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Athens Welcomes the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship ATP 250

This year, the heart of world tennis beats in Athens. From November 1 to 8, 2025, the Greek capital will host, for the first time, the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship ATP 250, bringing the ATP Tour back to Greece after three decades. At the TELEKOM CENTER Athens, more than 70 top athletes from around the world will compete for the title — including major names such as Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Stan Wawrinka, Karen Khachanov, and Jiří Lehečka. The event brings to Athens the passion, sportsmanship, and brilliance of world tennis, turning the city into a meeting point for athletes, spectators, and sports lovers from every corner of the globe. More than 130 countries will broadcast the matches live, showcasing Athens as a rising sports tourism destination that blends tradition, hospitality, and modern infrastructure with its unique light and cultural heritage. Visitors will experience an authentic sports festival in the heart of the Mediterranean, discovering the city through its historic landmarks, gastronomy, and the vibrancy of its people. The opening day (November 1) will be open to the public with free admission, available through online ticket distribution. Ticket pre-sales have already begun via the official website www.hellenicchampionship.com. All tennis and sports enthusiasts are invited to be part of this unique event that brings Athens to the global stage. Each daily ticket offers all-day access to all matches on the Center Court, as well as to the Fan Zone — an interactive area featuring entertainment, food & drinks, sponsor booths, and official tournament merchandise. *Special offer for SEGAS runners: a 10% discount on tournament tickets! How to claim it: Visit www.hellenicchampionship.com, select your preferred day and seats, and use the code SEGAS10 during checkout. The offer is valid for 48 hours only, from 11:00 on October 28 to 11:00 on October 30, exclusively for SEGAS Marathon participants. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of the greatest sporting events of the year — one that places Athens at the center of the global tennis scene.

29/10/2025
Travel Tips

Eastern Halkidiki, Greece: the place where the Persian King Xerxes passed

Leisure on the seas of the Persian King Xerxes! Summer. The two seas of Athos are the very same seas of Persian King Xerxes. Thousands of years ago, he crossed from one to the other. Coastline. Sandy beaches. Light-blue Flags. Beach bars. Music. Vibrance. Cheerful people on sunbeds. The sea at their feet, endless Mediterranean blue. The Aegean all around. Relaxation. Holidays. Mediterranean light. Afternoons at dusk. Romance. Dining at seafood restaurants. Strong tsipouro and ouzo meze: a classic Greek ritual. Visitors embrace it. Local wines. Rosé – the perfect pairing with fish. Shopping. Market streets full of souvenirs and monastic products. Mount Athos, casting its shadow over everyone and everything. Summer by the seas once sailed by Persian King Xerxes. Summer in Greece! © Municipality Aristotle

30/07/2025
Eastern Halkidiki, Greece: the place where the Persian King Xerxes passed
Travel Tips

Discover Macrozoe: Greece’s Path to Longevity Wellbeing Festival at Euphoria Retreat

Euphoria Retreat, the multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary in the Peloponnese, has announced its first Wellbeing Festival: Macrozoe The Greek Path to Longevity, taking place July 3-13, 2025. The ten-day immersion, which is set to be the summer’s must-attend wellness event, explores “macrozoe”–the ancient Greek philosophy of living well for longer–through a blend of ancient wisdom and modern science. The Euphoria Wellbeing Festival blends ancient Greek healing traditions, modern science, and meaningful human connection in a setting unlike any other, at the foot of mystical Mount Taygetus in a UNESCO heritage site. Bringing together global experts in the field of longevity, medicine, mindfulness, yoga, and movement, the festival offers a fully integrative approach. “The Greeks never separated body from soul. For us, true longevity practices require a 360-degree approach–balancing physical health with mental clarity, emotional resilience, spiritual depth, a sense of purpose, and good relationships. Our mission is to empower people to embrace their fullest potential, age gracefully, live healthier and thrive with purpose, joy, and boundless energy” explains Marina Efraimoglou, founder of Euphoria Retreat. Guests can attend for as little as two nights, making the experience flexible, accessible, and adaptable to busy schedules. At the heart of the festival are seven core pillars: movement, science-led workshops, biohacking, mindfulness, nutrition, human connection, and extraordinary experiences. From nutrition and movement to neuroscience and emotional wellbeing, the programme features thought-provoking sessions led by specialists at the forefront of their fields. This 360-approach offers a multi-dimensional path to living – and ageing healthy – with energy, purpose and joy. What truly sets the Euphoria Wellbeing Festival apart is its unique fusion of science and soul. The workshops span a wide spectrum of disciplines—from Pythagorean nutritional philosophy and ancient Greek and Chinese teachings on longevity, to the latest breakthroughs in cellular health, mitochondrial research, and cutting-edge biohacking technologies. Participants will also explore neurofascial maneuvers for organ reset and other transformative tools designed to nourish both body and spirit. The Festival’s Core Pillars Movement, an integral element of the every-day schedule, will be manifested in many forms: energy through Yoga, Pilates, and Qigong, embodiment through somatic sessions, and passion through dynamic sequencing and cathartic dance. As the Mediterranean sun sets meditation, breathwork, and sound healing anchor the day. Workshops will translate the latest science into tangible lifestyle tools. Led by experts in longevity, metabolic health, medicine and more, these sessions will explore the regulation of sleep, hormones, stress and cells – making complex topics accessible and actionable. Biohacking will also take centre stage – from personalised diagnostics to real-time tracking tools and expert-led talks from experts including Rowena Gates, Jeff Lioon and others – giving participants the chance to try the latest equipment daily, at an affordable price. These interventions include NanoVi®, a cutting-edge technology using bio-identical signaling to enhance protein function, reduce inflammation and support cellular repair and performance. OligoScan, another advanced tool, uses light waves to measure the body’s absorption of minerals and heavy metals – offering rapid, in-depth insights into nutritional health and potential toxic exposures. Respiratory Equilibrium PNOE Testing is a non-invasive breath test that analyses 23 fitness biomarkers, including lung and cardiac health, to create custom fitness plans. Mindfulness helps guests quiet the noise and come back to themselves. Through guided practices and reflective techniques, they’ll learn how to relax the nervous system, reset their perspective, and become more present in the moment – creating space for clarity, renewal and manifestation. Nutrition plays a crucial role, too. Guests will walk through the retreat’s herb gardens with Euphoria’s chefs, picking ingredients for the day’s meals “They learn which herbs help digestion, which boost energy. Then we send them home with recipes that make healthy eating feel like a pleasure, not punishment” explains Efraimoglou. Human connection will be at the center. “We’ve watched what happens when people put down their phones and look each other in the eye,” says Efraimoglou. “They laugh more. They connect. They remember they’re human.” Evening gatherings without digital distractions will allow participants to share stories, music, and meaningful conversation around the fire – elements as vital to longevity as diet and exercise. Three unique night-time events will bring an extra sense of magic to the festival. These include a full moon hike* along ancient forest trails up the sacred peak of Mount Taygetus where guests will get to experience the remarkable natural phenomenon of the pyramid shadow cast upon the Messinian Gulf; an open-air concert* in the ancient theatre of Messini featuring a rare concertante style performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma; a candlelit concert at Euphoria’s outdoor theatre celebrating the retreat’s seventh birthday. The festival draws impressive names from around the globe. Among others, Taryn Toomey, creator of The Class – an intense workout combining movement, breathwork, sound, strength training and emotional release – will guide participants to experience the alchemy of body, mind and spirit. Emily Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation, will teach simple, proven formulas, blending ancient wisdom and modern science, to help participants meditate and manifest their dreams. Human Garage founders Jason Van Blerk and Aisha Rodrigue will introduce their pioneering fascia-focused methodology, designed to help the body unwind tension patterns and return to its natural alignment. Renowned yoga teacher, wellness coach, and spiritual guide Janet Stone, will lead sessions on Yoga and Chanting, guiding participants on a journey inward to connect with their deeper purpose. Marina Efraimoglou and Mary Vandorou will host special sessions on the Euphoria Methodos, drawing from the wisdom of the Five Elements applicable tools for every-day longevity practices. Participants will also explore nutrition for macrozoe through interactive cooking lessons with Michelin award-winning Greek chef Lefteris Lazarou. Joining them are internationally recognised medical experts and Euphoria Retreat medical partners Dr. Ioannis Harizanis, Chief of Medical at IMON MED, and Dr George Leon, founder of EUCRASIA, who will share the latest breakthroughs in precision medicine, and the longevity practices. Importantly, the Wellbeing Festival has been thoughtfully created so that everyone feels welcome – with flexible booking options, inclusive pricing, and an open spirit that reflects Euphoria’s belief that wellbeing should belong to all. The Euphoria Longevity Festival aims to establish itself as Greece’s definitive destination for authentic longevity wisdom – one that guests return to, year after year. It’s the event everyone will be talking about this summer. Don’t miss it! For more information or to book, email reservations@euphoriaretreat.com or call +30 2731 306 111 / +30 695 661 2049‬.‬

20/06/2025
Discover Macrozoe: Greece’s Path to Longevity Wellbeing Festival at Euphoria Retreat
Travel Tips

The Xerxes Project: Eastern Halkidiki, the place where the Persian King Xerxes passed

Fishing in the seas of the Persian King Xerxes! Seascapes. The two seas of Athos are also the seas of the Persian king Xerxes. Fishing in pristine, unpolluted and clean waters. The Aegean Sea. The Mediterranean. The smell of iodine. The morning air. The afternoon breeze. The fishing boats. As if from a painting. And you, a touch of carefreeness somewhere on a red boat in the Gulf of Athos. Fishing under the summit of Mount Athos. Where Xerxes was towing his fleet. Around you, green hills, small islands and a blessed peace. And Mount Athos is high, towering - the view of it is riveting. It captivates you. Everywhere you look, you end up drawn to its summit. And then you dive in. Lots of octopuses. Seashells. And then you start fishing again. Dusky groupers. Greater amberjacks. Fish big and small. All around you the locals are casting nets. Others are occupied with the fishing line. And you, a touch of carefreeness in their midst - in the sea of Xerxes and Athos. Come on! Experience it!

16/06/2025
The Xerxes Project: Eastern Halkidiki, the place where the Persian King Xerxes passed
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Athens’ Top Tables for Sipping Greece’s Finest Wines

In recent years, Greek wines have emerged as standout Mediterranean contenders alongside Italian, French, and Spanish vintages. Hellenic winemakers have honed their craft, and today, their bottles grace fine dining tables around the world. Collectors and connoisseurs are taking note. With some of the world’s oldest terroirs and a remarkable array of indigenous grape varieties, Greece offers wine lovers much to discover. Here are The MICHELIN Guide’s top picks in Athens—restaurants where diners can sip outstanding Greek wines while savoring local dishes at their best. Pharaoh: Discovering the New Guard of Greek Winemakers Opened by a globe-trotting journalist, this trendy restaurant and bar in the Exarchia neighborhood is the perfect spot to sample wines from Greece’s new generation of producers. As a DJ spins funk or bossa nova vinyl, diners enjoy excellent wood-fired Mediterranean cuisine paired with a curated selection of natural and biodynamic wines. With over a hundred Greek labels—including rare finds—alongside a thoughtful mix of European vintages (mainly from France and Italy), the list is both original and full of surprises. Many are available by the glass, encouraging a spirit of discovery. All regions of Greece are represented, from the Cyclades to Thrace, passing through the Peloponnese. Don’t miss the wines from the island of Tinos, produced by Domaine de Kalathas on granite soils cultivated for nearly 6,000 years, using indigenous grape varieties such as white potamisi and red koumariano. The sommelier might suggest an old-vine malagouzia from Tatsis in Macedonia, with bright notes of white flowers and chamomile. These wines embody the renaissance of the Greek vineyard, where a new guard of winemakers is reimagining tradition and radically transforming their methods. Botrini’s: A Delicate Balancing Act A visit to One-Starred Botrini’s means venturing beyond central Athens and its famed monuments—a detour well worth making. Led by charismatic Corfiot chef Ettore Botrini, meals unfold as culinary odysseys through Greece in 10 to 13 courses. For the sommelier Alexandros Gkaraflis, it’s a balancing act to find wines that can pair with two or three dishes at a time—an art executed with finesse. The 100% Greek food-and-wine pairing alternates between established labels and hidden gems, offering a fantastic opportunity to discover the country’s diverse wine regions and wealth of indigenous grape varieties. With more than 350 Greek wines in the cellar, there’s much to explore. A recent meal opened with a surprising and delightful sparkling wine from the north, made using traditional methods. Then came a Santorini Assyrtiko from Argyros, which was aromatic and minerally, slightly reminiscent of a great Riesling, and paired beautifully with swordfish and bonito. The Syros rosé "Ousyra," an extremely rare production vinified with the Fokiano grape variety, made a daring yet successful match with carabinero shrimp in bisque. Foundi's classic Xinomavro de Naousa, often compared to Piedmont’s Barolo, was the perfect companion to local milk-fed lamb with eggplant. The symphony concluded with a Muscat from Cephalonia by Petrakopoulos. CTC Urban Gastronomy: Exploring Lesser-Known Wines At CTC, chef-owner Alex Tsiotinis’ elegant restaurant, set in a villa in the Keramikos neighborhood, wine is much more than an afterthought. The focus here is on celebrating the expertise of Greek winemakers and the diversity of the country’s vineyards, whether on the islands or mainland. The cellar features nearly 300 Hellenic wines, offered in two distinct pairings: one exclusively Greek and another that includes select bottles from across Europe. Sommelier Kanellos Triantafillopoulos favors small producers with whom he has cultivated relationships over the years. Take the Sclavos estate, a biodynamic pioneer on the Ionian island of Cephalonia, known for its remarkably fresh whites. Triantafillopoulos isn’t afraid to serve the once-controversial retsina—an ancient white wine infused with pine resin. Long associated with poor quality, it’s now being reclaimed by a new generation of producers, such as Kechris in Thessaloniki, who are reviving its noble heritage. Likewise, the aged muscat from Samos, matured for at least six years in barrels, is, in the sommelier’s opinion, an underrated gem for dessert. His ultimate dream? To one day cultivate his own vineyard and introduce his personal wines to CTC’s guests. Delta: Rare Wines for a Memorable Culinary Journey Located at the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center, this Two MICHELIN Star restaurant offers a truly unique experience. Its technically impeccable culinary performance—rooted in the excellence of Greek terroir—calls for wines that are anything but ordinary. Here, the wine must adapt to the cuisine, not the other way around. "Wine should never dominate," says the young sommelier Dimitris Zannikos, who frequently visits vineyards to meet producers, sometimes bringing the Delta team along. As a result, the selection has been finely tuned to offer precise pairings. Special attention has also been given to vintages, ensuring that guests are often offered multiple expressions of the same wine. This long-term approach has built a cellar rich in rare and distinctive bottles. The wine list is particularly comprehensive, with many biodynamic labels and a variety of vinification styles. Indigenous grape varieties are celebrated, offering Greek wines that reflect the character of the local terroir. You won’t find Greek Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc here, but rather standout Assyrtiko or Xinomavro—like the 2013 Diaporos from Ktima Kir-Yianni in Naousa, the homeland of the latter variety, served alongside picanha of beef. Wines that transcend prejudices are also invited onto the menu, such as the Verdea from the Ionian island of Zante produced by Domaine Grampsas, known for its freshness and saline notes. Dessert wines are not overlooked either, like this Malvasia from Monemvasia (in the Peloponnese) from Tsibidis, with its sweet notes of candied fruit.

23/05/2025
Athens’ Top Tables for Sipping Greece’s Finest Wines
Travel Tips

Athens: Top Restaurants for Vegetarian Food

Explore the Inspectors' picks for the best places to find a vegetarian meal in the vibrant Greek capital. Greek cuisine, like most Mediterranean fare, has a natural inclination towards plant-led dishes and delicious dairy produce. Any reputable taverna will offer enticing salads and delightful vegetable mezzes. But what about fine dining? Today, many establishments feature strictly vegetarian (and often vegan) tasting menus, or at least a variety of dishes free from meat and fish. Here are four standout venues from The MICHELIN Guide that cater to plant-powered diners. Aleria: Plant-Focused Gastronomy in a Charming Villa Located in a gorgeous neoclassical villa dating back to 1895, this gourmet restaurant in the Keramikos district has been offering a 100% vegetarian menu for several years. Presented in five to seven courses, with optional wine pairings, it delights diners of all dietary preferences — vegetarians, flexitarians, and omnivores alike. This bold and innovative approach is the brainchild of Gikas Xenakis, the establishment's affable chef. Having been vegetarian for part of his life and married to someone who doesn't eat meat, he excels at elevating plant-based ingredients, making them not just palatable but desirable. His menu creations, even those with animal proteins, are inspired primarily by vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits from his lush garden just outside Athens. His vegetarian cuisine draws from the rich Greek culinary tradition, abundant in vegetables, grains, herbs, and cheeses, yet he reinterprets it with a playful twist, offering genuine culinary dishes that are both accessible and surprising. His mission? To serve dishes where the absence of meat is never perceived as something lacking. A passionate mushroom forager, he enhances his plates with porcini, morels, and local truffles as alternatives to meat, complemented by richly concentrated sauces. Among his signature dishes are Hortopita, a Greek pie made with 12 varieties of herbs or green vegetables, and Mushroom Pastitsio, a vegetarian twist on a classic Greek dish traditionally made with braised oxtail. It's good to know that the menu can be easily adapted for a vegan diet too. Hytra: Mediterranean Essence with a Modern Twist For over a decade, Hytra, a MICHELIN-Star restaurant, has been offering its enticing vegetarian menu. Its success has consistently attracted a diverse clientele: "On certain summer days, nearly half the guests order this menu!" shares Chef George Felemegkas proudly. For him, it aligns perfectly with the restaurant's philosophy, which revolves around Mediterranean cuisine focused on carefully selected ingredients. The approach almost exclusively involves local, organic, and seasonal raw materials, addressing growing concerns over environmental conservation. The restaurant sources from three local farms around Athens, while awaiting produce from its own burgeoning garden. Served in seven courses, the vegetarian menu — which can also be made vegan — is always curated independently from other menus; it's never a mere adaptation of a meat-based menu! While the Mediterranean traditionally celebrates plant-based dishes, the chef also draws inspiration from recipes from his Peloponnesian village, Kalávryta. His time at Quique Dacosta in Spain taught him a strict respect for produce, exemplified by a dish where the tomato reigns supreme, elevated by wild strawberries, small peppers, and freshly harvested micro greens, adding a spicy punch to the smooth texture. Makris Athens: Dishes Resembling Vibrant Bouquets Makris takes its name from the antique name of the island of Corfu, where the establishment began its culinary journey in 2018 at Domes Miramare Corfu. Today, the elegant MICHELIN-Starred restaurant perches on Athens’ ancient Agora, a site with nearly three millennia of Greek history etched into its stones. There's even ancient remnants in the cellar of the restaurant, which was one of Athens' first hotels, opened over 200 years ago. However, the cuisine served here by Chef-Owner Peter Dimas is anything but archaic, wholeheartedly embracing the future, as reflected in his vegan "Physis" menu. Inspired by the family’s extensive garden in his hometown near Athens, his culinary creations revolve around exceptional produce that's often hard to find elsewhere. He cultivates dozens of different tomato species, up to 50 types of flowers simultaneously, rare or forgotten vegetables, and a dizzying array of herbs... All of this is organically and responsibly produced, respecting nature. Rather than sourcing from other suppliers when a product is unavailable, he prefers to adapt his menus. Naturally, winter yields fewer vibrant ingredients, but with root vegetables, salads, or mushrooms, he always has enough to offer an unforgettable experience. His plates, colorful and spectacularly arranged, are presented as generous bouquets to the guests, snapshots of the current season. To accompany the meal, there's a choice of 30 Greek olive oils — an extraordinary luxury! Additionally, an intriguing pairing of various juices and kombuchas is provided, superbly complementing the delicate and vivacious flavors of the vegetarian menu. Meanwhile, the house cellar includes a broad selection of Greek and European wines, with some certified vegan bottles. Ovio: An Italian Excursion in the Heart of Athens An Italian restaurant in Athens? Why not, if it's as good as Ovio. Located a stone's throw from Syntagma Square, it forms part of the local neighborhood's excellent dining scene. The setting is decidedly modern, far removed from the stereotypes often associated with Italian establishments and their inevitable clichés. On the menu, you'll find an impressive array of modernized Italian classics executed to perfection, including Caprese salad with ultra-creamy burrata, fresh pasta generously dusted with protected designation cheeses, top-tier grilled Florentine meats, or pizzas with dough that’s both airy and crisp. Many vegetarian dishes grace the menu, able to be enjoyed either indoors or on the terrace. The gnocchi with gorgonzola, pear, and walnut proves irresistible, as does the highly comforting chestnut risotto. These Italian recipes are occasionally infused with delicate Greek touches, like the spaghetti with savoro, a tangy tomato sauce with capers and vinegar. To accompany the meal, patrons can choose from one of the house's excellent cocktails or from a well-stocked wine list, featuring Italian classics as well as a few surprises from France. It's an establishment highly regarded by the locals in Athens.

15/05/2025
Athens: Top Restaurants for Vegetarian Food
Travel Tips

Meat Lover’s Guide to Athens: The City’s Top Carnivore Restaurants

For a break from Greece’s traditional veggie- and fish-forward tavernas, carnivores can head to Athens' MICHELIN-recommended spots where meat takes center stage. Located on the Attica peninsula and bordered by sea, Athens is well-positioned for access to fresh, high-quality ingredients. While the city is known for its seafood and vegetable-forward fare, a walk through its bustling central meat market — one of the most dynamic in Europe — reveals another side of the capital’s culinary identity. For those seeking more than grilled fish and leafy greens, Athens offers a range of MICHELIN-recommended restaurants where meat takes the spotlight. Here are four spots for carnivores in search of satisfying dishes: Gallina: Shareable Plates in a Stylish Setting Founded by an art collector, this restaurant is located at the foot of Philopappos Hill, near the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The striking design is the first thing that draws diners in — marble tables, terrazzo floors, artful lighting, and contemporary tapestries create an atmosphere far removed from traditional taverna settings. And yet, despite the modern backdrop, the vibe remains convivial. We recommend nabbing a seat at the counter for a front-row view of the bustling open kitchen and its dynamic team. The menu features shareable dishes, with plenty of meats sourced from the restaurant’s carefully selected breeders. A perfect meal might look like this: start with Wagyu beef tartare paired with Aegean shrimp and finished with a tuft of Oscietra caviar. Then, move on to the truffle chicken with beurre blanc, the grilled duck, or the mouthwatering faux filet, served with a rich béarnaise sauce. Call it comfort food with a touch of decadence. The wine selection is equally compelling, skewing toward local natural wines and a few choice bottles from France and Italy. Fine Mess Smokehouse: A Texan-Style Barbecue Experience in Athens At Fine Mess Smokehouse, the birthplace of democracy gets a taste of the Lone Star State. Opened in 2019, this establishment on the slopes of Lycabettus specializes in Texas-style barbecue, with an emphasis on the Southwest state's signature hot-smoking techniques. On a road trip through 39 of the 50 U.S. states, Chef-Owner Elena Kaperda discovered the art of meat preparation. After returning to Greece, she set out to design her own barbecue and bring Texas-style cooking to Athens. Kaperda selects ideal cuts for the requisite low-and-slow cooking, working exclusively with trusted sources. While the extraordinary beef generally comes from the U.S., local farms supply the pork and poultry. The beef brisket is a standout, requiring 12 hours of careful cooking. More than just a steakhouse, the restaurant offers a fine dining vibe — you won't find any souvlakis here. Each meat is paired with its own garnish, akin to a composed dish. Smoke plays a central role, infusing oil, tomatoes, and mayonnaise with its fragrant touch. As for drinks, the house cocktails are impressive — especially the list dedicated to the Old Fashioned, which features eight different variations. Vezené: Dining That's Refined and Surprising Ari Vezené revolutionized the Hellenic dining scene. The Greek-American entrepreneur opened various restaurants that challenged the status quo, from traditional taverns and rotisseries to fine dining establishments. Located in the vibrant district of the Athens Concert Hall, the elegant Vezené, with its white tablecloths and attentive service, has made its mark. This restaurant, an essential part of the city's dining scene, embraces contemporary Greek cuisine with surprising touches. Here, Vezené reaffirms his obsession with sourcing pristine ingredients. At Vezené, the menu is versatile, offering delicate seafood dishes, as well as plenty of meats, primarily sourced from Greece. The magic lies in the preparation: flamed, barbecued, or baked in a wood-fired oven. Beef is aged to perfection (30 to 40 days). Star dishes include wood-fired lamb and the exceptionally tender Wagyu rib. The wine list features Greek varieties alongside international selections, each chosen with an eye toward complementing the chef's dishes. VERi TABLE: True Bistro Charm Veritable, or "true" in French, is the inspiration for this bistro just north of Athens city center, where honest, local, and seasonal cuisine is always on the menu. Led by Alain Parodi, a French chef with MICHELIN Stars under his belt, VERi TABLE presents daily dishes on a simple slate menu where meat takes center stage. While some ingredients come from the finest producers in France—such as Bresse chickens, quail, pigeon, and foie gras—the beef and decadent fresh truffles are sourced from local producers, breeders, gardeners, and gatherers. Diners, primarily Greek, appreciate the bistro charm and precise cooking. In the dining room, Alain’s wife, Christine, sets the tone, treating both regulars and newcomers with warmth. A hunter-chef, Alain doesn’t shy away from game. In season, snipe, thrush, and wild boar take center stage. The quail ballotine with asparagus is an Inspector favorite, as is the crusted squab. Special mention goes to the superb French cheese platter, perfectly curated. Lastly, the French wine list, embracing all the terroirs of the Hexagon, acts as a magnet for gourmets within and beyond Athens, including esteemed chefs.

08/05/2025
Meat Lover’s Guide to Athens: The City’s Top Carnivore Restaurants
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Discover North Evia – hidden paradise of Greece

In the era of mass tourism it is not easy to find some hidden and undiscovered spots in Europe. One of the hidden paradise of Greece is North Evia – a place where you will feel like at home, with possibility to meet local people and understand traditional way of life, hear about mythology and history, try local and authentic food. From spa towns to wine tourism and from volcanic islands to best beaches in Greece – Evia is destination that you have to discover this summer. Evia, the second largest island of Greece and the third in the eastern Mediterranean, is located close to the Prefecture of Attica. However, it has a somewhat mainland character, since two bridges – the modern, suspended one and the older, sliding one – link it to mainland Greece, called “Sterea Ellada”. Evia has wonderful beaches, a pleasant climate, renowned monuments, many thermal sources and tasty food and is, therefore, a popular and nearby destination for the inhabitants of Athens. Various findings in several parts of the area (Istiaia, Kirinthos, Psachna, Amarynthos, Artaki, Karistos etc.) evidence that Evia was inhabited from the Paleolithic Era. Orei, Evia | © Ivan Andrejic Important archeological findings have been excavated from the period of copper. Ruins dating back to the Early Helladic period have been found in Lefkanti, Vasiliko and in Manika, Chalkida, while in Oreoi and Aliveri ruins of the Middle Helladic period have been found. Finally, tombs and ruins of post Hellenic and Mycenaean era have been excavated in many areas of Chalkida. The ancient cities of Evia established important colonies in the Mediterranean sea (Chalkidiki, Asia Minor, Southern Italy), while Eretria was one of the most powerful cities during the Classic period. During the Byzantine era, Evia was very prosperous and formed part of the Department of Greece. During the Ottoman occupation, Evia was under Turkish control even after Kapodistrias’ arrival, and it joined to Greece only after the firman of 13th of June 1830. After the tragedy of Asia Minor in 1922 a lot of refugees installed themselves permanently in Nea Artaki and Nea Lampsakos, as well as in refugee settlements in Chalkida and Amarynthos. During the Second World War, Evia was bombarded by the Germans while the resistance of the locals was very strong. A famous resort, which accommodates around 40.000 tourists during summer. The area is popular for its thermal spas which Aristotle and Plutarch used to visit. Nowadays, there are more than 80 thermal springs with temperature from 28° C to 86° C. The curative characteristics of these springs help diseases like arthritis, while with spa-therapy women can treat gynecological diseases and men sexual dysfunction. The settlement of Aidipsos is located 4km NE of the spa city. As for the region of Aidipsos, it is located 111 km NW of Chalkida. Aidipsos is connected by ferry to Arkitsa, Fthiotida. Lichadonisia is an island complex off the north west of Evia. Today this archipelago is famous as Caribbeans of Europe because its exotic colors and all shades of blue. The islands located opposite Lichada cape in the north-western extreme of Evia and opposite of small town Kamena Vourla in Central Greece mainland. Administratively, they belong to Istiaia-Aidipsos municipality, in Evia regional unit. The archipelago consists of seven beautiful islands. The biggest of them is Manolia and is the only that had residents in the past. Other islands are Strongyli, Mikri Strongyli, Steno, Vagia, Vorias and Limani. The biggest island – Manolia is visited by many tourists in the summer months. © Ivan Andrejic Gialtra is one of the best kept secrets of northern Evia, it is a fishing village where tourism is just beginning, so you will have beautifull beaches just for yourself. Gialtra is also a Spa like near by Aidipsos and you can find mineral springs and warm waters all year round. Locations near Gialtra include the Ancient city of Athinai Diades and the Village of Agios Georgios Gialtras. Wine tourism is very important for northern Evia and one of the most famous wineries is Vriniotis winery located in Gialtra, in North Evia , just a few kilometers from the Aidipsos and is open for visits every day of the year and the view is breathtaking. The tour follows a unique path through the vineyard , the old wine press , the winery , the cellar of oak barrels and ends in the tasting room, where visitors can taste and buy wines.

03/02/2025
Discover North Evia – hidden paradise of Greece
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