The United Kingdom’s new King Charles III, whose father Prince Philip was born in Corfu in Greece and was Prince of Greece and Denmark, has had a long affinity for Greece, visited often, and has said it’s one of his favorite places. His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II made only one trip to Greece – while still a Princess – but her son, and now King, said Greece had a special place for him as the country of some of his ancestors and he recently was on Corfu. It’s an island he has spent time on before for many years but not the only place in the country to which he goes, having been on Crete in 2018 and his wife Camilla, where they joined in Cretan dancing in traditional dress. They also visited the Knossos Archaeological site – the site of the Greek legend of King Minos – and then went to see stalls showing off Cretan products, displaying a genuine interest more than a royal duty. In March 2021, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence and freedom from Turkish rule, they came to Athens, and speaking at the Presidential Mansion in Athens he remarked as well on his love for Greece. He said that “Today, as in 1821, Greece can count on her friends in the United Kingdom. The ties between us are strong and vital, and make a profound difference to our shared prosperity and security. “In feeling a profound connection to Greece—her landscapes, her history, and her culture—I am hardly alone: there is something of her essence in us all,” he said. “As the wellspring of Western civilization, Greece’s spirit runs through our societies and our democracies. Without her, our laws, our art, our way of life, would never have flourished as they have.” At the dinner at the Presidential Palace, he exclaimed: “Hail, oh, joy, freedom! Long live Greece!” “It is a special joy for my wife and me that we are returning to Greece, which has a special place in my heart. After all, Greece is my grandfather’s homeland and my father’s birthplace, almost a hundred years ago, on the centenary of the Greek Revolution. Later, in Athens, my dear grandmother, Princess Alice, during the dark years of the Nazi occupation, saved a Jewish family – an act for which she was awarded the title of ‘Righteousness of the Nations’ by Israel,” said Charles It reminded of his visit three years earlier when, echoing a famed quote by 19th-Century English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, he acknowledged the debt Western Civilization owed Greece, remarking that, “We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature, our religion, our arts have their roots in Greece.” He met the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church and noted that he had also visited Mt. Athos and its monasteries several times, not just once as most visitors do to the far-flung area. “And having done this, I have gained a special appreciation for the traditions of the Orthodox Church,” he said. The ties to Greece include the birth of his grandfather at the Tatoi Palace on Mt. Parnitha, 17 miles from Athens and where many members of the Royal Family are buried. The site in.gr noted that he explained his fascination with Greece during his visit in 2018, saying: “I distinctly remember my first visit to Greece about 50 years ago … for me this first visit as well as all the subsequent ones I was lucky enough to make brought to life the fascinating stories about the beauty of the country and the character of the Greeks that I had heard growing up.” He began his visits in 1964, noted the site Fourals, the first official trip on Nov. 22, 1998, just 14 months after the death of his first wife, Princess Diana, in an automobile accident while the car she was in was being chased by paparazzi in Paris, smashing in a tunnel. When he came to Athens as part of the Britain and Greece Festival, he remarked again at the glory he saw and why it had touched him so. “This is the first opportunity I have been given in many years to see Athens, both ancient and modern. I really appreciate this opportunity, for example, to see the Acropolis and the neoclassical heritage of Athens, as well as what you are doing to help the modern city develop in harmony with the old one.” Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Adblock test (Why?)

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) has awarded more than $1.2 million to the UCLA SNF Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture and the SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University. This grant will support a collaborative, three-year pilot program to enhance academic mobility for faculty, staff, and students traveling between the two institutions and to bridge the geographical gap that divides academics and cultural producers in Greece and the West Coast of North America. The grant will also help both institutions expand on highly successful programming initiated in the last two years. The pilot program offers opportunities for a semester- and term-length residencies of authors, artists, and academics at the two institutions. Moreover, this innovative, collaboration-based, and capacity-building grant will bring faculty and students to Greece, where critical research tools, including languages and digital skills, will be imparted in the context of seminars and classes. According to Sharon Gerstel, Director of the UCLA SNF Hellenic Center, “we welcome the opportunity to establish collaborations across two excellent universities, two communities, two cities, and two countries. This program will substantially strengthen partnerships on the West Coast of North America and will establish new relationships with cultural agents and institutions in Greece. We are very grateful to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) for encouraging us to expand our Centers’ activities and influences in innovative and meaningful ways.” Existing programming at both Centers will expand through enhanced collaborations with institutions in Greece. Considering Los Angeles and Vancouver’s roles as hubs for the arts, the program will engage Greek writers and performers in dialogue with academics, artistic foundations, film festivals, and communities in both cities. This new initiative will capitalize on existing yet diffuse and fragmented resources and relationships to mobilize academic, artistic, and cultural production networks that will inspire academic and lay communities. The program expands on existing innovative programming, including open discussions with Greek mayors of small cities, and conversations with contemporary Greek authors. “We are thrilled to see two close SNF partners deepening their collaboration, exploring a model for how the international exchange of ideas and movement of people that are foundational to Hellenic culture can strengthen the field of Hellenic studies,” said SNF Co-Chief Programs Officer Casey Russo. “Sharing Greek culture around the world and sparking interest in Greece’s fascinating past and vibrant present have been a key focus for SNF from the very beginning. SFU and UCLA have excelled at engaging the public and advancing scholarship in this area through innovative and energetic new programs, and we’re so excited to see what comes out of this collaboration.” According to Dimitris Krallis, Director of the SNF Centre at Simon Fraser University, “working on Greek culture and history in North America can sometimes feel like a lonely enterprise, as resources are often scarce and university priorities keep guiding faculty and student focus in other, often more pedestrian, directions. The present collaboration allows us to meet across borders and continents and create community, both within the university and beyond. We see our Centers and the enhanced West Coast axis, we are establishing, as venues and avenues through which Greek cultural and educational output may circulate as it seeks to leave its imprint on audiences outside Greece.” The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare. SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact for society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The Foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means for serving public welfare. Since 1996, the Foundation has committed more than $3.4 billion through over 5,100 grants to nonprofit organizations in more than 135 countries around the world. Learn more at SNF.org. The UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture was established by a lead gift of $5 million from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) in 2018 and matching funds provided by generous members of the Hellenic and Philhellenic community of Southern California. Featuring two named professorships in Hellenic Studies, a lectureship in Modern Greek Language, student funding, and support for the arts, the Center builds on UCLA’s strengths across many academic fields, placing Hellenic culture within a broad historical and contemporary context. Language teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels engages students in the study of ancient, medieval, and modern Greek. In addition, the Center supports a comprehensive set of academic and public initiatives locally through strategic collaborations with organizations in Southern California, Greece, and Cyprus and partnerships with universities and cultural institutions. Learn more at https://hellenic.ucla.edu. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies was established in 2011 at Simon Fraser University through a large grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Situated atop Burnaby Mountain, just east of downtown Vancouver, the Centre is a major site for Hellenic studies in North America and is committed to the advocacy and study of Hellenism. Along with the SNF New Media Lab, it is dedicated to bringing the latest in mobile technology and pedagogy to the teaching and learning of the Greek language and seeks to promote a better understanding of Hellenism in the community by staging events for academic and lay audiences throughout the year. At the same time, the Centre supports undergraduate and graduate studies on Greece’s history, language, and culture through its home in the Department of Global Humanities, though at its core, the Centre focuses and supports research at SFU on Hellenic topics, from Antiquity to present-day Greece, through grants and postdoctoral fellowships. Learn more at https://www.sfu.ca/hellenic-studies.html. Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Adblock test (Why?)

The Social Housing Strategy announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) includes 6+1 measures for cheaper housing, ANA reports: These measures are: 1. Interest-free or low-interest mortgages for young people aged 25-39 2. Mass renovation of empty houses 3. Utilization of real estate of the State through the institution of social compensation 4. Subsidy for the energy upgrade of an owner-occupied residence for young people aged 18-39 5. Housing renovation subsidy for long-term lease 6. Creation of new modern student residences 7. Increase in student benefits RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: pixabay.com Adblock test (Why?)

The world-famous orchestra Jazz at Lincoln Center, part of Lincoln Center in New York City, will perform for the first time in Greece on Tuesday in an Athens concert to support a good cause, according to greekreporter.com. The concert, titled “Songs We Love,” will be held at the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus—the main venue of the prestigious Athens and Epidaurus Festival, located on the slope under the Acropolis. The jazz orchestra, consisting of three renowned performers and six musicians, is invited by Lifeline Hellas, the charity established by Athens-born Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia. Grammy nominee Catherine Russell, joined by Brianna Thomas and Shenel Johns, will perform famous jazz and blues songs covering the best moments in the history of jazz music from the 1920s to the 1960s. Proceeds from the concert will be used for the acquisition of state-of-the-art incubators to be offered to the 2nd University Hospital of Athens. “We come to this world to give, rather than to take; that’s what I learned from my Greek parents and grandparents,” Princess Katherine of Serbia told a press conference attended by the Greek Reporter. “Once you learn this from a young age, it becomes part of you.” Her grandson, Alexander, who was in the audience, had also been treated in an incubator when he was born, the Princess added on an emotional note. “I hope that all children learn to give, too, because they will be the ones to continue what we do,” HRH concluded. Helping preterm babies survive and developProfessor Vana Papaevangelou, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Athens School of Medicine, told journalists that the incubators to be acquired with the proceeds from the concert will help the “very small newborns” treated at the neonatal intensive care unit of the 2nd University Hospital, housed at Attikon Hospital in the outskirts of Athens. It is a small unit but serves about 350 preterm newborns per year, she explained. “The incubator is the continuation of the womb for children who are born way before their time, who are vulnerable, cannot stand the noise, cannot stand the cold environment outside the womb,” the Professor noted. “These incubators that we will be able to supply are technologically very good and they help the homeostasis of these newborns so they can develop properly.” She stressed that it is not only a matter of these babies surviving but also the need for good neurodevelopment, which is greatly aided by the incubators. Powerful jazz alliance in AthensJazz at Lincoln Center, the orchestra to perform in Athens on Tuesday for Lifeline Hellas, forms part of the largest organization for jazz music in the world. Its mission is to entertain, enrich, and expand a global community for jazz music. Their September 13, 2022 concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens is co-organized by Lifeline Hellas in collaboration with IMG Artists and Visionary Culture. Born to Robert and Anna Batis and educated in Athens and Lauzanne, Princess Katherine met HRH Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia in Washington DC, where she worked in business in 1984, and they were married in London a year later. Her charitable activities have been numerous, especially since the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, bringing much-needed relief to children, the elderly, and all those in need regardless of religion or ethnic origin, according to her official biography. Today, Princess Katherine is the patron of several humanitarian organizations internationally, including Lifeline Hellas. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Nikthestoned Adblock test (Why?)

What’s expected to be another record tourism year despite the waning COVID-19 pandemic is fueling enough economic growth in Greece even to withstand pouring state aid into helping households deal with soaring energy costs, bank chiefs said. Estimates have been that growth will exceed 5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 197.2 billion euros ($200.3 billion,) after an impressive 7.7 showing for the second quarter of 2022. Even record inflation that’s cutting into the purchasing power of Greeks and scaling back supermarket sales isn’t having a significant deterrent effect on the economy coming back, said Kathimerini. The chief Eurobank Fokion Karavias and Piraeus Bank Christos Megalou however said there shouldn’t be any relaxation of trying to accelerate recovery and that fiscal restraint is needed. But Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he would give 5.5 billion euros ($5.41 billion) in handouts ahead of the 2023 elections, but backed away from a pledge to consider reducing the 24 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on food. It’s a balancing act to reach out to voters but keep the state coffers in line and try to get Greece back to market status with ratings agencies to help lure more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI.) Karvias said the second quarter growth “in a deteriorating international environment was a surprise, exceeding all expectations and confirming the dynamic recovery after the pandemic,” the paper reported. The reasons, said Megalou, were “strong domestic demand and the course of tourism,” factors which, he notes, “are expected to continue bolstering growth in the third quarter.” He added that “The dynamic of these two factors was reflected in the very strong growth of the second quarter … as well as in the upward revision of the GDP in the first quarter from 7 percent to 8 percent.” He said that “Despite the expected slowdown in the fourth quarter, we consider the possibility of growth exceeding the level of 5.8 percent, which is our forecast at Piraeus Bank for the whole of 2022, to be significant.” Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Tilemahos Efthimiadis Adblock test (Why?)

Greece confirmed 33,590 new SARS-CoV-2 cases in the week of September 5-11, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) said in its weekly statistics report on Tuesday, ANA reports. During the week of September 5-11, there were also 129 deaths from Covid-19, or 12 deaths per 1 mln people (weekly change: -30%), bringing the total of pandemic victims since the pandemic began to 32,894. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Adblock test (Why?)

Tsimikas Football Clinics for the first time in Greece The top sports tourism event Navarino Challenge, will showcase once again the beautiful natural environment of Messinia with more than 30 activities taking place at Costa Navarino and Pylos, on October 21-23, 2022 for the event’s 10th anniversary. The running activity, which has been an integral part of Navarino Challenge since 2013, will be the main attraction once again and will be available to everyone, professional and amateur participants, people of all ages and abilities from all over the world. Running is one of the event’s wellness activities that brings children and parents closer to sports by giving them the opportunity to run on routes that cover all needs and demands. Run in the unique 5km route powered by Samsung Fans of short distance running can choose the 5km powered by Samsung. Participants of all ages will run along a magnificent route by the sea, among hundreds of centuries-old olive trees with stunning views of the Ionian Sea, with a start and finish point at Costa Navarino. Amazing gifts from Samsung Electronics Hellas will await the runners at the finish line. Run in the top Greek Half Marathon powered by Miele The route of the Half Marathon powered by Miele starts from the premises of The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and heads towards the south exit of the complex. The participants will run the 21.1 km of the route, together with the Greek-American ultramarathon Konstantine Dean Karnazes. They will pass through the wildlife sanctuary of Gialova Lagoon and will end up at the beach of Voidokilia where the most beautiful but also most demanding part of the route begins. At this point the route runs around the perimeter of the beach on golden sand for 650m. Voidokoilia and the wider area have been designated a place of special natural beauty and are part of the Natura 2000 Network. This is the only trail running route in Greece that combines sand, soil and asphalt. The end of the route will find participants again at Costa Navarino where they will be expecting rich gifts from Miele. Watch the video with the running activities here. Navarino Challenge routes are also ideal, for all those who have a soft spot for their four-legged friends as they can run with their pets. At the same time, all running routes highlight the natural beauties of Messinia, cultivating the environmental consciousness of the participants through the sustainability principles applied by the event. Watch here the running routes and all their technical characteristics. Register now for the running activities (21,1km, 10km, 5km, 1km) through the following link. For group registrations of 10 people or more, a 20% discount applies. For more information, please contact the event organizers. Tsimikas Football Clinics at Navarino Challenge for the first time  Navarino Challenge includes football in its schedule for the first time, organizing the Tsimikas Football Clinics which bares the signature of the top international football player of Liverpool FC and the Greek National Team, Kostas Tsimikas. The Tsimikas Football Clinics will be held with a qualified football coach, and all participants will receive rich gifts such as a cap and a t-shirt signed by Tsimikas as well as a participation bag. In the context of this year’s event, the Chief Executive Officer of PROSPORT, Mr. Paschalis Tountouris, said: “The two-day Tsimikas Football Clinics at this year’s Navarino Challenge enables children who love sports, football and the Greek Scouser, to understand the philosophy of football, to be trained by the coach of the Greek academy level,  and to learn some of the favorite habits of the Greek international player by participating in challenges that Kostas himself will put them through! Dedication, consistency and hard training are the threefold success of Konstantinos Tsimikas and the basic principles of our company. Prosport, puts children in the “foreground” with the Tsimikas Football Clinics, cultivating above all the love for sports and “fair play”, just as Navarino Challenge has been doing for the last 10 years”. New addition of Kois Optics Kois Optics make a dynamic entry into this year’s Navarino Challenge, participating as the event’s Official Optics Partner. With its head store in Ermoupolis, Syros and additional stores in Athens (Hotel Grande Bretagne) and Mykonos, and through their new “Orophographia” series, with technical perfection, combine excellent quality and high aesthetics. The unique “Orophographia” aesthetic and design that has to date inspired a wide range of wearable art items including eyewear, silk scarves, jewelry and woven bags will be available for purchase at this year’s Navarino Challenge.  Live the unique sports experience and stay at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino Enjoy a weekend with more than 30 outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. Book now the event’s accommodation package with half board and live this year’s unique sports and cultural experience. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you may send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070. Check the accommodation packages here.  More activities and surprises will be announced soon on this year’s schedule. Samsung Electronics Hellas supports the event for another year as its Official Technology Sponsor.  Miele is the event’s Official Sponsor. Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the Official Water.  Luanvi is the Official Sports Supplier. Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are the Official Hospitality Sponsors. Poseidonia Restaurant, Karalis Beach Hotel and Bombay Sapphire are Navarino Challenge’s Official Supporters. Trace ‘n Chase is the Sports Memorabilia Partner. Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner. Pilia Express, the transportation company based in Pylos and Phee, are the event’s Partners. SKAI is the Premium TV Partner. Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, F45 Barrio Salamanca, Mouratoglou Tennis Center – Costa Navarino, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim O’ Clock, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club are Navarino Challenge’s Athletic Partners. The event is assisted by Vita N Travel and Kayak.  Navarino Challenge will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization. The event has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2022 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.  The event is organized by ActiveMedia Group which is also responsible for the event’s Sports Production. Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitespeople #10yearsNavarinoChallenge #eatwell #runwell #livewell Website: www.navarinochallenge.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Navarinochallenge Instagram: http://instagram.com/navarinochallenge Twitter: https://twitter.com/NavarinoC YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NavarinoChallenge TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@navarino_challenge  Adblock test (Why?)

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias is meeting with top airlines official and large tour operators in Berlin as of Monday, on the extension of the tourism season into winter and the preparation for next year's season, ANA reports. On Monday, he met separately with chiefs of Lufthansa, Eurowings, and Condor. Lufthansa Group (Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines) carried out over 14,000 flights to Greece over the summer of 2022. Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings plans to raise the number of flights to the country during the winter and summer of 2023. With DER Touristik the Greek minister discussed options for attracting more pensioners. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report   Adblock test (Why?)

Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Zervas met on Monday with well-known British chef Jamie Oliver, who is in the city for TV production, and discussed the city's gastronomy, ANA reports. Zervas said Thessaloniki is included in UNESCO's Network of Creative Cities, which is providing a new impetus for the city's tourism development and its promotion abroad, and offered the renowned chef and TV personality two bottles of wine from the municipality's urban vineyard. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Adblock test (Why?)

Value for money becomes the decisive criterion for electing a holiday destination, according to a survey of 180,000 travelers in 28 countries, carried out by PR consultancy Travel Lifestyle Network (TLN) in partnership with the UK think tank Thrive and Audience Net. Based on the findings of the German market survey, released by the public relations network KPRN Network, 26% of the respondents in Germany said that they pay particular attention to the value of money when planning a trip, while the entertainment value of the trip comes first in destination selection criterion for 21% of the respondents. As pointed out by Hanna Kleber, founding member of the Travel Lifestyle Network and CEO of KPRN, the research clearly indicates that the rising cost of living is now having a significant impact on German and international travel behavior. She believes that price will determine booking behavior for the coming autumn and for 2023. In this difficult time, she stresses, the cost will be a dominant criterion in holiday choices, putting aside the actual quality of the product. The survey also reveals that 28% of Germans would like to travel abroad this year, while 27% would like to take a holiday in Germany. Participants were also asked about the most popular airlines for leisure travel in Germany. The survey indicated that Lufthansa comes first with 58% and TUI Fly ranks second with 38%,  followed by Condor (34%), Eurowings (33%), and Emirates (27%). RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: pixabay.com Adblock test (Why?)