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The home of the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is ideal; the peninsula is located on the Athinian riviera, just half an hour from Athens International Airport.

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3 Greek Hotels Make Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Hot List

Three amazing hotels – in athens, on paros and in the peloponnese – feature among the best newcomers in the world on condé nast traveler’s 2020 hot list..

Greece Is | May 11th, 2020

Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List is back with its 2020 edition , despite the strange conditions the world finds itself in. It is, of course, the first time that the Hot List has been released during a global pandemic and, as its editors readily admit, they never imagined that they’d be announcing winners without knowing when anyone would be able to visit those places that excelled during the appraisal by this acclaimed lifestyle travel magazine.

Nonetheless, the 2020 Hot List is here to help people dream about their future vacation destinations. Even better news is that three Greek hotels appear on the list, which includes a total of 76 hotels and 10 cruise ships and their itineraries from around the world.

All three of the Greek honorees offer markedly different experiences of Greek lifestyle and culture.

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens: The Athens Riviera delight

“A triumphant return from a legendary hotel brand, perfectly re-calibrated for now,” said Rachel Howard, who wrote the review in CN traveler . The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens first opened in the late ’60s and was a favorite getaway destinations for celebrities, such as Brigitte Bardot, and for sheikhs, presidents and wealthy ship owners.

Located on the shore of the Lemos Peninsula in Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera, the hotel was tastefully renovated and reopened its doors to the public in 2019. The prevailing interior colors are white, earth tones, and blue. The complex has two wings, each with a style of its own: the Nafsika wing hosts sea-facing rooms and the main swimming pool, while the Arion wing is home to the hotel’s impressive spa, where customers are offered treatments based on the healing powers of Greek herbs.

The hotel’s location is ideal; it offers a quiet and relaxing setting with a view out over the Saronic Gulf, and yet is still barely 30 minutes from the city center and the Acropolis. The clientele is, as you’d expect, an elite group, made up, as Howard notes, of international jetsetters from America, Greece, Russia, and elsewhere, many of whom come with their families. There are also social media influencers who favor the pool for their photo shoots.

What’s so special, you might ask, about the pool? Well, it comes with underwater speakers and a floating olive grove.

The price for a double room starts at around €500.

Visit the hotel website here .

© Parilio Hotel

Parilio Hotel, Paros: Beaming with quiet confidence

Located less than a kilometer from famed Kolymbithres Beach , and only a 10-minute taxi ride from the village of Naoussa on the island of Paros, Parilio Hotel is an example of typical Cycladic architecture , on an archetypal Cycladic island that has maintained its traditional charm.

On the CN Traveler website, the hotel is described as “a clutch of precise, white-washed cubes.” A hotel already existed on this plot of land when couple Antonis and Kalia Eliopoulos bought it, and they decided to renovate that structure. Athens-based studio Interior Design Laboratorium was put in charge of the remodeling. Today, the new hotel displays a combination of Greek island and desert aesthetics that provides a peaceful and elegant setting.

Reviewer Emma Love writes that the hotel is “understated but with a razor-sharp finish, an amazing place to flop.” The contrast between the simplicity of the decoration, mainly comprised of large urns and concrete cactus pots, and the sophistication of amenities – for example, the upper-level rooms have a hot tub on the balcony – make this place “a quietly confident hotel with head-turning appeal that it doesn’t feel the need to shout about.”

The price for a double room starts at around €250.

There’s more information available on the hotel website .

© Dexamenes Seaside Hotel

Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Kourouta: experience a stay in a wine tank

Tucked away in the middle of watermelon fields, olive groves and vineyards, Dexamenes Seaside Hotel in Kourouta, Peloponnese , is a remarkable example of industrial style design.

The hotel is made up of two rows of concrete wine storage tanks constructed in the 1920s that have been converted into what is an example of truly innovative design. The family of the hotel’s owner Nikos Karaflos had bought the tanks when Karaflos himself was only 16, but he saw the potential in them immediately. Today, with the help of Athens-based architects K-Studio, each individual tank has been turned into a guest room, thus fulfilling a vision Karaflos had for many years.

“The look is minimalist yet tactile with steel, canvas, wood, glass, and terrazzo set off by the thick, wine-stained walls that no decorative effect could ever replicate,” writes reviewer Aoife O’Riordain. The renovation was carried out by staying true to the site’s personality; some rooms even overlook the two large steel silos present on the site, offering visitors who stay in them an exciting and “slightly intimidating” experience, as described in the full review found here .

Dexamenes Seaside Hotel is located a stone’s throw from Kourouta Beach and less than 40 kilometers from the site of Ancient Olympia, which hosted the first Olympic Games. Most of the visitors staying at the hotel are either design and architecture aficionados or Athenians longing for a break from the city. The hotel often hosts events such as wine tastings, poetry readings and holistic retreats.

The price for a double room starts at around €150.

To find out more, check out the hotel website .

The websites of these hotels have the additional information you’ll need to continue your vacation planning. As CN Traveler writes, “We have a feeling that, when the time comes and it’s safe to travel, we’re all really going to need these hotels (…), and they’re going to need us, too. It will be worth the wait.”

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36 Hours in Athens

From the ancient Acropolis to a daring Renzo Piano-designed cultural center, the Greek capital is luring record numbers of tourists to explore its monuments, new and old.

By Chaney Kwak

There are cities that count their age by years; then there’s Athens, which can tabulate its history by millenniums. From battles and setbacks this ancient metropolis has rebounded again and again, proving itself to be resilient like no other. Sitting on a parfait of civilizations, the Greek capital could easily float on its past glories. But recent additions like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center prove that this city in the heart of the Mediterranean isn’t afraid to raise new monuments and leave a bold statement for posterity. With a dazzling culinary scene firmly grounded in the country’s traditions and soil — not to mention philoxenia, or the Greek notion of loving and welcoming strangers — it’s no surprise that Athens has greeted a record number of tourists this past year. Luckily for us visitors, there’s plenty to experience in this storied city.

1. 4 p.m. The New Agora

Completed in 2016, the Renzo Piano-designed Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center houses the national library and opera on its handsomely manicured grounds dotted with young olive trees. Even if you miss the 10 a.m. architectural tour conducted in English, you can experience the complex’s varied spaces by dropping in on a free outdoor tai chi class or settling into the opera house’s maraschino cherry-hued chairs to take in the impressive acoustics. Or simply stand under the solar power-generating canopy roof to survey the 360-degree vista of Athens and the sea.

2. 6 p.m. Keeping it in the Family

Hop off the free shuttle from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center at the Syggrou-Fix Metro station and lose yourself in the city’s latest “it” neighborhood, Koukaki. The once sleepy sidewalks lined with bitter orange trees have come alive with boutiques and cafes catering to young Athenians as well as European tourists. To understand Koukaki’s down-to-earth origins, though, take a deep breath of carbs and comfort inside Taki’s Bakery , which has been satiating neighbors since 1962 with kulouri sesame rings, rich cheese pies and by-the-kilo pastries. Across the narrow alley, the baker’s children are carrying on the Papadopoulos family tradition in gastronomy with Drupes & Drips , a teeny wine bar where you can recharge for the night with a freddo espresso, a shot of caffeine shaken with ice (€1.90, or about $2.20).

3. 9:30 p.m. A Culinary Odyssey

Many flamboyant hangouts have popped up around Koukaki, but its residents stay loyal to Fabrica tou Euphrosinos , a neighborhood restaurant that spills out onto the sidewalk. A meal here is a journey around Greece, with seasonal ingredients drawn from various islands in the country in addition to only-in-Greece cheeses and wines. From herb-rich zucchini salad (€8.20) to octopus slow-cooked in a clay pot (€18.40), each dish elevates rustic cookery with a touch of capital sophistication, living up to its name, which honors the patron saint of cooks.

4. 8 a.m. Cycladic Athens

Start your morning with a stroll in the central enclave of Anafiotika, with its whitewashed homes nearly stacked on top of one another. This geometric jumble of cottages was built in the 19th century by settlers from the Cycladic island of Anafi, Santorini’s diminutive neighbor. Here, flowers spill out of terra-cotta pots to adorn the labyrinthine paths where stray cats don’t as much demand as expect to be petted and adored.

5. 9 a.m. High City

Even the most off-the-beaten-path type of traveler would be sorry to miss the Acropolis, which rightfully takes up a lofty place above the city. The crown jewel consists of inimitable archaeological sites, including the Parthenon temple, engaged in a never-ending Tetris game of cataloging, restoring and fitting its many fragments (and replacements for missing parts ). To visualize this symbol of Western civilization without the scaffolding, walk down to the Acropolis Museum where you’ll come face-to-face with a recreation of the intricate frieze that once wrapped around the temple. (Acropolis admission is €20; museum, €5).

6. 12 p.m. The City’s Heart

The ancient agora at the foothill of the Acropolis doesn’t see any commercial action these days, so head instead to the vibrant Varvakeios Central Market, where vendors try to outdo one another’s shouts hawking fresh catches, colorful vegetables and fresh cuts of meat. The unpretentious butcher-to-plate restaurants around the market, like Epirus, provide the freshest option to brave a taste of patsa, tripe stew, or magiritsa, the lamb offal soup reserved for the early hours of Easter elsewhere. A few steps away from the market, the delicatessen of Karamanlidika serves small plates and shots of ouzo alongside a heaping meat board (€16) and smoked fish (from €5.50) in a restored neo-Classical building. If you’re after an edible souvenir you can legally take home, the nearly century-old Ariana Olives nearby vacuum-packs whatever you choose from the many barrels of preserved drupes.

7. 3 p.m. Gold, Silver, Bronze

Time travel to the Neolithic era then fast-forward through nine millenniums in the National Archaeological Museum (€10), which showcases priceless artifacts from the Mediterranean’s ancient civilizations. From the famous gold mask of Agamemnon to the sinewy Artemision Bronze statue, pottery fragments to exquisite jewelry, the museum’s timeless treasures stand as testaments to the longevity of art.

8. 6 p.m. Raising the Roof

In central Athens, al fresco boîtes boasting views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill grace countless rooftops of deceptively ordinary-looking cement blocks. One-year-old Anglais is particularly atmospheric, with fairy lights strung above a gregarious young crowd. A for Athens , off bustling Monastiraki Square, serves mythically titled drinks like Polyphemus the Cyclops, as well as a cobbler that features mastiha, the distinctly fragrant tree resin from Chios (€12).

9. 8 p.m. Mezes and Dakos

Mismatched plates, vintage upholstery and Formica-topped tables may signal a hipster hangout, but the Cretan restaurant Aster has the substance to back up its quirky style. Dive into mezes like ginger-marinated salmon paired with lentil salad (€5.50) and fried meatballs topped with rich yogurt (€6). And don’t miss dakos, Greece’s answer to panzanella, with wedges of double-baked barley bread tossed with ripe tomatoes and creamy cheese (€4).

10. 10 p.m. Bohemian Rhapsody

Wrap up your Saturday night in Psyrri, a former industrial district where hardware stores and design ateliers now coexist harmoniously. The leafy streets fanning out from Iroon Square are chockablock with rambunctious establishments that swing till dawn, but for an experience that best encapsulates how Psyrri toes that fine line between glamorous and grungy, head to Cantina Social . A coffee-sipping neighborly crowd gives way to an increasingly festive clientele as night goes on. To a soundtrack that can whiplash from obscure indie bands to unabashedly happy Latin pop, a diverse crowd of college students, media executives and, sometimes, drag queens, congregates in the courtyard where projections of old films turn the walls into pop art canvases.

11. 8 a.m. Cabinet of Curiosities

Throughout the week, there’s no shortage of shops touting identical chess boards and uninspired T-shirts near the central hangout of Monastiraki Square. But only on Sunday mornings do eccentric hoarders take to Avissynias Square where they lay out a cornucopia of vintage curios. The real attraction of the flea market, however, might be watching Athenians of all stripes coming together.

12. 12 p.m. Island Time

In less than half an hour, the Metro whisks you from Monastiraki Square to the port of Piraeus, where ferries and cruises depart to faraway destinations. But you don’t have to be envious of those headed to Mykonos or Santorini even if you can’t venture far. Hydra, a 25-square-mile isle of intimate coves and hilltop monasteries, is just a 1.5- to 2-hour ferry (€28) ride away. There, weather-beaten fishing boats bob alongside luxury yachts in the harbor of the main town, also called Hydra, where most of the island’s 2,000 inhabitants live. After a meal of pan-fried cheese and plump anchovies at one of the many tavernas that line the promenade, head out of this picturesque town for a dip in the jewel-toned sea. You’ll have to walk unless you can convince one of the Hydriots to let you borrow a donkey: The island is blissfully free of motorbikes and cars.

Because of its overwhelming number of Airbnb units, Koukaki has ample infrastructure for tourists like coin laundry and luggage storage facilities. But if you want to rub shoulders with Athenians, opt instead for Petralona, an artsy neighborhood poised to become the next Koukakis sans tourists (for now). Expect to pay $40 to $60 a night for a one-bedroom.

The 21-room AthensWas , with its clean-lined Classic Modernist interiors, is steps away from the Acropolis Museum. Doubles from $220 a night.

In the middle of the Psyrri night life scene, Fresh Hotel offers 133 bright rooms with whimsical splashes of highlighter tones. Look out for works by local artists hanging above Philippe Starck- and Zaha Hadid-designed furniture. Doubles from $105 a night.

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Athens Best Hotels and Top Suites

A trip to the Greek Isles isn’t complete without a stop in Athens, for the history, shopping, and increasingly the capital’s culinary scene. Where you stay is a difficult choice, with both new and old options, in town and in convenient resort locations a short drive – or helicopter ride away. The best hotels and top suites of Athens are the subject of this week’s issue.

1. Hotel Grande Bretagne 2. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens 3. King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel 4. Xenodocheio Milos 5. Grand Resort Lagonissi

1. Hotel Grande Bretagne

Conde Nast Traveler writes, “Sometimes only a classic will do. Presiding over central Syntagma Square since 1874, the GB is almost as much of an Athenian landmark as the Acropolis. Its salons have welcomed treaty-signing politicians, matchmaking socialites and undercover celebrities. Despite several corporate takeovers and makeovers, it still feels reassuringly old-fashioned, all colossal chandeliers, antique paintings and highly polished marble. A piano player tinkles away in the gilded Winter Garden, and the flawless cocktails at Alexander’s Lounge are still deliciously unadventurous. Perks for guests include an indoor and outdoor pool, a wildly expensive spa and prime Parthenon views from the consistently excellent rooftop bar and restaurant.”

The Telegraph adds, “From the liveried doormen to the solicitous maitre d’, service is polished to a tee. The capable concierge will contact you in advance of your stay to share recommendations and make reservations. Guests on the sixth and seventh floors also get a 24-hour butler service. You won’t find a hotel in central Athens with better facilities: there’s a destination spa with various thermal and herbal steam rooms, a mud chamber, ice fountain, reflexology foot spa, outstanding (and very expensive) ESPA and Valmont facials and massages. Wellness facilities also include a well-equipped gym, hair and nail salon and barber shop. From April to October, guests have exclusive access to the outdoor pool on the seventh floor.”

The Royal Suite

Located on the fifth floor of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the sprawling one-bedroom, two-bathroom Royal Suite encompasses over 4,400 sq.ft, while its many windows frame iconic views of Athens, including Syntagma Square, the Acropolis, the Parliament and Lycabettus Hill.

Presidential Suite

With impressive views towards the Acropolis, the 2,152 sq.ft Presidential Suite offers an elegant choice of accommodation. Interior décor is classically-inspired with intricate paneling, grand columns, decorative polished-wood floors, crystal chandeliers and an impressive collection of priceless antique furniture.

More suites at  Hotel Grand Bretagne .

2. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

Conde Nast Traveler reports, “The Astir Palace put the Athens Riviera on the map in the 1960s. After a glossy makeover courtesy of the Four Seasons, it’s back — and exactly what this up-and-coming coastline needed: a full-blown seaside hotel that isn’t stuck in the past. Subdued bedrooms epitomize stealth wealth (do pay the premium for a sea view). High-rollers quaff Champagne cocktails in Martin Brudnizki’s trio of sexy restaurants, while their glamorous wives are cosseted in the waterfront spa. The young and restless can whizz across the bay on water-skis. But you could easily while away day after day on a floating sunbed, watching a parade of superyachts drift by and dazzling sunsets over the Saronic isles. Tricked out like an Art Deco ocean liner, Michelin-starred Pelagos is the best of four sensational, sea-view restaurants.”

The Telegraph adds, “While the resort has the signature Four Seasons look and feel — swathes of polished marble, pale and interesting interiors, extravagant floral arrangements — it also has a strong sense of place. Meyer Davis’ €650 million makeover respects the Astir Palace’s modernist heritage without slipping into retro cliché. In the public spaces, guests can browse beautifully curated books about Greece, replicas and objects from the Benaki Museum, and a museum-grade collection of (mostly Greek) contemporary art. The two restaurants designed by Martin Brudzinski Pelagos and Avra, have a more maximalist aesthetic.”

Arion Riviera Suite

The 4,850 sq.ft. Arion Riviera Suite offers indoor and outdoor living and dining areas to its rooftop garden with plunge pool. Your bedroom features two walk-in closets and private spa facilities, including a steam room.

Arion Royal Suite

The 3,336 sq.ft. Arion Royal Suite features two bedrooms with King beds. It is located on the Ground Floor and features a garden terrace with private plunge pool; kitchen; office area; TV room; walk-in closet, and spa room.

More suites at  Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens .

3. King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel

The Telegraph writes, “Bang on Syntagma Square, the commercial and constitutional heart of Athens, King George is within walking distance from most major landmarks. Around the corner is Voukourestiou, the city’s most exclusive shopping street. A metro stop on the doorstep gets you straight to the airport. The lively streets below Syntagma Square are packed with hip restaurants and bars: check out Nolan for radical Greek-Japanese cuisine and Birdman for yakitori and Negronis. Countless stars from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna) have graced these highly polished halls. The cream-and-gold lobby is a shining sea of inlaid marble, antique chairs, and Murano chandeliers – lovely to behold, but not especially good for lounging, as there’s no table service. Nautical prints and vintage maps decorate the corridors; stiff drapes, brocade and velvet abound.”

Penthouse Suite

The 3,766 sq.ft. two-bedroom Penthouse Suite isdistinguished by an expansive private outdoor pool that allows stunning views of the Acropolis from the ninth floor. On the adjacent terrace are charming sitting and dining areas.

More suites at  King George, Athens .

4. Xenodocheio Milos

The New York Posts notes, “Milos, the chic and pricey Greek seafood restaurant known for billionaires and celeb guests, has opened its first-ever hotel. Chef Costas Spiliadis — the man who founded Estiatorio Milos in Montreal in 1979 and grew it to seven locations worldwide (several more are in the works) — quietly opened Xenodocheio Milos (from $420;  XenodocheioMilos.com ) in January. But now as summer approaches, the luxury boutique property in the heart of Athens, is finally ready to shine. Located in the center of the city near the Old Parliament House and Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the 43-room Xenodocheio Milos is in a prime and historical part of town situated in two heritage-listed neoclassical buildings.”

Conde Nast adds, “Spiliadis’ first foray into the hotel business is equally upmarket but unpretentious. Smack bang in the commercial and political heart of Athens, Milos hotel bears all the restaurants’ minimalist hallmarks: lashings of white marble, pale wood, and soft leather. Sleek and airy bedrooms are decorated with minimal fuss but fastidious attention to detail. Some suites have huge terraces overlooking the old Parliament. Facilities are limited to a small wellness and fitness suite, but it’s the food you come for: luscious Greek yoghurt with granola and Kythera honey for breakfast, and dinner a tangle of bitter greens and a whole croaker baked in hand-picked flakes of rock salt, chosen from the extravagant seafood display. The ultimate treat: a private lunch on board Spiliadis’ yacht, Milos at Sea.”

Milos Signature Suite

Designed as an authentic Athenian neoclassical apartment, this expansive suite pays tribute to bespoke luxury and timeless elegance. Enjoy the view of Lycabettus Hill and historical Old Parliament House. 

More suites at  Xenodocheio Milos .

5. Grand Resort Lagonissi

The Telegraph writes, “You don’t get much more private than that this rambling resort, which has an entire peninsula to itself a mere 40-minute drive from the Acropolis. Impressive facilities include secluded sandy coves, an elegant gym and a spectacularly showy Asian restaurant. Reception staff are helpful, if not always over-friendly (and often a bit gruff over the phone). Cheery club car staff always arrive promptly. The main charm of this sprawling resort are the beaches: a cluster of (mostly sandy) coves on the west side are more popular. Pebble beaches on the east side are much quieter and the water is crystal clear, but facilities are not so great and the sun beds are tatty. The popular sand-strewn Grand Beach with restaurants, a jetty bar and watersports is also open to the public who pay to enter in summer, when it’s likely to be crowded.”

Fodor’s adds, “With its own beaches, pools, restaurants, bars, two tennis courts, and an open-air cinema, all augmenting deluxe accommodations, you may have little need to stray from this seaside paradise. Accommodation stretches cross three areas: the main hotel, deluxe villas (some with their own pools), and cozy seaside bungalows amid the gardens. The decor in all lean toward romantic blues and nautical sea stripes. Staffers don’t blink an eye at requests, be they for a particular type of pillow, a favorite DVD, or the use of the helipad.”

Royal Villa

The 4,500 sq.ft. Royal Villa features two master bedrooms with king size beds, a spacious living room with a fireplace and dining table, a fully equipped business corner, a fully fitted kitchen and grill as well as outdoor BBQ facilities. The villa comes with an indoor and an outdoor heated pool, a fully equipped gym and steam bath, a private massage area with a massage-table, two oversized marble lined bathrooms and a guest bath. 

More suites and villas at  Grand Resort Royal Lagonissi . 

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Best of greece: secret spots where the locals go.

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A quintessential Greece view. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Greece — this is what summer dreams are made of. Beautiful beaches. Perfect blue water. Healthy, delicious cuisine. We tapped into a handful of local experts who know this dreamy country inside out and got their insider tips for the best places to go now, from Athens to the islands.

These are the experts:

Andria Mitsakos:  Embracing the art of travel through culture and style, Andria Mitsakos is an accomplished interiors and accessories designer who began designing accessories in Milan in 2010;  Wanderlista was born in Athens shortly thereafter. Through her company, Mitsakos Design + Co., she also consults on developing hotel spaces, interior design and hospitality furniture made in Athens.  Mitsakos is also a branding expert who splits her time between Athens, Miami, New York, Mexico and the Caribbean. Follow her on Instagram @wanderlista.

Greece expert Andria Mitsakos.

Mina Agnos:  An inveterate traveler, Mina Agnos is listed in Travel + Leisure's A-List of the world's top travel agents and is one of Conde Nast Traveler's Top Travel Specialists. Her leadership and passion have been instrumental in the growth of Travelive , a company that specializes in personalized travel experiences.

Argiro Barbarigou:  Greece’s media darling, Argiro Barbarigou has  cookbooks, a television show and a magazine. She is also the country's foremost female celebrity chef and the force behind the restaurant, Papadakis, in Athens. 

Media personality and restaurateur Argiro Barbarigou.

Orsalia Parthenis: A self-described "fashion designer, mum, tough cookie," Orsalia Parthenis is at the creative helm of the minimal Greek fashion brand,  Parthenis , which was founded by her father. Based in Athens, Greece, Parthenis operates stand-alone boutiques throughout Greece, from Athens to Mykonos, as well as locations around the world. 

Elena Fotiadi:  A marketing director at White Key Villas , a 12-year-old company that markets 300 properties across Greece, and a former publishing exec, Elena Fotiadi has a deep knowledge of the country.

Athens at sunset. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Ano Petralona neighborhood, Athens

Just a hike down Philopappou Hill, Ano Petralona is the neighborhood to be if you want to feel like a local Athenian. The tavernas, bars and restaurants do not only offer some of best affordable menus, but the cocktails and music also make this area a popular destination. The old-time classic Oikonomou has been there since the 1930’s and offers some of the best traditional food in town on simple marble tables. Diomataris on Dimofontos offers Cretan cuisine with ingredients he grows and breeds on a farm just on the outskirts of the city. Don't miss the fried eggs with fries and Staka and some of the best kaltsounia and lamb. His bread is also homemade. There is also a roof terrace where you can enjoy your meal on a hot summer night. Live Cretan music plays most Sundays. Blue Bamboo offers great Thai food, a great playlist and some of the best margaritas in Athens. Try and get there for an early dinner — they don’t take reservations. Theo Tragi (translated Holy Goat) is the place to try a Mediterranean-inspired creative menu with an affordable pricetag. A self-proclaimed "punk bistro," it also has amazing cocktails and some of the best music in the neighborhood. When you start walking around Ano Petralona, you are sure to discover many more interesting spots for coffee, food, drinks and music — but mostly, a great crowd.—Orsalia Parthenis

Papadakis restaurant , Athens

Owned by Argiro Barbarigou, Papadakis began on the island of Paros, Argiro’s birthplace. After many years of owning a successful restaurant there, she closed it to migrate to Athens to open the doors of Papadakis Athens.  Barbarigou  has become a household name, yet even as the First Lady of Greek Cuisine, her cooking remains authentic and honest, just like her.—Andria Mitsakos

A view of the Acropolis in Athens; the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelery Museum is right nearby. (Photo ... [+] courtesy of Shutterstock)

Ilias Lalaounis Jewelery Museum , Athens

While the most iconic jewelry house in Greece might be globally praised, the museum — which is housed in the old workshop of the master Ilias Lalounis — is often overlooked when visiting Athens. Under the shadows of the Acropolis, the incredible space (now with a 501c3 organization in the U.S.) is run by Lalaounis’s daughter Ioanna, who is launching a number of initiatives to help cultivate new talent. Call ahead and organize a private tour.—Andria Mitsakos

Dimitra Goula beauty institute , Athens

Dimitra Goula is the goddess behind every Greek celebrity’s flawless façade. Her beauty institute in Athens offers facials and body treatments that will leave you hydrated and glowing like she is. Organic, natural and without chemicals, every product in her artisanal skincare care is filled with ancient herbs hand-harvested by monks on the slopes of the Holy Mountain of Athos. She has proprietary ingredients like wild chestnut oil from a new breed of tree only accessible to these monks. Her products are made at the moment you order them (usually post facial), and you’ll take them home in a refrigerated bag. Your skin will thank you for it.—Andria Mitsakos

Ellinika Kaloudia market , Athens

I’m lucky to call this spot my neighborhood market. Pop in early in the day and ask for owner Stamatis. Tell him that you want everything that Andria buys. He’ll show you my favorite picks, including gorgeous rolled grape leaves, zea grain pasta and the most incredible pepper and tomato sauce that will rival any Italian grandmother. Stock up. You’ll be happy you did.—Andria Mitsakos

Takis Bakery , Athens

Also in my neighborhood in Athens and well known with the locals, this might possibly be the best baguette sandwich you’ll ever have in your life. I always order the  melanzana  (eggplant), with fresh tomato, parsley and feta cheese. It will set you back only 2 euro, and it’s the perfect breakfast to fuel your Acropolis climb. Go early.—Andria Mitsakos

Nice n Easy restaurant , Athens

Owner Dimitris Christoforidis and his partner/chef Christos Athanasiadis are pioneers of the sustainable organic food movement in Greece. Order the konjac noodles, and if you eat meat, the buffalo meatballs, which are from their very own water buffalo farm in northern Greece. If you go for breakfast get the “Gavras” omelet, which isn’t on the menu but, nonetheless, a staple there. It’s filled with egg whites and oats topped with tahini and honey.—Andria Mitsakos

En Fiali , Athens

While it might look like just a liquor store from the outside, once you venture inside, you’ll feel like you’re in the wine cellar of your best friend’s home. George has the best collection of whiskies in the country (and slowly tequila, too, thanks to my prodding). He also sells inexpensive wines from kegs and is a licensed retailer of Nespresso, so when your pods run out at your Airbnb, you can stock up. Call him to organize a tasting in his newly renovated loft space on the second floor. I’d like to think I had something to do with it.—Andria Mitsakos

A bird's eye view from Lake Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

BEYOND ATHENS

Athenian Riviera

I believe that many people come to Athens as a connection point and to see the Acropolis and perhaps the Acropolis Museum, because it’s “the thing you do” before heading to the islands. And yet, Athens hides so many treasures that are really off the radar for so many visitors.  I find it surprising how few visitors to Greece are aware of the Athenian Riviera. It’s the gem of the Greek summer for  Athenians , yet international visitors have it completely off their radar. Small boutique properties such as the  Margi Hotel  offer a fantastic base for those wanting to experience a more summery side of Athens.—Mina Agnos

Lake Vouliagmenis

Lake Vouliagmenis  is located along the coast and is the starting point for the stunning drive known as “Limanakia” meaning small ports. Because of its constant warm water temperature and its rich content in hydrogen sulphide, the lake functions as a spa since the end of the 19th century.—Mina Agnos

The Temple of Poseidon on a rock rises above the blue sea. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Temple of Poseidon

The coastline beyond Athens rivals that of Rio de Janeiro or the Amalfi Coast in Italy. You have stunning coves, gorgeous untouched beaches and a variety of towns, restaurants and nightclubs dotted along the coast en route the to stunning  Temple of Poseidon  at Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon is one of the more overlooked and most easily accessed classical sites of Athens. The sunsets from the temple are stunning.—Mina Agnos

Astir Beach

Astir Beach is the most popular organized beach for Athenians. Here you will find local celebrities, the in crowd and those who want a beautiful beach club with a high level of service. This year, Nice n Easy Seaside opened here in May and offers the brand’s signature farm-to-table fare in a chic, beachfront setting for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks.—Mina Agnos

Fishing boats lined along the shore of Glyfada. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Just a half an hour from Athens center, there are happening beach towns like Glyfada and Vouliagmeni as well as Varkiza, which is a bit tamer after nightfall. Glyfada is the most commercial and has high-end shops, traditional as well as fine dining and rich local life. You'll find unique handmade Greek souvenirs at  Zayiana  and ladies' and men’s fashion from Greek designers at  Georgia P .—Mina Agnos

Vouliagmeni

Vouliagmeni is suburban and dotted with exclusive homes and pretty, quiet beaches. There are also a number of waterfront restaurants and cafes. For coffee or cocktails,  En Plo and Moorings offer stunning water views.—Mina Agnos

In the bay of Varkiza. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Varkiza is a laid-back beach town and home to Yiabanaki Beach, which is popular among Athenians looking for a more relaxed beach scene. Nearby Latini serves up fantastic fish — select your own and opt for the ones with holes (caught by spearfishing).  For a more traditional meal with a more economical cost, the Naftiko Omilo (Yacht Club) of Varkiza has tables set up right on the beach.  Island Club and Restaurant  in Varkiza is a go to for locals in the summer months. The stunning location and outdoor atmosphere offering sea and coastal views provides a beautiful backdrop for nighttime revelry.—Mina Agnos

Beach hopping with Aegean Rib Voyages.

Beach Hopping and Saronic Island Day Trips

One of my favorite experiences is to take a day trip with  Aegean Rib Voyages  from Glyfada marina. It is an incredible surprise to see how much there is to do around Athens by sea. Aegean Rib Voyages offers exciting daytime discoveries from the Athens coast to nearby beaches and coves such as Nissida and Fleves, several islands that are totally off the radar (Aegina, Mani, Poros, Kea, Agistri, Fleves), as well as some that are on the radar (Hydra, Kythnos, Spetses). You can also visit untouched spots in the Saronic Islands — just a short boat ride away — and pop into traditional beachfront tavernas for local specialties on nearby islands like Aegina, or dive on your own to collect fresh sea urchin (you can really taste the Greece sea). The private rib boats are also an excellent day trip and transport experience to hotels in the Saronic Islands region such as Poseidon Hotel in Spetses or Nikki Beach and Amanzoe in Porto Heli.—Mina Agnos

A view of the Laconia region in the Peloponnese. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

PELOPONNESE

Eumelia hotel , Laconia Region,  Peloponnese

Given my heritage, my obsession with the Southern Peloponnese is strong, having had four grandparents from the region. And now, the new road from Athens has shaved off about 90 minutes of travel time to the area. This five-room hotel/working farm is Greece’s answer to an agritourism. Owner Frangiskos Kerelas is a visionary when it comes to biodynamic farming, and his wife creates the most perfect, this-is-why-you-travel-to-Greece meals. Think tables laden with organic vegetables, freshly baked bread and pools of their very own olive oil made from ancient trees. Oh and yes: You can take a bottle home with you.—Andria Mitsakos

View of Kardamyli, Greece. (Photo courtesy Shutterstock)

Magnificent, picturesque scenery. Breathtaking roads hanging off cliffs. Cypress and olive oil trees. That's the Peloponnese and Mani Peninsula. Kardamyli is a true diamond, with dedicated fans all over the world and is considered an upmarket destination of great appeal to writers, artists, walkers and nature lovers. A must-see highlight of the area is the house of the charismatic writer Leigh Fermor , which is now a modern museum. Scenes for the move, Before Midnight , were shot there. Surrounded by Mediterranean gardens with wild flowers rolling down to the sea, the house is open to the public. Incorporated in this fabulous scenery is Villa Jade, a luxurious beachfront establishment that takes the local architecture and elevates it to another dimension. If you love food, Kardamyli offers a variety of excellent local tavernas. Places not to miss include Dioskuroi restaurant, where you can enjoy spectacular views while tasting delicious local dishes. Liastres is a lovely tavern in the nearby village of Stoupa with spectacular views of the Messenian bay and the Taygetus mountains. Fish lovers should make a visit to the village of Agios Nikolaos, a small fishing village which is renowned for the best fish restaurants in the area.  Don't  miss a visit to Foneas beach, one of its most famous unknown beaches. Walking down a narrow path, you'll find yourself in a small paradise with blue-green waters, white stones and big rocks offering natural shade. —Elena Fotiadi

Kavos 1964 restaurant , Corinthos

Rent a car or hire a taxi and go here. A very simple spot that’s at the end of a very difficult to find road. The restaurant was started by Takis Vlassis in 1964 and is now operated by his son, Tasos. Hailed by many as the best seafood in the country, make sure you call ahead and tell Tasos that you’re going to have the razor clams so he doesn’t sell out. Don’t be surprised to be met by his 15 dogs when you arrive, and then led to your table. Ordering is simple. Just let Tasos know how hungry you are. I never order anything but the razor clams. I always let him do the rest.—Andria Mitsakos

An aerial view of Chora in Mykonos. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

John Shortall Jewelry,  Mykonos

I first met Shortall in 2011 while strolling the beach at Agios Sostis, Mykonos. He’s lived in Mykonos for over 30 years and creates jewelry from smoking pipes dating back to the Georgian era in England. I’m the only one who sells his line internationally through my company, Wanderlista. It just isn’t a Greek summer if you’re not wearing one of John’s baubles. He sets up his wares on the wall next to Kiki’s, a taverna at Agios Sostis. Just look for his blue towel and you’ll know you’re in the right place. No phone or website. Just get to Kiki’s before noon.—Andria Mitsakos

SantAnna beach club , Mykonos

At the epicenter of the Cycladic wild child, SantAnna opened last year in Mykonos as the island’s newest luxury beach club and true day to night destination. The brainchild of Nice n Easy Group’s Dimitris Christoforidis and Christos Athanasiades, the venue is an architectural marvel at Paraga Beach and home to Europe’s largest beachfront saltwater swimming pool, three restaurants, bars, beachfront cabanas and sun beds, a new subterranean spa helmed by Mykonian brand Despina Gavala and private islands that can be booked by the day. Emerging chef dream team Akis Amiras and Nikos Anagnostou have developed menus based on sustainable ingredients from the surrounding Cycladic islands and throughout Greece. So come here for its stunning location and stay for the multi-faceted experiences.—Andria Mitsakos

Aerial view of Panormos bay on Mykonos. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Albatros Hotel , Mykonos

Everyone always asks me where to stay in Mykonos and while the usual suspects are obvious, the Albatros is not. Mostly frequented by German tourists on a package tour (don’t cringe yet), the lesser-known secret is that the owners built a panoramic suite that could easily be priced as one of a five-star resort in the world, but with priceless views cliffside over Panormos Beach. In fact, this private gem was launched with my nod of approval, so ask for the Andria Mitsakos suite. Trust me, your Instagram comments will be, “Are you on an airplane?”—Andria Mitsakos

Absolut hotel , Mykonos

Family owned and operated, with no connection to the vodka brand, this boutique property boasts one thing you absolutely need to see, and sleep in: a windmill. I stayed here in May and loved the circular room hugging me at night and waking to the birds that live in the thatched rooftop. Seafront suites are also available. The infinity-edged pool has killer sunset views. Bonus: It’s a two-minute walk from Mykonos town.—Andria Mitsakos

A view of the old castle and Chora village on Astypalea island. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

OTHER ISLANDS

A view of Syros from Villa Diantha.

A truly cosmopolitan destination that goes way back in time and still carries the majestic feeling of the 19 th   century, when it was home to elite entrepreneurs, merchants and artists. Syros still remains the capital of Cyclades, attracting the more sophisticated crowds seeking to enjoy the cosmopolitan feel, the cultural happenings and the quiet family life. Its proximity to Mykonos offers the opportunity for a flashy daytrip.  A highlight of the magnificent architecture  is  the Apollo Municipal Theatre (also known as La Piccola Scala), a replica of Scala di Milano. My  favorite activity in Syros is horseback riding, which allows visitors to discover paths and landscapes and even visit a beach and swim with the horses. In order to avoid the crowds and enjoy the more secret side of the island, I recommend the secluded beach of Grammata in the northern part of the island. As it is only accessible by boat, it is mostly frequented by sailors; you can take a boat there from Kini village. The rocky scenery and crystal clear waters of Grammata beach guarantee a calming and refreshing experience. —Elena Fotiadi

Relaxing at Onar on Andros.

Rina Island, Cyclades

While it’s only about 30 minutes from the shores of the Cycladic wild child of Mykonos, you’ll feel worlds away on this island where t he water is Yves Klein blue and the beaches are talcum powder white.  I spent my 40 th  birthday surrounded by my best friends from all over the world here. Contact Christos Papadopoulos (+30-697-482-2840) to arrange a day trip. There’s zero infrastructure, so he’ll organize everything including the boat, food and appropriate cocktails to fuel your Robinson Crusoe experience.—Andria Mitsakos

View of Skala, the port town of Patmos island, Greece. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

A true hidden gem, Patmos could never fail to impress travelers,  offering  a mystical, exhilarating experience. Patmos is home to Chora, one of the most beautiful Aegean towns.   The island can satisfy all kinds of tastes with its exquisite architecture, crystal clear waters, laid-back bohemian vibes, along with gourmet local cuisine. To enjoy the latter, I recommend Benetos Restaurant in Chora. The true highlight  of Patmos is the Monastery of St. John the Divine, where the book of Apocalypse was written in 95 AD and to which the island owes its magical ambience. The remote beach of Psili Ammos is accessible only via a footpath but will definitely reward those who will dare the 20-minute walk to it. The beach is also home to a traditional restaurant offering local dishes such as goat and green beans.  V isitors should stay  until  it gets dark to enjoy the magical sunset .—Elena Fotiadi

Kimolos is an island of the Cyclades that acquired its fame by word of mouth, mainly by those who love sailing, as they were instantly entranced by its beauty. You can reach Kimolos by a 30-minute flight from Athens to Milos and then take the local ferry which is a short 30-minute trip. From the very first moment I arrived on the island, I immediately felt an almost magical aura, a vibe that everyone had been telling me about. It ' s not just the stunning beauty that gives it its vibe, it ' s also the locals who are so hospitable and warm. Walking through the narrow alleyways of the village, you ' ll feel like you ' ve traveled to another time. I always stay at Mezzo Lovero , which is a fantastic traditional boutique hotel located in the heart of Horio town. While you ' re there, the must-eat location is the tavern of Kali Kardia , which serves some of the best slow-cooked meals you ' ll ever try. If you head out of town, don ' t miss a chance to eat at Kyma , for catch-of-the-day seafood by the seaside.—Argiro Barbarigou 

Mediterraneo Restaurant , Naousa, Paros

Petros Tsounakis is a former chef turned restaurant owner, avid kite surfer and native Parian. I always order the giant beans (he uses sweet paprika which gives the dish massive depth), local horta (wild greens) and whatever fish he wants me to try. Stay until closing and you’ll sample some of Petros’s homemade "suma," which is a Parian grappa of sorts. It will get you primed and ready to hit some of the local bars, either of which he’ll be happy to accompany you.—Andria Mitsakos

Statheros Meze Place , Naousa, Paros

The daughter of famed female celebrity chef Argrio Barbarigou opened this simple mezedakia a year ago and she’s had full restaurant ever since. Konstatina Manolaki focuses on three generations (she being the third) of family recipes. She ran her mother’s restaurant in Athens from the age of 12 and now only 12 years later she’s running the show at her own, humble spot in the back streets of darling Naousa. Don’t miss her orange cake and stewed chickpeas.—Andria Mitsakos.

A view of Antiparos from Villa Melissa.

You can combine a fabulous stay in the off-the-beaten track and yet cosmopolitan island of Antiparos with an exciting tour of the small island of Despotiko, guided by the archaeologists who did the excavations. Antiparos  features various fine restaurants like Captain Pipinos in Agios Georgios, where you can taste fresh seafood from local fishermen.  Although Antiparos has limited hotel infrastructure, the island offers some of the loveliest villas and private homes, like Villa Melissa, a recently renovated seafront estate with magnificent views over the vast Aegean Sea. Two of my favorite and less frequented beaches are Apadima and Sifneiko. Apadima is set in a lovely cove fully protected from the summer winds, while Apantima is a charming pebbly beach with crystal-clear waters and a rocky sea bottom providing an atmosphere of serene calm in the most picturesque of settings. Sifneiko, also known as the Sunset Beach, is a tranquil paradise with  golden sand  named after Sifnos island, which can be viewed in the distance. The sea can at times be a little rough with the exposure to the summer winds, but is ideal for those seeking an exquisite snorkel adventure or for the pure enjoyment of splashing in the sea.  —Elena Fotiadi

Day Trips from Paros and Antiparos

Aegean Rib Voyages   offers day trips from the Cyclades. With a base on a central island like Paros or Antiparos, you can check out the off-the-beaten-path spots such as Koufonisia, Keros, Iraklia, Schinoussa and Anafi, as well as the more well-known Ios islands, Mykonos and Santorini. —Mina Agnos

The village of Kardiani in Tinos island, Greece. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Tinos has an authentic feel. Despite religious fame, it has avoided mass tourism and remains a true representative of the Cycladic scenery. The real beauty of the island hides in the more than 500 picturesque villages spread around the island and the hundreds of dovecotes scattered around the countryside. Excellent traditional cuisine can be found in the simple family-run eateries. The destination is ideal for travelers seeking to explore, offering an intriguing scenery and featuring exciting activities for adventure lovers such as trekking paths and rock climbing sites. A beach not to miss is   Livada, with its impressive, rough scenery and secluded location.  Overall, the purity of the island can turn even the most dubious guest into a true believer. —Elena Fotiadi

The unexploited gem of the Aegean! It is only 90 minutes from Athens. You can also reach it with a 15-minute ferry from Mykonos. It ' s a dream destination for those of you that like to explore. While the town has its beauty, it ' s the traditional villages you ' ll find all over the island that are truly unforgettable. Triantados is a medieval village, only 20 minutes from town, which is my favorite destination. Stay at Aeolis Suites , which are built into the mountain and canyons and reach from the mountain top down to the canyons and rivers. Apart from being warm, friendly and extremely hospitable they are blessed with a jaw dropping view of the Aegean. Don ' t forget to eat at the hote's Zoga restaurant, which has stunning traditional flavors and a menu built around local ingredients. T ry the eggs with loutza and volaki, the pickled wild artichokes, the traxana with olives, feta and calamari and lastly the wonderful rizogalo dessert.—Argiro Barbarigou 

Sailing in the Small Cyclades

• On Shinousa, you have to eat at Kira Pothiti ' s restaurant. From her hands, come delicacies that are simply unforgettable. I can still remember the aroma and flavors of her goat pasta.
• On Koufonisia, get ready to have fun. It ' s one of the liveliest islands and has an impressive collection of fine food and drink places. Don ' t miss Captain Nicola , for his fresh-caught seafood and traditional food.
• On Iraklia, go to Akathi for home-cooked seafood. For mouth watering mezes visit Syrma and no matter what happens, climb to the top of the village and try Anios cheesepies, which she prepares fresh every day right out of her wood-fired traditional oven.
• On Donousa, do not forget to visit the famous and exquisite Kedros and Livadi beaches, try the traditional food at Kori tou Mixali , grab some mezes at Tzi Tzi . And for an unforgettable experience visit the grocery-restaurant of Tsifti. 

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How Milind Soman and his family explore the world on foot

By Diya Kohli

The Soman family unit comprises three generations of runners—84-year-old Usha Soman, 58-year-old Milind, and his 32-year-old wife Ankita. Together, they have made their way across countries, completing marathons, inspiring people, and adding to the tribe of runners. Their perspective on fitness, travel and life is shaped via their unique experiences which is chronicled in a brand new book, Keep Moving published by Juggernaut Books and written by the Soman family along with writer Roopa Pai. Places, people and personal narratives intersect with the broader scope of history and a life lived on the move. From Usha Soman’s childhood in a pre-independence era Bombay to her adventures as a young wife in Glasgow of the 1960s to Ankita’s childhood spent in North Lakhimpur, Assam in the 1990s, these are stories of two women separated by nearly 50 years, navigating similar journeys of coming into their own and finding equilibrium between mind and body. And then there is Milind Soman—actor, fashion icon, and fitness enthusiast—who has carved a new niche for himself in nearly every decade of his life from his youth spent training as a competitive swimmer and thereafter transitioning to modelling, acting, and fitness and becoming a pin-up for all ages. This is the story of three generations of runners who live together and celebrate life’s turns by a quick jaunt in the great outdoors. We spoke to the Somans on life, travel, and their enduring love for Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Edited excerpts from the interview:

Milind and Ankita at the Sydney Marathon

Mrs Soman, you moved back to India and settled into Shivaji Park; Ankita, this is the neighbourhood you inherited after your marriage, and Milind this is the place where you began your journey as a swimmer. Tell us a little bit about this specific address and what it means for all of you.

Usha Soman: This was the same Shivaji Park apartment my father-in-law rented in the 1940s. This was where I lived as a young bride in the 1960s and also where I returned to with my family in 1972. I couldn’t find a reason to move anywhere else.

Milind: This is one of the few areas in Mumbai where there is a park, a beach, a swimming pool, which is actually unusual for any other part of the city as well as the country. Swimming pools in India were very, very rare in the 1970s and we had a 50-metre pool, one minute away from where we live. The park was considered one of the birthplaces of Indian cricket [with the eight cricket clubs and the erstwhile training ground of cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli among others]. This neighbourhood is a bastion of Maharashtrian cultural identity and all of these together make it a very interesting place to call home. And we have continued to live here over the years because everything that you need to have a healthy lifestyle, is right next door for us.

Ankita: I moved to Mumbai after I got married, a city I had no plans to ever live in because it's so crowded and I don't like crowded places. However moving to this house in Shivaji Park was fantastic because it was a window into Maharashtrian culture. I also learnt the language because of this place. There is a strong sense of community because of the park and a sense of a life lived outdoors. I see people in their 70s and 80s (including my mother-in-law), all just walking around the park, chatting. I myself just head to the park at any time of the day when I feel like a run, and it is this safe space which feels like home. For me, this is Mumbai in a nutshell.

Tell us about how you've experienced places on foot, running and walking across cities of the world and how does the perspective change from this on ground vantage point?

Ankita: Milind and I do this very often. We really like to explore the city through a run, rather than just going there and shopping or eating our way through it. Recently, we had gone to Paris, and we ran the Paris Marathon. Thereafter, we ran onwards to Nice, and then to Monte Carlo in Monaco. We got to see the entire French Riviera and it was beautiful. We have run from Colombo to Unawatuna. We ran from Guwahati to Cherrapunji. Everybody should experience cities via runs whether it's a marathon, a half marathon, or even a small run through the neighbourhood you are living in. In my opinion, that is a way you get to see and know a city and its roads.

By Condé Nast Traveller

By Arundhati Ail

Milind: I can tell you about Mumbai where I have grown up and lived my entire adult life. In your car you are in your own little bubble. When you are on foot, you realise how crowded the city is as you're dealing with pedestrians, traffic, garbage, dogs, cows and everything one can imagine. That to me is the real city. You can really feel its pulse and its smell and there is something almost spiritual about it.

Milind and Ankita

As runners you often experience places in the early mornings. What is this like?

Ankita: The way a city wakes up is such a beautiful sight. There are things like the newspapers being delivered, the smell of coffee especially in Europe and cafes with their freshly baked breads being set out. You get to see small food establishments opening and monuments without the crowds…

Milind: Runners are usually out early in the morning because they want to avoid the traffic. And so we see the city at a very quiet time. The weather is probably better than at other times of day. We often travel to cities that are very popular and overcrowded like Rome, Paris, or London. And when you explore these places in the early hours, you realise how old they are, and at this time of day, they feel untouched by the time that has passed.

Tell us some of your favourite places that you have encountered on your runs and walks

Milind: Greece is where Ankita ran her first marathon, which was the original route of the run from Marathon to Athens. So that was special. I have been running in Africa, South America, Europe, and America. We also run a lot in Lonavala as we have a small house there. Our northeast run to Cherrapunji was amazing.

Usha: The Sandakphu walk from Darjeeling. It was about 50-55 kilometres at 12,000 feet. We did that during the pandemic and the last day was 21 kilometres which took me eight or nine hours to walk. But I finished it.

Milind at the Mumbai Marathon 2024

Mrs. Soman, you become an icon for the video in which you joined Milind on The Great India run barefoot and in a sari. Tell us about that.

Usha Soman: I don’t normally run. I walk and that video was just an off-chance. That day was beautiful and Milind was running near Thane and I felt like running with him for a short distance and so I did. I took off my footwear for comfort and well, I always wear a sari…so it was just a natural moment and that is when the video happened. And after that many younger people came up to me and said that they also wanted to run and be as fit as me. And I simply say, ‘Start now and you will be fit enough by the time you reach my age’.

Mrs Soman cycling in Goa

Where are you all travelling to next?

Milind: Ankita and I are going for The Comrades Marathon in South Africa. This 88-km ultramarathon is the oldest and biggest in the world and the second-largest contingent for it is from India, so we are very excited.

Usha Soman: My next trip is a walking holiday in Jibhi in Himachal Pradesh with my three daughters.

For more details on the book, see here

Keep Moving book cover

The best hotels in Athens

By Rachel Howard

Only a few years ago, hotels in  Athens  were limited to grubby hostels and soulless chain hotels. During the fiscal crunch, developers swooped in as property prices plummeted, snapping up townhouses, office blocks and empty workshops for a song. While Airbnb has transformed whole neighbourhoods, it hasn’t stalled the booming hotel scene. Funky little guesthouses are cropping up all over the city centre, and coastal hideouts are upping their game to keep up with the splashiest recent entry, Greece ’s first Four Seasons. The city is now full of lodgings so lovely that you’ll definitely want to stay for longer than a layover. Here we round up 13 of our favourite hotels in Athens.

1. xenodocheio Milos

Estiatorio Milos, chef Costas Spiliadis’ growing empire of  Greek restaurants , elevates extreme simplicity into a fine dining experience, treating the purest ingredients with the lightest, most precise touch. Spiliadis’ first foray into the hotel business is equally upmarket but unpretentious. Smack bang in the commercial and political heart of Athens,  xenodocheio Milos bears all the restaurants’ minimalist hallmarks: lashings of white marble, pale wood, and soft leather. Sleek and airy bedrooms are decorated with minimal fuss but fastidious attention to detail. Some suites have huge terraces overlooking the old Parliament. Facilities are limited to a small wellness and fitness suite, but it’s the food you come for: luscious Greek yoghurt with granola and Kythera honey for breakfast, and dinner, a tangle of bitter greens and a whole croaker baked in hand-picked flakes of rock salt, chosen from the extravagant seafood display. The ultimate treat: a private lunch on board Spiliadis’ yacht, Milos at Sea.

Address: xenodocheio Milos, Kolokotroni 3-5, Syntagma

2. Gatsby Athens

Sassy, playful, and pleasingly camp, Gatsby Athens is a fun addition to the booming hotel scene in the so-called ‘Historic Triangle’ (a warren of lively streets between Syntagma and Monastiraki squares). Compact but comfy rooms occupy six floors that have names like Cool and Lavish, instead of numbers. The penthouse Party Suite opens onto a roof terrace with a fireplace for chilly nights and a projector for private screenings in the  summer . The colourful lobby bar and restaurant, with picture windows overlooking a hip arcade, does a great all-day brunch or afternoon tea, the perfect pick-me-up after too many of bartender Artemis’  Negronis . There’s a Dare Me button in every room – but no spoilers.

Address: Gatsby, Lekka 18, Syntagma

Sister hotel to Shila, Mona shares the same romantic aesthetic but with a sharper industrial edge to suit the downtown location. A converted textile factory on a graffiti-lined side street, Mona is surrounded by the myriad bars and boutiques of Psirri and the bazaar-like Athens central market. Open-plan bedrooms (and bathrooms – beware if you’re intimacy-averse) are like film sets, with antique daybeds, muslin drapes, and oversized velvet cubes tossed like dice on distressed terrazzo floors. Exposed concrete, pipes, and upcycled materials (a mattress on a stack of wooden palettes, a patio sofa fashioned from salvaged bricks) bring a touch of rough luxe, while hand-crafted ceramics and sensual photographs heighten the air of retro romance. Beautifully presented breakfast and a take-out menu are served in the glass-walled ground-floor lounge or on the roof terrace, a gritty panorama of unpolished apartments with a glimpse of the Acropolis.

Address: Mona, Kakourgodikiou 4, Psirri

4. NEW Hotel

It’s not so new any more, but this 2011 design hotel still packs a punch. The Brazilian Campana brothers have injected their signature favela chic and sense of humour into what was once a derelict downtown spot. Old furniture is upcycled in inspired ways, as in the lobby walls, which are clad in splintered chairs and tables. It’s all slightly mad, from the trippy, bronze-mirrored bathrooms to the hybrid chairs that look like giant marshmallows. Unfailingly professional staff are in the know about the latest designers to buy and restaurants to try. But the food here is so good that locals come for the weekend brunch with Croque Monsieur and Greek-style Bloody Marys, as well as sassy cocktails at the rooftop restaurant, which doubles as an art library. Very postmodern yet surprisingly fun.

Address: NEW Hotel, Filellinon 16, Syntagma

5. The Margi

Set back from the sandy bay of Vouliagmeni in the southern suburbs, the most desirable enclave on the Athens Riviera, the Margi has been around since 1960. But this easy-going, family-run hotel remains a favourite with the moneyed residents. You’ll find them schmoozing at Malabar pool bar or going for broke at Patio, a refined restaurant with just nine tables. Many ingredients come from the hotel’s organic farm. Neutral, wood-panelled rooms with pool or pine views are pretty snug, but guests spend most of their time at the sensational pool or the small, Asian-inspired spa . In summer, book a sunbed at the beach bar, Krabo, on a rocky cove just above the headland, where beautiful, bronzed Athenians make like they’re on Mykonos .

Address: The Margi, Litous 11, Vouliagmeni

6. Ergon House

Ergon House isn’t just a restaurant with rooms; it’s an immersion in Greece’s culinary traditions from a modern, urban perspective. The ground floor Agora is a perpetually buzzy deli, roastery, bakery and dining room with a four-storey, hydroponic ‘vertical orchard’ on one wall and typically Athenian graffiti on the other. Prettily packaged Greek artisan foods also tempt in the rooms upstairs, which range in size from S to XL, with sleeping, living and bathing areas defined by decorative cinder blocks, terrazzo tiles and walnut-wood frames. The food doesn’t quite live up to the dashing design, but you can assemble your own groceries in one of the communal kitchens. In the summer, local hipsters congregate at the rooftop bar, where the Parthenon can be glimpsed between the TV aerials.

Address: Ergon House, Mitropoleos 23, Syntagma

7. Hotel Grande Bretagne

Sometimes only a classic will do. Presiding over central Syntagma Square since 1874, Hotel Grande Bretagne is almost as much of an Athenian landmark as the Acropolis. Its salons have welcomed treaty-signing politicians, matchmaking socialites and undercover celebrities. Despite several corporate takeovers and makeovers, it still feels reassuringly old-fashioned, all colossal chandeliers, antique paintings and highly polished marble. A piano player tinkles away in the gilded Winter Garden, and the flawless cocktails at Alexander’s Lounge are still deliciously unadventurous. Perks for guests include an indoor and outdoor pool, a wildly expensive spa and prime Parthenon views from the consistently excellent rooftop bar and restaurant .

Address: Hotel Grande Bretagne, Vasileos Georgiou 1, Syntagma Square

8. Monsieur Didot

There are dozens of crumbling, turn-of-the-20th-century townhouses in Athens crying out to be transformed into charming B&Bs. Best friends Natalia Georgopoulou and Margarita Papaioannou have led the way with a thoughtful revival of this pale-pink property – Monsieur Didot – on a quiet corner of Kolonaki, the Knightsbridge of Athens. It still feels, and is run, like a family house: there are just six rooms, with calm, unfussy furniture and offbeat art that doesn’t overwhelm the building’s beautiful structure. The best rooms are The Tale, which has a separate entrance, and The Ode, a snug penthouse with a private sundeck. Ask Natalia to arrange a Greek wine tasting on the secret roof terrace.

Address: Monsieur Didot, Sina 48, Kolonaki

9. AthensWas

If you want to commune with the ancient Athenians, AthensWas is the place – the only five-star hotel on the resplendent promenade that circles the Acropolis. The vibe is surprisingly calm and contemporary. Classical references are juxtaposed with modern design classics: black-and-white marble torsos hang above leather Le Corbusier armchairs. Accomplished Greek food – a salad of wilted greens with nut crumble and tangerine, scorpion fish ‘meatball’ soup garnished with bottarga, white chocolate tsoureki (brioche) with kumquat and Greek coffee foam – is served in the smart rooftop restaurant with a side of Parthenon views. Service can be patchy and the carpeted, wood-panelled rooms are a little sombre for high summer, but you can’t beat the location.

Address: AthensWas, Dionysiou Areopagitou 5, Acropolis

10. The Foundry Suites

Hidden down a cul-de-sac, The Foundry Suites is clad in a patchwork of exposed stone, giant Crittall windows and climbing plants. Inside, original industrial details are fused with mid-century antiques, bold wallpaper, and bespoke wood and metal bed frames and wardrobes. Perfect for long stays, the 12 rooms are more like apartments, with proper kitchens and sunny workspaces. A breakfast basket is delivered to your room or to the magical roof garden, where the Parthenon is visible between the foliage. Head up there to watch the sunset with lively Greek wines (one of the wine-obsessed owners has built a cellar in the basement) and wood-fired pizzas.

Address: The Foundry Suites, Sarri 40, Psyrri

11. Perianth Hotel

The curved balconies of Bauhaus landmark Perianth Hotel overlook the lively café scene on Agia Irini Square, named after the domed church that anchors the piazza. Inside, it’s a paean to the 1930s – all moody black marble, grey terrazzo floors and tubular bronze lighting – with dusky-pink sofas, sage-green throws and a dash of modern art to keep things fresh. Guests have free access to yoga , meditation and martial arts classes at the deeply calming Zen Centre on the first floor. Detox with sliders and a spritz at the all-day restaurant downstairs, a prime perch for people-watching. With a savvy concierge to help navigate the surrounding bars, markets, and galleries, and the Acropolis just overhead, this is a smart base for exploring both ancient and modern Athens.

Address: Perianth Hotel, Limpona 2, Monastiraki

You could walk past this Twenties residence on a pedestrian street in upmarket Kolonaki and never know it was the city’s most soulful guesthouse. Step inside Shila, and it’s like wandering into the bohemian home of an art collector: there’s a softly lit salon with a Strauss piano, antiques upholstered in vintage fabrics and a library of wonderful books you want to read. The two ethereal ground-floor suites have verandas shaded by a loquat tree. Up the marble staircase are four more enormous suites with velvet divans, floating beds, intriguing artworks, and sultry bathrooms with rough-hewn marble sinks (one even has a swing). Local chocolatiers, parfumiers, and coffee shops created delicious treats and toiletries in every room. The greatest surprise is the roof garden: an urban jungle of plants, day beds and outdoor showers. Wonderfully idiosyncratic, this is a rare treasure that feels genuinely lived in.

Address: Shila, Mantzarou 10, Kolonaki

13. Four Seasons Astir Palace

The Astir Palace put the Athens Riviera on the map in the 1960s. After a glossy makeover courtesy of the Four Seasons, it’s back – and exactly what this up-and-coming coastline needed: a full-blown seaside hotel that isn’t stuck in the past. Subdued bedrooms epitomise stealth wealth (do pay the premium for a sea view). High-rollers quaff Champagne cocktails in Martin Brudnizki’s trio of sexy restaurants, while their glamorous wives are cosseted in the waterfront spa. The young and restless can whizz across the bay on water-skis. But you could easily while away day after day on a floating sunbed, watching a parade of superyachts drift by and dazzling sunsets over the Saronic isles. Tricked out like an Art Deco ocean liner, Michelin-starred Pelagos is the best of four sensational, sea-view restaurants.

Address: Four Seasons Astir Palace, Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni

14. The Modernist

The quiet corner site of The Modernist once housed the Canadian embassy, but there’s nothing stuffy or starchy about the building’s thoroughly modern makeover. There’s almost Japanese attention to both form and function in the black-and-white rooms, whether they are S, M, L, or XL. (The higher the floor, the better the view.) All the amenities (many of them on sale in the small concept store) are curated by Athenian movers and shakers: custom-blended teas, monochromatic ceramics, prints by local illustrators and playlists by local DJs that you can blast on Marshall speakers. Simple breakfasts and wholesome bowls are served in the ground-floor café, an inspiring spot to hang out with your laptop. Deck chairs are lined up along the smart roof deck for sundowners (try the bergamot gimlet) overlooking the National Gallery and the city’s haphazard skyline. Consistently professional staff are never overbearing but always helpfully prompt. A slick operation in every sense.

Address : The Modernist, I.Gennadiou 4, Kolonaki

A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

Conde Nast Traveler Shines Spotlight on Šibenik & Kornati

Lauren Simmonds

June 22, 2024

June the 22nd, 2024 – The widely read Conde Nast Traveler has highlighted two Croatian destinations that are “less crowded in summer” – Šibenik and Kornati.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, one of the most influential tourist publications in the world, Conde Nast Traveler, singled out Šibenik and Kornati as two of the 27 best European destinations for enjoying a summer break in (relative) peace and quiet, as reported by tportal .

“Believe it or not, Croatia is still an option, even though 20 million tourists visited its beautiful medieval cities and extraordinary coastline in 2018 alone. And sometimes it seems as if all 20 million flock there in August, during which the most popular cities are packed to level at which they seem like they could burst,” writes Conde Nast Traveler, before adding:

“A one-day sailing trip around Kornati will bring you scenes of an uninhabited idyllic landscape left to vineyards, orchards and little else, so here – you will get some much-needed freshness.”

The respected Conde Nast Traveler then points out that the Kornati Islands are in the immediate vicinity of the ancient Dalmatian city known as King Krešimir’s town. “A large historical city with a lovely labyrinth of stone as white as chalk”, writes the publication, seeing it placed as a desirable destination on a list that also includes the likes of Bodrum, Zakynthos, the French lakes, Amsterdam, Papua New Guinea Guinea, and others.

We’d be among the first to agree with Conde Nast Traveler that beautiful Šibenik is worth a visit. Here are our ideas should you find yourself there this summer (or at any other time!).

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The Long Legacy of African American Expats Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler

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In her book Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad, Dr. Tamara J. Walker recounts stories of 20th-century African-Americans who chose to build their lives outside of the United States—everywhere from Paris to Nairobi. Lale chats with Tamara about the romantic notions of 20th-century Paris and the creatives who made it their home, like James Baldwin and Florence Mills, as well as her own travel experiences around the world and what it means to be a global citizen.

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The best places in Athens according to an insider

By Charlotte Davey

What’s your relationship with Athens? ‘I was born in Paris , but my mother is from here and it’s the place I associate with my family – Greece is like this strong homeland to me. My grandparents lived by Lycabettus, and they passed the culture on. The country’s heritage and superstitions have become a huge part of me and my work.’

What was your earliest memory here? ‘Staying with my grandparents in our family home – I remember how sleepy the roads were, and holding my grandmother’s hand. Still to this day my favourite thing to do is to simply wander the paved streets, filled with those childhood memories.’

Where do you stay? ‘Of all the hotels in Athens , I like Hotel Grande Bretagne on Syntagma Square, because I love the vibe of old Athens . It’s exactly as you’d imagine – polished marble and grand chandeliers, and the sound of piano music everywhere you go. The rooftop bar has the most amazing view at sunset.’

Which are your favourite places to eat? ‘I really think the best Greek restaurants are all in Athens. One of my favourites is Ratka – it has a fun, homey vibe and the owner walks around the tables. Café Avissinia in Monastiraki serves classic dishes such as soutzoukakia meatballs, tabbouleh and moussaka, which I only ever eat in Greece. And everyone should try Vezené for traditional cooking with a twist. The chef, Ari Vezenée, also opened Birdman , a Japanese yakitori-grill restaurant and pub, which has become a massive success. Finally, I always make sure I visit Labros , a seafood joint that’s a little further away but worth the trip. You sit on the terrace overlooking the ocean and can jump into the waves after supper.’

The most interesting spots for a culture fix? ‘The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre is a relatively recent development compared to the rest of town, but it includes the National Library of Greece and the National Opera, as well as a big park.’

Are there any particular routes you follow? ‘I’ve walked through the National Garden next to the parliament on every visit since I was a little girl. I would also stroll along Koile Road , an ancient path starting at the Acropolis, and then down to Plaka , which is like a village in the middle of the city, with colourful houses and cobblestones, markets, coffee shops and vintage stores. It hasn’t changed since I first discovered it.’

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Any local traditions you’re fond of? ‘So many – rituals are very important. I love the changing of the guard, which takes place on Sundays at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and fascinates my children. The pom-poms and skirts the men are wearing! It’s quite a spectacle. And Easter is even bigger than Christmas here, with gatherings around the churches on Good Friday, and then on Saturday evening there are parties in the streets with lots of flowers everywhere and families singing songs into the night.’

The best place for a drink? ‘I like all the bars around Kolonaki. This has become a buzzy, trendy area, in particular Noel bar in the Kourtaki Arcade. The space is covered in large clocks, mirrors, tiles and plants – it’s fabulous.’

A secret hangout? ‘ Latraac Skatebowl is a hit with my boys, and there is a little café that serves great coffee and all-day brunch. We also love heading out to Vouliagmeni , where we can go-kart near the sea.’

Where do you like to go for inspiration? ‘ The Acropolis is very special. It’s a magical place where I feel a strong energy – I often come here to draw. Also the Museum of Cycladic Art , with its archaeological objects, has always been a source of inspiration. We have a great respect for history and legacy in Greece.’

Where do you shop? ‘The top neighbourhood for browsing is Trigono – it has bric-a-brac stores that stock some real treasures, such as Retrosexual Vintage , which is part shop, part museum.’

What do you buy? ‘Athenian jewellery is among the most exciting in the world. There’s a really strong contemporary scene right now, with designers including Ileana Makri , Eugenie Niarchos and Fey Papanikou . And Zolotas makes stunning traditional, handmade pieces.’

Any other Greek brands you’ve discovered? ‘ Zeus+Dione is a cool holiday label for timeless linen dresses. Then there’s Ancient Greek Sandals , and Korres , which makes all-natural beauty products based on herbal remedies. And Themis Z is a lifestyle brand by Themis Zouganeli. She has a beautiful showroom and I collaborated with her on a Dior Maison collection of blue and white pottery, inspired by the colours of Greece.’

Like this? Now read:

The best hotels in Athens

Things to do in Athens, Greece

Best Greek islands to visit

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Matt Reynolds

Science Is Full of Errors. Bounty Hunters Are Here to Find Them

In 2010, two famous economists, Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff, released a paper confirming what many fiscally conservative politicians had long suspected: that a country’s economic growth tanks if public debt rises above a certain percentage of GDP. The paper fell on the receptive ears of the UK’s soon-to-be chancellor, George Osborne, who cited it multiple times in a speech setting out what would become the political playbook of the austerity era: slash public services in order to pay down the national debt.

There was just one problem with Reinhart and Rogoff’s paper. They’d inadvertently missed five countries out of their analysis: running the numbers on just 15 countries instead of the 20 they thought they’d selected in their spreadsheet. When some lesser-known economists adjusted for this error, and a few other irregularities, the most attention-grabbing part of the results disappeared. The relationship between debt and GDP was still there, but the effects of high debt were more subtle than the drastic cliff-edge alluded to in Osborne’s speech.

Scientists—like the rest of us—are not immune to errors. “It’s clear that errors are everywhere, and a small portion of these errors will change the conclusions of papers,” says Malte Elson, a professor at the University of Bern in Switzerland who studies, among other things, research methods. The issue is that there aren’t many people who are looking for these errors. Reinhart and Rogoff’s mistakes were only discovered in 2013 by an economics student whose professors had asked his class to try to replicate the findings in prominent economics papers.

With his fellow meta-science researchers Ruben Arslan and Ian Hussey, Elson has set up a way to systematically find errors in scientific research. The project—called ERROR —is modeled on bug bounties in the software industry, where hackers are rewarded for finding errors in code. In Elson’s project, researchers are paid to trawl papers for possible errors and awarded bonuses for every verified mistake they discover.

The idea came from a discussion between Elson and Arslan, who encourages scientists to find errors in his own work by offering to buy them a beer if they identify a typo (capped at three per paper) and €400 ($430) for an error that changes the paper’s main conclusion. “We were both aware of papers in our respective fields that were totally flawed because of provable errors, but it was extremely difficult to correct the record,” says Elson. All these public errors could pose a big problem, Elson reasoned. If a PhD researcher spent her degree pursuing a result that turned out to be an error, that could amount to tens of thousands of wasted dollars.

Error-checking isn’t a standard part of publishing scientific papers, says Hussey, a meta-science researcher at Elson’s lab in Bern. When a paper is accepted by a scientific journal—such as Nature or Science –it is sent to a few experts in the field who offer their opinions on whether the paper is high-quality, logically sound, and makes a valuable contribution to the field. These peer-reviewers, however, typically don’t check for errors and in most cases won’t have access to the raw data or code that they’d need to root out mistakes.

By Eric Ravenscraft

By Adrienne So

By Angela Watercutter

By Julian Chokkattu

The end result is that published science is littered with all kinds of very human errors—like copying the wrong value into a form, failing to squash a coding bug, or missing rows in a spreadsheet. The ERROR project pairs authors of influential scientific papers with reviewers who go through their work looking for errors. Reviewers get paid up to 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,131) to review a paper and earn bonuses for identifying minor, moderate, and major errors. The original authors are also paid for submitting their paper. ERROR has 250,000 Swiss francs from the University of Bern to pay out over four years, which should be enough for about 100 papers.

Jan Wessel, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Iowa, was the first scientist to have his work checked by ERROR . Elson already knew Wessel, and asked the researcher whether he’d like to take part in the project. Wessel agreed, on the proviso that he submitted a paper where he was the lone author. If they found a major error, Wessel wanted it to be clear that it was his mistake alone, and not risk jeopardizing the career of a colleague or former student.

Wessel offered a paper he’d published in 2018 and was paired with Stanford neuroscientist Russ Poldrack, who checked the paper for errors. Wessel’s paper was about a common test used in neuroscience to test impulsivity and inhibition, and involved taking data from lots of other published studies to see how different versions of that test compare. In his review of Wessel’s study, Poldrack found that the neuroscientist had occasionally made mistakes when he extracted the data from those preexisting studies. The errors weren’t enough to skew the results of the paper, but Wessel was still surprised at just how many there were.

“I was shocked at the amount of errors that Russ found,” says Wessel. Poldrack only sampled a small subset of the 241 papers covered in Wessel’s paper, so the neuroscientist decided to go back and find the true error rate. Wessel asked his lab colleagues to go back through all the remaining papers and check for instances where the figure in an original paper didn’t match the one that Wessel had put in his work. They found that for one variable, Wessel had recorded the incorrect value about 9 percent of the time.

What was even more interesting were the mistakes that Wessel’s error-hunting researchers made. Even though they knew they were looking out for errors, Wessel’s colleagues made errors at an ever greater rate—nearly 13 percent of the time. Like Wessel, they copied down the wrong number or misread a value in a paper. Wessel was so intrigued by this that he ran an analysis to see how likely it was that two people would make the exact same mistake on any one of the papers they examined. He discovered there was a more than 50 percent chance that would happen at some point across the 241 papers.

For meta-science researchers, none of this is surprising. If you look hard enough, you’ll start to find errors everywhere. As more researchers have started to work with very large datasets and complex code, the potential for errors has increased, says Poldrack. One potential issue is that if a bug in some code leads to a particularly interesting scientific result—the kind that could turn into a great research paper—there is no real incentive for scientists to squash that bug. The only reward for their diligence would be scrapping the research. No bug, no paper.

Changing the culture around scientific error could make it less likely for mistakes to end up in published work. Surgeons dissect their mistakes in morbidity and mortality meetings, which are supposed to be a judgment-free space where doctors figure out how to stop the same situation happening again. The same is true of plane crash investigations. The Convention on International Civil Aviation states that the purpose of investigations is not to apportion blame, but to figure out how to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Error-checking needs to be rewarded, says Brian Nosek, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Open Science (COS) and a member of the ERROR advisory board. “It could be something that is a career-enhancing prospect.” The COS is currently partnering with ERROR as part of a trial called Lifecycle Journals that is aimed at making scientific publishing more transparent and rigorous.

Even the most assiduous error-hunters are limited by their access to data. The errors in the Reinhart and Rogoff paper were discovered only after the economists shared their working spreadsheet with curious researchers. Elson is targeting authors of influential psychology papers, but they’re not obliged to take part. Only between a quarter and a third of researchers he emails actually reply, estimates Elson. It could be that scientists who suspect their work is full of errors simply choose not to expose themselves to that kind of scrutiny, skewing the results of the project.

Elson and Hussey know their project is open to these kinds of biases. They see it as more of a work-in-progress, an example of how error-correction might be incorporated into the scientific process. Elson says that the approach might be of interest to journals, universities, and particularly funders, who are keen to see that the work they’re paying for has the impact they hope.

“My hope for this is that it goes from something that was unimaginable until it happened, and then it was unthinkable not to do it,” says Hussey. “You have to give people the permission, and incentive, to think in the first place that errors might exist.”

Updated 6-21-2024 3:00 pm ET: The spelling of Ruben Arslan’s name was corrected.

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How We Pulled It Off: A Rollicking Ranch Wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

By Kaitlin Menza

Miami-based couple Carlos Adyan and Carlos Quintanilla lead busy professional lives: Adyan is the host of the NBCUniversal Telemundo show En Casa Con Telemundo and co-proprietor of restaurant A Fuego Lento, while Quintanilla is the vice president of original content for Sony Pictures Television. Given the couple's high-profile jobs (and their combined Instagram following of nearly 700,000), when it came time to plan their wedding, the couple felt like they needed to step away from their home city to get into a nuptial mindset. “We thought a destination wedding would take us out of our setting—we’ll feel like we’re on vacation, not like we have to go to work tomorrow after the wedding,” says Adyan.

And so they married last month in the charming colonial city of San Miguel de Allende , Mexico. Though Quintanilla is Mexican, and both men speak Spanish, it was no easy feat to plan a 400-person wedding—sure to be splashed all over social media—1,300 miles away from home. Here, the newlyweds share how they went about plotting a rollicking May celebration with 400 of their closest friends and family in attendance.

Adyan and Quintanilla met through a friend in 2020, and reconnected while working for the same company the following year.

The two began dating in 2022, and wed last month on a friend's ranch in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Mull locations across Latin America

With their hearts set on a destination celebration, the couple started by considering—and visiting—the places they were born; as noted, Quintanilla is Mexican while Adyan is Puerto Rican. “We traveled to a lot of places, which was really fun,” says Adyan. “We started in Puerto Rico , and I love Puerto Rico, but it’s not normal there to have a wedding of 400 people, and that was our number from the beginning.”

Mexico City wasn’t quite right, either, as it wouldn’t lend that magical transportive quality they hoped to impart. The couple flew to Guatemala to check out some spots, but “the curfew there is [typically] 11 p.m., and we wanted to party a little bit later than that,” laughs Adyan.

Let the destination lead the way

The city of San Miguel de Allende, long loved by artists and tourists alike, wasn’t even on their radar until friends who lived there suggested they come visit and consider the place for their wedding. “My friends said, ‘Hey, why haven’t you tried San Miguel de Allende?’ Honestly I’d seen photos and never visited!” says Adyan. With an invitation to stay at their friends’ ranch, the couple spent two weeks over Christmas 2023 visiting the area, trying restaurants, and “discovering every single spot.”

They fell in love with both San Miguel and the ranch, which is located within the city’s community of Las Fincas. “When we came here, energy doesn’t lie. It was just the place,” he continues. “It’s phenomenal, the energy you feel there.” In the end, their generous friends had everything they’d wanted: The couple decided to marry on the ranch itself.

The couple's nontraditional venue meant they had to bring in every item and vendor, and the massive event required not one but two wedding planners.

Learn that two planners (in two countries) are better than one

It was a good thing that Quintanilla and Adyan flipped for the property, because it would take a lot of work to get it ready for their celebration. “The venue was not prepared for weddings. We had to bring in everything: the stage, the floor, the tent, everything,” says Adyan. In addition to a whole team of rental companies and vendors working throughout the week of their celebration, the couple wound up hiring two wedding planners: one in San Miguel and one in Puerto Rico.

Their planner in Puerto Rico, Deisa Rivera , was someone they’d met and immediately connected with deeply while touring venues there. “We were like, ‘How can we include Deisa in this?’ But she jumped when we told her about San Miguel,” says Adyan. They knew they’d need an expert on the ground in San Miguel de Allende, too. “We hired Angie Precoma , and what we love about her is she knows everyone that you can imagine,” says Adyan. “All the secrets!” adds Quintanilla. “She’d say, ‘We can find this here. This one is better quality. This one is a better price.’ She put everything together for us.” Ultimately, Deisa was in charge of big-picture logistics and production, while Angie was on-site making recommendations and finally, inspections.

Adyan and Quintanilla wanted a sleek palette, and eventually went with whites and greenery.

Find your unique aesthetic

San Miguel de Allende is known for its colorful buildings, the cobblestoned streets awash in sunset hues of pink and yellow. Bur for their wedding, Adyan and Quintanilla wanted a sleeker, more masculine palette, sticking with whites and greenery. “We didn't want to be cheesy,” says Quintanilla. The couple worked with Abraham Bautista to bring that not-so-floral vision to life.

The reception’s focal point was two trees, while a key element of the ceremony design revolved around the ranch’s lake. “We got married on a platform on the lake, with people around us. We did that because we think that water moves energy,” explains Adyan.

To bring home their chic, classic vibe, the two men wore slightly different, complementary versions of the same suit by Dominican designer Jose Ventura, whom they met through a stylist in Mexico.

Oversized mojigangas , or puppets of the grooms, kicked off the festivities on Friday night.

Set the party tone… with puppets

Lest the wedding seem too classic (or staid), the weekend kicked off on Friday night with a callejoneada , a traditional processional through the streets of San Miguel de Allende for the couple and their guests. Leading the festive atmosphere were mojigangas , which are “kind of big piñatas with our faces on them,” says Quintanilla. “It’s a party in the streets.” The mojigangas were a favorite touch of Adyan’s because the puppets resemble cabezudos, oversized puppet heads worn in parades in his own Puerto Rican culture.

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The walk led to a welcome party on the roof at Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende , where the couple and many of their guests were staying. “We showed our guests the Mexican culture not only through the drinks and tapas, but the phenomenal views,” says Adyan. From there, the crowd were invited to dinner at La Sirena Gorda in the center of downtown San Miguel. The proximity of the events around town was carefully plotted “because wanted guests to actually have the experience of walking around and having fun,” he continues.

A three-tier tres leches cake and piña colada signature drink nodded to Adyan's Puerto Rican background, while mariachi band Los Campos and local Mexican food celebrated the location and Quintanilla's heritage.

Celebrate your heritage—everywhere

The mojigangas were one of the first, and most visible, celebrations of the couple’s cultures , but their wedding day brought many more. The cocktail hour after the ceremony featured signature drinks: mezcalitas and margaritas for Mexico, and a piña colada with Flor de Caña rum for Puerto Rico. When it came time for dinner, guests were greeted with little drink kits and instructions for making their own mezcalitas at their seats.

The cocktail hour’s soundtrack was a mariachi band, Los Campos, and loads of tinkling marimba by Tono 13 . Their first dance, which was choreographed ahead of time by Gisela Rivera, was set to a medley of their three songs: “Llegaste” by Luis Fonsi, “Eres Mi Sueño” by Fonseca, and “Caminar de Tu Mano” by Río Roma. It is now Adyan’s favorite memory of the night. “The entire world just faded away in that moment,” he says.

And for food, Adyan had really wanted some Puerto Rican fusion, but the couple struggled to find a chef in Mexico who could pull off the Caribbean dishes in quite the way Adyan was hoping. They ultimately decided to focus on Mexican food, with catering by Banquetes Mediterráneo , though given the wedding cake’s importance in Puerto Rican culture they worked with a bakery, Café Verintort , for a spicy tres leches cake.

A callejoneada , or traditional processional through the streets, brought a long-established element to the modern festivities.

Honor your mothers

An aspect of the wedding that felt intrinsic not just to the couple’s cultures but themselves were several moments of appreciation for their mothers. The moms walked them down the aisle to their ceremony, and at the reception the newlyweds surprised their mothers, and the whole guest list, by bringing out the Cuban singer Lenier to perform “Como Te Pago”—a song about never being able to repay a mother for her love—during their mother-son dances.

The grooms' hora loca, or crazy hour, saw props and late-night snacks to fuel the party until the morning hours.

Guarantee a rager of a party

One more bit of culture the couple were sure to undertake was the hora loca , or crazy hour, a tradition in many Latin American countries in which the party and its energy get turned up via special music, entertainers, confetti, and more. Though it’s a common festivity in many Latin American countries, the newlyweds actually associate it with their home base in the U.S. “Living in Miami makes you adopt things from every single country,” says Adyan.

To amp up the energy following dinner and the initial hours of dancing, the couple brought out props like sombreros and mini flags of Puerto Rico and Mexico during their crazy hour. Late-night snacks of chilaquiles, tacos, and elote kept guests partying until the wee hours—just as the couple had hoped they would.

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