Hotelier and Collector Dimitris Tsitouras’s Guide to Athens
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2017 has been a great year for the Athens art scene with the Greek Capital playing host to the first part of the famed Documenta art exhibition from April 8 to July 16 – the first time that that Documenta has opened outside Germany and the first time that iHotelier and Collector Dimitris Tsitouras’s Guide to Athens
2017 has been a great year for the Athens art scene with the Greek Capital playing host to the first part of the famed Documenta art exhibition from April 8 to July 16 – the first time that that Documenta has opened outside Germany and the first time that it has been held in two locations – Kassel and Athens. And despite the continuing Greek debt crisis, the Athens art scene is going from strength to strength, which is partly thanks to people such as Dimitris Tsitouras, the world renowned art collector, author, lifelong aficionado of Greek art and history, and founder of luxury hotel The Tsitouras Collection on the spectacular Greek island of Santorini.Perched atop a majestic thousand-foot cliff in Firostefani village, The Tsitouras Collection overlooks one of the most spectacular views in the Mediterranean, with the hotel’s five individually-designed suites complemented by artworks from Mr Tsitouras’s own collection. Mr Tsitouras’s passion for the island of Santorini became the cornerstone of his collection, which features more than 4,000 Santorinian artifacts, in addition to modern and contemporary artworks, including an original Picasso worth half a million dollars. Testament to his passion for Greek art and antiquities is the fact that he is currently building a museum for his collection, which he hopes will be operating by 2020.To find out more about Mr Tsitouras, his art collection, his The Tsitouras Collection hotel, and his favorite places to eat, stay, and visit, BLOUIN ARTINFO’s Nicholas Forrest got in touch with the man himself and asked him a few questions.What are your recommendations for must-visit places in Athens and why?Athens is a unique city that harmonically combines city life and the sea, thanks to its Athens Riviera. In order to really feel the vibe of a city you should learn to blend with your surroundings. A stop which should definitely be in any schedule is the Monastiraki area, which is underneath the Acropolis hill. It is a bit touristy, but on a Sunday, the flea market is paradise for any art lover with a keen eye for eclectic things to buy in bargain prices. The Acropolis and the Acropolis museum is certainly two must-visit places for any visitor. Vouliagmeni area is also nice, since it is by the sea and it offers an island feeling to the city.What restaurants, bars, and cafes would you recommend in Athens and why?Restaurants: Ithaki (http://www.ithakirestaurantbar.gr), Cookoovaya (http://cookoovaya.gr/en), Vezene (http://vezene.gr), Balthazar (http://balthazar.gr), and Varoulko (http://varoulko.gr).All five of them are proud representatives of a fusion of Greek & Mediterranean cuisine, and I believe they would satisfy the taste buds of any visitor.Cafes: Yiasemi (https://www.facebook.com/YiasemiPlaka/) and Café Avissinias at MonastirakiI always enjoy my coffee in my own space more. But if I had to choose, both of them are situated in the old part of town, which in combination with the young crowd, reminds me of the past while at the same time points to the future of the city.Where would you go and what would you do if you had a free morning or afternoon in Athens?I always find the Monastiraki area charming, since it successfully combines the vital needs of a collector with the city’s joie de vivre which satisfies my restless spirit.Where would you head to in Athens for the best shopping and what would you buy?For me art is always the best shopping therapy. I rarely buy anything besides that, so elegant antique shops such as Martinos (http://www.martinosart.gr) and the Monastiraki Flea Market on any given Sunday is more than enough for me.Where would you recommend people stay (hotels etc.) when they visit Athens?Over the past five years, I have been pleasantly surprised with the opening of many elegant boutique hotels in Athens. Two classic choices are always The Grande Bretagne (http://www.grandebretagne.gr) and St George Lycabettus (http://www.sglycabettus.gr/en/default.html)As for new additions to the hotel scene, Athens Was (http://www.athenswas.gr/en) as well as Coco Mat Hotel (http://www.cocomatathens.com/) are two unique hotels as well.Finally, New Hotel (http://www.yeshotels.gr/hotel/new-hotel) would be ideal for any modern art lover, since all of its rooms are decorated with artworks.What are the best places to see and buy art in Athens?As far as the best places to buy art, I have answered that above. Athens has a great art scene and offers many options for all art lovers. Some of the museums, which have interesting permanent collections as well as periodical ones, are the following:Benaki Museum (http://www.benaki.gr/), National Museum of Modern Art (http://www.emst.gr/en/), B. & M. Theoharakis Foundation (http://thf.gr/el/arxiki/), Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum (http://www.lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr/en/)What are the best places to see live entertainment – music, theatre, etc. in Athens and why?During the summer time, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival plays a vital role in the entertainment scene of the city. It is worth checking its program in order to see something which may be interesting (http://greekfestival.gr/en/) . Additionally, the new hot spot of Athens is the newly-built Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (https://www.snfcc.org/default.aspx), which also has many live performances.During the winter time, there are many good theater plays which have the default of being in Greek. The Athens Concert Hall has also some interesting shows from time to time (http://www.megaron.gr/default.asp?la=2)What are some of Athens’s best secret places that everyone should discover?The Lycabettus Hill has the best view of the city, and it’s worth visiting the The Chapel of St. George. Another place to visit is the Kessariani monastery (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaisariani_Monastery)What projects are you currently working on/involved in?I am very glad to announce a big project which will take place in 2019. The Benaki museum will host an exhibition of my collection of paintings depicting the unique landscape of Santorini, an island which I have a special relationship with since my boutique hotel is located there (www.tsitouras.com). The title of the exhibition will be “The Santorini Landscape as depicted in Early 20th-Century Greek Painting”. With this unique exhibition, I will celebrate the 30 years anniversary of The Tsitouras Collection, so it is a really special project for me. Read more