratas’s recording was subsequently named ‘record of the decade’ by Time magazine. Paul Gruber, Executive Director for Program Development of The Metropolitan Opera Guild who directed ‘Met Legends: Teresa Stratas’ observed that “in addition to having a unique and very beautiful voice, she worked with enormous theatrical instinct and acting ability.” Known for her indefatigable zest for both the joys and complications of living, her four-decade body of work can best be described as unconventional genius. In one of her rare interviews, she confessed, “My job, what I do, is to inform on the human condition. I strive to erase myself as I perform. I feel most myself when I am least myself.”
“To each role she accepted, she brought not only her formidable vocal talent, but an extraordinary ability to inhabit a character” That impulse to submerge herself in other people’s lives explains why, at various points in her career, Stratas has frustrated fans and critics by dropping out of sight dashing off to India in the ‘80s to assist Mother Teresa and tending to Romanian orphans dying of AIDS in the 1990s. The Greek National Opera (GNO) pays tribute to this legendary Greek-Canadian opera singer and extraordinary humanist on her birthday, May 28 at the Olympia in Athens, highlighting her distinguished record of achievement in opera. Alexia Voulgaridou and Myrto Papatanasiu, feature at the GNO’s tribute, singing arias that bear the stamp of Stratas. In the framework of the first joint performance between the GNO and the Canadian Opera Company, the Canadian tenor Andrew Haji also appears with them. “Teresa Stratas’ stellar career highlights the significant contribution of Greek-Canadians to Canada’s cultural life. Ms. Stratas’ talent as one of the greatest sopranos and singing actresses of all time, her caring for the desperately ill and humanity honour both Greece and Canada. I thank the Greek National Opera for its decision to celebrate her impressive achievements on the world stage, and to celebrate her Greek heritage,” said Ambassador Robert Peck of Canada. i
a luxury design hotel the Anemi Group’s new venture
AthensWas Hotel, Dionysiou Areopagitou 5, 210.924.99.54, athenswas.gr insider athens | May - June 2015 15
Athens Festival
The Athens Festival, yet again, boasts a spectacular programme of music, theatre, dance and visual arts and juxtaposes high-profile productions with emerging and experimental works. Insider rounds up this summers’ performances and exhibitions that run from June 1 to August 31 and picks up the must-sees in the different categories.
For the full program, check greekfestival.gr and insider-publications.com
June 3-4 Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Sylvie Guillem: Life in Progress
DANCE June 2-4 Peiraios 260, Building D
Compagnie Maguy Marin: BiT During her thirty years as a choreographer Maguy Marin has never stopped questioning the “aesthetically correct” and exploring the potential of the human body to narrate life. Nor has she ceased to intrigue her audiences, enchanting them at times, unsettling them at others. She returns to the Athens Festival for a fifth time with BiT (2014), immersing us in a rhythmic world that electrifies the senses, as three men and three women, pulsating to the sound of drums and electronic music, fashion tenebrous images of great visual impact that bring to mind the paintings of Goya and Bosch.
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The fact that a dancer such as Sylvie Guillem – who has been illuminating the dance scene for the past 39 years, embodying perfection and eliminating the dividing line between classical and modern dance – is preparing to take her last bow is certainly newsworthy. How easy is it for a legend to leave the stage at its apex? Unique, solitary and unpredictable as always, Sylvie Guillem sets out to prove, through her farewell performance, Life in Progress, that she will not give in to her fears and that she does not care for mediocrity, which is why she will stop dancing at precisely the right moment. A true symbol of transcendence, power and ethos. For her last tour, she has chosen to take a bow before a Greek audience that has always loved her, as part of the Athens Festival and in a programme which includes choreographies by Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Akram Khan and Russell Maliphant.
Sylvie Guillem: Life in Progress
June 13-14 Peiraios 260, Building D
Catherine Diverres: Penthesileas... The artistically uncompromising Catherine Diverrès is appearing for a second time at the Athens Festival. Her latest work, Penthesileas…, is based, as the title clearly suggests, on Heinrich von Kleist’s Penthesilea and is strongly marked by a dance theatre element. Starting out from the myth of the Amazons, the choreographer attempts a historical review of the female identity. Nine dancers on stage embody roles which transcend the stereotypical manwoman binary and overturn social codes and conventions, posing the intractable question: “How can we consolidate peace without first having fought for it?”
July 7-8 Peiraios 260, Building E
Double Bill: Young Greek Choreographers Angeliki Trombouki - Michael Heupel: 1blank2 Conceived and performed by Angeliki Trombouki (dance), Michael Heubel (cello)
Agni Papadeli-Rossetou: Blossom Choreographed and performed by Agni Papadeli-Rossetou Stage costume designed by Andreas Ragnar Kassapis and Iro Vagioti Both women are graduates of the National School of Dance, representatives of the younger generation of Greek dancers and choreographers. They are making their first appearance at the Athens Festival in an evening of dance with small-format pieces. Angeliki Trombouki “converses” with Michael Heupel, one of the leading young Greek cellists, in an exploration of the relationship between movement and music that leaves open all possibilities – “the body is like an empty vessel, the music strikingly new.” In the solo she choreographed and dances, Agni Papadeli-Rossetou proceeds through a series of poetic transformations with the aid of the spatial costume that surrounds her.
Catherine Diverres: Penthesileas...
June 29-30 Peiraios 260, Building E
July 27-29
Griffon Dance co. - Ioanna Portolou: Forest & Taboo
Peiraios 260, Building E
Ioanna Portolou, who began choreographing for her dance company in 2000 using a distinctive dance theatre language, is presenting her work at the Athens Festival for the first time. Her work with the duet coincides with her shift to a style which focuses on the relationship between the two bodies (man – woman), hanging on to the substantial and setting aside anything unnecessary. At the same time, she puts her trust in the chemistry between the two dancers (Cecil Mikroutsikou and Giannis Nikolaidis), allowing freedom of movement and avoiding mannerisms.
A Greek of the Diaspora with a notable international career, initially as a dancer and as of 2002 as an independent choreographer, Antonis Foniadakis 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, experimentation, but mostly reflection, wishing, through his solo, to sketch a self-portrait. For though his language has several different origins, it seems now to be on a quest for its own private hinterland, like a river seeking its bed.
Antonis Foniadakis: Priority
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Athens Festival
Athens State Orchestra
Compagnie Maguy Marin
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
MUSIC
Adam Cohen in Concert: We Go Home
June 14-18
Adam Cohen, son of the legendary Leonard Cohen, recorded his last album, “We Go Home” (September 2014), at the old mansion his father purchased in Hydra in the 60s. He didn’t choose that location by chance, as this is a very intimate set of songs that hark back to memories of childhood. “This album reflects conversations I’ve had with my father and ones I’d like to have with my son,” Cohen stated in a recent interview. The Hydra of his childhood days seems like the most “beloved” of his many homes, which is why the idyllic island will be the focal point of many of the songs that will be performed at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The set list will include compositions from all four of the Canadian songwriter’s albums, as well as some of his father’s most famous songs.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Greek National Opera: Tosca by Giacomo Puccini One of the most successful performances of the Greek National Opera, and one of opera’s most popular thrillers, Puccini’s Tosca, which was performed at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in 2012, directed by Hugo De Ana, will return to kick off this year’s Athens Festival proceedings at the Roman Odeon. One of the world’s most popular operas and a representative example of Verism, this is a grand production of Tosca, with a remarkable stage design and costumes also by De Ana, and featuring world-renowned soloists. The orchestra of the Greek National Opera will be conducted by Loukas Karytinos.
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Adam Cohen
June 29 July 9 Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Stamatis Kraounakis - Lina Nikolakopoulou: Avanti Dario Stamatis Kraounakis and Lina Nikolakopoulou are inspired by the life and times of the legendary Dario Fo, to stage a Mediterranean celebration for two evenings below the Acropolis. Under the sign of liberty and irony, of song and satire, they draw inspiration from his quote: “A laugh in the right place can be enough to bury them all.” Music, song, satire and beautiful actors. They play, sing and dance in the spirit of the tireless man of theatre, the leftist political activist, the fearless jester, who accepted the Nobel Prize with a smile that stretched to his ears. The performance is being prepared in collaboration with the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation.
Baxter Theatre Center: Mies Julie
THEATRE July 14
June 11-13
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Peiraios 260, Building H
Athens State Orchestra: Axion Esti, by Mikis Theodorakis
Baxter Theatre Center: Mies Julie
The Athens State Orchestra and the Greek Festival are participating in the celebrations of Mikis Theodorakis’s 90th birthday (he was born on July 29, 1925) by presenting a concert performance of Axion Esti, one of the most emblematic works of poetry – by Odysseus Elytis, in this case – ever set to music and one of the great works of Greek musical heritage. Performing with the Athens State Orchestra as soloists are Dimitris Platanias (baritone) and the Choirs of the Municipality of Athens and the University of Athens. Stefanos Tsialis will conduct.
For the first time, the Athens Festival presents to the Greek audience an exceptional South African theatre company in an exceedingly interesting performance. August Strindberg’s controversial play (1888), which caused a scandal when it was first staged, focuses on the ferocious struggle between two social classes, two genders and two dispositions. With the brutality of the slave and the cold heart of the overlord. Through what experiences and thoughts, images and emotions will this cast, made up of one white and two black actors, be able to interpret the “brutality of the slave” and the devastation of the Count’s daughter?
June 2-11 Nea Skini
Haris Frangoulis: Arden must die Sixteenth-century domestic tragedy is brought to life in one of its earliest surviving (albeit anonymous) texts. Attributed at times to Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Kyd, the work provides the material for Haris Frangoulis’ fourth directorial venture. Based on a true story— the murder of Thomas Arden by his wife and her lover—the play takes on the character of a masterfully plotted thriller. The crime highlights issues of religion, power, violence and passion, centering on a man of power who dies along with his turbulent times.
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Schaubühne Berlin - kleine_fuechse- Photo Arno Declair
Athens Festival
June 19-21 Peiraios 260, Building D
Schaubühne Berlin - Thomas Ostermeier: Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman The well-known play by the American writer and social activist, who went down in history for her brave stance before the House Un-American Activities Committee, when she refused to turn in her communist friends, uses the scheming of a ruthless opportunist, the sly “little fox” Regina Giddens (who, in the eyes of the public, was identified with Betty Davis who played her in the film version), to focus on the avarice of a decadent society which equates happiness with money. Distinguishing with great sensibility the analogy between the world of the text and contemporary social reality, the German director shifts the action from the American South of the early 20th century to the here and now. The realistic directorial scalpel cuts through the surface in order to reveal, via the superb acting of the cast, the internal life of the characters and the impact of financial competition on human behaviour.
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VISUAL June 1 - July 31 June 22-24 Peiraios 260, Building H
Young Jean Lee’s Theatre Company: Straight White Men A central figure of New York’s theatre scene, Young Jean Lee is coming to Greece for the first time, as a guest of the Athens Festival. The Korean-born playwright and director’s work deals with the issue of identity in all its forms (national, social and sexual), casting into doubt the dominant values of contemporary neo-liberal societies. What happens when at some point we lose our greatest privilege, that is to say, when we forget we are privileged? This unexpected question lies at the outset of Straight White Men, which focuses on the male model of Western societies: the white, straight man. Like a distant echo of Arthur Miller’s The Death of a Salesman, which featured the conflicts of a white middle-class family in post-war America, Young Jean Lee’s play puts on the stage a similarly typical, modern American family: a father and three sons in a purposely conventional setting, complete with Christmas tree. What will happen when one of the sons questions the expectations his family has of him?
Peiraios 260, Building A
Vassilis Vrettos: Mise en abyme / The Self within the Self This highly original exhibition featuring staged portraits was based on an idea by wellknown artistic photographer Vassilis Vrettos and entailed photographing people who are recognisable to a lesser or greater degree, and who are primarily representatives of the visual and performing arts. These individuals were asked by the artist to stage themselves and their surrounding atmosphere and to provide any necessary props. In this way, they deconstruct their compatible identity and stage a dream or a fantasy, thus revealing a small, unknown part of themselves to the viewer. The title Mise en abyme / The Self within the Self refers to the small, “enclosed”, unknown worlds of the people being photographed during the photo session. Moreover, it’s linked to the idea of the trompe l’oeil of advertising, as well as to the mirroring of two texts in literature. Among the approximately 30 artists who happily agreed to take part in the project were, among others, actor/director Nikos Karathanos and artist Angelos Papadimitriou. Exibition curated by Iris Kritikou
Peiraios 260, Building A
NEON Organisation for Culture and Development: Renaissance Stories The NEON Organisation for Culture and Development will be participating in this year’s edition of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival with Renaissance Stories, an exhibition curated by Dimitris Palaiokrassas and featuring new works by Greek artists. In keeping with its aim to bring contemporary culture to the wider public, ΝΕΟΝ places emphasis on the support and promotion of modern Greek artistic creation, giving the chance to Greek artists, through new works, to play a leading role in the shaping of Greece’s cultural scene today. In Renaissance Stories, five contemporary Greek visual artists will create new works, exclusively for the Athens-Epidaurus Festival 2015, drawing inspiration from a historic, 1974 installation by Vlassis Caniaris. Taking part in the exhibition will be Dimitra Vamiali, Kostas Ioannidis, Maro Michalakakos, Savvas Christodoulides and Alexandros Psychoulis. The story of Caniaris’s existential migration presents amazing similarities with the situation in Greece today. It is a personal story of troubles which, however, miraculously surmounts the difficulties of the artist’s life in exile. The playful mood and optimism of the 1974 installation constitute a radical confirmation of the existence of the individual and its inexhaustible capacity for survival. Renaissance Stories puts forth the metaphorical retelling of Caniaris’s personal history through the prism of modern-day Greece, as seen by contemporary Greek artists. A myriad such stories unfold every day in the streets of crisis-bound Athens. The exhibition aspires to give voice to Greek artists who have stood as silent witnesses to all these stories of adversity and transcendence; stories which are truly life-affirming. ΝΕΟΝ, the D. Daskalopoulos Organisation for Culture and Development, has been supporting the Athens Festival since 2012, as part of its commitment to bring contemporary culture to the modern-day citizen and to broaden the public’s contact with contemporary art.
EVENTS
Tuan Le - Nguyen Nhat Ly - Nguyen Lan Maurice - Nguyen Tan Loc
June 8-24
July 13 Peiraios 260, Garden D
Athens Open Air Film Fest: The tales of Hoffman
July 1-31 Peiraios 260, Building A
Adonis Volanakis: The Holy Bachelorette in the Wedding Cave When Odysseus returns to Ithaki he kills not only Penelope’s suitors but strangely enough her twelve maid-servants as well. In The Holy Bachelorette in the Wedding Cave Adonis Volanakis reshapes the tale of these tragic women and the myth of the faithful wife in his own unique way. Inspired by the Penelopiad, a novella by distinguished Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, this unique video installation weds the documentary and the visual arts. Amid seven pillars of white second-hand wedding garments and a loom weaving a fabric from old wedding gowns, videos are shown of women talking about issues of equality, motherhood and companionship.
This year marks the beginning of a collaboration between the Athens Festival and the Athens International Film Festival, as part of the Athens Open Air Film Festival event series. In The tales of Hoffman (1951) by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, based on the libretto by Jules Barbier, a melancholy poet thinks about the three women he loved and lost in the past – a mechanical doll, a courtesan, and the daughter of a celebrated composer.
June 30 – July 2 Peiraios 260, Building D
Tuan Le - Nguyen Nhat Ly - Nguyen Lan Maurice - Nguyen Tan Loc : À Ố Làng Phô Images from a living fresco come to life on stage with the Vietnamese circus. Aesthetically akin to the nouveau cirque, this unique performance fuses music, dance and acrobatics to tell the story of the passage from the peace and quiet of a life lived close to nature to the anxiety and violence of the city, from the dulcet tones of traditional music to the beat of hip-hop. Twenty artists—acrobats, jugglers, martial arts dancers, street dancers and musicians— join forces in a collective adventure of poetic overtones.
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A peek into Greece through travel books It is that time of the year when the turquoise waters beckon and the slopes are covered in late spring bloom. What better way to discover the landscapes that have shaped its people through a series of books.
Mani: Travels in the Southern Peloponnese
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: The Greek Islands
Patrick Leigh Fermor John Murray 336 pages, 12.70 euros
Marc Dubin Dorling Kindersley Ltd 408 pages, 18.60 euros
“All of Greece is absorbing and rewarding”
This fully updated guide includes unique cutaways, floorplans and reconstructions of the must-see Join Patrick Leigh Fermor’s sites, plus street-by-street maps of journey in the Mani, one of Europe’s wildest and most isolated all the fascinating cities and towns. regions, cut off from the rest of Learn about local festivals, Greece by the towering Taygettus farmer’s markets to day trips, mountain range and hemmed the best hotels, restaurants, bars in by the Aegean and Ionian and shops for all budgets, whilst seas. Fermor takes us to a rocky detailed practical information will prong of the Peloponnese, at the help you to get around, whether southernmost tip of Europe, poor by train, bus or car. Plus, the communications only highlighting new-look guide is also packed its remoteness. This Greece, with beautiful photographs and south of ancient Sparta, is one illustrations leading you straight that maintains perhaps a stronger to the best attractions on offer. relationship with the ancient “For a carefree holiday in Greece, past than with the present. Myth it is best to adopt the local phibecomes history, and vice versa. losophy: siga siga (slowly slowly). Leigh Fermor’s hallmark descrip- Within this principle is the ritual tive writing have made this of the afternoon siesta, a practice book, first published in 1958, a that should be taken seriously, classic, together with its Northern particularly during the hottest Greece counterpart, Roumeli – months, when it is almost a physidescribed by the Financial Times ological necessity”. as ‘two of the best travel books of the century”.
Travels with Epicurus - A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life Daniel Klein Penguin, 176 pages, 11.50 euros “It was not a birthday epiphany or a shocking glimpse in the mirror that set the wheels of this personal journey turning: it was something far more prosaic – a visit to my dentist”.
Etienne Cabet Syracuse University Press 440 pages, 18.30 euros First published English translation of the landmark 1840 utopian novel.
Radical in its day, this landmark utopian 1840 novel traces the After being advised by his dentist journey of fictional British to get tooth implants, Daniel Klein Lord Clarisdall to the exotic decides to stick with his dentures island nation of Icaria. To and instead use the money to Clarisdell’s amazement, devoid make a trip to the Greek island of competition or property, Icaria Hydra and discover the secrets of flourishes, triumphing over aging happily. the social evils of 19th-century capitalism. Drawing on the inspiring lives of his Greek friends and philosophers Cabet described a totally ranging from Epicurus to Sartre, integrated “community of goods” Klein uncovers the simple pleasures in the fifty years following that are available late in life, as well the great revolution of 1782. as the refined pleasures that only a Published at personal risk, his mature mind can fully appreciate. bold allegory gave birth to a real Strongly recommended reading: Icarian community that lasted a travel book, a witty and acces- into the late 1800s. sible meditation, and an optimistic Etienne Cabet (1788-1856) was guide to living well, “Travels with a French utopian socialist, politiEpicurus” is a delightful jaunt to cian, and newspaper editor. Voythe Aegean and through the terage en Icarie served to propel his rain of old age that only a free economic, social, and political spirit like Klein could lead. theories. “Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abun- To date, Icaria remains an island where time ceases to exist… dance”. Epicurus
Books recommended by bookstore Lexikopoleio. lexikopoleio.com
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Travels in Icaria (Utopianism and Communitarianism)
Music t
T
he piano is the first thing you see upon entering Myrsini Margariti’s welcoming apartment in Athens. The rest of her living room is littered with toys and her walls are papered with children’s drawings. Her home feels full of life and a delicious smell of cooking escapes under the kitchen door. When she isn’t performing in major operas or giving concerts, the 30-something, tireless Margariti also parents a rambunctious preschooler with her musician (and chemist) husband, and teaches classical singing to a lucky few. Margariti could qualify as a diva in status (just read her resume!) but certainly not in behavior or character. In fact, she apologizes repeatedly for the mess in the living room, brings me a glass of water and sits down next to me on her couch. She pushes her long, dark locks behind her ears. Fresh-faced and naturally pretty, with no makeup on, her large green eyes gleam with hints of excitement, mystery, and glamour. On the morning of our interview, I have interrupted her in the midst of preparing for that evening’s recital. But, despite the upcoming performance, she is relaxed and seems happy to take time to answer my questions. You’ve mentioned that your parents were ‘weirdly’ supportive of you. What do you mean by that? At the end of my Masters’ in Austria when I wasn’t sure about returning to Greece, my mom just said: ‘If you have opportunities abroad, maybe you should stay there.’ And I was really surprised. We’re all used to our mothers begging us to come home…
Intriguing, glamorous, warm, and cozy. Myrsini Margariti, one of Greece’s top sopranos, talks to Vanessa Wildenstein about her thoughts on the future of music in Greece. 24 insider athens | May - June 2015
That is surprising especially given the precarious situation in Greece. How has the Greek crisis affected you specifically? I came to Greece right when the crisis started. In the beginning everything was fine. Nobody saw a difference. As time went by, though, we noticed that our wages decreased while our taxes increased substantially. There are people in the music business who can barely get by. Personally, I’ve been very lucky so far and it hasn’t gotten to that point. The crisis’s silver lining is that the local organizations are heavily relying on Greek performers. However, artists have to work twice as much to make the same income they had before. In a precrisis Greece, I’d have accepted fewer roles and still lived a very, very comfortable life. The least I can say is that I don’t have debt and I can afford to pay all my bills, which in itself is a luxury in today’s reality. Purely in the context of opera, do you see a difference in the number of spectators? Not really. The tickets get sold. But the difference is that spectators today will make more educated decisions: instead of seeing three shows, they’ll see one. Generally, the really good shows are always full, which proves that people do go to the opera. It also helps that the National Opera has set up numerous initiatives aimed at getting
more people interested in music. The biggest change is that there are a lot more shows happening, including private initiatives, albeit with smaller budgets.. Do you nurse hopes for the future of the country? Hope always dies last. What worries me the most is that I don’t see things changing in the area of education. If they don’t fix the educational system, the next generation will repeat our mistakes. So would you say that in spite of the crisis there is a realistic future for young musicians? It’s difficult. My husband and I live only off our music. There’s only one Opera house in Greece and a few orchestras, which all have huge financial problems, and they do hire new people every year but not many. I’ll admit that leaving home, learning and working abroad made the difference. It gave me the experience and structure I needed to succeed and be where I am today. One problem is that there is no Academy here. There are some fantastic musicians, some beautiful voices, but the formal structure is missing. In terms of work, how would you compare the work you did abroad with the work you’ve done in Greece? Well, when it comes to organization they are far better at it abroad (mostly due to the fact that they have more money to spend). As far as creativity is concerned, however, I don’t see a difference. I have taken part in fantastic productions here in Greece that were just as good as what I would have done elsewhere. Musically speaking, I’ve had some of my best experiences ever here. Have you ever forgotten your lines on stage or tried not to laugh? I’ve made some mistakes and there were times when we all laughed so hard at what was happening on (and off) stage that I just couldn’t sing. The last time it happened was during the operetta Picnic that we performed at the Megaron in February 2014. We were supposed to skip onto the stage and a colleague went off, hooking thousands of cables on his way. It was backstage so only we saw it. There was tremendous noise and then I was supposed to hop out on stage to recite some prose… I couldn’t say a word I was laughing so hard! Then I tried to get my voice back in the classical singing position and it took me three or four lines before I managed to sing normally again! But those moments are such fun… I really enjoy them.
So you got over your stage fright after the very first show? Not exactly. Even now, I feel a bit anxious before a show. Despite the nerves, though, when I walk out on stage, I feel so much joy, so much happiness. i
SHORT BIO: The daughter of a prominent Greek cantor, Margariti started by singing at home then joined a choir in Larissa, at a very young age. At the same time, she also learned to play the violin. She went on to study musicology and singing in Athens and then completed a double Masters in Opera and Music Theatre and Lied and Oratorio from the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Her first major performance was in the role of Serpetta in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera in 2006. Her most notable international performance to date, and a highlight of her career, was at the BBC Proms in 2014.
If you were to give professional advice to a young singer who’s just starting out, what would you tell him or her? That they should be honest with themselves. You need to find your mistakes, accept them and strive to fix them. If you’re too proud or full of yourself and think there’s nothing to change, I believe you’ll never get anywhere. What was your first big break? It was just before I got my Master’s Degree, when I was still in Salzburg. I had auditioned to be an understudy in the role of Serpetta in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera (a big co-production of Landestheater and the Salzburg Festival). They cast me and, during the show in 2006, directed by Doris Dörrie, the girl who had been cast in the role had an accident and was off for two months! As a result, I was on for eight shows! At the time, I remember thinking that there was no way I’d ever sing in the show… I was in Greece when they called me to inform me: «You’re singing tomorrow.» And I was in a state of disbelief.
Myrsini Margariti appeared in the National Opera’s Il Sogno, a production that blends Loukia’s Haute Couture with Opera, on May 21. Look out for other appearances at the Athens Festival from June 29 to July 2and at the Festival of the Aegean in Syros on July 21
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Sherri Moshman Paganos explores life in Ottoman Athens – the subject of two exhibits currently on in the city – one at the Gennadius library and the other at the Benaki Museum.
“A
thens. March 10, 1807. The nun Sofronia is selling her vineyard with three olive trees to her niece Maria... The scribe is Antonios Karoris...also present are three Ottomans, Zulfikar pasa Softe, Mehmet pasa Santali, Ali pasa Sparo” But why should we care about Sofronia, Maria, the scribe and the Ottomans? Precisely because our appreciation of historical details often comes from these enticing notes and accounts of everyday life of the past. Objects (such as a gold watch in a blue enamel case Lord Byron used when he lived in Athens), travelers’ books, works of art, and archaeological finds from the Athens Agora comprise an exhibit entitled «Ottoman Athens from 1458 to 1833» currently at the Gennadius Library, the American School of Classical Studies, until June 30. In addition, both the Benaki Museum and the City Museum of Athens are exhibiting works from their collections on Ottoman Athens. In this period of history, especially the early years of the Ottoman occupation, of which we have very little archival information, these notes are a valuable window for us to peek through to see everyday life. «We wanted to showcase,» explained Maria Georgopoulou, director and curator of the library, «our extensive collection of Ottoman Athens artifacts and some lesser-known materials.» Surely one example of a lesser-known material is a book published in the 1600’s with a detailed description of beekeeping in Mt. Hymettus. Honey, along with olive oil, apparently was always a source of income for
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Athens. According to a brochure published on the exhibit, other products of the time included silk, candles and soap. The viewer can also browse interactively with electronic facsimiles of maps, books and colorful drawings of Ottomans in fancy headdresses and turbans on their horses. One of the major historical sources for life during this period is the manuscript, History of Athens by Ioannes Benizelos, who belonged to a well-respected wealthy family of the 18th century. His greatgrandson happened to be Johannes Gennadius, the founder of the Gennadius Library in 1926. Benizelos was also related to St. Filothei of the 16th century, whose real name was Revoula Benizelou. Most of the books on display are travelers’ accounts of Athens and books of drawings, such as A Classical and Topographical Tour Through Greece by classical scholar Edward Dodwell, who visited in 1801, 1805 and 1806. The book includes 1,000 drawings and lithographs, made by Dodwell, William Gell and the Italian artist Simone Pomardi. When we picture the Ottomans in the late 18th century, we often see them reclining, drinking coffee and smoking the narghile, or bathing in the public baths, of such importance in Ottoman times. Travelers readily offer their comments on life in Athens. Thomas Hughes writes in 1813 about the annual Easter festival, «... where
Exhibition
Turkish, Greek and Albanian families assembled together in holiday... costumes; music and dance occupied the young whilst the aged were seen reclining...watching the sports, smoking their long pipes, listening to the adventures of others and recounting their own, or indulging that hilarity so inherent in the Greek character, which ever broke forth in intervals from the dark cloud of oppression which hung over them.» Other ceremonies, such as processions against drought, the exhibit notes, united Christians and Muslims. A kind of coexistence existed among ethnic groups, but this is not to imply that all was rosy. Many Greeks complained of capriciousness of the Ottoman rulers, and wrote of persecution. In the early years of the Ottoman occupation, travelers didn’t mention any inns or hostels. Athens was neither a commercial center nor a place of religious pilgrimage, although «the most beautiful mosque in the world» in the Parthenon, in the words of an exhibit plaque, was an attraction. Travelers mostly stayed at the Catholic Capuchin residence, located in the Plaka. Gradually, more inns were built. «Accommodations become a pleasant place for lively discussions, meditation and ventures into the Attic land,» explains a note. Although one factor given for the arrival of more tourists is that in the Napoleonic Wars, roads around Rome were inaccessible, so tourists came to Athens, surely the most important is the renewed interest in Athens’ ancient monuments. This surge of interest in antiquities was explored in a fascinating talk by Edhem Eldem, history professor at Bosphorus University, in «The Ottoman Discovery of Athens, 1780-1830» as part of a twoday symposium on April 23-24, in conjunction with the Library exhibit. Professor Eldem explained the title’s significance, that for centuries the Ottomans were rather indifferent to the small provincial country village known as Athens. The antiquities didn’t particularly interest them, although there were even periodic laws against using them for building walls, churches etc. (The mosque we see today at Monastiraki Metro, built in 1759, uses as part of its wall a column from the Temple of Olympia Zeus.) Generally though the Ottomans didn’t care much, according to the speaker, about the «old stones» that were part of Athens’ past. It wasn’t really until the West showed interest in Athens and its ancient glory, that the Ottoman governance began to be more involved. Greeks were also taking more interest in antiquities; in 1813, they founded the Philomouso Society, with the purpose of protecting ancient monuments. This was the era when Lord Elgin was petitioning the authorities to «help himself» to antiquities. (In his book, Dodwell «lamented» Lord Elgin’s looting of the Parthenon, which he witnessed first-hand.) The Ottoman complacency, maintained Professor Eldem, eventually gave way to realizing not only the importance of Athens’ ancient monuments to civilization, but also the powerful political symbol that Athens had become to philhellenes like Lord Byron and to the West in general, in its struggle for freedom. By this time, however, it was the eve of rebellion and there was no turning back. Was Maria satisfied with the vineyards that the nun Sofronia sold her? We’ll never know the answer to that, but the exhibit on Ottoman Athens surely makes us see this period in the history of Athens with new eyes. i
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Fave Five
The grape and the good By Cordelia Madden-Kanellopoulou
Recently, wine bars have popped up aplenty in Athens. They follow a global trend, but also reflect increasing interest in Greek wines. Here are five favourite spots to quaff this country’s worthiest wines, either matched with regional cheeses, or sampled alongside some of the world’s most prestigious vintages.
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5 1. Vintage: If decision-making is not your strong suit, the awe-inspiring 20 pages of wines offered by the glass (including such gems as Chateau d’Yquem and Cheval Blanc) could induce dizziness even before your first sip. But help is at hand in the friendly form of owner Panos, talking you through the list, arranging ‘flight’ tastings at a moment’s notice, and responding to your incredulous queries about storing such a vast number of opened wines. The answer is an ingenious device called Coravin, which syringes through the cork, draws out a glassful, and fills the space with argon gas, after which the cork reseals. Voilà, a sneaky way to taste that Margaux you’d squirreled away for posterity! 2. Oktana: Sideways brought Pinot Noir to the masses. But the delicate
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grape already enjoyed a loyal fan base: the brown bears of northern Greece. These discerning tasters so love Pinot that they sneak into vineyards and carefully pluck the grapes without disturbing the vines, so as to have more for next time. At Oktana, a friendly little Pangrati wine bar run by Katogi & Strofilia winery, try their limited edition Rossiu di Munte Pinot Noir from Epirus. Deliciously fruity and mature – no wonder the bears love it!
3. By the Glass: There’s so much to love about this classy wine bar. The sheltered arcade and courtyard; the high-ceilinged interior with shelves of resting wines; the superlative risotto with truffle; and, of course, the wines themselves. Owner Fotini works a dispensary system, so the list is not exhaustive, but meticulously selected from Greek and international producers. And with wines offered in measures from 25ml, 75ml and 15ml, you can try several! 4. Winepoint: Well ahead of the trend, this was one of Athens’ first wine bars, opening in 2011. The emphasis here is on Greek wines, with a respectable list of the country’s finest, and owner Xenofon organises frequent events promoting local producers. When you need something more substantial than the delicious tasting platters here, stroll down the street to Aglio Olio & Peperoncino, serving arguably the best pasta in Athens.
5. GB Rooftop: It’s not a wine bar as such, but the restaurant’s wine list
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won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2014, and a good many are offered by the glass too. The view you enjoy across the sparkling city, day or night, as you sip, is stupendous. Plus they give complimentary macadamia nuts. It’s like Tiffany’s, nothing bad could happen to you here. i
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Medieval Town
The land of the Colossus, daughter of the Sun, island of the Hospitaliers, Rhodes boasts world heritage monuments, unique natural sites, picturesque villages, endless sand and pebble beaches and wonderful sunsets over Anatolia. Enjoy a unique stay at the Sheraton Rhodes Resort to make the most of this island, steeped in centuries of prosperity and multi-culturalism.
Saint Paul Bay Lindos
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Travel ifj
W
ith a rich, eclectic history reflecting the many influences of those who traversed through it for commerce and conquest, Rhodes offers a bit of something for everyone.
Medieval Town A World Heritage Monument by UNESCO, the Medieval Town of Rhodes has a unique architectural history as it houses many ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, Gothic basilicas, mosques and synagogues. It is the largest inhabited Medieval city in Europe, with dozens of shops, bars and restaurants. The Medieval Moat, circling the walls, is excellent for a nice afternoon walk.
Palace of the Grand Master Located at the highest point of the Medieval Town of Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Master served as the Headquarters of the Knights of Saint John, during Medieval Times. It survived through centuries only to be destroyed around 1850. It was completely restored during the Italian Occupation of Rhodes and served as a summer royal residence. Today it is a museum and venue for cultural events. It also hosted the European Union’s Summit in 1988. The exhibition «Rhodes, 2400 years» is a must see.
Acropolis of Rhodes Crowned with the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the Acropolis of Rhodes overlooks the entire city of Rhodes, with unique views of the city and the shores of Turkey, across the sea. The Ancient Stadium and the Odeon (theatre) from the Hellenistic Period have been well preserved and are perfect for hosting events and picnics alike.
Museum of Modern Greek Art The Modern Greek Art Museum presents extensive painting and engraving collections not to mention numerous sculptures, drawings and documents of historical value. Its collection is divided over three buildings and it is considered one of the largest in Greece.
Lindos One of the most photographed sites in the Aegean and possibly the most famous landmark of Rhodes, Lindos is both a historically interesting site and a top touristic destination. Its Acropolis is a unique amalgam of history as it includes ancient, Byzantine and Medieval buildings combined with a unique view over the Mediterranean Sea. The picturesque village, with its small alleys, white houses and crystal clear beaches, are full of surprises.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes The exhibits at the Archaeological Museum include antiquities from Rhodes and the surrounding islands. In its 16 rooms and halls it shows ceramics, statues and jewelry from the 9th Century BC till the Hellenistic Period. Its gardens are full of mosaics, and it also hosts Prehistoric antiquities and an Epigraphical Exhibitions.
Mandraki The heart of the historical center of the modern city of Rhodes, Mandraki is a unique collection of Belle-Epoque and Medieval buildings. The Mandraki Marina (the war harbour of ancient Rhodes), the Three Windmills, the Nea Agora building and the Fort of Saint Nicholas are some of the historical sites to be found here. They all offer a unique view of the Palace of the Grand Magister and the surrounding parks.
Kallithea Springs
Kallithea Springs Kallithea Springs are just 9km from the city of Rhodes and was built to accommodate people visiting Kallithea for its healing waters, back in the 1920s. Kallithea Springs has served as a film set and has been a major attraction throughout the years.
The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) The Valley of the Butterflies is a unique natural site famous for the millions of butterflies (tiger moths) that lies inside a protected area, just 23km from Rhodes city.
Filerimos The Mountain of Filerimos is located just 15km from the city of Rhodes. At its summit, where the Acropolis of Ialysos once stood, is the Monastery of the Virgin of Filerimos, a sacred place for both the Knights and the locals. Don’t miss Via Crucis, a pathway decorated with scenes from the Passion of the Christ that leads up to a 23m high cross with a spectacular view of the interior of Rhodes. Mandraki
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Chalki
Ancient Kamiros The ancient city of Kamiros is one of the most well-preserved ancient cities of Greece. Visitors can walk through alleys, explore houses and visit temples and ruins of this unique site, mentioned by Homer in his Iliad.
Prassonisi A small island at the southern tip of Rhodes, Prassonisi is separated from the mainland depending on the tide, as the sea withdraws allowing access to the island by car or on foot. It is also a surfer’s paradise with high waves for the experienced athletes on its one side and smaller waves on the other, perfect for amateurs.
Symi Symi, connected to Rhodes by ferry daily, is one of the smallest islands of the Dodecanese and unfolds itself as a colourful amphitheatre above the main harbour.
Chalki Just next to the island of Rhodes, Chalki gets her name from the copper (chalkos) mines that once made it rich. With beautiful architecture and exquisite beaches, Chalki is ideal for a day trip with daily connections to Rhodes or Kamiros Scala.
Cultural Summer Every summer, popular Greek artists, international festivals and Greek theatrical plays throng to Rhodes. Guests can also join locals in the celebration of patron saints with lots of traditional music, food and open markets.
Castellania Restaurant
Gastronomy At the Sheraton Rhodes Resort: L’Onda promises authentic Italian fare with a twist in a terrific setting. Castellania, for the sheer range of culinary delights on offer. Mediterraneo, poolside dining with contemporary Greek cuisine Thèa, with an accent on traditional Greek recipes and breathtaking views over the Aegean Sea. The Lounge Bar, for a chilled sundowner
L’Onda - Italian Restaurant
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Elsewhere on Rhodes: Le Gourmet, at Ixia, within walking distance of the Sheraton Rhodes Resort is a good pit-stop. Marco Polo, inside the Medieval Town, offers modern Mediterranean cuisine in an idyllic inner garden. Mourela, at Kiotari for traditional Greek flavours and local cuisine on the waterfront.
Sheraton - Main Pool
Deluxe Room - Sea View
Accommodation Sheraton Rhodes Resort is located just a few kilometers from the medieval town, a UNESCO heritage site and a few steps from a pristine beach. The Sheraton Rhodes Resort offers 401 spacious guestrooms and suites with a variety of mountain, garden or sea views. All rooms have been refurbished and feature “Sheraton Sweet Sleeper” beds, a plush mattress with the finest quality linen, cozy duvets and plenty of comfy pillows.
Facilities & Services
Lounge Bar
Sheraton Rhodes Resort offers a host of dining options at its four restaurants, designed to meet every taste. Its pool bar and lounge bar are perfect to enjoy spectacular Aegean sunsets while sipping tantalizing cocktails. Facilities available at the resort include a private beach, 3 outdoor pools, 1 indoor heated pool, health club, fitness 24h/24h, a tennis court, 2 squash courts, basketball, volleyball and water sports centre and a kid’s club.
Conference facilities The Sheraton Rhodes Resort also has a selection of multi-purpose function spaces including an Imperial Ballroom and 14 meeting rooms which vary in size, offering a total Conferencing area of 1.172 square meters. The hotel can accommodate up to 650 delegates for a Conference and up to 800 guests for a banquet. The facilities offer natural daylight, wireless internet throughout the meeting spaces, a fully operational business centre and “the Link@Sheraton” where guests may check their emails at no additional charge. i www.sheratonrhodesresort.com
Sheraton Main Pool
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A gastronomic Savour four distinct culinary experiences at the Astir Palace Resort catering to different moods, tastes and budgets – but with the promise of creative cuisine in an exquisite setting.
destination Matsuhisa Nobu: Nobuyuki’s Matsuhisa restaurant, long a temple of fine dining, still retains its edge as the destination of choice for discerning Athenians and travellers. Nestled among sprawling pine trees with stunning views of the Saronic Gulf, here is a restaurant that is a real treat for the senses. Enjoy a drink at the Martini Bar before easing yourself into a summer Omakase menu. The seasonal menu here is a dazzling kaleidoscope of cultures - Greek, South American and Japanese, reflecting Nobusan’s professional trajectory with tastes and textures that promise a sensual feast for your palate. To make the experience even more decadent, order a special Matsuhisa signature snack menu from the comfort of your deckchair from the private beaches in front of the bungalows. The special menu is available on all days and flirts with more relaxed beach options such as tacos, burgers, sandwiches, with Nobu’s refined philosophy coming through even in these seemingly banal choices!
Taverna 37: Nothing defines Greek summer as the promise of a table laden with simple, wholesome Greek fare from mezes, ‘mageirefta’ dishes, grilled meats and fish on the beach, with your feet dangling just above the water. Reliving the magic and simplicity of a Greek isle, Taverna 37 is just perfect for a post-swim bite or for hot, lazy afternoons that end up being a happy, fuzzy, blur of friends, wine, conversations, food and sea-spray. Extremely convivial and affordable.
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Gastronomy
Galazia Hytra: Galazia Hytra is still the standard bearer for sleek, foodie havens in Athens. The culinary philosophy at Galazia Hytra this summer is to shine a spotlight on indigenous Greek ingredients and small, local producers drawing from regional gastronomic traditions. Adopting a classical style with an artisanal approach, Galazia Hytra’s interpretation of Greek cuisine is new and exciting with the components on the plate engaged in an interplay of different structures and aromas. Instinctive cuisine at its best. Add to it the pleasure of getting introduced to some of the finest labels from Greek vineyards.
Il Tramonto If location were a criterion to vote for Il Tramonto it would win hands down – few restaurants in the world can boast an uncluttered ocean view, on immaculately manicured lawns, perfectly placed to watch the sun go down. But fortunately for us, its cuisine is as elegant and refreshing as its setting. Chef Stratos Kalathakis takes a back-to-basics approach and creates a menu that is devoid of any frills making Il Tramonto a living textbook of authentic Italian food and hospitality. With a cellar that boasts some of the finest labels, here is a restaurant that is easy on the pocket and an absolute must to treat first-time visitors to.
Astir Palace Resort, 40 Apollonos St, Vouliagmeni. Tel : 210 8901000
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Special Promotion
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City Escape
The Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni combines its naturally beautiful setting of turquoise blue waters and long sandy stretches of beach with world-class water-sports facilities – an island within a 20-minute drive from the city centre and minus the hassle of ferry-hopping! JOIN THE CLUB What better way to indulge in long weekends than spend it by the most beautiful beach in the Athenian Riviera. Open from 9 in the morning to midnight, the Astir Beach offers a plethora of experiences. For year-long admission to Astir Beach’s facilities, the Platinum Card offers unlimited access to the beach, free parking, access to the Platinum Lounge and to private room with sun beds and towels, Concierge Services and free admittance to the Astir Palace Resort’s facilities from Monday to Friday (for an average of less than 10 euros a day!). Here is a facility that combines the discretion, service and amenities of a private club with leisure and fitness, in a natural setting. Ideal for expats who want to make most of their time here in a clean and family-friendly environment or for tourists who want to enjoy a hassle-free day at the beach at an extremely affordable 10 euros a day (children under 12 do not pay!)
GIFT A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE Let others share in the experience and offer a special gift to your partners and valued customers. The loyalty programme works out to an average of 10 euros a day or less. Find out more about Astir Beach’s Loyalty programmes on their website.
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sunbed! Reserve your
BOOK YOUR CORNER OF THE BEACH! Astir Beach gets tech-savvy in making your check-in to your favourite corner of the beach as smooth as possible. You can pre-book the sun-bed of your choice (with towels and mineral water offered). Check the availability in real-time and reserve your slice of paradise on plazz.co/astirbeach
STAY CONNECTED Plug-in points for your electronic accessories and gadgets and wi-fi to literally surf the waves.
SMOKE-FREE OUTDOORS Astir Beach takes the welcome and bold step in introducing a no-smoking zone to make the beach experience a healthy one for all – especially young children. If cigarette stubs in the sand aren’t your thing, you know where to head!
WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER If you can’t take the ocean to your office, just move your office here. Book an office corner or a conference room overlooking the sea for your corporate meetings. With seating for 10 around a conference table, you can host meetings, presentations or even private corporate dinners with clients.
THROW YOUR BEACH PARTY HERE Make the sandy shores your party zone. The Astir Beach gears itself to accommodate all your private and professional requests from hosting corporate cocktail parties, theme parties, tastings, corporate incentive events, team building activities, promotional activities, product launches and art exhibitions. The Platinum Lounge, the VIP section of the beach, can host upto 80 people in a luxurious environment offering premium services. Or if you’d like to host a private dinner or corporate lunch for a small group of 12, an exclusive section of the Platinum Lounge can be reserved for the purpose. Astir Beach creates bespoke events to suit your needs and tastes, offering your guests an unforgettable experience.
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City Escape
SPA PAMPERING: If you’d rather unwind and soak in the goodness of a detoxing massage, Orloff Spa (book ahead as treatments here are hugely popular), makes a languorous beach experience even more indulgent. Facials, massages and beauty treatments get you beach-ready to deal with the unenviable stress of lounging on a sun-deck.
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY Why restrict your visit to the beach during the day? You can still enjoy your dinner on the beach at TGI Friday’s and you’ll be reimbursed the 10 euro entrance fee (kids below 12 don’t pay the entrance fee if accompanied). The offer and the setting are as tempting as its special beach menu! Great venue to host your children’s birthday parties. Follow up with an ice-cream treat at Dodoni’s. For grown-ups, enjoy a tantalizing cocktail or if you’re too lazy to abandon the deep recesses of your sun-deck, simply order for a delivery by your side-table.
ACTIVITIES GALORE
SHOP TILL YOU DROP And why not shop, while reclining at the beach? Salt Water’s cheerful boutique sells everything from Greekthemed hats and bags, rhinestone sandals, designer beachwear such as Melissa Odabash and Pin-Up Star bikinis and sunglasses and the staff is ever willing to help you with your tenuous wardrobe decision
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The Astir Beach has always been a great venue for water sports – so if you’re into water-skiing, or just want to ride the waves on fancy water toys, the Astir Ski Club is well-equipped to relive your wet adventures. Whether you’d like to hone your Beach Volleyball skills at the 2 Olympic- specified courts or indulge in the all-time favourite Greek sport of beach racket, the Astir Beach’s golden sands are the best place to give it a shot. If instead, you’d just like to go for a swim or get your sore muscles in shape at the state-of-the-art fitness centre, Holmes Place offers Platinum members free personal training lessons (by appointment),yoga and pilates classes, baby swimming lessons for children from 6 months - 3 years and a Children’s Swimming Academy for children from 4-13 years. For a truly special experiences on the waves, sign up for your Loyalty Card now and enjoy the Athenian Riviera in style for a year. i Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210. 890.1619, astir-beach.com
A natural retreat, the Vouliagmeni Lake offers an authentic wellness experience like no other - from therapeutic swims to yoga classes, dinner under the stars and receptions on its manicured lawns – in a setting that is simply awe-inspiring. A visit here is an odyssey - part holistic well-being, part natural beauty combined with exceptional resort service in a serene, spirit-elevating environment. Just a twenty-five minute drive from the city centre, the Vouliagmeni Lake is a jaw-droppingly magnificent geological phenomenon. Its imposing craggy rocks that give way to its placid, emerald-green waters is such a startlingly different landscape from the sand and sea association one has with Greece’s attractions, that one is immediately transported to a charming parallel universe.
A wellness destination Fringed by the rugged slopes of the ‘faskomilia’ hills, so named after the profusion of sage and thyme bushes that grow wild there, the lake’s brackish water that flows into the sea is blessed with healing and therapeutic properties that have drawn scores of visitors seeking relief from their worldly ills. At a warm and inviting average temperature of 24 Celsius year-round, its waters offer an alternative for reluctant swimmers to enjoy a swim 12 months a year, without the hesitant toe-dipping, water-patting ritual sea-swimmers need to engage in. But apart from its reputation as a centre of healing, the Lake now attracts aerobics lovers, yoga devotees, athletes, snorkeling fans and fitness enthusiasts at its regular classes and activities such as the hugely popular, annual “Run The Lake”. As well as its fair share of sun-worshippers, who’d just like soak in the sunshine and indulge in one of the several massage treatments on offer, while sipping on herbal tea.
A meeting point Vouliagmeni Lake is now a unique destination that attracts people of all ages. From early morning swims to late afternoon cocktails, the Lake offers a bit of something to everyone in an exceptional setting. Cultural events such as theatre plays and music concerts, draw attention to the unique acoustics of the place against its spectacular backdrop of illuminated rocks. The all-day café at the Lake offers hot and cold beverages, light snacks, salads and ice-cream round-the-clock making it a great setting to get your daily caffeine-fix. The Lake’s free wi-fi lets you catch up on work or to share your Lake experience on social media.
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Wellness A stunningly beautiful teak deck that skirts the lake doubles as a restaurant in the evenings – and is open throughout the summer until late September. The cuisine at the Paranemonia restaurant does justice to the natural beauty of its backdrop, relying on indigenous herbs and local produce, for a wholesome gastronomic experience. Whiffs of jasmine and the hooting of owls intersperse conversations. The lush green lawns at the Lake are usually booked ahead of time for wedding receptions and corporate parties after eight, when the last of the bathers have left. The quality and professionalism in organizing these highprofile events has earned the Lake a loyal clientele and made it a much sought-after venue. A private, secluded ‘little lake’ offers privacy for more intimate affairs – from swims to dinners by moonlight. The Lake also offers Loyalty Cards to those wishing to wallow in the lake’s hot springs and enjoy its various activities on a regular basis. For tourists, the Lake is exactly half-way between Athens and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, and a pleasantly different, sand-free alternative to the hustle of a regular beach. And for long-term residents, here is a natural, urban retreat where you can spend your day swimming, catching up with friends or indulging in a bit of me-time. If you haven’t visited the Lake yet, its time you succumbed to its charms. Pack a pair of swimming trunks, put on your snorkeling gear and get ready to plunge into its inviting depths. Tel: 210.896.2237, limnivouliagmenis.gr i
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Special Promotion
Sun-kissed, not sun-burnt Repair your skin and hair from excessive exposure to the sun with Valmont’s anti-aging sun protective skin care range, Sun Cellular Solution.
And because Hair also reveals signs of ageing, Valmont has created the Hair Repair Line which acts both on the hair scalp and on the length of the fibre. Because the skin and the scalp share a common embryological origin, Valmont transfers its anti-age expertise to the scalp and hair with two combined actions:
S
un exposure is considered to be one of the main factors for ageing skin. UVA and UVB act in different ways on the skin; while short range UVB rays are responsible for superficial burning damages, long UVA rays penetrate into the dermis and destroy collagen fibres. The skin loses its elasticity, leading to severe wrinkles and lack of tone. Protection against UVA in sunscreens is now a must since it is recommended by legislation. The Sun Cellular Solution range, an anti-aging sun protective skin care range with skin repairing properties, is composed of three complementary products which combine Valmont’s technical expertise with a highly sensorial cosmetic touch.
Anti-age and anti-hair loss thanks to anchoring peptides and antiglycation concentrate targeting hair roots which stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.
A restoring cream with an SPF 30, for face and sensitive areas. The texture is rich and smooth and instantly penetrates the skin without leaving a sticky film.
Gloss and nutrition of hair fibres thanks to specific ingredients like triple DNA and keratin that stimulate scalp metabolism, and ingredients such as marigold and rose oil that repair damaged hair.
A Regenerating Emulsion with an SPF 15, for face (matt skins) and body. Very silky texture, it achieves a nice tan in total safety.
The result is a spectacular glow and the sensation of having a full head of hair. The hair is more resistant, the fibre is smoothed down and gradually the hair becomes suppler, denser and silkier.
A Body Nurturing cream that repairs and also enhances the tan while helping to slow down the ageing process.
The line is composed of three complementary products:
The originality of this range is that products can be used either as part of one’s skin care daily routine or more specifically as sunscreens and it combines three actions to preserve the youthfulness of the skin:
Repairing oil, in a beautiful glass jar, instantly repairs and hydrates devitalized hair. A must for the summer season to prevent damage caused by sun exposure and swims in the sea. Non greasy texture.
Protection thanks to the presence of reflective screens and filters
Regenerating Cleanser. An essential step in anti-aging hair care, it instantly stops hair loss and strengthens the hair from the roots.
Regeneration with triple DNA and Liposome-encapsulated RNA. Triple DNA, the star ingredient of Valmont, is a powerful anti-oxidant which limits cellular ageing caused by UV rays and stimulates cell regeneration Repair is the original and exclusive action of Valmont. Thanks to the presence of the Silicium D2 ingredient, sun becomes an ally and stimulates collagen production while repairing damaged fibres. In other words, Valmont creates a synergy with sun exposure to obtain a regenerated, denser and firmer skin!
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Restoring Mask. This mask offers a double action on hair growth and hair fibres. The result is an incomparable silkier and thicker texture, easy to comb through. Valmont products can be found at high-end spas like the GBSpa of Hotel Grande Bretagne, King George Perfumes Boutique, the Arion Spa at Astir Palace Vouliagmeni, the Orloff Spa at Life Gallery and at Astir Beach, at the Tatoi-club, the Pentelikon Spa and at the Sofitel Airport spa in the wider area of Athens. orloffspa.gr; orloffdayspa.gr
Insider guide refer to corresponding area for more information and contact details
restaurant index by type AMERICAN JACKSON HALL Kolonaki TGI FRIDAY’S Kolonaki ASIAN Golden Phoenix Kifissia Keep Woking Glyfada Noodle Bar Syntagma NUI Kifissia Wagamama Maroussi BAR - RESTAURANTS 42 bar Syntagma Apsendi Halandri BABA AU RUM Syntagma BACARO Omonia BALTHAZAR Mavili Sq BARAONDA Mavili Sq Café Zoe Syngrou CASH Kifissia CINCO Kolonaki CV Bar Keramikos Dirty Ginger Gazi DOS AGAVES Monastiraki En Plo Vouliagmeni Bar Explorer’s Lounge Syntagma Gazarte Gazi GINGER Mavili Sq HIDE & SEEK Halandri HOLY SPIRIT Glyfada Hoxton Bar Gazi ISLAND Vouliagmeni KITCHEN BAR Faliro KITCHEN BAR Halandri MAMACAS Gazi Minnie the Moocher Kolonaki MoMix Gazi NIXON Kerameikos OSTERMAN Syntagma PARKO ELEFTHERIAS Mavili Sq PIXI Gazi. SEMIRAMIS RESTAURANT Kifissia SHOWROOM Kolonaki Socialista Gazi Sofa Bar Vouliagmeni Step by step Halandri The James Joyce irish bar, Thissio THE GIN JOINT Syntagma CHINESE China’s Fantasy Psychico Saipan Halandri FISH RESTAURANTS Ai Nikolas Syngrou CAPTAIN JOHN’S Piraeus ITHAKI Vouliagmeni JIMMY AND THE FISH Piraeus KASTELORIZO Kifissia MILOS Hilton MYTHOS OF THE SEA Vouliagmeni Ocean Basket Glyfada PAPADAKIS Kolonaki Psaroma Halandri THALATTA Gazi TO 25ARAKI Glyfada ZEFYROS Piraeus FISH TAVERNAS Almyra Halandri DOURAMBEIS Piraeus Fish Co. Platters Psychico
Ichthyes Kifissia KOLLIAS Piraeus RAFALE Vouliagmeni Piperia Psychico PSARAKI Vouliagmeni Sardelaki Glyfada Trata Omonia TRATA O STELIOS Pangrati VASSILENAS Piraeus FRENCH ARTISANAL Kifissia Gaspar Food and Mood Psychico L’ABREUVOIR Kolonaki LE PETIT SOMMELIER Faliro MONO WINE RESTAURANT Plaka SPIROS & VASILIS Kolonaki SPONDI Pangrati GOURMET ALERIA Kerameikos AVENUE Syngrou Bo Botrini’s Halandri KUZINA Thissio Fuga Mavili Sq Funky Gourmet Kerameikos F+W Kolonaki GALAZIA HYTRA Vouliagmeni HYTRA Syngrou KOOL LIFE Kifissia Orizontes Lycavyttou Kolonaki P-Box Kolonaki Polly Magoo Metaxurgeio PremiEre Syngrou VAROULKO Kerameikos GREEK 2 MAZI Plaka 310 Street Psychico ANETON Maroussi Archeon Gefsis Metaxurgeio ATHIRI Kerameikos ATRIUM Acropolis Berdema Kifissia Bluefield Burger Psychico CUCINA POVERA Pangrati Dioskouroi Psychico DIPORTO Psyrri ELAIS GI Kifissia ELIAS KOUKOUTSI Voula IDEAL Omonia KAVOURAS Exarhia Krithamos Psychico MANI MANI Acropolis MELILOTOS Monastiraki PSOMI & ALATI Halandri RAKOKAZANO Halandri Rena tis Ftelias Psychico Peacock Syngrou PENDELIKON Kifissia PROSOPA Gazi THIO TRAGI Petralona TO KOUTI Monastiraki YANTES Exarhia YDRIA Plaka GRILL 1920 Halandri Meat Square Glyfada Meat Square Halandri Meatropoleos 3 Syntagma Telemachos Barbeque Club Kifissia
INDIAN BOLLYWOOD Gazi Indian Kitchen Syntagma Indian Masala Thissio JAIPUR PALACE Kifissia KOHENOOR Gazi INTERNATIONAL Ache Glyfada AMANDINE’S Syndagma BAKU Vouliagmeni BUBA Kifissia CHEFI’S Halandri Food Mafia Glyfada Gefsis Me Onomasia Proelefsis Kifissia ITALIAN 30 SOMETHING Halandri AGLIO OLIO Acropolis AL BACIO Vouliagmeni Albion Psychico Al Dente Glyfada AL FRESCO Vouliagmeni Aperitivo Glyfada BOSCHETTO Kolonaki CANTUCCIO Psyrri CAPANNA Psyrri DA BRUNO Faliro DA VINCI Ag. Paraskevi di Antonio Halandri DULCIS IN FUNDO Voula GENOVESE Voula Il Salotto Glyfada Il Salumaio Kifissia IL TINELLO Alimos Il Tinello Faliro IL TRAMONTO Vouliagmeni Capanna Kolonaki LA CASA DI GIORGINO Gyfada MANGIAMO BY MEAT SQUARE Kifissia MARGHERITA Kifissia Matilde Pizza Bar Psychico Nanninela Ag. Paraskevi Ombra Psychico Pausa Maroussi Sale Bianco da Salvotoro Glyfada SALE E PEPE Kolonaki SCALA VINOTECA Kolonaki SILVER Casa Vouliagmeni TONY BONANO Piraeus Tutti a tavola, Kolonaki VEZENE Hilton VINCENZO Glyfada JAPANESE FURIN KAZAN Syntagma Hama Glyfada INBI Kolonaki KIKU Kolonaki MATSUHISA ATHENS Vouliagmeni li-li-shu Kolonaki OOZORA Kifissia RAKKAN Kifissia SUBA Kifissia KOREAN Dosirak Syntagma KOSHER Gostijo Psyrri LEBANESE BEIRUT Glyfada FALAFELLAS Psyrri
RUSSIAN
NARA NARA Psyrri NARGILE Kifissia SUZANNA P. Faliro
Barin Glyfada
MEDITERRANEAN
SOUVLAKIA AND KEBAB
Alatsi Hilton BAKU Vouliagmeni BERDEMA Kifisia BYZANTINO Hilton CAFE AVISSINIA Monastiraki Common Secret Kifissia EX ANATOLIS Halandri DAPHNE’S RESTAURANT Plaka FATSIO Pangrati GB CORNER Syntagma HYTRA Plaka IDEAL RESTAURANT Omonia KOUZINA CINE-PSIRRI Psyrri LEILIMLEI Gyzi MALABAR Vouliagmeni MAVRO PROVATO Pangrati Mimaya Glyfada Mushroom Glyfada MUTFAK Glyfada OCHRE & BROWN Psyrri PARLIAMENT Syntagma PRYTANEION Kolonaki RATKA Kolonaki STOU MEIDANI Monastiraki THE DALLIANCE HOUSE Kifissia TO KOUTI Monastiraki TORTUGA Pangrati TRAPEZARIA Pangrati VOSPOROS Piraeus ZORBAS Piraeus
BAIRAKTARIS Monastiraki BUTCHER’S SHOP Gazi DREAM GRILL Voula Gourounakia Kifissias Kifissia KALAMAKI KOLONAKI Kolonaki Kebabtzidikon Barbadimos Nea Smyrni Kebabtzidikon To Gnission Voula Kebabtzidikon Kyr. Ariston Faliro NAIADES Voula SAVVAS Monastiraki SCHARA Vouliagmeni Souvlaki Bar Thissio THANASSIS Monastiraki
MEXICAN AMIGOS Glyfada DOS HERMANOS Kifissia EL TACO BUENO Maroussi Santa Fe Halandri MEZEDES AND OUZO
SCANDINAVIAN SAFKA Kerameikos SPANISH JAMON PINTXOS BAR Glyfada LA GABINOTECA, Kifissia SALERO Exarhia SUSHI Koi Syntagma Koi Voula Yoko Sushi & Bento Kolonaki Suba Kolonaki Tomoe Kifissia Sushi Bar (The) Pangrati TAVERNAS FILIPOU Kolonaki IPIROS TAVERN Psyrri LOUIZIDIS Vouliagmeni O Tzitzikas Ki O Mermigas Kifissia, Syntagma VLASSIS Hilton
Antaios Psychico ATHINAIKON Omonia CINCO Kolonaki KIRKI Thissio OUZADIKO Kolonaki SCHOLARHEIO Plaka
THAI
MULTI ETHNIC
ANDAMAN Athens BLUE BAMBOO Athens ROUAN THAI Piraeus ROYAL THAI Kifissia TAMARIND Metaxourgeio
Altamira Kolonaki BUBA Kifissia PERSIAN ANAHITA Halandri
TURKISH
POLYNESIAN
Mutfak Glyfada
LEDRA KAI Syngrou
VEGETARIAN
PUB RESTAURANTS
Avocado Syntagma Giouvetsakia Glyfada NICE N EASY Kolonaki Rosebud Kolonaki
KEG ‘N’ CREW Piraeus MOLLY MALONE’S Glyfada THE JAMES JOYCE Thissio RETRO Aneton Maroussi ROOFTOP DINING ELECTRA Plaka IOANNIS Syntagma LE GRAND BALCON Kolonaki ORIZONTES LYKAVYTTOU Kolonaki ST’ASTRA Mavili Sq
WINE BARS FABRICA DE VINO Exarhia HETEROCLITO Syntagma Kiki’s de Grece Syntagma L’Enoteca Halandri OINOSCENT Syntagma Vinifera Kifissia Vrettos Plaka Whispers of wine Maroussi VINARTE Glyfada
insider athens | May - June 2015 45
Acropolis Gifts Greece is for Lovers 50 - 52 Valtetsiou Str. Tel: 210.924.5064 www.greeceisforlovers.com Tongue-in-cheek souvenirs for the discerning traveller
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr
Marie Chantal Boutique
Ermenegildo Zegna
Rere Papa
Spefsippou 11, Tel: 210.722.2029 Old-fashioned chic for little princes and princesses
Skoufa 18, Tel: 210.361.3700 Home of fine fabrics and handsome tailor-finished suits
Skoufa 62, Tel: 210.364.4300 Distinctive creations by two young Greek women and other international imports
Mouyer
Voukourestiou 50 Tel: 210.364.1308 A haven of hip, carrying labels from Balenciaga to Martin Margiela to Marlene Birger
Kanari 8, Tel: 210.361.7714 Good-quality orthopaedic shoes as well as funkier styles
Free Shop
Skoufa 10 Tel: 210.362.2326 Designer homeware and accessories
Vlassis Holevas
Syllektiko Paleopolio
Anagnostopoulou 19, Tel: 210.361.6167 Elegant fashion with a contemporary twist
Asklipiou 41, Tel: 210.364.1718 Antiques of all sorts and restoration services
Flowers
Vinyl Microstore
Yesterday's Bread
Kallidromiou 87-89, Tel: 210.881.1233 Imported second-hand clothes; individuality guaranteed
Kolonaki Antiques Kilim Hali Valaoritou 9, Tel: 210.363.7056 www.kilimhali.gr Antique carpets from around the world
Beauty &Cosmetics Apivita Solonos 6, Tel: 210.364.0560 Shop natural Greek cosmetics, get a prescription cream made up and have a quick massage
Harnn Shop Irakleitou 15, Tel: 210.364.5428 Beautifully packaged skincare and homespa products
Fleria Bespoke Athens
Fashion
Kalogirou
Atelier Loukia
Patriarchou Ioakim 4, Tel: 210.335.6401 Fetish footwear from Prada, Tod's & Casadei
Kanari 24, Tel: 210.362.7334 Fairytale dresses in lace and embroidery from Greece's doyenne designer
Lacoste
Bespoke Athens
Solonos 5, Tel: 210.361.8030 French take on American sportswear
Anagnostopoulou 15-17 Tel: 210.364.5518, Made-to-measure suits and shirts from top international tailors
Iraklitou 9, Tel: 210.360.8315 Alber Elbaz's gloriously chic take on the classic French couture house
Boss Store
Lanvin
Linea Piu
Carouzos
Sekeri 6, Tel: 210 360.6125 Collections from exclusive fashion houses including Chanel, Galliano, Lagerfeld and Sonia Rykiel
Kanari 12, Tel: 210.362.7123 Designer items from Prada, Brioni, Donna Karan, Fendi and other top-flight brands
Skoufa 15, Tel: 210.363.5600 Designer emporium stocked with Chloe, Roberto Cavalli, Ralph Lauren, Missoni & more
Amerikis 19, Tel: 210.338.9080 Smart separates for a work wardrobe
Luisa
Deux Hommes
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Kanari 18, Tel: 210.361.4155 Greece's design ambassadors create structural separates and heavenly bridal gowns. www.deuxhommes.gr
Observatory Attitudes
Dior Boutique Voukourestiou 18-20, Tel: 210 361.3014 High-end designer fashion
Xanthou 3, Tel: 210.363.6030 Budget knick-knacks and must-have casuals from America's fashion hero
Paul & Shark
Jack in the Box
Anagnostopoulou 6, Tel: 210.339.2334 Casual yachting styles
Haritos 13, Tel: 210.725.8735 Beautiful wooden toys and more
Elina Lebessi
Preview
Iraklitou 13, Tel: 210.363.1731 Ethereal frocks, pretty tea-dresses and accessories from around the world
Patriarchou Ioakim 19, Tel: 210.722.4731 High fashion designer shoes
46 insider athens | May - June 2015
DKNY
Patriarchou Ioakim 35, Tel: 210.722.9697
Food & Wine Cava Anthidis Ypsilantou 13-15, Tel: 210.725.1050 Comprehensive wine and liquor wholesalers
Kylix Karneadou 20, Tel: 210.724.5143 Quality picks from the world’s best vineyards; including Greek labels
Wine Garage Xenokratous 25, Tel: 210.721.3175 Browser-friendly cava with helpful service
Gadgets Octopus Solonos 15, Tel: 210.363 6677 Quirky designs with a sense of humour
Gifts Benaki Museum Gift Shop Vas. Sofias & Koumbari Tel: 210.367.1045 Artefacts and jewellery inspired by the museum’s exhibits
Solonos 9, Tel: 210.364.6910 The ultimate fashion store www.attitudes.gr
Solonos 8, Tel: 210.360.3775 Classic American sportswear
Children
Patriarchou Ioakim 30-32 Tel: 210.725.8525 Original silk designs for scarves, ties, shawls & blouses
The Tsitouras Collection
Exarhia
Didotou 34, Tel: 210.361.4544 New vinyls & cds; also reissues from the 60s & more
Thalassa Collection
Ilias Lalaounis museum
Central Athens
Insider guide Shop
Shop
Liana Vourakis
Oxette
Anagnostopoulou 26-28, Tel. 2103617705
Skoufa 37, Tel: 210.339.0547 Trendy, affordable jewellery
Home
Ozzi Skoufa 30, Tel: 210.364.2139 Greek silver fashion jewellery
Christofle
Van Cleef & Arpels
Koumbari 5, Tel: 210.362.0483 Classis silver and crystal ideal for wedding gifts
Voukourestiou 1, Tel: 210.331.0319 The jeweller of the international jetset
La Fenetre Irodotou 21, Tel: 210.723.5029 Elegant objects and sophisticated gifts for the house, mostly from France
Parousiasi Patriarchou Ioakim 33, Tel: 210.723.7656, A range of international brands in crystal, china and other eye-catching homeware accessories
Jewellery Apriati Pindarou 29, Tel: 210.360.7878 Smartly designed necklaces, bracelets and rings
Elena Votsi Xanthou 7, Tel: 210.360.0936 Conversation-starting pieces in gold and stone
Fanourakis Patriarchou Ioakim 23 Tel: 210.721.1762, Unique collection of animal and insect pins & earrings
Folli Follie Tsakalof 6 & Solonos 25 Tel: 210.323.0739 Greece's high-street export stocks affordable watches and everyday bijoux
Monastiraki Antiques Darousos Normanou 7, Tel: 210.331.1638 Small antique shop in the heart of the flea market
Paleovivliopolio Hiotakis Normanou 7, Tel: 210.324.7835 Historic bookshop houses rare & old books
Food & Wine DELICATESSEN Arapian Evripidou 41, Tel: 210.321.7238 Old-style butcher shop offers interesting sausages, pasturma & smoked meats
Bahar Evripidou 31, Tel: 210.321.7225 Well-known herb haven
Miran Evripidou 45, Tel: 210.321.7187 Sausages, pastrami & cured meats
Pangrati BEAUTY & COSMETICS
Liana Vourakis
Korres
Anagnostopoulou 26-8 Tel: 210.362.2564 For unique baptism and wedding gifts, start here
Ivikou 8 & Eratosthenous Tel: 210.722.2774 Natural Greek products made using Mediterranean herbs
Plaka
Syntagma
Antique stores
Accessories
Martinos Pandrosou 50, Tel: 210.321.2414 Specializes in 19th Century folk art, embroidery & furniture
Food & wine
Bag Stories Panepistimiou 41, Tel: 210.323.7405 Luggage & travel bags by Tumi, Porsche Design, Rimowa & Delsey
Antiques Antiqua
Mesogaia Nikis 52, Tel: 210.322.9146 Packaged & fresh speciality foods
Vassilis Amalias 2-4, Tel: 210.323.2220 One of the oldest antique stores in Athens
Gifts
Beauty & Cosmetics
Amorgos
Fresh Line
Kodrou 3, Tel: 210.324.3836 Hand-carved & painted furniture
Ermou 30, Tel: 210.324.6500 Fresh organic cosmetics from Greece
Psyrri
Ermou 44, Tel: 210.325.8260 International cosmetic brand for women who like to play with colour
Fashion Christoforos Kotentos Sachtouri 3, Tel: 210.325.5434 Glamorous & unique designs
Home Notoshome Kratinou 5, Tel: 210.374.3000 Home dĂŠcor superstore
MAC
Books Eleftheroudakis Panepistimiou 17, Tel: 210.325.8440 The largest foreign language bookstore in Greece
Department Stores attica Panepistimiou 9, Tel: 211.180.2600 Home to an array of luxury goods
Fokas Stadiou 41, Tel: 210.325.7770 Clothes, shoes and accessories for men, women & children
Fashion - Men’s Pagoni Akadimias 61, Tel: 210.363.9277 Selling ties and cufflinks since 1933
insider athens | May - June 2015 47
Dromoloulouda Voulis 15, Tel: 210.323.2321 Specializing in arrangements with wild flowers, many indigenous to Greece
Ermou 18, Tel: 210.323.0739 Trendy & affordable jewellery & accessories
Gofas Stadiou 3, Tel: 210.331.7540 High-end timepieces
Ilias Lalaounis
Food & Wine
Panepistimiou 6, Tel: 210.361.1371 Fabulous gold designs by famous Greek jeweller
Aristokratikon
Kessaris
Karageorgi Servas 9, Tel: 210.322.0546 Handmade chocolates
Marathianakis
Cellier Kriezotou 1, Tel: 210.361.0040 Speciality wine shop
Gadgets Public Syntagma Square, Tel: 210.324.6210, Five floors of gaming, gadgets & books
Gifts Graf Von Faber-Castell Boutique
Panepistimiou 7, Tel: 210.323.2919 Wide range of luxury brand timepieces Voukourestiou 21, Tel: 210.362.7118 Old-world shop known for its original & elegant designs
Omega Omega, the brand of James Bond and Nicole Kidman, has its own elegant boutique on Voukourestiou showcasing the brand’s collections Voukourestiou 2, Tel: 210.322.7682
Pentheroudakis Voukourestiou 19, Tel: 210.361.3187 Timeless pieces inspired by classical Greek design
Panepistimiou 41, Tel: 210.321.8564 Traditional hand-held writing utensils
Kori Mitropoleos 13, Tel: 210.323.3534 Traditional & contemporary jewellery
Psarros 1917 Stadiou 3, Tel: 210.322.0908 Executive gifts and smoking accessories
Home Baccarat Voukourestiou 21, Tel: 210.362.2863 Fine crystal from the venerable French luxury house
Jewellery Apriati Pentelis 9 & Mitropoleos, Tel: 210.322.9020 Smartly designed necklaces, bracelets and rings
Bulgari Voukourestiou 8, Tel: 210.324.7118 Opulent designs in jewellery, watches & accessories
Cartier Voukourestiou 7, Tel: 210.331.3600 Two floors of designs & timepieces by the prestigious Cartier maison
Chopard Stadiou 2 & Vas. Georgiou 210.325.0555Legendary time pieces and jewellery.
Folli Follie
48 insider athens | May - June 2015
Zayiana
Zolotas Panepistimiou 10, Tel: 210.360.1272 Designs inspired by the antique & classical periods as well as contemporary collections by designers like Paloma Picasso www.zolotas.gr
Shoes Spiliopoulos Ermou 63, Tel: 210.322.7590 Pick up a pair of Manolo’s at half price!
Vassilis Zoulias Old Athens Akadimias 4, Tel: 210.361.4762 Handmade shoes and handbags inspired by films of the 50s & 60s
Southern Athens
Flowers
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Glyfada Fashion Enny di Monaco Laodikis 41, Tel: 210.894.0153 Carefully selected designs by various international designers
Obervatory Attitudes A. Panagouli 17, Tel: 210.894.2113 The ultimate fashion store www.attitudes.gr
Saltwater Astir Beach, Vouliagmeni 210.894.0813 Designer beach and resortwear
Zayiana
Northern Athens
Insider guide Shop
Kifissia Fashion 21 Kifissia Kifissias 265, Tel: 210.801.3594 Extreme sport paraphernelia
Vassilis Zoulias Argyropoulou 1-3, Tel: 210.801.7023 Unique designs reminiscent of times past
Food & Wine Aristokratikon Argyropoulou 8, Tel: 210.801.6533 Decadent handmade chocolates
Bakaliko Ola Ta Kala Kifissias 238-240, Mela Shopping Centre, Tel: 210.808.9908 Quality Greek delicacies
Sorpresa Italiana Kiriazi 6-8, Tel: 210.801.7886, Authentic fresh Italian pasta, sauces, truffles & more
Stefanidis Finest Foods
A. Metaxa 19 Tel: 210.898.32.69 www.zayiana.com
Dimitrios Square 13, Tel: 210.808.2191 Excellent European delicatessen
Jewellery
Kassaveti 5, Tel: 210.801.2472 Milk products & patisserie
ZerTeo Metaxa 24-26, Tel: 210.894.6682 Unique jewellery designs
Varsos
Maroussi Golden Hall
Provence
Kifissias 37A, Tel: 210.680.3450 131 high-end (and high-street) stores for anyone with a passion for fashion
Posidonos 80, Tel: 210.898.1435 Gourmet French delicatessen
Andrea Papandreou 35 Tel: 210.630.0000 Shops, cinemas and food
Food & Wine
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Central Athens
Eat & Drink Acropolis EAT Aglio Olio & Peperonicino Porinou 13, Tel: 210.921.1801 Authentic Italian pasta in a cozy setting, accompanied by luscious salads and homemade dolci
Atrium Rovertou Galli 4, Acropolis. Tel: 210.923.6832, Refined Greek cuisine in a cosy setting
Mani Mani Falirou 10 Tel: 210.921.8180 Peloponnesian specialities with Mediterranean touches
Exarhia EAT Fabrica de Vino Em. Benaki 3, Tel: 210.321.4148 85 wine etiquettes and mini mezzes in an industrial environment
Kavouras Themistokleous 64, Tel: 210.381.0202 Dine while enjoying live Rebetika music
Salero Valtetsiou 51, Tel: 210.381.3358 Spanish and mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Exarhia
Yantes Valtetsiou 44, Tel: 210.330.1369 Modern Greek cuisine prepared with organic ingredients.
DRINK Circus Bar Navarinou 11, Tel: 210.361.5255 Attracts a hip and happening crowd in a cozy space
Ginger Ale
MoMix
Themistokleous 74, Tel: 210.330.1246 Enjoy a cocktail or a coffee in a retro pop atmosphere
Keleou 1-5, Gazi. Tel: 697.435.0179, Temple of mixology and high-quality bartending
Vox
PIXI
Arahovas 56 & Themistokleous Tel: 210.383.5811 One of the oldest summer cinemas in Athens is a picturesque place for a retro-tinged drink
Evmolpidon 11, Gazi. Tel: 210.342.3751, Get in to the groove
Gazi EAT Bollywood Gazi Elasidon 29 & Konstantinoupoleos 44, Tel: 210.345.0041 Indian cuisine in an industrial setting
Plastiko
Sofroniou 12A, Tel: 210.341.0308 Excellent cocktails, reasonable prices, summer mood
Socialista Triptolemou 33, Gazi Tel: 210.347.4733 Mainstream barclub in industrial setting
Tapas Bar
Triptolemou 44, Tel: 210.347.1844 Cocktails and tapas at the bar, just like in Spain
Athiri
Persefonis 19, Tel: 210.341.3440 Traditional psistaria serving grilled meat dishes
Hilton
Plataion 15, Tel: 210.346.2983 Greek & Mediterranean cuisine in beautiful surroundings
Kohenoor
EAT
Butcher’s Shop
Triptolemou 41, Tel: 210.345.5762 Indian authentic specialties in a neat setting
Mamacas Persefonis 41, Tel: 210.346.4984 Modern taverna located in an old barrel warehouse offering traditional Greek fare
Prosopa Meg. Vasiliou 52 & Konstantinoupoleos 4 Tel: 210.341.3433, Delicious dishes in a warm atmosphere right beside the train tracks. A popular gay haunt.
Thalatta Vitonos 5, Tel: 210.346.4204 Fresh seafood creations
DRINK Bars, Clubs & Lounges Almaz Triptolemou 12, Tel: 210.347.4763 Lounge in a modern atmosphere while listening to music from around the world
Dirty Ginger Triptolemou 46, Tel: 210.342.3809 Excellent cocktails, meat dishes and “hot” finger food
Hoxton Bar Voutadon 42 Gazi, Tel: 210.341.3395, A cocktail bar based on Hoxton in East London
Gazarte
Boutadon 32-34, Tel: 210.346.0347 Lounge bar with excellent views of the Acropolis, ethnic music and live events
Gasoline
Gargittion 23Α, Tel: 210.346.9396 All day bar with freestyle music and interesting guest-nights
Mani Mani
Voted one of to p 10 restaurants in Paramythias 13 and Salaminos, Tel: 210 524 2727 Haute cuisine Europe Funky Gourmet
Alatsi Vrassida 13, Tel: 210.721.0501 Exquisite Cretan specialties
Byzantino
Athens Hilton Vas. Sofias 46, Tel: 210.728.1400 Traditional Greek recipes with a Mediterranean twist
Cookoovaya
in art deco interior
Safka
Regular w ine
Megalou Alexandrou 80-82, degustat ions Tel: 210 524 3340 Scandinavian cuisine
DRINK
Hatziyianni Mexi 2A, Tel. 210.723.5005, 5 famous chefs combine their talents to create unique flavors.
CV Bar
Baltinon 2 , Gyzi. Tel : 211.700.9383
Kolonaki
Konstantinoupoleos 108, Keramikos Tel: 210.345.1744
Leilimlei Milos
Athens Hilton Vas. Sofias 46, Tel: 210.724.4400 Simply prepared local flavours. Guaranteed value for money
Vezene
EAT Bakeries & Patisseries Cake
Vrasida 11, Tel: 210.723.2002 Modern bistrot serving seafood & cured beef
Irodotou 15, Tel: 210.721.2253 For real American homemade cheesecake, brownies and more
Vlassis
Fresh
Meandrou 15, Tel: 210.646.3060 & 210.725.6335, Family-run taverna serving traditional Greek food
Kriezotou 12, Tel: 210.364.2948/ Loukianou 21, Tel: 210.729.3453 Desserts and cakes
DRINK
Restaurants
Galaxy Bar Athens Hilton, Vas. Sofias 46, Tel: 210.728.1402 Rooftop cocktails in a chic atmosphere
Kerameikos EAT Aleria
Awarded Toqu e d’Or
in 2013 Meg. Alexandrou 57, Tel: 210.522.2633 Adventurous Greek cuisine in a cosy setting
Altamira Tsakalof 36A, Tel: 210.361.4695 Flavours of multiethnic cuisine
Boschetto Evangelismos Park, Tel: 210.721.0893 Italian food in a lush central setting
Cafe Boheme Omirou 36, Tel: 210.360.8018 Welcoming nook with Greek cooking and more-ish cocktails
Capanna Ploutarchou 38 & Charitos, Kolonaki Tel: 210.724.1777 People-watching and authentic Italian fare
insider athens | May - June 2015 49
Insider guide Eat & Drink new
Cinco
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr
Ouzadiko
Yoko Sushi & Bento
Skoufa 52, Tel: 210.364.3603 Great cocktails and specialty tapas
Karneadou 25-26, Tel: 210.729.5484 Traditional Greek appetizers & ouzo
F+W
Papadakis
39 Patriarchou Ioakeim Tel: 210.342.4654 Fresh sushi to-go!
new
Xenokratous 49, Tel: 210.721.1146 Gourmet food by Oliver Campanha
Filippou Xenokratous 19, Tel: 210.721.6390 Home-cooked Greek taverna dishes
IT restaurant Skoufa 29, Tel. 210 36 35 773, Affordable gourmet menu in a chic environment.
Jackson Hall Milioni 4, Tel: 210.361.6098 Gourmet burgers with all the fixings
Kalamaki Kolonaki Ploutarhou 32, Tel: 210.721.8800 Souvlakia on the sidewalk have never been so trendy
Kiku Dimokritou 12, Tel: 210.364.7033 Fresh, beautifully presented sushi
L’Abreuvoir Xenokratous 51, Tel: 210.722.9106 Fine French cuisine
Le Grand Balcon St George Lycabettus Hotel, Kleomenous 2, Tel: 210.729.0711 Gourmet Greek cuisine
Li - Li - Shu Deinokratous 1, Tel: 210.722.2254 Refreshingly authentic Japanese cuisine
Minnie the Moocher Tsakalof 6, Kolonaki, Tel: 210 364 1686
Nice n Easy Omirou 60 & Skoufa, Tel.: 210.361.7201 Gourmet cafe-restaurant with organic products and jazz music
Orizontes Lycavyttou Lycabettus Hill, Tel: 210.722.7065 Gourmet dining with a spectacular view
Fokilidou 15 & Voukourestiou 47A Tel: 210.360.8621 Paros’ legendary gourmet restaurant serving seafood in the heart of Athens
DRINK Bars, Clubs & Lounges
P-BOX
City
Haritos 24, Periscope hotel Tel: 210.729.8556 Simple ingredients, special flavours in a setting designed by Theodore Zoumboulakis
Charitos 43, Tel: 210.722.8910 Modern aesthetics, mutli-culti crowd and soulful music
Prytaneion
Solonos 72, Tel: 693.951.1760, 690.607.3362 Union jacks and red telephone booths in an all day bar-restaurant
Milioni 7, Tel: 210.364.3353 Generous portions of Mediterranean fare
Ratka Haritos 32, Tel: 210.729.0746 Popular haunt of the rich and almost famous, with cosmopolitan cuisine
Sale e Pepe Aristipou 34, Tel: 210.723.4102 Authentic Italian trattoria
Scala Vinoteca Sina 50, Tel: 210.361.0041 Mediterranean restaurant ideal for wining & dining
Showroom Milioni 12, Tel: 210.364.6460 Missoni-designed interiors, serving unique Mediterranean flavours
Spiros & Vasilis
new
Lachitos 5, Tel: 210.723.7575 Original French cuisine
Suba Restaurant
London str 72
new
For Creative Cuisine www.lachocolatiere.gr
Mai Tai Ploutarhou 18, Tel: 210.725.8306 Early evening cocktails in a laid-back atmosphere
Rosebud Omirou 60 & Skoufa 40, Tel: 210.339.2370 All day hang-out with music ranging from jazz to famous soundtracks
Skoufaki Skoufa 47-49, Tel: 210.364.5888 All time classic café bar
Mavili Sq
Ten
DRINK
Ploutarhou 10, Tel: 210.721.0161 One of the most popular hot spots in town
Cafés
Balthazar Tsoha 27, Tel: 210.644.1215 Lovely garden and chic interior attracts a cool crowd
Baraonda
Skoufa 58 & Sina, Kolonaki Tel: 210.338.8211 Authentic sushi in the heart of the city
Da Capo
TGI Friday’s
Peros
Kolokotroni 35, Kefalari sq. Tel: 210.623.3945, American restaurant with real steak and barbecuesauce for casual dining!
Kolonaki Square, Tel: 210.364.5068 Enjoy a cup of java if you can find a spot
Tea
EAT
Tutti a Tavola
To Tsai
Spefsippou 8, Kolonaki. Tel: 210.722.2785, Authentic Italian trattoria at affordable prices.
Fuga
Soutsou & Likavitou, Tel: 210.338.8941 Tea & tea paraphernalia from around the world
Vas.Sofias & Kokkali 1, Tel: 210 724 2979 Italian inspired menu by chef Andrea Berton at the Athens Concert Hall
Tsakalof 1, Tel: 210.360.2497 Long-established people-watching hangout
Tsoha 43, Tel: 210.644.4308 Gourmet cuisine and funky beats
Briki Dorileou 6, Tel: 210.654.2380 Trendy hole-in-the-wall hangout
Ginger Dorileou 10-12, Tel: 210.645.1169 Original dishes and innovative combinations in an elegant atmosphere
St’Astra Alexadras 10, Tel: 210.889.4500 For an unforgettable roof-top dining experience
To Parko Eleftherias
Aleria
50 insider athens | May - June 2015
Milos Garden
Next to Megaron Mousikis, Tel: 210.722.3784 Classic recipes and nice atmopshere in a lush green park
Eat & Drink MetaxOurgeio
360 Cocktail Bar
Fuga
EAT Andaman Alopis 65, Athens, Tel. 211.210.4939, Thai food in an exotic setting
Archeon Gefsis Kodratou 22, Tel: 210.523.9661 Ancient Greek cuisine makes a unique comeback after 25 centuries
Blue Bambo Kydantidon 24, Athens, Tel. 210.342.3124, Thai food with modern interior design
Polly Maggoo Leonidou 80 & Salaminos, Tel: 210 524 1120 Gourmet cuisine in a post-modern and industrial setting. New hot spot for the trendy
Tamarind
new
Keramikou 51, Metaxourgio, Tel. 210.522.5945, tamarindathens.gr/eng Thai food in a beautiful setting
Monastiraki EAT Bairaktaris Monastiraki Square 2 Tel: 210.321.3036 Old-world taverna serving traditional Greek fare
Café Avissinia
new
Kynetou 7, Tel: 210.321.7407 Specializing in regional dishes & live music on weekends
Dos Agaves
new
Avramiotou 12, Tel: 210.331.3577 Great Cocktail bar and taco joint
Melilotos Kalamiotou 19, Tel: 210.322.2458 Greek-Mediterranean cuisine with fresh local ingredients
Savvas Mitropoleos 86, Tel: 210.321.9919 Gyros & Middle Eastern dishes like pastourmali
Sigalas-Bairaktaris Monastiraki Sq. 2, Tel: 210.321.3036 Century-old restaurant serving a variety of fresh dishes
Souvlaki Bar Adrianou 7 & Thisiou 15, Tel: 210.515.0550
Stou Meïdani Sokratous 3 & Evripidou Tel: 210.324.9073, A menu that is sure to please with speciality oven dishes
Thanassis Mitropoleos 69, Tel: 210.324.4705 A souvlaki lover’s paradise
To Kouti Adrianou 23, Tel: 210.321.3229 Mediterranean fare right next to the ancient agora
DRINK 360 Cocktail Bar Ifestou 2, Tel: 210.321.0006
A for Athens Miaouli 2-4, Tel: 210.324.4244 An urban terrace with the most stunning view of the Acropolis
Loukoumi Bar Plateia Avissinias 3, Tel: 210.323.4814 An all day hang-out with good music, cool atmosphere and great views
Six Dogs Avramiotou 6-8, Tel: 210.321.0510 A day&night cultural entertainment center and bar with a vivid 600m2 back-garden.
Taf Normanou 5, Tel: 210.323.8757 Outdoor bar in a neoclassical building with arty atmosphere and great exhibitions
Mavro Provato
Ariannou 31, Pangrati, Tel: 210.722.3466 Best value-for-money meal in Athens
Spondi Pyrronos 5, Tel: 210.756.4021 A mix of European & more exotic flavours. Voted one2ofMi theche bestlinin Athens
stars
Sushi Bar (The)
Stilponos 2, Pl.Varnava, Pangrati Tel: 210.752.4354 Sushi on a budget
Tortuga Archimidous 1, Pangrati, Tel: 213.030.7520, Healthy, affordable street-style food.
Trapezaria Efronionos 13, Pangrati Tel: 210.921.3500, Mediterranean cuisine in chic setting
Trata o Stelios
Daphne’s Restaurant Lysikratous 4, Tel: 210.322.7971 Refined classic Greek dishes in a resplendent atmosphere
Electra Nikodimou 18-20, Tel: 210.337.0000 Roof-top dining with Greek cuisine
Mono Wine Restaurant Venizelou Paleologou 4, Tel: 210.322.6711 Unpretentious gourmet cuisine
Scholarheio Tripodon 14, Tel: 210.324.1605 A traditional tray taverna with old fashioned decor & prices
Ydria Adrianou 68 & Eolou, Tel: 210.325.1619 Taditional Greek cuisine
Anagenniseos Sq. 7-9, Tel: 210.729.1533 The best grilled fish in town
Psyrri
DRINK - LIVE BARS
EAT
Kebabtzidikon Barbadimos
Half Note Jazz Club
Diporto
Aigaiou and Spathari 2, Nea Smyrni, Tel. 210.934.7600 Casual, authentic souvlakerie
Trivonianou 17, Tel: 210.921.3310 A jazz club with great history, hosting important names from the international music scene.
Theatrou & Sokratous, Tel: 210.321.1463 Old-world tavern offers bargain basics like salads, sardines & fava
Omonia
Superfly
Aiolou 51, Tel: 210.323.9809 Gourmet ethnic street food
Nea Smyrni EAT
EAT Athinaikon Themistokleous 2, Tel: 210.383.8485 A traditional Greek ouzeri
Ideal Restaurant Panepistimiou 46, Tel: 210.330.3000 Greek classics in old-world decor
Trata Themistokleous 8 and Nikitara 9, Tel: 210.383.8531 Excellent fish taverna in the centre of Athens
Pangrati EAT Cucina Povera Evforionos 13 & Eratosthenous Tel: 210.756.6008, Greek cuisine with a menu that changes daily
Fatsio Efroniou 5, Tel: 210.721.7421 Greek food & political gossip
Empedokleous 28-30, Tel: 211.404.6076 The new hot spot for retro gamers
Falafellas
new
Gostijo
PETRALONA
Aisopou 10 street, Tel: 210.323.3825 Kosher menu and mediterranean “repertoire”
EAT
Ipiros Tavern
Thio Tragi
new
Kidatidon 36, Tel: 210.341.0296 Creative gourmet kitchen with high quality ingredients
Plaka
new
Athens Central Market Filopimenos 4, Tel: 210.324.0773 Great traditional Greek tavern, an excellent place for lunch
Kouzina Cine-Psirri Sari 44, Tel: 210.321.5534 Mediterranean fare & eclectic music
EAT 2 Mazi Nikis 48, Tel: 210.322.2839 Creative gourmet dishes that change monthly
Brettos Kydathaneon 41, Plaka, Tel: 21.323.2110. Legendary wateringhole in the Plaka district
Spondi
insider athens | May - June 2015 51
Insider guide Eat & Drink
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr Frequent wine tastings
Ochre & Brown
GB Corner
Paul
Oinoscent
Leokoriou 7, Tel: 210.331.2950 Mediterranean/French cuisine
Hotel Grand Bretagne, Tel: 210.333.0750 Luxurious surroundings, Mediterranean cuisine
Panepistiomiou 10, Tel: 210.722.4824 A true French patisserie
Voulis 45-47, Tel: 210.322.9374 Trendy winebar
Plaza Lounges
The Gin Joint
Indian Kitchen
NJV Athens Plaza Hotel Vas. Georgiou A & Stadiou Tel: 210.335.2400 All day lounge with salads & snacks
Christou Lada 1, Tel: 210.321.8646 Popular drinks, classic cocktails and the fanciest G&T in Athens!
DRINK Bars, Clubs & Lounges
Apollonos 6, Tel: 210.323.7720
Cantina Social
Royal Olympic Hotel, Ath. Diakou 28-34, Tel: 210.928.8400 Greek & Mediterranean cuisine with breathtaking views from the rooftop
Leokoriou 8, Tel: 210.325.1668 Tiny standing bar, ideal for socializing.
Dude Kalamiotou 14, Tel: 210.322.7130 Uptempo bar inspired by “Big Lebowski”
Syntagma EAT Amandine Bagels & Gourmandises Nikis 13, Syntagma Tel : 210.323.9829 Fresh bagels and French pastries
Avocado Nikis 30, Tel: 210.323.7878 Vegetarian restaurant
City Bistro Stoa Spiliomilou, Syntagma, Tel. 210 32 11 315, citylink.gr Refined cuisine in chic setting
Dosirak Voulis 31-33, Tel: 210.323.3330 Japanese & Korean cuisine in the heart of Athens
Furin Kazan
Ioannis
Kiki’s de Grece Ipitou and Voulis 38, Syntagma, Tel: 210.321.1279, Cosy wine bar with French flair
Koi 15 Nikis, Syntagma, 210.321.1099 Affordable street-food style sushi
NJV Athens Plaza Hotel Vas. Georgiou A & Stadiou Tel: 210.335.2400 International cuisine with Mediterranean accents
AiNikolas
Avenue
DRINK
New Taste
Bars, Clubs & Lounges
New Hotel, Filellinon 16, Tel: 210.327.3170 Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist
42 Bar
Apollonos 11, Tel: 210.331.8585 A congenial place to drop in for a quick noodle fix
O Tzitzikas ki o Mermigas Mitropoleos 12-14, Tel: 210.324.7607 Savoury Greek cuisine, perfectly combining modern & traditional elements Agias Eirinis Sq, Tel: 210.324.3331 Mediterranean dishes in a setting where minimalism meets retro
3 Kolokotroni, Tel: 6948242455, Delicious creative cocktails and mixology
Baba Au Rum
new
Clayton 6, Tel: 211.710.9140 Amazing cocktails and rum collection with a cozy environment
Boutique Filellinon 15, Tel: 210.323.1315 Popular Athenian night spot
Explorer’s Lounge NJV Athens Plaza, Syntagma Square, Tel: 210.335.2400, Magnificent cocktails and live jazz in an intimate atmosphere
Heteroclito Fokionos 2, Tel: 210.323.9406 A true wine destination with focus on Greek vineyards
Kalua
The concierge of the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Syntagma Square recommends:
Eat Drink Do
Amerikis 6, Tel: 210.360.8304 Dance the night away in a chic environment
New: Suba, Kolonaki, Athens Classic: Filippou, Kolonaki, Athens Alternative: Vezene, Ilissia, Athens
52 insider athens | May - June 2015
Syngrou Ave. 156, Tel: 210.923.2918 Original seafood dishes, fresh ingredients and simple elegant interior Metropolitan Hotel, Syngrou Ave 385, Tel: 210.947.100 French bistrot inspired by Michel Roux
Café Zoe Athenaeum InterContinental, Syngrou Ave 89-93, Tel: 210.920.6655 Casual dining and terrific buffets for lunch and on Sundays
Hytra Onassis Cultural Center Syngrou Ave 107-109, Tel: 217.707.1118, 210.331.6767 Creative gourmet Greek cuisine with stunning views
Kollias Syngrou Ave. 303, Tel: 210.940.8620 Excellent seafood in a pleasant Mediterranean atmosphere
Ledra Kai Athens Ledra Hotel, Syngrou 115, Neos Kosmos, Tel: 210.930.0000 Polynesian Tepanyiaki restaurant going strong after 30 years
Peacock Hotel Hera, Falirou 9, Tel: 210.923.6682 Traditional food with breathtaking Acropolis views
Première Athenaeum InterContinental, Syngrou Ave 89-93, Tel: 210.920.6981 Gourmet cuisine with splendid views
Thissio EAT
New: CV, Kerameikos, Athens Classic: Oinoscent, Syntagma, Athens Alternative: Minnie the Moocher, Kolonaki, Athens New: Onassis Cultural Centre, Tavros, Athens Classic: Museum of Cycladic Art, Kolonaki, Athens Alternative: Herakleidon Museum, Thissio, Athens
EAT
King George Hotel Vas. Georgiou A 3, Tel: 210.322.2210 Elegant setting, refined cuisine and an incredible Acropolis view
Mitropoleos 3, Tel: 210.324.1805 Modern greek grill restaurant
Noodle Bar
Syngrou
Tudor Hall Restaurant & Lounge
Meatropoleos 3
Osterman
Apollonos 2, Tel: 210.322.9170 A Japanese favourite of expats & Athenians alike
The Parliament
new
Indian Masala Ermou 129, Tel: 210.321.9412 Amazing Indian food at affordable price in a pleasant environment
Kirki Explorer’s Lounge
Apostoplou Pavlou 31, Tel: 210.346.6960 Ideal for a lunch break
Eat & Drink Kuzina
Vosporos
Adrianou 9, Tel: 210.324.0133 Inspired traditional recipes in a cozy arty environment
Akti Koumoundourou 20, Pireaus, Tel.210.412.7324, Mediterranean dining with a sea view.
The James Joyce
Southern Athens
Astiggos 12, Tel: 210.323.5055 Genuine Irish pub with typical pub fare
Ak. Koumoundourou 48, Tel: 210.417.5152 Fresh seafood on the quay
Zorbas Ak. Koumoundourou 14, Tel: 210.411.1663 Unique flavours of the Mediterranean
Piraeus EAT Captain John’s Ak. Koumoundourou 16A, Tel: 210.417.7589 Traditional seafood
Dourambeis Ak. Protopsalti 29, Tel: 210.412.2092 Classic fish taverna
Jimmy and The Fish Ak. Mikrolimanou, Tel: 210.412.4417 Excellent seafood; try the astakomakaronada
Keg ‘n’ Crew
Zefyros
new
Akti Miaouli 83, Tel: 210.429.0396 Comfort food and cold beers
Kollias Plastira 3, Tel: 210.462.9620 Excellent seafood but difficult to find; reserve on weekends
Rouan Thai
Restaurants
Molly Malone’s
Istioploikos
Aperitivo
Ak. Microlimanou, Tel: 210.413.4084 One of the hip places to see and be seen with a rooftop bar overlooking the yachting marina
Kyprou 70, Tel: 210.894.0377 Authentic Italian cuisine in a cosy setting
Yannitsopoulou 8, Tel: 210.894.4247 Irish pub serving probably the best Irish Stew in Athens
Katafigio
33rd Street Elliniko 13, Tel: 210.963.5416 The fist dedicated Russian restaurant in Athens
Ak. Koumoundourou 4, Tel: 210.413.1612 Club, cafe & beer house
cuisine
Beirut
EAT
Food Mafia
Da Bruno Ag. Alexandrou 46, Tel: 210.981.8959 Rich list with Italian flavours
Il Tinello Knossou 54, Tel: 210.982.8462 Real Italian home cooking
Kebabtzidikon Kyr.Ariston
Kitchen Bar
Papanastasiou 63, Tel: 210.411.1901 Italian cuisine with a view of the harbour
Poseidonos 3, Tel: 210.981.2004 Comfort food overlooking the sea
Le Petit Sommelier Degustation menu Zaimi 6, Tel: 210.984.2344 Ak. Koumoundourou 52, at ju Mikrolimano, Tel: 210 5228400st 40€ French cuisine & excellent wine list new Seafood prepared by Michelin Suzanna Varoulko
Orpheus & Chariton 5, Tel: 210.942.8129 Authentic Middle Eastern cuisine
DRINK Zinc “Flisvos” Marina, Tel: 210.985.3183 Cocktails whith music
Glyfada EAT Bakeries & Patisseries Paul Varoulko
Russian
Faliro
Tony Bonano
Etolikou 72 & Vitolion, Tel: 210.461.2457 Friendly food and atmosphere
Barin
Panagouli 52 & Faidras Tel: 210.894.3169 Lebanese cuisine & entertainment
Zisimopoulou 96, Faliro, 210.982.2320 Dining in a garden setting
Vassilenas
Matsuhisa
DRINK
Notara 131, Piraeus, Tel. 210.429.4494, Home-style Thai food
star-winning chef Lefteris Lazarou
New Address! Kyprou 30-32, Tel: 210.963.8770
Esperidon Square and Kyprou 70, Tel: 210.894.7169 A real French boulangerie that serves meals too.
Laodikis & Filikis Etairias10, Tel: 210.894.2177 International fare with attitude
Giouvetsakia Ithomis 20 and Moreos, Tel: 210.964.8081 Organic mageirefta food
Hama Grigoriou Lambraki 34, Tel: 210.960.0595 Sophisticated Japanese cuisine in a cosy setting
Holy Spirit
new
Laodikis 41, Tel: 210.898.2650 Cocktail Bar with great menu and beautiful atmosphere
Mushroom Labraki & Ag. Nikolaou 48, Tel: 210.960.3943 Menu with emphasis on mushrooms with cosy, wood decor. Try the cocktail with mushrooms
Mutfak Laodikis 38, Glyfada, Tel.210.894.9060 Politiki Kouzina in a romantic setting
Ocean Basket new
Lazaraki 61 & Pandoras 5, Glyfada 210.898.3183 Fresh oysters South African favourite seafood restaurant comes to Greece
Sardelaki Foivis 15, Tel: 211.402.1195 Sardines and seafood in a casual setting.
Sale Bianco da Salvotoro Markou Botsari 10A, Tel: 210.898.6301 Authentic Italian food in an inviting atmosphere
The Burger Joint Foivis 17, Tel: 210.894.0260 NY style, organic burgers in a casual and relaxed environment.
To 25araki M. Botsari 8, Tel: 210.894.4112 Fresh seafood at reasonable prices
Il Salotto
Vincenzo
Markou Botsari 13, Tel: 210.894.8397 Minimal décor, elegant Italian fare
Giannitsopoulou 1, Tel: 210.894.1310 Value for money Italian specialities with a Southern Italian touch
Inbi Lazaraki 26, Tel: 210.894.4982 Sushi fusion
Jamon Pintxos Bar Laodikis 33-35, Tel: 210.894.6089 Basque “pinchos” in a cozy setting
Keep Woking Dimitriou Gounari 70, Tel:211.012.2801 Create-your-own Asian cuisine, fast and funky
La Casa Di Giorgino
CreperieS To Paramythi Kyprou 9, Tel: 210.894.1361 Creperie in a fairy-tale setting
DRINK Bars, Clubs & Lounges
Kyprou 30-32, Tel: 210.963.8770 Authentic Italian pizza made in a traditional wood-burning oven
Balux
Mimaya
Daskaroli 67, Tel: 210.964.7600 American style bar with rock, blues, soul music and live events
Markou Botsari 8, Tel: 210.894.4850 Creative Mediterranean cuisine.
Posidonos 58, Tel: 210.898.3577 Waterfront lounging
Bourbon
insider athens | May - June 2015 53
Insider guide Eat & Drink
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr
Capri Bay
Galazia Hytra
DRINK
Grigoriou Lambraki 2, Tel: 210.894.9995 Excellent cocktails in a Moroccan style garden
Westin Hotel, Astir Palace, 210.890.2137 Michelin star gourmet restaurant
En Plo
Laodikis 33-35, Tel: 210.894.1031 Minimal decor with well-known Greek DJs
Vinarte Marangou 18, Tel: 210 894.1511 A wine bar and Italian restaurant with regular art exhibitions and cool decor
Chocolat Zisimopoulou 9, Tel: 210.894.3442 Satisfies even the most discerning coffee connoisseur
Voula
Ithaki Apollonos 28, Tel: 210.896.3747 Beautiful sea view, fresh seafood The Margi, Litous 11, Tel: 210.892.9160 Multinational tastes in a chic Mediterranean ambience
Rafale Apollonos 28, Tel: 210.967.1184 Traditionally prepared seafood dishes presented exquisitely
Matsuhisa Athens
EAT Dulcis in Fundo Prinkipos Petrou 33, Tel: 210.894.2136 Top-quality authentic Italian
Live music Th Vasileos Pavlou 99, ursday-Saturday Elias Koukoutsi
Tel: 210.899.5480 A modern “rakadiko” serving Greek dishes.
Koi 98 Vas. Pavlou in Voula, 213.032.0890 Affordable street-food style sushi
Naiades Vas. Pavlou 74, Tel: 210.965.7706 Popular family grill joint
Vouliagmeni Baku
Astir Palace, Apollonos 40, Tel: 210.8901794 Creative Italian cuisine
Malabar
Cafes
EAT
Il Tramonto
new
Margi Hotel, Litous 11, Tel: 210.967.0924 Delicious variations of Mediterranean food
Al Bacio Posidonos 17, Tel: 210.896.0400 Trattoria serving traditional Italian dishes & pizza Il Τramonto
Astir Palace, Apollonos 40, Tel: 210.896.0510 Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa serves up sushi favourites with a LatinAmerican flair
Mythos of the Sea Ag. Nikolaou 10 & Iliou, Tel: 210.891.1100 Gourmet Mediterranean cuisine that blends local produce with fresh seafood
Psaraki Posidonos 15, Tel: 210.896.2215 Seafood served in an informal setting
Schara Posidonos 15, Tel: 210.896.2432 Grills with frills in a friendly setting at reasonable prices
Posidonos 4, Tel: 210.967.1770 Cocktails overlooking Vouliagmeni Bay
Island 27th klm Athinon-Souniou Tel: 210.965.3563-4 Award-winning cuisine & an unmatched location
Sofa Bar The Westin Hotel, Apollonos 40, Tel: 210.890.1709 Modern lounge bar serving up delectable cocktails
Northern Athens
Mikro
Silver Casa Litous 2 & Apollonos 18, Tel: 210.967.1164, 210.896.4112 Italian restaurant across the water
Waffle House Posidonos 17, Tel: 210.896.1227 Sure to satisfy your sweet tooth
Ex Anatolis
Ag. Paraskevi EAT Da Vinci Ag. Ioannou 23, Tel: 210.600.0102 Delightful dishes in fantastic ambience
Nanninela Peloponnissou 13 Tel: 210.600.5622 Authentic Italian cuisine in traditional decor
Halandri
Meat Square Ethnikis Antistaseos 9-11, Tel: 210.683.1300, Juicy steaks in pleasant family environment
Saipan K. Varnali 9, Tel: 210.685.0644 Exquisite dishes from China, Japan and Indonesia
1920 Ag. Paraskevi 110, Tel: 210.681.3029 Accent on meat in an elegant setting
Psomi & Alati Eleftherioton Sq 8, Tel.: 210.684.8178 Gastronomic paradise serving Greek dishes with a modern twist
Rakokazano Irakliou 1, Tel: 210.689.5501 Quality Greek mezzes in a cosy simple environment
Santa Fe Ag. Georgiou 30’B, Tel: 210.685.9690 Mexican food in traditional setting
Wine Not
new
Kalogrezis 12, Tel: 210.689.0007 Industrial setting with eclectic wine list
DRINK Hide & Seek
EAT
Kifisias 254, Tel: 210.677.6747 Great drink menu and perfect garden for spring and summer
30 something
Spiti Cocktail Bar
Iroon Sq 8, Tel: 210.689.9227 Pizza and cocktail bar in a San Franscisco atmosphere
Almyra Filikis Eterias 39, Tel: 210.681.9109 Refined seafood and magical summer garden
Αndrea Papantreou 9, Tel: 210.683.3677 Great cocktails and sophisticated jazz tunes
Psychico EAT
Anahita
310 Street
Chr. Smirnis 3, Tel: 210.689.1222 The only place in Athens to try authentic Persian dishes
Kifissias Av. 310, Tel: 210.671.0688 Juicy burgers and rich salads with retro look
Apsendi Kifissias 250-254 & Serres Tel: 210.671.7890 Refined cuisine and cocktails in stylish urban atmosphere
Bo Botrini’s Vasileos Georgiou B 24b, Halandri, Tel: 210.685.7323 Athens’ best table by far, winner of Golden Hats 2014
Chefi’s Perikleous 31, Halandri, Tel. 210.681.5774, chefi.gr, Refined cuisine with international flavours and regular wine tastings
54 insider athens | May - June 2015
Vasileos Georgiou 33, Halandri, 210.681.3607 Spicy middle eastern cuisine
Albion Omirou 6, Tel: 210.674.0710 Mediterranean flavours in a cosy atmosphere
Antaios G. Drosini 7, Tel: 210.675.5493 Relaxed atmosphere with delicious mezedes
Bluefield Burger Aggelopoulou 3, Tel: 210.677.7739 For real American burgers
Eat & Drink The Burger Joint
Cash
Nargile
Vinifera
Solomou 4-6, Tel: 210.671.2222 New York style, organic burgers in an industrial and fresh restaurant environment.
Diligianni 54, Tel: 212.100.4772 Cosmopolitan hang-out with upscale Mediterranean cuisine
Harilaou Trikoupi 50, Tel: 210.808.3333 Lebanese cuisine in a cosmopolitan ambience
Kifissias 317, Tel: 210.807.7709 Selection of wines from all over the world
Common Secret
Nui
China’s Fantasy
Kifissias 324, Tel: 210.623.3810 Coffee and light Mediterranean meals in a pleasant setting
Gortinias 11, Tel: 210.801.3553 Gourmet mutli-Asian restaurant
Dos Hermanos
Agiou Trifonos 15, Tel: 210.801.8515 Japanese-Thai fusion Restaurant
Kambouroglou 32, Tel: 210.674.9889 Chinese cuisine
Dioskouroi Dim. Vasiliou 16, Tel: 210.671.3997 All day café-restaurant
Kyriazi 24, Tel: 210.808.7906 Excellent Mexican food & super margaritas
Andrianiou 37, Tel: 210.671.0100 Delectable seafood and frech oysters
Dexamenis & Olimpionikon 4, Tel: 210.62.00.005 The authenticity of Greek cuisine with stunning views of the city
Dourampeis Oyster new Fish Co. Platters
Perikleous 11, Tel: 210.671.1976 A modern take on a traditional psarotaverna
Gaspar Food and Mood Dim. Vasiliou Av. & Lykourgou, Tel: 210.677.5011 Creative bistro cuisine ideal fro business lunches
Elaias Gi
Gefsis Me Onomasia Proelefsis Kifissias 317, Tel: 210.800.1402 Divine food from all over the world
Golden Phoenix
Krithamos
Harilaou Trikoupi & Gortinias Tel: 210.801.3588, Chinese classic popular for the brunch buffet
Mpoumpoulinas & N. Paritsi, Tel: 210.672.8790 Traditional flavours in an informal atmosphere
Kifissias 289, Tel: 210.801.1093 Delicious salads, appetizers, souvlakia & grilled platters
Matilde Pizza Bar Perikleous 7, Tel: 210.671.6803 Italian fare with accent on high quality ingredients
Ombra Olimpionikon 220 & Lykourgou, Tel: 210.671.1320 Italian food with attitude
Piperia Agg. Sikelianou 8 & Andrianiou, Tel: 210.672.9114 Terrific fusion food with piquant flavours
Rena tis Ftelias 25th Martiou 28, Tel: 210.674.3874 Highly recommended Greek taverna
EAT new
Zirini 2, Tel: 693.614.4744 Unique lounge & garden with exceptional classy touch
Berdema Skiathou 3 & Strofiliou, Kifisia, 210.620.1108 Family restaurant with Mediterranean fare
Buba
new
Papadiamanti 4, Tel: 210.623.1151 Mixing pot of cuisines from around the world
new
O Tzitzikas Ki O Mermigas Drosini 12-14, Tel: 210.623.0080 A modern taverna serving traditional dishes at reasonable prices
Paul
Kolokotroni 37, Tel: 210.808.9160 Generous portions of Mediterranean fare
new
Kifisias 238-240, Tel: 210.808.7941 Japanese restaurant, bar, lounge with signature cocktails
Royal Thai
Il Salumaio Panagitsas 3, Tel: 210.623.3934 Specially-prepared Italian meals
Salumaio di Atene
Jaipur Palace
Panagitsas 3, Tel: 210.623.3934 Authentic Italian food & fabulous desserts
Kifissias 222, Tel: 210.808.8318 Indian cuisine and fine wines
Semiramis Restaurant
Kastelorizo Platanon 2, Tel: 210.807.5408 Part of a chain of upscale seafood restaurants that is sure to please
Kokkino Psaraki Evagelistrias 36, Tel: 210.620.1572 Seafood taverna
Kool Life
La Gabinoteca
new
Th. Diligianni 56, Kefalari Tel: 210.808.3988 Tapas bar with decadent atmosphere
Mangiamo by Meat Square Stamata Ave. 5, Drossia. Tel: 210.800.4700 Open from Mondays to Friday from 3 pm to midnight and on weekends from 1pm to midnight
Margherita new
Kifisias 363, Tel: 211.408.1132 Fantastic pizza made with local ingredients from all over Greece
Semiramis Hotel, Harilaou Trikoupi 48, Tel: 210.628.4500 Mediterranean cuisine in a hip atmosphere
Suba
Kifissias 369, Tel: 210.801.8756 By far, one of the best cellars stocking the finest labels in town
Maroussi Agani Kifissias 22, Tel: 210.277.7065 Delectable, inspired Greek cuisine
Altamira
Aneton
Prytaneion Rakkan
Cellier
Perikleous 28, Tel: 210.612.8841 Multiethnic cuisine in funky environment
Levidou 4, Tel: 210.808.4288 French boulangerie
Zirini 12, Tel: 210.623.2322 Thai cuisine in an opulent setting
Life Gallery, Thiseos 103, Tel: 211.106.7400 Innovative cuisine in a cool restaurant cum deli
Kifissia Artisanal
Gourounakia Kifissias
Oozora
Food & Wine
new
Levidou 11, Tel: 210.8085.586 A blend of traditional and modern Japanese cuisine
new
Stratigou Lekka 19, Tel: 210.806.6700 Traditional cuisine in a comfy-chic setting reminiscent of the 50s & 60s
El Taco Bueno Ethnikis Antistaseos & Psaron 1 Tel: 210.684.0460 Mexican flavours in a traditional setting
Mauzac Alamanas 1, Tel: 210.619.9902 Clean lines and a beautiful garden make this café, bar, restaurant a must
Pausa Ag. Konstantinou 46 & Ifestou 3 Tel: 210.617.9290 Italian cuisine accompanied by a selection of Greek & Italian wines
Wagamama Kifissias 37A, Tel: 210.683.6844 Fresh, nutritious Asian fusion food in a sleek yet simple setting
Whispers of wine Ag. Konstantinou 48, Tel: 210.617.9051 Gourmet food with rich wine list and vintage decor
Telemachos Barbeque Club Fragkopoulou 22, Tel: 210.807.6680 Rare meats char-grilled to perfection
The Dalliance House new
Kyriazis 19, Tel: 210.623.0775 The 19th century meets the 21st in beautiful setting, with successful recipes
Tomoe Gortinias 11& Dangli, Kifissia, Tel: 210.801.3553 Great sushi at terrific prices
DRINK Dyo 48 Kifisias 248, Tel: 210.623.0870 New hang out oasis with retro ambience
Mento Café Ag. Theodorou 10, Tel: 210.808.0193 Traditional home turned stylish cafe
insider athens | May - June 2015 55
see & do Athinais Cultural Centre formerly a silk factory, this space has been converted into a large cultural centre. astorias 34-36, Votanikos. Tel: 210.348.0000. B&M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts & Music Vas. Sofias 9 & Merlin 1, Athens Tel: 210.361.1206 Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre 48 Armatolon-Klephton st. Athens, Tel: 210.643.9466 Megaron Mousikis (The Athens Concert Hall) live concerts, operas and other performances. Vas. Sofias Ave. & Kokkali. Tel: 210.728.2333 Michael Cacoyannis Foundation Piraeus 206, Tavros, Tel: 210.341.8550 Onassis Cultural Centre Syngrou 107-109, Athens, Tel: 213.017.8000 The Art Foundation Normanou 5, Athens, Tel: 210.323.8757
Sites Theatres
Galleries
A. Antonopoulou Art Aristofanous 20, Psyrri Tel: 210.321.4994 Artzone 42 42 Vas. Konstantinou, Athens, Tel: 210 725 9549 Astrolavos Dexameni Xanthippou 11, Kolonaki Tel: 210.729.4342 Astrolavos ArtLife Irodotou 11, Kolonaki Tel: 210.722.1200 Athens Art Gallery Glykonos 4, Dexameni Sq., Athens, Tel: 210 721 3938 Bernier/Eliades Gallery Eptachalkou 11, Thissio, Tel: 210.341.3935 (The) Breeder Gallery Iasonas 45, Metaxurgeio, Tel: 210.331.7527 Ekfrasi Gallery Valaoritou 9a,Tel: 210 360 7598 Eleni Marneri Galerie Lebessi 5-7& Porinou 16, Acropolis Tel: 210.8619.488 EMST National Museum of Contemporary Art Vas. Georgiou B 17 - 19 & Rigilis Athens, Tel: 210 9242 111-3 Gagosian Gallery Merlin 3, Athens, Tel: 210 364 0215 K-Art Gallery Sina 54, Athens, Tel: 211.401.3877 Kalfayan Gallery Haritos 11, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.721.7679 Kourd Gallery Kassiani 2-4, Athens, Tel: 210.642.6573 Skoufa Gallery Skoufa 4, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.360.3541 Stavros Mihaliaras Art 260 Kifissias & Diligianni, Kifissia Tel: 210.623.0928 Thanassis Frisssiras Gallery Kriezotou 7, Athens, Tel: 210. 364.0288 The Art Foundation (TAF) Normanou 5, Monastiraki, Tel: 210.323.8757 The Eynard Mansion Aghiou Konstantinou 20 & Menandrou, Athens, Tel: 210 322 1335 Titanium Yiayiannos Vas. Konstantinou 44, Pangrati, Tel: 210.729.7644 Xippas Gallery Sofokleous 53D, Athens, Tel: 210 331 9333
Cultural venues
Tel: 210.322.9705
56 insider athens | May - June 2015
Badminton Theatre Goudi, Athens, Tel: 211 101 0020 Gialino Music Theatre Sygrou 143, N. Smyrni, Athens Tel: 210.9316.101-4 Pallas Theatre Voukourestiou 5, Athens, Tel: 210.321.3100
Acropolis is open daily and entrance, includes archaeological sites. Tel: 201.321.0219 Ancient Agora was the heart of ancient Athens - the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social life for centuries. Byzantine Churches many churches dating from the 11th and 12th centuries are found around the city. Noteworthy examples include: Agios Eleftherios, next to the cathedral on Mitropoleos Street; Kapnikarea, halfway down Ermou Street from Syntagma; Agi Apostoli, Agora area south of Stoa of Attalos; and Agia Triada (Russian Orthodox church) on Filellinon Street. Churches are open to the public on Sundays and holidays, also usually for daily prayers 7am-1pm and 4-6:30pm. Dress soberly when
Agora Museum Located in the Stoa of Attalos, Athens. Tel: 210.321.0185. Atelier Spyros Vassiliou Webster 5A, Athens. Tel: 210.923.1502, spyrosvassiliou.org Athens University History Museum Tholou 5, Plaka, Tel: 210.368.9502, history-museum.uoa.gr Benaki Museum Koumbari 1 & Vas. Sofias Avenue, Athens Tel: 210.367.1000, benaki.gr Benaki Museum of Islamic Arts Dipylou 12, Kerameikos. Tel: 210.325.1311, benaki.gr
Benaki Museum, Pireos Pireos 138 & Andronikou, Gazi Tel: 210.345.3111, benaki.gr Byzantine Museum Vas. Sofias 22, Kolonaki. Tel: 210.721.1027 Hellenic Cosmos Foundation of the Hellenic world Pireos 254, Tavros. Tel: 212.254.0000. hellenic-cosmos.gr Frissiras Vlassis Museum of Contemporary European Art Monis Asteriou 3-7, Plaka, Tel: 210.323.4678 frissirasmuseum.com Goulandris Foundation Museum of Cycladic Art Neofytou Douka 4, Athens .Tel: 210.722.8321 cycladic.gr Herakleidon Herakleidon 16, Thissio, Tel: 210-346.1981. herakleidon-art.gr Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum Karyatidon & Kallisperi 12, Makrygianni, Acropolis. Tel: 210.922.7260, lalaounis.com Jewish Museum Nikis 39, Plaka. Tel: 210.322.5582. jewishmuseum.gr Kerameikos Museum Ermou 148, Monastiraki, Tel: 210.346.3552. National Archaeological Museum Patission 44, Athens, Tel: 210.821.7724 National Gallery and Alexandros Soutsos Museum Vas. Konstantinou 50, Athens. Tel: 210.723.5857, 210.723.5937 Numismatic Museum Panepistimiou 12, Athens. Tel: 210.363.5953, nma.gr The Acropolis Museum Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Acropolis. Tel: 210.924.1043, theacropolismuseum.gr The National Art Gallery and Alexander Soutzos Museum Michalakopoulou 1 - Vas. Constantinou 1, Athens, Tel: 210-7235857 Allou Fun Park Kifissou & Petrou Ralli, Ag. Ioannis Rentis, Tel: 210.425.6999, allou.gr Children’s Museum Kydathinaeon 14, Plaka, Tel: 210.331.2995. Goulandris Museum of Natural History Levidou 13, Kifissia. Tel: 210.801.5870, gnhm.gr Greek Folk Art Museum Daily Karaghiozis puppet shows! Kydathinaeon 17, Plaka, Tel: 210.322.9031 Museum of Children’s Art Kodrou 9, Plaka, Tel: 210.331.2621 childrensartmuseum.gr Summit The Wall Sport Climbing Center Ag. Athanasiou 12, Pallini, Tel: 210.603.0093, summit.gr Westin Kids Club Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni, Tel: 210.890.2000 http://www.westinathens.com/en/westin_kids_club/
Just for kids
ASSOCIATION OF GUIDES
visiting. Technopolis (Gazi) a 19th century gas factory turned major cultural centre for performing arts and installation works. Pireos 100 & Ermou, Gazi. Tel: 210.346.1589. Hadrian’s Arch a Roman arch that marked the boundary of ancient Athens and the new city. Located at the corner of Vas. Olgas and Amalias Avenues. Lykavittos Hill is the highest point in Athens. Take the teleferique from the top of Ploutarchou St. Odeon of Herod Atticus built in 161 AD, this is where the Athens Festival takes place. Accessible for €1.50 and open daily from 8:30am. Panathenian Stadium “Kalimarmaro”was the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. Located at Vassileos Konstantinou and Agras, across from the National Garden. Pnyx Hill here, for the first time in history, every citizen could vote, giving Pnyx the name the “birthplace of democracy”. Close by is the beautiful Old Observatory. Presidential Palace formerly the Royal Palace, this building is used by the President of Greece to host dignitaries. Irodou Attikou Street. Stoa of Attalos shopping arcade built in the 2nd century BC and totally reconstructed in the 1950s. Tues-Sun 8:30am-3pm. Admission to the Agora and museum €3.50. Adrianou 24. Tel: 210.321.0185 Syntagma (Constitution Square) is the heart of the city and the best spot for new visitors to orient themselves. The Evzones, dressed in traditional uniforms, guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament. The changing-of-the-guard ceremony takes place every hour. Temple of Olympian Zeus once the largest temple in ancient Greece, its ruins lie just behind Hadrian’s Arch. Mon-Sun 8am-7:30pm. €2.00. Vas. Olgas and Amalias Avenues, Tel: 210.922.6330. Theatre of Dionysus built in the 5th century BC is where the plays of Aristophanes, Euripides, Aeschylus and Sophocles were first performed. Tower of Winds the octagonal tower, representing the eight directions of the wind, was built in the 1st century BC by the Syrian astronomer Andronicus. Mon-Sun 8am-7pm. Just east of the Ancient Agora. Tel: 10.324.5220.
Museums
Zoumboulakis Gallery Kolonaki Square 20, Kolonaki Tel: 210.360.8278 Zoumboulakis Gallery Kriezotou 6, Syntagma, Tel: 210.363.4454
ORGANISED TOURS
partner hotels ARION RESORT & SPA
ATHENS HILTON
COCO-MAT HOTEL NAFSIKA
DIVANI PALACE ACROPOLIS
The legendary beauty resort is part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Breathtaking views of the Saronic Gulf, elegant and sophisticated décor in all 123 rooms and suites, private swimming pools and beaches, spa and gourmet restaurants. Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210.890.2000
508 renovated rooms, two pools, banquet rooms restaurants, convention facilities, business centre & spa. The rooftop Galaxy bar has gorgeous city views. Vas. Sofias 46, Kesariani. Tel: 210.728.1000
Located in Kifissia, the hotel offers an unforgettable experience thanks to COCO-MAT‘s unique sleep systems in its 22 guest rooms, power breakfast, bike rids and herb garden. Pellis 6, Kifissia. Tel: 210.801.8027
Located at the base of the Acropolis and close to Plaka. Pool with bar, roof garden restaurant with Acropolis view. Parthenonos 19-25 Makrigianni, Acropolis. Tel: 210.928.0100
ATHENAEUM INTERCONTINENTAL ATHENS
ATHENS LEDRA HOTEL
Crowne plaza
GRANDE BRETAGNE
543 rooms with renovated Deluxe rooms and suites. Dedicated business centre facilities and 3.500 m2 of extensive & flexible meeting space. New I-Spa and renovated gym. Award winning restaurants. Syngrou 89-93, Neos Kosmos. Tel: 210.920.6000
314 deluxe guest rooms, 18 suites. Rooftop swimming pool and bar, health club, Polynesian - Tepanyiaki Restaurant, Ledra Kai and sports bar. Syngrou 115, Neos Kosmos. Tel: 210.930.0000
Newly renovated, at a very convenient location attracts both business and leisure travellers. Amenities include restaurant, bar, rooftop swimming pool, conference and business facilities, garage parking. Michalakopoulou 50, Athens. Tel: 210.727.8000
This city landmark is part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. All 265 rooms and 56 suites are decorated with original artwork and antiques. Reception areas, ballrooms, roof garden with Acropolis view. Luxury spa, indoor and outdoor pools. Syntagma Sq. Tel: 210.333.0000
ATHENIAN CALLIRHOE HOTEL
CIVITEL ATTIK
DIVANI APOLLON PALACE & SPA
Holiday Inn Attica Avenue
66 state-of the-art rooms, 15 executive rooms and 3 suites. The acclaimed Etrusco Restaurant serves top quality Mediterranean cuisine. Kallirois 32 & Petmeza, Neos Kosmos. Tel: 210.921.5353
A tranquil first-class business, sports and family hotel set in the leafy green suburb of Maroussi, with a swimming pool, conference facilities and spacious restaurant with terrace. Eptalofou 13 – 15, Maroussi. Τel: 210.610.1000
Located seaside with a magnificent view of the Saronic Gulf. All rooms with balconies and sea views. Indoor and outdoor pools, boutiques, beauty parlor, business centre and spa. Ag. Nikolaou 10 & Iliou, KavouriVouliagmeni. Tel: 210.891.1100
New five-star property on Attica Avenue linking Athens with the international airport. State-of-the art conference facilities, restaurant, two bars, pool and fitness center. 40.2 km Attica Road, between exits 17 & 18, Spata. Tel: 210.668.9000
ATHENS ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL
CIVITEL OLYMPIC
DIVANI CARAVEL
Holiday Suites
Located in historic Plaka beneath the Acropolis. Facilities include bar, restaurant, spa area with indoor swimming pool, business centre, garden and underground parking. N. Nikodimou 18-20, Plaka. Tel: 210.337.0000
Right across the Olympic Stadium, its Superior Rooms and Junior Suites are fitted with modern amenities, from free minibar to free wifi internet access and interactive tv. Kifissias 2A & Pantanassis, Maroussi. Tel: 210.680.1900
Situated close to major tourist attractions with, rooftop restaurant and swimming pool. Vas. Alexandrou 2, Kesariani. Tel: 210.720.7000
Elegant, all-suite hotel offering high standard accommodation. Each suite provides guests with a separate living room and kitchenette. Arnis 4, Ilissia. Tel: 210.727.8000
insider athens | May - June 2015 57
partner hotels KEFALARI SUITES
METROPOLITAN
Royal Olympic
THEOXENIA PALACE HOTEL
Turn-of-the-century hotel in Kifissia, part of YES! Hotels.Themed suites with modern facilities. Pentelis 1, Kifissia. Tel: 210.623.3333
Beautifully renovated property with views of the sea and the Acropolis. Ten minutes from central Athens, the port of Piraeus and main exhibition centers. Syngrou Av. 385, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.947.1000
Near the Acropolis Museum. 265 rooms and 45 unique Panorama Suites, overlooking the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis. Pool, business center, convention and banquet facilities. Roof Garden Restaurant/Bar “Ioannis”. 28-34, Ath. Diakou Str., Acropolis Tel: 210.928.8400
In an elegant neoclassical building, this hotel has a restaurant, gym, sauna and outdoor pool. Business centre, internet & conference facilities. Filadelfeos 2, Kifissia. Tel: 210.623.3622
KING GEORGE
NEW
SEMIRAMIS
THE MARGI
Situated in the heart of the city, it’s 102 guest rooms and suites are elegantly furnished and natural wood floors. Meeting & Conference spaces, restaurants with panoramic views. Vas. Georgiou A’ 3. Syntagma Sq. Tel: 210.322.2210
Designed by the Campana brothers, NEW, the latest venture of YES! Hotels has 79 luxury rooms, including 18 Studios and 6 Junior Suites. NEW Taste, is the Hotel’s innovative restaurant concept. Filellinon 16, Syntagma. Tel: 210.3273000
YES! Hotel designed by Karim Rashid. 51 luxury rooms, 4 suites and 6 poolside bungalows. Ultra-trendy bar-restaurant. Harilaou Trikoupi 48, Kefalari-Kifissia. Tel: 210.628.4400
Boutique hotel with 90 spacious rooms and suites and great views to the sea and pine forests. Baku Restaurant offers a unique dining experience while Malabar and the Lobby lounge are perfect for a glass of champagne. Close to the lake, beach and tennis courts. Litous 11, Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210.892.9000
LIFE GALLERY
NJV athens plaza
SOFITEL ATHENS AIRPORT
THE WESTIN ATHENS
Modern architecture finds its expression in a minimalist designed building with discreet swimming pools, Zen gardens and ethnic elements. The hotel offers 29 spacious, luxury rooms, including 3 art studios and 2 suites and a spa and fitness centre. Thiseos Avenue 103, Ekali. Tel: 211.106.7400
Boutique-style hotel with 182 rooms including 23 suites with breathtaking views of the Acropolis, ideally located in the heart of the business and shopping district within walking distance of Plaka. 2, Vas.Georgiou A’ St, Syntagma Sq. Tel: 210 3352400
Airport hotel. Executive floor, business center and conference facilities. Two bars and two restaurants. Health club and covered swimming pool. Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, Spata. Tel: 210.354.4000
Part of the Astir Palace Complex with 162 guest rooms and suites and views of the Saronic Gulf. Sea view lounges, trendy bars, fusion and Mediterranean cuisine restaurants and private gazebos by an Olympic-sized pool. Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210.890.2000
MELIÁ ATHENS
NOVOTEL
ST. GEORGE LYCABETTUS HOTEL
TITANIA HOTEL
Located in the heart of Athens with 136 luxury rooms, spacious dining areas, a modern health club and views of historic monuments. Chalkokondili 14 & 28th Octovriou, Acropolis. Tel: 210.332.0100
Located in the center of Athens. Two Bars/Restaurants at outdoor Rooftop Pool & lobby area, play area, gym, free indoor parking, free Wi-Fi and panoramic view from the Roof Garden. 4-6 Michail Voda Street, Vathis Square. Tel: 210.820.0700
Located in the upper part of Kolonaki, not far from the Lycabettus (Lykavittos) funicular railway. Excellent restaurant, Le Grand Balcon. Rooftop swimming pool. Kleomenous 2, Dexamenis Square, Kolonaki. Tel: 210.741.6000
Located in the heart of the historical and commercial center. The recently refurbished suites and rooms combine style with comfort. Awarded Gourmet Restaurant “Olive Garden”, underground garage, fitness center. Panepistimiou 52, Omonoia, Tel: 210.332600
58 insider athens | May - June 2015
partner hotels TwentyOne
Herodion
SANTORINI
COSTA NAVARINO The Westin Resort Costa Navarino
MYSTIQUE
A five minute walk to Plaka. 90 guest rooms, meeting facilities and a lovely atrium bar-coffee shop. Rovertou Galli 4, Makrigianni. Tel: 210.923.6832
Inspired by old Messinian mansions, its 445 deluxe rooms, suites, 123 with private infinity pools, offer access to an extensive common pool areas, and reflect Westin’s soothing aesthetic. Navarino Dunes Costa Navarino, Pilos Messinia, Tel: 27230.95000
Mystique is an 18 villa hotel, designed by Frank Le Fevbre. Mystique, Oia. Tel. 22860.71114
AVA HOTEL & SUITES
HOTEL ELECTRA
The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort
The Tsitouras Collection Hotel
Luxurious apartments and suites in Plaka. Magnificent views of the Acropolis, Hadrian’s Arch and Zeus Temple. Short walk to Syntagma. Lysikratous 9-11, Plaka. Tel: 210.325.9000
Within walking distance from all archaeological sites, business and commercial districts. Includes bar, restaurant, lobby and meeting areas. Ermou 5, Syntagma Sq. Tel: 210.337.8000
289 exquisitely appointed rooms and 32 suites with individual infinity pools. Traditional Greek design with contemporary touches. Navarino Dunes Costa Navarino, Pilos Messinia, Tel: 27230.96000
Art and hospitality are graciously combined in the unique backdrop of a dramatic landscape. Firostefani, Santorini Tel: 22860.23747
amarilia hotel
PERISCOPE HOTEL
A member of YES! Hotels. Modern design and simple architectural charm. 16 ergonomically designed rooms and 5 loft suites. “21” Bar Restaurant for indoor and outdoor dining. Kolokotroni 21, Kifissia Tel: 210.623.3521
A CATEGORY
evia
VEDEMA
THERMAE SYLLA wellness hotel
An excellent choice for business and leisure travellers. 100 renovated rooms and suites with great sea views, meeting and banqueting facilities, outdoor swimming pool. Ag. Nikolaou 13 Vouliagmeni. Tel. 210 8990391
17 rooms, 4 junior suites and a super-lux penthouse suite. Part of YES! Hotels. Haritos 22, Kolonaki. Tel: 210.729.7200
Fresh Hotel
Philippos
Voted one of the ten best spas in the world, it has 101 rooms, 7 Suites and 1 presidential suite with an incredible sea view. 2 restaurants offer traditional Mediterranean cuisine Posidonos 2, Edipsos, Evia. Tel. 22260.60100
Vedema has 45 rooms converted from a 100 year old neo-classical captain’s house and a private swiming pool for all the suites. Vedema, Megalohori. Tel: 22860.81796
PATMOS
SYROS
Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa
Situated in the heart of old Athens within walking distance of the Plaka. Enjoy the Orange Bar, rooftop restaurant and pool. Sophocleous 26 & Klisthenous, Omonoia. Tel: 210.524.8511
Recently refurbished, all 50 rooms are well-appointed and comfortable. Good value for money. Mitseon 3, Acropolis. Tel: 210.922.3611-4
A 5-star luxury hotel situated only a few steps from Grikos beach. Considered possibly the best located hotel in Patmos. Patmos, Grikos Bay. Tel: 22470.32800
VILLA SELENA
A luxurious five-star boutique hotel with suitably equipped rooms and suites to ensure a comfortable stay. The spacious terrace with a panoramic view is ideal for breakfast or drinks Tel. 22810 86007, www.villaselena.eu
insider athens | May - June 2015 59
AUDIOVISUAL OTE video conference service 7.30am-10pm. Patission 85. Tel: 210.883.8578, 210.822.0399
Commercial Office spaces Regus Tel: 210 727 9000 Global Business Services Tel: 210.876.4876 Kifissias Ave. 90, Maroussi
COURIER SERVICES
ACS Asklipiou 25, Kryoneri Tel: 210.819.0000 DHL Tel: 210.989.0000 Express City S. Trikoupi 71, Athens, Tel: 210.821.9959 Geniki Taxydromiki Kifissou 14, Renti, Tel: 210.485.1100 Speedex Seneka 24, 15klm Athinon-Lamias, Kifissia Tel: 801.110.0011 UPS 4klm Peanias-Markopoulou Av., Koropi Tel: 210.998.4000
Driving Schools in English Trochokinisi Driving School 28th Oktovriou 126, Ambelokipi, Thessaloniki Tel: 231 072 9092 Driving School Highway Amfitheas and Ag. Triados 30, 175 64 P. Faliro, Tel: 210.988.8098, 699.772.2777 Vlachos Bros 25th Martiou 20, Peristeri; Xenofodos 17, Peristeri; Afroditis 39, Ilion Tel: 210.574.4895, 210.576.9190
Relocation Agencies Allied Pickfords Mourouzi 7, Athens Tel: 210.610.4494 Athens Relocation Centre Zakynthou 10, Glyfada Tel: 210.965.0697 Attica Movers Syngrou Ave. 19, Neos Kosmos, Tel: 210 922 7221 Celebrity International Movers Kapodistriou Ave. 102, Nea Ionia Tel: 210 272 0106 Corporate Relocations Athens Ag. Saranta 32, Nea Erithrea Tel: 210.800.3510 Orphee Beinoglou 27th km Old National Road AthensKorinth Location Elefsinia, Elefsina Tel: 210.946.6100 Octopus Relocation Services Ygeias 7, Marina Zeas, Tel: 210.459.9530
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60 insider athens | May - June 2015
TRANSLATIONS / INTERPRETING Global Business Services Kifisias 90, Maroussi, Tel: 210.876.4876 IBS - International Business Services Michalakopoulou 29, Kaissariani Tel: 210.724.5541
Travel Agencies Travel Plan Christou Lada 3, Athens Tel: 210.333.300, www.travelplan.gr Amphitrion Kyprou 46 & Ploutarhou, Dafni Tel: 210.900.6000, www.amphitrionholidays.gr TravelPlanet24 Karagiorgi Servias 4, Syntagma Tel: 211 107 9684, www.travelplanet24.com Mid-east Travel Vas Sofias 105-107, Ampelokipoi Tel: Tel: 211.211.8888, www.mideast.gr
Embassies Cultural Institutes
Business services
useful information
French Institute Sina 31, 10680 Athens Tel: 210.339.8600 Hellenic American Union Massalias 22, 10680 Athens, Tel: 210.368.0900 British Council Kolonaki Square 17 106 73 Athens Tel: 210.369.2333 Instituto Cervantes Mitropoleos 23, 105 57 Athens Tel: 210.363.4117 Goethe Institut Omirou 14-16, 100 33 Athens Tel: 210.366.1000 Onassis Cultural Centre Syngrou Ave. 107-109, 117 45 Athens, Tel: 213.017.8000 Instituto Italiano di Cultura Patission (28 Oktovriou) 47 Tel: 210.369.2333, 210.524.2646 ALBANIA Vekiareli 7, Filothei, Tel: 210.687.6200 ALGERIA Vas. Constantinou 14, Athens Tel: 210.756.4191-2 ARGENTINA Vas. Sophias 59, Athens Tel: 210.724.4158 ARMENIA K. Palaiologou 95, Athens, Tel: 210.683.1130, 210.683.1145 AUSTRALIA Kifisias & Alexandras, Ampelokipoi Tel: 210.870.4000 AUSTRIA Vas. Sofias Av. 4, Athens, Tel: 210.725.7270
AZERBAiJAN Skoufa 10, Athens, Tel: 210.363.2721 BELGIUM Sekeri 3, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.360.0314 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Hatzikosta 3, Athens, Tel: 210.641.0788 BRAZIL Vassilis Sofias 23, Athens Tel: 210.721.3039 BULGARIA Stratigou Kallari 33A, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.674.8105 CANADA Ioanni Gennadiou 4, Athens, Tel: 210.727.3400 CHILE Rigilis 12, Athens, Tel: 210.729.2647 CHINA Krinon 2A, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.672.3282 CROATIA Tzavella 4, N. Psychico, Tel: 210.677.7033 CUBA Sofokleous 5, Filothei, Tel: 210.685.5550 CYPRUS Xenofontos 2A, Athens, Tel: 210.373.4800 CZECH REPUBLIC G. Seferi 6, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.671.9701 DENMARK Mourouzi 10, Athens, Tel: 210.725.6440 EGYPT Vas. Sofias 3, Syntagma, Tel: 210.361.8612 ESTONIA Messoghion 2-4, Ampelokipoi, Tel: 210.747.5660 FINLAND Hatziyianni Mexi 5, Athens, Tel: 210.725.5860 FRANCE Vas. Sofias 7, Syntagma, Tel: 210.339.1000 FYROM Papadiamanti 4, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.674.9585 GEORGIA Ag. Dimitriou 24, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.674.2186 GERMANY Karaoli & Dimitriou 3, Athens, Tel: 210.728.5111 HUNGARY Karneadou 25, Kolonaki Tel: 210.725.6800 INDIA Kleanthous 3, Mets, Tel: 210.721.6481 INDONESIA Marathonodromon 99, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.674.2345 IRAN Stratigou Kallari 16, Patisia, Tel: 210.674.1436 IRAQ Mazaraki 4, Psychico, Tel: 210.677.8276 IRELAND Vas. Konstantinou 7, Mets, Tel: 210.723.2405 ISRAEL Marathonodromon 1, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.670.5500 ITALY Sekeri 2, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.361.7260 JAPAN Ethnikis Antistaseos 46, Halandri. Tel: 210.670.9900 JORDAN Papadiamanti 21. P. Psychico. Tel: 210.674.4161 Kazakhstan Imittou 122, Papagou Tel: 210.654.7765 KOREA Messoghion 2-4, Athens. Tel: 210.698.4080
Ambulance Tel: 166 Doctors SOS Tel: 1016. They will issue an invoice to claim reimbursement from your insurer. Ipirou 1, Athens. Duty Pharmacies Call 1434, Also check newspapers for listings. Emergency Hospitals Tel: 1434 Fire Brigade Tel: 199 Forest Fire Tel: 191 Poison Hotline Tel: 210.779.3777 Police Tel: 100 Tourist Police Tel: 171 Coast Guard Tel:108 Air Police Tel: 210.964.2000
ROAD ASSISTANCE ELPA Tel: 10400 Emergency Service Tel: 104 Express Service Tel: 154 Hellas Service Tel: 1057 Interamerican Tel: 1158
EUROCLINIC PAEDON Lemessou 39-41 & Aharnon 209, Kato Patissia, Tel: 210.869.1900 PAEDON AGIA SOFIA HOSPITAL Mikras Asias and Thivon, Goudi. Tel: 210.746.7000 PAEDON AGLAIA KYRIAKOU HOSPITAL Livadias 3 and Thivon, Goudi. Tel: 210.772.6000 & 1535
Private Hospitals Advanced Medical Services, Symmetria Building Ethnikis Antistaseos 66, Halandri. Tel: 210.677.3573 www.symmetria.gr CENTRAL CLINIC OF ATHENS Asklipiou St. 31, Athens, Emergency number 1169 or Tel: 210.367.4000 www.centralclinic.gr EUROCLINIC Diagnostic, surgical and treatment centre. Athanasiadou 9, Athens, (near Mavili Sq.), Tel: 210.641.6600 EURODENTICA Specialized dental care Patision 150, Athens, Tel: 210.866.3367-8 Alamanas 3, Maroussi, Athens, Tel: 210.619.5760-1, El. Venizelou 162, Kallithea, Athens, Tel: 210.956.5365 YGEIA Kifissias & E. Stavrou 4, Maroussi, Tel: 210.686.7000, www.ygeia.gr IATRIKO KENTRO (ATHENS MEDICAL CENTER) Areos 36, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.989.2100-20. Distomou 5-7, Maroussi. Tel: 210.619.8100 METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL Ethnarou Makariou 9 & El. Venizelou, N. Faliro. Tel: 210.480.9000 www.metropolitan-hospital.gr IASO Kifissias 37-39, Maroussi. Tel: 210.618.4000 MITERA Kifissias & E. Stavrou 6, Maroussi. Tel: 210.686.9000
public Hospitals ASKLEPIEION HOSPITAL Vas. Pavlou 1, Voula. Tel: 210.895.8301-4 EVANGELISMOS Ypsilantou 45-47, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.720.1000 KAT HOSPITAL Nikis 2, Kifissia, Tel: 210.628.0000 Specialized trauma unit.
TZANNEIO Afentouli & Tzani, Pireaus, Tel: 210.451.9411-9
PHYSICIANS (ENGLISH SPEAKING) Ioannis Bitzos, MD Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Harilaou Trikoupi 62, Kifissia, Tel: 210.808.0682 A.J. Kanellopoulos, MD Eye Surgeon, Tsoha 17, Athens, Tel: 210.747.2777 Dimitris Linos, MD FACS General Surgeon, Kifissias 227, Kifissia, Tel: 210.612.5001-2 heart & vascular centrE E.N. Deliargyris, MD FACC FSCAI Interventional cardiologist. Southern Athens. Vakchou 2 & Vas. Kostantinou, Tel: 210.897.6276, www.heartline.gr
English media
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Paediatric Hospitals
Newspapers The International New York Times carries the English version of Kathimerini Athens Insider, the bi-monthly magazine for Greece
Radio Athens International Radio 104,4 Good Morning Athens at 10am, english programs at 11am, music programs on weekdays at 9pm, weekends at 1pm. Peiraios 100, Athens, Tel: 210.341.1610
Schools
Greek Language
SWEDEN Vas. Konstantinou 7, Athens, Tel: 210.726.6100 SWITZERLAND Iasiou 2, Evaggelismos, Tel: 210.723.0364-6 TAIWAN Marathonodromon 57, Psychico, Tel: 210.677.5122 Representative office THAILAND Marathorodromon 25 & Kyprou, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.674.9065 TUNISIA Antheon 2, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.671.7590 TURKEY Vas. Georgiou B’ 8, Athens, Tel: 210.726.3000 UKRAINE Stephanou Delta 4, Filothei, Tel: 210.680.0230 UAE Kifissias Av. 290 & N. Paritsi 2, Tel: .210.677.0220 UK Ploutarchou 1, Athens, Tel: 210.727.2600 USA Vas. Sofias 91, Athens, Tel: 210.721.2951 URUGUAY Menandrou 1, Kifissia, Tel: 210.361.3549 VATICAN Mavili 2, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.674.3598 VENEZUELA Marathonodromon 19, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.672.9169 VIETNAM Yakinthon 50, Psychico, Tel. 210.612.8733, 210.675.3080.
Emergencies
KUWAIT Marathonodromon 27, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.674.3593 LEBANON 6, 25th Martiou, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.675.5873 LIBYA Vyronos 13, P. Psychico, Tel: 210.674.2120 LITHUANIA Vas. Sophias 49, Kolonaki Tel: 210.729.4356 LATVIA Vas. Konstantinou 38, Athens Tel. 210.729.4483 LUXEMBOURG Vas. Sofias 23A & Neofitou Vamva 2, Syntagma Tel: 210.725.6400 MALTA V. Sofias 96, Athens, Tel: 210.778.5138 MEXICO Filikis Etaireias Sq. 14, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.729.4780 MOLDAVIA Georgiou Bacu 20, Filothei. Tel: 210.699.0660 MOROCCO Marathonodromon 5, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.674.4210 NETHERLANDS Vas Konstantinou 5-7, Mets, Tel: 210.725.4900 NIGERIA Streit 17, Filothei Tel: 210.802.1188 NORWAY Vas. Sofias 23, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.724.6173 PAKISTAN Loukianou 6, Evaggelismos, Tel: 210.729.0122 PALESTINE Giassemion 13, P. Psychico. Tel.: 210.672.6061-3 PANAMA Praxitelous 192 & II Merarchias, Piraeus, Tel: 210.428.6441 PERU Semitelou 2, Athens, Tel: 210.779.2761 PHILIPPINES Antheon 26, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.672.1837 POLAND Chrysanthemon 22, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.679.7700 PORTUGAL Vas. Sofias 23, Kolonaki Tel: 210.729.0096 / 210.723.6784 QATAR Perikleous 2 & Kifissias Av. 212, N. Psychico, Tel: 210.725.5031 ROMANIA Emm. Benaki 7, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.672.8875 RUSSIA Nikiforos Lytra 28, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.672.5235 SAUDI ARABIA Palaiologhou 2 & Agias Annis, Halandri, Tel: 210.671.6911 SERBIA Vas. Sophias 106, Athens, Tel: 210.777.4344 SINGAPORE Aigialias 17, Paradissos Amaroussiou. Tel: 210.684.5072 SLOVAK REPUBLIC G. Seferi 4, P. Psychico. Tel: 210.677.1980 SLOVENIA Kifissias Av. 280 & Dimokratias 1, N. Psychico, Tel: 210.672.0090-091 SOUTH AFRICA Kifissias 60, Maroussi. Tel: 210.610.6645 SPAIN Dionysiou Areopagitou 21, Plaka, Tel: 210.921.3123
Health
useful information
The Athens Center 48 Archimidous Street, Mets, Athens 11636, Greece Tel: 210.701.5242 CELT Athens 77 Academias Street, 106 78 Athens, Greece, Tel: 210.330.1455 Greek House Dragoumi 7, 145 61 Kifissia, Tel: 210.808.5186 Hellenic American Union 22 Massalias str., 106 80 Athens, Tel: 210.368.0900 Omilo Greek Language And Culture Panagi Tsaldari 13 (4th floor), 15122 Maroussi, Tel: 210.612.2706
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useful information
Road Assistance ELPA: 104 Public Power Corporation (DEI) In case of power failure: Tel: 210, 523 9939 www.dei.gr
Weather Attica, Tel: 148, www.hnms.gr
Water Supply & Sewage (EYDAP) In case of water cut: Tel: 1202, www.eydap.gr
Universities University of Indianapolis Ipitou 9, Athens, Tel: 210.323.6647 DEREE Gravias 6, Aghia Paraskevi, Tel: 210.600.9800
ALBA Graduate Business School Athinas Ave. & Areos 2A, Vouliagmeni Tel: 210.896.4531 American University of Athens Kifisias & Sochou 4, Neo Psichiko, Tel: 210.725.9301 Business College of Athens Tatoiou 2 & Othonos 77, Kifissia Tel: 210.808.8008
International Kindergartens
International Schools
St Catherine's British Embassy School Sofoklis Venizelou 77, Lykovrissi Tel: 210.282.9750 St. Lawrence College Anemon St, Koropi Tel: 210.891.7000 American Community Schools of Athens Aghias Paraskevis Ave. 129, Halandri, Tel: 210.639.3200 Campion School Aghias Ioulianis, Pallini Tel: 210.607.1700 Byron College Filolaou 7, Gerakas Tel: 210.604.7722 International School of Athens Xenias and Artemidos, Kifissia, Tel: 210.623.3888 Lycée Franco-Hellénique Eugène Delacroix Chlois & Trikalon, Ag. Paraskevi Tel: 211.300.9121 Scuola Statale Italiana Odos Mitsaki 18, Ano Patissia Tel: 210.228.2720 German School in Athens Homatianou & Ziridi, Maroussi Tel: 210.619.9261 Greek German School 25 Martiou & Vernardou, Vrylissia Tel: 210.682.0566
Citizen’s Rights Ombudsman: 5 Hatziyiannis Mexis (near the Hilton Hotel), Tel: 210 72 89 640
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English kindergartens The Cottage Kindergarten Psaron 74, Halandri Tel: 210.682.7629 Early Learning Rizountos 53, Elliniko Tel: 210.961.8763 Hopscotch International Kindergarten Ag. Triandos 93, Vari Tel: 210.965.3985 Learning Steps Ath. Diakou 81 & Ydras 5, Kifissia, Tel: 210.620.5818 Melina’s Kindergarten Harilaou Trikoupi 16, Kifissia Tel: 210.801.2719 Peek-a-boo PreSchool Vougliameni Tel: 210.967.1970 Peter Pan Lakonias 4-6, Voula Tel: 210.895.9654 Prince Allen The English Nursery School Lysimahou 8, Vari Tel: 210.965.6800
German kindergartens
Money
Public Services Administration Information Center (paperwork assistance) on weekdays 8am-3pm (KEP): Tel: 177, ww.kep.gov.gr
Italian Institut Library Patision 47, Omonia National Library Tzavella 25, Syntagma, Tel: 210.382.0657 Nordic Library 7 Kavalotti St, Makrigianni Tel: 210.924.9210, 210.924.9211
LOST OR STOLEN CREDIT CARDS
Post offices operate weekdays 8am-2pm. The main post offices in Athens are located at SYNTAGMA SQUARE and OMONIA SQUARE at Aeolou 100 and open weekdays 7:30am-8pm, Sat 7:30am-2pm, and Sun 9am-1:30pm.
O mikros Antonis Barbayiannis, Pallini, Tel: 210.603.2527
Italian kindergartens Scuola maternal italiana de Atene Mitsaki 18, Ano Patissia, Tel: 210.202.0274 Il Mulino magico Troados 23, Ag Paraskevi, Tel: 210.600.3148 American School of Classical Studies Blegen Souedias 54, Athens Tel: 210.723.6313 Athens College Library Stephanou Delta, P. Psychico Tel: 210.679.8100 Benakeios Library Anthimou Gazi 2, Athens Tel: 210.367.1027 British Council Library Kolonaki Sq. 17, Kolonaki Tel: 210.363.3211/5 French Institute Library 31 Sina St, Athens Tel: 210.362.4301 German Archaeological Institute Library Pheidiou 1, Athens Tel: 210.362.0270 Goethe Institute Library Omirou 14-16, Athens Tel: 210.360.8111 Hellenic American Union Greek Library 22 Masalias St (7th floor), Athens, Tel: 210.362.9886
AMERICAN EXPRESS Tel: 210.324.4975 DINERS CLUB Tel: 210.929.0200 MASTERCARD Tel: 00.800.1188.703.03 VISA Tel: 00.800.1163.803.04
Country Code: 30 City Code: 210 international calls first dial 00, then the country code. To call from a Public pay- phone buy a phone card at the kiosks. Prepaid mobile phone cards (SIM cards) are available for €5 at kiosks, post offices, mini markets and mobile phone company stores.
Phone
Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) www.oaed.gr, Tel: 210 99 89 000
Au petit bonheur 50 Iraklitou, Glyfada, Tel: 210 9658 207 Les Alouettes Spartis 36 & Harilaou Trikoupi, Kifissia Tel: 210 80 11 570 Mary Poppins 4, Kodrou, Filothei, Tel: 210.677.3803 Paramythia Cycladon 11, Glyka Nera, Tel: 210.600.3196 Play and Learn Kassaveti 22, Kifissia, Tel: 210.801.1428
Libraires
Social Security & Health insurance (IKA) www.ika.gr
Post
French kindergartens Telephone & Internet Services (OTE) New tel: 138, Tel. (defective): 129 OTE customer service: 134 International call information (English, French & German): 169 www.ote.gr
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Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, Spata. Tel: 210.353.0000, 210.353.1000. www.aia.gr. 24 HOUR VIP TRANSPORT SERVICE
Car rental
WSW Skycap Services at Athens Airport provides Meet & Greet, Baggage Hauling and Transport Service. Tel: 210.353.0100 www.skycap.gr For info about the public bus lines please check our section Getting Around Ada Rent-a-Car Tel: 210.322.0087 Arena Tel: 210.894.6883, 210.614.7400 Auto Union Tel: 210.602.0162 Avis Tel: 210.322.4951 Budget Tel: 210.921.4771-3 Europcar Tel: 210.924.8810-8 Hertz Tel: 210.998.2000 Michael Stamou Luxury Rentals Tel: 210.922.2442/43 Sixt Rent-a-Car Tel: 210.570.6895, 210.922.0171
LIMOUSINES AAA Royal Prestige Tel: 210.988.3221 Astra Limousine Service Tel: 210.922.0333/807.9996 Convecta Travel Agency & Limousine Services Tel: 210.322.5090 Limousines Kacaya Tel: 210.323.4120
Public transport
Airport
Airlines
Aegean Tel: 801.11.20000 Air France KLM Tel: 210.998.0222 Air Malta Tel: 210.965.2300-22 Alitalia Tel: 210.998.8888 American Tel: 210.361.3373 Air Taxis (Helicopter and plane charters) Tel: 210.938.4149 British Airways Tel: 210.353.0453 Continental Tel: 210.353.4312 Cyprus Airways Tel: 210.353.4100 Easy Jet Tel: 211.198.0013 El Al Tel: 210.934.1500-1 Emirates Tel: 210.933.3400 Etihad Tel: 210.324.1010 Iberia www.iberia.com/gr Lufthansa Tel: 210.617.5200 Olympic Airways Tel: 801.801.0101 Qatar Airways Tel: 210.950.8700 Singapore Tel: 210.994.2567 Swiss / Crossair Tel: 210.617.5320 Tunisair Tel: 210.969.6496 Turkish Tel: 210.988.5700
Combined tickets for metro, buses and trolleys (€1,40) are available from metro stations and central ticket booths, valid within 90 mins of validation for all public transport - except the airport service, which costs 8€.
EXPRESS BUS from/to airport
X93 Kifisos Intercity Bus Station - Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to the intercity bus (KTEL) terminals KIFISOS and LIOSION X95 Syntagma – Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to Syntagma Square at Athens city center. X96 Peiraias – Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to Piraeus central passenger port terminals. X97 Dafni Metro Station – Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to DAFNI metro station. Tickets available at the Arrivals Hall; validate on board. Fare is €5 One-way travel time estimates**: X93 (65’ min), X95 (70’ min), X96 (90’ min), X97 (70’ min). For further information dial 185 or visit www.oasa.gr, www.ametro.gr. For info on trains visit www.proastiakos.gr
HELLENIC RAILWAYS ORGANIsATION Karolou 1. Tel: 210.529.7002, www.ose.gr
ATHENS METRO Line 1 (Piraeus-Kifissia) 5am-midnight, Line 2 (Agios Antonios-Agios Dimitrios) 5.30am-midnight, Line 3 (Egaleo-
Doukissis Plakentias) 5.30am-midnight Line 3 (Egaleo-Airport) 5.30am-22.52pm and 06.30am-23.30pm. The last itinerary is 2 hours later on Friday and Saturday night than it is during the week. www.ametro.gr
tram Tram itineraries are only from Syntagma to S.E.F (in Neo Faliro) and from Syntagma to Asklipio Voulas. From Monday to Thursday, trams operate from 5.am until midnight and non-stop from Friday morning to Sunday midnight. www.tramsa.gr
TAXIS Taxis from the airport have a flat rate of €35 to Central Athens. Between midnight and 5am double tariff applies. Note: If you suspect that you have been overcharged, you can call the tourist police 0n 171
INTERCITY BUSES Terminal 1: Buses for Igoumenitsa, Ioannina, Kavala, Loutraki, Patra, the Peloponese, and Thessaloniki. Kifissou 100Tel: 210.512.4910-1, www.ktel.org Terminal 2: Buses for Delphi, Evia, Galaxidi, Karpenisi, Katerini, Lamia, Livadia, Thiva and Volos. Liosion 260. For KTEL itineraries all over Greece call 14505
RADIO TAXI Enotita Tel: 210.645.9000 Ermis Tel: 210.411.5200 Ikarus Tel: 210.515.2800 Kifissia Tel: 210.801.4000 Piraeus Tel: 210.418.2333 Radio Taxi Glyfada Tel: 210.960.5600 There is a booking fee of €2 added to the meter, and a €3,40 + VAT for a pre-arranged meeting. For PET taxis there is an extra charge of €5.
Sea ports Lavrio Tel: 22920.27711, 22920.22089 Piraeus Tel: 210.422.6000-4 Rafina Tel: 22940.22300, 22940.28888
Sea ports & Ferries
getting around Ferries Ferries run year-round. For information on seasonal schedules contact a travel agent or call the Port Police on 210.422.6000 From the Port of Piraeus Northern and Eastern Aegean Islands: Gates A & B Chios, Ikaria, Lesvos, Samos, Dodecanese Islands: Gate E Kalymnos, Kos Leros, Patmos, Rhodes, Saronic Gulf Islands:
Gates G & E
Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses, Crete: Gate A Aghios Nikolaos, Chania, Iraklio, Kastelli (Kissamos), Rethymno, Cycladic Islands:
Gates B, G & D
Astipalea, Folegandros, Kimolos, Kithnos, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos: Gate B Amorgos, Donoussa, Ios, Iraklia, Koufonissi, Mykonos, Santorini, Schinoussa, Syros, Tinos: Gates G&D Naxos, Paros: Gate G
Superfast Ferries Daily departures, Greece - Italy: from Patras and Igoumenitsa to Ancona and Bari Head office: 23-125 Syngrou Avenue & 3 Torva Street 11745 Athens. Tel:210.891.9000 Reservations: Athens: 210.891.9130 Thessaloniki: 2310.560.700, www.superfast.com Hellenic Seaways 210 41 99 000 www.hellenicseaways.gr, Anek Lines www.anek.gr Domestic lines: 210 41 97 420 International lines: 210 41 97 430 Minoan Lines www.minoan.gr Tel: 801 11 75 000
YACHT CHARTERS A1 Yacht Trade Consortium Akti Themistokleous 8, Marina Zeas, Piraeus. Tel: 210.458.7100 Ghiolman Yachts Filellinon 7, Syntagma. Tel: 210.323.3696 Northstar Poseidonos 9 & Achilleos, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.988.4000 PGA Shipping Posidonos 61, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.985.9400 Seahorse Alkyonidon 83 (Marina), Voula. Tel: 210.895.2212 Seascape Poseidonos Ave. 29, Alimos. Tel/Fax: 210.985.8301 Valef Yachts Pl. Chatzikonstanti 2, Piraeus. Tel:210.451.2010 Vernicos Yachts Posidonos 11, Kalamaki. Tel: 210.985.0122-8
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K A L E I DOSCOP E
Art-Athina 2015 A shining line-up of a few avant-garde galleries from abroad with a mix of younger, less-established ones from the regional contemporary art scene for a three-day art-fest of openings, cocktail parties, panel discussions and some serious art-scouting. Featured galleries: 1. Artzone 42 2. Kappatos Gallery 3. Michalarias Art 4. Papatzikou 5. Peritechnon 6. Taubert 7. The Collection Gallery 8. The Public House of Art 9. Ufofabrik Contemporary Art Gallery. Visit Athens Insider at Stand 9. From June 4 to 7 at. art-athina.gr
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