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.
- 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.
- How to Eat a Greek Spoon Sweetby thegreekvibeThe Greek spoon sweet or the “glyko you koutaliou” is a dessert traditionally served as a gesture of hospitality to guests. Every house in Greece not only has a spoon sweet in its cupboard, but may have more than one and probably does! And each family member has a favorite. These desserts are usually homemade, […]
- 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.
- 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.
- Asclepius & The Asclepions: The Ancient Wellness Centers of Greeceby 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.
- 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 ParavantesA visit to the monasteries of Meteora is an absolute must and one of the five “should-do” things in Greece.
- 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.
- Vassilopita: A Greek New Year’s Cake Bearing Giftsby Maria ParavantesThe vassilopita is a special cake made in Greek households to mark the beginning of a new year. Learn more about the surprises and the rules.
- 10 Unique Gift Ideas for Greece Loversby Maria ParavantesTen fantastic Greek gift ideas that bring Greece straight to your family and friends and are easy to find.
- 5 Unique Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss on Santorini by Maria ParavantesIf you’re planning to visit Santorini then make sure to make time for these five unique travel experiences that shouldn’t be missed.
- Swimming in Greece Fall or Winter: The Tipsby Maria ParavantesLet’s discover the secrets of swimming and enjoying the beach in Greece in the fall and early winter.
- The Medieval Festival of Rhodes and its Magicby Maria ParavantesDancers in royal red robes, fleeting fairies, daring fire eaters, jovial jesters, crazy jugglers, wicked witches, and of course, valiant knights in shining armor can all be seen roaming around the Medieval Town of Rhodes, in Greece.
- How to Eat Vegan or Vegetarian in Greeceby thegreekvibeAll you need to know about eating and ordering vegan or vegetarian foods and dishes when you’re traveling to Greece.
- Fystiki Aeginis: The Greek Pistachio Nutby Maria ParavantesEvery year the Greek island of Aegina celebrates its most prized specialty food product: the fine “Fystiki Aeginis” or Aegina pistachio.
- Koliva: The Symbolism of a Greek Delicacy Made for the Deadby Maria ParavantesIn Greece we make “koliva” when a loved one dies. Each ingredient and the preparation steps carry a special symbolism.
- Go Vegan in Greece at These Top-notch Athens Eateriesby Maria ParavantesIn Athens, vegan and vegetarian choices have mushroomed. Greek restauranteurs have actively begun to either expand and diversify their vegetarian offerings while an impressive number of younger-generation shop-owners having decided to go full-out vegan.
- Greek Political Song: Get up, Stand up, Sing Out for Your Rightsby Maria ParavantesInside Greek political and resistance song: Greeks have always chosen to be deeply political even if this is only in music and in verse.
- The Ancient Greeks & The Many Types of Love by Maria ParavantesHow many kinds of love are there? For the ancient Greeks, there were many, that’s why they had so many words and gods of love and sex.
- Vergina: A Royal Tomb, A Golden Crown, A Travel Mustby Maria ParavantesVergina, the kingdom of Macedonia, the burial ground of a great Greek king and his family. If you love Greece, then you must visit Vergina at least once in your lifetime.
- Epiphany: When Greeks Bless the Waters to Mark a New Startby Maria ParavantesEvery year, on January 6, Greece marks the Blessing of the Waters, known as Epiphany Day bringing the holiday season to a close and sending a message of spiritual rejuvenation.
- 12+1 Greek Food Products You Must Tryby Maria ParavantesBring the tastes of Greece to your table at home with these 13 easy-to-find products.