Mezcal on the Athens Riviera

The French Riviera, or the Côte d'Azur, was the first Mediterranean "riviera", becoming a prominent luxury destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It attracted European aristocrats and celebrities, due to its beautiful coastline, favourable climate, and glamorous lifestyle.

Riviera or "ripa" derives from the Latin word "shore" and is now used synonymously for coastlines such as the Italian and Spanish Riviera.

Even today, the French Riviera stills maintains the "Je ne sais quoi", walking along the Croisette in Cannes or the Rue Général Allard in St. Tropez, you still feel an embodied sense these places were once frequented by Bardot, Hepburn and Sinatra.

Of course many of these establishments have succumbed to commercialisation on a larger scale, but the nostalgia still exists, remnants can be found in the Carlton Hotel (recently refurbished following a 3 year closure);

Or Club 55 started by Bridgette Bardot.

If you find yourself on the French Riviera, just spend time speaking with the locals.  Ask locals walking along the beach- "how was this place in the 60's?".  I always find the generation born before the 60's all seem to very much enjoy living in the South of France, more so than almost anywhere else I have travelled to.  Whether it's the men playing bowls along the side roads behind the Croisiette, or the women at evening dance classes; this Cote D'Azur-generation seem to be happiest and getting the most from life.

Many times I have received fleeting moments of wisdom just from a brief conversation from someone who looks my mother's or grandmother's age.

The water along the Croisette is "ok".  The water at Pampelone beach is better, but nothing in the Med really compares to the water around the Greek islands and the Ionian Sea.  Greece has around 6,000 islands, 227 of which are inhabited.  From the very popular islands of Santorini, Poros, Naxos, Rhodes to Kefalonia- each island has its own unique appeal.  I just traveled through the Ionian Islands from Lefkada to Ithaca to Kefalonia, and although some ports were very busy, the landscape, cleanliness, friendliness and overall beauty of Greece is very hard to compete with.

Mexico is my favourite country, mainly for the people and the countries beauty.  And I have to say, after travelling to almost 100 countries I think Greece has to now enter as number 2 on my favourite travel destinations list, when the criteria is beauty of the landscape and cleanliness of the water.  Malta and Sicily are geographically close, but do not have a patch on Greece in terms of their majesty.

In the 60's and 70's, a little island in the Cyclades started gaining prominence.  Grace Kelly and the Kennedys started visiting Mykonos, and very soon thereafter, Mykonos became known as one of the top party destinations in the world.

With all of this excitement, how can we miss Greece's capital?  With the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe and known as "the birthplace of democracy" it was only a matter of time before the shores of Athens were to become known as the Athens Riviera.  Based around a lake, Vouliagmeni Lake, daytime beach clubs began opening their doors.  Over the last decade, the Athens Riviera has gained a reputation for the jetset, with The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Vouliagmeni opening its doors in 2019, sometimes referred to as the Four Seasons Athens; now widely regarded as one of the premier Four Seasons properties globally.

 I had to take a trip to see what all the fuss was about, and I was not disappointed.  The food at Ithaca is on par with the best sushi you will find anywhere in the world.  The chicken fillet at the Margi is one of the best chicken dinners I have had the fortune of tasting and the fish at Krabo is as good as any of the best restaurants along the Croisette.  The vibe at Krabo is interesting, people aren't there to impress.  When you look around the tables, everyone seems to be enjoying time with their cherished ones.  The vibe is relaxed, the food is excellent and the scenery is as you would expect from a beachside Mediterranean restaurant.

The small islands opposite from Hydra to Fleves are gaining momentum and following the last few years it seems Greece's economy is strengthening.  With a GDP growth rate of 2.3% per year for 2024, public debt decreasing and huge investment into Greece, it feels there is only one way to go for the Athens Riviera.  And just as important as the numbers, you really get a sense here that people want to work hard, want to work with you and are happy for your success.

Bandida is happy to announce this week we have launched on the Athens Riviera, stocking the Margi and Ithaki.  It's encouraging and exciting to witness a country prospering and a new Riviera born.