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Greece Master Thread
Chabad has an awesome restaurant (and a cool chabad house) in Athens (Rated Number 2 of all restaurants in Athens on TA).
They also ship to all islands which you can warm up in your hotel. The food is awesome as as well!
Find them on facebook or on their website

Bunch of kosher travel related info here: http://koshergreece.com


Trip Reports: CS91's Santorini & Athens

Zaggurus TR: zagguru's


Sam28 TR Santorini : Sam28's


Athens:
Hotels
Hotel Grande Bretagne (Starwood)
King George Palace  (Starwood)
Both hotel's are right near each other, grand Bretagne is a little more upscale.
Both are walking distance to Chabad (Around 10 min) and to most of the action in Athens.
Other hotel's are a little further out of all the action.

Stuff to do
GOSTIJO kosher restaurant (They have a small grocery where you can get a variety of Israeli products) [See above]
Acropolis (Akropolis) and the Acropolis (Akropolis) Museum
Anafiotika (old town with some shopping)
Plaka 
Monastiraki
Panathenaic Stadium (Panathinaiko Stadio) first modern Olympics game.
Day trip to Delphi
Water-skiing in the Aegean Sea

Athens Chabad Pdf

Mykonos:
Hotels

Kosher
https://koshermykonos.com
whiteandblue.kosher@gmail.com
+331 84 60 70 70

What to do


Santorini:
Hotels
There are only two options which take points.
1. Vedema, this hotel is in Megalochori, it is a little off the path (Not near the water) and you don't get the views you would expect in Santorini. (Not a great option, but if you want to stay with points, it is a nice hotel)
2. Mystique, rated as one of the best Starwood hotels in the world. Availability is almost impossible, because they only have 27 rooms. Never mind the shocking 70K Starwood points a night in high season. 

Stuff to do
Kamari Beach, there is a cliff there which has a nice jump into the ocean. (Please be careful!)
Red Beach
Hiking Trail Fira - Oia (You can take a Donkey which is quite freaky, or take a tram)
Sunset in Oia (A must do, to get away from the crowds go to Sun Spirit, it is near the windmill and has great views and not packed. They only serve drinks.)
Santorini Volcano, Hot Springs.
Rent a ATV go around the island (At your own risk, the drivers in Santorini are crazy!)
Highest point of the island near the town of Prygos. Awesome panoramic views of the whole island.

Rhodes
Hotels
Sheraton Rhodes, large resort very centrally located. nice pools.
https://chabadrhodes.com

« Last edited by davidmal on October 16, 2023, 08:49:36 AM »

Author Topic: Greece Master Thread  (Read 223101 times)

Offline SPLP

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #320 on: March 01, 2015, 04:59:37 AM »
Saw this in Athens newspaper --VIA Google translate

 GREECE 28/02/2015: 12:31
The letter of ... yummy Jewish Law in our plate
LINA GIANNAROU

    The restaurant offers Sephardic cuisine with specific materials: no pork and seafood, not meat mixed with milk, kept religiously cleanliness, especially vegetables.

The restaurant offers Sephardic cuisine with specific materials: no pork and seafood, not meat mixed with milk, kept religiously cleanliness, especially vegetables.

LABELS:

In tripadvisor, website visited most travelers before each trip, the reviews are enthusiastic. "Very warm welcome and excellent food!" "Excellent hospitality, a home away from home" "Amazing restaurant, not to be missed" write about Gostijo Psirri. As expected, a large proportion of comments from Israeli citizens who dined there during their stay in Athens. This is the first -and uniqueness restaurant in Greek capital which offers kosher food (or Cáceres), ie dishes are in accordance with Jewish law. Next to the restaurant, operates the only convenience store in Athens where one can buy products Cáceres.

The Gostijo up and running Rabbi Mendel Handel with his French wife Nechama. "We had been in Greece before 14 years with the organization Chabad (pp known chasidiko movement, the largest Jewish religious organization in the world) that promotes educational programs and activities around the world to open a branch in Athens," says Mr. Handel in "K". "Living here we found that there was a need for a kosher restaurant. So we decided to open us ".

The restaurant offers Cáceres Sephardic cuisine. As explains Mr. Handel, Cáceres means to be prepared by the Jewish law, ie to use specific materials and special preparation. For example, not in pork and seafood menu, no meat mixed with milk, kept religiously cleanliness, especially vegetables that there are no insects on leaves etc. "In other words, Cáceres could be any cuisine in the world, even the Chinese! We like to introduce to the Athenians the Sephardic cuisine, namely the kitchen of the Mediterranean Jews. " «Gostijo» also means girlfriends in Ladino, the particular dialect of the Mediterranean Jews. "The kitchen is familiar to the Greeks, as many dishes from islands such as Rhodes, from Thessaloniki, but also from neighboring countries. It is similar to the Greek cuisine but also different. Nearby flavors unique. "

However, as there is no industry in Greece certifying food as Cáceres (5000 the Jewish population is not enough incentive, says features the Jewish Museum of Greece), the couple is forced to import many of the products. "One key to find here, but the more we bring them from France and Italy." In order to serve the Jewish visitors, Mendel and Nechama opened next to the restaurant and a small market with Cáceres products.

Many believe, however, that gradually this market will open, as it is not only Jews who prefer Cáceres products, and a growing portion of consumers who invest in food safety. "For example, Cáceres bread to get certified you need to know them one by one the materials with which it is constructed. This is a problem with today's food may have traces of several components. " It is no coincidence that among the loyal customers of the restaurant and include too many non-Jews Greeks.

He recently appeared Cáceres meat bench and Varvakeio Market.

Tourism 'brings' the Cáceres

In the US, 20% of food sold in supermarkets are certified Kosher. Cáceres products can be found in large supermarkets in Athens, but not much variety, while interested parties should seek to pack some of the international brands K, OK, OU, KF or KLBD. Certification Kosher featuring approximately 400,000 products produced by 2,400 companies around the world, according to rules which are rooted in the Bible and Jewish tradition. Certification is granted annually and by various organizations.

In recent years, intense mobility observed in the Greek market for the production of certified Kosher products aimed at export. Recently, the Exporters' Association of Crete had invited, at an event in Heraklion, Rabbi Alan Ira Silver, director company provides the certification, to inform exporting enterprises of Crete where already active in Israel.

However, apart from exports, many geared to imports Cáceres food, given the dramatic increase in the number of Israeli tourists in Greece. Only in the last three years are estimated to have visited our country 1.2 million. Israelis, since April, so that 'opens' the holiday season in the country by the end of September. Indeed, it is estimated that their number this year will reach 800,000 from 212,466 in 2013.


   


Offline itsyehuda

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #321 on: March 08, 2015, 10:53:30 PM »
Has anyone stayed at Vedema? With it dropping back to Cat 6, thinking of going in August.
I remember when a coke was a nickel, and you could buy VRs in OD.

Offline SPLP

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #322 on: March 09, 2015, 05:31:43 AM »
Has anyone stayed at Vedema? With it dropping back to Cat 6, thinking of going in August.

yes- very nice  one of best in Greek islands 

Offline itsyehuda

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #323 on: March 09, 2015, 07:10:18 AM »
yes- very nice  one of best in Greek islands

Seems like people here really enjoyed ATVing and sunset in Oia. Do you miss out on that by choosing Vedema?
I remember when a coke was a nickel, and you could buy VRs in OD.

Offline SPLP

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #324 on: March 09, 2015, 07:39:49 AM »
Seems like people here really enjoyed ATVing and sunset in Oia. Do you miss out on that by choosing Vedema?

VEDEMA is one of the best in Greece -- It is first class --- not on the beach but they run a shuttle to beach and works well very well -- sunset you can drive to see --- ATV , I am not into , so do not know -- if first class is important this is one of the best - The Greek islands do NOT have a lot of places can use points or real 5 star places -  I have been to a few -  I rate them as follows ---(I go for sun relaxation water and real nice accommodations  )

1 mykonos( santa marina ) will return
2 Vadema -- wiil return
3 Crete (Blue palace)   --will not go back  did not like the beach

4 Rhodes  ( sheraton ) -- will not go back did not like the beach-- PRICE TEMPTED ME at 28k for  five nites -- worth the price since I bought "PRICE"-- if you like a pool -- great value !! as hotel is very nice -- saw photos b4 I went an thought photos were to good to be true - I was wrong
« Last Edit: March 09, 2015, 07:44:19 AM by SPLP »

Offline mimb

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #325 on: March 20, 2015, 04:33:39 PM »
Hi All,

Any tips/advice for routing to Athens/any Greek airport from NYC using a Star Alliance member? I've been searching on UA.com but want to know what I should be doing when i want to book (which airline to book through for cheapest rates). Thanks

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #326 on: March 20, 2015, 04:59:40 PM »

Offline mimb

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #327 on: May 18, 2015, 06:59:16 PM »
anyone have any updated TR's? trying to decide whether to stay in Mykonos or Santorini for 3 days.  I've heard the beaches in Mykonos are much nicer. Also want to know if I should stay in Athens for Shabbat to go to chabad, etc.? Thanks

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #328 on: May 18, 2015, 07:24:19 PM »
Any recommendations for tours in Athens?
There is a double decker bus tour line that had an amazing free 2 hr tour running twice a day when I was there last summer. Best part is you don't need to buy the ticket to ride the bus. The guide told me that he works for the bus company but he doesn't turn anyone away from the tour. Forgot the name of the bus line but it was red buses

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #329 on: May 18, 2015, 07:44:34 PM »
anyone have any updated TR's? trying to decide whether to stay in Mykonos or Santorini for 3 days.  I've heard the beaches in Mykonos are much nicer. Also want to know if I should stay in Athens for Shabbat to go to chabad, etc.? Thanks
I haven't been to Mykonos or santorini but here is a tr from Greece last year
Aug 5 - 17, 2014

Thessalonika, rhodes, & Athens -
Thessaloniki - Stayed in met hotel. Amazing. First class service, rooftop pool, great gym, indoor pool, gorgeous rooms, shuttle to center of town etc
Wed - went to white tower, Aristotelous square, arch, nighttime boat ride from white tower, walked on port
Thurs - went to markets, kosher restaurant, swimming in rooftop pool
Friday - mount olympus - rented car & drove abt 2 hrs. Then drove 2 more hrs up olympus. Gorgeous gorgeous views, beautiful hiking etc... walked to chabad at nite for seudah
Shabbos - davening/meal in chabad
Sunday - flew to rhodes, stayed in Sheraton suite with amazing views, rented ATV frm tsams, went to old town
Monday - drove ATV to Lindos beach - gorgeous beach, went jetskiing, drove to outskirts of Lindos old town by acropolis & parked outside and walked thru town with hundreds of cool little shops all the way to top of acropolis where there r stunning views, took a donkey ride down, stopped in awesome ice bar on way bak, ATV'ed home - stopped off at carrefour for food
Tues - waterpark, casino
Wed - seven springs/waterfall by epta piges - refreshing freezing water and gorgeous views, went to butterfly valley
Thurs - scuba/snorkeling trip
Fri - flew to Athens, cecil hotel (cheap & no amenities but rly nice staff - let us check in at 8 am, eat breakfast etc)
Shabos - great time in chabad, walked to Greek parliament to see changing of guards,
sat nite - drinks in sky bar on a  large hill/mountain (forgot the name) with view of entire Athens
Sunday - tour Athens - tour bus with guided tour of acropolis/Parthenon, hadrians arch, temple of Zeus, supper in gostijo

Offline David1

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #330 on: May 26, 2015, 09:58:34 PM »
Any recommendations of a tour guide company in Athens. Or is it easier just to get around yourself? Whats a must see while we are there.
And wheres a good kosher place to eat while we are there?

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #331 on: May 26, 2015, 10:38:02 PM »
Any recommendations of a tour guide company in Athens. Or is it easier just to get around yourself? Whats a must see while we are there.
And wheres a good kosher place to eat while we are there?
There is a great kosher restaurant named gostijo. It is run by the Chabad & is not expensive. Located about a 5 min walk from the Shul. Check Chabad website for details.
As for touring, my wife and I took a double decker bus for 20 or 25 eu but in hindsight we wudve Just walked and taken taxis to the farther tourist attractions. Taxis r dirt cheap and u r not stuck to the buses schedule

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #332 on: May 26, 2015, 10:40:21 PM »
Any recommendations of a tour guide company in Athens. Or is it easier just to get around yourself? Whats a must see while we are there.
And wheres a good kosher place to eat while we are there?
Oh and the "must see's" are the Parthenon obviously, monastiraki sq, changing of the guards by parliament is a sight to see etc... If u ask ur hotel they usualy hav maps with all the main attractions already pointed out

Offline ethana

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #333 on: May 26, 2015, 11:07:53 PM »
Athens was a bit of a let down. The Jewish museum is done well. Would recommend it

Offline yakrot

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #334 on: May 27, 2015, 12:27:48 AM »
Any recommendations of a tour guide company in Athens. Or is it easier just to get around yourself? Whats a must see while we are there.
And wheres a good kosher place to eat while we are there?
Make sure to visit the acropolis museum b4 the acropolis itself kinda puts things in perspective and gives you a better feel for what your looking at

Offline philbenjoe

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #335 on: May 27, 2015, 12:48:33 AM »
I managed just fine without a tour guide...IMO its not needed.
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" Dr Seuss

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #336 on: May 27, 2015, 01:04:56 AM »
Any recommendations of a tour guide company in Athens. Or is it easier just to get around yourself? Whats a must see while we are there.
And wheres a good kosher place to eat while we are there?
I would suggest a one or 3 day island tour leaving from the port of Piraeus - about 45 min from Athens center. I didn't end up having the time to do it myself but I really wanted to & people that did do it told me it was very enjoyable

Offline David1

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #337 on: May 27, 2015, 04:53:48 PM »
I would suggest a one or 3 day island tour leaving from the port of Piraeus - about 45 min from Athens center. I didn't end up having the time to do it myself but I really wanted to & people that did do it told me it was very enjoyable

Thanks to you and everyone else for all your input im really looking forward to my trip. Has anyone done scuba diving or snorkling in Greece? 

Offline ethana

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #338 on: May 27, 2015, 04:56:30 PM »
We did water skiing if that helps

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Re: Greece Master Thread
« Reply #339 on: May 27, 2015, 06:02:43 PM »
We did water skiing if that helps
Where did you do that? Near Athens?