Already several years have passed, without Mikis Theodorakis…

Mikis Theodorakis, the beloved and internationally known Greek composer,
whose music and political life are also well-known abroad, died on September 2nd, 2021. He was 96.

Theodorakis’ career, which started in his early years, produced a hugely varied body of work.
He has not only composed symphonic music, music for operas, ballet, chamber music, but of course a great number of Greek songs.

Apart from his musical career, he is also remembered by Greeks for his stubborn opposition to postwar regimes and dictatorships.

He will be never forgotten.

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When you visit Athens , not only you can explore the capital of Greece, but at the same time you can also make several one-day excursions to nearby coastal villages, beaches and archaeological sites within the prefecture of Attica. One of the trips we believe is really worth it to add to your “list”, is to visit the “temple of Poseidon” in Sounion, at about 60 km from centre Athens. You can combine it with a swim in the clear waters of the Aegean sea or a nice dinner/lunch in one of the fish taverns nearby.

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March 25th: A Greek National Celebration and Independence Day. Greece has lived through major historical events and the country was involved in many wars: Persian wars, the wars of Alexander the Great, etc. In modern Greek history, from 1821 till of today, two major wars Greece was involved in, were the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire and the 2nd World War. Every year, Greeks remember these historical events with the celebration of two national anniversaries on October 28th and March 25th. 

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The town of Nafplion is  a beautiful Venetian town with ancient Greek roots and a lot of history.
It is located in the Peloponnese, at 2 hours driving from Athens.


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Accommodation on Syros island; where to stay?

If you only intend to visit Syros for just a night or two, we’d suggest choosing a hotel in Ermoupoli, the island’s beautiful capital. You’d want to spend at least a day in Ermoupoli, doing sightseeing, and exploring this fascinating city. Also, Ano Syros is a great location to spend two days, but far from beaches, and be prepared to walk a lot of steps.

However, since Omilo organizes
1- and 2-week courses on Syros island, in  Azolimnos, (4 km south of Hermoupolis)
we, therefore, suggest mostly accommodation close to the course location in the village of Azolimnos.

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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.

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What about reading a Greek book, while learning about modern Greek, through stories of famous people?

It’s easy to get caught up with the exciting and dramatic times of Ancient Greece, but the history of the Greek state and nation ever since the Greek Revolution in 1821 (*), can be equally fascinating – and stormy!
(*)
2021 was the 200th anniversary of Greece’s War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire

Click below to read the article in Greek

 

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Listen to the Greek text, improve your listening skills, while learning more about Saffron.
Saffron is a delicious spice coming from the Krokos (crocus) flower, is growing in Greece and known since ancient times! Saffron is being used in many different ways: for its flavor in the kitchen, for its color in cosmetics and paint, for its healing properties in the pharmaceutical sector. Cleopatra saw the value of using saffron in cosmetics, in the Old Testament, it was mentioned because of its essence and Aeschylus described it as a way to dye fabric.
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It may be that nowadays the electric car makes quite the impression and is funded by big industrial firms, but in Greece, it was already constructed for the first time 45 years ago! During the summer months, many Omilo students have the opportunity to admire the first Greek electric car, which was built in Syros island. 
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If you are not able to travel to Greece at the moment but would like to get that feeling again, then why not reading some travel diaries?
And even better…If you are at the advanced level in Greek, then you can also improve your Greek reading and listening skills at the same time.

Below more information about the eBook,
Travel Diaries About Greece, by 19th-century British Writers – Athens, Sparta & Mani.

Adapted and translated by Eleni Maria Georgiou.
Accompanied by the Greek Audio-Book, narrated by Eva Christodoulou (omilo teacher)

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