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Kos: the island of Medicine
One of the best known Greek islands, Kos is a popular destination for the European holiday-makers. Yet, Kos has a rich history that is often overlooked; this is where Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, was born (around 460 BC) and also began his medical career. As a doctor myself, I have a soft spot for Kos, which I have visited many times since I took the Hippocratic Oath. Today, I would like to share my top 9 tips, but first, let us remember an ancient Greek myth. The myth According to an ancient Greek myth, Asclepios was the first baby to have been delivered via -what centuries later came to…
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A weekend in Athens: top 7 tips
Although I’ve never lived in Athens, I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Greek capital, usually for a weekend break. Known as the cradle of the Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Athens (or Athina, in Greek) has a rich and diverse history spanning over three thousand years. Nowadays, Athens is the largest city in Greece, and is home to more than three million people. Here are my top 7 tips for a weekend (or a couple of days) in Athens: Tip 1: Visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum If there was only one image associated with Athens, that would definitely be the Parthenon, the iconic ancient temple on the…
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Traveling around Thessaloniki with a local
I was born and raised in Thessaloniki (also called Thessalonica), the largest city in the Greek region of Macedonia and the second-largest city in Greece. Since I moved to England at the age of 23, I come back to my hometown several times a year, and each time I’m pleasantly surprised, as there’s always something new to discover. Today, I would like to take you to a tour around the city, including some of my favorite hangouts as well as new hotspots. About Thessaloniki Thessaloniki is a coastal city located on the Thermaic Gulf, at the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. Founded over two millennia ago, the city has…
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Traveling around Skyros with a local
Hello! I am back from Skyros, my favorite Greek island. During my 10-day stay, I reconnected with my family, swam in the crystalline waters of the Aegean, relaxed by the sea reading novels and poetry, savored Skyrian delicacies (see below), and sipped cocktails. This was the fourth time I visited Skyros as an adult, and it certainly won’t be the last. In fact, I’m already making plans to visit again next summer. There are quite a few reasons why Skyros is the island I have visited the most; I have highlighted those in my post ‘Skyros: the island of wellness and wellbeing’, published in January 2019. Today, I would like…
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A musical journey to the Greek islands (Part 2)
Hello! I’m currently in Skyros, my late grandfather’s home island, a great place to unwind, relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. One may argue that most Greek islands are such places. True. However, there is a very good reason why Skyros tops that list. The island is home to Skyros Center, Europe’s first course-based holiday center. Located in the middle of the Aegean, Skyros is the largest and southernmost of the Sporades islands (the other three of the group are Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos). I’ve been here for a few days now, having driven all the way from Thessaloniki (a six-hour drive to the east coast of Evia, followed…
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Fanouropita: a Rhodes-inspired recipe
Saint Fanourios, the patron saint of Rhodes, is commemorated tomorrow, 27 August. Fanourios means the one who reveals (fanerono means reveal in Greek), and according to the tradition, Saint Fanourios helps people find their lost belongings or even missing persons. In Rhodes and other places in Greece and Cyprus, believers bake a cake called fanouropita on 26 August; then, the following day, they take it to the church where it is blessed and then offered to more believers. Despite its name, fanouropita is not a pie (pita means pie in Greek), but a fasting cake made with 7, 9, or 11 ingredients (always an odd number). Alex’s fanouropita To make it healthier,…
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A musical journey to the Greek islands (Part 1)
Hello! It’s been 10 days since I arrived in Greece. So far, I have stayed in my hometown, Thessaloniki, but I will soon visit Skyros, my late grandfather’s home island. Although Skyros is a short flight from Thessaloniki (25-30 minutes), I’m going to take the long way round: drive to the east coast of Evia (6 hours), then take the ferry to Skyros (an hour and a half). Once upon a time, I would have made several mixtapes for the road. Instead, I have compiled a 3-hour playlist, a musical journey to the Greek islands. Today, I’m sharing the first half of my playlist, 22 songs in total. A musical…
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6 delicious Greek summer recipes
Hello! I’m finally back in Greece. As much as I enjoy living in London, I sometimes get quite homesick. There are actually two things from my home country that I have missed the most: the delicious food and the summer, hot, sunny and care-free. 2020 has been a very challenging year for most of us. International travel restrictions have taken a toll on many people, including serial travelers like myself. Mindful of the fact that many readers of this blog may not have traveled this year, I would like to give you a taste of the Greek summer and share some of my favorite Greek summer recipes. Greek summer recipes…
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Island-hopping in the Cyclades
The Cyclades. A group of islands in the Aegean Sea, so close to each other (island-hopping, anyone?) and yet so different. Like a group of old friends, each of them has her own distinct personality, her own unique character, her own charm. Syros is the quiet leader, Mykonos her loud, party-loving, gay-friendly neighbor. With equal parts of hedonism and glamour, she is comfortably nestled between religious Tinos and chaste, pure Delos. Santorini is the popular one, classic pageant material, the queen of Instagram (#Santorini: 6,122,817 posts). Then, there’s Folegandros. Stepping out of her sister’s shadow, she’s trendy and vibrant; some may call her hipster. Star-quality Amorgos is as enchanting as adventurous. …
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Healthy cakes & bakes inspired by my travels
Aside from traveling, I also love cooking and baking, and I draw inspiration from my travels. Unable to travel during the lockdown, I have found solace in baking. In fact, over the last couple of months, I have baked dozens of healthy cakes, cupcakes and muffins, cookies and biscuits, and other bakes. As a Psychiatrist, I am a passionate advocate of work-life balance and wellbeing (which includes healthy eating, yoga and meditation), and I try to lead by example. In 2018, I decided to combine these passions of mine into something that I could share with my family and friends across the world. So, I launched the Traveling Psychiatrist, a…