Greece is the fourth most popular destination in Europe

Greece is the fourth most popular tourist destination in the EU in 2010, according to EU Eurobarometer poll was published. First popular tourist destination in the EU is Spain followed by Italy and France. When asked, "Where you intend to go on holiday in 2010, 8.3% replied in Spain, Italy 6.1%, 5.8% in France and 3.9% in Greece. According to the survey, in 2010 76% of Greeks intend to make tourism in Greece, while only 2% plan to visit Italy and Germany. The criteria for the choice of tourist destination for Greeks are the local environment and beauty (37% versus 32% for Europeans), cultural heritage (26% versus 25% for Europeans) and entertainment (19% versus 16% for Europeans). The majority of Greeks organize their own holidays and trips (79%), compared with 58% of Europeans. In travel agencies addressed only 9% of Greeks to organize their holidays, compared with 23% of Europeans. Finally, according to the survey, travel is more popular among Norwegians (84%), the Finns (83%) in the Netherlands (79%) and Irish (78%).

Serbian “vote” Greece, for the summer

Approximately a 50% of Serbian tourists will be tourists on a Greek resort this year, according to a survey of the Serbian Union of Tourist Agencies (YUTA).
As stated in the publications of the newspapers "Blits", "Press" and "Couriers" in Belgrade, Greece is the leading tourist destination for this year in Serbia, followed by Spain with 18% and Turkey 12%.
Meanwhile, comprehensive tribute to Thesprotia hosted the Sunday edition of the "Blits", entitled: "By meeting new Greek landscapes.
The publication was given detailed information on tourist destinations in the prefecture of Thesprotia, attractions and natural beauties, rich accompaniment of photographic material.

Rugby match in Patras

A Rugby Match, had the opportunity to attend the Patras fans, for the first time in Patra, that the last Saturday was held a match between the men's national teams of Greece and Finland. The race was held in Patras Stadium and indeed there were many who rushed to see the sport that is becoming more recognizable in Greece. The interests of national Greece managed to impose a 31-10 (22-10 half) of Finland, the first match for the Nations Cup of FIRA, FIFA World Cup in New Zealand in 2011. Finally it is worth mentioning that the Greek national team coach, is the Olivier Magne.

White House on Obama-Papandreou meeting

The White House released a statement on Saturday announcing a March 9 meeting here between US President Barack Obama and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.

The White House also referred to Greece as the "birthplace of democracy" and its standing as a US ally in joint efforts aimed at stability and prosperity in the latter's region and throughout the world, as well as to deep historical and cultural bonds between the two countries.

Source:www.express.gr

Art exhibitions on the ancient olive trees on Crete

An exhibition of works of art from Greek and foreign artists to the ancient olive trees on Crete, which will tour in Crete, Attica in order to travel in Europe, preparing the Network of Cultural Associations. In this report, the artists will be invited to give their own message through art, to protect the environment, in particular for the preservation of ancient olive trees on Crete threatened and which are a benchmark in the history and culture of our island "witnessing" one, so far, well-preserved environment needs to be maintained unchanged.

Already the Prefecture of Heraklion Gouves and responding positively to placing a specially designed area in the International Exhibition Center of Crete, and proposals submitted and other Prefectures of the island. In parallel, the World Council of Cretans has expressed its support of this effort.

Title of the report scheduled to be "ancient olive groves of Crete, over time, meaning the past and the future tense. Already have expressed their interest in participating in projects in the exhibition of Greek and foreign artists.

Source: www.express.gr

The investment guru Mark Mobius was in Athens?

Opportunities in Greece looking for one of the best-known professional investors in the world. The Mark Mobius seems to fathom the Greek market, having as revealed through his blog in recent days found in Athens, where he met the Greek governments business.
Opportunities despite challenges "is the title of the article published on his blog the investor of 34 billion dollars. As revealed recently had the opportunity to meet in Athens with the administrations in which firms invested for the first time many years ago.
"We began to buy shares listed on the Athens when Greece still considered an emerging market. Since then, entered the European Union in 1981, adopted the euro in 2001 and hosted the Olympic Games in August 2004, "he writes.

Festival of amateur short films, in Patras

On February 26, 2010 will be held at Old Arsakeion Patras Festival amateur short films. The films will be screened by new authors zero budget production:
Invisible bullets - George Efthimiou - 5 '
Slight twitching of the face - Random artwork - 5 '
Do you see a child hare - Art Group Kalompa - 18 '
Deepfreeze - Random artwork - 26 '
The Spectator - Grigoris Georgakis, Peter Kolotourou - 32 '
Table - Theodore Lata - 10 '
Parallel tracks in the same city: The Pavilion - Group A.S.T.O. - 17 '
The known universe - Vassilis Lykidis - 11 '
Iomecoming - Socrates Galiatsatos - 5 '
The screenings will start at exactly 21:00

Invest in Greece in Australian Market

A delegation of Invest in Greece representatives visited Australia to present investment opportunities in tourism, real estate, renewable energy sources and technology to Australian investors.

For the first time, representatives of Invest in Greece visited Australia from November 30 to December 10, 2009, and held meetings and events in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. The mission was held within the framework of the business plan for foreign direct investment attraction into Greece. The Invest in Greece delegation included specialised staff in the tourism, real estate, RES and technology sectors, who were accompanied by the economist Dr. P. Athanasoglou. The delegates held three investment seminars, in cooperation with the Greek Embassy in Canberra and the Greek –Australian Commercial & Industrial Chamber.

More than 200 businesspeople and members of the federal and central government attended the seminars. Also present was the Greek Ambassador to Australia, Alexios Christopoulos, and the Consuls General from Sydney and Melbourne. One-on-one meetings were held to discuss investment opportunities in RES, tourism, waste management and ICT. Successful Australian investments in Greece were presented.

The Australians showed particular interest in the PV and geothermal sectors due to Greece’s high feed in tariffs for electricity from RES and attractive investment opportunities in geothermal and solar power.

The development and management of marinas was another sector in which investors focused. High quality human resources were highlighted and the Australians were pleasantly surprised by the high level of talent and competitive labour costs. “I had no idea that Greece has such a pool of talented people. Unfortunately, we had no idea of this great opportunity when we established our businesses in Estonia. However, we are determined to take advantage of this in our next business expansion,” said a high level executive from an Australian computer technology company.

The Australian economy has proven to be resilient in the global economic downturn. Based on exports of natural resources and strong activity in real estate, the Australian economy is not expected to shrink in 2010.

Source: http://www.investingreece.gov.gr/

In Greece, the oldest house in Europe

Geophysical surveys on the hill head to Knossos revealed findings from the oldest farmhouse in Greece and perhaps in Europe, dating between 7000 and 6400 BC The important discovery was presented by the Director of the British School at Athens university professor and Ms. Catherine Morgan's annual open meeting of the School building of the Archaeological Society.

The discovery was made using high-tech radar and in cooperation with Dutch scientists in investigations conducted by May 2009 for mapping and visualization of archaeological and geological sediments in the area of Knossos.

Source: www.kathimerini.gr

"Gourmet Traveller" is tribute to Greece

Tribute in Greece is the March issue of the Australian magazine "Gourmet Traveller".
The super colorful tribute of the magazine, is a hymn for Greece and its landmarks, including Greek recipes, suggestions for holidays and presents luxurious hotels in the tourist paradise of the country.
In a multiple-page issue, including famous expatriates in Australia, recording their experiences in Greece and offer readers taste, but also cultural, experience themselves singled out by traveling back home.

On Sunday the Carnival of Patras

Valentine Day on February 14, is expected to peak the biggest festival in winter in Greece, which is none other than the Patras Carnival.

The schedule of events, the remaining one week is quite rich and this year is expected to attract lots of viewers, who will hasten to a close enjoy the beautiful spectacle, which will offer people who participated in the two parades and the impressive floats.

The Achaean capital is "wear" the decor of Carnival the last two weeks, and the imagination of Patras, once again, will surprise and "stealing" the show.

Within three days left then, the Municipality of Patras has prepared several events, which are as follows:

Thursday 11/2/2010

Street Theater 18:00 pm The band tours the City Center City

Dance Mayor

Photo Exhibition Vas Papaioannou Patras' Patras, a city carnival "Platia Olgas

12/2/2010 Friday afternoon

The band tours the City Center City

20:30 Floats Parade

Photo Exhibition Vas Papaioannou Patras' Patras, a city carnival "Platia Olgas

13/2/2010 Saturday 12:30

The tour Sokolatorichtes Town Center City

18:30 Street Theater

Evening Parade

5th Bourboulia

Photo Exhibition Vas Papaioannou Patras' Patras, a city carnival "Platia Olgas

14/2/2010 Sunday

14:00 Grand Parade

6th Bourboulia

Closing Ceremony

Dance AMBASSADORS

Photo Exhibition Vas Papaioannou Patras' Patras, a city carnival "Platia Olgas

15/2/2010 Monday

19:00 Ceremony Awards

Patmos is one of Europe's Most Idyllic Places to Live

If you want to be in your own unspoiled world, move to one of these picturesque spots.
The above phrase is describe the island of Patmos, at an text at the www.forbes.com .

Last year, the rising dollar meant European property was becoming more affordable. But even now that the globe is fully in recession, Europe's most idyllic locations have yet to lose any of their charm.

Fortunately, that hasn't led to high prices absolutely everywhere. While many tranquil spots in Europe remain pricey (think Tuscany), others like the Greek island of Patmos have remained somewhat easier on the wallet.

What Patmos--a tiny island in the Aegean Sea--doesn't have in terms of expense it makes up for in religious history. Also known as the Holy Greek Island of Patmos (it's where St. John is thought to have written the Book of Revelation), the island is home to more than 50 churches. But it has its origins in Greek mythology: The legend goes that Zeus allowed Patmos to rise up from the ocean, and humans are thought to have settled there as far back as 2000 B.C.

In Depth: Europe's Most Idyllic Places To Live

Patmos also offers peace and quiet, with a population of just under 3,000 and space of 13 square miles--and it isn't teeming with tourists. The only means of transport to and from there is a ferry boat from the neighboring islands of Samos or Kos, yet visitors who know of the place return time and time again.
"Patmos' saving grace is that it has no airport," says Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. "It is quiet, traditional and removed but not primitive. That and a beautiful interior and great beaches draws a very sophisticated crowd."
Yet living here won't dent the wallet too much. A three-bedroom house located about a five-minute walk from the beach will set you back 300,000 euros ($428,700). A one-bedroom house, also near the beach--it's hard not to be on such a small island--costs around 160,000 euros ($228,650).
"Prices in Patmos haven't really moved too much in the last year," says Elena Panagopoulou, of GoldAcre Estates in Patras, Greece. She adds that while property prices have slid in Athens, they've been resilient on the country's 227 inhabited islands.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/03/europe-most-idyllic-places-lifestyle-real-estate.html

On Sunday the Patras Carnival of kids

Two days only remain, for the Carnival of the kids, as on Sunday about 10,000 small carnival, will dance to the central streets of Patras, on Sunday, Feb. 7 with the central slogan "seeds emit a distress ...."

This year the Patras kids Carnoval is close 15 years, expected to rouse young and old, offering one of the most powerful moments and quality of Patras Carnival.

Eleven carnival floats, the most of influenced by this year's theme for the Environment, 63 groups from schools, kindergartens, schools and other dance clubs involved for the child, including contributions outside of Patras, the carnival will leave their imprint and trigger the mood soaring.

Flights from Zakynthos to London

Posted online contract signed by local tour operators in the airline Easy Jet, a very positive development for the tourism economy of Zakynthos.

This company, provides direct low-cost tickets, there will be direct flights from London to the island and back during the next season with individual visitors, to compensate the model of mass packaged tourism to promote the tour opereitor.

The Patras Carnival starts

Patras is the third biggest city of Greece, but also is famous throughout Greece and the world for the unique Carnival of Patras, which annually raise the sight of thousands of spectators.

The best carnival of Greece, with fabulous floats and enjoyment that you will not find anywhere else. Every year 200.000 visitors come to see the parade and have fun at the carnival.

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Approximately 40,000 to carnival (carnival major) and 10,000 in small carnival, filled the streets with colors and notes, creating a great celebration.

The entire city from the Opening Ceremony Saturday, January 16 at 9 pm until the Closing Ceremony Sunday, February 14 will be coordinated in their own unique frequency of joy, of fun, inspiration and creative ...

In George Square, thousands of colorful fireworks in the sky to be launched from three different points in George Square to follow an amazing laser show, with one of the largest laser that exist in Greece with colors and patterns, which is writing to all the length and width of the square.

The celebrations of Theofania

The day of Theofania was celebrated yesterday in every corner of Greece. The water is sanctified by the priest, as a way to deal with the elves, but is really interesting to read how the Greek people celebrating the Theofania in different areas.

In the island of Ionio Lefkada: holy oranges
The faithful gathered beside the sea and the priest throws the cross into the water, as in many parts of the country. But in Lefkada, along with the cross, the sea and throwing a bunch of oranges tied together with a rope. Then the blessed oranges, hung next to icons in churches.

Hermione Korinthos: seafarers diver
Shortly before the cross was dropped into the sea, the 'diver' characteristics known as the lads who will dive to catch the cross, wearing traditional costumes of old sailors and turn from house to house singing. The housewives of the welcoming greetings and traditional treats and wish them every success in dive below.

Kastoria: the revived Ragoutsaria
On the day of Epiphany in Kastoria revived Ragoutsaria. The people wearing scary masks to exorcise evil from the region and seek "compensation" from passersby for the good they do in the city. Similar is the custom "rokatzaria, which revived in Drama, where people with terrifying masks rid of evil spirits.

Halkidiki: the king and fotarades
In many villages of Halkidiki still revives the custom of Fotaradon. The "king" is loaded with bells opens the dance and follow Fotarades, believers of nationals with wooden swords, trying to prevent anyone trying to steal a sausage that is set up in the village square

Galatista Halkidiki: the camel and the kidnapping ...
This is a custom, which revived continuously since the late 19th century. Then, someone in love to kidnap the beloved under the eyes of the Turkish Commissioner, has an idea of a unique trick. Erected a feast in the village while he created the effigy of a camel in which he hid and friends of the kidnappers who entered the house and stole his girlfriend.

St. Baptist Halkidiki: the Fruits & Vegetables and bats
Rich in traditions of Lights, the Chalkidiki revives the custom of Fruits and Vegetables in Agios Prodromos. On the eve of Epiphany, some lads, the Fruits and Vegetables, saying the carols and instead of money, housewives give them meat and sausages. On the day of St. John the Fruits and Vegetables dancing in the village square. When they break out of the circle dance, grab a bat and just re-enters the dance, the bats fly up and whistles to mark the end of the holiday season.

Drama: The bampougera and the ash
It is one of the most interesting traditions which you will find in Drama. On the eve of Theofania, women taking ashes from the fireplace and spread with the right hand in the house, saying spells to leave the goblins. On the day of Theofania and after the blessing of water, some residents-the-bampougera wearing animal skins, stand outside the church and holding a bag (supposedly filled with ashes) to beat this encountered bullies and the goblins!

Drama: the niggers and Alexander the Great
The custom of Nigger takes us many years back, when the Negroes warriors of Alexander the Great is said, that with their shouts able to prosecute their opponents of Indian elephants. Today, the locals, dressed in animal skins, wear bells and dancing in the street to chase the evil spirits and goblins. This custom, revived and in several areas of Kavala.

Thessaly: rivers and spraying
In many villages in Thessaly, where there are rivers, people get the icons from the church and the river transport. There, in the icy waters of the river, throwing the cross and sprinkle it with the icons, which then return to the church and tend to sprinkle with holy water and the fields to have a good harvest. In several villages in Thessaly, plunge the entire image in the river!

Dodecanese: the diver holding their breath
In Dodecanese but mainly in Symi and Kalymnos, the 'diver', those who dive to catch the cross, defying the low water temperatures of the sea, holding their breath to stay as long as possible under cold water. And of course, as long as the icy plunge, the fishermen of the islands with boats, forming a protective cordon around the diver, who are the lucky new year has just entered.
Source: naftemporiki.gr

Happy new year 2010!

Happy new year 2010!

Merry Christmas!!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy prosperous New Year, to everyone!!

A dream city in Greece....

Εvery year in Greece a city in Drama becomes a story. The city is none other as the Oneiroupoli, which every year celebrating.

Indeed, this year organized the birthday party of Oneiroupoli completed six years of operation. It was a spectacular program with incredible surprises for young and old.

The home of Santa Claus, the House of Surprises, the Post Oneiroupolis of the Workshop of Santa Claus, the fairy tally house/ Cinema, children collect rocks, the House of Arktouros and the Atelier of the Elves, you do to feel good for the spirit of Christmas.

For more information visit the following website http://www.oneiroupolh.gr.

Greece “wore” the winter “costume”

Sunshine and low temperatures prevailing in most ski resorts in Greece. The most of the tracks have opened and are ready to welcome their visitors, who are ready to be active in a variety of activities, like skiing, snowboarding and lots of.

Indeed, in normal operation at the Ski Center 3.5 Wells, Kaimaktsalan Pisoderi, Vasilitsa and Shelly, Parnassos and Kalavrita, who have make a different winter picture from that we usually bring to the mind of the most for Greece which is not visit able only during the summer months, but also during the winter.

Greece is rich in natural beauty with the scenery that is breathtaking and waiting to be discovered. A trip at Greece will convince you.

Campaign from the Bridge to "green driving"

The message of the need for behavioral change to "reverse climate, attempting to highlight the strains of Rion - Antirion" Harilaos Trikoupis during the time that in Copenhagen has come for the World Summit on the environment.

For several days the Rion - Antirion bridge "Harilaos Trikoupis bearing a large banner on the deck, with a variant of the same message in Greek and English:" The climate change - we change.

The reason they did together act as partners of the "Antirio - Copenhagen and Ecological Economics", which came at the Administration Building and the toll gates Antirio, to cut along the green ribbon campaign. From 7 to 18 January as long as the Copenhagen conference, the transit from the Bridge drivers will take a utilitarian notebook with information on the conference and advice of "green" driving.

First prize for Achaia

The first prize won the stand of the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities (TEDK) Prefecture of Achaia for the best creation, in the International Exhibition «Polis 2009», which held in the Exhibition Center of Thessaloniki HELEXPO.

The participation of the LUMC Achaia prefecture awarded for integrated functional, aesthetic and impeccable organization of the stand.

The Gregory Alexopoulos welcomed the award of the stand of Maharashtra and noted that the County raised substantially with the participation of the International Exhibition "Polis".

The new leader of New Democracy is Antonis Samaras

Prime Minister George Papandreou (r) greets the new leader of New Democracy, Antonis Samaras, at the latter’s office. The two men, aged 57 and 58 respectively, studied together at Amherst College in Massachusetts in the early 1970s.

Antonis Samaras took over yesterday as the leader of New Democracy from Costas Karamanlis after scoring a clear victory in Sunday’s election, which is seen as a clear mandate for the former finance, foreign and culture minister to begin reshaping the conservative party.

With almost all of the votes counted by last night, Samaras had taken 50.31 percent of the vote, compared to 39.34 for his main rival Dora Bakoyannis and 10.34 for Thessaloniki Prefect Panayiotis Psomiadis.

The new hours for Archaeological Sites

We almost passes in the winter and as for that, new hours for Archaeological sites are given from the Ministry of Culture.

From 8:30 a.m. to 3.00 pm set the working hours of Archaeological Sites, Museums and Monuments of State for the winter until March 31.

The turnout permitted until 2.30 pm Will remain closed on the 25th and 26th December, 1 January and 25 March. The day of Epiphany and Shrove Monday, all will work.

New coming flights at Greece

The company "Sky Express" will begin the new flights from 1 December until 1 April. The air route, from Heraklion, Crete - Kalamata - Thessaloniki and vice versa, will be useful for those who want to travel comfort and fast. Information on the allocation of air services to the "barren lines" should be taken the following days by the Civil Aviation Authority.

12o Money Show Patras

Another major event will held at Patras Greece the days 21 and 22 of November in Hotel «Astir». In the run enters its preparation conference Development Forum 2009 / 12th Patras Money Show.

The Thematic axis of the conference this year is "The Power of Alternative “, Economic and Business operation, the environment, the Administration, the Education and Research in Health, the Social Area, Culture and Sport.

The conference - Report Development Forum / Money Show Patras, organized annually by the Consultant EIA has now become one of the top developmental events in the region, and attracts thousands of visitors, major personalities, institutions, organizations and businesses that find a free forum and a field and create synergies.

"Philoxenia" International Fair of Thessaloniki

All the forms of tourism every year “meeting” in Thessaloniki Greece witch is organized the International Tourism Exhibition called «Philoxenia».

An exhibition that will put even more professional basis the meetings of hoteliers and other tourism operators in the hotel business equipment and support services.

The Philoxenia exhibitors will benefit from the presence of thousands of tourism professionals who visit every year the top tourist fairs, which takes place without interruption since 1985 in Thessaloniki.

Indeed this year «Philoxenia» closed 25 years thanks to the measures of internationalization of this year's report, it will be able to view not only in Greek but overall the Balkan market, as they will be both increased international participation among exhibitors and trade visitors from neighboring countries.

Source: http://www.helexpo.gr

The most expensive cities in the world

Annual research consulting firm known for cost of living in major cities around the world brings the capital of Greece in Athens on the 28th position in the list of most expensive cities in the world.

The first location is in Tokyo (2nd last year), followed by Osaka (from 22nd), Moscow (from 1), Geneva (from 8th), Hong Kong (from 6th), Zurich (from 9th), Copenhagen (7th last year), New York (from 22nd), Beijing (from 20th) and Singapore (from 13th).

Please note that Athens fell three places compared to last year (28th from 25th), while the report's authors point out that overall European cities have recorded sharp reductions in the list (eg Warsaw fell from 35th to 113th place), and most European currencies fell against the dollar.

NEP represent Patras at Len Trophy

Another important event, which will participated in the Patras team of water polo men, that its called NEP, will be held in the Netherlands at the city Amersfoort, from tomorrow until Sunday, with the games of the preliminary phase, for the European organization of the LEN Trophy.

NEP for the first time in history, has been involved in such an organization, making its maiden “voyage” in European events, and yet represent Patras and Greece, at the LEN Trophy.

Detailed program of events is as follows:.

The team from Patras – Greece, will play in Group D in the city Amersfoort, the Netherlands and will play in the series with the Irish Belfast (22/10, 8.25 pm), French SETE (23/10, 11:45), the Croatian Primorie Rijeka (23/10, 9.50 pm), the home Amersfoort (24/10, 8.25 pm) and Spain's Sabadell (25/10, 2.20 pm).

Τhe Olympic Flame

Τhe Olympic Torch Relay will pass through Greece and the largest ski resorts in the country on a journey that will last 8 days, of the XXI Olympic Winter Games «VANCOUVER 2010».

The Olympic Flame will stay overnight in Kalavrita Thursday, October 22, honoring the Ski Kalavrita and great efforts of local actors to create and maintain one of the best ski resorts in Greece.

The procession will start the flame from Ancient Olympia will go through the Pirgos, Amaliada Ancient Elis, the Divri, the Tripotama, Kleitoria and end up the same night in Kalavryta.

Then will reach the central city square, where there will be events for the reception, to the custody of the City Kalavrita and D.E.P.A.PO.Z. The Olympic Flame will depart the next day via the cog railway to the switch and then to Patras.