Four Seasons Astir Palace Kicks Off Summer with Music Mélange

Now, you can embrace the sweet freedom of a Hellenic summer to the tune of live bouzouki, Latin American party vibes and seductive Italian ballads on the Athens Riviera.

Summer has well and truly arrived in the Greek capital, with long, sun-filled days and balmy nights at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens on the captivating Athens Riviera.

As the warm weather takes hold, the iconic beachfront Hotel, located on a secluded peninsula in the resort area of Vouliagmeni, is the perfect setting to celebrate the freedom and spontaneity of the season. From June through mid-October expect live music, good food, fine wine, champagne and tropical cocktails.

Gather round family and friends and prepare to unwind and make unforgettable memories listening to Greek bouzouki, Italian love ballads, exuberant Latin tunes and contemporary dance hits by the pool and beach. And, if the mood strikes, feel free to dance the day and night away.

Bouzouki Nights at Taverna 37

With its distinctive twang, the bouzouki is Greece’s most beloved instrument and, for many, reminiscent of a liberating Hellenic summer by the sea. The long-necked, pear-shaped string instrument is believed to be a direct descendant of the ancient pandoura, which dates back 2,300 years.

Immigrants from Turkey and Asia Minor brought a version of today’s bouzouki to Greece in the early 1900s. They also influenced the evolution of the Greek blues, an urban popular music genre known as rebetiko.

This emotion-rich musical and cultural form of expression is inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. While a completely different genre, most will also recognise the sound of bouzouki from Greece’s upbeat laiko music.

Get to know both genres, via this versatile musical instrument, at bouzouki nights featuring a live band held at the Hotel’s lively Taverna 37 on Tuesday and Saturday nights. Sign up for weekly Greek dance lessons, which include zeibekiko and the sirtaki dance popularised by Anthony Quinn in the 1964 film Zorba the Greek, held at the restaurant. All guests are welcome to test out their dance skills to the sounds of live bouzouki post-dinner.

Champagne and Oysters, Cheese and Wine at Astron

Summer spells freedom, so make the very most of the season. Rejoice in the occasion with a chilled bottle of champagne and oysters served al fresco on the terrace of fashion-forward meeting spot Astron. A chef is on hand to shuck plump, gleaming oysters as the Hotel’s champagne champion does the honours of popping the cork of a bottle of rare bubbly.

Raise a toast to the end of a soothing day by the water at Astron’s weekly Oysters and Champagne event, held Saturdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

On Wednesdays, the elegant restaurant-bar honours the fine culinary arts of charcuterie and cheese paired with choice wines. A chef hand slices a wide array of delectable cold cuts such as Prosciutto di Norcia, pancetta di Parma and salame finocchiona.

Among the luscious cheeses served are pecorino al tartufo, pecorino fiore Sardo and Puglia’s caciocavallo di grotta, which is aged for 120 days in stone caves. Bocconcini buffalo mozzarella fior di latte, hailing from Campania’s capital Caserta, constitutes another mouth-watering treat for cheese devotees.

Fine dining restaurant Pelagos’ star sommelier is making a special appearance at Astron this season to guide guests in pairing charcuterie and cheese selections with unique Greek and international wines, including hard-to-find vintages and exceptional magnums.

Held on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, it makes for the ideal mid-week wind down.

Live Latin Vibes at Helios

Is it any wonder that Latin American culture appears to be right at home in Greece? Greeks and Latinos share a similar light-hearted, positive approach to life.

And, of course, high-spirited Latin vibes and summer go hand in hand, so slip into something colourful and comfortable and head to Helios. Situated poolside, the Hotel’s vibrant Latin American restaurant serves an exquisite array of dishes including lush ceviches and tiraditos, spicy tacos, tender chargrilled meat cuts and, naturally, tropical fruit-filled cocktails.

Start the week on a high note at Helios by gathering with loved ones under the Attican sunshine and enjoying the sounds of a live Latin trio on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. A vocalist, pianist and percussionist sets the mood with classic and contemporary Latin hits. And if the mood strikes, don’t be shy to get up and move to the rhythm.

Suave Italian Sounds at Mercato

If there’s anything the Italians do better than anyone else, it’s heart-rending love songs. There’s nothing like a romantic date night to nourish the soul, set hearts aflutter and tantalise the palate.

Enhancing the atmosphere at Mercato, a trio featuring a vocalist and musicians brings suave Italian sounds to the Hotel’s stylish trattoria twice a week this season.

Book dinner on a Wednesday or Friday for the opportunity to hear, or even sing along to, beloved Italian songs made famous by the likes of Eros Ramazzotti, Lucio Dalla and Giusy Ferreri.

Fun for the Kids Poolside at Kyma

Kids will be kids. Relax by the beach or pool and let the little ones burn pent-up energy in a safe, supervised environment and be creative while having fun. This season, at Kyma Pool & Beach Bar, young guests are invited to partake in games and enjoy performances such as magician shows, on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Sunsets and Tunes

Gather a group of friends and head to Kyma Pool & Beach Bar on Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm to catch the sun setting dramatically over the Saronic Gulf and dance everyday cares away to the tune of guest DJs spinning pop, house, RnB, soul, reggae and rock music. Sunday afternoons are even more laidback, with DJ sets from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

For dining reservations, call +30 210 890 1000 or email diningreservations.athens@fourseasons.com