Ideal Winter Destinations

Papigo, Embraced by Mountains

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Papigo is one of the 46 villages of the residential, cultural, and historical unit of Zagori.

Situated in the north-east of Ioannina, Papigo is built at the foot of the Mountain range of Timfis and it is separated in two districts, the Big and the Small Papigo.

Above the village, there are very high imposing rocks, known as the towers of Papigo and Drakolimni, one of the several alpine lakes of Epirus.
The ravine of Aoos, the impressive gorge of Vikos and the river Voidomatis are some of the natural beauties of the area.
The traditional architecture, the rich cultural heritage and the hospitality of the residents will definitely enchant every visitor.  

Pavliani, Ready to Be Explored

Pavliani is a beautiful village crowned by a fir forest on Mount Oiti in the prefecture of Fthiotidas. At an altitude of 1,050 meters and just two hours away from Athens, Pavliani marks the entrance to Oiti National Park.

In the village, there are logs piled on the side of streets and houses built of wood and stone with steep roofs to withstand the weight of snow in winter, while the smooth mountain slopes are ideal for cross-country skiing.

The area has been known since antiquity and on the top of the mountain there are the remains of a 3rd century BC Doric temple, dedicated to the mythical hero Hercules.
Pavliani is divided into “lower” (Kato) and upper (Ano) districts and a first-time visitor may start discovering the area from the path connecting the two districts.
The wonderful landscape of Pavliani will not let down even the most demanding visitor. 
Athens Plus (4.12.09): Pavliani, Are you ready, boots?

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The Olympic Torch Relay Lit up Enthusiasm

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The Canadian Press reports on the burst of excitement brought in Messolonghi by the 2010 Winter Olympic torch relay.

The stop in Messolonghi was the sixth of 35 and the town was chosen in part because it’s the birthplace of Kostis Palamas, co-author of the Olympic Hymn .
After the flame was lit in Olympia, the relay took off towards northern Greece for an eight-day run, organised by the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Over the course of its journey in the birthplace of the Games, it travelled 2,180 kilometres. Today the flame arrives in Canada and a special welcome ceremony is to be held in the city of Victoria. City of Messolonghi: Olympic Light Enthusiastically Greeted

Olympic Flame: Goodbye Greece, Hello Vancouver

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean’s official visit to Athens has coincided with the lighting of the Olympic Flame, that was passed on yesterday to the organizers of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, in Vancouver.

The Canadian city is becoming the flame’s keeper, after the final run on Greek soil by Greek-Canadian figure skater Niki Georgiadou.  President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias received the Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean at the Presidential Mansion in Athens, on October 29.  In his welcoming speech, President Papoulias pointed out that Haiti, the country of origin of the Governor General of Canada, supported the Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans in 1821.  He also underlined that “Canada embraced Greek immigrants,” and referred to the humanitarian aid Greece received from Canada, during WWII.  Olympic Movement: The lighting ceremony in Olympia & Greek News Agenda: Ancient Olympia in the Spotlight

Enjoy Winter Travel in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Greece may be famous for its beaches, but it is also covered by mountains, many of which reach over 2000 meters. A little known fact is that there are 18 ski resorts in the country, usually operating from the end of December until mid-April. The biggest ski center in the country is Mount Parnassos, which is attractive to Athenians because of its proximity to the city. But there are many others worth visiting, such as Mount Falakro in the prefecture of Drama, Agriolefkes ski centre in the Pelion mountain, and the Pertouli ski center in Trikala. For those interesting in discovering a lesser-known area in Greece, one can visit Tzoumerka or Zagori in Pindos, where beautiful villages and traditional settlements are surrounded by gorges, caves and steep mountains. More Info: A ski portal of Greece; Travelling Around Greece (in Greek); Agrotravel.gr – Mountain Areas

The Flame of Hope for the 2009 was lit in Athens

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    The Flame of Hope for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games was lit on November 12, at a ceremony in Zappeion Hall, Athens. In keeping with the Olympic tradition, the torch was lit by the sun’s rays before embarking on a three-month journey around the world to Idaho, USA, the site of the next World Games (www.2009worldgames.org). Almost 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from more than 100 countries will participate in Special Olympics World Winter Games to be held from February 7 to 13, 2009.  After Athens the first stop for the torch will be in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It will then continue around the world, making stops in Poland, Costa Rica, South Africa, India, China and three cities in the United States – Miami, New York and Los Angeles. On January 27, 2009 the flame will reach Idaho, USA, to begin the Torch Relay‘s final leg through many cities in Idaho before arriving at the Opening Ceremony for the World Winter Games on February 7. The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Athens, Greece.  Special Olympics Hellas: www.specialolympicshellas.gr (in Greek)

October 28, Greece commemorates its Entry into World War II

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    The Athens Municipality’s Melina Mercouri Cultural Centre (in Greek) is hosting an exhibition tribute to the Greek resistance at the Albanian front (winter of 1940-41) during WWII. Having fought at the war front, painter and draughtsman Alexandros Alexandrakis (1913-1968) found time to document the harsh life of soldiers up on the Pindos mountains.
The exhibition comprising 149 works will run until November 16. Melina Mercouri Foundation: www.melinamercourifoundation.org.gr
                                                                 Tributes to WWII
On October 28, Greece commemorates its entry into World War II. On that day in 1940, Italy invaded Greece through Albania. Several exhibitions pay tribute to the Greek resistance, such as the one of the Tribute to the Greek Resistance, 1940-1944 that is on display until November 30 at the Memorial Leclerc – Museum Jean Moulin in Paris. Foundation of the Hellenic World: Greece and the Second World War (1940-1945)