General News
Meropi Kyriacou Honored as TNH Educator of the Year
NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.
Aegialis Hotel & Spa offers guests an enchanting experience on the beautiful island of Amorgos in the Cyclades. Irene Giannakopoulos, Owner & CEO of Aegialis Tours – Aegialis Hotel & Spa spoke with The National Herald about the highly regarded destination and the excellent amenities and activities available to visitors during their stay.
TNH: What can visitors expect when they choose Amorgos Aegialis for their vacation?
Irene Giannakopoulos: Aegialis Hotel & Spa has been a wellness destination for almost 30 years and it’s the perfect choice for guests who wish to enjoy 5-star hospitality and services in a serene environment, very close to nature.
Our hotel is situated in a perfect location, walking distance from the beach, with breathtaking views of the sea from every balcony.
There are daily morning and evening group yoga classes, complimentary for our guests to drop in, with the option to book individual classes as well, and we provide sterilized and disinfected props.
Our award-winning Ambrosia Gallery restaurant has been recently renovated to align with the social-distancing rules and offers a variety of traditional Greek meals, as well as gourmet, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
In addition to that, our guests enjoy access to Lalon Idor Spa facilities, which include a sauna, jacuzzi, hammam, indoor swimming pool and fitness center. Beauty and massage treatments are also available to book upon request.
Social distancing rules are followed meticulously at the hotel’s common spaces and each room has a private entrance and balcony.
At Aegialis Hotel & Spa, the friendly welcome with local sweets and drinks, and the genuine hospitable smiles, will make you feel at home from the first moment.
TNH: How has the pandemic affected the hotel and spa?
IG: With the united efforts of the municipality and local population of Amorgos, as well as the staff of our hotel, the island has remained COVID-free from last year and up to now!
During 2020 and 2021, we have been able to welcome guests who enjoyed their time on the island with an added sense of security. The pandemic has certainly impacted the flow of people in our hotel, but at the same time we have been proactive in finding new ways to attract people with the introduction of our Yoga Teacher Training programs, which were launched last year and have been highly successful ever since.
Taking advantage of this time, a lot of renovation and upgrading work took place, which will be a pleasant surprise and benefit for our guests.
At the same time, as our resort remains open year-round, we created special circumstances for the new trend of ‘remote work,’ offering special rates for long stays! Many people, from different countries, chose Aegialis Hotel & Spa, as their ‘office/home’ away from home to be creative, relaxed, and pampered as if still on vacation.
TNH: What are some of the advantages of choosing the island of Amorgos and Aegialis in particular?
IG: Amorgos is a spectacular island, which combines exquisite nature, crystal clear waters, and very rich history, dating back to antiquity. It is also considered an amazing filming destination (www.filmonamaorgos.com), attracting many producers to shoot their films here. The film Big Blue, shot on Amorgos, has made the island famous all over the world, bringing guests who wish to enjoy quality and peaceful vacation time in a safe environment.
Aegialis Hotel & Spa, is the only 5-star hotel on the island, and is proud to offer its guests excellent hospitality and services for almost 30 years. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Aegialis Hotel has been among the first businesses in Greece to have been certified with the COVID-Shield by TUV AUSTRIA, and is completely aligned with health and safety protocols, to ensure the safety of its guests and staff.
TNH: What special packages are available?
IG: We offer a variety of multi-day packages, with special rates during low and mid-season which can be found at www.amorgos-aegialis.com.
The Aegialis Hotel & Spa team has been organizing destination weddings for 25 years (www.greek-wedding.com). We have hosted lovely couples from all over the world for their special day. Amorgos is an amazingly romantic island, with special positive energy, promising eternal love and happiness! There are wonderful venues, with incredible views, in Amorgos and on our property.
Our wedding and honeymoon packages can also include multiple destinations in Greece, organized by our affiliated Aegialis Tours department.
Aegialis Hotel & Spa offers wellness, yoga, and special culinary packages, including hiking, and cultural activities.
Our culinary classes and wine tasting are very also popular with our visitors.
We’re a big, flexible, and willing team, ready to offer our guests authentic local experiences, custom tailored to their needs.
TNH: How far in advance should people begin planning for their stay?
IG: Bookings are accepted, up to the last minute, as long as there is availability.
For a special event, such as a wedding, a honeymoon, a yoga retreat, training activities, a family reunion or a seminar/business meeting, guests start booking even one year in advance.
TNH: What types of activities and amenities do guests enjoy the most?
IG: Our visitors like to get authentic experiences, and we try to offer them a wide range of cultural activities, especially local festivals, with traditional music, dancing, and food, which take place all year round.
Tours on the island with visits to the world-famous 1200-year-old Monastery of Hozoviotissa, to the Ancient Water Oracle, to the picturesque Chora town and other villages are very interesting to our guests.
Herbal tours, culinary courses with traditional recipes, Greek dancing nights and classes, visits to traditional houses to observe the way locals lived in the past, as well as sea activities, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat trips are organized on a daily basis.
Our guests enjoy immensely the opportunity to participate in our daily yoga classes during their stay and also enjoy access to our Lalon Idor Spa facilities.
Yoga Teacher Training programs at Aegialis School of Yoga offer the opportunity to participants, to become certified Yoga instructors in the most beautiful and serene environment. All classes are taught in our five spacious shalas that feature wooden floors and glass panels, providing breathtaking views to the sea, in any kind of weather.
Aegialis Hotel & Spa, is a paradise wellness resort, and is described by its guests as the Jewel of Amorgos!
More information is available online: www.amorgos-aegialis.com.
NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.
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