History & Culture

Did you know that the Greek celebrations of Carnival are equivalently famous, lively, and entertaining compared to the well-known celebrations in Venice and Brazil?

Aristotle Onassis was one of the most successful businessmen in Greece's history. Known for his massive shipping and cigarette business, he was likely the wealthiest Greek of the 20th century.

La Divina is a 12-suite hotel, found in the heart of Athens’ historical center. It offers unique views of the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora in Thessio, and the Athens Asteroscopio. On the hotel’s ground floor, there are two modern restaurants, ideal for Greek cuisine and local wines. It is also an ideal starting point to explore the historical landmarks and museums of Athens, as well as its vibrant nightlife. The location is ideal for cultural exploration, shopping for souvenirs, indulging in delectable Greek cuisine, or simply enjoying the historic charm of the Thessio neighborhood. Rooms can be booked on the Aria Hotels website here. The real charm of the hotel, however, is in its backstory.

In the mid-1950s, shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos found his own private island in the Mediterranean, much like his rival Aristotle Onassis. The name of Niarchos’s island was Spetsopoula, 60 miles south of the Piraeus port in the Argosaronic Gulf. You may recognize the name because it sounds like "Spetses," which is one of the most popular summer destinations in Greece near Athens. Spetsopoula can be seen from the island of Spetses. When Niarchos found his island, it had a few small houses, a few storehouses, a chapel, and a small unpaved track to an estate about 500 meters from the harbour. These were buildings of Leonidas, the previous owner of the island.

You might have heard Stavros Niarchos’s name from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)- one of the most visited public spaces in the south of Athens. But who was Stavros Niarchos? What impact did he have on Greece today?