LifeStyle
ChI Drinks…..

Greek wines are great – but be selective.  Rhodes and Santorini wines are particularly good, but some special ChI favourites are:

  •  Hatzimikhali (any of them)

  •  Chateau Julia

  •  Mandinia Tselepou

  •  Amethystos

  •  Boutari Moschofilero

  •  Vin Santo from Santorini (try it with icecream, at sunset – really)

  •  Tsippuro (especially when the drinks locale may be dodgy – tsip is so cheap
    its not worth adulterating.  And it comes in small bottles, just for you, or
    to share if you are feeling expansive.  And you will be, after a couple of
    sips.)

ChI Reads….(with a nod to Blue Chip’s “He reads….She reads”)

  •  Greek Fire by Nicholas Gage

  •  Birds Without Wings, by Louis de Bernieres

  •  The Magus, John Fowles (especially when on Hydra)

ChI is Listening to…..

  •  Any of the golden oldies by Manos Hadjidakis, Stavros Xarchakos

  •  Callas (of course)

  •  Summer hits like “Dhen me agapas” (if you must)

ChI Art
Dip into the contemporary art scene with ChI – galleries, artists

Drop into the most avante garde locale in Athens – the Rebbeca Camhi Gallery, on Konstantinoupoleos street in Gazi, who is the exclusive rep for Takis, the world-famous modern sculptor.

Also look out for works by Konstantin Kakanias, Miltos Manetas, and Stathis

Petropoulos, whose early paintings include exquisite modern icon-esque tiny houses and island shrines.

And if you are in Kolonaki, take in the Argo Gallery, on Neofitou Douka St No 5, for a selection of contemporary Greek art.  Tel 210 7249333 Εmail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Even though ChI does not pretend (or want) to be a guidebook, the Benaki Museum is a little treasure that is well worth a visit.  Recent 2009 exhibitions include Karagos, the traditional art form of shadow theatre from 16th century Turkey; and a Pre-Colombian art exhibit. Permanent exhibitions on the Greek World are also really worth visiting.
www.benaki.gr

1 Koumbari St. & Vas. Sofias Ave.
tel 210 367 1000
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 9:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 9:00 - 24:00
Sunday: 9:00 - 15:00

(And while on the subject of museums, the New Acropolis Museum is an absolute must-see.) Translucent space, light, and 2,500 years of the history of Athens – what more could one want?

Hotel

A new “up n coming” hotel on 16 Filellinon St is the renovation of the old Olympic Palace hotel following a fire – the DIY (“do-it-yourself”)-inspired hotel/cultural space Yes! Hotel Athens, by renowned Brazilian architect- designer brothers, Fernando and Humberto Campana with the vision of Dakis Ioannou.  Modern art meets urban luxury – check out the Acropolis Penthouse suite.
http://www.guiding-architects.net/blog/?cat=26 “> http://www.guiding-architects.net/blog/?cat=26

“Keep an extra bathing suit in your car.  The sea is always closer than you think”. 

Seen in Carouzos men and women’s clothing – lots of lovely linen stuff - on Joachim, in Kolonaki.