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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!
The end of 2022 and beginning of 2023 was a sunny and warm period, 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!

Click here to read the article in Greek and listen to the AUDIO

Below you can also listen to the Greek audio by teacher Marina. For the Greek text, click on the button here above.

 

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Greek Mythology Combined With Halcyon Days

Greek Mythology combined with Halcyon days! You might wonder what this means, but as in every country and season, there are natural phenomena.

A Greek winter can be cold and in the mountainous areas, it always snows. However, every year there are also some very warm days with a lot of sunshine. They are called the « Halcyon days » or « Alkionides Meres« . Unfortunately, we never know on which days exactly those calm bright days will come. Usually, it is the period after Christmas until the end of January when there is a non-interrupted period of days with clear blue skies and warm temperatures, which at least in the Athens region can reach more than 20°C during day-time. Lire la suite

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The Greek Traditional Christmas Boat | Omilo

The Greek Traditional Christmas Boat is very popular again since the last decade.

Do you prefer a Christmas tree or a Christmas boat? (Greek text below)

The decoration of the Christmas tree is not a Greek habit. It is said that the first Christmas tree in Greece was introduced and decorated by the Bavarian king Otto in 1833. In Greece, according to tradition, we decorate a boat, mainly on the islands. The boat symbolizes the maritime identity of the country. Greeks, a seafaring nation, of course, combined the celebration of Christmas with the sea. The decoration of the ship was also a kind of honor and welcome to the sailors returning home to celebrate Christmas with their families.

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Autumn in Greece

Autumn in Greece is full of surprises! Even though summer is probably the most popular season in Greece, for Greeks and non-Greeks, also autumn and winter have much more to offer than you might think! Since the Tourist Industry focuses on Greece as a typical country for summer holidays, not everyone knows that Greece is more than only beaches and sea.  Here an introduction to different aspects of the beautiful Greek autumn.

Read this article in Greek and listen to the Audio

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Mikis Theodorakis, The Legendary Greek Composer | Omilo

Already one year 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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Ano Syros – a beautiful walk | Omilo

Ano Syros; when you visit the island of Syros, do not miss the opportunity to go for a walk, and witness some traditional Cycladic architecture in Ano Syros. Just a ten-minute taxi or bus ride from the capital and the port of the island, Hermoupolis, it is the perfect location for a walk with beautiful views to the Aegean Sea.

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!

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Facts, Myths And Learning Greek On The Island Of Lefkada (Lefkas) | Omilo

Lefkada, also called Lefkas, is a beautiful Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece; south of Corfu, and North of Kefalonia island. The island is connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge. Because Omilo organizes every year a 1- and 2-week Greek Language and Culture courses on Lefkada island, during the month of May / June, we love to introduce you to some facts as well as to the rich mythological tradition of this Greek island.

Click here to read this article in Greek and listen to the AUDIO

The Myth Of Lefkada

Almost every place in Greece has a mythical tradition. Ancient Greeks always wanted to associate places with stories about Gods or famous heroes. Lire la suite

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How To Travel To Syros Island, From Athens Or Mykonos

 Omilo welcomes students to Syros island, for the 1- and 2-week Greek Language and Culture courses, which take place in summer, between June and September.

For all the details and course dates of  the 1-week courses, click here

For all the details and course dates of the 2-week courses, click here

Here below you find details, tips and useful information on how most participants travel from their country to the course location on Syros island.

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The Epidaurus Amphitheatre in Greece | Omilo

When visiting Greece, it is not just about eating delicious food in taverns and going to the beach, but most travelers, including Omilo students, also love to visit ancient Greek sites, attend Greek concerts, or theatre  productions, while learning more about Greek culture and history.
Well, here is the good news, by visiting the beautiful site of Epidaurus, you can combine it all!
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March 25th: A Greek National Celebration and Independence Day | Omilo

March 25th: A Greek National Celebration and Independence Day, and this from antiquity to today. 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. 

Click here to read the article in Greek and listen to the Audio

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