Panos Kammenos is in Washington with a renewed look, and will attend the events for Donald Trump's inauguration.

Katie Gray was a Greek singer of light and popular music. Gray was born in the village of Mytilinioi in Samos and has three siblings. She was adopted by the Kalaitzis family and grew up in Piraeus.

She initially became an actress in Rita Tsakonas's roaming theater group and later sang with Yannis Vellas as well as other artists of the light music genre. Her role model was Tzimis Makoulis. She recorded her first song in 1952 and it was the creation of George Mitsakis "To marazi". After the success she achieved, she managed to become the first name in the biggest centers of the era and also to record all the great composers of her time.

She performed the first performances of songs by composers such as: Markos Vamvakaris, Vasilis Tsitsanis, Yiannis Papaioannou, Giorgos Mitsakis, Christos Kolokotronis, Eftychia Papagiannopoulou, Kostas Virvos, Thodoros Derveniotis, Babis Bakalis, Giorgos Zambetas and Panos Tzavellas.

She collaborated with well-known artists such as: Rosa Eskenazi, Stratos Pagioumtzis, Stelios Kazantzidis, Grigoris Bithikotsis, Poly Panou, Mary Linda, Giota Lydia, Antonis Repanis, Stratos Dionysiou, Rita Sakellariou, Spyros Zagoraios, Panos Gavalas, George Dalaras, Eleni Vitali, Glykeria, Charoula Alexiou, Konstantina, Alkistis Protopsalti, Dimitra Galani, Antonis Vardis, Stefanos Korkolis, Christos Dantes, among others.

For a long time she performed at the biggest cities of America, Australia, Canada and Germany, meeting Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Rita Hayworth, Maria Callas, Stavros Niarchos and Aristotle Onassis.

In the 60s she was the highest paid singer with a daily salary that was than twice most monthly salaries. This was also recognized by the Greek courts in a legal battle that existed with the owner of a nightclub of the time.

She recorded more than 1,500 songs, until 1996, when she retired from discography and performing. In 1995, Kostas Ferris signed a contract with ANT1 to transfer her legendary life to the small screen. However, this was not to be fully achieved since the budget cost did not allow the 26 episodes that the contract had been signed for. The filming took place in Greece, Turkey and Egypt while the title song "I won your life" performed by Yiannis Parios was never released. In 2006, her autobiography was released, titled As I lived it.

She played in 19 films as an actress and singer.

The event was attended by the Consul General of Greece in New York, Ifigenia Kanara, the Director of the Public Diplomacy Office Mary Vaxevanidou, the Director of the Greek Commercial Office in New York Nikolaos Thomopoulos, the President of the Federation of Greek Associations of Greater New York Nomiki Kastana, the Honorary President of the Greek American Homeowners Association of Astoria George Alexiou, the President of the Kefalonian Association of New York “Kefalos” Nikos Alysandratos, the Publisher of the former daily newspaper Fani Petallidou and other representatives of the Greek community.

Αlonnisos has claimed the third spot in Lonely Planet’s newly released list of the 23 best destinations worldwide for solo travelers.

The internationally renowned travel guide highlights the island's tranquil charm, natural beauty, and unique experiences as key reasons for its inclusion among top picks for 2025.

A Rising Trend in 2025: Solo Travel

According to Lonely Planet, “Planning a solo trip is no longer a mere task; it has become an art form. With solo traveling gaining more enthusiasts, 2025 promises to be a fantastic year for this category of travel.”

The guide emphasizes the importance of carefully selecting destinations that cater to solo adventurers. The top three spots are occupied by Iceland, Lisbon, and Alonnisos, followed by destinations such as Ireland’s Copper Coast, Munich, and Chiang Mai in Thailand.

Lonely Planet praises Alonnisos for its pristine natural beauty, featuring lush pine forests, turquoise waters, and an absence of mass tourism, which creates a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.

The island's narrow streets, scenic trails, small chapels, and the picturesque Old Village are highlighted as must-see attractions.

Additionally, the island is home to the National Marine Park of Alonnisos, one of Europe’s largest marine reserves, and the Peristera Shipwreck, a world-class underwater museum for diving enthusiasts.

Promoting Alonnisos Globally

Ahead of the upcoming tourism season, the Municipality of Alonnisos, supported by expert advisors, participated in the London International Tourism Exhibition.

Meetings with travel writers, industry professionals, and journalists generated significant interest in the island’s offerings, particularly its specialized forms of tourism.

“Alonnisos attracts a wide range of travelers, including families, couples, solo visitors, and groups of friends. They feel at home here and enjoy high-quality services, unique nature, authentic hospitality, local cuisine, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxing, positive vibe,” said Alonnisos Mayor Panagiotis Anagnostou. He emphasized the island’s quality and authenticity, which stand out in an era increasingly dominated by mass tourism.

With its serene charm and diverse offerings, Alonnisos continues to surprise and delight both Greek and international visitors, making it a top destination for those seeking a meaningful and memorable travel experience.