Cultural Tourism: where History meets Art, Gastronomy and Nature

Niki Papazoglou graduated from the Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2004. She was involved in international reporting from an early age and worked in newspapers, magazines and reputable online media. Since then, she has been constantly working in the media, covering, among other things, tourism and technology, while she has broadcast on the internet, through morning magazino and music shows.  
 

The love for cooking was written in the DNA of Lefteris Lazarou, who never thought of following another path in his life than that of cooking. Born in Piraeus, he grew up with his ship cook father as his child hero, with whom he learned the first secrets and discovered the true value of food. Then he traveled to different countries, learned about different cuisines, and gained rich experiences and knowledge working as a cook on boats and cruise ships. In 1987 he decided to leave ships and opened his own restaurant  in Piraeus, Varoulko, in which he launched a new seafood cook. Varoulko was loved by customers, expanded in the centre of Athens and returned by the sea of ​​Piraeus, having won since 2002 the first Michelin star ever given to a restaurant of Greek cuisine. Lefteris Lazarou has repeatedly represented Greek cuisine abroad, has been awarded from different institutions and has cooked on many official occasions. He is, in fact, the chef who designed a menu based on Greek products and cooked at the recent official luncheon hosted by the President of the Hellenic Republic, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the 1821 revolution.
 

Thanos Veremis, Professor Emeritus at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, studied Political Science at Boston University and History at Oxford University (Trinity College). In 1978 he became a Research Associate of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (London). In 1983 he was a visiting researcher at Harvard University, in 1987 a visiting professor at Princeton University and in 1993-94 a visiting professor at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. In 1987 he became Professor of Political History at the Department of Political Science of the University of Athens and from 1988 to 1994 he was the Director of the "Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy" (ELIAMEP) and until 2000, the President of ELIAMEP. From 2001 to 2003 he was Konstantinos Karamanlis’ Professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In 2004-2010 he was President of the National Education Council (ESYP). More than 20 titles of his works (books) and numerous articles in Greek and English have been published worldwide.
 

Sofia Antoniadou holds a PhD in Archeology from the University of Edinburgh, and has many years of teaching experience at the Hellenic Open University, as well as research and writing. Her professional experience is mainly related to cultural management and includes, among others, the organisation of conferences, cultural events and archeological programs at the Pieridis Museum of Ancient Cypriot Art. From 2009 to 2012 she worked as a research associate on culture and education in the Greek Parliament and the Ministry of Culture, and was in charge of the museological study of the Cyprus Theater Museum which was inaugurated in 2012. In 2014 she co-founded the company Discover Greek Culture along with Alexandra Tiligada.
 

Xenophon Kappas has been working since 2011 as the Director of the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, promoting and supporting sustainable development. He has extensive experience in sustainable development and social participation, having worked with various actors and from different positions on these issues. His previous professional experience was in relevant administrative positions, related to environmental management and sustainable development. His studies are in Business Administration while he holds postgraduate degrees in European Studies and in Latin American Studies, specialising in political and developmental issues. From a young age he has been active as a volunteer in the field of NGOs and civil society issues and continues to be involved voluntarily, mainly now as a board member, in humanitarian and environmental organisations and as a mentor in organisations and support schemes for sustainable development and entrepreneurship.