Spanakopita Recipe

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SPANAKOTPITA WINS EVERY TIME

Now that spring has finally arrived our meals are lighter, fresher and hopefully easier. One of the best and healthiest things about Greek cuisine is that fresh vegetables, farm eggs, extra virgin oil and a vast array of delicious cheeses are readily available.

 

Despina likes to say that the first thing that visitors ask her when they are on one of her tours is not something about Greek history but rather about food, and more specifically; everybody wants to know how to make a good ole’ spinach pie, or in Greek-Spanakopita!
Spinach pie is a wonderful choice for a light spring or summer meal because it is very filling, can be served as the main meal and can be accompanied by delicious Greek salad and some fresh fruit for dessert. It is a complete meal because it has carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is also quite healthy because we not only use spinach but a number of aromatic fresh herbs and greens that are full of healthy nutrients. Traditional Spanakopita is made with phyllo dough but today’s recipe is without phyllo and made more like a souffle or a casserole. It is a little more contemporary, a lot easier to make and just as delicious. Is your mouth watering yet? I won’t tease you any longer then. Here’s the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cups green onions
1 cups of fresh dill, mint and parsley finely chopped and mixed
(Optional) 2 cups of mixed wild greens (such as dandelion and purslane) or Swiss chard, chopped
1 cup. olive oil
1 pkg. spinach (chopped), preferably fresh and not frozen
11/2 cup feta cheese
1 cup milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 eggs
1/4 tsp. pepper
a dash of nutmeg powder or all spice

COOKING INSTRUCTION

Preheat oven at 180° C./ 160 for a fan oven / 350F /Gas Mark 4 for gas ovens
Chop onions
1. Cook onions, spinach, wild greens and aromatic herbs in olive oil until wilted.
2. Drain well.
3. In lightly olive oiled casserole dish layer spinach and crumbled feta.
4. Put all the other ingredients in blender and mix well.
5. Pour over casserole. Bake for about 35 minutes.

Enjoy warm with a chilled glass of Assyrtiko wine from Santorini or a delicate Malagouzia from Northern Greece.

KALI OREXI!

For more original Greek tastes take an Athens Food Tour 

A Time of Change is a Time of Opportunity

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THE MORNING OF THE WORLD

Most people, when they think of Greece, think of Socrates and Pericles. They believe that Greece’s real importance lies in the past. But that conception is wrong. For over 200 years, Greece has been in the nucleus of Europe’s evolution and, although not a superpower, has decisively influenced the continent’s course. All the evidence shows that what is currently happening in Athens today will inevitably clear the way for change once again.

Greece had become a symbol change, freedom and “leventia” ( a Greek word which translates into a combination of  bravery, fearlessness, spirit and honor) from as early as the 1820’s when they raised the flag of revolution against the Ottoman Empire and ended 400 years of slavery. Shelley wrote: “In the great morning of the world splendor burst and shone!” This exaltation of independence echoed far and wide reaching the shores of Italy and the plains of Germany, Poland and further yet, to America. These countries rallied around the Greek blue and white for the sake of democracy and within a decade, the country won its freedom.

More than a century later, in the winter of 1940, the Greeks stood tall against the onslaught of fascism and the Axis powers when they declared the famous “No” to the troops of Mussolini while the rest of Europe cheered! The Greek troops fought bravely and pushed the Italian forces as far back as the southern border of Albania, humiliating Mussolini and enraging Hitler who had to send in his German troops to finish what “il duce” could not. Historians believe that this played a decisive role in the outcome of the Second World War, delaying Hitler’s Russian campaign which was his Waterloo.

Today as the euphoria of the 90’s has faded and Europe again contemplates the future amongst a strict austerity regime, it falls upon Greece to challenge the highbrows of the European Union.

It is only natural for many Greeks, whether living in Greece or abroad, to be somber, pensive and skeptical of late. We ask ourselves why should we carry this heavy burden alone, why are we being humiliated, taunted and punished for economic crimes that were not committed by the many but by the few? And why are these medieval measures being imposed upon us by our partners- the leaders of the European Union?

Yes some are rotten but the majority is innocent. And I speak for them and can assure you that they do not want to cheat their neighbors but they believe that the unprecedented harshness of the austerity measures that Europe has imposed upon Greece is impossible to survive. The Greek people simply cannot cope and the recent election results are only a massive cry for help.

Last night I read an email from a good friend who is a winemaker in Northern Greece. He sent me an article written in the New York Times about the current success that Greek red wines were experiencing in the American market. He was optimistic, almost euphoric as he wrote: “we believed in this, we worked hard and now we’re finally getting the recognition we deserve; against unbelievable odds”.

Then I switched on the television to watch the remaining second half of the final Euro league Championship game between the all powerful Russian CSKA and little goliath Olympiakos of Greece. I saw the score and my stomach dropped; the Greek team was trailing behind 19 points and there were less than 10 minutes left in the game. Another humiliation I thought.

But alas, the Greek “leventia” surged through carrying that little basketball again and again into the Olympiakos hoop. A minor miracle was at play before my very eyes, triumphantly ending the game for Olympiakos at 62-61.

Moments before turning off my bedside lamp I thought of how history has shown time and time again that when the Greeks are with their backs against the wall they react and adapt to the situation at hand effectively and in several cases victoriously. In the most challenging times Greece has produced its greatest contributions to civilization, to democracy, to the arts and letters. I realized that although Greece is experiencing its most serious crisis in recent history it is also at the threshold of an excellent opportunity to transform and renew itself and in the process propel Europe to re-emerge as a front runner of democratic, progressive and humanistic policy.

Athens Walking Tours, Athens Tours

The Olympic Flame Ceremony

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The Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony will take place on Thursday May 10, 2012 in Olympia, Greece, thus inaugurating the preparations and celebrations for the 2012 Olympic Games which are scheduled to take place in London this summer. The symbol of fire commemorated the theft of fire from Zeus by Prometheus, thus civilizing the mortal world. Fire is also a symbol of purity and divine power since it originates from the sun. Once the Olympic Torch is lit it remains burning until the completion of the Olympic Games.

In the impressive ceremony eleven women representing the Vestal Virgins perform a ceremony in which the torch is kindled by the “high priestess” using the light of the sun and a parabolic mirror.  The flame will then light the London 2012 torch which will be carried by the Greek world champion swimmer Spyros Gianniotis who will carry it on the first leg of the relay around Greece.

The torch will travel a distance of 2,900kms (1.800 miles) by 500 torchbearers through Greece, passing many cities and villages on its route before finalizing its Greek journey on Thursday May 17 at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. It will then travel to Great Britain where it will begin another long journey and reach the Olympic Stadium in Stratford on July 27 to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.  

THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM – PERHAPS THE MOST HI-TECH ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY EVER FOUND

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The Antikythera Mechanism is, what many scientists believe, the oldest mechanical portable computer in history and was probably used to calculate astronomical and calendar positions.
The mechanism displayed the positions of the Sun, the Moon and most probably the five planets known in antiquity, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It could predict solar and lunar eclipses, it could keep an accurate calendar of up to many years and displayed the date of the Pan-Hellenic games that took place at Nemea, Isthmia, Delphi, Dodona and Olympia.

The Mechanism was found, among other artifacts, in the cargo of a ship that sank off the Greek island of Antikythera, located opposite the island of Kythera on  the edge of the Aegean Sea between Crete and the Peloponnese, in the 2nd century BC. The wreck was discovered by Greek sponge divers in 1901. Seven large fragments and 75 minor pieces of the Mechanism have survived but the Mechanisms original location and structure is a subject under intense investigation.  Professor Michael Edmunds of Cardiff University who led the most recent study of the mechanism said: “This device is just extraordinary, the only thing of its kind. The design is beautiful, the astronomy is exactly right. The way the mechanics are designed just makes your jaw drop. Whoever has done this has done it extremely carefully … in terms of historic and scarcity value, I have to regard this mechanism as being more valuable than the Mona Lisa.”

The Antikythera Mechanism is the most precious piece of ancient technology to have survived. It demonstrates the philosophical and geocentric approach that most ancient Greek thinkers held towards their explanation of the physical world and its structure according to which mathematics and physics were the means for deciphering the universe.

The most amazing fact of all is that the construction of this extraordinary scientific tool has been dated as early as the 1st century BCE! And the second most amazing fact is that it took humanity over a thousand years to produce another device which was of similar complexity and workmanship making the Antikythera Mechanism an indisputable argument  to the astronomical, mathematical and mechanical genius of the ancient Greeks of the Hellenistic period.

THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM EXHIBIT AT THE NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF GREECE

If you are in Athens or are planning a trip to Athens you can see this amazing mechanism at the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. The three main fragments of the Antikythera Mechanism are on display at the Bronze Collection of the Museum. The Mechanism is kept within the Museum collections since its discovery in 1901.
Other bronze artefacts from the Antikythera wreck are also on display within the same room, while statues and other objects from the wreck (like magnificent glassware) can be admired in other rooms and the atrium. The Antikythera Mechanism has been on exhibit at the National Archaeological Museum of Greece since April 5, 2012 and will remain there until April 28, 2013.

You can also book a guided tour of the National Archaeological Museum with the Athens Walking Tours where your guide will not only provide you with clarifying insight on the Antikythera Mechanism but also  take you on a fascinating journey of the Greek civilization from prehistory to late antiquity. Find out more here.

If you want to learn more about this amazing piece of technology watch this video.

PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEIR JOBS

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I am one of the lucky people who really love their work. I am a writer and special interest tour designer. Today I am going to write about just that; people who love their work, how it shows and how it affects the people around us.

Part of my job as a special interest tour designer is to familiarise myself and get up as close as I can to the subject of my tour. I read, I go to museums, I interact with the locals and eat where and what they eat, because it is a theory of mine that the best way to understand a culture is through the stomach.

One day while researching a particular theme for one of the tours I was working on I visited a specific exhibit at one of the museums in Athens and came across a small guided tour taking place a few meters away from me. Since this is part of my job I began to pay attention to how the group was responding to the tour experience. Almost from the beginning I was impressed at how absorbed they seemed to be in what the guide was saying and with how much interest they were observing the various exhibits that the guide was pointing out to them. Every member of the group was completely engaged in the tour that was taking place.

I thought to myself that this guide really knows her stuff and so I started to listen more closely to what the guide was saying and how she was saying it and must admit that in a matter of minutes she had fully captured my attention with her knowledge, her perspective, her humour, her confidence and her mastery of the subject. Soon I was hanging on her every word and she made an exhibit that I had seen quite a few times before seem like something entirely new. She was an Athens Walking Tours guide.

The Athens Walking Tours guides are all licensed by the Greek Ministry of Tourism. Unlike guides in other countries, Greek guides have very high educational standards as they undergo rigorous training for 5 semesters and have to pass very strict examinations. Particularly the guides working with Athens Walking Tours are also university degree holders in relevant fields, such as History, Archaeology or Cultural Studies. Apart from being highly qualified, the Athens Walking Tours guides share a passion for their work, which they regard as a mission, and do not repeat rehearsed information, but, rather, share their wealth of knowledge about Greece from the past and present with our visitors.

In Greece it is strictly prohibited for a non-licensed guide to perform a guided tour in an archaeological site or museum and for good reason. With a history and cultural span of over 7000 years it is of vital importance for Greece to protect the credibility and authenticity of her precious and unique cultural heritage. That is why there is a university level national school for guides which specializes only in the study of Greek History, Greek Art History from all periods, Greek Literature traditional Greek Folklore, Architectural Styles, Religion and Religious Architecture, Mythology European Art History and First Aid. These specialized schools are located in several areas of Greece such as Athens, Crete, Thessaloniki, Corfu and Lesbos and many of the guides who have graduated from them have received awards such as the Best Guide in Europe award.

So as you can see it is extremely difficult to replace a non-licensed guide who does not have this level of education, training and competence. The question we have to ask ourselves is what kind of a guide would we want to have on our guided tour? Do we want a guide who has undergone rigorous academic training to show and explain sites that we have been waiting a lifetime to see? Or is it just OK to have someone guide us for a few hours because they are enthusiasts and who took the time to read and memorize a couple of guide books? Personally, if I am going to take the time, effort and expense to plan a trip to Greece then I will want the best, most accurate and most fulfilling experience I can find.

But how do we know if they are licensed guides? Unfortunately there are quite a few self proclaimed guides who do not possess any of the necessary requirements. Many claim to be “lovers” of history and art or “experts” on Greek antiquities. Unless they are University professors of a subsequent field, they are not authorized by the Greek government to conduct guided tours. All licensed guides will be wearing their Id badges around their neck which can only be provided by the Greek Ministry of Culture, so they will be easy to spot.

How can you spot an Athens Walking Tours licensed guide? Easy, they’re the ones who are surrounded by a group of no more than 18 people who are having a wonderful time while learning about Greek history and culture. They are the ones who love their job. But don’t take my word for it; see for yourselves here.

1st Acropolis Half Marathon

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A Marathon (or half Marathon) Race is an event that takes place in order to commemorate the Marathon Battle which took place  back in 490 BC between Greeks and Persians . The Greeks won and after the battle they sent a soldier from Marathon to Athens to announce the good news of Victory. This soldier the very first Marathon runner , named Pheidipidis , when he arrived to town he cried out ” rejoice we have won” Chareite Nenikikamen ” in Greek and collapsed. In the First Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 we first had a Marathon race by which the Greek man Spyros Louis won . It is after him that the main road by the Olympic Complex in Athens is  named.

If you are visiting Athens on the 20th of May then there is a rather special way to see the city by running the Acropolis Half Marathon. This is the first time this race will take place in Athens in the particlar course and it promises to be one quite spectacular event.

The classic Marathon race which is the original one, among 1600 Marathon races taking place every year around the world , takes place in the middle of November and it starts exactly on the spot the Marathon battle took place  and ends at the Panathinaikon Stadium

The course of the  Acropolis Half Marathon starts from the Panathinaikon Stadium where the first modern Olympic games were held in 1896, moves towards the Hilton Hotel and the American Embassy, turns towards Alexandras street where it continues for all its length, then towards Omonoia Square. It continues towards Syntagma square and then down towards Dionysiou Areopagitou Str passing on the South Side of the Acropolis and finally it ends back on the Panathinaikon Stadio – where the Athens Classic Marathon also ends. [See full course map here]. As the race is not completely flat the difficulty of the course is characterised as medium.

However, if the 21.1km sounds a bit long for you there is also an 8km race and a 3km and 700m race taking place that day (the last two races for kids). It is expected that more than 3000 people will be running on the streets of central Athens that day so it will be a day of fun and celebration.

For further information on the Acropolis Half Marathon you can check the race website – where you can also register to take part.

Google Art Project and Greek Museums

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Thanks to the Google Art Project travelers have the chance now to travel through their mind’s eye to more than 151 Museums in 40 countries who have agreed to digitally exhibit their treasures which, together, depict 14,000 years of global history and all this is possible with just one click.

The program, which is not of a commercial character, nor is it connected to any advertisement campaign, was officially launched in Greece on April 5, 2012. The Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Μuseum and the Cycladic Museum have contributed 693 of their exhibits to the project.

Users of the program can also create their own “personal museum” by choosing high quality pictures of the exhibits that interest them from the Google Art Project. The reproduction rights are owned and retained by each participating museum which means that the pictures can not be downloaded or used in any other Google application. This beautiful virtual reality visit presented by Google adds a new way of experiencing the awarded Acropolis Museum. Begin your journey here:http://www.googleartproject.com

If you are lucky enough to visit the Acropolis Museum in person then the Athens Walking Tours will assure that your visit will be a unique and unforgettable experience with a highly trained and specially chosen by the Athens Walking Tours licensed local guide. We offer daily guided Athens tours in the Acropolis Museum for the visitors of Athens as well as specially designed tours of Athens for cruise ship visitors from the port of Piraeus which includes roundtrip transportation, pick up from where your ship docks at the port of Piraeus an return trip back to the port, as well as entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums we visit.

Our guides are not only licensed and professional but also university degree holders in relevant fields, such as History, Archeology or Cultural Studies. Apart from being highly qualified, the Athens Walking Tours guides share a passion for their work, which they regard as a mission, and do not repeat rehearsed information, but, rather, share their wealth of knowledge about Greece in the past and present with our visitors.

But don’t take our word for it. Just look at some of the favorable reviews that our satisfied customers write everyday on TripAdvisor, Viator and many other sites and social media about their Athens tour experience with us and we are very grateful for every single word. We are also very proud because the Athens Walking Tours have the most excellent reviews of any other tour company in Athens for the quality and liveliness of our Athens tours. To get an up close look check out this video.

THE HOLIEST DAYS OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX RELIGION

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Easter is the most important holiday in the Greek Orthodox Religion and for this reason it has the most poignant ceremonies which begin on the Saturday of Lazarus (the Saturday before Palm Sunday) and end with Easter Sunday and the lamb feast.

People gather in church every evening throughout Holy Week, especially on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and on Holy Saturday, the night of the Resurrection.

Holy Thursday is the day for dyeing eggs red. The egg is a symbol of life while red is the color of life. One of the most beautiful of all Easter traditions is when after the Holy Thursday liturgy women begin to bring baskets of freshly picked flowers to the church and spend the whole night adorning the bier of Christ so that it will be ready for the funeral procession.

Holy Friday is the day of the “Epitaphios” or the funeral procession of Jesus Christ. Flags at homes and government buildings are set at half mast to mark the mournful day. The Procession of the Epitáphios of Christ, the Ritual Lament that has survived from Homeric times, mourns the death of Christ on the Cross with the symbolic decorated coffin carried through the streets by the faithful. Late at night the bier is carried through the streets preceded by a band playing solemn music or a choir singing the traditional funeral hymns.  They are followed by the cantors, the clergy, women bearing myrrh, the altar boys carrying the liturgical fans, scouts and the people of the city, who sing the hymns throughout the procession. All along its route, people scatter flowers and perfume on the epitaphios (bier), holding lighted candles in their hands. Emotions are strong, followers hang their hands in silence and it is difficult for anyone, even passers by, to remain neutral. There is something very special about this night. The air is full of the scent of flowers, burning candle wax and myrrh. It is almost intoxicating. Feelings of melancholy are intertwined with peacefulness and one’s heart opens to accept the love of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for mankind.

Holy Saturday is completely different. It is a day to rejoice, a day of new hope and a symbol of eternal life. Church bells can be heard ringing from all directions, fireworks light the sky and the beautiful hymn of “ Christos Anesti”( Christ has risen) is on everyone’s lips.  Hundreds of worshipers in the streets with their families, holding their candles, lit at the stroke of midnight with the holy light from the tomb of Jesus inJerusalem, kiss each other joyfully saying “Christ has risen”.

If you are in Athens during this enchanting time and would like to take part in the religious ceremonies you may go to the Church of St. Catherine (Agia Aikaterini) in Plaka on Lysicrates Road near the Hotel Ava, The Athens Cathedral on Mitropoleos Street, the Church of St. Irene (Agia Eirini) on Aiolou Street and the Sotira Lycodemos Church on Fillelinon Street, known as the Russian Church.

Easter Sunday marks the end of the 40 day Lenten period and is the big feast day where family and friends gather around the main attraction which of course is the “ovelias” or the lamb which is usually grilled over an open spit outside. The weather is usually mild in Greece this time of year and offers the best incentive to escape the city for a few days in the country or one of the beautiful Aegean islands.

Learn more about the Greek Orthodox religion, customs and traditions by taking one of our specially designed private tours. Go http://www.athenswalkingtours.gr/Private-Tours and see especially tours number 6 and 11.

Kali Anastasi and Kalo Pascha to all.

 

The Beautiful Beaches of Athens

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Porto Rafti Beach in the East of Athens, close to the Athens airport

Athens is not well known abroad for its beaches as it is more famous  for its wonderful monuments, attractions and Museums. Athenians though tend to enjoy their nearby clean and easily accessible beaches


If  you have a couple of days to spend in the capital city of Greece and are in a situation where if you see another statue of Athena or a Doric column you will scream out, then you may want to try a nearby beach and discover another face of Athens which is rarely  publicised.

Beaches closer to Athens 
One of the nicest beaches closest to Athens with easy access either by taxi or public bus is Vouliagmeni and a little further out is the beach of Varkiza.

For the closest bus stop to your hotel and time table call 185.

Both are Blue Flag beaches, which means that they meet strict standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Blue Flag beaches must comply with 29 criteria which include standards for water quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services and general environmental management criteria.

Schinias Beach is in the North and is one of the most trendy beaches with lots of young people, beach sports etc.

Beaches a little further out of the city 
Anavissos, CapeSounion. Porto Rafti,  Marathon, Schinias,Nea Makri, Vavrona and Agia Marina beaches  are also beautiful beaches a  little further out,  and are  very popular among Athenians as quite a few have summer homes in the areas.

Cape Sounion has a very nice is the beach where you can combine a visit to the Poseidon Temple,  a day at the beach with a seaside lunch or dinner  at one of the many fish taverns in the area and and a magnificent sunset visit to the Temple of Poseidon.

A day trip to Rafina is also a splendid choice because it combines a great beach, quite a few good restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood with a glass of wine or ouzo . If you have a couple of days you can make a combination trip and take the ferry from the port of Rafina to popular islands such as Mykonos, Paros, Tinos and Andros.

Vouliagmeni Beach is in the South, easily accessible, with crystal clear blue waters and scenic views of the islands of the Saronic Gulf.

All in all, a perfect, easy and affordable vacation idea.

All of the above mentioned beaches are easily accessible by car, taxi or public
transport. We will be happy to assist you though with any queries you may have at
info@athenswalkingtours.gr or at www.oasa.gr  or by calling at +30 210 8808000 or by going  to Mavrommataion street close to Victoria metro station where all buses depart roughly every hour.

Athens Sightseeing Tours

 

 

EASTER – THE ULTIMATE VICTORY

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Easter is the most sacred of Greek Orthodox holidays. It takes place in spring and it symbolizes the cycle of life. If you follow the religious rituals they lead to inner reflection, discipline, compassion and gratitude. The Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ this year on April 15. If you have been to Greece during this time you might remember the sight of a pious candle-lit procession through the winding streets of some country village on Holy Friday or the sound of inspiring church bells ringing throughout the streets signifying the resurrection after midnight on Holy Saturday. If you have never experienced Easter, or “Pascha” in Greece then I highly recommend it. The fields of the Greek countryside are smothered in blood red poppies, lilac and jasmine are in fragrant bloom, the light is awakening from winter dreariness and the Aegean is the perfect temperature for the first swim.

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon of the spring equinox and is what we call a “ movable holiday” because it does not fall on the same date every year. The word “Pascha”, Easter in Greek, stems from the Jewish “Pasah” which means “Passover”. The preparations for the celebration of the Resurrection start on Holy Thursday.  On that day housewives traditionally prepare tsourekia (braided sweet buns resembling brioche) and color eggs with special red dyes.  The Tsourekia are braided to symbolize the infinite cycle of life. Ever since antiquity the egg symbolizes the renewal of life and the red color symbolises the blood of Christ.

The Easter traditions of the Greek-Orthodox religion are many and all are rich with meaning. They are carried through from generation to generation and transcend borders and oceans and inspire us all to forgive, to have compassion for our fellow man, to re-kindle the flame of hope in our hearts and to stand together, united in peace. Starting with Lent and 40 days of fasting and prayer and ending with the resurrection of Christ, man celebrates the ultimate victory of life over death.

If you are fortunate enough to be  Easter holiday and want to learn more about the traditional foods and customs of Greek Pascha then join one of the Athens Food Tours. The tours are specially modified during major holidays to include foods and customs of each tradition.