In this section of The Greek Vibe you can find posts on Greek culture, traditions, customs, and heritage. Join me and let’s discover Greece beyond its beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, and breathtaking mountains.
Your #yournextgreeceadventure begins here.
- Ioannina’s Silversmithing Museum: A Great Experience for Young and Oldby Maria ParavantesA fun thing to do in Ioannina, Greece, is visit the town’s Silversmithing Museum, great for young and old, and a few hours very well spent.
- Best Road Trip in Greece? Mesa Mani by Maria ParavantesThe best road trip in Greece? Four days in Mesa Mani. A four-day itinerary, the sites, the people and the magic.
- Unlocking the Secrets of the Asclepions: Greece’s Ancient Wellness Centersby Maria ParavantesThe ancient Greeks had gods for everything they either feared, hoped for or treasured. Obviously, good health and wellbeing were among these so they created Asclepius, the god of health and healing and flocked to his temples to seek comfort.
- The Greek ‘Panegyri’ and Why You Shouldn’t Miss Itby Maria ParavantesIf there’s one thing you should absolutely NOT miss when visiting Greece, then that is the town “panegyri” – a special outdoor happening that is best enjoyed in the summer.
- How Greeks Burn Livani or Incense and Whyby Maria ParavantesHow do Greeks use livani incense, what does it symbolize and why are many returning to this ancient ritual?
- 8 Great Books for Greece Loversby Maria ParavantesEight great Greece-inspired books, from ancient myths to contemporary tales, perfect for Greece lovers and book fans.
- 8 UNESCO-listed Heritage Traditions to Experience in Greeceby Maria ParavantesFind out where or how to experience the Greek traditions, customs or practices included on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and recognized as significant universal expressions of heritage.
- All About Greek Avgotaracho: Messolonghi’s Luxury Bottargaby Maria ParavantesAll you need to know about ‘avgotaracho’ or Greek bottarga from Messlonghi. The ultimate guide to buying, eating and enjoying the specialty food product.
- ‘Ellada’ – The musical tale of our Mother(land) Greeceby Maria ParavantesA song penned by Greek composer Yannis Markopoulos almost 50 years ago about Mother Greece (Motherland) continues to be relevent to this day.
- Melitzazz: A Famous Greek Eggplant and its Festivalby Maria ParavantesFor over a decade, the folks in the Peloponnese village of Leonidio pay tribute to their prized possession: the eggplant (or Tsakoniki Melitzana) with Melitzzazz, one of the most interesting food festivals in Greece.
- All You Wanted to Know About Greek Beersby Maria ParavantesGreek beer? From Mt Olympus to Santorini, beer lovers in Greece are making some pretty great Greek craft beers. Beer lovers in Greece are making over 400 craft beers at microbreweries across the country from Mt Olympus to Santorini. All you need to know.
- Ypovrichio: The Greek ‘Submarine’ Spoon Sweetby thegreekvibeThe “Greek submarine” or “Ypovrichio” is a white chewy sweet flavored with vanila or mastiha and served on a spoon dipped in a long glass of crystal cold water.
- Hands-on Learning About Food Traditions on Creteby Maria ParavantesLong before the world understood the importance of culinary legacies, their impact on health and wellbeing, community prosperity and local economies, this US-born dreamer made her way to Crete and set up a humble refuge.
- What’s Greek ‘Kerasma’ All About?by thegreekvibe“Kerasma” means “treat” or “to be treated” and it is one of Greeks’ favorite ways to show affection, hospitality, or to flirt.
- This is How to Eat a Greek Spoon Sweetby thegreekvibeGreek spoon sweets or “glyka tou koutaliou” can be eaten in the traditional way but are also great as toppings and even dips.
- How to Live Long and Happy Like a Greek by Maria Paravantes15 Greek lifestyle tips that may bring health, happiness and wellbeing even if you’re in the heart of Chicago or in Greenland.
- Things to See & Do in Lavrion: Attica’s Best Kept Secretby Maria ParavantesThings to see and do on a day trip to Lavrion, a Greek port town near Athens brimming with history, mystery, and absolutely great food.
- Tinos: A Greek Island Where Miracles Still Happenby Maria ParavantesOn August 15, the grandest celebration in Greece after Orthodox Easter, a feast is held commemorating the Dormition of the Virgin Mary or the “Koimisis tis Theotokou”, which means Her “falling asleep” and ascending into heaven.
- Karagiozis: A Greek Superhero with Human Qualitiesby Maria ParavantesGreece may have dozens of gods and goddesses but they also have an antihero who does more for the Greek soul than all of the gods put together.
- The Greeks and Their ‘Kathara Deftera’ Funby thegreekvibeKathara Deftera (Clean Monday) is an outdoor celebration in Greece when we fly a kite and eat Lenten foods before we fast for Easter.
- Greek Evil Eye: 6 Tips to Avert the ‘Mati’by Maria ParavantesThe Greek ‘mati’, or evil eye belief, dates back thousands of years in life traditions worldwide. If your own energy levels are low, you may be susceptible to negative energy ‘transmitted’ your way. So how can you ward off the bad vibes?
- Why You Should Visit Leonidio Greece at Least Onceby Maria ParavantesThis is why you should visit the remote village of Leonidio in Greece at least once even if you’re not a rock climber.
- Apokries: 3 Genuine Greek Carnival Experiencesby Maria ParavantesVisiting Greece during the Apokria carnival season is perhaps the most immersive travel experience one can get as it combines song, dance, and revelry with food, drink and human interaction.
- Visit Meteora and Reach Out to the Universeby Maria ParavantesWant a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience? Then visit Meteora in Greece, a spectacular natural setting right out of science fiction.
- Greek Carols for the New Year – The Kalanta Traditionby Maria ParavantesGreek New Year’s carols, or “kalanta”, are musical masterpieces conveying the centuries-old wisdom of love, compassion and kindness.