natural2020, Author at Natural-Greece.gr

Athens by the Compass: exploring Mount Hymettus

The mysteries of Athens’ Mount Hymettus unravelled. Journalist for British Airways’ High Life Magazine Alice Barnes-Brown, and Chantel Kyriakopoulou-Beuvink, owner of Eco & Wildlife Tour Operator Natural Greece shed a light on this mountain East of Athens. Before exploring Mount Hymettus Athens it pays of to be well prepared.

Award for Tour Operator Natural Greece

May 29, 2022 September 9, 2022
natural2020
News
Press, Responsible Travel, Wildlife experiences

EU Business News European Enterprise Awards 2021

The mission to make tourism “nature-positive” and the continuous efforts of our passionate and purpose-driven team have been rewarded. We are proud winners of the European Enterprise Award 2021 and have been named “Best Eco Tour Operator”. EU Enterprise Awards The renowned EU Business News magazine awards the best and

A Photographer’s Dream: Lake Kerkini in Winter

February 1, 2022 February 1, 2022
natural2020
News
birding, Responsible Travel, Wildlife experiences

At a 1 ½-hour drive from Thessaloniki, the National Park Lake Kerkini is easily accessible. Even this winter, with a “Corona tsunami” pestering the European continent, nature photographers and birdwatchers alike have arrived here to adore its many birds and stunning landscape. True, there were fewer travelers than expected. But there

Greece plans to restart tourism on May 14th

The plan of the Greek government for the safe opening of tourism in 2021 was presented by the Minister of Tourism Mr. Haris Theocharis, in a press conference at the online event International Tourism Exhibition ITB Berlin. Mr. Theocharis set May 14 as the date for the official start of

Our commitment to Climate Action

Tour Operator Natural Greece has signed up to Tourism Declares, an initiative that supports organizations in tourism declaring a climate emergency and taking purposeful action to reduce their carbon emissions as per the advice from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030. Like all signatories, Natural Greece commits to accelerating its own emission reductions in line with IPPC advice. By committing to the following 5 actions: Develop a ‘Climate Emergency Plan’ Within 12 months of the initial declaration, or sooner if possible. Share our commitment and progress publicly Share our initial public declaration, our ‘Climate Action Plan’, and update on progress against our targets each year. Cut carbon emissions We accept the current IPCC advice stating the need to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030 to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of warming. Our ‘Climate Emergency Plan’ represents actions designed to achieve this as a minimum, by delivering transparent, measurable, and increasing reductions in the total carbon emissions arising from our own operations. Work together Natural Greece encourages tour operator clients, contacts, hoteliers and all other partners to make the same declaration. We will share best practices amongst them, and actively participate in the Tourism Declares Climate Emergency community. Advocate for change We recognize the need for system change across the tourism industry and call for urgent regulatory action & a just transition towards radical carbon reduction. How to join the movement The focus of “Tourism Declares Climate Emergency” for 2021 is creating three Climate Action Blueprints - for Tour Operators, Accommodation Providers & Destinations Thus, enabling anyone in these sectors to deliver their Climate Action Plans. If you are interested to join the movement, please contact info@tourismdeclares.com or connect to the community of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency https://www.tourismdeclares.com/

Tour Operator Natural Greece has signed up to Tourism Declares, an initiative that supports organizations in tourism declaring a climate emergency and taking purposeful action to reduce their carbon emissions as per the advice from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030.

Coronavirus update for travel to Greece

Coronavirus update for travel to Greece – Greece has managed to flatten the curve more so than any other country in Europe , with stringent measures and vigilance. As per 4 May 2020 the lockdown in Greece ends. What is known so far is that on May 18, the government plans to allow free movement

Experiences along the Athens Coast: a Sea Turtle Rescue Center Tour

If you plan to visit Athens and are looking for a meaningful experience, there’s 1 place to go: The Sea Turtle Rescue Center along the Athens Riviera. Europe's biggest Turtle Rescue Center is run by Archelon, the Sea turtle protection society. Little known fact: Greece is the European country with the most sea turtle nests. And this is the turtle's veterinary hospital. What to expect on a Sea Turtle Rescue Center Tour? Our small group arrived on a Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. At the end of winter 2020, just before the Coronavirus travel ban. That is, everyone but 1 couple that came by tram. They showed up a little later, due to some mix-up with the tram lines, so it’s a good idea to carefully check out this Urban Rail Transport website before taking of. When we all got together our friendly Archelon host welcomed us. We walked alongside large outdoor basins, designed for adult sea turtles. During wintertime, you will see typically fewer animals being cared for. In Summer most of these large outdoor basins will be filled with Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) and occasionally other turtle species: green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and most unlikely the giant leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea). After hearing the first intriguing turtle facts we could freely shoot our questions. In Greek and English, the 2 languages used in this tour. A short walk led us to the section with the sheltered basins. It is a little warmer here for the sick and injured patients. Here you get to see the injured turtles. Our host explained us that some patients are stressed out easily and those turtles are not even shown to the public. Sea turtles here may suffer from a range of injuries including: Flipper injuries Head injuries Carapace (the hard upper-shell) injuries Hook & line ingestions Fishing gear entanglements Plastic ingestions Some turtles you will see are just weak, having suffered from hypothermia or fishing gear entanglements. Next: we walked along the Sea Turtle Information Boards. With information of all the 3 turtle species' behavior, a map of the Mediterranean Sea, information on the nesting grounds and more. By now, the small children in our group got restless and therefore we had to move on. Clearly it was too much data for our lively little boys, even though thousands

If you plan to visit Athens and are looking for a meaningful experience, there’s 1 place to go: The Sea Turtle Rescue Center along the Athens Riviera. Europe’s biggest Turtle Rescue Center is run by Archelon, the Sea turtle protection society. Little known fact: Greece is the European country with the most sea turtle nests. And this is the

Author: natural2020

Athens by the Compass: exploring Mount Hymettus

Award for Tour Operator Natural Greece

A Photographer’s Dream: Lake Kerkini in Winter

Greece plans to restart tourism on May 14th

Our commitment to Climate Action

Coronavirus update for travel to Greece

Experiences along the Athens Coast: a Sea Turtle Rescue Center Tour