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Alpha Bank opens its bid books on Monday

Alpha Bank opens its bid books on Monday

Monday marks the start of the combined bidding process in Greece and abroad for the Alpha Bank share capital increase up to the amount of 800 million euros, aimed at giving the lender a capital boost for supporting its growth plan.

Codenamed “Tomorrow,” the Alpha business plan serves the targets of an €8 billion credit expansion by 2024, return to profits from next year and maintaining the capital adequacy index above 16.5%, despite the acceleration of the bank’s streamlining plan with five securitization transactions and sales totaling €8.1 billion.

Priority in the distribution of the new shares is granted to all existing bank shareholders who participate in the capital increase. According to the bulletin, approved late on Friday by the Capital Market Commission, 80% of the new shares will be for private placements through a book of bids from abroad, with the other 20% as a public offering in Greece. Small domestic shareholders account for 14% of Alpha, while another 8% belongs to Greek institutionals.

The maximum price has been set at €1.20 per share, which constitutes the guidance for the capital increase mainly for local shareholders.

Chios: Top Ten Beaches on Greece’s Island of a Thousand Faces

Chios: Top Ten Beaches on Greece’s Island of a Thousand Faces

Surrounded by the sparkling, deep sapphire waters of the Aegean Sea, Chios is the fifth-largest island in Greece, and it is a hidden gem full of stunning beaches waiting to be unveiled.

Together with the smaller islands Psara and Oinousses, it offers almost endless experiences and stunning vistas, and it is hospitable to visitors all year long.

Chios is famous for its mastic, a gum resin from a tree related to the cashew tree. But this magical flavoring from nature is not the only magic one can find on this magnificent, mountainous island.

The island boasts some of the best organized beaches you will find anywhere, as well as secluded coves for those who treasure their privacy.

Whether you like deserted coves, long sandy beaches, or colorful pebbled beaches, Chios is a feast for visitors which can satisfy a wide range of even the most demanding tastes.

You will undoubtedly feel as if you are on a different island every day while visiting Chios.

We have compiled a list of the top ten beaches on Chios, according to TripAdvisor, the well-respected travel and restaurant company. But feel free to visit and judge for yourself which is the most spectacular.

1. Mavros Gialos (Mavra Volia)

Mavros Gialos (“Black Beach”) is found on the southern part of the island, at a distance of 28 km (17 miles) west of Chios Town. The beach acquired its iconic black pebbles and sand thanks to an eruption of a volcano, which is now extinct.

There are no tourist facilities there but it is rarely crowded, and it is surrounded by greenery and rocky hills, which provide a backdrop of relaxing scenery as you swim.

2. Agia Dynami — Full of history and Perfect for Relaxing

Agia Dynami Beach also lies in southern Chios, and it mesmerizes visitors with its turquoise waters and white sands, offering tranquility and relaxation. While you are there, you can visit the imposing Olympoi Cave. Guided tours of the cave are available from early May till late September.

It is advisable to bring along food and water, since there are no restaurants available close to the beach.

3. Vroulidia Beach

Vroulidia Beach is located 35 km (22 miles) southwest of Chios Town, and it is also close to the aforementioned Mavros Gialos (“Mavra Volia”) beach. Since Vroulidia lies on the very southernmost edge of the island, it is quite secluded.

Its crystal clear waters and its pink sands are a true delight, giving a paradisiacal and exotic look to the whole area.

4. Komi Beach Offers Lively Option for Chios Visitors

Komi Beach is located on the southeast part of Chios, and just thirty minutes from the town. It is among the loveliest beaches of the island, with expansive sands and facilities such as deck chairs and umbrellas, and it is suitable for beach games.

The area has many tavernas, hotels, rooms to let, apartments and bars. It is also possible to rent bikes, canoes and equipment for water sports there.

5. Karfas Beach

Karfas Beach is located 5 km (3 miles) south of the island’s main town, in front of the seaside village. The beach there offers clean waters, fine sand and facilities such as umbrellas, sun beds, and water sports equipment for rent.

The area is surrounded by hotels, rooms to let, restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs. It is the largest tourist resort of the island, with many vacationers visiting every summer.

6. Agia Fotini Beach

A beautiful coastal village, Agia Fotini is 15 km (9 miles) south of Chios Town. Situated next to a bay with a pebbled shore and crystalline waters, it is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. The natural green landscape which surrounds it offers leisure and relaxation.

The beach is partly organized, with sundecks and umbrellas. You will also find tavernas and all types of accommodations there.

7. Limnos Beach

Limnos Beach can be found 42 km (926 miles) northwest of Chios Town, close to Volissos, an ancient village.

It is sandy with small gleaming pebbles and deep crystal waters. It is surrounded by a steep cliff and tall pine trees, forming a peaceful environment away from the noise of the bustling town.

The beach is in its original, natural state and has no umbrellas, but the area does have hotels, apartments, and two fish tavernas with splendid sea views.

8. Agia Irini Beach

Agia Irini Beach lies on the southwestern coast of Chios, 30 km (19 miles) southwest of the island’s main town.

This is a secluded and sheltered bay with no facilities of any kind. It is distinguished by its small white pebbles and the crystalline waters which offer a peaceful environment for swimming and sunbathing.

Agia Irini is found between the medieval villages of Mesta and Elata, providing the visitors with great opportunities for sightseeing.

9. Lithi Beach

The lovely beach of Lithi is found in a cove, west of Chios Town, on the western coast of the island. It offers mirror-like waters and soft, golden sand.

The small seaside village behind the beach is popular for its excellent fresh fish and seafood, brought in on a daily basis by local fishermen. Lastly, Lithi offers sunrises which are magical and truly unforgettable.

10. Giosonas Beach

Giosonas Beach is located on the northeast of the island of Chios, just 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from Kardamyla village.

This is a huge crescent beach with beautiful natural surroundings, and smooth white pebbles, and its turquoise waters are cold and crystal clear.

It is an ideal destination for families and people who prefer privacy and a natural environment for swimming and sunbathing.

New Metro Line in Athens Hailed as “Largest Project in Greece”

New Metro Line in Athens Hailed as “Largest Project in Greece”

The construction contract for a new metro line in Athens, which was signed on Tuesday, was hailed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as the “biggest public project in Greece.”

The contract between “Attiko Metro SA” and the “J&P Avax SA – Ghella SpA – Alstom Transport S.A” group of companies, for the construction of Athens metro Line 4, is budgeted at 1.6 billion euros.

It will “serve the most densely populated areas, will add significant value to properties, and will provide access to the Metro in emblematic areas,” Mitsotakis said, who added that the construction work will begin this Summer.

He acknowledged however, that the project “will cause considerable disturbance in Athens neighborhoods,” adding that patience is required “in order to see the first train of metro line 4 do its first run within schedule, in eight years.”

Construction of this new metro line begins at a time when the country is “turning a page as it leaves behind the coronavirus pandemic,” he underlined, and as “we invest in development to create new jobs and improve the quality of life.”

New Athens metro line from Galatsi to Goudi

The new Line 4 of the Athens metro will cover nearly 13 km (8.1 miles) from Alsos Veikou in Galatsi to Goudi, serving the municipalities of Athens, Galatsi, Kessariani and Zografou.

It will include 15 new stations: Alsos Veikou, Galatsi, Elikonos, Kypseli, Courts (Dikastiria), Alexandras Av., Exarchia, Akadimia, Kolonaki, Evangelismos, Kessariani, Panepistimioupoli, Zografou, Ilissia and Goudi, and serve key buildings and facilities.

These stations include hospitals, the courts, the National Polytechnic University, the National Archaeological Museum, the Culture Ministry, the University of Athens (UoA) Law School, the Benaki Museum (Koumbari St.), the British Council, and Panepistimioupoli, the UoA campus in Zografou.

In addition, four new stations – Exarchia, Akadimia, Kolonaki, and Evangelismos – will decongest current Athens metro stations, particularly the central one of Syntagma, and connect with the current lines at Panepistimio and Akadimia/Evangelismos stations.

The new line will run on a main tunnel approximately 10.1 km (6 miles) in length, created by two new tunnel-boring machines, and will also include 20 automated trains, without a driver.

It is estimated it will serve nearly 340,000 passengers on a daily basis, and reduce private car transportation by nearly 53,000 daily, with a reduction of CO2 emissions amounting to approximately 319 tons per day.

In addition to the new systems, the Line 4 construction project will introduce building information modeling (BIM), to Greece. This is an innovative platform supported by the European Commission and part of the Recovery Fund reforms.

It covers the gap between the researcher and the builder of a project, reducing the final cost significantly — a common problem in Greece.

The Athens Metro has significantly changed Athens by providing a much-needed solution to the city’s traffic and air pollution problem, as well as revitalizing many of the areas it serves.

An extension of Line 3 is also under construction toward Piraeus.

It is hailed for its modernity (mainly the newer lines 2, and 3) and many of its stations feature works of art, exhibitions and displays of the archeological remains found during its construction.

Greek Baker Gives Would-be Thief a Job — Changing His Life Forever

Greek Baker Gives Would-be Thief a Job — Changing His Life Forever

A Greek baker, Giannis Vitsaras, once offered a twelve-year-old boy who tried to steal from him a job rather than calling the police on him. Twenty-five years later, the boy, now a successful college graduate and father of two, returned to thank his mentor and former boss.

Greek 17-Year-Old Makes Thousands Selling Sneakers From His Bedroom

One of Greece’s best-known sneaker resellers is none other than 17-year-old Giannis Louloudis — who started selling shoes out of his childhood bedroom on the island of Rhodes.

Loungers Now Four Meters Apart on Greek Beaches to Promote Safety

Loungers Now Four Meters Apart on Greek Beaches to Promote Safety

Greek beaches now offer sun worshippers and swimmers loungers that are placed at least four meters apart for safety as part of its ambitious campaign to make vacationing in the country as safe as possible.

Bitcoin: El Salvador’s Grand Experiment

Bitcoin: El Salvador’s Grand Experiment

In what seems like a risky bet, the government of El Salvador passed a law that aims to make Bitcoin the country’s legal currency.

Around the world, bitcoin has a mixed reputation. Owning and using the cryptocurrency is legal in a majority of nations, tolerated in many others — and outlawed by a relatively small number.

Greece Coronavirus Cases Encouragingly Low on Monday

Greece Coronavirus Cases Encouragingly Low on Monday

Greece recorded 209 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday, which marks 39 fewer instances of the coronavirus than the 248 cases that had been recorded on Sunday.

Just four of Monday’s total cases were identified during routine Covid-19 testing of tourists at the country’s borders.

Everyday Life in Ancient Athens

Everyday Life in Ancient Athens

Everyday life in Ancient Athens of the Hellenistic era was more intellectually stimulating, and exciting, than in most ancient cities mainly due to the fact that Greeks excelled in theater and philosophy, and were involved in politics and athletics contests as well.

In addition, their culture had developed the vital art of public discourse at the agora. Men, if they were not training as soldiers, often discussed politics in groups or went to the theater to watch tragedies or comedies for entertainment.

Everyday life in Ancient Athens of the Hellenistic era was more intellectually stimulating, and exciting, than in most ancient cities mainly due to the fact that Greeks excelled in theater and philosophy, and were involved in politics and athletics contests as well.

In addition, their culture had developed the vital art of public discourse at the agora. Men, if they were not training as soldiers, often discussed politics in groups or went to the theater to watch tragedies or comedies for entertainment.

They could strongly relate to the plays, of course, which often involved current politics and the actions of Greek gods in some form.

The men of Ancient Greece also had full citizenship status and could vote, something women were not allowed to do.

Regarding the realm of theater, women were also not allowed to even watch plays — much less act in them. The theater was a masculine affair and the roles of women were always played by males.

Life for men in ancient Athens also involved playing games which did not involve physical activity also, including marbles, dice, and checkers. The ancient Greek version of checkers was similar to the current game of backgammon — however, the Ancient Greek version of Checkers involved a board, stones and dice.

Life for women in Ancient Athens

The life of women in ancient Athens was closely tied to domestic work, including spinning, weaving, cooking, and other domestic chores. They were not involved in public life or in politics whatsoever.

Females as a rule were mostly confined to the house, although one vital public duty for them was to serve as priestesses at temples.

Female children in ancient Athens were not formally educated; rather, their mothers would have taught them the skills they would need to run a household. They married young, often to much older men. When they married, Athenian women had two main roles: to bear children, and to run the household.

The ideal Athenian woman did not go out in public or interact with men she was not related to, though this ideology of seclusion would only have been practical in wealthy families.

In most households, women were needed to carry out tasks such as going to the market and drawing water, which required taking time outside the house where interactions with men were possible.

Farming around the seasons

Ancient Athenians had to eat, of course as well. It was only natural that the majority of them made their living and put food on the table from farming. Citizens often owned land outside the city which provided their income.

The Greek landscape and climate, however, made farming a difficult endeavor.

In September it was time to harvest the grapes, which were either kept for eating or used to make wine. Winemaking wine was done by treading the grapes by foot and then keeping the juice in enormous casks to ferment.

Olives were either picked by hand or knocked out of the tress with wooden sticks. Some were crushed in a press to produce olive oil and others were kept to be eaten as is. Olive oil was extremely important to ancient Athenians, since it had many uses, such as cooking, lighting, beauty products and for athletic purposes.

Olives and their associated products were so vital to the economy that uprooting an olive tree was a criminal offense in Ancient Greece.

Grains were usually harvested in October to ensure they would be able to grow during the wettest season. The farmer would use a plough driven by oxen while a second man would follow behind, sowing the seeds.

In Spring, crops were harvested using sickles. After harvesting the grain, it was then threshed, using mules and the help of the wind to separate the chaff from the grain. The husks were then removed by pounding the grain with a mortar and pestle.

Ancient Athenians ate bread made of barley or wheat, along with porridge, accompanied by cheese, vegetables, fish, eggs and fruit. Animals such as deer, hare, and boars were hunted as well, but their meat was only used as an addition to the staple foods.

Seasoning usually involved coriander and sesame seeds. Honey was most likely the only sweetener that existed at the time, and honey’s great importance in ancient Greece is demonstrated by beehives being housed in terracotta vases.

Growing up in ancient Athens

Athenian boys played games similar to today’s hockey and they also participated in a lot of different types of athletics, including road races, wrestling and calisthenics. Since they usually played naked, girls were forbidden to watch any athletic competitions.

Overall, women and girls were not expected perform much physical activity for recreational purposes.

Children in ancient Greece usually occupied their time playing with toys and games. We know from archaeological research that they played with balls, miniature chariots, rattles, yo-yos, rocking horses, and dolls and animals made from clay.

Boys were taught at home by their mothers until they were 6 or 7 years old. In Athens, all further education was left up to the father, and students were taught by private schoolmasters after that age.

The boys from wealthy families were taken to school by a trusted slave. The students learned to write by using a stylus on wax-covered tablets. Books were exceptionally expensive, so they were very rare.

The students in Athens learned to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. They also learned about fractions. Students learned the poems of Homer — surely knowing much of them by heart —  and how to play the lyre.

Wealthy children also learned to ride horseback. Other sports included wrestling, archery, using a sling, and swimming. At age 14 boys attended a higher school for four more years. Then at age 18 boys were sent to a military school from which they would graduate at age 20.

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Transavia Airlines to Add France-Greece Flights this Summer

Transavia Airlines to Add France-Greece Flights this Summer

Transavia Airlines will increase the number of flights they operate between France and Greece for the summer of 2021, the company’s CEO said on Monday.

The airline is planning to increase the number of their 2021 flights between the two locations to equal all those they operated in 2019 — which was a banner year for tourism in Greece.

 

Greece has long been an extremely popular destination for French tourists, with many frequenting a number of Greek islands. Transavia is hoping to capitalize on the increased interest in travel between the two nations as the coronavirus situation begins to improve.

“For the past few weeks, we have observed 30-to-40% more sales (in comparison to) the same time in 2019,” said the CEO of Transavia France, Nathalie Stubler.

It is perhaps surprising that sales this year are surpassing the number of tickets sold in 2019, as the world is still fighting a global pandemic with new challenges in beating the virus cropping up often.

However, it is clear that people all over the globe are tired of shielding in their homes and need to relax and make memories now that the epidemiological picture is beginning to look better in both countries.

As a response to increasing consumer demand, Transavia is planning on making the same number of seats available to travelers online that it offered in 2019 for flights beginning in July through the month of August.

The increase in the number of flights connecting Paris to the Greek island of Corfu is most impressive, with those offered by Transavia Airlines on this flightpath doubling for the Summer.

However, Stubler was quick to point out that this increase in ticket sales is vital for a struggling industry.

“There is a catch-up effect, because for a number of months we did not sell (any tickets),” she highlighted, “but it also shows a strong appetite from customers (to travel).”

However, this does not mean Transavia is throwing caution to the wind by any means. The airline official stressed that the company is prioritizing customer health and following all appropriate coronavirus guidelines.

“In terms of capacity, we will gradually increase. We are already at about 70% in June, while we were at 50% in April during the travel restrictions,” Stubler said.