Skiathos Summer Reading

If even at this point in the season a summer holiday is remaining unbooked, let us remind you: there is no time like the present to embrace spontaneity! Particularly if you’re a lover of literature, might we suggest a chance to really immerse in local culture and history by picking up a book by Alexandros Papadiamantis and heading to his home island of Skiathos, which always features prominently in his work.

Renowned as the inventor of modern Greek fiction, and certainly ahead of his times in many respects, you won’t call Papadiamantis light summer reading, but the insight and connection to the island is worth a stack of lighter works. Try picking up Tales from a Greek Island if you’re a short story fan, or maybe The Murderess for a pre-feminist tale of crime and punishment that explores of the state of existing as a woman.

If you’re really moved to keep exploring Skiathos through Papadiamantis’ eyes, his house is now a museum open to the public. For a beautiful place to loose yourself in a book, and a perfect base to explore the island from, luxuriate in your private hideaway at White Line Hotels edit Aegean Suites Hotel.

photos: Papadiamantis as photographed by fellow Greek writer Pavlos Nirvanas in 1906 and Papadiamantis House Museum

An SMS from Greece

I❤GREECE – Lands of the rather sexy astrological gods, philosophical thinking, epic legends + myths, with more islands than a giant packet of M&Ms, each with jaw dropping coastlines and not forgetting those wonderful characters – The Greeks themselves.

It all started as a teenager reading “My Family & Other Animals” which charts the escapades of a rather eccentric English family (nothing new there then) on a Greek island, this combined with regular viewings of “Jason & the Argonauts” on the box every Saturday morning.

OPEN – so now with their doors firmly open for the season – its time to go again –3 islands, the White Line Hotels run down:

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Aegean Suites Hotel, Skiathos

Skiathos – AEGEAN SUITES  – boho, chic + reclusive
-          Quick hop from Athens– like just enough time to down a Bloody Mary
-          Green, lush + wow stunning – more than 60 beaches
-          Mamma Mia – much of it was filmed here
-          The Aegean Suites is for adults only
Read more here

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Mykonos Theoxenia, Mykonos

Mykonos– THEOXENIA HOTEL– 60’s glam fabulously recaptured
-          The famed bolt-hole of the fashionistas,  hedonists & escapists alike
-          Location –the best, next to iconic windmills – a stylish slice of peace bang smack in the thick of things
-          Expect visiting DJ’s mingling with the sophisticated sun worshipper
Read more here

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Aenaon Villas, Santorini

Santorini – AENAON VILLAS – bespoke, secluded + sensual
-          Famed throughout the world for its’ stunning beauty
-          Great for the Honeymooners, but equally those seeking solace
-          Aenaon Villas are perched high for the ultimate viewing of the Caldera – no nosy neighbours watching your every move
Read more here

Greece is for Lovers

While your summer beach vacation is probably still a few months away, there’s no harm in fantasizing about days spent sipping cocktails and dancing the night away. “Greece is for Lovers,” a cheeky design studio fittingly based at the foot of the Acropolis, has the perfect summer seaside accessories. Vasso Damkou, Thanos Karampatsos and Christina Kotsilelou create works that are fresh takes on classical Greek culture. Not to mention, there’s more than a little fun poked at what it means to be Greek today.

Some of our favourites are the pieces inspired by beach culture. Their first collaboration as a design team was the 2005 “Ingrid & Stavros.” Drawing from woman’s bikinis, it’s actually a way to cool your wine in the water. One part holds the wine in the cool depths, while bobber stays above water to let you know just where you put that bottle.

Other beach products include the “Tan Lines” series. Described as “sun-kissed, foldable furniture” these chairs just beg to be planted by the sea. Continuing with the Greek beach theme is the “Flavour of the Month” popsicle-shaped marble paperweight. Cool white marble paired with a chromed brass popsicle stick is a gentle reminder that you won’t be stuck at your desk forever. Their website (www.greeceisforlovers.com) has plenty of other Hellenic tradition inspired pieces. Other favourites include “Granny Tunes” the handcrafted i-Pod holder crocheted by local artisans, and the solid brass dumbbells in the form of Ionic columns, to work on getting that perfect beach body. The products are playful and hip, yet surprisingly modest in priced.

If all this has gotten you thinking about Greek beaches, might we suggest checking out White Line Hotels edit the Aegean Suites Hotel on Skiathos Island? The chilled out vibe of the villas is suites the gracious décor perfectly.

Aegean Suites Hotel, Skiathos

The Aenaon Villas are located at the highest point of Santorini, open to all four points of the horizon. Pure bliss…

Aenaon Villas, Santorini

The Mykonos Theoxenia, built by the iconic Greek architect Aris Kostantinides in the 60’s, the hotel is both natural and elegant – The hidden place for the Hedonists.

Mykonos Theoxenia, Mykonos

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Categories: Mykonos, Santorini, Skiathos, Design

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

How to look good in the Supermarket

It’s official – summer in the northern hemisphere (that’s where most of you live) is almost over & our brains are gearing up for crispy mornings, goulash suppers, woolies, gloves and the onslaught of the dreaded Christmas shop -  STOP right there – time to take a last minute breather…. Read the rest of this entry »

Reasons to Smile

How do you bring together a story about a hot destination, Skiathos, the Special Olympics, a woman called Vicky and a host of hollywood celebs…..

We all get a little too busy and stressed at times, all full of our own self importance and we can, sometimes, forget what life is really all about.  It was such a moment for us – busy with new hotels, partners and the general direction of our relatively teenage company, when Iain met with a remarkable woman doing something for a remarkable, and at times, very close to home, cause.

Her name is Vicky Santikos, an extremely polished Greek business woman and the owner of our Aegean Suites in Skiathos who amongst many things has dedicated her time and commitment to supporting the The Special Olympics – this is that very human factor that we all should embrace. Through the work of Vicky the tiny island of Skiathos, has officially become a “host-town”, joining forces with the committee of the Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens 2011. Great Britain’s athletes – who will be competing in next years World Summer Games – will be honourably welcomed onto the Greek island.

The Special Olympics is moving and uplifting but most of all, it showcases an outstanding range of skill and talent by true athletes from all over the world. Challenging tired stereotypes and a genuine barrier smashing. We’re proud to be a part of it.

Actors, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, are backing Joanna Despotopoulou – President of the SO World Summer Games Athens 2011 and Vicky Santikos – president of “Host-Town” Skiathos Special Olympics Athens 2011 and owner of the Aegean Suites Hotel. Russell, Hawn and Vicky Santikos have been awarded at the SO 2010 ceremony for their continued support to the global movement.

Our partners, the Aegean Suites Hotel (and their sister properties), have generously offered free accommodation and meals for the athletes and are also hard at work organising charity events for the cause which White Line Hotels will be lending a helping hand to.

Skiathos has never been out of fashion and has been attracting the rich and famous to its notoriously beautiful beaches since the swinging sixties. The Aegean Suites, it’s sister hotels and the island itself have strong relations with celebrities and soon to be International atheletes. The Greek paradise is the backdrop for box office success Mamma Mia. Past guests at the hotels included Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Cristine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried and Stellan Skarsgard and retro-style Scandinavian icons ABBA.

White Line Hotels will be working alongside the Aegean Suites Hotel and Vicky Santikos to promote their work for the Special Olympics as our designated Corporate, Social Responsibility programme.  More details of our involvement will be announced in the coming months.

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