FOR THE LOVE OF THE RIVIERA

Stretching lazily across the coastal suburbs of the city, the Athens Riviera holds the secret to easy living, with an almost Californian attitude and a flair for luxury. Way back in the swinging twenties, the Greek government had already foreseen the probable rise of the region, however, political instability, as is usually the problem in Greece, never allowed the dream to develop into reality. Fast forward to more than 30 years later, when Kathimerini newspaper proclaimed, in 1954, that the Glyfada and Voula suburbs could easily become more popular than the French Riviera. And so the name was born. Cinematographers started using the beauty of the landscape, bon viveurs commenced frequenting Asteria, the iconic beach in Glyfada. And so the story goes…

Today, a whole string of high-end hotels lay in front of its pristine beaches, while the revamped Four Seasons Astir Palace, with a history of housing foreign dignitaries and stars of the 1960s, is the most luxurious hotel in Athens, perhaps even in all of Greece. Island nightclub still holds the inaugural festivities of summer, while lush villas and Melrose place-like apartment complexes house the enfants gâté of the city.

Athens Riviera, a beautiful publication by Assouline, out this June, puts the old-world beside the new-world and a deeper understanding of this ancient capital emerges. Imagery that blends old charm with contemporary simplicity and text by Stéphanie Artarit, who today divides her time between Athens and the Cyclades, brings to life the experience of breathing in the Athens Riviera air, taking in the sounds and soaking up the incredible Athenian sun. In a world struck by a scary pandemic, there are some places where the perception of timeless beauty and cultural charm reflect the heart and soul of what a genuine good life is all about.

www.assouline.com

FOR THE LOVE OF THE RIVIERA

Stretching lazily across the coastal suburbs of the city, the Athens Riviera holds the secret to easy living, with an almost Californian attitude and a flair for luxury. Way back in the swinging twenties, the Greek government had already foreseen the probable rise of the region, however, political instability, as is usually the problem in Greece, never allowed the dream to develop into reality. Fast forward to more than 30 years later, when Kathimerini newspaper proclaimed, in 1954, that the Glyfada and Voula suburbs could easily become more popular than the French Riviera. And so the name was born. Cinematographers started using the beauty of the landscape, bon viveurs commenced frequenting Asteria, the iconic beach in Glyfada. And so the story goes…

Today, a whole string of high-end hotels lay in front of its pristine beaches, while the revamped Four Seasons Astir Palace, with a history of housing foreign dignitaries and stars of the 1960s, is the most luxurious hotel in Athens, perhaps even in all of Greece. Island nightclub still holds the inaugural festivities of summer, while lush villas and Melrose place-like apartment complexes house the enfants gâté of the city.

Athens Riviera, a beautiful publication by Assouline, out this June, puts the old-world beside the new-world and a deeper understanding of this ancient capital emerges. Imagery that blends old charm with contemporary simplicity and text by Stéphanie Artarit, who today divides her time between Athens and the Cyclades, brings to life the experience of breathing in the Athens Riviera air, taking in the sounds and soaking up the incredible Athenian sun. In a world struck by a scary pandemic, there are some places where the perception of timeless beauty and cultural charm reflect the heart and soul of what a genuine good life is all about.

www.assouline.com

FOR THE LOVE OF THE RIVIERA

Stretching lazily across the coastal suburbs of the city, the Athens Riviera holds the secret to easy living, with an almost Californian attitude and a flair for luxury. Way back in the swinging twenties, the Greek government had already foreseen the probable rise of the region, however, political instability, as is usually the problem in Greece, never allowed the dream to develop into reality. Fast forward to more than 30 years later, when Kathimerini newspaper proclaimed, in 1954, that the Glyfada and Voula suburbs could easily become more popular than the French Riviera. And so the name was born. Cinematographers started using the beauty of the landscape, bon viveurs commenced frequenting Asteria, the iconic beach in Glyfada. And so the story goes…

Today, a whole string of high-end hotels lay in front of its pristine beaches, while the revamped Four Seasons Astir Palace, with a history of housing foreign dignitaries and stars of the 1960s, is the most luxurious hotel in Athens, perhaps even in all of Greece. Island nightclub still holds the inaugural festivities of summer, while lush villas and Melrose place-like apartment complexes house the enfants gâté of the city.

Athens Riviera, a beautiful publication by Assouline, out this June, puts the old-world beside the new-world and a deeper understanding of this ancient capital emerges. Imagery that blends old charm with contemporary simplicity and text by Stéphanie Artarit, who today divides her time between Athens and the Cyclades, brings to life the experience of breathing in the Athens Riviera air, taking in the sounds and soaking up the incredible Athenian sun. In a world struck by a scary pandemic, there are some places where the perception of timeless beauty and cultural charm reflect the heart and soul of what a genuine good life is all about.

www.assouline.com