18.01.2024
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.
This neoclassical building was likely built in 1897 and was used as the residence of the Karavasilis family. It was one of the largest and most beautiful urban houses in Athens at the time, likely with an army of coachmen, servants, maids, nannies, and cooks tending to the needs of the family and for entertaining purposes. Then, the home passed to the Kamba family, who converted the basement into a large cellar. In the interwar times, the house was abandoned because many shacks were built in the area for refugees. During the Second World War, the building was taken by the Italians to house the area’s garrison. In 1992, the Raptakis family bought the property to put in a Barolo restaurant on the ground floor. It was not until 1992 that the Athenaeum International Art Center rented the building and renovated most of the inside, restoring some of its former beauty.
Before Aria Hotels and before becoming the hotel known as “La Divina”, the building was the home of the Athenaeum Conservatory, an international artistic center operated by the Ministry of Culture. It was dedicated to the memory of Maria Callas, who celebrated the 100th anniversary of her birth in 2023. The Athenaeum was founded in 1974 with the aim of developing Greek musical education. The Athenaeum used the building for classes, concerts, and recitals, as well as an “Athenaeum Members’ Club” and a student dining room. A special music and film library as well as a book presentation area were also available.
2023 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of Greece’s most influential and well-known figures, Maria Callas. She was unwanted by her mother, a perfectionist, massively famous, and also infamous for her love life with Aristotle Onassis – these are some of the main ingredients of the life of Maria Callas. Despite all the drama in her life, she became one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century.
Maria was charmed and overwhelmed by the wealthy but married Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis and his lifestyle of leisure, yachts, Greek islands, and freedom. She fell madly in love with him and divorced her husband, deeply hoping to marry Onassis and have a family. During their years together, Maria’s appearances on stage became scarcer and her voice more fragile as she lost a lot of weight trying to fit in with the jet-set she was surrounded by. Callas got really close to fulfilling her dream until Onassis suddenly called it off and, even more surprisingly, married the widow Jackie Kennedy in 1968.
05.10.2026
Leonard Cohen's poem "Days of Kindness", from 1985, describes Greece as being a good place to read by moonlight on the terrace. He knew this from experience. Hydra was his home for much of the 1960s. He arrived in the spring of 1960, aged 25, and bought a house on the island, where he wrote much of his early work. Many places on Hydra still carry traces of him, even now that Hydra has become far better known.
16.04.2026
Greece is often associated with ancient history, island landscapes, and carefully preserved traditions. Less discussed, however, is another layer of its identity: its place names. Across the mainland and the islands, thousands of villages carry names that can sound unexpectedly funny or strikingly literal to a modern Greek speaker. These are not recent inventions or deliberate attempts at humor. Most date back centuries, shaped by geography, daily life, local dialects, and historical circumstances. What makes them stand out today is the shift in language over time. Words that once served as straightforward descriptions of land, resources, or communities can now feel unusually direct or unexpectedly humorous. Looking at these names more closely offers insight into how earlier generations observed their surroundings and chose to define them.
20.03.2026
Greece has long been more than a travel destination. For centuries, writers have been drawn to its history, natural beauty, and authenticity, finding in Greece not just a setting, but a source of inspiration that shapes narratives, characters, and perspectives.
19.02.2026
02.01.2026
In Greece, the holiday season does not end on New Year’s Day. Instead, it culminates in one of the most symbolic celebrations of the year: Epiphany, known in Greek as Theofania. More than a religious holiday, Epiphany in Greece represents the triumph of light over darkness, a spiritual “new beginning” for individuals and communities. For anyone living in Greece, or dreaming of owning a home here, Epiphany offers one of the most authentic snapshots of local culture. From the blessing of the waters to ancient folk rituals, this day reveals the deep connection between the Greek people, nature, and tradition.
30.12.2025
Crete is stepping into the global spotlight once again. According to Airbnb’s latest travel trend insights based on worldwide search data from Q3 2025, the island — and especially the iconic Samaria Gorge National Park — ranks among the most sought-after nature destinations for 2026. This surge reflects a broader shift in how people choose where to travel, live, and invest. Travellers are no longer looking only for beaches or city breaks. Instead, they are drawn to authentic natural environments, outdoor experiences, and destinations that offer both beauty and balance, qualities that Crete delivers effortlessly.
19.12.2025
Greece is known mostly for its pristine beaches and its endless summers. Also, Greek cuisine, with its unique Mediterranean dishes, is widely sought after. What might feel surprising is the magical beauty during Christmas in Greece. The country has a long festive season that runs from Christmas to Epiphany (the “Φώτα” on 6 January), full of local customs, food traditions, and small village rituals that still matter to people today. Winter destinations are also famous in Greece, as according to the latest Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel report (Wave 23) by the European Travel Commission (ETC), Greece ranks among the top 10 most desired European destinations for travel between October 2025 and March 2026, holding a solid 7th place.
19.12.2025
Spending New Year’s Eve on Greek islands is about much more than fireworks, food and champagne. It’s about little family rituals, centuries-old customs and the warm feeling of being part of a close community. For anyone dreaming of a holiday home or a new life in Greece, New Year's Eve is one of the unique moments to experience the soul of island life, when most tourists aren’t there, and you can experience authentic community moments with locals. As we’ve mentioned in an older blog post, cutting the famous Vasilopita, a special bread to honour the Greek Santa Claus, is the most important custom happening in almost every house in Greece at the turn of the year. A lucky coin is baked into the cake, and whoever finds it will have good luck for the next year or may even take a gift. But let’s explore a bit more of Greece’s rich traditions and local communities, from its enchanting islands to the unique customs celebrated on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
