Here Comes the Sun!

THROUGH THE CLOUDS—HERE COMES THE SUN!

This year marks the anniversary of the so-called “British Invasion,” when the Beatles arrived in America to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show. It is a reminder of a precious musical “cultural exchange” I enjoyed a few years ago in Athens with two twenty-something Athenian friends. They initiated me to the world of Rembetika music and I cautiously introduced them to the music of a group they knew vaguely--The Beatles.

Rembetika music grew from The Asia Minor Catastrophe when more than two million refugees were forced from Anatolia in 1922 by the Turkish army. Troops led by Kemal Attaturk burned Smyrna, forcing most of the Greeks, Jews, and anyone not Turkish who survived to flee to very poor neighborhoods of Athens and Thessaloniki where they formed underground communities, shunned by most urbanites and hounded by the authorities.

From these dreadful conditions came mournful music lamenting the suffering and hopeless lives of the survivors who had no dreams for the future. Played with bouzoukis, the music has a haunting, plaintive, oriental sound. To hear these songs, my friends, Yorgos and Sophia, took me to the Plaka area where we went to several “dens” in taverna basements on a dreary and cloudy November Saturday night. True to Yorgos’ description, the songs were mournful, reminding me of American “blues,” except they were very raw and doleful.

When we went home to their flat, my friends enriched my education of Rembetika music by playing more CDs. To reciprocate, I told them Beatles’ stories and played the Abby Road album, explaining that it had George Harrison’s Something, a song Frank Sinatra considered “the greatest love song ever written.” (I am not sure they recognized Sinatra’s name). Shortly thereafter, I went to bed, while they played my CD and danced.

The next morning, dark clouds were hovering as I drank my coffee on the balcony, and Yorgos and Sophia were inside, once again dancing slowly to Harrison’s great love song, Something. When Yorgos came outside and saw the clouds, he said he had the perfect song for the occasion. Going inside, he played one of his favorites: Cloudy Sunday by Stelios Kazantzidis. We listened, watched the clouds, sipped our coffee, and then, suddenly, the sun began to make its appearance.

I could not resist. I hurried into the house, found my CD, and played Here Comes the Sun for my Athenian friends. Joining arms, we swayed to the joyful melody, welcoming the sun.

Schinias Beach – Shhh, it’s a Secret!

There are not many places in Greece where you can enjoy a walk in a forest and a stroll on a beach, but most Athenians know of such a place, even though it has been called “a best-kept secret.” It is Schinias Beach, near Marathon, about 45 kilometers from Athens on the east coast of the Attica Peninsula.

Schinias has been called “one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece” and in comments posted on the Trip Advisor website, one reviewer called it “the best beach in the world for families with small children.” On the same site, another said “it is Greece’s best kept secret.”

Known for its natural beauty, crystalline waters, and very long beach with very fine sand, Schinias is on the edge of a serene pine forest that reaches the water’s edge. The coastal resort has been called “picture perfect” by some travel writers and is a favorite weekend destination for Athenians. It features comfortable facilities, including a water sports center and rental equipment, and is ideal for families with children. Because the sand is so fine, it is perfect for children who want to build sand castles. Windsurfers discovered this beach years ago and find it ideal for their sport.

Protected by the Schinias Peninsula, there are no currents or large waves and toddlers can wade a hundred or more meters out to sea and not be in water over their heads. Because there are no waves, adults can swim long distances at a leisurely pace without tiring. Others prefer to simply float and soak up the sun while chatting with friends.

Schinias is an easy drive – less than an hour – from Athens. There is plenty of space for parking and it is free. It can be reached, also, by the local bus that leaves from Mavromateon Street at the Pedion Areos Park. The nearest metro station is Victoria. Once there, you will find a nice variety of tavernas and seafood restaurants and, if you are a tourist who wants to spend a few days in the area, hotels are just a few kilometers from Schinias, and also in Marathon.

Published in The National Herald, June 2014

Greece’s Healing Hot Springs

Since antiquity, persons suffering from muscular discomforts have sought comfort provided by the healing waters of nature’s hot springs. Fortunately, Greece not only has an abundance of these natural, thermal springs, but is taking the lead in the tourism industry by offering extraordinary “Thermal Travel” packages to tourists. A company called “Thermal Greece” has very enticing, year-round choices, including five resorts where services are offered year round.

The company is not a travel agency, but a dedicated physical therapy service. It is the brainchild of two men: one is a medical doctor specializing in rheumatology and the other is a tourism specialist. They combined their skills to offer physical healing services in carefully selected, modern Greek hydrotherapy centers. This differs from traditional travel agencies promoting spa destinations as part of a holiday. Those who enroll in a “Thermal Greece” program receive personalized, holistic healing treatments utilizing the benefits of baths in the most outstanding natural hot springs of Greece.

The founders of this service released the following statement: “In contemporary medicine, it is widely accepted that including hot baths in a natural, thermal springs setting, helps patients suffering from musculo-skeletal problems, due either to medical disorders or physical and mental stress. These problems are much more effectively addressed and cured and healing is more thoroughly pronounced and lasting.”

They added that while spa treatment centers have proliferated internationally, the hot baths and curative spas of Greece are among the best because they are rich in trace elements, salts, and other compounds beneficial to the mind and body. “At our unique thermal treatment centers, we understand and employ the ancient knowledge of the benefits of natural hot springs to our bodies. We understand their important role in revitalization, rejuvenation, pain relief and alleviation of chronic fatigue, in addition to bringing about deep relaxation and euphoria.”

To choose a stay at one of five thermal centers, please visit the website of Thermal Greece at www.thermalgreece.com. The centers are open all year round, are in settings of outstanding natural beauty, and offer excellent accommodations. You may choose from spas in Edipsos, Northern Evia; Agistron, Macedonia; Apollonia, near Thessaloniki; Kamena Vourla, 160 km north of Athens, or Loutraki, 80 km west of Athens. Plans are underway to offer thermal bath facilities in Ikaria and Pozar.

TO TELOS (THE END)

Published in The National Herald, February 2014 and on Hellenic Lifestyle ..Celebrating Greek Spirit

Photos by Thermal Greece

Airport-Side Luxury: the Sofitel in Athens

The Sofitel Hotel at Athens Airport is the perfect respite for travelers who need relaxation and pampering after a stimulating holiday in Greece, and before boarding the airplane for the long trip home. If you were on the mainland or the islands for two weeks or two months, you owe yourself the convenience of unwinding in an outstanding oasis of tranquility, literally steps from the airport.

It is a luxurious five-star facility with French art de recevoir and overlooks the lovely Mesoghaia (middle earth) Valley. If you are staying for a few days, a Concierge can arrange a guided tour of Athens or, if your desire is to visit the Greek islands, private transportation to Piraeus can be arranged. Do your travel plans allow you to stay for one night only? The Sofitel is your best choice, especially if you have an early morning flight. You are 50 meters from the entrance to the airport; there is no need to awaken earlier than necessary to board a shuttle bus.