Athens - The Hungry Nomad

Six D.O.G.S (Athens, Greece)

June 30, 2011 3 Comments

Summer in the city. It sounds simply lovely, but here in Athens sometimes the heat, the crowds and the noise can all just get to you. This summer particularly, young and old Athenians are looking for some place positive and relaxed to forget and discuss what’s going on in their city. Luckily we can find refuge in some amazing hidden bars and cafés.

One of them is Six D.O.G.S in the city centre, just of Monasteraki Square. Six D.O.G.S calls itself a ‘day & night cultural entertainment centre’ and that description definitely covers all they have to offer. You’ll find a café, a bar, a visual arts’ project space, and a space for live gigs. My favorite by far though is their garden. First off is the surprise factor to find a place so serene and earthly just off one of the busiest parts of town. Completely hidden from the street you enter through a little tunnel to find yourself in another, peaceful, world. Also, they just serve about anything from coffee, cocktails to sandwiches and other seasonal & local mezes.. All the ingredients one needs to refuel after another day in the city, I should think!

Six D.O.G.S also often hosts one of my favorite monthly events in town: The Meet Market. If ever you’re in Athens, do check out if there’s one going on if you want to stock up on original art pieces, jewelry, (new & vintage) clothes from local artistsand craftspeople.

Athens, Greece

Yiasemi (Athens, Greece)

April 18, 2011 1 Comment

While the north of Europe is experiencing spring in full bloom, in our little south-eastern corner of this continent the weather gods granted us some more chilly, grey and rainy days before the strong summer sun will make its daily appearance once again. On a dreary afternoon like this, all you need is a homely place and good company.

Yiasemi (jasmine in Greek) offers you just that. What better place to meet your friends at than one where you may sit close to the fireplace, munching on delicious home-made savory and sweet pies, drinking a coffee or even some spicy sweet rakomelo*? To make it even better, this little cafe has the most relaxed & friendly service and is located in Plaka, one of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods, right under the Acropolis. I’m already anxiously awaiting warmer days to come when I’ll be able to sit on Yiasemi’s steps, dreaming of days gone by.

*my very favorite cold-weather-drink: warm raki mixed with spices and honey. So good.

Athens, Greece

Clean Monday (Athens, Greece)

March 7, 2011 No Comments

Today it is Clean Monday in Greece. This day represents the start of the Orthodox Christian days of Lent before Easter. In Athens we celebrate this day by lovely picnics and flying kites at one of the green and beautiful hills surrounding the city: Philoppapou. The bakeries are traditionally open this day and sell on this day only Lagana, a delicious large flat bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. The bread is so popular, a huge line formed in front of our neighborhood bakery while the baker was handing out Mastic spirits (mind you, this was early morning) and small pieces of Lagana bread, hot out of the oven to the hungry crowd. Yum!

Athens, Greece, Travel

A Weekend Out (Athens, Greece)

February 20, 2011 No Comments

Athens is a city which has lots to offer: history, culture, arts, food. You name it, you’ll find it. And if there is one thing Athens is good at, it’s entertaining its visitors. Two places I’ll share with you today. Both a little outside the city centre, both equally enjoyable but each with its own distinct flavor. I apologize for the slightly dim pictures, I sometimes still struggle with my camera after dark..

The Railway Carriage Theatre ‘To Treno sto Rouf’ (The Train at Rouf) runs theatre and music shows in some beautifully renovated train wagons. The music wagon of today is the original restaurant wagon of the famous ‘Orient Express’ dating back to 1924. While enjoying a meal, a small band plays on around you in the intimate surroundings of the wagon. I haven’t experienced any concert like this before and I absolutely love the concept, especially for a romantic night out. If you’re in town, be sure to check out what shows are on.

Another nice stop for the weekend- but in size exactly the opposite- is the Kitchen Bar in the Kalamaki area. This spacious bar/restaurant offers coffee, drinks and American-style food. I am a big fan of the traditional Greek cafés and small taverns in the centre of Athens. But if you’re looking to escape the city bustle just for a bit, the Kitchen Bar offers you a view of the bay and an island-feel from their airy and pleasant restaurant. You’ll find a mixed crowd here, which makes for great people watching.

Athens, Greece, Shopping, Travel

Athens International Airport (Athens, Greece)

January 19, 2011 No Comments

Here is the first post by the new addition to the blog: Kim. Enjoy!

What better way to kick off my guest blog here at the Hungry Nomad than to start where most travels start: the airport! I love airports, with their air of adventure, observing all the people wondering what exotic places they might be heading while snapping a pic or two.. Mostly though, my airport experiences are the same with the occasional little treasure. My point of departure nowadays is Athens International Airport, where you may find two such treasures.

One I’d like to share with you is Korres, a Greek store offering natural and organic beauty products which to my opinion all smell delicious and come in beautifully designed packages. I simply can’t choose what I like best about Korres: their philosophy on nature and beauty, their great design or perhaps just their delicious guava butter, fig body milk and spicy fragrances.

The other one is the Mastiha Shop selling products with mastiha, the resin of mastic trees growing only on the island of Chios. The resin has a long history of use and is believed to have many good qualities. Mastiha with its lovely distinct flavor and scent is used in tons of different products from ointments and liqueurs to sweets. My personal favorites are the little choco delights with mastiha. Mastiha is a favorite also outside Greece, I have tasted some scrumptious mastic desserts in Istanbul. So when you’re in the neighborhood, keep an eye out for mastic treats!

The Mastiha Shop can be found only at the ‘all passengers area’. Korres stores can be found at both the ‘all passengers area’ and ‘extra-Schengen passengers area’. The Mastiha Shop & Korres also have stores in some major international cities around the globe such as Paris and New York and can also be found at Sephora.