🏛️Greece & the Cycladic Islands - Hotels, New Foods, Nectar & Olive Oil Making

This is my Idea for a new vacation/neighborhood where it is possible to purchase a vacation home or stay in a hotel. There is a ton to do and see here. It combines all the features of previous beach zones with some old favorite activities from Past Sims games. If you have Dining out the Taverna should be a restaurant Lot. It also has little bonus unlocks if you have certain other packs. As a small nod to those who want farming packs check out the Olive Groves & Nectaries and Sheep Pastures

SCROLL SLOWLY! There is commentary and descriptions I know it's a lot but its worth your time.

Overview

• New Greek Food - For Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Beverages, and Baked Goods
• New & Existing Harvestables for Greek Food Harvestables in a Vegetable Garden featuring NEW Herbs
  • Bay Leaves
  • Dill 
  • Eggplant (Small)
  • Grapes - Avornalina (From Sims 3) 
  • Mint 
  • Onion
  • Olive Tree 
  • Oregano
  • Peaches (Greece is the 3rd Largest exporter) 
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Zucchini 
• Composting & Compost Bin
• Vegetable Stand
• Butter Churn for Goat, Sheep Milk & The Cow's Milk from Cottage Living Making Compound Butter
• New Interests - Nectar Making, Pottery, Sculpture Making, Scuba Diving, Weaving?
• New Places to use Archeology - Plus Underwater Archeology
• New Skills/Activities 
  • Archaeology (Classical) The Classical Branch of Archaeology on the Island of Delos
  • Olive Pressing Olive Grove with its Own Press to make Olive Oil or Preserved Olives

     

  • Nectar Making I thought it might be cool to establish that the Sims 3 Avornalino Grapes were from Greece
    • Additional Zone for Nectar Making Introduction
    • Adding a few additional Grape Varieties to the mix 
  • Scuba Diving (Deep Dives, Not Just Snorkeling) Underwater ArchaeologyGetting Stung by a Jelly Fish
  • Sculpture Making 
  • Weaving
• 4 of the 7 Wonders of the World The Colossus of Rhodes - "Why Man, he doth bestrode the narrow world like a Colossus

   

• Mausoleum of Mausolus "A vast tomb lies over me in Halicarnassus, of such dimensions, of such exquisite beauty as no other shade can boast"
• New Woo-hoo spots - Dive Cave & Hammock
• Adventure Zone with Traps and Treasures like Sims 3 World Adventures from the Labyrinth of the Minotaur
• Island Hopping on Sailboats, Houseboats & Yachts Little Hibiscus Tea and Deep Sea Fishing Anyone?
• Metal Detecting
• Souvenir Shopping - Yes shopping local stores and buying things to bring back just like Sims 2Weaving has been a skill in Greece since Arachne
• Blessings from the Greek Gods
• Working Hotels with Room Service & Maid Service and Concierge Service
• Vacation Homes for Rent or purchase
• Bakeries
• Tavernas on the Beach - not shacks 
• New Tattoos featuring Greek Themes Artemis the Goddess of the Moon, The Hunt & the Protectress of Dewey Youth
• The Zodiac - The Western Zodiac 
• Two new unlock-able Breeds for Cats & Dogs
• Several new wild and local animals types including Raising Bigger Sheep and Goats at the Sheep Pasture - Because in Greece Lamb is what's for dinner Sheep Pasture

   

• A new standalone Spa Treatment - The Hammam
• New Lots Shop for Produce or Souvenirs at the market stalls in the Agora
  • Agora - For Souvenir & Farmers Markets 
  • Bakery
  • Deep Dive Lots
  • The Labyrinth
  • The Marina
  • Nectar Vineyard
  • Olive Grove
  • Sheep & Goat Pasture
  • Taverna
  • Temple Ruins
• New Pool Mosaics & Curved Pool edges
• Painted Ceilings
• Buy Items 
  • Butter Churn
  • Composter
  • Hammock
  • Metal Detector 
  • Olive Press 
  • Sculpture Making Stand 
  • Weaving Loom 
  • Wood Fire Oven 
• Learning traditional dance and Greek Music ChannelLearning the Native Dance Moves
• Cetus the Kraken & The Minotaur"A Titan Against a Titan!" I honestly would love to hear that in Simlish. "Release the Kraken!" too

Sims 4 Version - If you are ever wondering why I always place a Hispanic Man w/Auburn Haired Woman it me and my hubby #Romance

I think the pack should just be filled with Clash of the Titans (1981 it's the better and more quotable movie) references as well as Greek Mythology

Map of Mainland Greece, The Cycladic Islands & Crete

Map of Greece & The Cyclades

The Climate of the Cycladic Islands

Spring, from mid-March to May, is mild and quite sunny, but it's also windy. There are some periods of bad weather which gradually become more rare.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is warm and sunny, but also windy. The Meltemi blows for long periods, especially in July and August, and it's stronger in the afternoon, but can insist also in the evening. In some cases, wind gusts may exceed 70 kph (45 mph). Thanks to this wind, the maximum temperature is usually below 30 °C (86 °F), and even in the hottest periods, when in other parts of Greece the temperature can reach or exceed 40 °C (104 °F), here, it does not exceed 34/35 °C (93/95 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is initially warm and sunny, but it gradually becomes cooler and rainier. Autumn too is windy: as long as the weather is nice, the Meltemi still blows, while later, the wind blows along with autumnal depressions.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is mild, quite rainy and windy. The wind, frequent and sometimes violent, makes the air feel colder than it actually is. The island is located north enough and close enough to the mainland to receive cold air with some frequency, to the point that there can be cold days, with highs below 10 °C (50 °F), and sometimes even snow can fall.

The Cycladic Islands can get Hurricanes but usually lesser ones.


Unlockables & Inter-Pack Functions
Unlocks I tried to think of little things that could have inter-pack function that could breath new life into older packs as well as flesh out this one. These are all I could think of that would be somewhat seamless.

Seasons - Weather - Hot & Dry and Windy
Cats & Dogs - Kokoni new dog breed exclusive to this zone. Aegean Cat New Breed for this area

Aegean Cat

Kokoni Dog

Greek Key Pet Collar

https://img1.etsystatic.com/018/0/8100590/il_fullxfull.510092019_b7kn.jpg

Lovely New things for Pets

Dining Out - The Taverna - I think this would come in the form of an unlocked Dining Out style restaurant lot that you can sub out for the one that comes standard. Let's say that the Taverna lot that comes standard is just another food stall on a lot and if you have Dining Out you can go into the pre-mades and replace it with the unlocked restaurant. Also all the food from this pack gets added to the list of foods you can put on the Dining Out Menu 

Island Living & Realm of Magic - Poseidon's Blessing for Spellcasters & Mermaids. Also the Dolphin is Greece's national animal. I also don't see why the crab traps shouldn't work here if you had both packs.
Jungle Adventure - New Archeology Zone and underwater archeology
Get to work - Bakery is a new own-able lot type. Not to say that this one won't be available in the expansion if you don't have Get to Work just that it won't be own able on other lots like it would be currently if you didn't have GTW.

Ground Set Hot Tubs - If you have Hot Tubs which I think we all do now if that last one was a Base Game Update 

Build items

I'd love a bit of architecture from Ancient Greece and the Modern Cyclades

Fundamentals of Ancient Geek Architecture

Greek Columns

Architecture of the Cycladic Islands

Cycladic Stairs Against the bright Blue Sea 

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2e/b2/45/2eb245aa0f2167d3f55717425d2f78ea--vacation-villas-vacation-rentals.jpg

Gorgeous Walking Street Set against the Aegean Sea
http://s1.picswalls.com/wallpapers/2014/07/28/greek-architecture-background_120601364_112.jpg

http://blog.greeka.com/wp-content/uploads/folegandros.jpg

A Private Home

Living & Dining Room

Kitchen & Garden

The Windmills 

The Windmills of Mykonos

Pretty Doorway & Pottery

https://www.greeka.com/photos/ionian/architecture/hero/ionian-architecture-2-1280.jpg

Archway & Cobblestone Alley 
http://s1.picswalls.com/wallpapers/2014/07/28/greek-architecture-high-quality-wallpaper_12060257_112.jpg

http://decoholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/greek-interior-design-39.jpg

Stucco Fireplace
https://cdn.trendir.com/wp-content/uploads/old/house-design/assets_c/2014/07/amazing-views-architecture-place-stay-16-dining-thumb-970xauto-45570.jpg

https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/2-cycladic-architecture-manolis-tsantakis.jpg
Mykonos Marina 

Night Time Street Scene 
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ezRJIqgc5I/Th8pGYp3TVI/AAAAAAAAATc/ELACJ_lxGyY/s1600/mykonos-town-at-night-steve-outram.jpg

Painted Ceilings

Painted Ceilings common in the Cyclades

This is the Greek Revival Style - NOT Cycladic Greek, Just an example of painted ceilings that could be done

Inspired by a Greek Orthodox Church in Santorini. Perspective is titled to focus on the painted ceiling. Just an example of kids of painted ceiling they have there

Building at Home Wine Caves - A little bonus for our builder friends

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/77/dc/e3/77dce323cf4b7f909f8fc7428c269bae.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fb/b6/e4/fbb6e4792fbb10a4cb6b2c69b2248725.jpg
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/0e/73/ec/0e73ec4245087029a5508454652b4174.jpg
Hate the Walls but Love the Door
https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/wwz8ig1ams0x6i0p8ttc510c0dd20a2e0.JPG?size=634x922&nocrop=1


Buy Section 

Dining Tables Along the Beach
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ba/86/c4/ba86c4d5b0840483fc492ed5a0584fe8.jpg

https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/55269/files/221013692/the-traditional-cycladic-architecture-meets-the-ch.jpg

Hammocks

Nighttime at home Watching a projection Screen on the wall

Beachside Shades Made of Grasses
http://www.neomagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Scuba3.jpg
Nazar, the Greek amulet against the evil eye
https://www.absolutviajes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/nazar-amulet-65016_1920.jpg.webp

Museum of Greek Archaeology 

Greek Museum Atrium

Statue of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War in Defense of Country

Greek Weapons

Even some Mythological Items

"By the Gods"

The Room of Apollo & The Muses

Aphrodite & Eros

Pegasus rising from the Blood of Medusa

Pheidippides The Battle of Marathon to Athens
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Statue_of_Pheidippides_along_the_Marathon_Road.jpg

Pool Mosaics 
https://mecartworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/23-1.jpg

Curved Pool Pieces are implied
https://mosaicmarble.com/assets/95/31/40/5a8ab9d696e8fc2eb812f60c4fcec074e16a2d7f.jpg
http://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/7f5159e001ae1570_4547-w500-h400-b0-p0--mediterranean-pool.jpg

Floor & Wall Mosaics
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7zEq5FEV4A/UKEzhDEyHWI/AAAAAAAAEjg/Nf_uR80bYmA/s1600/vatican_mosaic_floor_2.jpg
https://decortips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mosaic-floor-history.jpg

https://mosaicmarble.com/uploads/Medalions/MD37-G.jpg

Compost Bin - For Gardening and for the Grapes at the Nectarary

https://freerangestock.com/sample/86631/compost-bin-open.jpg

Suggested Lots

• Agora Market where farmers sell their produce
• Archeology Museum
• Bakery & Cafe
• Beach
• Deep Dive Zones
• Grottos
• Hotel
• Island of Delos archeology site and the Temple of the Gods
• Island of Rhodes to see the Colossus
• Labyrinth of the Minotaur in Crete
• Marina and the Fishmongers stand
• Mausoleum of Mausolus at Halicarnassus
• Nectary & Nectar Store and the Press
• Nightclub/Bar because nightlife in Mykonos is all about partying
• Olive Grove and Olive Press
• Residential Lots
• Sheep Pasture
• Souvenir Shops
• Taverna
• Vacation Villa
• Various Island with Private Beaches and Maybe the aforementioned Vacation Homes

Places to Stay - Mykonos is known for its hotel resorts & rental villas

https://greekcitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Koukoumi-Hotel-Mykonos.jpg

Actual NPC Hotel Staff With Classic Uniforms
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/20/f1/60/20f16053e4837136c913ad1087477eaa.png

Hotel Front Desk with Concierge 

• Concierge/Desk Clerk - Can be asked about rates, check the registry to see who's staying, such as a celebrity, arrange "excursions"
• Maid - will clean the rooms and any messes at the hotel "Housekeeping"
• Serviceman - will fix anything broken and attend to any plants that needs assistance
• Room Service Attendant "Room Service"
• Hammam Attendent

Honeymoons & Spring Break - Since this would be the first official Full Service Hotel. I think this should harken back to Sims 2 where you could plan a honeymoon for directly after a wedding and be picked up by a limo and then off to the vacation. The same for College Spring Break.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/3/4/0/6/2/4/MTS2_Fresh-Prince_1033874_Screenshot-397.jpg

Vacation Excursions - are off site rabbit hole outings you can arrange with the concierge that sends a Sim and any chosen companions for a set amount of time. The Sims will come back with interesting emotions and needs meters filled or depleted depending upon the activity and whether or not would be interested in such an activity. Taking part in an excursions can result in unique souvenir, discovery or another type of opportunity chance.

Excursions

• Helicopter Tour
• Bird Watching
• Parasailing
• Horseback riding on the Beach
• Looking for the Golden Fleece

*Locking Hotel Doors - A most important detail
*Tipping the staff

Return of the Pool Bar

Note the Pool Mosaics

New Spa Service - Stand alone but can be added to a Spa

Hammam - Known as a Turkish Bath 

Inside the Turkish Bath 

The attendant scrubs the client down with a scratchy mitt to exfoliate. The raised heated platform is called a Göbektaşi.

The attendant covers the client with a soap foam to wash them off. This is followed by an oil massage.

Private Villa/Buyable Vacation House You can choose to rent it or purchase it as a vacation home

Lounging at the beach

New Foods 

Popular Greek Foods to try

• Avgolemono Soup
• Baklava - Already in game in one of the packs but would not be a bad thing to place in here as well
• Bougatsa
• Calamari (Fried)
• Dolmades
• Fasolada
• Gemista aka Stuffed Tomatoes
• Grilled Octopus
• Gyros (I think its already in another pack but it would only natural to be in this one too) 
• Horiatiki Sałata aka Greek Salad 
• Mousaka 
• Pastitsio
• Roasted Lamb 
• Shrimp Saganaki
• Spanakopita 
• Tiropita
• Tsoureki aka Greek Easter Bread