Author: Celeste

Christmas in Athens is magical in 2025 — sparkling lights, festive villages, family-friendly events, and mild winter weather that makes exploring the city with kids so easy. As a mom who lives in Greece, I love Christmas in Athens because it’s warm, safe, family-oriented, and full of unique experiences you won’t find elsewhere in Europe. In this updated 2025 guide, I’ve included the best things to do with children — Christmas villages, shows, markets, winter activities, and my personal tips for families visiting Athens in December. In this guide you’ll find:– The best Christmas villages and festive parks in Athens–…

With kids in Greece during Christmas this year? Take a look at the festive program of St. George Lycabettus Hotel, one of our favorites in the city. We often stayed at this hotel, and we also spent several Christmas brunches at the iconic Le Grand Balcon. Tried, tested and recommended! Looking for other Christmas dinner options? See my full Christmas Dinner Guide here Christmas Dinner at St. George Lycabettus Hotel 🎄 Christmas Eve – December 24, 2024Celebrate Christmas Eve with a refined dinner at La Suite Lounge and Le Grand Balcon. Enjoy a gourmet menu paired with live music, a DJ…

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Athens, Greece? American Thanksgiving is typically held on the fourth Thursday of November, which is this year on 28 November. So if you don’t feel like cooking, there are dinners being organized by American-affiliated groups, schools and some major hotels in the cities of Thessaloniki and Athens. Each year, I gather the menus of my favorite places in Athens. From all-day lunch/dinner at the elegant GB Roof Garden Bar and the mouthwatering buffet at the Byzantino Restaurant complete with a turkey carving station to mind-blowing Acropolis views at the St. George Lycabettus Hotel (featured photo) and comforting pumpkin…

Athens Marathon In 2014, I participated for the first time in the Athens Marathon, also called “the Authentic”. Together with my coach and a training buddy, I ran the 10K race through the beautiful heart of Athens, my adopted home city for 20 plus years. It was an unforgettable experience. I will never forget the feeling when we arrived at the finish line in the historic Panathenaic Stadium. And I still get goosebumps thinking of receiving my medal there while looking at the Acropolis nearby. Have you ever visited the town of Marathon, the birthplace of the famous race? In…

October 28th is a national holiday in Greece. It is the day that commemorates the rejection by Greek Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940. This day is known by Greeks around the world as ‘Oxi Day’ (No Day). The day is celebrated not only in Greece but also in Cyprus and in Greek communities around the world. Oxi Day 2021 On 28 October, festivities and parades will take place around the country. Greek Orthodox churches hold special services. Most public buildings and residences are decorated with Greek flags. It is a national holiday, which means that shops are closed, except for cafés and food venues. Public transportation…

In October 2019, Greek Travel Magazine ΤΑΞΙΔΙΑ, the Greek language Sunday magazine of leading national Greek newspaper ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ, made a tribute to family travel. For this occasion, I spoke about Family Travel in Greece. If you read Greek, this is an extract of the interview with tips for travel in Greece with kids, family friendly destinations and useful information for getting prepared. Family Travel in Greece interview Μισή Ολλανδή και μισή Ιταλίδα, η Celeste Tat ήρθε στην Ελλάδα πριν από δύο δεκαετίες. Την αγάπησε και έμεινε. Στην πορεία παντρεύτηκε, απέκτησε δύο κόρες και έκτοτε ταξιδεύουν όλοι μαζί ως οικογένεια. Όταν,…

Even the most adventurous family travelers have their favorite repeat destinations. Some destinations, though, are just so special that families want to return again and again. One of ours is near Athens in Eretria and called Negroponte Resort! Update: In 2021 Negroponte Resort expanded its private beach offering a secluded calm bay of golden sand with several rows of sun loungers and umbrellas. Favorite places Qualities that make a place worth revisiting are often an emotional attachment to the place through amazing experiences of the past – often with family and friends. People will also go back to the same…

When you book your family vacations, do you intentionally create moments of play? After 3 months full of travel, new destinations and writing reviews, it was great to end the summer vacation relaxing together in a place where everything was taken care off. As a family travel writer, I am often working at the resorts that we visit and the majority of the time taking photographs or making notes. When we received the invite from Miramare Hotel Eretria, I knew I would find the perfect balance of family fun and relaxation. All we needed were some good pools, water slides,…

Tourists may flock to Greece during the summer months in search of sun, sea and islands but autumn is actually a great time to spend in Greece. Here are my 7 favourite reasons to travel to Greece in Autumn!

Rhodos island (or Rhodes island) is one of the most popular destinations in Greece. But do not let the crowds scare you. Rhodes is a very special place worthy of your visit. In the past, I had often visited the island off-season. This summer, I took my kids during the tourist season and went to explore the island with them. Here are some of my hand-picked favourite things to do with kids in Rhodos island. Where is Rhodos island Rhodes Island is one of Greece’s larger islands, located in the Eastern Aegean Sea, at a short distance from the Turkish…

Take advantage of the time you have together by having your family photos taken by a professional photographer while you are on your holiday. Keep reading to discover the benefits of family photography. Selfies versus Family Photography Over 93 million selfies are uploaded to one platform or another every single day. Sure, selfies are great, they’re fun, useful ways to mark and remember any special occasion. Whether you’re by yourself or with friends and family, there’s always room for a selfie! But what if someone else takes the picture for you?! Of all the different types of photo-opportunities, capturing moments…

I am watching a dragonfly elegantly moving over the turquoise pool, my daughter is in front of me happily playing in the water, my teen is climbing the water slides…I feel happy and relaxed There’s nothing better than a luxury family resort for parents who are worn down or simply want to make the best of their family beach vacation together. We reviewed Grecotel Lux Me Dama Dama. A luxury all-in beach resort filled with extensive family amenities, amazing family accommodations, a kids club, swimming pools with slides and special luxury treats for parents. Read also: The best family Hotels…