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. 

Read more

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.


Read more

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.

Read more

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

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

 

Read more

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.
Read more

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. 
Read more

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)

Read more

Wildfires are in Greece, unfortunately occur every summer season in Greece. Every Greek knows that high temperatures in combination with strong winds, often lead to wildfires. And this is what happened once again this month of July…
We keep our fingers crossed that the existing fires will come to an end soon, and that the remaining summer other forests and villages will be spared from wildfires.
Of course, it is advised to know how to react in case you find yourself close to a fire. Something we unfortunately never learn in school…but it is important!
More info below

Read more

Mainland Greece; Let’s Learn About The Region Fthiotida and teacher Myrto!

Ας μάθουμε λίγα πράγματα για την περιοχή της Φθιώτιδας στην Ελλάδα!

We are happy to announce that a new experienced teacher, Myrto Yfanti,  starts working at Omilo.
Myrto already was teaching for Omilo during the September 2020 course on the island of Syros and was very enthusiastic to meet so many interested students, from all over the world.

Με χαρά ανακοινώνουμε ότι μια νέα έμπειρη καθηγήτρια, η Μυρτώ Υφαντή, ξεκινά να εργάζεται στο Ομιλώ. Η Μυρτώ δίδαξε πρώτη φορά στο Ομιλώ τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2020 στο νησί της Σύρου και ενθουσιάστηκε που γνώρισε τόσους ενδιαφέροντες μαθητές από όλον τον κόσμο.

Every teacher at Omilo has a different teaching style, as well as a different background 🙂
Myrto grew up in a small village in the prefecture of Fthiotida, the village of Giannitsou.

Read more