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jim-reid · 6 years

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Midnight Express

Andrew Perry / Select 01.1993

the nocturnal noise-fest that is the Rollercoaster tour rattles into New York. In the front car, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, and Spiritualized... --On the door, it says "Curve--this one's yours." In the four-star dressing room deep in the bowels of New York City's Roseland Ballroom, the five members of the group are draped around with varying degrees of knackeredness, but a shared, if glazed, look of contentment. Surely they're not enjoying life on the road? Maybe it's because, after two long days without, the band's grass consignment has just come in, and boy, it's a whopper. Only enough to see The Orb through a soundcheck maybe, but to most earthlings, they've got a stash the size of Central Park. Each of them is either skinning up, toking or too stoned to do either. And they only started when they came offstage ten minutes ago. Those Hollywood-style bulbs around the mirror are shining much brighter now. "This is the best tour of my life," gushes Toni Halliday from her pew on the floor, as Dean Garcia looks on from the sofa, quiet and alert. "I mean, the Spiritualized LP is my favourite album of the year, and the Mary Chain are my all-time favourite band. It's perfect. I don't want it to end. We're in tour heaven, basically." But what about the technical hitches, the hangovers, the long drives, the hotel reservations that don't exist, the irregular eating and sleeping patterns, the paranoia, the horror, the soul fear? Something must have gone wrong... Oh, there's a weird guy at the door sporting the sort of rough, fashion-free haircut given to hippies on their first day in Vietnam--the degradation crop. But he looks more than happy as well, showing his teeth in a fixed, almost piss-takingly broad smile. Images from Tom & Jerry spring to mind--Tom just before his shattered teeth tinkle to the floor. "Alright?" someone asks. "What are you doing?" "Just been talking to Jim." He pauses. "Jim The Grin." Hearty giggles all round. Jim Reid maybe? "Yeah, Jim The Grin," he continues poetically, "we should put him in the bin." Hysteria. Tears of merriment. But hang on. That t-shirt's familiar. It's grey like the guy's been wearing it for four years, and the big, black letters on it say 'DRUGS NOT JOBS'. It's Jason Pierce of Spiritualized. He's supposed to be a Black Belt in unremitting miserabilism, so what the hell's he got to smile about? This mustbe tour heaven. Welcome aboard Rollercoaster USA. It could be less hairy than expected. Last time around, you'll recall, when Jim and William Reid arranged Rollercoaster Mk1 for the UK last spring, things weren't quite so rosy. The bands didn't know each other too well, and only the Mary Chain had a fixed position on the bill--at the top, with an enviable light show behind them. The other three acts were switched around every night, the first going on at a vibe-unfriendly 7pm. Nobody wanted to follow My Bloody Valentine's nightmare monochord climax, Blur had to deal with being seen as the joker in the packs, and Dinosaur Jr... Well, they probably didn't get it together to cause much hassle, but what started out with the best, four-way, VFM, brain-blowing intentions seemed to result in tension, confusion and (rumour has it) financial loss. Perhaps shrewder, more realistic planning went into the Stateside venture. The running order doesn't change--Spiritualized at eight, Curve at nine, then the Mary Chain--and that's fine by all concerned. As well as Toni Halliday's seal of approval, Spiritualized boast Jim Reid as one their biggest fans. They just failed to make it off the shortlist on to Rollercoaster UK. Curve and the Mary Chain, meanwhile, go back a long way with their shared production assistant, Alan Moulder, who lives with Toni. "It's so cool," Halliday enthuses, "everybody's just doing their thing, going on and playing. There's no egos or bickering at all. Nobody gives a fuck, really." When the doors open at 7:30, mind, it's not looking so cool. There isn't a queue. The huge, absurdly tanned doorman sings the words "Honey's Dead" with mocking atonality. Presumably this means he doesn't approve of musicians who dress in black and have no muscles. You'd think even Jason and his laissez-faire troupe might take umbrage at hitting the stage in the 3,200 capacity all-standing Roseland to a crowd of precisely five people. It's said, too, that when they've seen ad-posters for the tour, the band have often had to add their name in with marker pens. And they've all had the 'flu. New York's lowlife must've had trouble dragging themselves away from the daily hour of Roseanne on Fox 4 between six and seven. They gradually crawl from the woodwork during Spiritualized's 40 minutes, which acts as a low-key overture to their evening--an understated role for a set that's relaxed but relentlessly ambitious. With a six-strong line-up that includes sax-player Will Gregory, Pierce's arrangements are complex and irrepressibly lavish for a beery nocturnal noise-fest. They begin with a new gem, featuring Sean Cook on the bluest harmonica in North America, and soon pump out the fluctuating aural dazzle of 'Medication', 'Angel Sigh' and a cracking version of Spacemen 3's 'Walkin' with Jesus'. Still, it's clouded--and we aren't talking little fluffy ones here--by the fact that they don't have time to kill between numbers to get things right. When Jason straps on a fresh axe for the finale, his amp instantly packs up. Exit Spiritualized, tangibly pissed-off. 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' by The Beach Boys comes over the PA. Even with three bands who are mates instead of four who aren't, and without the chaos of a rotating bill, Rollercoaster's US sibling is proving a bit of problem child. "It's a waste of time comparing the two tours," claims Jim Reid after the show. "This one shouldn't have been called Rollercoaster, it was a misunderstanding." "We didn't want Rollercoaster to become like Lollapalooza--every fuckin' year," adds brother William, heaving a sigh that'd fill a petrol tank. "No thank you. We don't want it to become an international institution. This is just a bunch of bands touring together--that's the way I see it. If we'd called it Shindig, it'd still be the same." The Mary Chain, notoriously road-shy but permanently touring since February, had a pretty bad time on this summer's Lollapalooza. They had little say in the travelling festival's wider aims and had to perform among macho, MTV-hungry stagers like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and the Chili Peppers--in daylight. Perhaps their idyll has taken a bit of a kicking in '92, but they're clearly trying to offer a better class of tour here, with a crap-support exclusion policy and good music in between (from The Pastels and Pixies to The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart). Surely they're after a sense of event? "Aye, most gigs are too boring," Jim agrees, warming with anger. "People don't give it any consideration. The band come off, the lights go up and everybody's standing around with pints of beer. Anything to get away from that. We thought of keeping the house lights down, putting coloured strobes in the audience and cranking up the music like it's a club or something." "Did we do that tonight?" William asks. Jim: "No, I was just saying..." William: "No, but you remember we told them..." Jim: "Pfff..." William: "We give people these elaborate instructions, and they ignore them and do what the fuck they want anyway." You wouldn't guess it, but Curve's tour hasn't been blemish-free. Last night Lawrence Taylor, their ligthing man, heard his wife was seriously ill and had to fly home. Without him, their illumination is in some disarray--mid-way through, they're playing under the glare of two hand-held torches. It's rather effective, because as a live combo they're in outrageously fine fettle, blasting off with 'Doppleganger' and 'Die Like A Dog', cooling down on mellower stuff like 'Sandpit' and slamming to the end with 'Coast Is Clear', 'Fait Accompli' and 'Ten Little Girls'. Often regaled as callous and calculated, they have a warm presence that's reciprocated by a now extensive moshpit which incorporates every race, age and sexual denomination. At one point, a ten-year-old black girl surfs overhead. Great, well-received shows like this probably explain best why these bands are so into Rollercoaster USA. Later, the brothers Reid will have to admit, however grudgingly, that they're in shit-hot form too. In England, they have that ancient reputation for riots and shambolic behaviour to live up to, but as anyone who saw their early gigs will testify, they were (very exciting) rubbish in those days. Their streamlined barrage of abandoned riff trash and bloody noise owes its roots to junkpile Americana, so the Yanks are far readier to tip their hat in appreciation. Though Jim has to get quietly plastered every night of the tour, to forget the organisational horrors and erode his stage fright, the Reids swagger with regal arrogance--and when they do 'Gimme Hell' and Bo Diddley's 'Who Do You Love' they're like Louis XIV and Frederick The Great. Blasphemous, evil kings. With a white-noise flurry of televisual litter flickering on the screen behind him, William desecrates the final 'Kill Surf City' with feedback atrocities, and does the same to the unbelievable encore, 'Reverence'. What'll happen when they do all this down South, down in redneck Texas? Jim may get his death wish. Maybe they'll all die in the USA. And so the Rollercoaster roars on to Washington DC, but not before calling in at The Mission, a gothy East Village bar. All three bands continue to knock it back copiously in pals-only surroundings. Toni's especially happy when the Banshees' 'Helter Skelter' gets an airing. Somewhere along the line, she also loses her purse. Curve and the Mary Chain convene in their hotel foyer the next morning--OK, call it 5pm. There are plenty of sorry, whiskey-wounded faces. Not Toni's. "I shouldn't feel like this," she beams from behind circular mirror shades. "We've lost Lawrence, I've lost all my money, cards and everything, but I'm loving every minute of it. We just wanna do a tour as good as this at home."

#interview

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bookofmormonmemes · 7 years

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ive been tagged

@swan-darkwingsOk so idk if this is allowed i should probably be doing this on my main blog but idc this got me excited umm @swan-darkwings tagged this blog in this thing and so now i owe her my life. and this post. so here

disclaimer: i. talk. way. too. much.

Rules: answer 30 questions then tag 20 people you’d like to know better

Nicknames: usually just lillie but in the past i went by Lemon and then Lavender and i had some friends who called me Impossible and i had one friend who called me Bug. but i dont really use any of those anymore cus pokemon sun & moon introduced a character named lillie and inspired me to reclaim the proper spelling of my name. representation matters

Gender: moooostly cis female right now but im probably actually some form of nonbinary im not sure at the moment

Star Sign: aquarius

MBTI Type: literally no idea. Ive taken like 8 different variations of the test and they all gave me something different. the last one i took gave me i think enfj but it included percentages of how much of each trait you had over the opposite trait and i was just barely squeaking by in like all of them. maybe i dont have a personality

Height: 5’3” and all my younger siblings are either currently taller than me or going to be taller fairly soon [cries]

Time: 11:01 pm currently but imma queue this thing to post in the morning so who knows

Birthday: february 17th and i expect all of you to send presents

Fav Bands: mmm owl city & oingo boingo

Fav solo artists: taylor swift, lindsey stirling, wait owl city is technically a solo artist too isnt he huh

Song stuck in my mind: this one like...omgsh it’s in a bunch of vines and i have no idea what it’s called but it’s like a. it’s like a saxophone i think? Or some kind of brass/woodwind thingy and it’s like agh it doesn’t have words but the notes are like a long C and then it goes up to a short A E G and then A E D and those few notes are like perpetually stuck in my head and if anyone could tell me what song it is i would be forever grateful

Last movie watched: shrek 2 but only the first half cus i got distracted by something on tumblr

Last show watched: a bunch of random adventure time clips on youtube

When did I create my blog: umm this ones been around for i think a month? ish?? a little more than a month? Idk my memory is trash. but ive had my main blog for like four years

What do I post abt: extreme couponing

Last thing I googled: the definition of ‘incur’ to make sure i was using it right when i said i didn’t want to incur the wrath of georgia w. bello’s ghost

Do you have other blogs: as a matter of fact

Why did you choose your url: cus i wasnt gonna let someone else choose it for me (ง'̀-'́)ง

Following: 301...could do with some more

Followers: 338...could do with some more (actually though this blog is the one with the most followers and it absolutely blows my mind, my main blog has 156 followers and the rest have like <15)

Fav Color: all shades of purple, all shades of pink, most shades of yellow (though the yellow part is a fairly recent development that i entirely blame on steven universe, thanks rebecca sugar. and thank you patti lupone)

Average hours of sleep: hahaha you expect me to do Math during Summer

Lucky number: 17 and pretty much anything with 7, also 39

Instruments: took a year of piano in 2nd grade (which DOES count absolutely 100%) and then violin from 5th-10th grade

What i’m wearing: brown tank top and polka dotted jammie pants that im suddenly realizing are the colors of the ace pride flag, shout out to all my awesome ace followers

How many blankets do I sleep with: there are currently 5 on my bed and ideally i would sleep under all of them. however this is summer so i just suffer

Dream job: if i could get paid for memeing i would be so happy...but honestly im gonna be going to school to be an english teacher which is my realistic dream job that i can very easily picture myself being very happy doing. my unrealistic dream job would be a disney face character which Could be realistic if i lived near any disney parks, and of course itd be amazing to make it as a full-time author or actor but i dont have the patience or confidence to really pursue those super seriously lol

Dream trip: round the world honestly. currently my top dream destinations are ireland, colombia, iceland, the phillippines, and the middle of the ocean

Fav food: okay this is very specific but a tuna fish sandwich except the tuna is mixed with a spoonful of mayonnaise, a squirt of mustard, and a handful of chopped cucumber and/or celery. bonus if you add lettuce or tomatoes or dill pickles. it’s the best lunch ever and it’s technically healthy and i love it so much

aand that’s all the questions so as far as the tagging goes i want to tag all of you because i want to get to know literally all of you so much but 338 is more than 20 so im just gonna go down the top 20 in my notes

@tanosoka@j-the-latter-gay-saint@beepala@inariedwards@hair-fiber@likenolion@afterlifeincorporated@tanosoka@trellyellyoxenfree @thepoetrytheoristcalledmoriarty @beepala @deetledeet @inariedwards @afterlifeincorporated @tanosoka @j-the-latter-gay-saint @merlissa @likenolion @hair-fiber

@truefactsaboutlies@clever-cyborg@burnt-kloverfield@ariannadon@enigmaris@kensalyn477@bean--teen@beauty-in-the-falcon @truefactsaboutlies @nermrod @clever-cyborg @burnt-kloverfield @ariannadon @enigmaris @kensalyn477 @bean--teen @beauty-in-the-falcon

(i do actually honestly want to get to know you specific individuals i recognize almost all and apprecitate all of you in my notes, though absolutely feel free to not do this if u dont wanna. And if you see this and werent tagged and wanna do it UR TAGGED ANYWAY I REALLY LEGIT WANNA GET TO KNOW U)

anyways thank you for reading and we will get back to our regularly scheduled memeage momentarily

#not a meme #ALSO MY COMPUTER IS HECKED UP IM SORRY IF THE TAGGING IS WEIRD AA #also the extreme couponing is a joke. in case that's not obvious.#i post about book of mormon memes #the rest is legit though #aANYWAYS IN CASE YOU WANTED TO KNOW WAY TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS HUMBLE LITTLE MEMER HERE YOU GO YOU CAN THANK THE BEAUTIFUL SOUL WHO TAGGED ME #GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY #i will go and queue #ACK I FORGOT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS OOPS IT'S ASKING MY NATIONALITY AND I WAS GONNA SARCASTICALLY ANSWER NEPHITE #i live in the u s of a and my ancestors came here from europe.#actually fun fact: like many born-and-raised mormons i am descended from people who came to the us to join the church #and then were pioneers #willie handcart company for the win #anyways NO MORE TAG COMMENTARY IM GOING TO BED BYE #UGH WHY IS THE TAGGING SO WEIRD I CANT FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX IT IM SORRY I LOVE YOU TAKE IT ANYWAY IM TIRED GOODBYE

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alexllove-blog · 5 years

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Athens is warming up as a winter destination! Here's what to expect when visiting and things to do in Athens in winter.

Athens Winter Travel Guide

Having lived in Athens for nearly five years, people often ask if winter is a good time to visit. It’s true that Athens is predominantly a summer destination, but really, it's a year round place to visit. There's always something going on, after all!

Of course, it all depends on what you are planning to do in Athens. If you're thinking of going to the beaches around Athens, winter is not the best time!

However, if you are visiting Athens for the culture, sightseeing and food, or if you just want a city break, visiting in winter is actually an interesting option. Just bring some warm clothes and an umbrella, and you will be fine. Or if you are from a Nordic country, just bring your summer clothes and pack a swimsuit too – you never know!

In this article, we show the best things to do in Athens in winter in terms of sightseeing, food, walks around the city and day trips around Athens.

Athens winter weather

Winter months in Greece are December, January and February, just like in the rest of the north hemisphere. They are typically the coldest months of the year in Greece, with January being the coldest and rainiest all around the country.

November is technically an autumn month, but it’s significantly colder than October, and minimum temperatures in Athens can reach 7C / 44F. It normally rains on one in three days. For locals, late November feels like the beginning of winter, and it’s been included in this article.

December in Athens is slightly warmer than the other winter months, but it can get quite wet, with around 12 rainy days on average. Rain in Athens can be very heavy – compared to the UK, it can be a lot stronger, and with more lightning and thunder.

Athens in winter temperature

Fun fact: Two days after I moved to Greece in February, it started snowing. I thought I moved to get away from all that stuff!!

OK – The average temperature in Athens in January is around 8C / 46F, however it’s not unusual to have below 0C / 32F. Rainfall is quite common, and there might be some snow.

February is a little drier in terms of rain, but has some of the lowest temperatures of the year. By that time, Greeks are really tired of the Athens winter weather, and can’t wait for spring.

At some point in January or February, there is typically a period of 3-4 days when the weather gets milder and sunny. These are known as the halcyon days, and according to legend this is when the halcyon birds lay their eggs.

Athens in Februrary can see some variable weather. I remember my brother visited and had T-Shirt and shorts weather. Last year, there was rain and snow.

In March, the temperature starts to rise, and you will definitely get a few sunny days, while some locals start going for a swim. That said, there has been snowfall on certain years. Global warming is really a thing!

What to wear in winter in Athens

If you are coming from colder countries, such as north Europe or Canada, you will find these conditions very pleasant.

At the same time, you probably won’t be able to get away with just a light jacket, so consider bringing warmer / waterproof clothes and an umbrella.

As the drainage system in Athens fails when rain is ongoing and heavy, consider bringing some waterproof shoes as well – they are ideal for walking around the archaeological sites and ancient marbles.

What to do in Athens in winter

Sightseeing in Athens in winter can actually be very pleasant, given that there are no cruise boat passengers and guided tours are rare.

You might come across a school visit in the main attractions, but in general that will be all. Just take note of the weather, and plan to visit the outdoors sites on sunny days and museums on rainy days.

Archaeological sites in Athens in winter

Opening hours for the archaeological sites in Greece differ between summer (April – October) and winter (November – March). In general, most of the archaeological sites in Athens are open from 8.00-20.00 in summer, and from 8.00-15.00 or 8.00-17.00 in winter.

If you are travelling to Athens in winter, make sure you check the exact opening times for each site before you visit. You can buy a combined ticket, allowing access to all the sites, for 15 euros, and walk straight in the site of your choice.

By comparison, in summer you will generally have to queue for your ticket, which will cost you 30 euros. Tip – all sites are free to visit on the first Sunday of all winter months, and are closed on 25-26 December and 1st January, so plan accordingly.

Note that the ancient marbles are very slippery, so make sure you have good walking shoes, and try to avoid going up the Acropolis hill if it’s raining.

Ancient Sites in Athens

The main archaeological sites in Athens are the following:

The Acropolis of Athens – The symbol of Athens and one of the most instantly recognizable images of Greece. The Acropolis is a large walled complex up on a hill containing several temples, of which the most famous is the Parthenon. Read more about the Acropolis here: Acropolis Guided Tour.

The Temple of Zeus – A massive temple only a 15 minute walk to the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus is really impressive. Within the site, you can see one of the columns that collapsed in the 1850s and was never restored.

The Ancient Agora – The political, social, financial and commercial centre of ancient Athens, the Ancient Agora is a large area where you can see many ruins, including the magnificent temple of Ifestos and the byzantine church of Agii Apostoli. Within the Agora you can see the fully restored Stoa of Attalos, which used to be the equivalent of a modern mall, and is now a museum.

The Roman Agora – This is a much smaller area than the Ancient Agora, that became the centre of the city in Roman times. When you visit, make sure you spend some time to see the recently restored clock of Andronikos Kyrristos, known also as the “Tower of the Winds”.

The Kerameikos – Athens’ ancient cemetery can be found on Ermou street, a short walk from Monastiraki, Thisseio or Kerameikos metro stations. It offers a fascinating insight on burial ceremonies and other customs of the ancient Greeks. Don’t miss the museum.

Hadrian’s Library – Right outside Monastiraki metro station, this building used to host many thousands of papyrus rolls, which were sadly destroyed in 267AD, when a Germanic tribe called the Heruli invaded Athens.

Museums in Athens in winter

One of the best things to do in Athens in winter is to visit a museum or ten. Athens has over 70 museums, and you will definitely find a few that spark your interest.

If you visit museums in Athens in winter, you will meet very few crowds and will have the chance to explore the ancient artefacts with few other people around you.

Note that the opening hours for some museums are shorter than in summer, so check their website before visiting.

If you are interested in history, the best museums to visit in Athens in winter (or at any time of the year!) are the following:

History Museums in Athens

The National Archaeological Museum – The mother of all museums in Athens, it has artefacts from all periods of Ancient Greece, as well as a section on Ancient Egypt. Allow at least four hours if you want to see the National Archaeological Museum in Athens properly. Remember to take one or more well deserved breaks at the café downstairs!

The Acropolis Museum – Contains statues and other findings from the Acropolis, as well as casts of the famous Elgin Marbles. The originals can be found in the British Museum in London.

The Benaki Museum – A small, private collection of artefacts ranging from Ancient Greece to more recent times. It’s a fantastic museum if you only want an introduction to Greece’s long history. The Benaki Museum has several other branches worth exploring – check their website.

The Museum of Cycladic Art – This beautiful neoclassical building is home to one of Greece’s most unique collections of Cycladic Art. There are also sections on Ancient Greek Art and Cypriot Art, as well as a display of daily life in antiquity.

The Byzantine and Christian Museum – For most people, Greece evokes images of Ancient Greece. However, Greece has a history of thousands of years. Few people realize that the Byzantine Era lasted for around one millennium, from about the 3rd to the 13th century AD! As such, the Byzantine and Christian history is very rich. If you have a special interest in Christian art, this will be your favourite museum in Athens.

Art Museums in Athens

If you like history but are actually more interested in art, you will love these museums:

The National Art Gallery and National Glyptotheque Museum – Two buildings housing collections of artworks and modern Greek sculptures. If you are interested in art, this is probably the best museum in Athens to visit at the moment. They are located a little out of the centre in the Army Park, near Katechaki metro.

Benaki Museum, Pireos Annex – This branch of the Benaki Museum hosts up to 4 rotating exhibitions at a time, mostly to do with art and culture. It’s a lovely space, with an excellent shop and a cool café. Check their website out to see what’s going on at the time of your visit.

Museum of Greek Popular Musical Instruments – A comprehensive collection of musical instruments used in traditional Greek music. The Music Museum is one of our favourite museums in Athens!

Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens – A superb collection of modern and contemporary jewelry, inspired by Ancient Greek designs.

The Herakleidon Museum in Athens – A private museum hosting rotating art / science exhibitions. Check their website before you visit to see what’s on.

Frissiras Museum – One of the few museums in Greece hosting contemporary European paintings.

There are also several smaller private galleries in Athens, generally scattered around the centre. Many of them are located in Kolonaki area.

Street Art in Athens in Winter

Walking around Athens, you will immediately notice the amounts of graffiti and street art. Athens is really a great place to spot some of the best street art in Europe – areas like Psyrri, Kerameikos and Exarchia are full of it.

There is lots of hidden meaning behind some of those artworks. You could follow this guide to Athens’ neighbourhoods, or consider a walking tour with Vanessa and explore the contemporary essence of the city.

Food and Drink in Athens in Winter

If you’ve been to Greece in the summer, chances are that you’ve had your fair share of Greek salads, fish, octopus, gyros, souvlaki, ouzo, and a few other standard dishes and drinks.

If you visit Athens in winter, however, you will discover new types of food and drink that you’ve never heard of. Read on to find out what to eat and drink in Athens in winter!

Special Food in Athens in Winter

If you visit Athens in the winter, you will get the chance to taste some dishes that you wouldn’t typically find in summer.

Don’t worry, you can still find the famous Greek salad, as tomatoes and cucumbers are grown in greenhouses nowadays. However, if you go to traditional tavernas, you might be able to find some heartier dishes that are generally regarded as too heavy for summer.

If you get the chance, try lahanontolmades (stuffed cabbage leaves), frikase (meat and lettuce stew), revithia (chickpea soup), fasolada (bean soup), fakes (lentil soup), trahanas (wheat soup), lahanorizo (cabbage and rice dish in a tomato sauce), and chicken soup.

Finally, an absolute favorite Greek winter dish that kids love is called giouvarlakia – meat balls boiled in a thick egg-and-lemon sauce.

Desserts to try in Athens during the winter

In terms of Greek winter desserts, there are some that are traditionally prepared for Christmas and New Year’s. They are called kourampiedes and melomakarona, and you can find them in pretty much every bakery and pastry shop, starting around the beginning of December.

Kourampiedes are crunchy shortbread biscuits, containing generous amounts of almonds, good quality butter and icing sugar. Melomakarona are cookies soaked in syrup and sprinkled with walnuts. Warning: eating either of these without making a mess is highly improbable!

Coffee in Athens in winter

We have written before about the coffee culture in Greece, which is pretty unique. It’s not like the French or the Italians don’t have a coffee culture, it’s just that the Greek coffee culture is really different. “Let’s go for a coffee” generally means “let’s go for a two-hour chat”, so people take their time to have a coffee, or any other drink for that matter.

There are great cafes in central Athens, such as Kimolia and Melina in Plaka area, TAF and Couleur Locale in Monastiraki, and Black Duck Garden close to Syntagma. There are also many outdoors cafes with large heaters everywhere in Athens.

The Little Kook in Athens

It’s also worth venturing to Psyrri area, to visit Little Kook café. Changing decoration every few months, it’s one of the most photographed cafes in Athens, and if you are travelling with children they will definitely love it. Be prepared to queue, especially on weekends.

All in all, sitting for a coffee is one of the best things to do in Athens in winter – take a seat, put your mobile phone away and indulge in people watching while enjoying your coffee.

Special drinks in Athens in winter – Rakomelo

If you like alcohol, there is one drink that you absolutely must try if you are in Athens in winter. It is called rakomelo, it’s served hot, and it’s made out of a strong alcoholic drink called raki, honey, cinnamon and cloves.

It’s similar to mulled wine or gluehwein, but it’s much stronger, as raki has an alcohol content of around 40%. You might not realize how strong it is until you get up from the table. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

The best rakomelo in Athens is served in small, no-fancy places. If you are interested in enjoying this Greek winter drink, along with several Greek delicacies, consider taking a “dinner with a Greek” tour in one of our favourite places to eat in Athens.

Wine bars in Athens in winter

If all you’ve ever heard about Greek wine is retsina, it’s time to be blown away. Greece has hundreds of types of local wines that rarely make it out of the country. If you have been to Santorini, you may have tasted some, but most areas of Greece produce their own local varieties.

There are several wine bars around central Athens where you can have a lovely glass of wine with a nice cheese plate to go along. Some of the best ones are around Syntagma – any of Oinoscent, Heteroclito, By the Glass and Kiki de Grece are great choices.

Since winter calls for red, some of the Greek varieties you should familiarize yourself with are agiorgitiko, mavrotragano, xinomavro, mavroudi, kotsifali and mandilaria. Ask your waiter for suggestions, sit back and enjoy!

Special dates in Athens in winter

If you visit Athens in winter, it’s worth taking note of a few special dates, which might affect your travel or sightseeing plans.

Early November – The Athens Authentic Marathon

The Athens Authentic Marathon is an annual event, taking place on the second Sunday in November. It is one of the most important annual athletic events in Athens, with thousands of participants from everywhere around the world.

The competitors run the Authentic Marathon route, from the town of Marathon, 42 kms outside Athens, to the centre of the city. There are also shorter races of 5km and 10km, with participations generally filling up quickly.

If you were ever thinking to participate in a Marathon, this is one of the best, as the climate is mellow and the route is fairly flat, with few uphill parts.

If you happen to be in Athens on that day, note that certain roads will be closed to traffic, and the airport bus (X95) will not be running. The metro will be running as normal.

In 2019, the Athens Authentic Marathon will happen on 10th November. You can check the website for more information.

17 November – The Anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising

The Athens Polytechnic uprising was a revolution against the Greek dictatorial military rule that was present in Greece in 1967-1974.

The uprising happened in November 1973 in the Athens Polytechnic University, which is located right next to the National Archaeological Museum.

Students of the Polytechnic along with other like-minded people occupied the Polytechnic building, demanding freedom from the junta.

On the 17th November, an armed tank broke into the University, bringing an end to the occupation. The military rule eventually ended in 1974.

The 17th November is a public holiday in Greece for students, teachers and all schools and universities. The commemoration of the Uprising begins with wreath offerings inside the Polytechnic University, and is followed by a march towards the US Embassy.

The march always culminates in a demonstration and, eventually, riots, Molotov cocktails and teargas until the early morning hours. If this is not your cup of tea, it would be best to avoid certain areas of central Athens such as Omonia, Exarchia and Panepistimio.

The tourist centre is perfectly safe on 17th November. However, bear in mind that some metro stations, including Syntagma, are normally closed on the day.

You can read more about the Polytechnic uprising here.

6 December – The anniversary of Alexandros Grigoropoulos’ death

On 6th December 2008, the 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos was shot by a special guard of the Greek police, and died as a result.

The demonstrations, riots and other similar activities that followed in Athens and other Greek cities were unprecedented, and reflected the anger against governments, the crisis, and the overall state of the country.

The city centre literally went up in flames, and the riots and clashes with the police were ongoing for several weeks. You can see some photos from the night of 6th December 2008 here.

In Exarchia, just on the street where Grigoropoulos died and which is now known by his name, a plaque has been put up, reminding people of his unjustified death at such a young age.

Every year, on the 6th December, there are riots starting in the area where he was shot, and spreading out towards Omonia and Panepistimio metro stations.

First-hand experience

Vanessa happened to be in Exarchia on that night in 2008.

I will never forget that night. Walking up to Exarchia, cars, trees, and seemingly whole streets were on fire. In fact, everything seemed to be on fire. There was police everywhere, stones were being thrown around, smoke and teargas everywhere. I tried to take a photo, but a policeman saw me and stopped me… I spent the night at a friend’s house, and the next day there was so much smoke, as the building next door had caught fire. Demonstrations around central Athens went on for several days. The whole thing really felt like a war.

Christmas in Athens

Overall, Greeks are religious people. Though you are less likely to observe this in Athens in terms of church attendance, the Christmas spirit is there – just with a much warmer climate than you are probably used to.

During the days leading up to Christmas, there are several street performances around the city, as well as some pop-up festive markets selling traditional products. Don’t expect massive markets like the ones you may have seen in other cities in Europe though.

There will be street decorations and a Christmas Tree in Syntagma Square. On the whole though, Christmas is a low-key affair. In fact, it makes a refreshing change to the overly commercialised Christmas build ups in other Western countries!

Christmas Day in Greece

Christmas Day in Athens is a family affair. With all archaeological spaces, museums and the majority of stores closing down for two days, you will find that there isn’t much to do in terms of sightseeing or shopping.

You can take this opportunity to go for a long walk around the ancient monuments, climb up Anafiotika, Filopappou and Observatory Hills, hike up Lycabettus Hill and admire the views, or go on a short getaway.

Best winter day trips from Athens

If you want to combine your visit to Athens with a unique religious experience, you can travel to one of the most impressive areas in Greece, Meteora. This UNESCO Heritage Site is a mix of amazing rock formations with monasteries perched on the top.

If you are Christian, or if you are simply interested in religious ceremonies, you can visit any of the Meteora monasteries on the evening of the 24th December, when the Christmas masses are performed until 1-2 am. It will be a unique opportunity to visit this awe-inspiring site. Spend the next couple of days in Kalambaka, and explore the surrounding areas.

Two-day Christmas getaway from Athens – Delphi and Arachova

Another option, especially if you like skiing, is to go to a village called Arachova, which is close to Delphi archaeological site. You can then visit the Parnassos ski centre, but also enjoy Arachova’s buzzing night life for a couple of days. Then on the 27th December you can visit Delphi archaeological site and museum, and return to Athens late in the evening.

New Year’s Eve in Athens

New Year’s Eve in Athens is a busy day. Most people are buying last minute presents, others are getting ready to prepare a dinner for friends and family, and the city is generally very lively. There is typically an outdoors music event that starts at 10-11pm, taking place on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, but it’s best to ask your hotel for exact information.

Many locals will spend time with their family or friends, until about 1am, and will then go out to party. There are many bars and clubs to choose from if you want a late New Year’s Eve in Athens – just wander around Gazi area and you will definitely find something appealing.

The Carnival season in Athens

Much like Venice and Rio de Janeiro, Athens celebrates the Carnival. While the biggest carnival celebrations in Greece are in Patras, a couple of hours away from Athens, you can get a good taste of the Carnival in the Greek capital.

The idea of Carnival comes from Ancient Greece, but the custom has somehow survived over hundreds of years. The Carnival period is dependent on Easter Sunday – it begins 70 days before Easter, and lasts for three weeks.

During the Carnival, people, especially children, dress up and party. Central areas like Plaka, Psyrri and Gazi are decorated with masks and party streamers, and the municipality of Moschato hosts an all-day festivity with Carnival parades and other events.

A special day during the Carnival is Meat Thursday, or Tsiknopempti. On that day, Greeks go out to eat grilled meat. Tavernas get busy starting in the late afternoon, and the parties get bigger and bigger – and normally more and more drunk – as the time passes. Tsiknopempti is a good day to be in Greece, unless you are vegetarian.

The Carnival ends with Clean Monday, when people prepare special vegan dishes, in line with the Orthodox way of fasting which is really a vegan diet. The fasting period is supposed to last for 48 days, until Easter Sunday, but few people in Athens respect it nowadays. On Clean Monday, Greeks traditionally go to fly a kite. The best place for this in Athens is on Filopappou Hill.

Where to stay in Athens

I always recommend staying at one of the hotels in the city center or historic center of Athens. This way, you are close to the main attractions. Check out some of the best hotels in Athens on the map below.

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Should I visit Athens in winter?

We hope that with all the above we have convinced you that winter is a great time to be in Athens! Pack your umbrella and warm jacket, and come over.

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