22.10.2023
2023 marks 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 affair-- 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.
Born in New York in 1923 to Greek immigrant parents, Maria Callas's start in life was anything but glamorous. They were poor, her mother didn’t like her, and Maria was always a chubby kid with glasses. Then her mother decided, from the age of 14, that Maria had a talent for singing. She enrolled Maria in the Athens Conservatory and by 1949 Maria Callas had become a household name. In 1951, she moved to Italy and met her husband Giovanni Battista Meneghini. She received the nickname La Divina in Italy because her voice was by any standards an amazing phenomenon.
However, Maria’s experience of being married to the man 30 years her senior and also her manager wasn’t one of bliss, but more like a bird in a cage. It’s no wonder she 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.
They kept seeing each other after Onassis married Jackie Kennedy, and his death in 1975 totally devastated Callas. Her final years were spent in solitude, though her death still came as a shock to many; at the age of 53, she passed away from a heart attack. Despite her wealth, fame, and impressive circle of friends, one can assume that she never really outgrew her feelings of insecurity and inferiority. Though in the eyes of the world she is and always will be a giant inspiration and amazing artist, whose voice, language, and interpretations remain unparalleled.
The “Maria Callas Museum” is almost ready to open in Athens. It will open in a four-story neoclassical building of 1,070 square metres at Mitropoleos Street 44. The building is the property of the Municipality of Athens, and it is expected to open very soon. The goal of the museum is to exhibit Maria Callas’s personal life, including her personal items, photographs, scores, and audio recordings.
Angelina Jolie was recently spotted in Greece for the filming of Maria, a movie about the life of Greece’s famous opera singer, Maria Callas. This Hollywood actress was most recently seen in Pyrgos in the Peloponnese at the Apollo Theater. A few scenes were being shot there, and then Jolie moved to the town of Katakolo, where the Christina O yacht was waiting for her.
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.
