Sani Magazine 2024

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Titanium and blue ceramic case. In-house UNICO chronograph movement.

BIG BANG UNICO

EDITOR'S LETTER

Dear Guests,

I’m delighted to welcome you to Sani Resort and to share with you the latest edition of Sani Magazine. The issue you’re holding is inspired by “Physis”, a formidable Greek word that conjures up the power of nature’s boundless magic and perpetual growth – something Sani has, and always will, stand for. Idyllically located within a 1,000-acre eco-reserve with 7km of white sand to explore and set at the heart of three natural worlds – the sea, forest and protected wetlands – we practice respect for natural beauty and are dedicated to preserving our surroundings with our sustainability programme, Sani Green.

That’s a win for all of us. Because when we align with nature, our spirits soar and holiday takes on a new and thrilling quality: a quality matched by Sani Asterias’ newly revealed and freshly redesigned residences, where architecture and nature create a harmonic blend, enchantingly bringing the outdoors indoors. Our restaurants’ sumptuous menus match that restorative quality too, focusing upon farm-to-table produce and gloriously fresh ingredients.

Once again, we are proud to present our annual events – Sani Gourmet, the culinary celebration of haute cuisine, welcoming at Sani Resort an outstanding line-up of Michelin-starred chefs, including Massimo Bottura, Paco Morales, Ana Ros, Clare Smyth and Andoni Luis Aduriz. And there’s just as thrilling line-up at this year’s Sani Festival, where stars such as Placido Domingo, Tom Jones, Gipsy Kings and Madeleine Peyourx among others, will perform on Sani Hill, filling the Mediterranean night sky with music.

That’s why when we talk of Sani Resort, we talk of ‘Crafting Memories’, because here you’ll discover a world of unparalleled experiences. Possibilities are endless – you can sail, hike, dance, watch your children excel at our world-leading sporting academies, dine, wine, enjoy spectacular festivals and immerse yourself in the joy of the natural world – all during the magic of a Greek summer. Sani is a natural world that reflects the harmonisation of everything a holiday should be – fun, restorative and an elixir to make the memories we will cherish for a lifetime. As a multi-award-winning destination, holding ten prestigious Blue Flags, a consecutive winner of the Marie Claire Sustainability Award, and repeatedly recognised at the World Travel Awards, we believe that the integration of natural elements within tourism is the ultimate luxury. Sharing the wonders of the Halkidiki region with our guests - both in our pages and in real life - is a huge honour. Welcome to Sani Resort!

Dr. Andreas A. Andreadis CEO and co-Managing Partner Sani Resort

CONTENTS

DISCOVER THE PHYSIS ISSUE YOU’RE HOLDING IN YOUR HANDS

Physis (Ancient Greek: φύσις) is a Greek philosophical, theological and scientific term, usually translated into English - according to its Latin translation “natura”—as “nature”. The term originated in ancient Greek philosophy and was later used in Chinese theology and Western philosophy.

PHYSIS, NATURE & CULTURE

22 - Mount Athos

Discover the natural treasures of the Athos Peninsula through the work of artists who lived there

30 - The Palace of Aigai Archaeologist Angeliki Kottaridi guides us to the place that “witnessed” significant chapters of world history

36 - Sandra Marinopoulou

The President & CEO of the Museum of Cycladic Art talks about the “Cycladic Identity” initiative, that aims to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the Cyclades

42 - Haute Bohemians Greece

Miguel Flores-Vianna “unlocks” some of the most beautiful residences in Greece, capturing the bohemian philosophy of the people who live, or have lived, in them

54 - A New Sustainable World

The initiatives, projects and people who design and implement a greener future for planet Earth

66 - Floral Fantasia

When nature serves as inspiration for fashion, design and art

76 - Ecological Consciousness

Sani Resort develops and supports programmes for the protection of biodiversity in the sea, the forests and the wetlands, partnering with nonprofit organisations

96 - Crafting Memories

Whatever we dream of for our vacations, Sani Resort will make it come true, reaching perfection and offering us the most beautiful album of personal memories

106 - Rosamund Pike

A versatile actress, a citizen of the world, a mother and a collector of experiences - the British actress who stands out for her choices speaks about everything, including her beloved Sani Resort

112 - Sarah Brightman

One of the greatest interpreters of our time shares memories from her performance at the Sani Festival last summer

116 - Sani Festival

Music, magic and “Stars on the Hill”; five special evenings where music legends meet artists who have already left their musical imprint on time

136 - Sani Asterias New Residences

Immerse yourself in the luxury resort’s brand new beachfront residences featuring private pools

146 - In the Mood for Blue

The heavenly beaches and dreamy pools of the Sani Resort add another dimension to beach life and holiday mood “à la piscine”

154 - Plants & Gardens

Let's discover the beauty and biodiversity of Sani Resort’s lush gardens

P IAGET POLO WATCHES

Sascha Von Bismarck with Ella Richards, Orson Richards and Kesewa Aboah

by Brigitte Niedermair.

WELLNESS, SPORTS & BEAUTY

84 - Embodying Nature

Earthly elements conspire, giving the most ideal inspiration for creations that adorn summer moments next to the sea and nature

142 - Aline Marcadet

The force behind the Anne Semonin beauty experience unveils the philosophy and innovations of the company that has been collaborating with Sani Resort for the past 18 years

172 - Kids: Nature Full Immersion

The most demanding audience is immersed in a world of experiences and activities within Sani Resort’s natural setting, while also learning to love and respect it

GASTRONOMY & WINES

186 - Gastronomy Beyond Limits

The Sani Ikos Group Culinary Committee travels around the world, gathering gastronomic experiences & transforming them into new ideas in the resort’s 27 different restaurants

194 - Christian Le Squer

The talented French chef with three Michelin stars, who shared the glory of his cuisine at Sani Gourmet last year, speaks about the gastronomic journey of reinventing a chef

198 - Sani Gourmet

The oldest & more acknowledged gastronomy institution in Greece hosts five internationally acclaimed chefs who have made an indelible mark on the global culinary scene

124 - Idyllic Expressions

Aethereal creations infuse summer garments with the ability to colour moments and transform the atmosphere and mood

158 - The Essentials

Green, blue and the colours of the earth compose the ideal holiday palette, “infusing” the clothes and accessories that accompany carefree moments

178 - Rafa Nadal

The tennis legend visited the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Sani Resort, met his younger and older fans on the court and enjoyed moments of family relaxation

182 - An “Adventurous” Summer

The Bear Grylls Survival Academy promises a unique adventure for the entire family, in the Sani Resort’s incomparable natural environment

204 - Cocktail O’ Clock

Sani Resort’s bartenders suggest signature cocktails to accompany unique sunset moments

210 - Local Flavours, Familiar Faces

Sani Resort supports the local economy: the stories of five people who share a common love for their work and have been supplying the Sani Resort with raw materials for years

220 - Gérard Bertrand

A pioneer of biodynamic methods in his vineyards, he supports winegrowers involved in preserving the environment, inspiring the drive towards organic practices

SANI

MAGAZINE

ANNUAL EDITION 2024

PUBLISHER

Sani Resort, Kassandra Halkidiki, 63077 Greece, T. +30 23740 99400

Sani Magazine is published by Sani SA and is distributed free of charge. All rights reserved. www.saniresort.gr

SANI RESORT MARKETING TEAM

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PRODUCTION

Nasta Publications Ltd., 81 Tsimiski Str, Thessaloniki, 54622 Greece, T. +30 2310 220897

Head of Publications Nano Kougioumtzoglou

Editor in Chief Aris Kavatzikis

Creative & Design Director Niki Tabaki

Production & Deputy Director Eleonora Kanaki

Art Directors Theodoros Kollias, Melina Maltsidou

Editorial Team Mary Adamopoulou, Maria Arampatzidou, Eleni Papaioannou, Dimitrios Stathopoulos, Eleftherios Voutsas

Fashion Editorial Photographer George Katsanakis (10AM)

Styling Director Natasha Lionaki

Translator Amelia Zavacopoulos

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COVER

Photographer George Katsanakis (10AM) , Styling Director Natasha Lionaki , Makeup Maria Pagonaki , Hair Kanakis Peristeras for Can I Kiss , Photographer Assistant Dimitris Katsanakis (10AM), Michalis Lavdiotis , Styling Assistant Iro Papadimatou , Model Ros Georgiou (D.Models)

Dress Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini, Soho-Soho, sohosohoboutique.com

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THE NATURAL TREASURES OF MOUNT

s

words by Aris Kavatzikis

photos by George Poupis

drawings by Tim Vyner

There, where man strives to conquer his higher essence, where Physis transforms into divine existence itself, where God, Man and Physis mystically, metaphysically and with sacred reverence become One. This is the place where the human mind unequivocally grasps the inseparable connection between natural beauty and the ultimate power that governs both sentient and insentient beings.

Monastery of Konstamonitou, Watercolour

Mount Athos. A sacred place, charged with faith, symbolism, history, spiritual upliftment and elevation. A place resilient to the passage of centuries and an invaluable cultural treasure trove. Close to the timeless architecture of the monasteries, the natural beauty of the Athonian state is unforgettable, an element of civilization, sustainability and cosmic integration. Approaching the natural element of the Athos Peninsula, with significant assistance from the Mount Athos Center based in Thessaloniki, we encountered three different and comprehensive approaches, which have also constituted interesting exhibitions in the past.

TIM VYNER

Visual artist Tim Vyner, Professor of Illustration at Bath Spa University, born in Leicestershire, England, visited Mount Athos three times within a oneyear period, 2013-14, utilizing the Doug Patterson/RCA scholarship to illustrate all twenty Holy Monasteries. In his works, exhibited at the Mount Athos Center, it is not only the assimilation with the divine element that concerns him, within the context of absolute dedication to a spiritual goal, but also the overall interpretation of a particular place, of nature, of the structured environment and of human life. During his visits he had the opportunity to immerse himself not only in the spirituality of daily life in the Athos Peninsula, in the peculiarities and activities of each monastery, but also in the influence of different eras on the landscape. Nature that remains unchanged over time, in contrast to the ephemeral nature of human presence.

The natural environment is an integral part of the Cultural Heritage of Mount Athos. The changing seasons in this nature awaken emotions and memories. Vyner, who experienced these transitions, makes us participants in his experiences just as

he recorded them in his diary. "Spring in Athos is wonderful. A mountain 2,000 meters in altitude, surrounded by monasteries connected by ancient paths. Sometimes you feel like you're in the most beautiful place on Earth: one afternoon, I was walking alone on a grassy path at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, surrounded by the aromas and sights of spring flora and fauna. At the end of the path, I reached a rock fixed with a wooden cross, 2 meters high, indicating the boundaries of the monastery". On another visit, in the middle of the summer, he noted, "Life on Mount Athos in August is very different", while on his third voyage, as autumn gave way to winter, he wrote, "In December, Mount Athos undergoes yet another complete transformation. It is a wild, dramatic landscape, where the smell of smoke from ancient wood stoves permeates the twilight atmosphere along with the howls of jackals in the forests surrounding the monasteries".

Reflecting on his descriptions and accompanied by his images, we become witnesses to a natural epic, which changes, transforms and is coloured according to the changing seasons. Vyner managed to visit all 20 monasteries of Mount Athos and nature was always there, to remind him that it surrounds and embraces this sacred place, projecting emotions and moods.

He writes, in fragments:

"Spring in Athos is enchanting. Hiking along the southern coastline and east of Dafni is extremely invigorating. Wild garlic, wild fennel and prickly pears come back to life.

"Saint Paul's Monastery is surrounded by olive groves and other trees that stretch from the foothills to the top of Athos, which is often covered by clouds.

"The path that connects Karyes to Iviron Monastery reveals a magnificent view of the large well-kept gardens that

“Mount Athos is a PRICELESS TREASURE , a UNIQUE ENTITY in the WORLD”, Fotis Kontoglou

dominate the monastery. I visited the gardens during the summer and observed a small group of monks gathering vegetables planted in rows and just watered, as well as the fantastic natural scenery embracing the monastery.

"Philotheou Monastery is stunning. A beautiful monastery with a courtyard covered in grass and flower beds with fragrant roses".

"As soon as visitors find themselves in the courtyard of Megisti Lavra Monastery, they feel as if they have traveled back in time to the Middle Ages. The cypress trees are over 1000 years old, planted when the Catholicon was built.

"At the Holy Monastery of Esphigmenou, the orchard is full of citrus fruits: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, mandarins. The atmosphere is unique.

"I arrived at Zografou Monastery after a nice winter uphill walk from the coast towards the imposing cypress-covered hills of the northern side of Athos.

"On a cold day in December, I walked from Zografou Monastery to Konstamonitou Monastery. The small vegetable garden nestled among the ruins of Holy Trinity

seemed to be enjoying the personal care of a monk.

"Arriving at Dochiariou Monastery, I looked at the entrance of the Monastery from sea level. I crossed the entire courtyard to the back, where the orchards and gardens are located. The spot was excellent for me to paint and at the same time observe the monks gathering fruits with the Mediterranean blue dominating in the background.

"I visited Xenophontos Monastery on a cold sunny day in December. Outside the bell tower, next to the entrance of the Catholicon, a group of monks gathered the citrus fruits they had just collected: oranges, lemons, grapefruits, mandarins, clementines". www.timvyner.com

GIORGOS POUPIS

With a very special perspective and his own highly personal aesthetic, George Poupis, who has since passed away, captured the outdoor crosses of the Athos State with his photographic lens. Part of his work, indeed, received a warm reception when exhibited at the Mount Athos Center, under the title "Exaltation, The

Cross in the Land of Mount Athos". In each of his numerous trips to Mount Athos, the photographer gathered his material with dedication, love and patience, spanning a period of thirty years. George Poupis, who imbued his photographs with psycho emotional parameters, was a key collaborator of the Organization "Cultural Capital of Europe - Thessaloniki 1997", while his collaboration with Archaeology professors Manolis Andronikos in Vergina and Dimitris Pandermalis in Dion was long-standing. Cultured, with a special love for music, literature and painting, he was a visual photographer, for whom everything was "...a matter of aesthetics", as he often said.

Through his lens, he therefore "fell in love" with the eternal natural sequence of Mount Athos. He even wrote in confidence: "I traversed almost the entire Mountain, not to document all types of outdoor crosses, but to understand which one would convey to me the most significant vibrations of its existence. And fortunately, there were many; some convey it even before you see them. I humbly bow to their Grace".

Monastery of Konstamonitou, sketch

consistsof1453species of plants

Monastery of Gregoriou, sketch

HERBARIUM

The richness of the natural environment of Mount Athos, due to its geographical location, relative isolation, great variety of geological formations, complex topographic relief, mosaic of climatic types and absence of nomadic pastoralism, highlights the uniqueness of the hundreds of rare plant species of the Athos peninsula. This is precisely what the exhibition "Herbarium, The Botanical Treasure of the Mount Athos Peninsula" showcased at the Mount Athos Center.

Mount Athos is the place where the harmonious relationship between humans and the natural environment serves as a model, as over the centuries the monks have proven to be great protectors of their natural surroundings, linking it to their spiritual existence. In an era when the impact of human interventions on the environment

did not yet concern anyone, not even as an idea, and ecology and landscape aesthetics were still underdeveloped, the monks, with their inherent sensitivity stemming from the rules of monastic life and respect for the environment, created marvelous works that centuries later still inspire awe and serve as examples of the reasoned use of space, materials and landscape.

Regarding the biodiversity of Mount Athos, according to Professor of Botany Dimitrios Babalonas (1997), its flora consists of 1453 species and subspecies of plants, representing 539 genera and 107 families. The plants of the Athos Peninsula include 14 locally endemic species and 43 endemic Greek species found in very few other locations in our country, as well as more than 200 species of aromatic and medicinal plants.

As a verbal depiction of the natural beauty of Mount Athos, let us conclude with the words of the great Greek painter, iconographer and author Fotis Kontoglou (1895-1965), during his visit to Mount Athos: “Mount Athos is a priceless treasure, a unique entity in the world. No matter what I say, I will never be able to convey my feelings for this strange mountain, the old Athos, which rises straight from the sea and reaches the clouds. Although surrounded by a wild and turbulent sea, everything on the Mountain itself is calm and fragrant as a flower. Inside the deep gorges, where the sun does not reach, you can hear the sound of the icy waters, which cannot be seen as they are hidden among dense trees and tangled periwinkles. There, a sense of mystery reigns, undisturbed by anyone…”.

Sternbergia lutea (L.) Ker Gawl. ex Spreng.

words & interview by Mary Adamopoulou

THE PALACE OF AIGAI

It has been dubbed the "Parthenon of Macedonia", yet its dimensions attest that it is three times larger than the most renowned monument of classical antiquity that dominates the Acropolis of Athens. This essentially makes it the largest classical structure, covering an area of 15,000 square metres. This is the monument that, although transformed into a quarry for 20 whole centuries, was recently “reborn” from its ashes. It claims the laurels it rightfully deserves and now narrates its multifaceted past to the thousands of visitors

who travel far and wide to experience it. What exactly was the role of the complex structure made of precious porous stone, which arrived at Aigai from the quarries of Vermio, covering a distance of about 20 km? "It was a multi-purpose building. A complex designed in such a way as to combine the Agora, the gathering place of the Macedonian citizens, with royal authority. This was the heart of the political and social life of the Macedonian state", as defined by the "soul" of the archaeological site of Aigai, honorary

One of the most significant chapters of world history was written in the shadow of its columns: this is where Alexander the Great was proclaimed king, the military commander who carried the Greek spirit and civilization to the depths of Asia. A structure without precedent, it is referred to as a palace but was never actually the residence of a king. The "soul" of the archaeological site of Aigai, honorary Ephor of Antiquities Angeliki Kottaridi, sheds light on its history.

The Palace of Aigai, built more than 2,300 years ago

Ephor of Antiquities, Angeliki Kottaridi. It was an absolutely revolutionary structure for its time, possibly connected by an invisible thread to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as it is speculated that the same architect, Pytheos, participated in both works. While the Aigai Palace may not have been classified as a wonder, its ingenious architect managed to leave behind an equally significant work, as the palace erected during the reign of Philip II (359-336 BC) is "not only the largest, but along with the Parthenon the most important building in classical Greece", according to Angeliki Kottaridi.

Simple and completely functional yet monumental and imposing, it is governed by the principle of the golden ratio (φ=1.61). Although it was not based on any previous model but rather represents an

exceptionally original architectural composition from the classical era, it served as a prototype in the centuries that followed, defining the image of public architecture in the known world at the time.

Perched in a prominent position, in the heart of the city of Aigai, the palace was placed at the centre of the large construction program for the modernization of the Macedonian’s royal metropolis, designed by Philip II. A stone's throw away from the neighbouring theatre, where the Macedonian king was to take his last breath, this building was conceived as an expression of enlightened hegemony. Philip, steeped in Platonic philosophy, aimed to create a landmark where he could coexist with his companions and the people. However, the palace was destined to become the site where the plans of an even more ambitious Macedonian ruler took root: his successor,

Alexander III. Within its grand colonnade, he took his first steps towards conquering the ends of the known world and being proclaimed by history as "the Great": he was declared king shortly after the assassination of his father, on the eve of the Macedonian New Year, in the autumn of 336 BC.

At the heart of this pioneering structure lies the large square colonnade with its 16 Doric columns on each side, embodying the concept of the square. Covering an area of 4,000 square metres, the grand colonnade of Aigai could accommodate around 8,000 people, serving as the quintessential gathering space for the Macedonians, as evidenced by archaeological excavations.

Thousands of high-quality roof tiles and relief antefixes, hundreds of square metres of marble inlay and mosaics, some

A COMPLEX designed in SUCH a WAY as to COMBINE the AGORA with royal AUTHORITY

2

1 The Propylaea of the Palace of Aigai (350340 BCE). Polycentric Museum of Aigai/Central Museum Building.

2 The Gods of Aigai. "Memory of Aigai" Exhibition. Polycentric Museum of Aigai/Central Museum Building.

of which are exceptional works of art, precious pigments, bronze and all kinds of luxurious materials were mobilised to create the imposing building. It features the monumental propylaea, reminiscent of a sanctuary, the impressive two-story stoas of the facade opening towards the city and inviting citizens to use the space, the grand colonnade around which banquets were organised, the dome that according to the inscriptions housed the sanctuary of Patroos Heracles, the library-archive and the smaller western colonnade that served for auxiliary purposes.

"This is a building that combined many public functions but did not have any private spaces. It never served as a

It is ESSENTIAL to make A STOP at the brand NEW CENTRAL SECTION of the POLYCENTRIC MUSEUM of Aigai

royal residence. If we were to describe its function in today's terms, we would say it was equivalent to the Maximus Mansion (official seat of the Prime Minister)", explains Angeliki Kottaridi.

The magnificent palace of Aigai, which was destroyed in 148 BC by the soldiers of the Roman general Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus, was converted into a quarry for centuries, from which building materials were extracted for later constructions. However, whatever remained was revealed by archaeological excavations that began in 1865 and continued into the 20th century, in the 1930s and the decades of the 1950s-1960s. From 2007 to 2023, a strong team of archaeologists from the Ephorate of Antiquities of Imathia, led by Angeliki Kottaridi, managed to reconstruct a characteristic section of this significant monument.

However, merely visiting the ancient city of Aigai is not enough for anyone who arrives at the heart of the Macedonian capital to acquaint themselves with its unique palace. It is also essential to make a stop at the brand-new 7,500 square metre central section of the Polycentric Museum of Aigai, which also engages in the war against oblivion. Here, in a crucial position within the exhibition space that serves as a gateway to the city's history, there is a 30-metre section of the reconstructed palace complex (the total length is approximately 90 metres), which is displayed in a roofless atrium, bathed in natural light.

“Considering that LESS than 10% of the CITY has been EXCAVATED, it is REASONABLE to EXPECT many more SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS in the FUTURE”

Angeliki Kottaridi

Angeliki Kottaridi is the driving force behind the creation of the treasures of the royal tombs exhibition and the Polycentric Museum of Aigai, as well as the administrative and scientific director for the extensive project of reconstructing the palace of Philip II and the digital museum for Alexander the Great. Primarily a field archaeologist, she has conducted significant research with excavations and surface surveys in Aigai, the wider Imathia region and Kuwait, as well as systematic study, documentation and comprehensive publications. She has authored nine books and over 120 scholarly articles and has been honoured for her work with the Golden Cross of the Order of the Phoenix by the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic. She spoke to Sani Magazine about the palace of Philip II, the challenges she faced, the significance of Aigai and how archaeological findings rewrite history.

Until a few years ago, the palace was a great enigma. What were the "keys" with which you "unlocked" its identity?

The systematic documentation and study

of all surviving elements in their original positions, foundations, stylobates, mosaics and marble floor inlays, as well as all the thousands of scattered architectural parts and fragments. The systematic excavation of literally vast areas of highly significant features, such as foundation trenches, floor substrates, etc., provided absolutely accurate chronological evidence - pottery and coins - which fortunately had not been previously excavated. Additionally, the precise identification of the dimension of the foot used as a measure for the construction of the building, equal to 0.328 metres (known as the Doric foot), played a significant role, as well as the systematic study of the architecture of the 4th century BC, as well as the centuries that followed.

What was the biggest challenge you faced before presenting it to the public?

The need to construct a massive engineering project to support the entire level of the monument, in order to prevent the risk of landslides.

Is this a monument that contributes to reevaluating the personality of Philip II? In what ways?

Yes. It clearly demonstrates Philip's

intention to adhere to the Platonic model of the enlightened ruler.

The project you recently completed at the palace and the excavation you will now focus on at the Gymnasium of Mieza, do they change the image we had about the Macedonians? Do they rewrite history or shed light on previously obscure chapters? Essentially, they rewrite history by shedding light on the significant contribution of the Macedonians in shaping the Hellenistic world.

Has Aigai been recognized justly in relation to its importance, or does it remain a "known-unknown" to the general public? I think its importance is starting to be recognized only just now. It will take time for the new knowledge to be assimilated by the scientific community first, and then become part of the wider public domain.

Do you think there are still secrets that Aigai will reveal in the future?

Considering that less than 10% of the city has been excavated and approximately 12% of the necropolis, it is reasonable to expect many more significant findings in the future.

The Palace of Aigai (350-340 BCE).

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You studied Business Administration and Marketing, and you are the President and CEO of the Museum of Cycladic Art, a position that intersects with culture. Is there an internal conflict between the business of your studies and the vision of culture?

A museum is a small or large enterprise, depending on its size and activities. It may not ultimately speculate but its goals certainly include profitability, especially in cases where it is not subsidised by the state. Only in this way can it gather resources to create exhibitions and initiatives aimed at benefitting society, such as educational programmes and social activities directed to all sensitive groups. As for marketing knowledge, this is essential as you must know how to identify and speak to your various audiences, as well as how to approach new ones.

Your primary goal is the outward orientation of the Museum, as well as its activities beyond borders. The most recent example, the exhibition of 161 Cycladic antiquities from the Leonard Stern collection at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art; how does it contribute to this direction? Indeed, the mission of the Museum is to disseminate Cycladic culture worldwide. One can grasp its significance if we consider that the MET, an institution that welcomes millions of visitors each year, is hosting a Cycladic art exhibition for the first time. Add to that the fact that the exhibition specifies these antiquities are on loan from the Greek state and the Museum of Cycladic Art, thus promoting our country and the Cyclades. I am very proud that, following the first global presentation of 15 unique artefacts from the Stern collection last year at our Museum, all 161 items of the collection are now presented to the global audience of the MET together.

Sandra Marinopoulou

“A MUSEUM IS A LIVING ORGANISM”

interview by Aris Kavatzikis

The President and CEO of the Museum of Cycladic Art has so far proven, through her choices, that she possesses social sensitivities and listens to the needs of our time. Her initiative entitled “Cycladic Identity” is of utmost importance, as it aims to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the Cyclades, to which “we owe our existence as a museum and we are grateful for,” as she states with reverence.

photography Olympia Krasagaki

Considering another of your goals, the “Divine Dialogues”, where antiquity engages with contemporary art, one notices that this particular initiative has opened up the Museum mainly to a younger audience. Do you believe that there were signs and answers for ultimately everything in antiquity?

Antiquity offers us clues for the present. After all, that's what history does: it teaches. Museums play a vital role in what ultimately remains in collective memory. Our exhibitions present the Cycladic and ancient Greek civilizations. Through them, the lessons we draw from the past are invaluable for shaping our modern world. However, archaeological topics appeal to younger audiences much better through a modern lens. Since I took over as President of the Museum in 2008, we have pioneered an annual programme of contemporary art exhibitions for the first time in Greece, as well as the groundbreaking series of exhibitions entitled “Divine Dialogues”. In these exhibitions the Museum invites artists and curators from around the world to study and draw inspiration from our collections, creating a dialogue between ancient works and creations of our time. Our Museum has hosted exhibitions by internationally acclaimed artists such as Louise Bourgeois, George Condo, Jannis Kounellis, Sarah Lucas, Brice Marden, Pablo Picasso, Ugo Rondinone, Thomas Struth, Cy Twombly, Sterling Ruby, Ai Weiwei, and now Cindy Sherman.

What fascinates you about ancient Greek tradition, ethics or philosophy?

The distinctly anthropocentric approach to life and the world. The ancients followed the principle of 'moderation in all things,' and this led them to masterpieces. Even in their most extreme expressions, they sought to maintain this measure, this rule. From the simple lines of Cycladic figurines, to antiquities that followed in subsequent centuries, one can find a common denominator: humanity.

The initiative “Cycladic Identity”, which aims to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the Cyclades, seems like a contribution to the place the Museum owes its existence to. Could you explain the philosophy behind this initiative?

Our existence as a museum is owed to the Cyclades, and for that, we are grateful. It is there that the Cycladic civilization was born, which we have been promoting with great love for 36 years. In an era where the most crucial issue is climate change and the environment, the time has come for us to show this gratitude through actions and to give back to the Cycladic islands.

The goal of the initiative is to contribute to the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of the islands. It is a heritage of unique value that, like everything else, is at risk of destruction and oblivion due to phenomena of our modern era, such as the onset of overwhelming mass tourism, the abandonment of traditional practices and climate change.

Through this initiative we seek to contribute to the preservation, restoration and promotion of the elements that constitute Cycladic identity. With a focus on Culture, Biodiversity and Intangible Cultural Heritage, we showcase the islands’ monuments, we focus on

habitats and their unique flora and fauna, and we honour customs, social rituals, traditional practices and arts.

The initiative serves as a platform to attract donations and sponsorships, gathering resources that are subsequently allocated to programmes implemented by organisations in the Cyclades. These organisations submit proposals during specific time periods, which are then evaluated by our Scientific Committee and approved by our Advisory Committee.

The initiative began operating systematically just last year. Today, nine programmes have been implemented or completed on eight Cycladic islands: on Amorgos, Andros, Donoussa, Kea, Ios, Mykonos, Paros and Sikinos.

How exactly are the programmes selected for funding, and how many new programmes will be supported by the "Cycladic Identity" initiative this year?

The evaluation of proposals for funding is carried out by the Scientific Committee of Cycladic Identity, which is composed of Dimitris Athanasoulis, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, archaeologist Michael Boyd, Dimitris Karavellas, CEO of WWF Greece, and Aggeliki Kosmopoulou, Executive Director of the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation: all boasting profound knowledge and understanding of the unique characteristics of the Cyclades due to their professional background. During this year, the second year of the initiative, there are six programmes funded on four Cycladic islands (two in Amorgos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros) and one that is inter-Cycladic.

“The GOAL of the INITIATIVE CYCLADIC Identitiy is to CONTRIBUTE to THE preservation of the CULTURAL and NATURAL HERITAGE of the ISLANDS”

Fisherman in Amorgos

Chaeronea, 2 August 338 BC: A day that changed the world, temporary exhibition in the Museum of Cycladic Art

Anemon Productions

Is there any programme among those already implemented that particularly moved you due to its nature?

The first results are just starting to emerge, as the programmes of the first year are being completed. I cannot single out a particular one because each programme brings its own added value to the island. What particularly moves me is that local communities are activated to highlight the unique characteristics of their homelands through these programmes. For example, the programme in Paros aims to protect and showcase the Nymphs and Panos quarries and, in the future, even restore visitor access. The programme in Andros studies the island’s water wealth and traditional water management practices, in a time when climate change makes water more valuable than ever. The programme in Mykonos highlights the art of dry stone construction and aims to preserve and pass on this element of the island's intangible culture to future generations.

As this year's issue of Sani Magazine is dedicated to Physis, could you provide us with a special reference to the Biodiversity of the Cyclades, one of the three main pillars of “Cycladic Identity”?

The Cyclades are a vibrant workshop of biodiversity. They host an impressive range of habitats, including areas protected under the Natura 2000 network. Here, we encounter a large number of flora and fauna species, many of which are endemic. That is, they are species that have survived in the region’s adverse conditions, developing special adaptations and prevailing in their ecosystems. Today, there are more than 2,000 plant species in the relatively small land area covered by the Cyclades, of which at least 200 are endemic, as well as rare bird species and thousands of marine organisms. One of the programmes funded this year is that of the Sikinos Association, which falls under the 'biodiversity' pillar, aiming to record the species of aromatic and endemic plants found on Sikinos.

In addition to exhibitions, the museum also places great emphasis on its educational and social programmes.

The Museum’s educational programmes have nurtured generations of our fellow citizens. Our activities for children are numerous, with the most significant being the children's painting competition, which celebrates its 11th anniversary this year, as well as the Cycladic Kids Festival that will take place for the second consecutive year.

At the same time, the museum has established a separate department aimed at organising programmes for socially vulnerable groups, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to culture. To date, the museum's social programmes have benefitted thousands of people. Apart from programmes for individuals over 65, for people with disabilities or for children of immigrants, I personally highlight the programme we created last year addressing issues related to adolescent mental health and well-being, as well as the programme for schools in economically disadvantaged areas of Attica.

You know, a museum is no longer just a space for collecting and presenting old objects. It is a living organism, open to all; museums must take the lead on a range of contemporary issues, such as climate change, something that will concern us intensely from now on.

Why did you choose to host the photographic exhibition "Cindy Sherman at Cycladic: Early Works", an exhibition that focuses on female identity and stereotypes, at this point in time?

We are very pleased to host the first museum exhibition of Cindy Sherman's photographic works in Greece, until November 4th, featuring works that are landmarks of contemporary art. The exhibition focuses on women, identity and their depiction. This is a choice that I consider to be particularly significant, especially in our times, as it substantially contributes to the public discussion about the multiple and often conflicting gender roles and the position of women in society, from ancient times to the present day. This is why, alongside Cindy Sherman's exhibition, we have organised a parallel event in the Neophytos Doukas Wing that focuses on the multifaceted roles of women in antiquity, as depicted through the exhibits of our museum's permanent collection. As mentioned earlier, a museum must respond to the needs of its time.

MIGUEL FLORES-VIANNA

The essence of Greece flows through his existence, even though not his homeland. In his book he "unlocked" some of the country’s unique residences, all of which are connected by a sense of authenticity. He managed to capture the truth of the people who live or have lived in them. Studying his images and reading what he shared with Sani Magazine, we discover the personal geographies of people, guided by their personal compass and not passing trends.

HAUTE BOHEMIANS

interview by Aris Kavatzikis

GREECE

The Pottety Lovers, Molyvos, Lesbos

First of all, what was the source of your idea, as well as the title of your collectible books, "Haute Bohemians"? Was it a spontaneous project or the culmination of thought and discussion? I have always admired personalities who live in places that feel very personal. Those types of homes are always more interesting to me, as they tend to disregard trends and fashions and show what I call ‘a geography’ of someone’s life. Homes made up of rooms that allow the first time visitor to discover the likes and passions of the people that inhabit them. They are, to me, a sort of “Haute Couture” within four walls: personal, exclusive and of a certain sophistication. Because they are un-concerned by fashion and follow, instead, a personal compass, something that I associate with the type of people we call “Bohemians” I decided to mix both words as the title for my first book “Haute Bohemians”.

Reading your introduction to the volume "Haute Bohemians, Greece" one understands that your connection to Greece is very strong and inherited from your parents. How did your parents discover Greece?

We are Argentines and my parents and their parents and grandparents, because we trace our family roots to Europe, have always been very much in contact with the ‘old world’, so travelling to Europe was very much part of their lifestyles. Although we do not have Greek blood, my parents first came to Greece very young and fell in love with the country from their very first visit.

“I think ALL the HOMES I HAVE FEATURED in the BOOK have one CONNECTING THREAD: AUTHENTICITY”

1

Joan & Patrick Leigh Fermor, Kardamyli, Messenia

2

Barbara & Nikos

Hadjikyriakos - Ghikas, Kanonas, Corfu

Your mother had the idea to dress you as an Evzone at a Mardi Gras party in Argentina. Indeed, a very original choice. Did you ever discuss it later, once you had grown up?

I feel that we always were somehow talking about Greece; when I was young, my parents would tell me about their trips here and later, once I began travelling, I also shared my impressions of the country. I am an only child and somehow, looking back, I feel that my parents and I were always talking about trips when we were together.

How was your relationship with our country cultivated later on? Was it a "love at first sight" scenario, or did you take your time until deciding that something significant and profound was happening between Greece and you?

My parents sent me to Greece on my own when I was a teenager. That was my first trip. But because of school that first trip was during the winter, so when I really fell in love with Greece was in 1986, when I spent three months travelling around. I went everywhere: from Ioannina to Mount Athos, the Peloponnese, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. It was a magical time: meeting all sorts of people, the sun, the sea and the monuments of Ancient Greece. It was absolutely wonderful.

It perhaps cannot be confined to words or paragraphs, but what does Greece mean to you? What does your connection with the country represent? Is it objects, situations, places or people? Greece means so much to me, on so many levels. One cannot separate oneself from all that the country means in terms of the creation of Western culture. There are so many institutions, so many cultural studies, so many words spread through the West which first originated in Greece. In that way I feel that we are all, a bit, children of Greek culture. And then because of my travels through the country, my friendship with many of its citizens, there is the personal relationship. So my mind is filled with people, places, moments that took place here. My personal ‘geography’ to a great extent is made up by the geography, the culture and the people of this country.

"Haute Bohemians: Greece" by Miguel Flores-Vianna, published by Vendome Press

Describe 2-3 of your favourite "scenes" from Greece in which you appear or play a leading role. Would they take place in the summer, or the winter?

I have only been to Greece in winter once; all my other countless trips have been between the months of May and September, so summer is the time where all my “scenes” have taken place. My favourite “scenes” are many, but I can say that I love long distance swimming and when I am here I always try to do it daily. Greek waters are just the best, and to feel tired after a long swim is one of the best things for me. Another favourite scene is “taverna life”; so many memories of sharing meals until late at night in some of my favourite places. The third one is being witness to the passage of time: it is for me extremely moving to visit ancient sites where some of the great monuments to Greek culture are located, and where so many relevant events have taken place.

“I have always ADMIRED PERSONALITIES who LIVE in PLACES that FEEL very PERSONAL”

1 Jacob Rothschild, Strongilo,

2

John Stefanidis, Chora, Patmos

Do you have a favourite monument, poet, or writer from Greece, or even any beloved flavours?

Favourite Monument: I love Athos and Mistra, the Lindos Acropolis, Medieval Rhodes. Epidaurus and Delphi. Sounion, Profitis Elias in Patmos.

Favourite Book: Drifting Cities by Stratis Tsirkas

Favourite flavour: Sweet, cold watermelon on a hot summer afternoon.

Corfu

Of course, you are not interested in luxurious residences or glamorous spaces; it's something you declare from the outset, given that we are talking about Haute Bohemians. What connects the different images, almost like a thread, that take us from Pelion and Thessaly to Corfu, Patmos and Rhodes?

I think all the homes I have featured in the book have one connecting thread: authenticity. They all are mirrors of the people that live or have lived in them.

I don't know if you've already done this, but if you had the opportunity to create your own haute bohemian residence, which part of the country would you choose?

I would love to have an olive farm in the middle of the Peloponnese.

What is the process you typically follow? Do you prefer to converse and get to know the owners, the soul of the residence, before taking your photographs, or is it the opposite, namely first taking your photos in an impartial manner and then getting to know the house’s residents?

There is no particular formula to getting to know a homeowner. Sometimes by looking at a room I can guess what its owner will be like. Other times, I will understand the house after talking to the owner. But I feel that if someone is being authentic with me, I will see their personality reflected in the house.

This year's edition of Sani Magazine is dedicated to nature, Physis. How do you connect with nature? Do you seek it out? Is nature an essential element of vitality for you?

I have to be out in nature everyday, whether in the countryside or the beach. If I am in town, then I need to get to a park and walk around. It is beautiful to experience nature, no matter what time of the year!

“Greece MEANS SO MUCH to me, on SO MANY levels. One CANNOT SEPARATE oneself from ALL THAT the COUNTRY MEANS in terms of the CREATION of WESTERN culture”

Alexandros Rodakis, Mesagros, Aegina

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

ZEGNA

KITON

LORO PIANA

TOM FORD

BERLUTI

BRIONI

JACOB COHEN

SANTONI

CANALI

CORNELIANI

HERNO

MANDELLI MOORER

ORLEBAR BROWN

PAUL AND SHARK

ISAIA

BOSS

VILEBREQUIN

POLO RALPH LAUREN

PT 01

MOOSE KNUCKLES

LARDINI

INCOTEX

BARBA NAPOLI

ELEVENTY

SERAPHIN

COLOMBO CASHMERE

PREMIATA

LUIGI BORELLI

CESARE ATTOLINI

FEDELI

A NEW Sustainable WORLD

As guardians of the beauty of this precious Greek coast, we are driven by environmental consciousness. Same as the people and the innovative projects from all over the world that follow and illuminate the path towards a greener future.

words by Maria Arabatzidou

A natural discovery

Nestled in the Mojave Desert and designed by Industry of All Nations with sustainability at its core, The Landing House harmonizes with the untouched landscape, blending textures and hues effortlessly. Just 130 miles east of Los Angeles, this modern retreat is blessed with iconic Joshua trees and breathtaking views, which make it stand out as a sanctuary of serenity. From its very conception, eco-humility has been the guiding principle for its visionaries, thus its structure maintains a low-profile scale. With locally sourced materials and minimal energy consumption, the project respects the delicate ecosystem it inhabits, demonstrating that luxury and environmental consciousness can coexist.

Courtesy of Ye Rin Mok

From waste to art

In the realm of contemporary art, Moffat Takadiwa is known as an extremely creative mind whose work transcends mere aesthetics to offer a profound commentary on the complexities of contemporary Zimbabwean society. While his sculptures and tapestry-like wall works may initially appear as conventional textile pieces, a closer look reveals a fascinating truth: they are crafted from post-consumer waste, from soda cans to used toothbrushes. Takadiwa's decision to give a new life to these objects is not merely an artistic choice; it is a bold statement, a rallying cry against the shadows of colonialism that continue to haunt Zimbabwe and other African nations. Growing up surrounded by farms and farmers that suffered by the colonial exploitation, Takadiwa witnessed firsthand the profound inequalities and injustices perpetuated by the system. That’s why, through his art, he confronts these realities head-on, offering a commentary on the socio-political landscape of his homeland. Exhibited in numerous galleries around the world, his work is deeply rooted in his Korekore heritage and inspired by Indigenous craft, inviting viewers to imagine a future liberated from the unfair past.

Moffat Takadiwa,

The green museum

The new Archaeological Museum of Athens, set to be erected at Plato’s Academy, marks a significant milestone as Greece's first "green" archaeological museum. This bioclimatic marvel, designed by the legendary David Chipperfield with a focus on sustainability, represents a groundbreaking leap towards a more eco-conscious approach to architectural design. Spanning an impressive 14,362 square meters, the museum will host state-of-the-art facilities, accompanied by the creation of a green park that will serve as a testament to the city's commitment to fostering a greener urban environment that the citizens will be able to enjoy.

Raw elegance

The Mat Chair collection represents the culmination of years of research and development aimed at creating furniture with a lower environmental impact than the industry norm. Crafted by the Danish design studio Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen, these chairs are designed to facilitate a fully circular life cycle as every component can be reused. The shell is made from hemp and eelgrass, harnessing the natural resilience and tactile beauty of these biomaterials. For co-founder Peter HiortLorenzen, the journey towards sustainable furniture design began over two decades ago. Inspired by the potential of plant fibers as a substitute for plastic, his vision has finally come to fruition with this collection.

Courtesy of Normann Copenhagen

Purpose-driven fashion

Born from a shared vision to redefine the classic cotton T-shirt, Kotn, an Egyptian lifestyle brand has evolved into a global force for change, with a steadfast commitment to driving sustainability and social impact. Founded in 2015 by Rami Helali, Mackenzie Yeates and Ben Sehl, Kotn upholds the highest standards of ethical practices, ensuring that every garment is both impeccably designed and responsibly sourced and produced. Not only does it use 100% Egyptian cotton or other eco-friendly materials such as linen, ECOTEC cotton, lyocell and merino wool to create sustainable fashion but

it also supports the farmers’ communities by building schools in collaboration with local NGOs. Certified by B Corporation and named “Best for the World”, Kotn expands its presence to new corners worldwide, including the Lower East Side of New York City. Now, its message of conscious consumption resonates more powerfully than ever.

Courtesy of Tsolakis Architects

The cotton farm, Faiyum, Egypt & Kotn

Kotn.com

New-age maritime design

Zaha Hadid Architects presents the world's first hydrogen refueling infrastructure tailored for recreational boating. Set against the backdrop of Italy's picturesque marinas and ports, these cuttingedge refueling stations promise to revolutionize the maritime industry with their innovative approach to renewable energy. With an initial rollout planned for 25 Italian marinas and ports starting in the summer of 2024, ZHA's design sets the stage for a significant expansion to over 100 locations across the Mediterranean Sea within the next six years.

Evi Lazou-Laskaridi

President of Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation

Saving the archipelago

From the position of Chairman of the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, Evi Lazou-Laskaridis leads an extremely important project aimed at protecting the Greek marine environment. Spearheading its programmes is the award-winning and unique “Typhoon Project”. The Typhoon is a Norwegian vessel measuring 72 metres in length, and contributes to the cleaning of coastal areas. It sails all year around with a crew of 35 people and 5 speedboats, removing debris from inaccessible shores of the country. "Since its inception in 2019, the Typhoon has completed the cleaning of the entire island coastline of Greece and most of the mainland, and has started its second round. Having covered almost 15,053,917 square metres of coastline, the team has cleaned a total of 3,384 beaches, removing debris weighing 628 tons and with a volume of 33,330 cubic metres. To grasp this volume, imagine two FIFA-standard football fields covered by 1010 cargo containers, stacked one on top of the other, reaching a height almost three times that of the Burj Khalifa", Ms. Lazou notes.

Every action of the Foundation aims to close the life cycle of collected waste. In the "Typhoon Project", the waste is gathered on deck. It is recorded, weighed, compressed and stored in a special area of the vessel. Afterwards, it is either directed to recycling facilities or for disposal. "Some plastic waste we reuse, giving it a new form. Recently, in collaboration with the non-profit organisation 'Odyssea', plastic pieces collected by the Typhoon team became part of sailboats, which we saw setting sail from the Mytilene Sailing Club”.

A change in the world's mindset and everyone's attitude towards the marine environment was - and continues to be - the focus of what they want to achieve as a Foundation. Regarding the challenges they face, Ms. Lazou points out: "The greatest obstacle, and the one we constantly struggle with, is the power of habit. It is the first component that needs to change for us to become what we call ‘part of the solution.' Nature, the sea and the seabed are public property".

Today, the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation seeks to expand its actions and increase its contribution to the protection of the marine environment. "This year, we participated in the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens, where we announced one of the largest commitments ever made by a private non-profit organisation, totaling 13 million euros. Over the next five years, we will dedicate a significant portion of our work to these commitments, through programmes and partnerships aimed at reducing marine pollution in Greece and the Mediterranean".

Courtesy of Tecma Solutions

MARNI

ETRO

DSQUARED

LANVIN

BALMAIN

MONCLER

VALENTINO

JIL SANDER

KENZO

MISSONI VETEMENTS

RICK OWENS

HERNO

KARL LAGERFELD

BOSS

ARMANI

TOMMY HILFIGER

GANNI

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

Nikos Diamantopoulos CEO of Marketing Greece

For a Sustainable Greek Tourism

With multiple successes and led by its new CEO, Nikos Diamantopoulos, Marketing Greece has chosen to focus on the values of sustainability since the beginning of its activities. This is achieved in two ways. Firstly, through the content it creates and the messages it communicates through discovergreece.com and its ecosystem, following a strategic direction that focuses on the authenticity of Greek destinations. This includes promoting lesser-known points of interest, experiences that evoke emotions in travellers, and presenting a new perspective on discovering the travel experience offered by sustainability, as well as creating a Sustainable Travel Guide aiming to inform and raise awareness among the travelling public, and more. Secondly, through actions such as the "Zero Waste" campaign and the "We Are All Marketing Greece" meetings, where local communities, businesses, associations and tourism stakeholders aim to raise issues through public dialogue, delve into tourism-related topics and highlight opportunities for each destination. In addition, the #DestinationExperienceMakers initiative further showcases initiatives that add value to the Greek tourism product.

“In this context, responsible travel for us is not a trend, but rather an urgent need. This has emerged as a continuation of our actions throughout these years, to which all of us involved in tourism must respond. In this way, we protect not only our land, the natural environment, our culture and tradition, in essence our local communities, but at the same time we actively participate in creating a new image for our country", emphasises Mr. Diamantopoulos.

The main goal of Marketing Greece is none other than to contribute to the creation of a new sustainable tourism model for Greece. "We have prioritised assisting the tourism sector in equipping itself with tools to achieve sustainability goals. That's why we started a fundraising campaign, to implement whatever we plan, as well as promotional activities and awareness-raising campaigns. At the same time, our board of directors has decided to adopt two destinations, Corfu and Delphi, in order to initiate similar pilot actions of destination management and the creation of a sustainable tourism product", he notes.

A new life

In the battle against plastic pollution, innovative solutions are emerging to tackle the environmental challenges posed by marine plastic waste. One such pioneer is BlueCycle, a company dedicated to recycling and upgrading marine plastic waste through the circular economy principles. At the forefront of its innovation is its state-of-the-art laboratory in Piraeus, home to the only robotic large-scale 3D printer lab in Greece. Here, the company brings to life "Second Nature", a unique series of furniture and design objects crafted from recycled marine equipment. Developed in collaboration with the design duo "The New Raw", the project embodies high aesthetics while remaining 100% recyclable. The series has been in the spotlight since it won the RO Plastic Prize 2020.

An eco-oasis

Conceived by renewable-energy company Masdar and backed by the Abu Dhabi government, Masdar City is a testament to the UAE's ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and diversify its economy away from oil dependency. Covering 6 square kilometers, it serves as a hub for clean technology and innovation, hosting over 1,000 organizations. With over 4,000 residents currently calling it home, the city is designed to accommodate up to 50,000 people in the future.

Cheers to this

Stella McCartney and Veuve Clicquot have embarked on an exciting fashion journey, creating a whole collection based on a grape-based alternative to animal leather. This next-generation fabric, derived from the by-products of Clicquot's harvest, marks a significant step forward in the fashion industry's efforts towards circularity and regenerative practices.

Debuting as part of McCartney's Summer 2024 collection, the collaboration showcases a diverse range of accessories, catering to the modern consumer's lifestyle needs. From stylish handbags to chic champagne bottle holders, each piece is thoughtfully designed with both fashion and sustainability in mind.

Courtesy of Masdar City Free Zone

Stella McCartney x Veuve

Clicquot, Courtesy of Stella McCartney

Both fluffy and bio

Danish fashion brand Ganni has taken a bold step towards sustainability with the unveiling of its new eco-friendly bag collection at the past Copenhagen Fashion Week. These special edition bags, crafted in collaboration with BioFluff, feature plastic-free, faux fur made from nettle, hemp and flax fibers, marking a significant departure from traditional materials used in fashion. At the heart of the collection is the classic Bou bag, created by the "world's first plant-based fur". Also, Ganni introduced statement pieces made from other two alternatives to leather: Celium, which is produced by nourishing bacteria with food waste, and Oleatex, which comes from olive waste and recycled materials.

Luminaire with character

Acoustic technology is revolutionizing the world of lighting, and Oloïd acoustic lighting is a great example of the innovation behind this trend. Developed through a collaboration between Impact Acoustic, a provider of sustainable acoustic solutions, and the esteemed design Swiss studio Atelier Oï, it features a high-performance absorber crafted from upcycled PET bottles. This versatile material not only delivers exceptional sound absorption but also promotes sustainability and responsible material sourcing, making this design an environmentally conscious choice for modern spaces. Visually striking with its pleated, folded form reminiscent of a lantern, it transcends the boundaries between functionality and artistic expression.

Special editions of Bou bag at Copenhagen Fashion Week,

Courtesy of Nynne Henriksen

Courtesy of Impact Acoustic

SANI MAGA ZINE 2024

& Entertainment

floral

In the fast-paced world of fashion, design and art, one timeless muse continues to captivate the creative minds behind renowned brands and fashion houses – nature's exquisite bounty of flowers. From the delicate petals of a rose to the vibrant hues of a wild meadow, the natural world serves as an endless wellspring of inspiration, shaping trends and aesthetics in these creative realms.

Living

à la française: Book Life in a French Country House: Entertaining for All Seasons by Cordelia de Castellane, Rizzoli

Earrings Nenuphars 18kt gold, silver 925o, black diamonds, pigments by Fanourakis, Τhalia Exarchou

Marni Spring Summer 2024 collection at Paris Fashion Week

Electric Kettle by Smeg from the collection Sicily is my Love in collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana

Eau de Toilette Daisy by Marc Jacobs: A sparkly floral-woody fragrance destined for young women, Hondos Center Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

words by Eleonora Kanaki

"I Do" #7 ring 18K pink gold with Coral rose, Lito, litofinejewelry.com

fantasia

The influenceof fashion , design&art

In 2021, fashion designer Jacquemus opened a pop-up flower shop in Paris, a Parisian hot spot where people could find wild and wonderful floral creations

Flowers bloom on this kid’s Nike Air Force 1 Mid. A colourful, playful update to the Nike Basketball icon

Espresso cups Jungle Animalier, Versace x Rosenthal

Simple forms of poetry and beauty: Bouquet armchair by Tokujin Yoshioka, 2008 for Moroso

blossoming

Lifestylebrands&nature-inspiredelements

The new ETRO SS24 advertising campaign stems from an encounter between imagination and Artificial Intelligence

Book Dahlias: Beautiful Varieties for Home & Garden by Gibbs Smith Pub publications

The aesthetic order of blossom: Antibodi armchair by Patricia Urquiola, 2006 for Moroso

Palm Mini leather tote bag by Staud

Kintsugi vase in porcelain, Seletti

The SYMBIOTIC relationship of NATURE and CREATIVITY is aesthetically pleasing & reflects a growing AWARENESS of SUSTAINABILITY in the creative INDUSTRIES

a r t i s tyr

Richard Quinn Spring Summer 2024 collection at London Fashion Week

Liberty Maze Eau de Parfum by Liberty LBTY. Fragrance

Serax and Marni created an elegant porcelain tableware set with a flower motif, which celebrates the Italian fashion house’s artistic vision

Flora printed silk scarf by Gucci

Linear Goa chandelier by Prateek Jain & Gautam Seth by Studio Twenty Seven

Embracing our natural surroundings is the first step to true hospitality.

words by Eleni Papaioannou

SANI MAGAZINE 2024

Mother Earth is our home and as soon as we realise that we are all guests cohabiting the same ecosystem, the more in tune we will become with our world. Sani is in such awe of the nature that surrounds us, that we have decided to dedicate our efforts, first and foremost, to preserving, supporting and saving our ecosystem. And what an ecosystem it is! Scattered across 1,000 acres of nature reserve, Sani Resort sits at the intersection of three beautiful, natural worlds: the sea, the forest and the wetlands. Committing ourselves to protecting this wonderful home, we develop and support programmes that preserve biodiversity, always partnering with non-profit organisations passionately dedicated to their cause.

Our meticulous efforts have resulted in -sometimes smaller, sometimes bigger- steps that we are incredibly proud of. After being recognized for four consecutive years as the “World’s Leading Luxury Green Resort”, as well as being the winner of the “World’s Leading Sustainable Resort” in this new category at the World Travel Awards, we will never stop preserving our three natural worlds, making sure that future generations can experience the natural wonder of Sani, in all its natural glory.

ECOLOGICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

50-60

DOLPHINS IN THE AREA

SEA

The Thermaikos Gulf is a fascinating place to live, not only if you are human but also if you are a dolphin! For three years now, Sani has joined forces with the iSea environmental organisation to monitor the area’s dolphin population. To this day, a member of the team goes out to sea once a week or every two weeks, photographing the fins visible on the surface of the water, recording each dolphin through their unique morphology.

This year the program will dial up visits to the open waters for up to three times per week, becoming even more accurate in their listings. According to ichthyologist Ioannis Giovos, who is iSea’s project manager, “we have already counted around 50 to 60 dolphins in the area, of which around ten are more frequent visitors of the waters surrounding Sani. By doubling up our monitoring, it is safe to say we will be able to count more and more dolphins and have a much more accurate number of the local population”. But apart from dolphins, a new and exciting project is also underway this year: it has to do with a specific type of ray, a nearly extinct species. “Rays and sharks are two of the most endangered species world-wide”, Mr Giovos tells us. “The rough ray, indigenous to the Mediterranean, is almost extinct.

The good news is that we have tracked down a small population around Kavala, and we have also witnessed a few in Halkidiki. Our first job, in our effort to preserve the species, is to save as many eggs caught in fishermen’s nets as possible. We will collect them, put them in specialised tanks and when they are ready, we will send them off to the waters of the Thermaikos, offering them a good home. The ideal scenario is to start finding and saving eggs not only from Kavala but also from the waters in Sani, sending them back safe and strong!”.

The Sani Wetlands project focuses on protection and education. With an area of approximately 110 hectares, the wetlands are home to over 230 species of birds – many of them rare and globally endangered. Since 2013 we have seen an increase of 680% in our Birdwatching tours, and in 2019 alone, over 3,400 guests participated in a Sani Eco Excursion. Sani’s partnership with the Hellenic Ornithological Society already counts for more than a decade of fruitful research and fascinating finds, creating between the two a strong bond focused on their dedication to nature. Ornithologist and conservation biologist Pinelopi Karagianni has been there since day one, in the area’s two lakes, Gerani and Stavronikita. “I observe, monitor and list the birds of the area, especially in the spring and in the summer, so that I can evaluate their breeding rates. I also track them during the autumn migration, which is quite significant for this wetland as many different species pass by here. Gerani has vast water level differences from one year to another, making it hard for some birds to set up nests. This is why we find different species of birds here each year, and especially when the water level is low, we have many flamingos. Stavronikita Lake, the one closest to the resort, is a different type of ecosystem, fostering a much steadier population of ducks, herons, cormorants and swans. This year, I will be focusing on even more intensive monitoring and attentive bird watching, as well as bird ringing during migration”.

110 HECTARES

230 SPECIES OF BIRDS

3,400 GUESTS

The SEA, the FOREST & the WETLANDS: we will NEVER STOP preserving our THREE natural WORLDS, making SURE that FUTURE generations can EXPERIENCE the natural WONDER of SANI, in all its NATURAL glory

The Sani Environmental Observatory, in partnership with the Forest Research Institute of the Dimitra Hellenic agricultural organisation, preserves this natural Aleppo pine forest and its wildlife. We are committed to monitoring the Sani Forest, studying its responses to climate change and conserving its wildlife and forest trails, and we plan on planting pine seedlings in areas that were affected by extreme climatic events. Dr. Mariangela Fotelli, researcher of forest ecophysiology at the Forest Research Institute, tells us about the two years of hard work that were just completed in April 2024: “We focused on calculating the carbon footprint of the ecosystem and promoting its ecoservices to stimulate environmental awareness. In the forest, we have set in operation one of the very few Eddy Covariance towers in the country with the purpose of evaluating the ecosystem’s carbon fluxes and sequestration, and to see how much it can store for the years to come in order to contribute to climate change mitigation”. Dr. Fotelli is very excited about the Sani environmental observatory, a partnership between Sani and the Forest Research Institute and part of a European network of nature observatories. “In cooperation with researcher Dr. Gavriil Spyroglou we strive to see how we can support the natural regeneration of the forest. Up until now, we have witnessed fairly slow progress, so we are considering reforestation actions”, she says. “You see, the extreme climatic events of 2019 were so damaging to the forest that it cannot restore itself easily. Gathering seeds and drafting guides listing the flora of the area are our first goals”.

Meanwhile, the team of the Forest Research Institute is fairly active in different fields. Dr Savas Kazantzidis, an ornithologist, installed a network of nests for small birds in the forest last year, and during the winter of 2024 he also set up two for owls. Dr. Christos Astaras, a wildlife scientist, has placed tracking funnels for the small mammal called Dormouse (Glis glis) and efforts are being made to install cameras for monitoring the small mammals. The efforts of the Sani observatory are also applied in the day-to-day operations of the resort, as, according to Dr Fotelli,

“the entire institute team provides information to the eco-guides of the resort who, through guided forest walks, take hotel guests on a magical tour of this unique coastal ecosystem”. Vegetation scientist Dr. Fotios Xystrakis, researcher of the Forest Research Institute says: “I have collected information regarding the most common plants found on the Sani eco-guides paths. Twenty to thirty species in total; little stories about their names, their morphology and uses can be found in a small booklet that we have just given to the eco-guides for the summer season”.

Together with the scientists monitoring the Sani ecosystem, there is a tiny yet extremely important forest population that is assisting in our research. These are none other than insects, and Dr Dimitris Avtzis has a lot to say about their help: “There are two main areas we are focusing on. First, we set up pheromone traps that attract bark and wood boring insects, so as to keep an eye on their populations. When their numbers rise, then this is a kind of alarm, warning us about intrinsic changes in the status of the forest’s health, which we then need to control through forest management. The second area involves the different species of insects in the Sani area. In the ten stations we have set up, pitfall traps are used to collect the ground dwelling beetles and simultaneously record the butterfly and dragonfly populations in the area. We educate the guests of the resort through these forest walks, and we have also created a manual for the kids club, as well as established actions to bring children closer to our tiny neighbours without any fear. Based on their senses, we help them understand how an insect feels, how it can smell, so our young friends can feel a sense of closeness and familiarity. This is what I strive to achieve, for us to overcome our fear of insects. Sure, there are some bad guys amongst the general population, but we are only talking about approximately 1% of the insect species worldwide! Insects are incredibly helpful indicators of the health of our environment. Because of their short lifespan (six months to a year) they respond quickly to their surroundings, so even the slightest change in the environment can affect insect populations within a mere 3-4 years!”.

FOREST

TRACKING STATIONS HAVE BEEN PLACED TO STUDY LOCAL BIODIVERSITY, SUCH AS THE NATIVE DORMOUSE, A SMALL MAMMAL, AND INSECTS LIKE BEETLES AND FIREFLIES

EMBODYING NATURE

Earthly elements conspire, giving the most ideal inspiration for creations that adorn summer moments next to the sea and nature.

Overcoat with belt MAX&CO, attica, Mediterranean Cosmos, atticadps.gr

photographs by George Katsanakis (10AM)

styling director Natasha Lionaki

RIGHT PAGE Dress ACNE STUDIOS , Grigio - Sani Marina

LEFT PAGE Playsuit with belt EMPORIO ARMANI , Intervista, intervista.gr. Boots HUNTER and hat from personal collection Jacket and shorts SIENNA MILLER

Hondos Center Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

Lace blouse and shorts VALENTINO, Grigio - Sani Marina

LEFT PAGE Jacket WEEKEND MAX MARA , attica, Mediterranean Cosmos, atticadps.gr. Boots HUNTER and belt from personal collection Earrings in 18k gold POMELATTO, Thalia Exarchou Jewellery - Sani Marina

Top ACNE STUDIOS , Grigio - Sani Marina

makeup Maria Pagonaki hair Kanakis Peristeras for Can I kiss

photographer assistants Dimitris Katsanakis (10AM), Michalis Lavdiotis styling assistant Iro Papadimatou

model Ros Georgiou (D.Models)

Dress from personal collection. Sunglasses SAINT LAURENT, Optomania - Sani Marina Boots HUNTER from personal collection

However you imagine your summer story to unfold once you enter Sani Resort, it will most certainly be crafted to perfection

words by Eleni Papaioannou

Dedication, personal relationships, a nurturing hospitality style and a breathtaking natural environment. Making memories at Sani is all about your very own personal experiences, in a place where mindfulness touches everything, from outdoor activities to cultural events. Walking into Sani, you enter a world of unparallel experiences. The resort is a refined cosmos, bringing its guests a unique offering based on world standards and top-notch collaborations, delivering the very best through the excellence and commitment of our staff, each and every one dedicated to perfection: From top notch academies such as Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, Chelsea FCF, Bear Grylls Survival Academy and more, to tailor-made events, private yacht and car services, wellness treatments and fitness classes, and, of course, the world renowned Sani Festival and Sani Gourmet, Sani has literally turned Chalkidiki into a destination on its own.

PRIVATE MOMENTS

A holiday is the perfect chance to reconnect with your loved ones and even shape those distinct memories that will last a lifetime. That is typically the case, wherever you go. But at Sani everything is built around the notion of creating unique, personalised memories. Did you know that, with a little help from us, you can create the perfect wedding proposal? Oh yes, we love a good romance and we will make sure you have everything you need to make yours unforgettable, and linked to your stay with us in the best possible way.

But private moments aren’t just a game for two. If you love Bousoulas Beach and want to experience it on your own, or with a small group of friends over a lovely dinner, we can arrange it for you. Indulge in a simple, yet refined, al fresco dining experience, with the sand on your feet, the soft breeze in your hair and a great curation of culinary delights. Yes, your dinner can be candlelit. And, if you feel the party animal in you awaken, we can easily turn the beach into a party!

Bousoulas beach is the ideal hub for partying or chilling by the sea

ME MO RIES CRAFTING

MAKING MEMORIES at Sani is ALL ABOUT your VERY OWN personal EXPERIENCES

KIDS DREAMLAND

We love children. As a family business we put family first, especially the little ones. That is why we do everything in our power and knowledge to treat them with respect and understanding. Their summer memories will become milestones in their growth, following them for years and years to come. The ones they shape here will give them that extra spark of imagination, building bonds with nature, with each other and with you, creating unforgettable family memories.

Starting from the baby gear we have for you in the resort (white noise machines, strollers, monitors etc.), so you don’t need to pack your entire house to visit us, to the specialised walks in the forest, birdwatching sessions and adventure games, there is something special for every age group.

If you have a summer-born son or daughter, their birthday party here at Sani will be tailored to their style, with any little Create a unique moment with your loved one, by planning a romantic night just for two

The ice-cream cart is a hot spot, wherever you find it within the resort

adventure or fairytale setting they have in mind. Even on a regular day at Sani, we provide them with a plethora of toys they can choose from, renewing their play each day! Bored of toys and too hot to settle down? Our ice-cream cart is probably just around the corner, with fresh scoops of delight. Is this a childhood dream? Yes it is.

AROUND & ABOUT

Of course, you also came here to relax, unwind, forget all the stress of everyday life and to loosen up. But here at Sani, summer is also about exploring.

A HOLIDAY is the PERFECT chance to RECONNECT with YOUR LOVED ONES and even SHAPE those distinct MEMORIES that will LAST a LIFETIME

Exploring your surroundings, enjoying your time, exploring yourself. Sani VIP services can provide you with a yacht and crew for a day, a weekend or even longer, so you can just get on board and enjoy the marvels of Halkidiki from the sea. Depart for a little holiday-within-a-holiday by taking your yacht from

the Sani Marina and enjoying the crystal clear waters of the Aegean on your private luxury cruise.

Need a little dirt on your feet? Explore the wonders of the Kassandra Peninsula by embarking on a Volvo adventure, visiting the area from the comfort of the latest luxury model on a private two-hour chauffeur driven tour. You are the captain of your destiny but please, let us take the wheel for a while. You deserve it.

GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS

You are already probably aware that our staff is impeccably trained to cater to your every need. For us, however, this has never been enough. We treat our staff like family and the same goes for them towards us and you, our guests.

Our people are here to make sure you have the best stay with us, and they are here to make sure you do so, until it is time for

Start the day by taking in the Sani vibes in one of our yoga classes

you to head back home. Discreetly yet attentively, one or more of our staff members will always be at arm’s reach, whenever needed. Our personalised consultants will help your family adapt to the resort’s new environment, especially the little ones, while a list of extras we provide will transform your room into a cosy home for all.

Advice and tips for babies are available, even before you arrive! Once you are here you will see that childcare is something we take personally. As personally as we take the whole family’s nutrition and special dietary needs, whatever they might be.

Our chefs are creative and caring. They do not like to limit themselves and they will listen to you, adjusting, suggesting and offering alternatives to fit your personal needs. With fresh veggies daily and our farm-to-table values and practices, you will feel at home, in your kitchen in particular. Only here, you won’t have to lift a finger.

FEELING GOOD

Life at Sani is lived outdoors. This is the gift the glorious nature of Kassandra bestows on us, one we wish to share with you, inviting you to embrace nature’s symphony and nurture your spirit of adventure amongst the tranquil Sani setting.

Go for your morning run around our trails, we are sure you will meet and greet many other joggers on your path; the community is strong and growing by the minute. Start the day with our yoga sessions, greeting the morning Mediterranean sun or slowing your breathing as the sun sets, taking in the glory of the salty sea air. We also have special pilates or meditation classes for all, preferably taken outdoors.

It is right there where nature becomes nurture, healing and welcoming to all. From those who love long walks to those who love climbing trees. Yes, there is a special tree park featuring six courses – two training courses, two family courses and two youth

Your little ones will feel like royalty with our personalized services, tailor-made to their needs

Our staff is IMPECCABLY trained to CATER to your EVERY NEED

Sani VIP services can PROVIDE you with A YACHT and CREW so you can GET ON BOARD and ENJOY the MARVELS of HALKIDIKI from the SEA

SHOP the LAND OF GRACE range of PRODUCTS, CREATED by some of the MOST RENOWNED producers in the AREAS

around Sani Resort

courses – all colour coded and offering differing levels of challenge. For an extra dose of adrenaline, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center features eight clay courts, world-class facilities, expert coaching and, of course, personalised programs that adapt to your level or training needs!

Slow down and let go in one of Sani’s five spas, created as an ode to the soothing power of nature. You have come far, so it’s time to surrender to this personalised journey of discovery and feel completely at peace, guided by a group of therapists that will help you bring out the ‘you’ that has been inside you, ready to blossom. You can create your very own blend of treatments, and we will guide you in choosing the ones that will fit your needs perfectly.

LEISURE

& CULTURE

Making memories through personalised, authentic experiences

Shop in luxury and ease in the Sani Marina, a lively piazza with your favorite brands

from world-class gastronomy and sports to cultural events and well-being activities in nature, this is an invitation into a more mindful and meaningful style of holidaying.

The Sani style, one that sets us apart from any other destination. Since 1992, Sani Festival has burst into life each summer during July and August at Sani Hill with colourful live performances from across the world stage. This is in fact the largest, privately-organised festival in Greece, a vision created by us, to offer guests the unforgettable memories of masterful jazz, pop, rock and contemporary music performances, as well as modern dance and musical theatre. But, music is not the only art celebrated here at Sani.

The impressive line-up of Michelin-starred chefs that take part in Sani Gourmet each year will get any food enthusiast’s heart racing, and it is enough to make this a destination on its own.

SINCE 1992, Sani Festival HAS BURST into LIFE each SUMMER during JULY and AUGUST at Sani Hill with COLOURFUL live performances from ACROSS

the WORLD STAGE

With a unique concept each year to stimulate the imagination and creations of the best professionals in the field, this has become an incredible showcase of some of the best the world has to offer, running over the course of the whole summer with awe-inspiring chefs visiting throughout the season.

Can’t wait for your next degustation from your favourite starchef? Enjoy the authentic tastes and sounds of traditional Greece at Sani’s popular Greek nights, held twice a week in the Ouzeri restaurant, or just have a fun night out, dancing and enjoying the impeccably crafted cocktails we are proud to create. For a little shopping therapy, feel the pulse of the bay at Sani Marina, a lively piazza with 24 international designer boutiques bursting with exquisite choices - don’t miss the Kiton Pop Up Event @ Fresco Wine Bar, hosted at Sani Dunes from 22 July to 7 August, master tailor Ciro Palestra will be present (30/7-2/8) - or shop the Land of Grace range of products, created by some of the most renowned producers in the areas around Sani Resort.

Carefully chosen for their regional character and quality, these products are available in limited quantities, while the profits generated through sales are being donated to local food banks for vulnerable communities, as part of Sani's ongoing programme of supporting its local communities. What better way to take a genuine, original memory of Sani with you, when you go back home?

gourmet has become an international culinary event that gathers the best of the best

The IMPRESSIVE line-up of MICHELIN-STARRED chefs is ENOUGH to make this a DESTINATION on ITS OWN

Sani

Rosamund Pike

A CONSCIOUS GLOBETROTTER

The British actress is a true citizen of the world who has left traces of her life in many cities and countries around the globe, including Greece and Sani Resort. Her roles are never onedimensional, as there is always a twist to the characters she portrays that makes you love her even more. Furthermore, being a mother of two boys, she has become a tireless collector of experiences alongside them.

interview by Aris Kavatzikis photos by Ivy E. Morwen

Ms. Pike, regardless of your place of origin, would you describe yourself as British or as a citizen of the world?

Definitely a British citizen with roots going far down into English and Scottish soil. I feel at home in the gloom though I am enchanted by the sun!

Is there any place in the world where you felt you could live forever, where the social reality and everyday culture suited you entirely?

London. I love London, I love walking around London, the stimulation, the hidden treasures, the art galleries, the street life; it’s a city of secrets, and trade and imagination. I wish I could be like Charles Dickens and take a three hour walk through the city every afternoon finding inspiration for characters. It is a city which reflects the economic realities of the world today; a city of extremes. It is easy to spend money in London but it is also easy to enjoy a day of enchantment and surprise and spend nothing at all, if you are on foot and keep your eyes open.

Beyond being a professional, you are also a mother of two boys. Your children usually travel with you around the world, while you are on set. Do you face any challenges? How do your children react to each region’s different stimuli?

When I was the age of my children I had never been on an aeroplane. I had been to France on the ferry. Or the hovercraft. My children

have travelled the world. I did not experience America until I was 22. I still remember the thrill at the check in desk of, “And where are you travelling to today..?” “Los Angeles”... the romance, the promise, the allure of those two words. Through my children’s Mandarin speaking abilities I have spent a surprising amount of time in China, which I find very exciting. We were recently in Kunming as a family, experiencing the magic of vast flower markets and Chinese Opera. With my work they have travelled to Hungary, Finland, Jordan, South Africa, Morocco, Botswana, New York, Los Angeles, New Mexico, Italy, Slovenia… it’s dizzying. I hope they still find travel as exciting when they are older. There are places I want to leave out of our family adventures, for them to discover for themselves. We make sure to take public transport in every new place where possible, and try and see how locals live. That is important to me. We also do road trips as a family, and train journeys as well obviously taking flights.

Do you still live in Prague these days?

We have just left our four year adventure in Prague and moved back to London.

Was acting a single pathway for you, or was there another profession that interested you and could have pursued?

Acting was the only pathway for me. An actress is what I am rather than acting being something I do. I knew from very young that I wanted to act and tell stories, and closely observe the experience of being human.

How did you encounter Greece? Did you discover it on your own or did someone tell you about it?

I have two very close Greek friends, one from the Greek part of Cyprus and one Londoner with a Greek mother. Through the first friend, I discovered Greek food, those sweet and strong small Greek coffees, the scent of orange blossom in Cyprus, and the mythology… through the latter I first experienced the islands, and also learned about Ancient Greek Literature. When I met my partner, one of our first holidays was a month on the island of Hydra, no cars, and a lot of walking, talking, hunting for sea urchins and swimming.

How many times have you visited Sani Resort and why did you choose it? Is there one among the resort’s five different hotels that you always

“The ways SANI brings a FAMILY TOGETHER in SURPRISING ways is very SPECIAL and TOTALLY UNIQUE in a RESORT”

prefer? If so, for what reason?

I have been to Sani twice, first in 2021 when I was searching for somewhere to go with my children from Prague. A friend had been and told me that with boys it is wonderful, there is so much they can do - and children can experience a wonderful independence roaming the resort on bicycles or on foot, going from tennis, to football to the beach. I enjoy Sani Club, because it is set apart from the main area with all the hotel’s facilities… a short car ride or cycle away. For me, I am grateful to have first rate tennis coaching on beautiful clay courts at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center.

In your opinion, what is it that distinguishes Sani Resort from other resorts and makes you return to it?

Sani Resort is where parents truly relax and you can see parents with time on their hands, knowing their children are stimulated, occupied, and happy. As a family we were able to learn things together for the first time, including survival skills with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. We had two private experiences and learned so much from traditional archery, to shelter building, to navigation by the sun and by the stars. The treetop zip line and adventure course is excellent and fun. And I don’t know of another resort with a BMX pump track. All of us used this. Even me!

Will you share some of your favourite pastimes and memories from Sani Resort with us?

George the survival guide taught my children how to sharpen sticks into spear points, how to collect tree sap as fuel, how to create a flaming torch using sticks and pine cones, and how to split damp wood to find a source of fuel that will ignite. The ways Sani brings a family together in surprising ways is very special and totally unique in a resort. Nothing beats a family adventure where children and adults learn something new alongside one another. I also enjoy swimming in the sea, walking in the scented woods, and eating at the fabulous and varied restaurants.

Are there any members of the Sani Resort teams whom you seek out when you return? I mean, have you built relationships of mutual trust due to the excellent services they have provided?

George Patkas the survival coach is genuinely transformational as a teacher. He gained a lot of his knowledge of landscape, geology

“I am INTERESTED in COMPLICATED people, I think EVERYONE has SHADES that are complex and we ALL HAVE darker IMPULSES, the HUMAN shadow is PART OF LIFE”

and nature from his grandfather who herded cattle and is still working in the fields aged 92. He has a detailed understanding of rocks, trees, the sun, the terrain, and skills with a knife. The Sani Club team, whose energy and cool make every stay better. There is a wonderful relationship with my children, taking care of all the little things with an edge and eye for detail, that makes them unique. Also, Christos who runs the BMX pump track. The fact that he got me doing a full circuit shows he is a wonderful teacher.

At Sani Resort there are 27 restaurants serving different types of cuisines from all over the world. Do you have a favourite? In truth, which cuisine do you love the most? Peruvian. There is a Peruvian restaurant at Porto Sani that is out of this world. One of the most sensational meals of my life.

Did you have the opportunity to explore the wider Halkidiki area? Did you take interesting routes around Sani Resort?

This is a dream for next time. I have taken pilates classes up in the woods, and looked over the coastline… but I have never felt the need to leave the resort.

Is it your personal choice or the directors' vision for your roles to usually have a twist, an element of distortion, that makes everyone say that your roles are always enthralling and captivating?

I am interested in complicated people. I think everyone has shades that are complex and we all have darker impulses. Whether we let them show is another matter, but the human shadow is part of life! I think cinema is a place where we can safely explore desires and hungers and give in to experiencing conflicting emotions that would be impossible to bear in our own lives.

Do people still talk about Elspeth Catton, the mother in “Saltburn”, who may seem superficial but essentially lacks the means and ways to handle bleak situations, even her son's death?

Elspeth captured the public imagination in ways I couldn’t have predicted. I love that people responded to her ability to “slay” with her one liners, but also picked up on the fact that there is tremendous vulnerability beneath her glossy surface. I loved her

vanity, and unfiltered view of everyone and everything. I see her as a goddess who just wants to be adored, and finds safety in the superficial.

Did you feel that Elspeth raised a greater storm of enthusiasm than your previous roles?

People have dressed up as Marla Grayson (“I care a lot”) and Amy Dunne (“Gone Girl”) for Halloween which is always a marker of pop-cultural success.

What can you reveal to us about your new role in the thriller "Hallow Road"?

“Hallow Road” is a real actors’ piece, and luckily we had a director (Babak Anvari) who gave us everything we needed to play. It’s a very simple premise: two parents on the road in a car, but the story is way more complex than that… it is also spooky, and I have never trodden in the waters of horror yet.

Have you ever felt your fame and popularity have impacted your private life? How have your partner and your children come to terms with this?

My general rule of thumb is when I am with my children, you can’t ask me for a selfie. Meeting fans around London is part of life, and depending on the encounter can be difficult or can be tremendously special. When people tell you what different roles or films have meant to them, it is always meaningful. I am enjoying meeting “Wheel of Time” fans, who have close and deep bonds with the book series and my character.

On the red carpet, we recently learned that you had a minor skiing accident. What else do you do for yourself? In terms of sports, hobbies and relaxation.

I do everything enthusiastically and with an “amateur grace”. I enjoy all the new adventures that adulthood and life throw at me. I want to try wing foiling next.

Should we expect you at Sani Resort again this summer? Who knows… two young men at home are clamouring to come back…

Sarah Brightman

MEMORIES OF CONCERT

SANI HILL

interview by Aris Kavatzikis

Her captivating voice dresses lyrical music with velvety delicate shades, while the pop routes of her career also feature her distinctive quality. One of the greatest interpreters of our time, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ultimate muse, she has the power to bestow a dreamlike dimension on her concerts, both with her voice and her stage presence. This is exactly what happened last summer at the Sani Festival, "Stars on the Hill".

Your career, spanning 40 years, has traversed all types of music, from pop and disco to musical theatre, musicals and even ceremonies for the Olympic Games. Could you describe an image that you still have and keep in your mind and soul?

That’s hard to answer. Our childhood radio played from Tom Jones to Rachmaninoff, while my father listened to rock music. Nothing was calculated, I started to be a ballerina. Through that I loved the music and that stayed with me. The result came naturally.

An image from your career that you will always revisit in your thoughts?

I would say that I am very lucky as there are many of these moments. But I think there are two that stand out. One when I first appeared at the Metropolitan Opera. Kenny MacMillan created a beautiful ballet with Alessandra Ferri and Barishnikov. I played with Placido Domingo. I remember walking from the hotel in Central Park to the show,

enjoy technology with all your senses

on a beautiful summer evening, and then in the dressing room where I was warming up, there was a knock on the door: "Mrs. Brightman, are you ready to go out?". The second time was the Olympics in China. The Chinese really raised the bar at the opening ceremony. Thousands of people have been preparing for years for just this moment. These two cases have really remained in my memory.

Please describe your experience performing at Sani Hill last summer, at the Sani Festival 2023. How did you experience singing against an open horizon, with the sea and the sky stretching out in front of you? We were excited about this concert and had the opportunity to see a bit of the resort and the beautiful area. I have not been to Greece many times, but I have always been very attracted to it. Its history, its beauty, the landscapes, the crystal clear sea, the food and above all that light. But of course it's also the people who live here and their

unique hospitality, especially also here at Sani Resort. It was indeed a very beautiful evening. Light and warm and the crowd was watching, very relaxed and happy, maybe because of the venue in this beautiful resort, by the sea, in this beautiful country. We had put together a collection of tracks specifically for the Sani Festival, meant to take people on a magical evening journey. Beautiful pieces from the opera, great film music and some pop. I think it was a very beautiful concert and I hope that the audience was also left with these impressions.

Sani Festival is organized by Sani Resort, which is dedicated and working hard for sustainable tourism, carbon neutral and zero emission goals. I would say that your role as UNESCO Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism lives up to this mission of Sani. How important is such a policy and of course such a way of thinking? For tourism, for the world, for the future of this planet. I travel a lot and love to swim in the ocean

and go to beaches everywhere. I love the nature of this world but I also like urban centres. I have found over the years that there has been a great change in all areas. There is a lot of crowding everywhere, a lot of important things are being destroyed. Corals in the oceans are almost dead. Air pollution is huge. Anarchic mass tourism often leaves behind a lot of garbage and contributes to all sorts of burdens on these phenomena. It is very important, therefore, to structure a tourist product that will be more respectful of history, nature, the planet and our very life. I totally agree with what you're doing at Sani Resort, it's very important. I started to feel it very deeply when I was doing space training. Stepping outside the earth, you see an incredibly harsh environment and realize how precious what we have is. When I came back, the way I see things had already changed radically. I became very sensitive to what we have and what we have to protect, looking at it from the outside, from another angle.

Sarah Brightman on stage at Sani Festival, 2023

Timeless elegance

Discover the ultimate luxury address in Thessaloniki’s glittering promenade

Leoforos Nikis 5, Thessaloniki, Greece onresidence.gr

Katerina Misichroni, Actress

SANI FESTIVAL 2024

Stars on the Hill

On this hill of unique energy, where the gaze extends across an endless blue horizon and where, at night, the stars illuminate it from above, accompanied by magical moons, this year's iconic music festival - awarded as the World's Leading Cultural Destination Resort in World Travel Awards for 2022 & 2023 - will take place once again. Five nights, when music legends will meet artists who have already left their musical imprint on time.

6 JUL

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO

SPECIAL GUESTS, MARIO FRANGOULIS & CHRISTINA POULITSI, WITH THE THESSALONIKI STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO JORDI BERNÀCER

words by Aris Kavatzikis

Acknowledged as one of the finest and most influential singing actors in the history of opera, the world-renowned eclectic artist is also a conductor and has been Honorary Artistic Director of the Arena di Verona - where he made his Italian debut in 1969 and where he regularly performs - as well as General Manager of the Los Angeles and Washington Opera. His repertoire includes more than 150 roles, with over 4,400 performances. He has made over a hundred recordings, over 50 videos and has received 12 Grammy Awards. He has starred in famous film operas by De Bosio, Rosi and Zeffirelli. His Cavaradossi, followed by over a billion people live on television from Rome, in the places and at the times of “Tosca”, is historic.

Experimenter of the dialogue between bel canto and pop, he performed with Carreras and Pavarotti for over ten years in front of huge crowds, attracting new audiences to opera. Since 2009 he has progressively dedicated himself to the interpretation of the great baritone roles, especially from Verdi’s opera, performing on the world's major stages. He also performs as a conductor. To his credit, he has conducted over 600 opera performances and symphony concerts with some of the most prestigious orchestras. In 2021 he celebrated his 80th birthday singing “Nabucco” on stage at Wiener Staatsoper. In 2023 he performed worldwide with Carreras. He has been described as a "Renaissance man" by critics and has received numerous awards for his contribution to the arts and his humanitarian commitment, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Legion d' Honneur, Honorary Knighthood, Águila Azteca en México, Gran Cruz Isabel la Católica and honorary degrees from the Universities of Oxford, Harvard, New York and Salamanca.

MARIO FRANGOULIS

An internationally acclaimed classical crossover tenor, composer and actor. His career began in musical theatre and on the stages of London’s West End, where he was discovered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh in 1988 and was cast as Marius in “Les Misérables”. His international career began when he was signed to Sony Classical in New York in 1999 and to date, Mario has recorded 22 personal albums and has achieved 7.5 million in sales. The year 2023 marked Mario’s 35th anniversary on stage, which he celebrated with a sold-out concert at the Herod Atticus Odeon at the foot of the Acropolis and his recent operatic work in “Norma" as Pollione. Beyond his artistic achievements, he has been unwavering in his life-long commitment to many humanitarian causes, both in the

3.

4.

5.

USA and in Europe, especially those that pertain to the protection of children, who are our future and to the support of young people.

CHRISTINA POULITSI

She studied at the Berlin University of Arts as a scholar of the “Maria Callas” Scholarship, a foundation that Maria Callas established, and of the “Alexandra Trianti” scholarship, while she is also a graduate of the Department of Musicology of the University of Athens. She is acclaimed as “one of the best interpreters of the role of the Queen of the Night” in Mozart’s “Magic Flute” and she has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. In 2024 Christina Poulitsi will make her first official recording together with the London Symphony Orchestra in Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, under the baton of Mo Gianandrea Noseda.

JORDI BERNÀCER, CONDUCTOR OF THE CONCERT

Born in Spain. He was assistant to conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Georges Prêtre, and particularly to Maestro Lorin Maazel, who named him associate director at the Castleton Festival in Virginia. In 2015, he was appointed resident conductor at the San Francisco Opera, holding the position for three seasons. He conducted regularly on prestigious international stages, such as the Vienna State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Semperoper Dresden and in the most important theatres in Italy and in Spain.

1. Sani Hill

2. Plácido Domingo

Mario Frangoulis

Christina Poulitsi

Jordi Bernàcer

photography Fiorenzo Niccoli

MADELEINE PEYROUX

Songstress Madeleine Peyroux is known to her fans for intimately arranged covers of the early American blues and jazz repertoire. She began as a teenage busker, honing her vocal and guitar skills on the famously quaint, acoustic streets of Europe, where she molded her style on the cornerstones of jazz: Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. “Let’s Walk” is Peyroux’s ninth album and the first in which she co-wrote every song with longtime collaborator Jon Herington. Beginning in 1996, she is most known for her 2005 release “Careless Love”, produced by Larry Klein, who fused Peyroux's personal and vulnerable take on more modern material (such as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and cult legend Elliott Smith) with her beloved torch songs and early blues. Her upcoming ninth album, “Let’s Walk” (June 2024) is the singer-songwriter’s most assured, courageous work to date. Powered by the distinctive, honeyed croon that delivered her from the Paris streets to concert halls, the album’s ten personal songs, all co-written by Peyroux, deftly interweave jazz, folk and chamber pop, with themes ranging from the confessional to the political, from whimsy to yearning. “This music is part of a dialogue, that’s what art is. It’s engagement, community. I believe more than anything in getting together with people and listening to music and conversing. Music is the only way I’ve ever built community”, she states.

TOM JONES

Legendary Welsh singer and performer Tom Jones, with a remarkable career spanning over six decades, is widely considered to be one of the greatest singers and recording artists of all time, selling over 100 million records and continuing as an esteemed and influential figure in the music industry. Born in the mining town of Pontypridd, South Wales, Jones quit school at an early age, working various odd jobs before getting his start as a member of a local band called “The Senators”, later forming his own group, “Tom Jones and the Squires”. He had a string of hit songs including "It's Not Unusual," "What's New Pussycat?", "Delilah," and "Green, Green Grass of Home". Jones has always had a fundamental interest in a wide range of music, leading him to work with iconic collaborators over the years, ranging from Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin to Van Morrison, Dolly Parton and Ed Sheeran. His career has been filled with numerous honours and accolades, including a deeply cherished knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 and multiple BRIT Awards. His recent autobiography "Over The Top And Back" was a rollicking best-seller, and his 2021 album release “Surrounded By Time” made him the oldest male to claim a Number 1 spot on the UK Official Albums Chart with an album of new material.

1. Madeleine Peyroux

2. Tom Jones

JUL 10 AUG

THE CENTURY OF MIMIS PLESSAS FEATURING STEFANOS KORKOLIS, DIMITRIS BASIS, SOFIA MANOUSAKI

A nine-member orchestra will collaborate to honour a one of the most distinguished Greek composers of all time. Mimis Plessas adored the freedom of expression and cinema. He never compromised by signing a contract with a record company, writing "on demand" and chasing success. Through this "anarchic spirit" and his innate talent, he wrote his own story and within this "Century of Mimis Plessas," the most romantic and popular themes of Greek cinema found their place. A century of musical mastery to his name, including songs awarded at Greek and international festivals, songs that united Greeks and never divided them. Three generations still express their pain in his “Agalma” (The Statue), fall in love with “Tha Pio Apopse to Feggari” (Tonight I'll Drink the Moon), and “Enas Ouranos me Asteria” (A Sky Full of Stars), nostalgically recall the summers of another era while listening to "Tosa Kalokairia” (So Many Summers), and still remain hopeful while listening to “Ximeronei Kyriaki” (Sunday is Dawning). This homage will be enriched by the performances of renowned Greek artists Stefanos Korkolis, Dimitris Basis and Sofia Manousaki.

GIPSY KINGS FEAT. TONINO BALIARDO

Gipsy Kings are a musical group founded in 1979 in Arles, France. They perform mostly in Catalan, but also mix in Spanish and languages of southern France. Although the group members were born in France, their parents were mostly gitanos (Spanish Romani) who fled Spain during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. They are known for bringing rumba flamenco, a pop-oriented music distantly derived from traditional flamenco and rumba, to a worldwide audience, and for their interpretations of English-language pop hits. Tonino Baliardo is the founder and leader of Gipsy Kings, but above all he is a guitar virtuoso and a composer recognized worldwide. He composed and produced the greatest hits of the group such as “Bamboleo” or “Djobi Djoba”. The group has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has been awarded numerous gold, platinum and diamond records, as well as a Grammy Award in 2013 in the Best World Music category. Tonino said in an interview, “We started in Saint Tropez with our guitars and since then, we have travelled around the world. Music has no borders and our music is universal”. Family and transmission are essential values in his eyes, and his two sons Mikaël and Cosso have been accompanying him since 2014. Today, he continues to travel the world to share a type of music that is unique to him.

More information about the Sani Festival 2024 programme and tickets can be found on sani-resort.com

1. Mimis Plessas

2. Gipsy Kings

The revival of a legend

Nearly 100 years after its first opening, Olympos Naoussa has returned to Thessaloniki’s waterfront. True to the Greek urban cuisine values and the city’s gastronomic traditions, it awaits you to discover it.

Leoforos Nikis 5, Thessaloniki, Greece olymposnaoussa.gr

Apollonia

Top and hat, MISSONI - Sani Marina

RIGHT PAGE Shirt and shorts “Portofino Combo” ETOILE CORAL - Sani Marina. Bracelet in 18k gold with diamonds “Marrakech Collection” MARCO BICEGO, Gofas - Sani Marina

Aethereal creations infuse summer garments with the ability to colour moments and transform the atmosphere and mood.

Idyllic Expressions

photographs by George Katsanakis (10AM)

styling director

Natasha Lionaki

Dress FARM RIO, Grigio

RIGHT PAGE Playsuit with belt FARM RIO, Grigio. Earrings in 18k gold

POMELATTO with diamonds and blue sky topaz, Thalia Exarchou Jewellery - Sani Marina

LEFT PAGE Swimsuit AGUA BENDITA , attica selections - Sani Marina Blouse LANVIN , Intervista, intervista.gr

Blouse and shorts with belt ZIMMERMANN , Grigio - Sani Marina

LEFT PAGE Bikini top JADE SWIM , Apoella - Sani Marina. Skirt MISA , Apoella - Sani Marina. Bangle in 18k gold «Jaipur Collection» MARCO BICEGO, Gofas - Sani Marina Shirt and pants ETRO, Intervista, intervista.gr

Bikini top MELISSA ODABASH , Melissa Odabash Boutique - Sani Marina. Pants ARMANI EXCHANGE , Rodanos, rodanos.gr

Earrings and bracelet in 18k gold with diamonds and rock crystal CASATO, Thalia Exarchou Jewellery - Sani Marina

RIGHT PAGE Dress Ted Baker, HONDOS CENTER APOLLONIA POLITIA , hondoscenter.com

makeup Maria Pagonaki hair Kanakis Peristeras for Can I Kiss

photographer assistants Dimitris Katsanakis (10AM), Michalis Lavdiotis styling assistant Iro Papadimatou

model

Jolien Van Den Noortgate (Ace Models)

The main characteristic of the beachfront residences is the sense of vast and continuous space, the outdoor environment seamlessly connecting with the interiors, and the clarity of the lines

Elegance reloaded

SANI ASTERIAS NEW RESIDENCES

An air of renewal for the luxury resort, as all beachfront suites are transformed into beachfront residences with private pools. Immerse yourself in a virtual tour of the new face of Sani Asterias.

words by Eleftherios Voutsas

The NEW FACE of Sani Asterias REINTRODUCES this seaside resort with its RENOVATED ACCOMMODATIONS,

The beachfront residences of Sani Asterias, which have replaced the beachfront suites of the luxury resort, are nestled just a few steps from the sea and the pristine white sand of the private beach, ensuring more space to create wonderful memories with your loved ones. With the same commitment to refined luxury, the recently renovated and spacious seaside residences have elevated the already high levels of elegance, ushering in a new hospitality era.

The unparalleled aesthetic seamlessly combined with a sense of familiarity make Sani Asterias the ideal destination for dreamy vacations in an earthly paradise, which seems to have emerged from the lush backdrop. In absolute harmony with the natural setting, the distinction between the indoor and outdoor spaces of the beachfront residences appears subtle, creating an idyllic condition with uninterrupted views of the azure Aegean Sea. At the multiaward-winning resort, everything contributes to guests’ relaxation, who can indulge in ultimate privacy and personalised care.

The new Sani Asterias residences are a masterpiece of architecture and decor, characterised by contemporary design, high-tech infrastructure, high-quality standards and unparalleled attention to detail. The luxurious accommodations are distinguished by their aesthetically pleasing walls - adorned with natural materials such as wood - stone surfaces, artful lighting, and more. Earth tones harmoniously blend with the greenery of indoor plants and outdoor vegetation in this luxurious, yet cosy setting, while the sparkling blue of the sea adds the final touch to the view, redolent of a work of art.

The ideal setting for crafting memories. Welcome drinks are offered upon arrival at the resort’s beachfront residences. The rooms also feature specially stocked wine fridges that will enhance the hospitality experience to the level you deserve. Additionally, depending on the residence you chose, do not miss out on plunging into the azure waters of the Aegean or spending moments of pleasure and tranquillity in your private infinity pool. As for the afternoon, enjoying your dinner in the accommodation’s outdoor dining area at sunset is a special memory you can “take” with you upon departure.

The LUXURIOUS accommodations are DISTINGUISHED by their AESTHETICALLY PLEASING walls - ADORNED with NATURAL MATERIALS such as wood - stone surfaces and ARTFUL LIGHTING

SANI MAGAZINE 2024

1 The Sani Asterias residences private beach

2 View of the spacious bathroom

3 Minimalism with meaning

SUCCESSFULLY cooperating with SANI RESORT for the past 18 YEARS, the ANNE SEMONIN SKINCARE expertise, SPA experiences and OPTIMAL services with attention to DETAIL have ELEVATED the resort into a WORLD CLASS luxury WELLNESS destination

Aline Marcadet

The force behind the Anne Semonin beauty experience

We meet the woman who has brought to Sani Resort the innovative therapies that shape our spa experiences into unforgettable memories of authentic wellness, and we discover the secret to true inner beauty that comes from living with passion and respecting our planet.

words by Eleni Papaioannou

Marissa Rodriguez/Unsplash

DISCOVERING THE SOUL OF SANI RESORT’S

SPA THERAPIES

With a distinct approach to uniqueness and the ever-evolving needs of each individual, Anne Semonin is a brand that has been offering made-to-measure beauty and spa rituals since 1985. High-quality service, a classic French touch and an exclusive holistic approach are the key elements that have set the brand apart from day one. Fully dedicated to our planet, Anne Semonin products are not tested on animals and deeply respect the ecosystem. Offering the best in nature and science, this collection of sophisticated formulas creates an unforgettable sensory experience. It comes as no surprise that the Anne Semonin therapies are found in five-star hotels, luxury medical spas, select selling points and, of course, exclusive online shops around the world. Innovation has always been Anne Semonin’s motto, incarnated through the brand’s newest launches: the Anne Semonin Naturaceuticals Regenerating Mask and the Mémoires d’Eté Bath and Body Collection, created to treat the body and delight the senses. Successfully cooperating with Sani Resort for the past 18 years, the Anne Semonin skincare expertise, spa experiences and optimal services with attention to detail have elevated the resort into a world class luxury wellness destination. In order to maximise the efficacy of the Anne Semonin products, Sani Resort spas also use technologically-advanced machines. Here, you can experience the Signature Collection's treatments especially made for Sani:

• The new Anne Semonin Sun Kissed Collection in all Sani Resort spas

• The Gold-inspired Collection at The D Spa

• The High-Tech Lifting Therapies at Spa Suite

• The Mediterranean Bliss at My Spa

• The Dramatic Face & Body Renewal at Club Spa

• The Exclusive Rejuvenating Treatments at the intimate Spa Retreat

We met Aline Marcadet, the woman at the helm of Anne Semonin for nearly twenty

years, who brings a fresh outlook and pristine aesthetics:

Mrs Marcadet, the Anne Semonin products are vegan and clean, yet they come in luxurious “packaging”. What is the thought behind this?

Respect for the environment. Our products are natural, vegan and clean: we have never used nano-particles in our formulations, nor PE beads. We limit the use of chemical additives and we use natural, 100% biodegradable active ingredients. Also, our packaging is recyclable. The Anne Semonin production processes fully respect the ecosystem (energy, water saving and control of CO2 emissions). We have selected luxurious packaging, as our products have been developed for discerning guests of 5-star properties.

How can someone recreate the spa experience at home with the Anne Semonin products?

At the spa, therapists will offer guests their beauty consultation (skin diagnosis) and will explain the products, as well as how to blend and personalise (mixology) their beauty routine through their own beauty prescription. Guests can follow this beauty routine at home and take advantage of this Spa Expertise in the comfort of their own bathroom.

Having such a sharp eye for aesthetics, do you believe that you have a holistic perception of what beauty truly is?

First of all, Beauty is ageless: women and men can be “beautiful” at any age, provided their skin looks healthy, radiant and they have a charming smile. And after all, Beauty is… in the eye of the beholder!

What keeps you going, what is your inspiration?

“Our PRODUCTS are NATURAL, VEGAN and CLEAN: we have NEVER used nanoparticles in OUR FORMULATIONS, NOR PE beads”

Aline Marcadet

How much of yourself do you put into your work, besides designing all the Anne Semonin spas around the world?

My work is essential to my life and travelling is an important part of it! It allows me to discover, appreciate, compare and make informed selections and decisions to bring the best to the Anne Semonin skincare range, as well as to my spa design projects.

Contemporary Arts, Interior Design, Decoration, Fashion and of course Beauty (cosmetics).

How about your own inner beauty secret? “Love and enjoy life with passion”.

Which is your favourite Anne Semonin product?

Many of our Anne Semonin products are unique:

The Ice Cubes! Our Cryotherapy range that includes The Express Radiance Ice Cubes, Precious Pearl Ice Cubes and Eye Ice Cubes, are definitely the magic products that offer an instantly radiant complexion for face, eyes and décolleté, guaranteed to plump up your skin and restore brightness within minutes! They are wonderful radiance boosters, perfect after a long flight, before an important work meeting or as preparation for an evening out. Simply the must-haves I could not live without! There is also Glow, our revolutionary formula rich in premium active ingredients that instantly illuminates and covers your skin with a veil of sheer bronze, offering a perfectly natural and healthy complexion.

Our masks are also daily musts, which

supply the skin with all the nutrients needed for the prevention of premature ageing. Discover our latest Night Regenerating Mask (Marie Claire Prix d’Excellence de la Beauté): formulated with innovative natural ingredients, this radiance-restoring overnight mask visibly reduces the signs of fatigue and protects the skin from damages caused by lack of sleep, jet lag etc, leaving the skin rested, just like after a good night’s sleep. On application, this smart black mask melts into the skin, providing an intense sensation of freshness. Its texture is light and non-sticky: a fresh balm-in-gel feel which envelops and deeply nourishes the skin without any heavy sensation and without blocking the pores.

“ My INNER beauty SECRET?

ENJOY

Aline Marcadet

”

annesemonin.com

Skincare

IN THE MOOD

words by Eleftherios Voutsas

Dive into the shades of blue, through the heavenly beaches and dreamy swimming pools at Sani Resort. The terms beach life and "à la piscine" take on another meaning given the facilities, activities, beach games and culinary surprises that await by the water.

BLUE FOR

Porto Sani Beach Aerial View

The resort WELCOMES its GUESTS in a PENINSULA NESTLED between three PROTECTED areas, making it the IDEAL DESTINATION for RELAXATION and CONNECTION with the

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The magnificent ecological sanctuary of Sani Resort is composed of 1,000 square metres of protected wetlands, over 20 kilometres of lush green forest footpaths with abundant vegetation and 7 kilometres of soft, white sandy beaches. Within this enchanting setting, the resort welcomes its guests in a peninsula nestled between three protected areas, making it the ideal destination for relaxation and connection with the natural environment. Whether guests choose to take their next swim in one of the seven beaches with crystalclear waters or in one of the numerous swimming pools, the only certainty is that the vivid views of the Aegean will contribute to the tranquillity they seek.

The Sani Resort is an award-winning resort with five luxury hotels and seven magnificent beaches, along the shores of the Halkidiki peninsula. The pristine white sand, the azure waters, the

breathtaking views and the personalised services create a unique experience for guests seeking ultimate relaxation. The umbrellas placed on the resort's beaches are adequately spaced, providing ample room, comfort and privacy. With luxurious loungers and comfortable sunbeds that enhance the concept of beach life, guests can enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious food, while also having the option to renew their towels throughout the day. Moreover, the resort's beaches cater to the needs and desires of all guests, with areas exclusively for adults and shallow spots for families with children, with experienced lifeguards as well as a free childcare service provided for half an hour.

At Sani Resort’s largest hotel, Sani Beach, we encounter three magnificent beaches with azure-green waters. The pine-covered beach of Bousoulas is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and taking walks on the soft sand, while its

shallow waters make it the best choice for families. After sunset the scenery changes, and the "White Nights" organised at the bar transform the serene beach into an exhilarating party with music and dancing until dawn. The hotel’s second beach is called Ammos Beach and also features a beach bar, where one can enjoy a drink with views of Sani hill, the most beautiful backdrop for diving into the crystal-clear waters. Stavronikita Tower, better known as Sani Tower, is built on this hill and has likely been there since the end of the 14th century or beginning of the 15th century. The Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports has also declared it a listed monument. For those who wish to swim listening only to the sound of the waves in the background, Sani Hill Beach is the most secluded. Located at the end of Bousoulas Beach, this is the perfect place to unwind, enjoying the endless beauty of the idyllic landscape.

Sani Club, Infinity Pool, hill view

Sani Beach, Infinity Pool

Family gathering by the sea

At the edge of the resort, with panoramic views towards the sea, as if emerging from dense vegetation and ancient olive trees, Sani Club is a secluded sanctuary that blends the azure of the sky with the blue of the sea. Beneath the pine forest and blooming gardens that extend all the way to the sand, this earthly paradise is home to Sani Club’s exclusive beach. Descending the stone steps and admiring the calm waters, guests can enjoy

their favourite drink or have fun with water sports such as kayaking or windsurfing.

Sani Dunes is drenched in the Greek sun, much like its private beach. Along the Aegean coastline, with views of the open horizon, this beach offers opportunities for swimming in the transparent waters of the Mediterranean or sunbathing on the comfortable beach loungers that harmoniously complement the white and blue setting. On the

other hand, Porto Sani serves as the resort’s family-friendly hotel, just like its beach named Sea You, nestled a few steps away from its suites. At Sani Asterias you will find the resort's seventh beach, in front of the recently renovated seaside residences. Their unparalleled elegance is easily discernible beyond the beachfront residences; the private beach features highstandard services that elevate the experience of refined luxury.

Cruising the Aegean Sea

Guests CAN CHOOSE between a PRIVATE , infinity or LAGOON pool or TAKE A DIP in the HEATED or KIDS-FRIENDLY pools at the hotel they HAVE CHOSEN for their HOLIDAY

For guests who love the controlled environment and easy access of swimming pools, Sani Resort offers a wide range of options that satisfy every desire and need. Guests can choose between a private, infinity or lagoon pool or take a dip in the heated or kids-friendly pools at the hotel they have chosen for their holiday.

At Sani Beach, the main pool is surrounded by exotic palm trees that transport us to a postcard-perfect setting. In the same hotel one can enjoy relaxing moments in the indoor spa pool as well as in the infinity pool; here, the boundaries fade into the natural surroundings and the open horizon, creating a breathtaking visual experience that translates into unforgettable summer memories.

At Sani Club guests can opt for a suite with a private pool to experience ultimate tranquillity in seclusion or

relax in the hotel's heated pool, which also features a special area for children. However, at the elegant Sani Dunes you'll find the largest heated pool in Greece, measuring 3,500 square metres and directly accessible from all rooms. Due to its curvature, this lagoon-style pool resembles a natural lake. Two pools that seem to have jumped out of children's dreams are located at Porto Sani, which also features a shallower pool with a fountain designed for younger children. As for adults and families who want to spend quality time together, there are two lagoon-style pools where, apart from swimming, guests can also enjoy their choice of cocktails or food. Finally, the luxurious residences of Sani Asterias may be just a few steps away from the waterfront, but they feature an outdoor, private heated pool, where guests can enjoy their privacy and five-star personal service.

For GUESTS who LOVE the CONTROLLED environment and EASY ACCESS of SWIMMING POOLS, Sani Resort offers a WIDE range of OPTIONS

2

3 The beaches OFFER OPPORTUNITIES for SWIMMING in the TRANSPARENT waters of the Mediterranean or SUNBATHING on the COMFORTABLE BEACH LOUNGERS

PLANTS & GARDENS Flower power

With photographic material and the assistance of Sani Resort's agronomists, we document the biodiversity, as well as the beauty of the resort's lush gardens. Upon arrival, guests are led through a step-by-step unveiling of its natural treasures.

Sani Resort is not just a complex of luxury hotels; it is also the point on the Kassandra peninsula where the blue of the sea meets the green of the forest, on a captivating cape of unparalleled natural beauty. The top resort emerges through dense vegetation and reaches the pristine white sandy beaches, in perfect harmony with the natural environment. With more than fifty hectares of greenery across the five resort hotels and Sani Marina, the lush gardens embrace the facilities, creating a uniformity that contributes to guests' contact with nature and adds a sense of tranquillity to their stay.

In Sani Resort’s vast green expanses you will encounter evergreen trees such as the age-old olive, carob, Aleppo pine, stone pine, as well as deciduous trees like plane trees, palm trees, etc. The Garden Director of Sani Resort, Michalis Papadopoulos, explains that the resort prioritises native species that either thrive or have pre-existed in the area, such as the olive trees of Halkidiki that dominate the resort. At the same time, most plants come from local producers, and even the rocks used for decoration and supporting vegetation are transported from the wider area of Halkidiki.

In the Sani Resort gardens, the uniformity of greenery is interrupted by meticulously crafted bursts of colourful flowers

Sani Resort is an IDYLLIC

LANDSCAPE

that

SHOWCASES

the

NATURAL

BEAUTY of the AREA

in shades of pink, blue, and purple, blooming during the summer season. Among them, we will encounter herb gardens with over thirty species of aromatic plants - such as lemon verbena, basil and oregano - that are accessible to all visitors and labelled with the name and uses of each species in both Greek and English. Vegetables are grown in the Sani Club vegetable garden, while along the path to Bousoulas Beach you'll find the Sani Bee Spot, a bee garden with carefully selected flowering plants, such as lavender, gaura, verbena and melilot.

With a focus on circular economy and environmental protection, Sani Resort has become the first resort in Greece with a carbon-neutral footprint. As part of the Zero Carbon Footprint Project and the Sani Green programme, plants with reduced watering requirements and resilience to the region's climatic conditions are selected, while all plant waste is transported to an organised composting unit. Used in combination with other biological methods for plant nourishment and protection, this completely eliminates the use of chemicals.

Sani Resort has a team of more than 50 gardeners, who care for and maintain the vegetation and gardens of the top green resort with absolute respect for the environment, creating an idyllic landscape that showcases the natural beauty of the area, ultimately offering yet another reason to choose it for your stay.

Colourful FLOWERS in SHADES of PINK, BLUE , and PURPLE, BLOOM during the SUMMER SEASON

Pot Thor by Affari, Moda Bagno Concept Store, internistore.com

Sunglasses with gold chain, Valentino, OptomaniaSani Marina

Roberto Cavalli SS2024 collection

Feeling grand in green

curation by Eleonora Kanaki

Travel bag, Stoney Clover Lane, Hondos Center Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

fashion assistant

Kallirroi

Simitzidou

AirPods Max Green, Apple, iStorm, Mediterranean Cosmos, mediterraneancosmos.gr

One-piece swimsuit with one shoulder, Bondeye, Hondos Center

Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

Baseball cup, KitonSani Marina

iPhone 15

Black, Apple, K Tech Spot by KotsovolosSani Marina

Watch with leather bracelet, Tag Heuer Carrera, GofasSani Marina

Raffia bag Dolce&Gabbana, Grigio - Sani Marina

Blouse with nature prints, Ted Baker, Hondos Center

Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

Feelinggrand in green

Earrings in white gold with diamond and emerald, Τhalia ExarchouSani Marina

Long ruffle shirtdress with belt, Milla, ApoellaSani Marina

Ring in white gold with diamonds and precious stones, Thalia ExarchouSani Marina

Tangled in blue

Street Art Oceanic Fusio, Hublot Big Bang Meca, GofasSani Marina

One-piece swimsuit, MC2, Hondos Center Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

Shades of blue are synonymous with summer. The sky and the sea become the backdrop for memories of the brightest season.

Instax Mini 12

Pastel Blue camera, Fuji, K Tech Spot by KotsovolosSani Marina

Giorgio Armani SS2024 collection

Espadrilles Zimmermann, GrigioSani Marina

Kimono Jacket, Kenzo, Intervista. intervista.gr

After Sun Cool & Sooth Face, Apivita, DrugstoreSani Marina

Straight linen trouser Armani Exchange, Rodanos, rodanos.gr

Toiletry bag, Stoney Clover Lane, Hondos Center Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

Mediterranean Cosmos

Tangledin blue

Golden necklace with colorful details, Very Gavello, Bejewel by Thalia Exarchou

Kentima Embroidered Sandals, Ancient Greek Sandals, ApoellaSani Marina

Kallia Round Shirtdress, ApoellaSani Marina

Cheryl White Playsuit, Melissa Odabash, Melissa Odabash Boutique - Sani Marina

tote

Emporio Armani, Rodanos, rodanos.gr

Thalia Exarchou - Sani Marina

The shades of the earth. Seeking a grounded connection, in the summer we become “one” with nature, exploring its every aspect while also drawing inspiration from its eternal lifecycle.

Feet on the ground

Black rose gold cotton Cannes dress, Etoile CoralSani Marina

Leather sandal, Marni, Intervista, intervista.gr

Raffia

bag,

Earrings in rose gold with diamonds,

Linen shirt, KitonSani Marina

Max Mara Resort 2024 collection

Samsung Galaxy

S24 5G Ultra 12GB/256GB Gray

Smartphone, K Tech Spot by KotsovolosSani Marina

One-piece swimsuit, Karl Lagerfeld, Hondos Center Apollonia Politia, hondoscenter.com

Cannes cotton

and golden embroidery, Etoile Coral - Sani Marina

Feet on the ground

Tourbillon,

Natural ceiling light set, Moda Bagno Concept Store, internistore.com

Natural straw tote bag from bamboo, Apoella - Sani Marina

set with shorts

Sunglasses with bone frame, Valentino, OptomaniaSani Marina

Hublot watch, Takashi Murakami

Gofas - Sani Marina

Weave maxi dress, MissoniSani Marina

words by Eleni Papaioannou

Children are a tough crowd to please. Guess why they choose Sani as the background for their best summer memories!

NATURE FULL IMMERSION KIDS

Sani is one BIG PRACTICE field for those with ENERGY to SPEND

ADRENALINE PARTY!

Whether it’s football, tennis or biking, Sani is one big practice field for those with energy to spend! Run by Chelsea Football Club's renowned Foundation, Sani’s Chelsea Football Academy offers an outstanding development programme designed to motivate, educate and inspire young football lovers. With an UEFA-approved football pitch, highly qualified coaches from the Chelsea Foundation and a Club House, kids are in a league of their own. Here, developing kids’ technical skills can be paired with fun, all the while making new friends, and levelling up their game. Well, for youngsters obsessed with tennis, there is something far more exciting. The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, where kids will follow the training methods that took Rafa himself to the #1 spot! You don’t have to be a pro to play; all you need here is just to have fun! Did you know that the legend himself got the chance to visit Sani Resort and observe the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in action? Yes! Did

1 Walking to the beach, through the beauty of nature

2 Little explorers have more fun

he love it? Of course! With eight clay courts, world-class facilities, expert coaching and personalised programmes, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center more than impressed him. Is the teen in the family in the mood for getting in touch with their wilder, survival-mode side? Here they can learn how to play the hard way, in the best possible way, at Bear Grylls Survival Academy! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn expert survival skills within the unique natural surroundings of Sani Resort. With the guidance of Bear Grylls’ hand-picked team of instructors, kids learn to navigate, build shelters, make spears, stalk and track, and signal for help. Yes, teens learn how to build shelters, as well as the priorities of survival. If the rest of the family also has its heart pumping for action, everyone can take part in building fires together or even catching wild food! And, when night falls, Astro Navigation or dining on fresh fish and toasted marshmallows on the Bear Grylls Survival Academy fire is the best way for explorers, young and

1 Birdwatching doesn't stop, even on picnics

2 Sand dunes are nature's amusement park

old, to relax. If your teen feels like exploring things a little bit faster, there is also the Biking Academy by KTM Bike Club, working with the best experts to offer unique biking experiences, with everything from mountain bikes to fat bikes and e-bikes, as well as extra gear like Go-Pro cameras. The beach or the Wetlands are theirs to stroll around, as well as the forest! Of course, summer is sea and sun, and the best way to enjoy it when you are young is by playing in water! Sani Resort has an array of super fun water activities, from windsurfing to catamaran and kayaking. Add water skiing, wake board and parasailing to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect list to choose from.

NATURE CALLING

For the little environmentalists there are beautiful ways to explore the local area and truly be at one with nature. Sani’s forest trails cover many kilometres of walking surrounded by beauty and awe, with a wide variety of walks available, from short strolls to day trips in the flora, wildlife and ancient history, much of which is unique to Halkidiki. One of the most beautiful walks in the area, the hiking trail, follows a wetland path which meanders along the cliff tops between Sani Resort and Siviri village, offering stunning views from the forest to the sea. The valley of Koutsoupia is home to a wide range of flora, including oak trees and other plants rarely found in Halkidiki. For shorter, yet equally exciting walks, kids can stroll past the ancient excavations area (approx. 5 km) between Sani and Siviri. But they can also take to the trees in

Sani's specially designed park, featuring six courses – two training ones, two family courses and two youth courses – all colour coded and offering differing levels of challenge. The underwater world of Sani is also a fantastic place for exploration and fun, with the Sani Resort Swimming Club teaching the basics of swimming within a safe, beautiful environment. With private or group lessons for children with expert instructors, young guests become underwater adventurers in no time. There is also a bee-friendly garden on site, for kids (and grownups alike) who wish to learn about the life-cycle of solitary bees. Here, several carefully-designed stations provide unique insights into the biology of wild bees, as well as real-life examples of local bee species. The Sani Bee Spot is the result of a collaboration between Sani Resort and The Bee Camp, the first Greek NGO focusing on the protection of pollinators. It is the largest and first interactive Bee Spot in Greece, which aims to protect the bees and other pollinators found at Sani Resort, while also highlighting their relationship with humans and plants. What more can a young entomologist ask for? Apart from educational activities that can take place here, the Bee Spot also serves as a resting spot for both people and pollinators, while raising awareness on biodiversity and the importance of bees. Had enough of bee-watching? There is always birdwatching in specially designed walks, where an amazing array of species (the Sani Wetlands is home to almost half of the bird species found in Greece) can be spotted on an amazing 2,5km trail guided by expert eco-guides.

LEISURE TIME

When everything seems to get too much, young guests can just take a break from it all, relax by the pool, enjoy a nutritious meal designed by Annabel Karmel MBE, a global expert in baby and children’s food, or simply roll down the impressive Sani dunes. After all, life is a party and kids are usually the best guests!

“I was really looking forward to finally come to Greece”

Rafa Nadal

1. Rafa Nadal gives a welcome at RNTC at Sani Resort

2. View of a clay court

3. A “Give me five” moment with kids

World-class facilities, experienced professional trainers and personalised training programmes bearing the signature of the tennis legend, who visited the academy, conversed with young and old tennis enthusiasts and confirmed the highquality services of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Sani Resort.

words by Eleftherios Voutsas

“A n IDEAL destination for GUESTS who WANT to TRAIN in TENNIS while also ENJOYING their VACATION

Sani Resort in Halkidiki is a world-renowned destination for luxury family vacations set in a natural sanctuary spanning 1,000 acres. It features top facilities offering advanced services, such as the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center. On the academy’s eight clay courts, professional trainers employ the methods of tennis legend Rafa Nadal, considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time having won a total of 22 Grand Slam titles in his career. Personalised training programmes depending on the age, physical condition and experience of players are created, adjusted to the goals and needs of visitors, always following the training methodology that brought Rafa Nadal to the #1 spot in the world tennis rankings.

From simple introductory lessons to high-level competitive matches, the programme developed by Rafa Nadal caters to both beginners and experienced players, as well as to adults and children. Guided by the values and philosophy of the Spanish champion, the training sessions aim to make us love tennis, improve our technique and exercise our bodies. Moreover, tournaments are often organised at the clay courts, where we can apply what we learned in training by playing against worthy opponents as well as, of course, having fun within the framework of friendly competition and the joy of the game.

The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Sani Resort is a top-notch academy, with a guarantee of excellence due to the name of the tennis champion it bears. Rafael Nadal Parera has won 14 RolandGarros titles, two Wimbledon titles, two Australian Open titles and four US Open titles. In total, he has secured 70 ATP trophies and has remained at the top of the world rankings for 209 weeks. He is known as the "King of Clay", holding the record for the longest

winning streak on clay with 81 consecutive victories, the longest in the history of men's tennis. Born in Manacor, Mallorca, the Spanish champion had a remarkable journey in both tennis and soccer until the age of 12, when his father asked him to choose between the two sports. At just 15 years of age, Rafa Nadal turned professional and, after numerous spectacular wins, managed to win the Roland-Garros tournament the first time he competed. As history has shown, this magnificent victory heralded all the subsequent triumphs of his career, as he has made history as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

On May 31, 2023, Rafa Nadal travelled to Greece to visit the only Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Europe, located at Sani Resort, which he chose for vacations with his family and his sister, Maribel Nadal. The tennis legend and his family truly had a wonderful time at Sani Resort, as they had the opportunity to relax and experience the hospitality, natural ambience and high-end facilities on offer. They walked around Sani Marina, tasted the gastronomic cuisine of various restaurants and really enjoyed spending time together in the resort.

After touring the facilities, meeting the professional coaches and chatting with young and older fans, to whom he offered tennis balls he had signed, the athlete expressed his admiration for the operation of the academy and his enthusiasm for the Tennis Center's coaching team, as well as for the Sani Resort people.

As Rafa Nadal said,

"I was really looking forward to coming to Greece, but due to my workload and the pandemic, it was impossible. My uncle Toni Nadal, Carlos Moya, Carlos Costa and my entire coaching team have told me about their unique experiences at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center. Sani Resort boasts high-standard facilities and is an ideal destination for guests who want to train in tennis while also enjoying their vacation. What makes the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center stand out are the values of the people at Sani Resort, who ensure the highest quality of service and hospitality every day. We have had an excellent relationship for many years, and for me, collaboration with people who share the same values is the strongest foundation for success”.

If you want to experience the ultimate Rafa Nadal training experience from coaches who have received accolades from the top tennis player, all you have to do is book one of the eight clay tennis courts at Sani Resort, in collaboration with the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center. During your visit, you can schedule your game through the Sani website or the Sani mobile app, as well as at the reception desks. After the game, relax at the academy’s outdoor lounge and enjoy a refreshing drink as you unwind from the intensity of the game.

“What MAKES the Rafa Nadal TENNIS CENTRE stand out are the VALUES of the PEOPLE at SANI RESORT, who ensure the HIGHEST QUALITY of SERVICE and HOSPITALITY every DAY” 1

1. Rafa Nadal visited the RNTC at Sani Resort last May

2. Rafa Nadal signing tennis balls

3. The RNTC at Sani Resort sorrounded by green

Get ready adventur for the e

The Survival Academy promises a unique adventure for the entire family in the incomparable natural environment of Sani Resort, under the guidance of the select Bear Grylls team.

Bear Grylls Survival Academy’s unique scenery

Bear Grylls at Sani Resort

words by Eleftherios Voutsas

Bear Grylls Survival Academy

The multi-award-winning Sani Resort in Kassandra, Halkidiki, offers its guests a plethora of unique experiences, including sports activities and ecotourism actions, in an environment of unparalleled luxury and exceptional natural beauty. The Bear Grylls Survival Academy stands out among them, which has "set up camp" at the resort's facilities for the fourth consecutive year, and is ideal for visitors who want to push their limits and acquire new skills.

On your vacation, would you ever imagine that you would learn how to build shelters, construct a raft, light a fire, make traps, send distress signals, forage for food in nature, safeguard your loot, recognize tracks and use the stars to navigate during the night? Yet, with the unique Bear Grylls Survival Academy, the first of its kind at a European resort, you will develop all these skills on an unparalleled journey for fearless teenagers and adventurous adults. After all, the setting could not be more suitable for this adventure, which brings the entire family together. The privileged location of Sani Resort, in a 250-acre ecological sanctuary with pristine white sandy beaches, towering pine trees, lush forests and protected wetlands, allows guests to fully immerse themselves in this captivating survival experience.

INDULGE in the ULTIMATE survival experience at Sani Resort's SURVIVAL ACADEMY, guided by BEAR GRYLLS, and create A UNIQUE MEMORY for YOU and your FAMILY

The exciting activities of the academy have been designed by Bear Grylls specifically for Sani Resort, taking into account the diversity of the region, aiming to connect guests with the nature of Kassandra. During his visit to Sani, British soldier and survival expert Bear Grylls stated:

"We have a special partnership with Sani Resort, and it's wonderful to be returning for the third year. Our academy is unique because it encourages children to break away from digital devices and screens to embrace nature, giving them a chance to experience something they probably haven't before. I've always believed that the meaning of life has to do with resilience; learning never to give up, facing failure, building teams, being a

leader, communicating and collaborating. Our academy achieves just that, in the incredible natural environment of the Sani Resort”.

It is also important to note that the host of "Man vs. Wild" and "Running Wild" personally chose the team of trainers for the academy, which offers lessons for teenagers and the whole family. The Family Course is designed for families with children over six years old and starts from the academy's base, continues in the Sani forest and concludes with the construction of a shelter. The Teen Course, for teenagers aged 13 to 17, lasts for 6 days and includes a wide range of activities aimed at developing survival skills, teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving and leadership.

SANI MAGAZINE 2024

The Sani Ikos Group Culinary Committee consists of four taste and culinary experts, who travel around the world, gathering gastronomic experiences that are transformed into new ideas and starting points for delicious adventures in the resort's 27 different restaurants.

words by Dimitris Stathopoulos

Gastronomybeyond limits

They travel, taste and discover the local products of each region, experiencing hospitality and combining it with gastronomy. They strive to find a common ground and ultimately adopt or reject practices, products and expertise. This is the mission of the SIG Culinary Committee, which serves as a compass for setting the culinary horizons at all 27 restaurants in the iconic Halkidiki resort.

"Gastronomy is a window to the world; let's open it to explore its beauty", notes Dimitris Tozakidis, Sani Gourmet Manager, setting the tone for a discussion aimed at outlining the role and functioning of the committee. Composed also of Corporate Executive Chefs Nikos Papastergiou, Thanos Kappas and executive chef Nikos Chatzopoulos, it effectively operates to empower ideas and enhance experiences, serving as the means to define the gastronomic identity of the resort's restaurants.

"The continuous evolution, coupled with research on global gastronomic trends, define the framework within which we create, focusing on seasonality,

Papastergiou,

Nikos Chatzopoulos, SIG Culinary Consultant

Nikos

Corporate Executive Chef of Sani Resort

Dimitris Tozakidis, Sani Gourmet Manager Thanos Kappas, Corporate Executive Chef of Ikos Resorts

Stéphanie Le Quellec

locality and sustainability", notes Nikos Chatzopoulos, SIG Culinary Consultant, while on his part, Nikos Papastergiou, Corporate Executive Chef of Sani Resort, emphasises: "Access to culinary information is easier than ever. With this in mind, investment in human resources is our primary concern".

But what is the "key" that harmoniously brings the team and success together? Thanos Kappas, Corporate Executive Chef of Ikos Resorts, will tell us: "The key to success is stability and consistency through teamwork, which always leads to selfless customer service". Through its travels, the Culinary Committee comes into contact with exotic flavours and traditions from around the world, collecting experiences, ideas and information that are transformed into inspiration for creating a unique gastronomic landscape.

In this context, we asked them to provide us with some answers to clarify the scope of their activity and the functioning of the committee, as well as expressing the profile of those individuals who have

dedicated a significant part of their daily lives to the search for the perfect ingredients and authentic gastronomic experiences. The team has responded!

What led you to explore gastronomy?

Was there a key point or an initial passion that triggered this adventurous journey for you?

The creation of the team stemmed from the need to share all information and knowledge, as well as from constructive feedback from customers, with the aim of better adapting and evolving to the company's needs and circumstances.

Could you describe to us a particularly significant and characteristic gastronomic experience that has marked you during your travels?

The hawker centres in Singapore, where gastronomy doesn't distinguish between social classes and income. Everyone has the opportunity to taste simple and everyday street food delicacies, some of which are even awarded with Michelin stars.

“The continuous EVOLUTION, coupled with RESEARCH on GLOBAL GASTRONOMIC TRENDS, define the FRAMEWORK within which we CREATE , FOCUSING on seasonality, LOCALITY & sustainability”

How do you prepare for culinary exploration trips? Is there a methodology in how you choose the next cuisines or regions you want to research?

Preparation is done through comprehensive study, considering every detail. It is documented and needs are defined based on points that require reinforcement and according to our future concepts.

During your global gastronomic research, you surely faced some obstacles or challenges. What were some of these, and how did you manage to overcome them?

One of the challenges, for example, was incorporating different global trends into our own data and needs. This particular challenge is ongoing and is addressed through teamwork and study. However, it should be noted that everything is considered as a challenge, rather than an obstacle per se.

“" BACK to BASICS" PHILOSOPHY may BE the ULTIMATE short-term NECESSITY

Tomata Restaurant, Sani Resort

During the selection process of which gastronomic ideas will be incorporated into the resort's restaurants, what criteria and procedures do you follow to ensure quality and innovation?

In a recent trip we aimed to visit and gather ideas from luxurious buffets, where the culture fully supports the buffet concept. Ensuring quality and innovation comes from tangible and explicit concepts and continuous examination.

How do you ensure that gastronomic additions remain true to their roots, while also adapting to satisfy the taste preferences of an international audience, equivalent to that of the group's customers?

This is perhaps the most important aspect, and simultaneously the most exciting

one, where customer feedback is taken into consideration in parallel with the authentic and genuine gastronomic conditions.

Could you provide us with a specific example of how a gastronomic experience served as the starting point for a series of dishes or a new direction in one of the resort's restaurants?

We made specific and targeted visits to restaurants in gastronomic destinations, such as Paris, where all the gathered information and stimuli become sources of inspiration, as part of our search for certain French restaurant concepts.

How do you work with the teams of the resort’s different restaurants to ensure a homogeneous

yet diverse gastronomic experience?

Collaboration occurs through meetings, the exchange of ideas and sharing experiences, and with these as a guide we work on the selection and implementation of our goals. Gastronomic homogeneity is relative, as it does not really exist due to the nature of the group and the many different restaurants, but it clearly characterises our processes.

What are your predictions for the evolution of global gastronomy, and how are you preparing for upcoming trends?

With the advent of AI into our lives and into aspects of our daily routines, we believe that even gastronomy will not remain unaffected. Therefore, a "back to basics" philosophy may be the ultimate short-term necessity.

“ ONE of the CHALLENGES, was INCORPORATING different GLOBAL TRENDS into OUR own DATA and NEEDS”

Nikos Chatzopoulos, Dimitris Tozakidis, Nikos Papastergiou, Thanos Kappas

Christian le squer

The aromas of iodine and the sea that "imbued” his childhood still accompany him to this day in the kitchen of "Le Cinq" in Paris, along with the three Michelin stars he earned for his gastronomic philosophy and craftsmanship. Last summer he bestowed the glory of his cuisine at Sani Gourmet, "Savour the Stars", continuing to aspire to "l'art de vivre à la Française" (the art of French living).

interview by Aris Kavatzikis

"A chef must reinvent himself every day"

"For me, BEYOND the STARS, my STRESS is NOT to MOVE AHEAD in my COOKING, much LIKE a WRITER facing a BLANK PAGE"

Your origin is from Brittany, France. Are there any flavours from your childhood that still resonate in your memory and palate?

My childhood was marked by shore fishing along the coast of Brittany, where I fell in love with cooking during a fortnight spent on my uncle's trawler, beside the cook in charge of preparing meals for the crew.

Which exact childhood memories of yours are associated with cooking and flavours? I had the tremendous opportunity of living between Sea and Land, and I have memories of my grandparents' farm located amidst fields not very far from the sea: all the vegetables were grown by the Ocean.

Is it true that you learned to cook aboard on your uncle's boat? Would you tell us about that process?

When you go trawling, you leave for 10 or 15 days, and every four hours when the net is automatically pulled out of the water, the crew comes to eat, day in, day out. I really loved the social aspect between the cabin boy and the captain: it was always a moment of relaxation and celebration for this tough profession... that's why I became so admiring of this job.

You also had three Michelin stars at your previous workplace, "Pavillon Ledoyen", as well as at the restaurant you are now, "Le Cinq". Beyond the recognition and rewards, do these three stars also entail stress, pressure and insecurity to maintain?

It is now 22 years that I have had 3 Michelin stars in both "Maisons". For me, beyond the stars, my stress is not to move ahead in my cooking, much like a writer facing a blank page.

How did you react each time you won a Michelin star? What did you do first? Who did you share the good news with? Who did you call first?

When I received my Michelin stars, in 1996, my first reaction was to share it with my kitchen and dining room teams because a chef without a team is nothing much.

Do you consider haute cuisine, in which you are so successfully engaged, to be an "artform" closer to haute couture or highend perfumery? Would you justify your answer?

These days haute cuisine can be compared to these professions: haute couture and high-end perfumery, because with each change of season, new dishes are created, and as for myself, I have made it a habit to engage in research and development.

Is your cuisine a continuation of nature and the seasons, as you always strive to keep pace and align with seasonal ingredients? My cuisine has always been influenced by the seasons, raw materials and ingredients, and short supply chains in order to bring the maximum freshness to my plates. We could not achieve this level of quality without our producers, our farmers: we need them to reach this level of excellence.

"My CUISINE has ALWAYS been INFLUENCED by the SEASONS, RAW MATERIALS and SHORT SUPPLY chains in order to BRING the maximum FRESHNESS to my PLATES"

What ingredients do you always have in your kitchen? Ingredients that are absolutely essential to you?

The favourite elements in my cuisine are iodised products and, of course, salted butter.

How often do you think successful chefs should reinvent themselves?

A chef must reinvent himself every day, because his work depends on the market and the raw materials he will transform and cook.

Last year you came to Sani Resort for Sani Gourmet, “Savour the Stars”. Did you need to research before cooking for the guests who tasted your cuisine?

Yes, once I came; it's always important to research the country, the temperature and the style of the place in order to create a cuisine adapted to the location and the circumstances.

Were there any local ingredients you used for your creations, sampled by the fortunate who were at Elia Restaurant at Porto Sani on 29 July 2023?

I adapt during each trip and I adapt to local

producers, which allows me to cook with quality products.

How long were you able to stay at Sani Resort? What did you discover in the wider area, and what particularly caught your attention during your stay at Sani?

I didn't stay long enough to discover the local "treasures".

Did you have any time to relax at Sani Resort? Did you try the cuisines at the resort’s 27 different restaurants?

Fortunately, I relaxed; I love swimming, and you have fantastic beaches. I really enjoyed the fish restaurant at the resort, savouring traditional Cretan cuisine.

When you're not involved in gastronomy, what do you do? How do you spend your days, and who are your favourite people to spend time with?

I really enjoy sports, which for me is a moment of relaxation. In addition to swimming, I am also a very good hiker, which allows me to visit the capitals and countryside of different countries.

Are there sports you love?

I appreciate the world of sports in general, but as a Breton I am a fan of sailing, which allows me to escape outdoors.

You have said, "It is better to be a good chef who lasts, than a celebrity chef of the moment". Is this still the motto of your life and career, or are there others you could share with us?

I have been awarded stars in the Michelin Guide since 1996, and my motto has always been: "remain consistent in one's cuisine and in one's interactions with others in order to be able to pass on this beautiful profession".

1.

3. Finalising the details of serving his plate

The chef working in the kitchen of Elia Restaurant, Porto Sani, during Sani Gourmet 2023

2. Vegetable tartare with sorrel sorbet appetizer

4. Limoncello infused with fermented celery leaf

NAS I G OU MET FiveUltra Gastronomic

Sani Gourmet, the oldest and more acknowledged gastronomy institution in Greece, is gearing up for another dynamic return to Halkidiki in the summer of 2024. The event will be honoured by the presence of five internationally-acclaimed chefs, who have made an indelible mark on the global culinary scene.

words by Dimitris Stathopoulos

plate of Massimo Bottura

Paco Morales

PACO MORALES

THE CHEF WHO REVIVED THE TRADITIONS OF ANDALUSIAN CUISINE

He comes from a family with deep roots in the hospitality industry, which shaped his love for the chef profession. In 2010, he earned the first Michelin star for his restaurant Paco Morales in Bocairente. Several years later, in 2016, he opened NOOR in his hometown, Cordoba. It is a gastronomic-cultural project where he recreates traditional Andalusian cuisine. Through exhaustive research into the history of Al-Andalus cooking, the chef revives the fusion of the three cultures - Christian, Muslim, Jewish - that form the basis of great Andalusian gastronomy.

The three Michelin stars that NOOR acquired in a little more than three years, along with the almost unanimous support from customers, colleagues and critics, are the best evidence of the success of this gastronomic revitalization project. Morales has managed to highlight a unique, authentic and original Andalusian cuisine, based on the history and traditions of the region. Through his dedication and passion for the art of cooking, the Spanish chef has left an indelible mark on contemporary gastronomy.

MASSIMO BOTTURA

THE INNOVATIVE CHEF WHO ELEVATED ITALIAN CUISINE TO NEW HEIGHTS

One of the most influential and innovative chefs on the global gastronomy scene, with over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Back in 1995 he opened the restaurant Osteria Francescana in his hometown, Modena. The rapid success of the restaurant, which earned three Michelin stars in 2012 and claimed the top spot on the list of "The 50 Best Restaurants in the World" in 2016 and 2018, significantly boosted his international reputation. Alongside Osteria Francescana, he has also developed other hospitality and gastronomy projects that are part of the Francescana Family, such as the guesthouse Casa Maria Luigia with the Acetaia Maria Luigia, and the restaurants Al Gatto Verde, Franceschetta58, Cavallino and Gucci Osteria Firenze in Italy. While abroad there are Gucci Osteria in Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Seoul and Torno Subito in Dubai and Singapore.

Beyond his restaurant activities, Bottura has also undertaken social initiatives. In 2015, he founded the non-profit organisation "Food for Soul" with his wife Lara Gilmore, aiming to combat food

Andoni Luis Aduriz

waste and social isolation. In recognition of his humanitarian and environmental commitment, he was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme in 2020, while Osteria Francescana was also awarded a green Michelin star. With his innovative approach to Italian cuisine, his constant dedication to excellence and his social sensitivity, he has managed to leave an indelible mark on the global gastronomic map.

ANDONI LUIS ADURIZ

DRIVING THE EVOLUTION OF GASTRONOMY

He stands out for his innovative approach. He is the chef who has transformed his restaurant into an innovative "creative ecosystem", working closely with scientists, artists and intellectuals. Since 1998, when he took over the management of Mugaritz restaurant in San Sebastián, Spain, he has brought new life and fresh perspectives, adapting to the needs of each era. "Mugaritz is a laboratory of experimentation and research, where gastronomy serves to convey our reflections and experiments to those who visit us", he notes. The chef aims not only to satisfy the restau-

rant's guests but to also challenge them, to question established perceptions and to lead them to new culinary and intellectual experiences. Simultaneously, he undertakes gastronomic initiatives, creating personalised "gastronomic performances" that combine creativity and gastronomy. Alongside his work at Mugaritz, he is also active in the academic community, sharing his knowledge through lectures and collaborations with universities such as Harvard and MIT. He is an example of a chef who is not confined to the kitchen, but rather uses gastronomy as a means to provoke thought, challenge assumptions and promote innovation. Guiding Mugaritz through endless gastronomic quests, in his own way Aduriz is contributing to the evolution of contemporary cuisine.

ANA ROŠ

THE SLOVENIAN CHEF MAKING HISTORY IN INTERNATIONAL GASTRONOMY

She is currently one of the most famous names on the international gastronomic scene. With origins from Slovenia, she has managed to stand out in a male-dominated profession, establishing

Ana Roš

her cuisine as one of the finest in the world. She began her career in hospitality relatively late, initially studying diplomacy in Italy. However, her natural inclination towards cooking and her creativity led her to the kitchen of Hiša Franko, a restaurant owned by the family of her partner at that time, Valter Kramar. There, with Kramar's support and thanks to her dedication, she succeeded in evolving the traditional cuisine of the region into something entirely original. Roš's approach to gastronomy reflects her personality - a balance between tradition and innovation, substance and aesthetics. She bases her creations on local ingredients, the seasons and the terroir, while also drawing inspiration from her travels and her unique perspective. Hiša Franko, Roš's restaurant, is one of the few in the world with 3 Michelin stars and a precious green star for its sustainable cuisine. In fact, Hiša Franko has been ranked on the 50best list since 2017 when Ana Roš was also awarded as Best female chef by the same organisation. Beyond her successes in the kitchen, she is an active ambassador for culinary tourism, having been appointed as an ambassador for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Through her work and personality, she has managed to promote Slovenian gastronomy on a global scale. With her unique talent, originality and dedication, she has left an indelible mark on global cuisine.

CLARE SMYTH

THE BRITISH CHEF WHO BECAME A GLOBAL GASTRONOMY STAR

Few female chefs have managed to distinguish themselves to such an extent in the male-dominated world of haute cuisine as she has. The British chef has made a strong imprint on the global culinary scene, earning valuable accolades and distinctions. Her pinnacle of success came in 2021 when she won three Michelin stars. In 2018 she was named Best Female Chef in the World by the "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list. Her restaurant, Core, earned two Michelin stars in 2019, and just two years later, in 2021, she managed to garner a third star - an impressive achievement for a restaurant that had opened just three years prior. Apart from her top gastronomic distinctions, she has also been honoured for her broader contribution to the hospitality industry. In 2013, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to the restaurant industry. Recognizing the importance of nurturing new talents, she has taken an active role as the president of the Bocuse d'Or UK, as well as being a judge in the "S.Pellegrino World's Best Young Chef" competition.

Clare Smyth has served in many high-profile events, including the royal wedding reception for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Additionally, she has appeared on various international television cooking shows.

With her exceptional talent, her dedication and her broader contributions to the industry, she serves as an inspiration for those aspiring to excel in haute cuisine.

Clare Smyth

SANI GOURMET 2024

WILL BE HOSTED AT “ELIA” RESTAURANT LOCATED AT PORTO SANI, SANI RESORT

26/7

Paco Morales

2/8

Massimo Bottura

9/8

Andoni Luis Aduriz

16/8

Ana Ros

23/8

Clare Smyth

Cocktail Clock! O’

It's that time when the sun is setting, the moment when the sky “asserts itself” and blends its most intense and vibrant hues. And yes, wherever you are in Sani Resort, this is the perfect timing for a refreshing cocktail. In this way, with an exclusive creation by the resort's bartenders, the day gives way to a unique and unforgettable evening that is only just beginning.

words

Aris Kavatzikis

by

illustrations by Theano Petridou

Bandido

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

We choose this cocktail as rum gives a tropical vibe and a sense of vacation and relaxation. With its beautiful beach and warm climate, Sani Club enhances this association, providing our guests with a true getaway experience. Greece boasts an abundance of fresh fruits and spices that are incorporated into this cocktail, adding a unique Mediterranean twist that complements the rich and complex rum flavours. This cocktail also appeals to multiple senses, from the visual allure of vibrant colours and garnishes to the aromatic bouquet of fresh ingredients, as well as the satisfying clink of ice cubes in a glass; simply perfect for any occasion.

Recipe

50ml Havana Rum 3* Anos

10ml limoncello

30ml homemade chilli syrup

40ml fresh pineapple puree

30ml lemon juice

Garnish with chilli threads

Preparation

Add 50ml Havana 3Anos, 10ml limoncello, 30ml homemade chilli flakes syrup, 40ml pineapple puree and 30ml lemon juice in the shaker.

Shake the ingredients with ice and then double strain into a highball glass over Collins ice. Garnish with a pineapple wheel and chilli threads on top.

Pink Cloud

Strolling along the Marina and seeing the horizon painted with hues of orange and red, seize the moment and create a unique memory by making a stop at the Creperie to enjoy a cocktail, one that is also 'painted' in the colourful palette of the sky.

Recipe

Mixing glass / Champagne glass / No ice

50ml Kopparberg pink gin

20ml Chambord black raspberry liqueur

10ml Monin strawberry puree

10ml fresh lime juice

Top up homemade pomegranate soda

Garnish cotton candy

Preparation

Ice the glass. Add all ingredients to the mixing glass, except for the soda, and stir. Pour into the glass and top up with soda.

Sani Club

Sani Marina

Greek Sour

A refreshing and light mix of modern tsipouro infused with Greek mountain tea, green apples and lime that can be enjoyed any time of the day at the Water Bar.

Recipe

50ml O/Purist Infused with Greek mountain tea

20ml Sourtz

20ml lime juice

20ml lime cordial

Shaken and finely strained

Glass: highball

Garnish: Dehydrated green apple chips

Preparation

We infuse 700ml of O/Purist tsipouro with 10gr of Greek mountain tea for 1 hour at 20 degrees in a vacuum bag. When complete, finish with fine straining the mixture.

Take a shaker and start adding the above ingredients, top up with ice and shake everything strongly! Strain the mixture in the shaker again, with no ice this time, and shake again. Finely strain and serve in a highball glass topped with ice. Garnish the cocktail with dehydrated green apple chips and enjoy!

Selina

In honour of Selina, the first emblematic entertainment centre at Sani, where all the important names and personalities would gather, this cocktail is a twist on the classic Mary Pickford cocktail, also available in an alcohol free version.

Recipe

50ml Planteray Pineapple Rum or Lyre’s White Cane Spirit 0% alc.

30ml mango puree

10ml Maraschino liqueur

10ml Teisseire cranberry & raspberry concentrate

20ml lime juice

8 dashes Fee Foam Bitters

Preparation

Shake all ingredients and finely strain in a coupette glass, garnish with edible flowers.

Sani Beach

SANI ASTERIAS WATER BAR

Sani Asterias

Glizzy Biscuit

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

At the end of the Marina, Sea U is one of the resort’s most iconic meeting points. Lively throughout the day, many choose to start and end their evening here. Of course, enjoying a cocktail is a must, especially as it is accompanied by impeccable service and the right musical selections.

Recipe

45ml Buffalo Trace bourbon

10ml Crème de Cacao

10ml Mezcal fat washed with coconut oil

2 dashes chocolate bitters

Milk clarified with white chocolate ION

Preparation

Lost Explorer Tobala Mezcal fat washed with coconut oil. Mix the Premix Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Creme de Cacao, chocolate bitters and pour into the white chocolate milk. Let it rest for a couple hours. Follow these steps; this is called milk wash. The drink is now clarified.

Pisco Sour

A frothy Pisco Sour is about as Peruvian as you can get. In fact, if you want to pick a fight with a Peruvian, tell them that the Pisco Sour is a Chilean drink; the two countries have a long-standing dispute over which country this cocktail originated in. The most widelyaccepted story has its delicious liberation originating in the Morris Bar in Lima sometime in the 1920s, the creation of American ex-pat Victor Morris.

Recipe

50ml pisco

25ml lime

25m sugar

Egg white from a whole egg or use vegan thickener for better results

Angostura bitters 2 dashes

Preparation

First take a shaker and put all the ingredients, except the angostura bitters. Shake, add some ice to the shaker and shake again. Finely strain mixture into a low glass with ice. Add angostura, place an orange peel on the foam and serve.

Porto Sani

Sani Marina

Local Flavors Familiar Faces

Five stories of people with a common denominator: the love they have for their work, their passion for innovation and progress, and their faith in stable collaborations characterised by consistency and mutual trust. For years, they have been the main suppliers of raw materials for Sani Resort, which in turn invests in local producers and strengthens the local economy.

Nikos & his trained truffle dog 2,3 Inoculation of dead tree trunks with Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane) mycelium, a mushroom with therapeutic properties

words & interviews by Aris Kavatzikis photography by Ektoras Nikolakis POV studio

Nikos Athanasiadis

Forestgarden

Τruffles & Μushrooms

A child who grew up surrounded by nature, in Polygyros, Halkidiki. His father was a forester, but passed away when he was just three years old. Ideologically opposed to hunting animals, Nikos felt that his love for the forest and his explorations within it led him to search for mushrooms quite early, at the age of 12. However, at around 20, he felt he wanted to have a winter hobby as well. He believed - like everyone else - that there were no mushrooms to be found in winter. It was then that he came across some of the first books written about mushrooms in Greece, by agronomist Dimitris Keltemlidis, which among other things mentioned that truffles do indeed grow in our country.

"I then thought that it is not possible to have the same overground mushrooms that exist in Italy, such as the porcini mushrooms we find in many villages in Greece, and not have underground truffles. My ally at that time turned out to be Professor Stefanos Diamantis of the National Agricultural Research Foundation, who insisted on putting Greece on the truffle map, along with Italy, France and Spain, with the aim of spreading a culture of truffle cultivation in our country. The next step was to train a dog and, with my friend, I started searching for truffles in all the mountains of Xanthi and Halkidiki. As strange as it may sound, both my friend and I, in Xanthi and in Halkidiki respectively, found truffles in our own backyards. After confirming that they existed, we brought dogs from Italy and we sent our findings to Professor Diamantis for identification. On the one hand, at that time we didn't find enough; on the other hand, not

“NOT many PEOPLE in GREECE WERE buying TRUFFLES because they DIDN’T EVEN know they EXISTED”

4

many people in Greece were buying truffles because they didn't even know they existed“, Nikos Athanasiadis tells Sani Magazine.

He even created a restaurant in the mountains, in the village of Taxiarchis in Halkidiki, where he cooked wild mushrooms and truffles. However, in the midst of the economic crisis he turned it into a food workshop, where he processed truffles. It is here that he created the first truffle products in Greece, such as truffle oil and truffle salt, honey and vinegar with truffle, as well as truffle carpaccio.

And so, things took their course; a new larger workshop was inaugurated near the sea, as logistics in the mountains were difficult for the business. However, the estate in the mountains will soon become a real mushroom haven, a natural gourmet mushroom museum. "We aim to present the mushrooms there, offering seminars on their cultivation, as well as cooking them in front of the public, while there will also be guided tours in the forest with a truffle dog", he clarifies.

We also learned that, in addition to truffles that exist naturally in the soil, "when we talk about truffle cultivation, we mean planting trees. It is in these roots that the fungus grows, as the tree is inoculated with fungus spores, which occupies its root system. At least ten years must pass in order for farmers to evaluate the progress of this endeavour and potential production".

Nikos feels fortunate; he connected early on with Sani Resort, one of his first customers, initially for the fresh truffles he produced, as well as for his processed products. "We even co-created the brand ‘Land of Grace’, featuring various truffle items, while I always supply Sani restaurants with fresh truffles and truffle products", Nikos notes.

Black truffles

Thanasis Dimitropoulos Fish Shop Kassandra

Fish & Seafood Trade

In the case of Thanasis Dimitropoulos and his dear friend and partner, Ilias Mavridis, we are dealing with two young individuals who turned their vision into reality in the best possible way. In other words, a success story of two friends who, in 2016 - when Ilias was 22 and Thanasis was 18 years old - decided to engage in the trade of fish and seafood. "The catalyst for our involvement was Ilias's father, who had an office at the fish market of Nea Mihaniona in Thessaloniki. We dreamed of starting our own business and step by step we reached what we do today, with great love and dedication", Thanasis tells Sani Magazine.

Essentially, their business collaborates almost exclusively with approximately 15 local fishermen from Halkidiki, whose entire catch ends up at the Fish Shop. Additionally, they source fresh catches from the fish market of Nea Mihaniona and then proceed with sorting and immediate distribution to their destination. "I still remember my first contact, at the age of 18, with the procurement manager of Sani Resort, who, upon seeing me, asked me with interest if I was lost and looking for my mother. I replied that I was there to discuss a possible collaboration with him. They trusted us, and over time this collaboration became closer and closer. Today, I dare say that we are the main suppliers of Sani Resort’s seafood. I will share with you a story I remember from 2017, when Sani Gourmet was taking place that season. They called me at noon and told me that a chef needed swordfish for the next morning. Wanting to be reliable and feeling like I was still taking my exams, I located the coveted swordfish in Alexandroupoli, left, and delivered it to the chef the next morning", Thanasis recounts.

“The BIGGEST challenge IS to meet the HIGH demands of CUSTOMERS such as SANI RESORT”

Moreover, it's not uncommon for chefs to express directly what they need in their kitchen, so that Fish Shop can promptly cater to their desires. "We do everything to serve the chefs; our efforts are recognised, and it is an honour for us to have such collaborators. The biggest challenge is to meet the high demands of customers such as Sani Resort".

Of course, we couldn't fail to note the types of fish available in Halkidiki and which one has the highest demand. "Firstly, we have the renowned Halkidiki hake - there are visitors who come to Halkidiki specifically to taste it - as well as the dentex, groupers, red mullets, scorpionfish, many sardines in Nea Skioni, lobsters and prawns mainly in Kallikratia and the Thermaic Gulf. It's worth mentioning the famous Olympiada Halkidiki mussels as well", Thanasis Dimitropoulos succinctly informs us.

Kyriakos came in contact with Sani Resort at a very young age, while he was still a child. Back then his father, a local producer and cultivator from Nea Fokaia, Halkidiki, would visit the resort to sell his products. Many years have passed since then; his father, alongside production, also engaged in the trade of fruits and vegetables. Now it's Kyriakos’ turn to take the reins of a healthy business that maintains a close and meaningful relationship with Sani Resort. "My grandfather had his own production, but on a small scale. In the past in Halkidiki, they only cultivated watermelons, melons, tomatoes and courgettes. Nowadays things have diversified, and I dare say a decisive factor for the productions and the profit of local producers is Sani Resort. What do I mean? With a turn to gastronomy, the market demands have changed. The resort signalled change and essentially set up a chain that is a win-win for everyone. New products, new ideas, and consequently, new crops for producers. You know, I personally had the opportunity to meet the chefs who began to arrive at Sani Resort quite early. I learned from the first ones what chicory or Jerusalem artichoke is. Suffice it to say that there are now local producers who cultivate edible flowers and sprouts because the resort's chefs

Kyriakos Mavridis Fresh

& Vegetable Production & Trade

“With a TURN to gastronomy, the MARKET demands have

&

and essentially SET UP a CHAIN that is a

need them. We used to cultivate courgettes, but today there is a great demand for their flowers, so we collect them before they even grow. Who would have imagined, also, that chilli peppers and jalapenos could be cultivated in Halkidiki?", Kyriakos tells Sani Magazine.

As one of the resort’s oldest suppliers, at the beginning of each year he has the opportunity to converse with the managers of each resort unit, when appropriate guidelines are shared regarding what can be cultivated, so that it can be fully absorbed and everyone is satisfied. At the same time, through this interaction between the resort and local producers, the local economy is supported and strengthened. Kyriakos, as a person of our times, has clearly invested in the infrastructure of his business but does not remain indifferent to the world’s ecological problems and the footprint that we all leave behind as its temporary residents. "We invested in hydroxide refrigerated trucks for the transportation of fruits and vegetables, without freon, which do not leave an ecological footprint in the atmosphere, at a time when ecology has become the number one concern for all of us".

We asked Kyriakos to tell us what product Sani Resort fully absorbs, and his answer pleasantly surprised us, as once again we observe that the resort's focus insists on absolute excellence in the quality of its products and the high standards of its services. "Oranges for making orange juice! Just one resort hotel can absorb 100 tons of oranges. They have high-quality standards at Sani Resort and never use substitutes or packaged orange juice", Kyriakos emphasised.

Stefanos and Giorgos Kalandaridis

1 Stefanos & Giorgos in the dairy 2 Cheese based on goat's milk, made with cheesecloth

Select Cheeses

For Stefanos and Giorgos Kalandaridis, hailing from Simantra, Halkidiki, their involvement in the family business wasn't something that pressured them or they were forced to do. As young boys they used to go and help their father in the dairy their grandfather Kalandaridis started in 1950. They loved and supported the dairy from the very beginning. Now, as the third generation and given the increased needs, they have taken on different responsibilities. Stefanos handles sales and off-site tasks, while George is involved in the daily production. In fact, 75 years of history in this family business is a badge of honour for them; it's also worth mentioning that their family owns an olive oil mill in the area.

"When Giorgos and I actively joined the dairy, the infrastructure had already been perfected by our father, and we had already moved to a new location in 2005. What we managed to achieve, and what we strive for as the third generation, is the outward orientation and new collaborations with restaurants and hotels, the growth of sales and exports. Primarily, we export to Germany. Our collaboration with Sani Resort started about eight years ago, and since then we have been continuing dynamically, building a relationship of mutual trust and appreciation. What the resort desires, of course, is consistent quality. Primarily, the resort sources feta cheese from us as 95% of the orders are exclusively for feta cheese and a small percentage for goat cheese", Stefanos Kalandaridis tells Sani Magazine.

“What we STRIVE for as the third GENERATION is the OUTWARD ORIENTATION and NEW collaborations with RESTAURANTS and HOTELS, the GROWTH of SALES and EXPORTS”

During our tour of the dairy we learned some very useful information about cheese, which we will share with you. PDO feta cheese is given this name only if it is made from sheep's milk, and moreover, the sheep's milk content cannot be less than 70%. If the ratio changes, or cow's milk is added, then the term "feta" ceases to apply, and it is called white cheese in brine. Among other products we took note of the Cappadocian spicy cheese, which has the same ingredients as feta, meaning it is made from sheep's milk, but the yeast used gives it a spicier flavour, while the Simantrian cheese is based on goat's milk and made with cheesecloth, which also gives it its distinctive shape.

We imagine that the raw material is extremely important for a dairy that produces, roughly, 50,000 containers or 750,000 kilograms of cheese per year. "Indeed", Stefanos tells us, adding that "the support of local farmers is equally important on our part. We procure milk from 80-100 suppliers - farmers from Halkidiki. To ensure quality, we send our own vehicles to collect the milk, which is turned into cheese the next day and is available for sale after a minimum of two months”.

An incredible life story, as Nikos and Lilian do not come from an agricultural background. The economic crisis that hit America in 2007 had a direct impact on their business, as they owned the oldest comic book store in Thessaloniki. They searched for ways to make a living, and as owners of a seven-acre field in Neoi Epivates, they tried to convert it into an organic farm. They lacked infrastructure, tractors and knowledge. "The only thing we knew how to do was to read; the internet was thriving, providing immediate access to information. Through our reading and researching we came across the idea of microgreens and edible flowers. We were the first to do it in Greece, without the relevant legislation yet in place, with plants that were not listed in the Greek catalogues, such as kale, bok choy, tatsoi, komatsuna and spicy rocket and mustard leaves, which are now well known. We went through the process of completing all the bureaucratic procedures", Lilian Kouidou tells Sani Magazine.

Nikos Ioannou

AnD Lilian Kouidou

The Chilli Factor Organic Farm

Production of Organic Products

At the same time, they incorporated colourful tomatoes, multi coloured carrots, and unusual courgettes into their crop production, targeting a niche segment of the market. Chefs were seeking out these products, and they began supplying restaurants that appreciated this type of farming. They entered organic markets, simultaneously educating people about all these previously unknown products. Seeking out the history of edible flowers and herb cultivation in the Mediterranean, they integrated knowledge from Mexico, Japan and China, such as the cultivation of cucamelons. Another interesting part of their story is the processing of their products, for instance when they did not manage to sell their colourful tomatoes and beloved chillies in the market. That's when they started processing them, making spicy sauces, jams and chutneys from the spicy peppers; this gave rise to their name, The Chilli Factor.

"We don't use large machinery or tractors; we've transitioned to regenerative agriculture, where we have permanent plots that we cultivate. Everything is done by hand with a lot of love for our farm, always considering the seasonality of the products", she clarifies passionately about their work.

Regarding their exceptional and substantial collaboration with Sani Resort, Lilian says, "When chefs started coming to the farm to see what exactly we were doing, some chefs from the resort also came. It started with Chrysanthos Karamolegkos and Tomata in 2015. Essentially, the chefs selected the products that

“We came ACROSS the idea of MICROGREENS and edible FLOWERS & WE were the FIRST to do it in Greece”

entered the resort. In order to remain at Sani Resort, consistency and discipline are required. Today we continue to supply them with microgreens, edible flowers, unusual vegetables and sauces. Now all these are very familiar products for chefs, especially at the resort, which invests in gastronomy and hosts Sani Gourmet annual gastronomy institution. However, the most significant aspect is connecting local producers with tourism, so that we can talk about sustainable gastronomy. The art of cooking must be closely tied to local production and to the seasonality of products, ensuring identity; and that's precisely what Sani Resort does".

She also remembers something that happened in 2019, when Japanese chef Tagaki Kazuo arrived in Halkidiki for Sani Gourmet without his flowers and herbs, which he had brought from Japan but were lost in transit. He visited their farm and Lilian describes his enthusiasm when he tasted fresh strawberries and couldn't actually believe that they were strawberries, he picked flowers and found everything that he needed for his menu. "It was an exceptional feeling to see a chef, with two Michelin stars, gathering edible flowers in the field".

CHEERS to earth, humanity & sustainability

With 17 estates located on the most remarkable terroirs of the South of France, Gérard Bertrand is the Ambassador of Great Wines of Occitania all over the world. He practices biodynamics on all his vineyards and pays attention to details to create wines of precision and finesse. With a modern and visionary approach to the world of wine, he aims at inspiring change and supporting a drive towards agriculture in harmony with nature. “By creating alchemy between innovation, excellence and nature, we forge the future of the world’s largest winemaking region”, he states.

He learned to work in vineyards with his father, at Château de Villemajou on the historical terroir of Corbières. From the age of 10, his father taught him his vision: the virtues of hard work, of paying attention to the thousand and one details and the pride of his origins. Gérard has looked for excellence ever since. He applied these values of excellence and rigour on the field, for his other passion: rugby. Wine and rugby quickly became two pillars. Bertrand even began an international career as a rugby player. A career he chose to interrupt to devote himself to the family winery, that he has been managing alone since the age of 22, after his father died. A success story with precision wines that is internationally

Gérard Bertrand

As a pioneer of biodynamic methods in his vineyards, he supports winegrowers involved in preserving the environment. Thus, he has been inspiring the drive towards organic practices. Today, he is proud to announce that his commitment and that of his teams are reflected in 930 hectares of vineyards cultivated biodynamically, of which 830 are already Demeter* certified.

words by Aris Kavatzikis

photography

Marie Ormières

photography

Ulrich Lebeuf

* Demeter is a private label for food, cosmetics, and textiles produced through biodynamic agriculture. Through a deeply holistic approach, the Demeter process cares for ecosystems as a whole: soil, plants, animals, and humans. Demeter farms and businesses are certified organic according to European regulations and meet additional Demeter requirements throughout the production chain.

1,2 Clos du Temple

recognized. Gérard Bertrand’s wines are now served and appreciated in 180 countries, all distribution channels combined, and are enjoyed at gourmet restaurants –you can taste them at Sani Resort’s Sani Dunes Hotel - and in some airline business class flights. His rare talent for blending is shared with his teams and passed on to his wife Ingrid, and his two children, Emma and Mathias. The South of France has also inherited an exceptional natural setting; the region offers all the advantages for organic farming.

The conversion of the estates to biodynamic agriculture began in 2002, at the Domaine de Cigalus. Beyond the farmer approach, Gérard Bertrand is convinced that nature and biodiversity deserve to be cultivated with caution and care. From a simple experiment on 5 hectares, Gérard Bertrand noticed the benefits of biodynamics on the ecosystem. He therefore decided to convert the entire Cigalus vineyard to this method the following year.

From then on, he aimed to acquire a total mastery of this practice and convert his teams and all his vineyards. This

“ BIODYNAMICS is a VITICULTURAL practice that ALLOWS us to ELEVATE our WINES to the HIGHEST level”

Gérard Bertrand

promise is fulfilled 22 years later, since all 17 estates are now cultivated using biodynamics; the year 2024 celebrates the centenary of the biodynamic movement worldwide. Bertrand and his team are recognized globally for their expertise in this agricultural practice, boasting the largest area dedicated to biodynamics (930 hectares), with 830 hectares already certified by Demeter*. Gérard Bertrand emphasises the importance of this agricultural approach in preserving the land for future generations. “Celebrating 100 years of biodynamics is a moment for reflection

on our commitment to the earth, humanity, and sustainability. Biodynamics is also a viticultural practice that allows us to elevate our wines to the highest level”, he declares.

A vineyard in excellent health, with lively soil and vibrant biodiversity, yields grapes that truly reflect their terroir. Judges are unmistakable in their verdict: when tasted blindly at the most prestigious international competitions, the Châteaux and Estates Gérard Bertrand wines garner awards and medals. In 2023, Gérard Bertrand was named Best Winemaker of the Year by the international trade magazine, The Drinks Business. Furthermore, he has developed a specific unit to seal long-term partnerships for winegrowers in conversion to organic farming over 10 years. These partnerships consist in providing producers with technical, organisational and economic support to achieve their projects. As a staunch advocate for biodynamics, Gérard Bertrand believes viticulture must set an example for the rest of agriculture, emphasising that education is crucial to inspire impactful change.

photography Soufiane Zaidi

SANI MARINA

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Hello From Hertz

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Store

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PORTO SANI

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A taste of the sea...

The sun warmly caresses carefree moments filled with love and salt; the reflection of light on water creates enchanting shades of blue; memory becomes a magical image and the image evokes a vivid memory. Life at Sani Resort...

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