25 reasons why to love Greeks!

There are at least 25 reasons why to love Greeks we believe, but maybe also many more..
(And maybe feel a little Greek yourself…)

Do you love Greece?
You’re not Greek… but somehow, you feel Greek?

Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking like a Greek.
Eating like a Greek.
Laughing like a Greek.

So here’s our question: Why can Greeks be proud to be Greek?

After  30 years of teaching Greek to students from all over the world,
Maya and Dimitris have heard hundreds of answers…
Here are 25 of our favorites!
With a little explanation for those of you who just started learning the language and culture.

Take a look below… and tell us what we missed! Read more

/by
,

Winter in Greece

Winter in Greece is never boring, and for those who thought that Greece is only a summer country, you couldn’t be more wrong :-).
Due to its varied nature and culture, Greece has to offer something in any season!
In general, we had a  a sunny and warm end of the year,  but we expect any moment the winter to start…
Better be prepared, and get your warm cloths ready…or start planning your winter trip to Greece!

Read more

/by

Accommodation In Nafplion, Peloponnese, While Learning Greek

Where to stay in Nafplion?

If you only intend to visit Nafplion for just a night or two, or for a longer time, we always suggest choosing a hotel or room in the old town of Nafplion. However, if you are coming by car, and you want to park your car close to your hotel, then you might look a bit out of the old town, since there is nearly no availability to park you car in the old town

However, since Omilo organizes a course in Nafplion,  and most of our students do not come by car, but by bus from Athens, we suggest looking for accommodation in the old town, and at walking distance from the school location.

Accommodation options in Nafplion 

Students usually do not have or rent a car, so we suggest accommodation within 500 meters from the course location, and easy to walk to the bus station and beach.

Read more

/by
,

The Pomegranate: A Symbol of Good Luck in Greek Tradition

On the first day of the New Year, many Greek homes welcome the year ahead by breaking open a pomegranate for good luck. This beautiful ritual is believed to bring health, prosperity, and abundance to the household. It is also common in Greece to exchange pomegranates (ρόδι), often made of metal, glass, or ceramic, as New Year’s gifts. These symbolic objects are known as γούρια;  charms meant to bring good fortune for the year to come.

Read this article in Greek

Read more

/by
,

Greek Netflix Series – Maestro in Blue | Omilo

The Greek Netflix Series, Maestro in Blue, is the first Greek TV series to make it to Netflix and it’s been localised into several languages.
This means you can watch it with subtitles for a little bit of help if you’re a beginner or intermediate student of Greek.

From what we hear from our Omilo students attending a Greek Language and Culture course in Greece, many have discovered this Netflix series already, but in case you did not see it yet, or if you want to improve your Greek listening skills, then  we suggest to give the Greek TV series Maestro in Blue a try.

click here to read the article in GREEK and list to the GREEK AUDIO

Read more

/by
,

Dionysis Savvopoulos and his songs

 Who is Dionysis Savvopoulos?

Dionysis Savvopoulos is one of Greece’s most influential musicians, since he sings, writes lyrics and composes his own songs.
Born in Thessaloniki in 1944, he became known for blending Greek folk music with rock and poetic lyrics, creating a unique sound that marked the cultural awakening of the 1960s and 1970s.  For many Greeks, Savvopoulos is not just a musician but a storyteller who captures the spirit of modern Greece through his words and melodies.

He began his career in 1964, appearing in nightclubs together with Maria Farantouri and Manos Loizos.
Savvopoulos was imprisoned twice during the Greek dictatorship. People fell in love with him straight away, making him and his music very popular in Greece and abroad.
In some of his songs, he combined the music of American musicians such as Bob Dylan with folk music from Macedonia, northern Greece, and lyrics about current political affairs. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Department of Philology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Ο Διονύσης Σαββόπουλος θεωρείται ο πρωτεργάτης της σχολής των Ελλήνων τραγουδοποιών. Τραγουδοποιοί ονομάζονται όσοι γράφουν μουσική, στίχους και τραγουδούν οι ίδιοι τα τραγούδια
τους. Άρχισε τη σταδιοδρομία του το 1964, και έκανε εμφανίσεις σε νυχτερινά κέντρα με τη Μαρία Φαραντούρη και τον Μάνο Λοΐζο.

Κατά τη διάρκεια της δικτατορίας φυλακίστηκε δύο φορές. Γνώρισε πολύ γρήγορα τεράστια επιτυχία και σύντομα έγινε πολύ δημοφιλής στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό. Είχε συνδυάσει τη μουσική Αμερικανών μουσικών όπως του Μπομπ Ντίλαν με μακεδονική λαϊκή μουσική και στίχους πολιτικού περιεχομένου. Έχει ανακηρυχτεί επίτιμος διδάκτορας στο τμήμα
Φιλολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης.

Read more

/by

Naxos – The largest island of the Cyclades

Naxos island is the largest island of the Cyclades island group in the Aegean Sea.
It is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and rich history, as well as its production of marble and agricultural products. Naxos is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its scenic landscapes, traditional villages, and vibrant culture.
At Omilo, we are teaching our summer courses on the island of Syros, since 2005, from where we can see Naxos island, with clear weather.

Note: The Greek Language course on Naxos island will not take place in 2026. 
In 2027, it might be on our programme again, so stay tuned!
For the latest updates on all current courses and locations, please visit the page below.
https://omilo.com/greek-language-courses/year-overview/
Read more

/by

Ano Syros – A Journey through History and Culture

Visiting Ano Syros is like a journey through History and Culture.

When you visit the island of Syros, do not miss the opportunity to go for a beautiful walk, and witness some traditional Cycladic architecture.  Just a ten-minute taxi or bus ride to Ano Syros, from the capital and the port of the island, Hermoupolis.

Get ready to get lost in its little cobblestone alleys with the whitewashed walls, the colourful window shutters, numerous little churches and the blooming bougainvilleas! It is the perfect location for a walk with beautiful views to the Aegean Sea.

Read more

/by
,

How to make Greek frappe – the delicious ice-coffee

Do you know how to make Greek frappe?
During warm and sunny days and especially in spring and summer, Greeks prefer to drink the cold coffee instead of the warm  coffee.
There are many versions, but the easiest to make yourself at home, is the “frappe”
Also Omilo students usually love to drink frappe, and learn to make it while in Greece

Click here to read this article in Greek

Read more

/by
,

Greek Songs Which Became International Hits | Omilo

Greek songs that became international hits are more than you might imagine. In fact, many world-famous melodies were originally written by Greek composers. This is  something that few people realize today.

If you have visited Greece or followed our blog at Omilo, you already know that music plays a central role in Greek life. Greeks sing in moments of joy and celebration, but also in times of sorrow. Music is not just entertainment,  it is a way to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with others.

Greek music offers an incredible variety of styles. There are traditional folk songs, the soulful sounds of rebetiko, popular laika songs, artistic entexna music, as well as modern rock and pop. This rich musical heritage has not only shaped Greek culture, but has also influenced audiences far beyond the Greek borders.

Let’s discover some Greek songs and composers whose music traveled around the world and became international successes.

Read this article in Greek

Read more

/by